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17 Hilariously True Must-Knows Before You Travel to Germany

Last Updated: August 12, 2022

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While I love exploring new places, there’s something special about travel in Germany that just gets me.

There’s mindblowing nature next to fairytale towns, big vibrant cities next to mounds of potato and meat 😉 By my accounts, it’s a near-perfect place.

… and that’s why I love it here!

There are certain quirks  however that I wish was aware of before I decided to travel in Germany (and um, you know, eventually move there).

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Despite being so similar to North America in many ways, there are radical differences to home that disorient even the most seasoned travellers.

Having learned most of these things the hard way, I’ve decided to valiantly compile my best tips for you – the important things you must keep in mind when you travel to Germany!

PS: I know, I know – Germany is a massive country, and it’s bad to generalize.

Much of my experience has been in Bavaria , where I live, and no, not all these tips will apply  everywhere,  but I have travelled a fair bit around the country as well and have found that much of this holds true.

Anyways, enough yapping – grab a beer and notepad – it’s time to travel Germany through these 17 important tips!

TIP: If you are still doing research for your trip to Germany, here are some recommendations. I always use Omio to compare/book transport options in Europe. It’s a free site that compares planes, trains and buses all at once and sorts them by price, convenience, etc. Also  HotelsCombined offers a similar price check for hotels if you’re still needing a place to stay 🙂

17 Important Must-Knows Before You Travel in Germany

1. it’s all about that cash money, yo.

You might expect Germany, producer of supercars and epic technology to be on board with the whole credit card trend, but this simply isn’t the case.

I know it’s weird, but you’ll find that many places in Germany  don’t actually   take credit card, even shops in major transit hubs like central train stations.

So, if you plan to frolic/travel Germany for a while, make sure you have plenty of cash on you.

BONUS TIP: Coins are good to have as well. Carry at least some change with you at all times, especially if you have a weak bladder because…

2. Good luck if you wanna pee for free

The chance to travel in Germany is really like a fairytale come true… but sadly one where   happily ever after involves paying to urinate.

Free public restrooms are quite rare, which means you’ll usually have to cough up 50 cents or more to pee at train stations, bus stations, shopping malls and even McDonalds (yeah, for real!)

NOTE: Often these places with paid washrooms will give you a little coupon to use on a future purchase, so if you need to go, head to the washroom first before buying your McNuggets.

Even restaurants and clubs aren’t immune to this, so that’s why I say you should bring change with you  at all times. 

Often washrooms in busy restaurants/clubs/events will have an attendant there who keeps it clean. In these cases, a tip isn’t mandatory, but heavily expected, sooo unless you enjoy getting vicious side-eye, bring some change with you.

3. On Sundays, may the odds be ever in your favour

So I’m not saying that Germany becomes the Hunger Games on Sundays…. but Germany kinda  becomes the Hunger Games on Sundays.

In many parts of Germany, Sundays are a day of rest, which means that most shops (supermarkets, retail stores, malls, etc.) will be closed. Many restaurants will still be open, but if you’re hoping to run any errands or do any shopping, plan around the Sunday closures……. or you know, starve. It’s cool.

4. German punctuality is not a joke

Germans are crazy punctual. And for the most part, so is their public transport (at least in Munich, anyway!)

This means you should always get to your bus, tram and train and few minutes early, otherwise it will mercilessly leave without you.

Likewise, when making plans with a German person, don’t expect to get the whole 30 minutes buffer time you get in North America, where you both message “on my way! sorry! traffic is bad!” back and forth until one of you dies. No, a German will be on time. Maybe even ten minutes early.

Do not disappoint the German.

5. I hope you like staring contests

In my experience, Germans seem to  really like staring.

Sometimes I like to pretend it’s because I’m a radiant goddess, but then the sensible part of me realizes it’s just a cultural thing.

If you think you’re being judged by that grumpy grandma sneering at you from two seats away, let’s be honest: you probably are.

We even have a special word for the older judgey people – the Oma and Opa-Polizei, (aka the grandma/grandpa police) who are sure to cast shade at you for even the most minuscule of offenses.

