Planning a Trip to Germany? Read our Germany Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Few countries in Europe connect historic cities, castles and regional culture in such a structured way as Germany does. Back in 1871, the country officially unified, yet many regions still kept their own identity, which you’ll notice in architecture, food and traditions. Across the country, more than 20,000 castles and castle ruins are spread between rivers, forests and smaller towns. Train networks connect most major cities, making it easy to move between places like Berlin, Munich and Cologne without needing a car. This Germany travel guide helps you decide where to go in Germany, what to do there, and how to combine everything into an exciting travel plan.

5 reasons to visit Germany

You can explore cities like Berlin, where history is visible everywhere, from the Berlin Wall to government buildings and art-filled neighbourhoods.

You’ll see castles like Neuschwanstein, along with many others across Bavaria and the Rhine that look like they belong in a film.

Germany has well-known museums in cities like Berlin and Munich, with places like Museum Island where several museums sit close together.

You can visit Christmas markets in winter with Glühwein and food stalls, or spend summer evenings in beer gardens and by lakes.

Getting around is easy with fast ICE trains, which connect cities like Berlin and Munich in just a few hours.

The best places to go in Germany

When you are planning your trip to Germany, you’ll want to know the nicest places to visit in Germany. Each region feels quite different, from historic cities to river valleys and alpine areas. Let’s take a look at a few good places to go in Germany.

Cities like Berlin and Munich

Germany has some of the most interesting cities to explore, each with its own history and atmosphere. In Berlin, you can walk along preserved sections of the Berlin Wall, stand at the Brandenburg Gate, and visit Museum Island, where five museums sit close together with collections ranging from ancient Egypt to modern photography. Around the Reichstag building, you can even go up into the glass dome for views over the city.

Munich is a city that has a lot of things to see. The city centre is around Marienplatz, where the Glockenspiel plays music every day. From Marienplatz you can go to royal homes, big parks and traditional restaurants that serve yummy food like pork knuckle and dumplings.

Historic Castles like Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein is a fairy tale castle that was built a time ago by King Ludwig II. He did not build it to fight wars, but to have a romantic place to stay. You will need to buy a ticket, it usually costs between £15 and £18. It takes around two hours to get to Neuschwanstein from Munich by train and bus. The trip is nice because you’ll see beautiful mountains and quiet villages along the way.

In western Germany, the Rhine Valley is one of the best places to see castles in one area. Along the stretch between Boppard and St. Goar, more than 20 castles sit on hills above vineyards and small towns along the river. From the water, you get a clear view of castles like Marksburg Castle, one of the few that was never destroyed. You can take a boat ride on the Rhine River between Boppard and St Goar, passing viewpoints and stopping in smaller villages along the way.

Bavarian Alps and Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The Bavarian Alps are south of Munich. You can take a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It takes around one to two hours. From there you can take a cable car to the top of Zugspitze, which's the highest mountain in Germany. There are hiking trails around Eibsee lake that have water and easy-to-follow paths. In winter you can even ski here depending on how much snow falls.

Rhine River

Between Mainz and Koblenz, the Rhine runs through one of the most well-known river valleys in Germany. Along this stretch, you’ll pass towns like Rüdesheim and Bacharach, each with half-timbered houses, a church and a castle above the town. Castles like Rheinstein and Reichenstein sit on the hills overlooking vineyards that cover the slopes. You can take a boat ride between the towns, which usually takes a few hours and gives you a clear view of the castles from the water.

Before you book your flights to Germany, pick one area that you really want to see, like Berlin, Bavaria or the Rhine area. Then you can plan your trip around that. If you try to see the country at once you will spend too much time on trains and not enough time seeing the sights.

Ideas for your ideal Germany itinerary

Now that you’ve got a better idea of the nicest places to visit in Germany, the next step is connecting them into a trip that actually works. Around 7 days already gives you enough time to focus on a few key cities without rushing too much. With 10 days, you can add extra stops like castles, river areas or smaller towns along the way. We’ve put together a few Germany itinerary options based on how much time you have, so you can choose what fits you best.

7 to 10 days Germany itinerary: cities and highlights

Day 1–2: Berlin, walk from the Brandenburg Gate to the Reichstag dome, follow parts of the Berlin Wall and visit a museum

Day 3: Day trip to Dresden or Potsdam by train, both under two hours from Berlin

Day 4: Travel to Munich by train, the journey takes around four hours

Day 5–7: Munich, explore Marienplatz, walk through the English Garden and visit local beer halls

Day 8–9: Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, reachable in around two hours by train and bus from Munich

Day 10: Return or continue your trip

10 to 14 days Germany itinerary: cities, castles and river views

Day 1–3: Berlin, explore the city, visit historic sites and museums

Day 4–6: Munich, explore the city and visit Neuschwanstein Castle as a day trip

Day 7–8: Freiburg in the Black Forest, walk through the town, visit the main square and explore forest trails

Day 9–10: Travel north to the Rhine River, stay in Mainz or Koblenz

Day 11–12: Rhine Valley, take a boat cruise between towns and see castles and vineyards

Day 13–14: Return or continue exploring nearby areas

Ending in the Rhine region is a good option because it's close to Frankfurt Airport.

Going to Munich? Read this 5-day Itinerary for Munich, including a visit to the Old Town, Neuschwanstein castle, and more!

Want more inspiration? Check out the following trips:

When Should You Visit Germany?

The best time to visit Germany depends on what you want to experience once you’re there. Are you into mountains, Christmas markets or spending time in museums?

Summer is a good time to be outside: from June to August it is usually twenty to thirty degrees in most parts of Germany. You can go to beer gardens, lakes and hiking trails in the Alps.

Winter is a good time to see Christmas markets: from late November to December there are a lot of festive markets in big cities and small towns. It is usually very cold from zero to seven degrees.

