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.

Filter the list

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Category

Historic monuments 10723 Museums 349 Places of worship 1887 Nature sites 1765 Viewpoints 192 Food and drink 84 Markets and shopping 421 Entertainment 174 Nightlife 2675 Family attractions 59 Art and culture 3054 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 421

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  3. Viktualienmarkt Viktualienmarkt
    03 45 min

    Viktualienmarkt

    Viktualienmarkt is a daily food market and square in central Munich. It occupies a site that has served as the city's main marketplace since 1807, when farmers' markets moved from Marienplatz to this expanded location.

    • High
    • Market
    • Munich
  7. Alexa
    07 45 min

    Alexa

    • High
    • Market
    • Berlin
  11. Hard Wax
    11 45 min

    Hard Wax

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  16. Auer Dult
    16 45 min

    Auer Dult

    Auer-Dult (Haushaltwaren Antiquitäten)

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Munich
  18. Markthalle IX
    18 45 min

    Markthalle IX

    Markthalle Neun

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  34. Mona
    34 45 min

    Mona

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Munich
  36. Quartier 205
    36 45 min

    Quartier 205

    Quartier 205 Stadtmitte

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  38. Ring-Center
    38 45 min

    Ring-Center

    Ring-Center Berlin II

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  46. Mira
    46 45 min

    Mira

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Munich
  47. Riem Arcaden
    47 45 min

    Riem Arcaden

    Riem-Arcaden

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Munich
  53. Camp4
    53 45 min

    Camp4

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  61. Die mitte
    61 45 min

    Die mitte

    Die Mitte

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  64. Wutzky
    64 45 min

    Wutzky

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  66. Mietshaus
    66 45 min

    Mietshaus

    Christine Kröncke

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Munich
  70. Gloria
    70 45 min

    Gloria

    Rossmann

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  73. Neumann Forum
    73 45 min

    Neumann Forum

    Neumann-Forum

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  77. Topio e.V.
    77 45 min

    Topio e.V.

    Topio

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Berlin
  95. Seebauer
    95 45 min

    Seebauer

    • Notable
    • Market
    • Munich
  96. Action
    96 45 min

    Action

    • Notable
    • Market
    • 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.