Explore Germany
Discover historic cities, impressive architecture, beautiful countryside, fascinating culture, traditional food, and diverse landscapes across Germany.
DISCOVER GERMANY
Germany is one of Europe’s most diverse destinations, combining historic cities, modern architecture, medieval towns, beautiful countryside, forests, mountains, castles, and centuries of history.
Every region has its own character. Munich brings together traditional Bavarian culture and elegant architecture, Frankfurt combines a modern skyline with a reconstructed historic centre, while Düsseldorf offers a completely different atmosphere along the Rhine.
Beyond the major cities, Germany is filled with picturesque towns, castles, vineyards, forests, lakes, and mountain landscapes. Its central location also makes it an excellent destination to combine with other European countries.
Here you’ll find my experiences in Munich, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf, along with practical travel tips and useful information to help you plan your own trip to Germany.
PLACES I’VE VISITED IN GERMANY
Explore the places I’ve visited in Germany, from the traditional Bavarian atmosphere of Munich and the modern skyline of Frankfurt to the lively streets and riverside character of Düsseldorf.
Munich
Bavaria’s vibrant capital, known for its historic old town, traditional beer halls, impressive architecture, beautiful parks, lively squares, and distinctive Bavarian culture.
Frankfurt
A modern financial centre where a dramatic skyline meets a historic old town, riverside walks, international culture, museums, and one of Europe’s busiest transport hubs.
Düsseldorf
A stylish city on the Rhine, known for its lively Old Town, riverside promenade, modern architecture, shopping, restaurants, and energetic atmosphere.
GERMANY TRAVEL GUIDE
Everything you need to know to plan your trip to Germany, from the best time to visit and travel costs to transport, accommodation, food, and practical tips.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GERMANY
Germany can be visited throughout the year, with each season offering a different experience.
May to September generally brings warmer weather and longer daylight hours, making this an excellent period for sightseeing, outdoor activities, countryside trips, and exploring cities on foot.
Spring and early autumn can be particularly enjoyable because temperatures are usually comfortable and some destinations are less crowded than during peak summer.
July and August are popular travel months, so accommodation prices can increase in major tourist destinations.
Autumn is also associated with traditional festivals, including Munich’s famous Oktoberfest, which normally begins in September rather than October.
Winter can be cold, but Germany becomes especially atmospheric during the Christmas season, when Christmas markets appear in cities and towns across the country.
Weather varies by region, so check the forecast shortly before travelling and bring layers even outside winter.
HOW MUCH DOES GERMANY COST?
Germany is not necessarily a cheap European destination, but it can be manageable for travellers who plan ahead.
A budget traveller might spend approximately €70–€120 per day, excluding international flights, by staying in hostels or inexpensive accommodation, using public transport, choosing affordable restaurants, and taking advantage of free attractions.
For a more comfortable trip with a private hotel room, restaurants, intercity trains, and paid attractions, approximately €150–€300+ per day is more realistic.
Cities such as Munich can become particularly expensive during major events such as Oktoberfest, when accommodation prices can increase substantially.
Booking long-distance transport and hotels early can make a significant difference.
Supermarkets, bakeries, casual restaurants, and street food are useful options when you don’t want to eat at restaurants for every meal.
GETTING TO GERMANY
Germany is extremely well connected with the rest of Europe and destinations around the world.
Major international airports include Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Munich Airport (MUC), Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), and Düsseldorf Airport (DUS).
Frankfurt is particularly important as one of Europe’s major aviation hubs, with connections to destinations around the world.
Germany also has excellent international railway connections. Trains connect German cities with neighbouring countries including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
Long-distance buses can provide a cheaper alternative to trains, although journey times are usually longer.
Germany’s central location makes it particularly convenient for a multi-country European itinerary.
GETTING AROUND GERMANY
Germany has an extensive public transportation network, making it possible to explore much of the country without renting a car.
Deutsche Bahn operates much of the national railway network, including high-speed ICE trains connecting major cities.
Regional trains provide connections to smaller cities and towns.
Within cities, you’ll commonly find combinations of U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses, depending on the destination.
Munich, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf all have comprehensive public transport networks, so a car isn’t necessary for normal city sightseeing.
Long-distance train prices can vary considerably. Booking earlier can often provide cheaper fares, particularly on ICE services.
Germany is also well suited to road trips if you want to explore countryside, castles, villages, or areas with limited public transport.
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.
WHERE TO STAY IN GERMANY
The best place to stay depends on the city and your itinerary, but good public transport means you don’t always need accommodation directly beside the main attractions.
In Munich, staying around the historic centre gives you easy access to major attractions, while areas slightly outside the centre can offer better value if they’re close to an U-Bahn or S-Bahn station.
In Frankfurt, accommodation around the centre provides convenient access to shopping, the historic Römerberg area, museums, and the River Main. The area around Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof is extremely convenient for transport, although the atmosphere varies considerably from street to street.
In Düsseldorf, staying near the Altstadt, Königsallee, Rhine promenade, or a convenient U-Bahn station makes exploring the city straightforward.
If you’re travelling between several German cities by train, accommodation within easy reach of the main railway station can save considerable time.
FOOD IN GERMANY
German food varies considerably between regions, and exploring local dishes is an important part of travelling around the country.