One time, an old woman stopped a friend of mine and yelled at him because she didn’t like his lederhosen. It’s just a way of life. Learn to laugh at it and move on. On that note…

6. Keep your voice down, lest you be judged

Germans don’t tend to speak very loudly (unless they’re shrieking folk songs after a few beers).

In fact, public transit is often eerily quiet, and if you don’t keep it down, your English voice will surely pierce through the calm and tear through the entire fabric of German social propriety.

Refer to #6 – people will stare at you, and you will feel awkward.

7. You might see some naked people

Ironically, for people who hate small talk and being loud on public transit, Germans are weirdly down with being nude.

Like, you wanna go to the park in the summer time? You will likely see a naked human being.

I mean maybe this is an odd Bavarian thing, but I learned it the hard way.

Once upon a time, I tried to have a peaceful picnic by the river in Munich’s English Garden (one of the world’s largest city parks). Eating my pretzel was difficult as an elderly man ran naked, wild and free across the river from me, periodically bathing himself and flaunting his body like he was Ryan Gosling on steroids.

Anyway, nudity can be common – just prepare yourself.

PS: In many saunas, wellness spas, etc., nudity is not only expected, but mandatory. This is another lesson I learned the hard way. *cringe*

8. When you travel in Germany, look for group discounts on travel/train tickets

If you decide to travel Germany by train, make sure you take advantage of all the amazing discounts!

Germans LOVE rewarding you for having friends, so group tickets will often save you ludicrous amounts of money.

As an example, in Munich a one-way bus ticket is 2.80, whereas a 3 day group ticket for unlimited travel for up to 5 people is less than 30! That’s only 6 euros a person, for 3 days of  unlimited joy rides. It’s insane.

Likewise, look into special regional tickets for trains which get cheaper the more friends you bring. In Bavaria, we call this a “Bayern ticket”, but I know other states have them too. For us, you pay 25 euros for the first person, then 7 euros additional for every extra human you get on there, which means huge savings if you get up to 5 (the maximum) on the same ticket. It’s also valid for unlimited train travel within that region, which means  Godzilla-sized  savings. For more info, you can click here for my full Bayern ticket guide.

9. Water will cost you, and it’ll probably be fizzy

One of the biggest shocks for North Americans who travel to Germany is that in restaurants, a) water isn’t free and b) fizzy, carbonated water is usually what you get by default.

This thrills me because I would literally carbonate everything if I could, but I know a lot of folks hate fizzy water (ugh, weirdos ).

So, be sure to clarify whether you want still or sparkling. Sadly, there’s not much you can do about paying for it though (unless you have your own sneaky bottle of water with you).

PS: Buying bottled water at the shop will become the most confusing thing in the world (and a significant source of anxiety).

Every brand has their own colour code/name for which water has gas or not.

Some consider “natural” to be with gas, some without, some use blue for fizzy water, others use green…. They even categorize by  how  fizzy it is (e.g. Medium), and I just about lost it when once, I saw a teal bottle that said “EXTRA STILL” on it. What even is extra still water? How could still water possibly get any still-er? Turns out, it’s a cryptic German code for mildly fizzy water. Nothing is safe, folks. Enjoy your Russian roulette of hydration. [Sorry for the rant, I am just weirdly passionate about this topic]

10. Most people speak English, except (weirdly) where it counts

I always joke with friends that I could stop anyone on the street here in Germany and they would probably speak fluent English, yet as soon as I step into any bureaucratic environment (e.g. to get my visa sorted, to open a bank account, etc.), I’m left flailing in broken German.

Fair enough though – after all, remember that you’re in a foreign country so you shouldn’t expect people to automatically speak  your  language. That’s why it’s helpful to brush up on some basic German phrases, although you shouldn’t worry too much because there usually at least some fluent English speakers lurking around, especially in big cities like Munich and Berlin.

Craving more fuel for your wanderlust? Connect with me on Instagram for real-time updates, photos and stories!

11. Avoid the bike lane or risk certain death

Biking culture is pretty big here, especially in Munich where I live. Trust me when I say that you have not gotten a real taste of travel in Germany until you’ve stared death in the face while accidentally prancing down a bike lane.

