Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Germany

A photograph of Germany
Photograph · Llez · CC BY-SA 3.0

Germany runs from the Baltic and North Sea coasts in the north down to the Alps in the south, and its 16 states have kept enough separateness that the country reads as a set of destinations rather than one. Over 83 million people live in them, more than any other European Union member. Berlin is the capital and the largest single city, Frankfurt is the financial centre, and the largest urban area is neither - it is the Ruhr, a belt of western towns that have grown into each other. Choosing between the Bavarian south, the Rhine, the Hanseatic north and the eastern cities is the actual planning decision; the distances are short and the places are not variations on one another.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
German
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+49
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 medical/fire · 110 police
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public drinking water is regulated under national drinking-water rules

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Hellabrunn Zoo Hellabrunn Zoo
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Hellabrunn Zoo

    Tierpark Hellabrunn is Munich's principal zoological garden, situated in the southern borough of Thalkirchen. Established in 1911, it operates as a geo-zoo where animals are grouped by continent of origin rather than by species type.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Munich
  2. Aquarium Berlin Aquarium Berlin
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Aquarium Berlin

    Aquarium Berlin is a zoological aquarium located in Berlin, Germany. It operates in conjunction with the adjacent Berlin Zoological Garden, forming one of the most comprehensive combined zoo and aquarium facilities in Europe.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  3. Tierpark Berlin Tierpark Berlin
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Tierpark Berlin

    Tierpark Berlin is one of Europe's largest landscape zoos, situated in the Friedrichsfelde district of eastern Berlin. Established in 1955 on the grounds of the former Friedrichsfelde Palace gardens, it spans extensive parkland.

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  4. Dantebad
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Dantebad

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Munich
  5. Aquarium
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Aquarium

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Munich
  6. Aqua&Soul
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Aqua&Soul

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Munich
  7. Damwildgehege
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Damwildgehege

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  8. Damwildgehege
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Damwildgehege

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  9. Damwildgehege
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Damwildgehege

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  10. FEZ-Badesee
    18 1 hr 30 min

    FEZ-Badesee

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  11. Fuchs-Villa
    22 1 hr 30 min

    Fuchs-Villa

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  12. Hamam
    26 1 hr 30 min

    Hamam

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  13. Hirschgehege
    28 1 hr 30 min

    Hirschgehege

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Munich
  14. Pfauenhaus
    39 1 hr 30 min

    Pfauenhaus

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  15. Schulzoo
    40 1 hr 30 min

    Schulzoo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  16. Streichelzoo
    43 1 hr 30 min

    Streichelzoo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  17. Streichelzoo
    44 1 hr 30 min

    Streichelzoo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  18. Streichelzoo
    45 1 hr 30 min

    Streichelzoo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  19. Sultan Hamam
    46 1 hr 30 min

    Sultan Hamam

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  20. Voliere
    51 1 hr 30 min

    Voliere

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  21. Waldbad
    52 1 hr 30 min

    Waldbad

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  22. Ziegengehege
    57 1 hr 30 min

    Ziegengehege

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  23. Ziegenhof
    58 1 hr 30 min

    Ziegenhof

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Berlin
  24. Zoo München
    59 1 hr 30 min

    Zoo München

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Munich

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Germany be?

Seven to ten days works for Berlin plus one connected region, or for a focused Rhine, Bavaria or northern-city route. Germany’s rail network makes multi-city travel practical, but changing bases every night still reduces useful time.

What entry documents are needed for Germany?

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office is the official visa reference. Review its nationality-specific entry rules and the Schengen application guidance for the passport and route being used.

What is the best way to travel around Germany?

Intercity and high-speed trains connect Germany’s major cities, with regional services completing shorter journeys. Deutsche Bahn publishes the integrated timetable; airport choice should follow the route rather than defaulting to one national gateway.

When is a practical time to visit Germany?

May through September favours outdoor city and countryside travel, while December has a distinct seasonal-market pattern. Alpine, North Sea and urban conditions differ enough that the intended region should determine clothing and reservations.

What money and payment basics apply in Germany?

Germany uses the euro (EUR). Cash and card practices are not stated as a single national rule in the cited source, so travellers should carry a backup and check the payment method before ordering or boarding.

What practical safety details should I save for Germany?

For Germany, 112 reaches medical and fire services and 110 reaches police. Type C and F plugs use 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.