Germany Travel Guide and Tips

Ready for an exciting and unforgettable trip to Germany? The country is an excellent tourist destination for any vacationer, backpacker, or museum aficionado. In addition, Germany offers some of the most incredible landmarks and historical sites in Europe.

This German travel guide provides tips on planning your trip and saving money and explores some must-visit locations to help you enjoy Deutschland.

Planning Your Vacation in Germany

Planning a trip to Germany is relatively straightforward. You can easily integrate German cities and other popular destinations into your overall European tour.

You may need to understand how transportation in Germany works. You can fly into Germany through Frankfurt Airport, then use connecting flights, trains, or rented cars to get you to your final destination.

Germany Travel Tips

Here are a few travel tips as you plan your vacation in Deutschland:

• Book flights, tickets, and accommodation several weeks, if not months, before you travel
• Have enough Euros in your wallet before crisscrossing the country
• Learn a few German words and basic phrases before arriving
• Take note of cultural norms and local regulations
• Carry with you a universal adapter with surge protection
• Take out travel insurance

These are a few tips that can help smoothen your stay in Germany.

Germany Travel Guide FAQ

Here are some common questions related to traveling to Germany:

What is the German currency?

The Euro is the official currency in Germany. The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 1.02 EUR. Most credit cards are widely accepted. Some stores and hotels may not accept select cards.

What is the German time zone?

Germany has only one time zone: Central European Time (CET), which is UTC +1. The CET is commonly used as the standard time. The Central European Summer Time (CEST) comes into effect when observing Daylight Savings Time.

Map of Germany

Here is a map of Germany that can help you see some of the places to visit in the different regions.

Where to Visit in Germany

There is a wealth of things to see and experience in Germany. Here are some of the popular destinations that should be on your itinerary.

Cities in Germany to Visit

German cities are incredibly diverse, offering a blend of modern and Gothic architecture. Most travelers only manage to tour one or two cities during their trips. This German travel guide will explore three cities you should visit.

Stuttgart, Germany

One of the must-see destinations for any car enthusiast is the city of Stuttgart, home to the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The museum is located in the old Mercedes factory and has a collection of over 100 cars. You may also decide to visit the Porsche museum.

You can also explore the Swabian culture through the numerous art galleries and museums dotted across the city. The Staatstheatre Stuttgart is popular among locals, offering exquisite opera performances and other theatrical arts.  

Dresden, Germany

Dresden is a fascinating and fun-filled city with a long history of art and culture. The city’s popularity stems from its Baroque-style architecture, with numerous historical sites.

Nestled on the banks of the Elbe river, the city provides magnificent views of 18th and 19th-century culture. Make sure to visit the Dresden Zwinger (a Saxony palace) and the Schloesserland Sachsen (a Renaissance palace).

Bremen, Germany

Bremen is a beautiful old city that offers visitors many sights, such as medieval architecture, museums, and breweries. Bremen City Hall, Market Platz, and the Historische Altstadt are some exciting places to kick-start your city tour.

The most famous sight in the city is most likely the Cathedral of St. Peter. The majestic building was built during the Renaissance period in Europe and features a renowned confession altar.

Guide to German Castles

Did you know that Germany is home to over 25,000 castles? The complex territories of the past monarchies and rulers called for innovative defense lines, and castles provided the perfect solution. This German travel guide will take you through three of the most famous castles in Germany.

Hohenzollern Castle

Hohenzollern Castle is a fairy-tale destination that looks as if it was taken straight out of a Disney movie. It is one of the three hilltop castles built atop Mount Hohenzollern and was the ancestral seat for the Prussian Monarchs of Hohenzollern.

The castle has 140 rooms, which include a library full of incredible murals, a King’s bed chamber, and the “Blue Salon”—the queen’s room.

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelburg Castle sits on top of a hill overlooking Old Town. It is one of the most famous castles in Germany and offers magnificent views over the Neckar River.

Now lying in ruins, the castle was a residence to the Counts of the Palatinate and later the electoral princes of Heidelberg. The ruins provide a picturesque view of Renaissance castles and remain a significant cultural monument for travelers in Germany.

Burg Eltz

The Burg Eltz is another iconic magical castle nestled in the woods between Koblenz and Trier. You can hike to the castle from Moselkern, which would take approximately one hour.

You can explore the grounds at your leisure or hike up nearby paths through woods leading down toward the Moselle River Valley below, with breathtaking vistas across hillsides dotted with lush greenery.

Best Things To Do in Germany

Aside from touring cities and historic castles, you can enjoy contemporary German life in various popular destinations.

Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral is one of Germany’s most popular destinations. The construction of the Gothic architectural marvel spanned over 700 years, from 1248 to 1880.

This cathedral houses some stunning artworks inside its walls, including the Shrine of the Magi, the altarpieces of St. Clare, the City Patrons, and St. Agilophus. The twin-spired structure was once considered the tallest building in the world.

Miniatur Wunderland

Miniatur Wunderland is the largest model railway in the world, with over 200 trains and boats. The trains are so small that you can not see them from an average distance; you must walk up close to them or use binoculars.

Here’s something for everyone: kids will love riding around on their miniature train ride; adults will appreciate seeing how far we’ve come since childhood.

Marienplatz

Loosely translating to “Mary’s Square,” Marienplatz has been Munich’s city center since 1158. It is where all of the city’s most important streets meet and from which all distances in the city are measured.

There is always something going on at this famous city square, from the city’s anniversary celebrations to the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market).

Wrapping Up

Germany is a place of great history, incredible food, and beautiful architecture. Whether you want to visit the world-famous Cologne Cathedral or spend a day exploring Bremen’s historic city center, there are plenty of things to do in this beautiful country. And if none of these attractions appeal to you, we urge you not to let that stop you from experiencing all that Germany has to offer.