There’s not often a clear division between the path for bikes/for people, and they tend to exist side by side to really  shake things up  and get you that sweet adrenaline rush. Here’s your best survival tip: check whether or not you’re in the bike lane!

12. Oh yeah, jaywalking is worse than murder

So sure, maybe I’m exaggerating but I have literally never met a group of humans so collectively and vocally against jaywalking.

I once saw a guy in the suburbs who still waited dutifully for the light to change before crossing, despite not a single car or witness in sight (besides me, always a’lurkin).

Especially when there are kids around, parents get super angry at you for setting a bad example (which is fair enough), so it’s better safe than sorry.

There are few things more terrifying than being yelled at by an old German woman from across the street. Well, apart from trying to select the right water at the grocery store that is. Sorry – still not over it. 

13. Travelling to Germany is a lot of Pfand

This is a very lame pun that won’t make sense unless you speak German, but Germans are really into recycling and the term “Pfand” essentially refers to a refundable deposit that you pay on things like cans, bottles and even glasses/mugs at beer gardens and Christmas markets.

It functions as an incentive for you to return those items to get your money back. So, in the case of cans/bottles, it encourages recycling and in the case of glasses/mugs, it prevents you from pocketing them as fun souvenirs (though many still do).

This is a really important word to know, because often items will be more expensive than the listed price at the store  because  of the pfand. So that 1 euro can of Coke might become 1.25 at checkout. Similarly, let’s say you’re at a German Christmas Market for the first time and want to get yourself a nice mulled wine for 3 euros. You might end up paying 5 euros at first, because of the 2 euro pfand on the mug. Extra picky places will even give you a token to return alongside your glassware to get your refund back.

Soooo remember: if your cashier slides you a plastic coin at the beer garden, it’s not some kind of sketch business dealing, it’s just something you must return to get your moola back.

14. Small talk and pleasantries are not a thing

As a Canadian, it’s in my DNA to fill any voids of silence with meaningless chit chat. “It’s a windy day out, eh?” I’ll often murmur, yearning for that sweet human connection as I do.

Germans hate this.

Germans literally do not understand the point of small talk. Often, if you try it, they will be confused at why you are wasting their time and getting all up in their personal space. On that note…

15. Expect customer service to be frostier than a snowman on skis

There are of course exceptions to this, but generally speaking, customer service is not very friendly or warm in Germany. This goes for restaurants, retail shops and yes, official places like banks.

But hey, if you play your cards right and smile sweetly, you might get a vague acknowledgement of your presence in return 😉

Yay, little wins.

So, the next time your waiter ghosts you and doesn’t return for like, 10 years, don’t take it personally – it’s not you!

On that note, tipping  is  still expected – but not to the crazy extent that we take it to in North America. Generally, rounding up is enough.

16. Good luck at the Grocery Store AKA the freaking Olympic Games

Never in my life did I think I’d need to do warm-up exercises before visiting the grocery store.

… Then I moved to Germany.

I swear the cashiers in Germany are all training for the Olympic Games.

They scan items so absurdly quickly that it’s like a duel every single time. Like, dude – I just wanted some bananas, why are you rushing like your wife has gone into labour?

So, be prepared if you choose to visit the grocery store (which you should, because it helps you save loads of money!!).

Another important thing is to bring your own bag – most people do. There are bags you can buy at the checkout, but remember to pick one up and put it at the front of your item haul, otherwise you’ll be left with a million items from the Usain Bolt of groceries and nowhere to put them.

17. Be ready to giggle at fun words like “fahrt”

German is a different language than English. Duh, yes, hi – Captain Obvious reporting for duty.

BUT, there are some German words that sound just like words we have in English, usually with very different meanings.

Fahrt is one such word.

To complicate matters, it is SO common. You will literally see it everywhere – road signs, transit hubs, everywhere . And while I wish the Germans were simply big fans of flatulence, the truth is the word “fahrt” means a lot of things like trip, drive, way, outing, etc. Feel free to giggle about it though – you’re an adult who can do whatever you want.

Full disclosure: even after 2 years here, I still giggle when the little ticket machine tells me “Gute Fahrt!” after I’ve purchased a ticket. They really are trying to say “Have a good trip!”

