Germany
Capital City: Berlin
Germany Key Facts
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Flag
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Size
357, 168 km²
63rd largest -
Population
80, 716, 000
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Germany Location
Western-central Europe
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Travel Insurance
For Germany travel insurance, select Europe Region
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International Calling Codes
49
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Cities
Munich
Hamburg
Frankfurt
Berlin -
Language
German
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Religions
30.8% Roman Catholic
30.3% Evangelical
30.8% non religious
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Currency
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Driving
In Germany they drive on the right side of the road
Tourism website:
germany.travel
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to travel to Germany is usually between March until late October. The temperatures around this time of year are pleasant and rainfall is moderate. Avoid the peak travelling time of July and August though, as these months not only bring huge crowds but often unpleasantly hot days. If you want to go skiing in the Alps, the best time will be between December and late February.
Transport Information
Airports (17 international, 48 domestic), rail, bus, tram, ports and harbours.
World Heritage Sites
- Aachen Cathedral, originally built as the meeting place of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions between 793 and 813 AD
- Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch, a rare architectural document of the Carolingian era
- Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar and Dessau, built between 1910 and 1933 by some of the most famous architects of the Bauhaus School
- Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe with its grand waterworks and a towering Hercules statue
- Berlin Modernism Housing Estate, constructed between 1910 and 1933 by famous Bauhaus architects to provide housing for people with low income
- Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey, erected between 822 and 885 AD these are the only standing structures that still remain from the Carolingian era
- Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust at Brühl, beautiful examples of Rococo architecture in 18th-century Germany
- Classical Weimar, the spiritual home of Goethe and Schiller and the cultural hub of the 18th and 19th centuries
- Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg, stunning examples of time-framed medieval buildings and masterpieces of Romanesque architecture
- Cologne Cathedral, which is a Gothic masterpiece that was constructed over the course of 7 centuries
- Fagus Factory in Alfeld, a landmark in the development of modern architecture and industrial design built in the Bauhaus style of Waler Gropius
- Frontiers of the Roman Empire, representing the border lines of the Roman Empire at its biggest extent in the second century AD
- Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, a beautiful example of landscape design and planning from the 18th century
- Hanseatic City of Lübeck, a hugely important maritime city that was founded in the 12th century with many buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries
- Historic Centers of Stralsund and Wismar, both are medieval towns that were important trading centers in the 14th and 15th century
- Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg, the place where Martin Luther launched his famous Reformation in 1517
- Margravial Opera House Bayreuth, built between 1745 and 1750 this is a true masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture
- Maulbronn Monastery Complex, founded in 1147 and considered to be the best-preserved medieval monastic complex north of the Alps
- Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and upper Harz Water Management System, which are all related to ore mining and innovation in the west
- Monastic Island of Reichenau, home to the remains of a Benedictine monastery founded in 724 as well as several churches showcasing medieval architecture in central Europe
- Museumsinsel Berlin, a unique place to see the evolution of museum design in the course of the 20th century
- Muskauer Park, an integrated landscape design that pioneered new approaches in landscape architecture
- Old town of Regensburg with Stadtdamhof, a beautiful medieval town with a heritage dating back to the 9th century
- Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps, consisting of 111 sites dating back to around 5000 to 500 BC
- Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier; Trier dates back to the 1st century AD and there are many monuments of the Roman civilization in this area
- Speyer Cathedral, one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the time of the Holy Roman Empire
- Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin, consisting of 150 buildings constructed between 1730 and 1916
- Pilgrimage Church of Wies, a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo by architect Dominikus Zimmermann
- St Marty's Cathedral and St Michael's Church at Hildesheim, beautiful examples of Romanesque churches dating back to the time of the Holy Roman Empire
- Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen, both examples of civic autonomy and sovereignty dating back to the 15th century
- Town of Bamberg, which formed an important political connection with the Slav people as well as ebbing the center of Enlightenment in southern Germany
- Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a 65km stretch of castles, historic towns and vineyards
- Völklingen Ironworks, the only remaining intact example of ironworks that were built and equipped in the 19th century
- Wartburg Castle, in many ways the 'ideal castle'
- Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and Residence Square, a magnificent Baroque palace with works by painter Tiepolo
- Zollverein Coal Mind Industrial Complex in Essen, which bears witness to the application of Modern Movement architecture ideas to an industrial site
- Messel Pit Fossil Site, the best fossil site for the period between 57 million and 36 million years ago
- Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany, a living example of post-glacial biological and ecological evolution of terrestrial ecosystems
- Wadden Sea, which is shared with Denmark and the Netherlands, is the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world
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Average Annual Temperature
8 degrees
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Average Annual Rainfall
778 mm
Climate Information
Generally, Germany enjoys a temperate seasonal climate, with warm summers and mild winters. Closer to the mountains you will find lower temperatures both in summer and winter and greater rainfall. Rain is common any time of the year, and it is always best to bring at least a light rain jacket when travelling to Germany.
Official Holidays
- January 1 - New Year's Day
- March/April - Easter Monday
- May 1 - May Day/ Labor Day
- May 14 - Ascension Day
- May 25 - Whit Monday
- October 3 - Day of German Unity
- December 25 - Christmas Day
- December 26 - Boxing Day
Why Visit Germany?
From some of the biggest parties and festivals on the planet, such as the Oktoberfest in Munich, to some of the most important archaeological sites in Europe, Germany has a lot to offer. While most students head straight to Berlin to enjoy one of the best party scenes in Europe, there is a large cultural offering for the more discerning traveller.
