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Fairytale castles, historic cities and forests. An orderly, well-connected country famous for Christmas markets and beer.
If you like this destination, also see Spain or Italy.
History and customs of Germany
Divided between 1949 and 1990, Berlin symbolised the Cold War. The fall of the Wall in 1989 paved the way to reunification.
Germany was unified in 1871 under Prussia. After the two world wars it was divided and, now reunified, it is Europe’s largest economy. Its culture produced figures like Bach, Goethe and the Brothers Grimm.
The Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the country reunified in 1990. Angela Merkel governed from 2005 to 2021, and in 2015 Germany took in hundreds of thousands of refugees. Today it faces energy and industry challenges.
Punctuality is taken seriously and recycling is strict. Almost everything closes on Sundays, and at Oktoberfest beer comes in one-litre mugs.
Typical food in Germany
Germany has hundreds of kinds of bread and sausage, and its beer purity law dates from 1516. Pork knuckle with sauerkraut is a Bavarian classic.
- Bratwurst sausage
- Pork knuckle with sauerkraut
- Pretzel
What to eat in each city of Germany
- Berlin – currywurst and döner kebab
- Munich – Weisswurst with wheat beer
- Frankfurt – Grüne Soße with egg
Regional dishes in Germany
- Bavaria – Weisswurst and Schweinshaxe
- Rhineland – Himmel un Ääd and Kölsch beer
- Swabia – Spätzle and Maultaschen
- North – Fischbrötchen in Hamburg
- Berlin – currywurst
Iconic places in Germany
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate and the Wall, Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria and Cologne Cathedral. Nuremberg’s Christmas market is world famous.
Berlin’s Museum Island brings together several of the country’s great museums. The Black Forest has villages and lakes, and the Romantic Road links medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
1. Berlin – the Wall, museums and nightlife
2. Munich & Bavaria – Oktoberfest and castles
3. Cologne – Gothic cathedral
4. Hamburg – port, Elbphilharmonie and the Speicherstadt warehouse district
5. Dresden – baroque old town rebuilt after the war
Seasons: when to go and when to avoid Germany
✅ Best time. May–Sep: long days and good weather; December for Christmas markets.
⚠️ Worst time. Nov–Feb: cold, little light and sometimes snow; April weather is very changeable.
How much does it cost to travel to Germany
| Item | Average price |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Return flight | |
| Hotel per night · Budget | $50 |
| Hotel per night · Mid-range | $110 |
| Hotel per night · High-end | $242 |
| Restaurant meal (per person) | $13–$31 |
| Street food (per person) | $3–$8 |
Approximate, indicative prices (estimate, Oct 2026). They change with dates and availability: always check before booking. Hotel: own estimate, to be verified. Flights: estimates for Europe-based trips; for other cities use the link.
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