PS: “Rathaus” (aka Rat House) means town hall and “schmuck” is actually jewellery. Heh. German is such a fun language.

  A post shared by Christina 🇨🇦 happytowander.com (@happytowander) on Oct 17, 2017 at 10:09am PDT

I hope you enjoyed this roundup of must-knows for those who plan to travel in Germany! As always, if you have any more travel in Germany tips, let me know in the comments!

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✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

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88 thoughts on “17 Hilariously True Must-Knows Before You Travel to Germany”

You crack me up Christina!!! I actually met a German trauma surgeon working here I. Seattle for a year and I am laughing out loud cuz I witnesssed some of these very things ha! ( no not the nudity )

I am actually thinking of going there to teach .. I am 3/4 German but have so many questions lol … maybe sometime I can email you and ask ?

Thx for sharing this ! Xo Valerie

Sure! I’d be happy to answer any questions you have, but I don’t have a load of experience with regular work visas (I’ve been here on student and youth mobility visas). Happy to chat about the experience of moving here though! And hehe so glad you liked the article!

I loved when shops were closed on a Sunday, they used to be like that in the Netherlands too until a few years ago. I see many similarities to the Netherlands really, great read.

It’s not so bad once you learn how to plan around it, and I totally get why it’s a thing, but I do miss the convenience of shops being open almost all the time hehe. I bet the Netherlands are super similar! Really happy you enjoyed the read 😀 Thanks for stopping by!

Haha, as a European I relate to many things, but I do think it’s funny 🙂 no. 16 is sooo true, but super weird i know 😀

Hahah so glad you could relate 😉 thanks for reading!

I love Germany SO much and loved this post! You captured so many of the great German idiosyncrasies. One other thing my husband and I can’t get enough of in Germany is how everyone always has to get the last word – or “Chuss!” in when we leave a store or a restaurant. If we say “Chuss” back they’ll end it with an “Abend!” It could go on forever! Love it 🙂

Oh my goodness you are SO write! I never realized that. I’m gonna be on a quest to always get the last word now hahah. Thanks for reading!

One of the few blogs that actually makes me laugh out loud! I really love your writing! (Yay you!! :-D) Great blog post and defo a few things I’ll keep in mind when I visit Germany.

oh my gosh you are too sweet! Thank you for appreciating my lame jokes hahah. You rock!

I have been to Germany once. Your tips just added to my knowledge. You’re a good writer, and if you lived my next door I would love to have you over for coffee. PS don’t get nervous your likely the age of my kids. GOOd JOB

Couldn’t agree more with everything! I live in Germany, in fact even Regensburg and I was surprised to see a picture of my beautiful adopted home town!

I LOOVE Regensburg! Naturally I needed a way to fit a photo in hehe. So happy you relate to this! Thanks for reading 🙂

I am a Canadian living in Germany for four years. Been here for two and a half – and agree with every single thing you said! Loved the article!

Hahaha hello from a fellow Canadian living in Germany!!! <3 Thanks for reading and laughing along.

This was very interesting, I had no idea about many of these, except for the naked people thing… I have a friend, he`s German and he loves being naked (he took his clothes off at a wedding party!!!) I had to send him this article… Like “Ahhhh, now I get why you do it!”

Hahaha that’s too funny, and I kinda want to know the story behind that wedding nudity….. 😉 but yes, I find that Europeans as a whole just find nudity a lot less taboo than we do in North America. It’s kinda nice actually – after the initial shock wears off!

I’m a German who’s living in Lima, Peru. When visiting Germany, I simply don’t have the patience anymore to wait for the green light, I’m too used to crossing the street when it’s somehow possible. On the other hand, I still remember my first grocery shopping in Lima. Oh great, just two people in front of me. Well, it would have been faster in Germany with 20 people in front of me ;-). As far as water is concerned, just drink tap water, cheaper and good quality. Punctuality is my most German habit and constantly giving me trouble in South America. I mean, I warn people beforehand that I am punctual and if I’m lucky, they’re just 10 minutes late :-).

Hahaha it’s so cool to hear your perspective! It must be so interesting bouncing between such different cultures. I had a Spanish friend I went to school with here in Munich and his lack of punctuality really drove our instructors insane lol.

