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

100 places match
Clear all filters

Category

Historic monuments 0 Museums 0 Places of worship 0 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 185 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 185

Interests

History 12758 Art 4867 Museums 3268 Nature 1924 Sea and beach 1739 Viewpoints 185
  3. Müggelberge
    03 20 min

    Müggelberge

    Großer Müggelberg

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  5. Reichstag dome
    05 20 min

    Reichstag dome

    Reichstagskuppel

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  18. Falkenberge
    18 20 min

    Falkenberge

    Falkenberg

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  20. Kienberg
    20 20 min

    Kienberg

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  27. Eichberg
    27 20 min

    Eichberg

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  29. Gosen-Berge
    29 20 min

    Gosen-Berge

    Gosenberge

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  31. Hypoberg
    31 20 min

    Hypoberg

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Munich
  37. Rollberg
    37 20 min

    Rollberg

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  39. Tivoli
    39 20 min

    Tivoli

    Mosaik

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  41. Moritzberg
    41 20 min

    Moritzberg

    Moritz-Berg

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  43. Champagnerberg
    43 20 min

    Champagnerberg

    Champagner-Berg

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  45. degewo-Skywalk
    45 20 min

    degewo-Skywalk

    Skywalk Marzahner Promenade

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  47. Grenz-Berge
    47 20 min

    Grenz-Berge

    Grenzberge

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  48. Havelberg
    48 20 min

    Havelberg

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  50. Kessel-Berg
    50 20 min

    Kessel-Berg

    Kesselberg

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  52. Paschen-Berg
    52 20 min

    Paschen-Berg

    Paschenberg

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  79. Buchbichl
    79 20 min

    Buchbichl

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Munich
  81. Dachsberg
    81 20 min

    Dachsberg

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  84. Erdhaufen
    84 20 min

    Erdhaufen

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  93. Funkturm
    93 20 min

    Funkturm

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin
  97. Gallberge
    97 20 min

    Gallberge

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Berlin

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.