Autumn is a good time to save money: September and October are usually mild and it does not cost as much to stay in Germany. The vineyards along the Rhine River are really pretty in autumn when the leaves turn golden.

Want to plan it properly? Read our full guide on the best time to go to Germany and choose the season that matches your plans.

Food and drinks to try when travelling to Germany

When you think of food and drinks in Germany you might think of sausages and beer, yet once you’re there, you’ll notice that every region has its own dishes and traditions. There’s quite a lot to try along the way.

Eat schnitzel in Munich or southern Germany

In southern Germany, schnitzel is a common dish in restaurants. It’s usually a thin piece of meat, breaded and fried, served with potatoes or salad. Around Munich, traditional beer halls often have it on the menu. Portions are usually quite large, so it’s a filling meal.

Try pretzels and baked goods from local bakeries

Across Germany, bakeries are everywhere and part of daily life. Pretzels, or Brezeln, are one of the most common snacks, often eaten with butter or alongside meals. In the morning, locals often stop by bakeries for bread, pastries or sandwiches. Quality is usually high, even in smaller towns.

Try apfelstrudel in southern Germany

Originally from Austria, this warm apple dessert is easy to find across Germany, especially in Bavaria. It’s made with thin pastry layers filled with apple, raisins and cinnamon, and usually served with vanilla sauce or ice cream. In cafés, it’s often a go-to choice in the afternoon.

Try regional dishes like spätzle or bratwurst

Different regions have their own specialties. In the south, spätzle is a type of soft egg noodle often served with cheese or meat. Bratwurst, a grilled sausage, is common across the country and often served in a bun or with mustard. Local markets and smaller restaurants are good places to try these.

Drink beer in a traditional beer garden

Finally, since beer is a big part of German culture, you might want to try drinking a beer in a traditional beer garden. In cities like Munich, beer gardens are common during warmer months, where people sit outside at long tables. You’ll often see local beers served in large glasses, sometimes one litre at a time. It’s more about the setting than just the drink.

Culture in Germany: shaped by history and regional identity

Germany as a unified country dates back to 1871, yet its regions had developed separately for centuries before that. Kingdoms and states like Bavaria, Prussia and Saxony each built their own traditions, architecture and ways of life, and you will still see those differences when you travel through the country. In Bavaria, you’ll notice traditional clothing during festivals, while in cities like Berlin, buildings from different time periods sit right next to each other. During the 20th century, events like World War II and the division between East and West Germany from 1949 to 1990 shaped modern German identity. In Berlin, you can walk along preserved sections of the Berlin Wall, visit the East Side Gallery with its murals, or stand at Checkpoint Charlie, which gives you a direct sense of that period.

In Munich, long wooden tables in beer halls fill up with locals drinking from large glasses, especially in the evening. Around Christmas, city squares turn into markets with wooden stalls, lights and food stands selling things like roasted almonds and Glühwein. In smaller towns along the Rhine, you’ll walk past half-timbered houses, local bakeries and weekly markets where people buy fresh bread and regional products. Each region shows you a slightly different side of daily life in Germany.

How Much Does a Trip to Germany Cost?

Germany is pretty consistent when it comes to prices, which's good to know when you are planning a trip to Germany.

You can balance your budget for a trip to Germany by going to big cities and then smaller towns after. It often costs less to stay in smaller areas.

Practical travel tips before you visit Germany

Our travellers have learned that small things can make a difference when you get to Germany. If you take care of a few things before you leave, you can spend your hours exploring instead of trying to figure things out. Here are a few travel tips for Germany that can be helpful.

Use public transport in Germany

Germany has a great system for train travel and you do not need to rent a car to get around. The main train company is Deutsche Bahn and their fast ICE trains can take you to cities like Berlin and Munich in about four hours. If you are looking for a cheap way to travel you can try FlixTrain on some routes. Sometimes their tickets can be very cheap, under £20 if you book at the right time.

In the bigger cities, the local transport system is easy to use. You can buy one ticket for buses, trams and underground lines. You can get the Deutsche Bahn app before you go to Germany. You can buy a day pass for £8 to £12.

The public transport system in Germany is good and easy to use. If you want to know more about staying safe in Germany you can read our blog about safety tips for Germany.

Get a local SIM card for mobile internet

You can get a good mobile signal in most of Germany, especially in cities. The main phone companies are Telekom, Vodafone and O2.

You can buy a SIM card for about £8 to £15 and the data packages cost between £10 to £25. It is often cheaper to buy your SIM card in the city instead of at the airport. You can also use WiFi in many cafes, hotels and train stations.

Carry some cash when you visit Germany

You can use your card to pay in cities but Germany still uses a lot of cash. Some small cafes, bakeries and restaurants only take cash, outside of tourist areas. It is a good idea to have about £40 to £80 in cash for small purchases.

Be on time when you go somewhere

People in Germany like to be on time. If you have a reservation at a restaurant or a tour or a train to catch you should be there on time. Trains leave at the time they are supposed to.

Fun facts about Germany

Germany has a lot of small details you don’t always expect before arriving. Some of them you’ll notice straight away, others once you’ve spent a bit more time there.

Germany has over 20,000 castles and castle ruins across the country

Berlin has more bridges than Venice

Germany is home to over 1,500 different types of sausages

Oktoberfest in Munich is the largest beer festival in the world

Germany has one of the largest rail networks in Europe

The country has more than 2,000 Christmas markets during winter

The Black Forest inspired many of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales

Some of these things will probably become part of your own trip along the way. Germany stands out in its own way, with days that take you from cities to castles and river valleys. Each stop brings something different, from history to local culture and daily life. So Germany suits you well if you like variety and a mix of culture and easy travel between places.