I found this post so informative and helpful.

thanks for reading!!

Hahaha! I was laughing all along! The water bit, the jaywalking… it was all just spot on! Amazing article!

hahah yesssss! so happy you liked it 🙂 thanks for reading!

I’m glad Germany takes cash instead, haha, since I like to carry cash with me when I travel! When I went to London I felt like a dinosaur being the only one not paying with a debit card lol! 😛 – Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog https://charmainenyw.com

Sometimes I prefer cash too – helps me keep track of my spending haha

I think the naked thing is just much a stereotype as Lederhosen but I guess it does stick out to people that it is legal to go topless to the beach and that we do have coed saunas where everyone is naked. I remember it used to freak my American friends out.

I will send your post to the Deutsche Bahn because when it comes to punctuality they definitely have to catch up (pun fully intended).

Interesting about the stares – I never notices this as compared to countries like India. But as I said on FB I think it might also be a north south divide 🙂

Yeah it’s exactly those things! In North America we can be very prudish when it comes to nudity (being topless at the beach/naked saunas are definitely not a thing), so even those pretty “normal” things stand out to us a lot. And also re: the staring, it could very well be too that you blend in seamlessly whereas we expats/tourists have our ways of sticking out (being loud, speaking English, etc.) Just yesterday, my backpack accidentally grazed the tram ticket machine, which made a tiny sound and then this angry man looked up from his book and stared me down for a solid 5 seconds. It was awkward hahah

Hahahaha – this is so true!! The water thing – not being able to get tap water ANYWHERE drove me up the wall. And one of my colleagues (English) got done by the police for jay walking – now we just check for police before doing it! Oh and I ran into a nude man in my hotel… in the hallway…. gotta love the Germans

No way! I’ve never witnessed anyone actually getting ticketed for jay walking. I bet it wasn’t cheap either! I’ll definitely be more careful now. And LOL I feel like I need more context behind this nude encounter…….

Nicely done! I enjoy your witty writing and especially love the pictures.

Aw thanks so much, Mary!

So I learned some things about myself today. 1. As much as I hate the cold, I will definitely be visiting Germany in the winter so as to avoid the frolicking old naked men. 2. That Christmas mug is adorable and I will definitely steal it.

PS- your photography is so ridiculously gorgeous.

Hahahaa to be fair, it’s not like they’re *everywhere*. You’ll be more likely to see topless women around the parks than wrinkly old men. Maybe I just got lucky 😉 Also YES all the markets have different mugs too and it’s just the best thing. I highly recommend a separate suitcase just for them haha

You made me laugh so hard, Christina! I love this! I lived in Germany for 2 years and I can testify, everything is true!! I love this post.

Your comment makes me so happy!!! Thanks for reading, girl <3

I‘m German. I visited 18 differnt countries for job reasons, from US to Japan. And yes, you are totally right. It really tooks a smile on my face reading your 17 tips. They are so true. Brilliant. We are really a funny kind of peoples here. But wait, someone can easily write 17 funny facts for visiting the US

I would LOVE if somebody wrote that post. Even as a Canadian, there are certain funny things about the US I could write about haha

This is a fun idea for a post. I live in Germany, and what you listed is normal to me by now (still getting used to the staring, though). But I might try one about my passport country, or rather the Midwest. Something to ponder over the holidays… I only recently stumbled across your blog, and I’ll be back to read more.

Aw Beth – thanks so much! really glad you enjoyed it 🙂 One about the Midwest would be great! Let me know if you end up writing it!

Being of German descent and having visited Germany before this article rings so true and made me laugh out loud. I am taking my partner to Germany next year and this article is perfect for him as he is like the quintessential opposite of a German. One point made me want to share a story with you…. My friend and I weren’t aware of the jaywalking law and crossed on the red Ampel Man on a Sunday afternoon in Berlin, there was literally no one around and next thing we know we hear the revs and then screech of a police car mounting the kerb within a foot of our (now soiled) pants! The officer got out screaming at us, all the German I knew flew out the window. Let’s just say he thought it Germanly amusing when we finally muttered “Australien”! I still laugh about this to this day.