Things To Do In Germany
- Stroll through and party one night in Berlin, see the famous Disney castle (Neuschwanstein)
- Have a locally made beer
- Eat a Currywurst
- Visit the Oktoberfest
- See Trier (Germany's oldest city) and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Visit the Christmas market in Nuremberg
Travel Tips For Germany
- Germany has a long tradition of bread, and most bakeries will offer at least 15-20 different types of bread. Make sure to try some!
- Should you be in Germany in winter, do make sure to have some Glühwein (red wine, spiced and heated)
German Food
German cuisines is characterized by its honesty and simplicity, and it is usually based on locally sourced ingredients. That also means that from region to region the food is slightly different, depending on what is locally available and on the general historic influences in the area. The eating out culture in Germany revolves around the 'Biergarten' - outdoor restaurants that serve lots of beer and local dishes. The indoor version of these is called a 'Brauhaus'. There are also many family-run restaurants where you can enjoy some excellent food, they are usually called 'Gasthaus'. Any traveller to Germany will quickly discover that Germany is the world capital of sausages. From iconic Weisswurst (boiled sausage typical of Bavaria) to the ubiquitous Bratwurst (fried pork sausage) there are many varieties to try. Probably the single most popular form of having a 'wurst' (sausage) is the 'Currywurst'; usually bought at the roadside, a Bratwurst is sliced open and served with bread, ketchup and curry powder -delicious, especially around 3am! Other iconic German dishes include Schweinsbraten (pork roast), Rehrücken mit Spätzle (game meat with freshly made noodles) and Rinderroulade mit Kraut und Knödel (slow cooked stuffed beef served with cabbage and dumplings). If you happen to be in Germany around Christmas, you will find the smell of gingerbread in every town - gingerbread is a typical Christmas treat!
Germany Travel Safety and Warnings
Germany is a very safe country, and as a traveller you don’t have to worry much. Employ common sense (don’t flash around lots of fancy equipment or money) and avoid walking in parks during late night/early morning hours. Make sure you have up to date travel insurance for Germany.
About Germany
After difficulties in the second half of the 20th century, Germany has recently emerged whole again and with new found pride that makes it a joy for all travellers. From the inspiration for the world famous Disney castle to the vast amount of Roman archaeological sites, from excellent beer to the biggest outdoor festival in the world, Germany has it all. Throw a light rain jacket into your suitcase, get your travel insurance for Germany sorted, and go visit 'the travel destination'!
Berlin, Germany's capital city is a major attraction in its own right and an absolutely fascinating place. Many travellers forget that Berlin has only been in its current 'united' form since 1989! This means that a stroll through Berlin is like walking through Germany's history. There are the signs of the division of Berlin, the marked differences between East and West, the scars of World War II, as well as Berlin's historical heritage dating back to the 13th Century. And yet, Berlin has such a vibrant and vivacious energy that these sites are not depressing, but form part of the rich cultural history of the city.
Obvious places to visit in Berlin include the famous Brandenburg Gate, the Church of St Nicholas, and the world famous island of museums (Museumsinsel). If you find that you are interested in exploring Berlin's divided past, the Stasi Museum is quite informative: it was the former home of the infamous East German Stasi and now acts as a museum to this time. Another important site to visit is the Berlin Wall Memorial with Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous crossing between east and west Berlin. There are also quite a few museums dedicated to WWII that are worth exploring.
While many people still follow the Fawlty Tower's maxim of not mentioning the war, World War II is hugely important in German history and society to this very day and it is being talked about. It is obviously important to display sensitivity when broaching the subject, but as long as you remain sincere and friendly, you can actually mention the war. The division of Berlin though still remains a touchy subject, and it is best to avoid this topic of conversation all together.
South Germany is home to the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Here you find the charming city of Munich, which is home to the largest open-air festival in the world: Oktoberfest. If you are going to visit the festival, ensure you have Germany travel insurance.
However, there is more to this region than seasonal drunks: you also find the iconic Schloss Neuschwanstein, which was the model for the world-famous Disney castle in Sleeping Beauty. Another place to visit in this region is the famous Black Forest, a gorgeous landscape of fairy tales and legends. Not only famous for having its own delicious cake, this area also gave birth to the cuckoo clock and has some excellent skiing resorts! If you decide to head to the skiing pistes, make sure you have travel insurance for Germany.
Germany's north offers a very different travelling experience. You have access to the Baltic coast on the one side, and access to the North Sea coast on the other. Many Germans come this area for summer vacation, and there are many small and very famous islands that become very busy during the summer months, such as Sylt. In this region you will also find the beautiful city of Hamburg, which boasts more bridges than Venice. Hamburg is also famous for its Reeperbahn, a street in the St Pauli district and Hamburg's Red Light District - famous only allowing men to enter in certain sections as well as its raucous bachelor parties.
Germany's food differs from region to region, but is delicious wherever you go. Beer drinking is an important tradition, and there are a lot of craft beer producers all over Germany. Another important drink in Germany is Schnapps (spirits). There is a long tradition of making spirits, particularly from cherries or pears. Ideal after a heavy meal, which in Germany means almost every meal, but beware of having too many. Jägermeister, which is very popular in clubs and bars across the planet, is rarely drunk in Germany. If you are in Germany in winter, do make sure to try some 'Glühwein' (heated red wine mixed with various juices and spirits, as well as a range of spices), which is commonly sold around Christmas time at the side of the road and a wonderfully warming drink.
Germany is one of the safest countries in the world for travellers. In bigger cities do keep an eye on your belongings, otherwise there is little for travellers to worry about. As a general precaution, make sure you have travel insurance for Germany before setting off on your journey.
