A typical first trip here runs about $875 to $1,175 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels, and sauerkraut are staples
- Bread culture is legendary, over 300 varieties nationwide
- Beer gardens (Biergarten) are social institutions; try Hefeweizen
- Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) offer mulled wine and roasted nuts
- Oktoberfest (Munich, September–October), world's largest beer festival
- Karneval (February), street parades especially in Cologne and Düsseldorf
- Tag der Deutschen Einheit (October 3), German Unity Day
- Christmas markets in every city from late November
German is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas.
Germans appreciate directness and punctuality in communication.
- Punctuality is taken very seriously, being late is disrespectful
- Firm handshake is the standard greeting; avoid excessive informality initially
- Separating trash (recycling system) is a civic duty, follow it
- Tipping: round up or add 5–10% in restaurants
- Bavaria: Munich's beer halls and museums, the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein castle, and the legendary Oktoberfest drawing millions each autumn
- Berlin: Fascinating Cold War history and the Wall, one of Europe's most vibrant street art and electronic music scenes, and world-class nightlife
- Rhine Valley: Romantic hilltop castles, charming wine towns like Rüdesheim and Bacharach, and scenic river cruises through UNESCO-listed landscapes
- Hamburg: Germany's great port city with the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district, a vibrant music scene, and the legendary Beatles connection to the Reeperbahn
- Black Forest: Dense forested highlands ideal for hiking and cycling, the birthplace of cuckoo clocks, and the origin of the famous Black Forest cake
Latest for Germany
Updates for Germany will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.