Hahaha wow – what a story! Thanks for sharing, Lear <3

I legit laughed out loud! Your righting is fan-freakin-tastic. I am an American who grew up around German culture here and have visited Germany many times so I can totally relate! I did not know about #8 – good to know! And #17… omg driving and you the AUSFARHT signs… I die every time! Thanks so much for sharing. Can’t wait to spend the rest of my day procrastinating real work and reading your blog!

Hey, I’m german and yes, you are so damn right about all those things! Really made me laugh! About speaking english in public offices (town hall, Bürgerbüro…) : Most of these guys there speak english, but they are not allowed to by law…

So glad you enjoyed it, Andrea! That’s really interesting – I had no idea there was a legal reason behind it. I’d love to learn more about why! Do you have a link or anything about the law in question?

I’m an American who’s been living in Munich for 5.5 years and I can say these are ALL true….hilarious. I’d also add to the supermarket olympics section to mind your spot in line so no one cuts in front of you!

Hahaha that’s a good one… some of those omas can be ruthless in getting ahead! Thanks for reading – so happy you liked it!

Great Article. I’m sure my husband will fail at #14 as he talks to everyone when we travel about anything! As for me, I’m just plain loud, so #6 is going to get me lots of stares, LOL As my husband is half German, your list also provided me with insight to his personality, ie #1 he likes paying cash for everything, #4 he has never been late a minute in his life, #7 he loves being naked (but what guy doesn’t). As for #2 we are in trouble…..he pees as if he were in his last month of pregnancy! LOVE your humor….and the article.

Hillarious read, quite entertaining. I loved it. Filled with useful information. I plan to visit Germany in the near future, I’ve been doing research and found your site. Gracias!

Thanks so much for the kind words, Ana! Glad you enjoyed it <3 <3 I hope you have an amazing time in Germany!

Always carry change! My 2 sister in laws and myself were chased out of a bathroom by “Broomhilde” the bathroom attendant. We figured out we only had 1 coin and all needed to pee . We didn’t let the door close and when she realized what we were up to chased us down the street shaking her fist and lecturing. It’s still our best story after 21 years!

I have a great jaywalking-story, as well. When I once crossed the street 3 seconds too early (the traffic lights for cars already switched to red), a police officer drove up to the christmas market I was heading to, jumped out of his car yelling and asked me if I planned to give my parents a dead daughter for christmas – then I had to pay 5 Euros. Haha he was crazy! However, here in NRW, the western part of Germany, people are generally much more friendly open-minded than in e.g. Bavaria!

What a fun read! I am a German, living in Texas with my family for 8 years. My 14 y old daughter often tells me “Don’t stare at the people!” while I am not aware of starring. I am just curious and interested … is that starring? The punctuality is really a thing. People who let us wait are rude because they are wasting our precious time (keeping us from being efficient). When we had our first big party here (Oktoberfest – what else – and I had cooked authentic food from scratch for three days) nobody showed up at the given time. We were totally irritated, double checking the (written!) invitations for time and date, calling some guests if they thought it would be in Oktober (since Oktoberfest is always in September!) etc. . The first guests showed up about 40 minutes late, some came more than an hour late and the most shocking thing: Some left after an hour, telling us that they also have to go to another party … this is like a total no-go in Germany. Well, we learned and adapted … to a certain point. But we are still always on time!

The credit card thing explained: The bank in Germany takes a high fee for credit card transactions. If you buy something for a small amount, it often would cost the store owner more to pay for the transaction than the item you bought. Germans have some sort of debit card which usually comes at a lower fee for the shop owner. But cash is still highly appreciated.

All 100% true, and not only for Munich. I grew up in the North of Germany and it is the same story. Then of course this stuff was normal for me until I moved abroad 😀 hilariously written!

Are the Christmas markets also closed on Sundays? Thank you!

Nope! Of course it depends on the actual market, but most will be open and very, very crowded haha 🙂

Hi Christina You just made my day I read your post and I as laughing sooo many times loud out . I am from Germany live now in the US ( east coast ) since 20+ years and same as you I LOVE TO TRAVEL and see the world. Mostly Asia You are mostly SO RIGHT in your description about Germany.Lucky me I am not from Bavaria but from the NORTH but most of your tips is true for all of Germany Again LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR POST

Some are really hilarious .Nice Tips for travelers who are planing for germany trip.