Popular foods include Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Currywurst, pretzels, potato dishes, bread, sausages, and a huge variety of regional specialities.
In Bavaria, you’ll encounter traditional dishes such as Weißwurst, pretzels, roast meats, and other Bavarian specialities.
Germany also has a strong bakery culture, making bakeries useful for inexpensive breakfasts, sandwiches, bread, pastries, and snacks.
Modern German cities are highly international, so you’ll also find Turkish, Italian, Middle Eastern, Asian, and many other cuisines.
Rather than eating only around the main tourist squares, explore residential neighbourhoods and local restaurants for a broader experience.
MONEY AND PAYMENTS IN GERMANY
Germany uses the Euro (€).
Credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments have become increasingly common, particularly in hotels, supermarkets, transport systems, and larger businesses.
However, Germany has traditionally been more cash-oriented than some other European countries, and smaller restaurants, cafés, markets, and independent businesses may still prefer or require cash.
For that reason, I recommend carrying a small amount of euros rather than relying entirely on your card.
ATMs are widely available throughout cities and towns.
If you’re using a foreign bank card, check your provider’s withdrawal and foreign transaction fees.
When an ATM or payment terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, check the exchange rate carefully before accepting the conversion.
STAYING CONNECTED IN GERMANY
Getting online in Germany is straightforward.
Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés, restaurants, airports, railway stations, and many other public places.
Travellers can purchase a local SIM card or use an eSIM for mobile data.
Mobile coverage is generally good in cities and populated areas, although it can become less reliable in some rural or remote locations.
Having mobile data is particularly useful for checking train platforms, delays, public transport routes, maps, accommodation details, and attraction opening times.
If you’re planning a road trip or visiting rural areas, downloading offline maps beforehand is a useful backup.
IS GERMANY SAFE FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS?
Germany is straightforward to explore independently, with extensive public transport and well-connected cities.
As with any destination, normal precautions still apply.
Keep an eye on your phone, wallet, passport, camera, and other belongings in crowded railway stations, busy public transport, tourist areas, festivals, and nightlife districts.
Large events such as Christmas markets, festivals, football matches, and Oktoberfest can attract significant crowds, so be particularly aware of your belongings.
Train stations and surrounding areas can also be very busy, especially late at night.
If you’re driving, follow local road regulations carefully, particularly regarding parking, environmental zones, and Autobahn rules.
The European emergency number 112 can be used for emergency services in Germany.
VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Germany is part of the Schengen Area, so entry requirements depend on your nationality.
British citizens travelling with a full British citizen passport can generally visit Germany and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for tourism and certain other permitted activities.
Passport validity requirements also apply.
European border procedures are changing, including the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the planned ETIAS travel authorisation system. Because these systems and implementation dates can change, travellers should always check the latest official information before travelling.
Visitors with other passports may require a Schengen visa depending on their nationality and circumstances.
WHAT TO WEAR IN GERMANY
What to pack depends heavily on the season.
During summer, lightweight clothing is usually suitable for warmer days, but bring a light jacket or jumper because evenings can still become cooler.
Spring and autumn can be unpredictable, so layers and a waterproof jacket are useful.
Winters can be cold, particularly from December through February. A warm coat, layers, gloves, and appropriate footwear are important if you’re travelling during this period.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential because exploring historic centres often involves spending many hours on foot.
If you’re visiting Christmas markets in winter, dress more warmly than you think you’ll need because you’ll often be standing outside for long periods.
HOW LONG DO YOU NEED IN GERMANY?
For one major city such as Munich, around 3 days gives you enough time to experience the main attractions without rushing.
A similar amount of time works well for Frankfurt or Düsseldorf, although both can also be explored during shorter stays.
With 7 days in Germany, you could comfortably combine two or three cities depending on travel distances.
With 10–14 days, you can experience several cities while also adding smaller towns, castles, countryside, or mountain destinations.
For a more extensive journey through different regions of Germany, two to three weeks allows you to travel at a much more relaxed pace.
Germany has an excellent transportation network, but avoid spending every day moving to another city. Staying longer in fewer destinations will usually give you a better experience.
FINAL TIPS FOR VISITING GERMANY
Germany’s public transport makes travelling between cities relatively easy, but don’t assume that every train will be inexpensive.
Check long-distance fares early and book ahead when the price makes sense.
When travelling by train, always check the platform and departure information before boarding, as platforms and schedules can change.
Keep some cash with you even if you normally travel using only cards.
If you’re visiting Munich during Oktoberfest, book accommodation well in advance because availability can become limited and prices can rise considerably.
Don’t focus exclusively on Germany’s largest cities. Smaller historic towns, castles, countryside, lakes, and mountain areas show a very different side of the country.
And when visiting cities such as Munich, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf, spend some time simply walking beyond the main attractions. Historic neighbourhoods, riverfronts, local restaurants, markets, and everyday city life can be just as interesting as the famous landmarks.
READY TO EXPLORE GERMANY?
From Munich’s Bavarian character and Frankfurt’s modern skyline to Düsseldorf’s Rhine waterfront, historic towns, beautiful countryside, castles, and diverse regional cultures, Germany has plenty to discover. Start planning your trip and experience it for yourself.
GET TRAVEL INSPIRATION IN YOUR INBOX
Get practical travel tips, destination inspiration, and new guides delivered straight to your inbox.