Hi Christina, Germany is one of my favourite countries to visit and for many of the reasons above, especially the silence on public transport. And yes, the towns are pretty. My blogging never does them enough justice!

Hillarious read, enjoyed it. Was planning to visit Germany, found your site during my research, learnt quite a lot. Cheers!

Hallo Christina,

I love your post. I am German (from Oldenburg in Loxer Saxony) and have been looking for something exactly like this as I’ll be welcoming a Texan friend in summer time. How cool. I didn’t wanna bore her with my “preparation list” (I wouldn’t even have known how to start it!) and then I found your blog. How cool. Thanks for your brillant descriptions of literally everything a foreigner needs to know about Germany and Germans. 🙂

We Germans are so weird but of course pretty friendly and funny, too. 😉

Have a great time and be safe.

Susanne :-).

thanks for the information

Just moved to Bavaria from the states – reading up on some tips after being here nearly a month. This is super helpful but mostly a hilarious read! I loved reading your take on things! Well written. Thanks for the tips for my German adventures!

I love Germany and have travelled there three times and hopefully will visit again. I feel that the whole Ampelmann thing is peculiar as an American, but also, charming. I saw stores with Ampelmann merchandise in Berlin and in Munich. I also scratch my head over getting assorted wursts…in the U.S., long rolls are used to accommodate the shape… but I’ve only seen round rolls used, especially what we here call Kaiser rolls.

Bravo for the wonderful write up Christina. very helpful. anyone looking for further information about Germany or needs travel documents to Germany can contact this email [email protected]

Christina, my son was stationed in Germany and loved it. He’s been back home in USA for some time longing to go back. He just got notice he has job in Germany and will be moving there with his family soon. My sister and I will go visit him and travel around Europe for first and probably last time (we are 70 +) and your tips are great! I live in Louisiana and it is a very funny state.

ha ha, loved this. So much of it I remember from my German holidays

Love your article! I met my German husband in Austria, and have had 39 happy years! Our grandchildren call us Oma and Opa. You nailed it with the punctuality for sure! Germany is a wonderful country with friendly people. Love Munich, Rothenburg, Berchtesgaden, ….. Enjoy your stay!

Germany is a beautiful country with a Rich cultural heritage and the people here are honest and straight forward, thanks for sharing the travel tips which are of great help to travellers and save them from getting into awkward situations. October is the best time to visit Germany as Oktoberfest the best folk festival is held in this month.

Hi Christina, My husband and I are planning a trip to Munich, then Vienna, Italy and Switzerland in September 2020. I came across your article on “17 Hilariously True Must-Knows Before You Travel to Germany”…loved it. I would also enjoy advise on what to wear on our trip. We’re from Florida, where shorts and t-shirts are the norm. Thank you.

Your Travel Blog is really nice. I love german and culture. maybe I will do to visit one day. I would like to do a marathon run if someone invites me.

I don’t ever comment on blogs but I have quite a bit of experience in Germany and Munich is one of my favorites. Your post made me laugh out loud a couple times. I’m forwarding the link to my husband so he can enjoy it too. Thanks!

I agree with whatever you have mentioned here. I am here in germany for study and I have to change a lot of habits that is mentioned above. Speak in small voice, urinating, puncuality, taking care of cycle lane. Even some older people scold you, this is the most wierd thing. I thing the yonger genration is much better the older are sucking. But you will find good old people who speaks in english and help you. You cracked all the things i n your article. Thanks.

Next year I plan to visit Germany. This will be my first trip. Thanks for the exchange and your advices.

I love these tips! There is just so much to see in Germany! I went last year during the holidays and am dying to go back. There are too many cute towns to see!

Thanks for travelling tips to visit Germany. I will be visiting their very soon and I will probably use your tips and travel recommendation. Much grateful for the information though.

You made me laugh so much! Ah these are so true. Thank you for writing about them in such a hilarious way. It’s been four years since I moved home from Germany and escaped a few of these – and have missed some others. 🙂

Aw thanks for reading and for the kind words, Ava!! Hope you can make it back to Germany again sometime soon to visit haha 🙂

I LOVED this article! I have been living in Munich for about 18 months and all of these were spot on! I definitely laughed out loud when I read the one about the grocery stores. I still get soo stressed trying to bag my stuff! You just never get used to it!

Hey Christina, this very good written! I am actually german and do also live in Munich. I find it very interesting to see the german way of living from another perspektive from time to time 😛 Anyhow i wanted to add something about the jaywalking…(i think that is walking across the street with a red traffic light?) If you are unlucky and the police sees you while doing that it can be very expensive. I got caught once running over the strees a few seconds after the light changed and i had to pay 80€ So i do highly recommend to cross the street far far away from a traffic light (ofc after you made sure that there are no cars that could run you over) or just wait until the light turns green, because sometimes policemen also wait in plain clothes behind the traficlight for someone to cross it while its red… And there is someting else that i wamted to add to your list. I think that almost every household in Germany is a shoes off household. So if you get invited to someones house or appartement, take your shoes off or ask if you should/can leave them on. This could keep you from leaving a rude expression 🙂

Hi Lisa, thanks so much for reading and thanks for sharing your experiences/extra tips! I grew up in a shoes-off household too so it never crossed my mind that this was a cultural difference haha. Definitely a good tip for those who aren’t used to it!

The part about Still water killed me , i literally LOL! every time im in europe i break my head trying to find still water..

Doing research for my book where they visit Germany and this article was so HILARIOUS and helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to make it! <333

A very informative article about the German travel.I really appreciate your research. Thanks for sharing. Hope to read more articles on your blog…!!! Keep it up.

Christina I was laughing the entire time I read your blog thank you for the laughs and information I’m sure I’ll have a great time in Germany!

I AM a German living in Canada since a couple of years now. And what should I say: You are perfectly right with your accurate analysis. I laughed my ass of reading your blog. Thank you.

Great post, I want to thank You for sharing this as it contains a lot of details and it has been very useful.

It is great to know about places, I find such blogs which tell about a country like living, food, places to visit. Like I found a lot in this blog and I enjoyed reading it. I hope you will share such good blogs.

Thank you for sharing your valuable insights and tips on traveling in Germany. Your article is well-written, informative, and packed with useful information that will undoubtedly help anyone planning to visit Germany.

I appreciate the practical tips you’ve provided on topics such as transportation, accommodation, food, and culture. Your personal experiences and anecdotes add a relatable and authentic touch to the article, and I found your advice on interacting with locals and adapting to the local culture particularly helpful.

Your suggestions for off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems in Germany were also a great addition to the article, and I appreciated the detailed descriptions and recommendations for each place.

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Destination Germany

Would you like to travel to Germany as a tourist? Here you’ll find all the important information you need for an unforgettable stay.

Whether you love nature or history, mountains or the sea, Germany has something to offer for everyone. From majestic castles set amid picturesque landscapes to the lively streets of Berlin, there are countless hidden treasures to discover in the country. Here you will find valuable information about popular destinations, cultural highlights, local traditions and delicious dishes along with practical travel tips. Get ready for a journey through Germany to explore fascinating cities, breathtaking mountain landscapes and intriguing UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Topics on this page

Entry requirements, how can i get about in the country, travelling on a budget, what do i need to know before the trip, food and drink, the most attractive towns and cities, outdoor excursions, history and technology, history up close, unesco world heritage, the great outdoors, where can i stay the night, germany from a distinctive perspective, germany from a digital perspective.

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To get you in the mood, we’ve put together a summary of some of Germany’s magical spots, magnificent natural attractions and a few ideas as to what you might like to do on your trip to Germany:

What are the requirements for tourists entering Germany?

Tourists from EU countries in the Schengen area and from many other countries can enter without any further formalities. All other travellers need a tourist visa for a 90-day stay: the type C Schengen visa. Check this list issued by the German Foreign Ministry Auswärtiges Amt to find out if you need a visa:

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/-/231148

You can obtain a visa from the German embassy or consulate in your country. It will also provide you with details of any requirements that apply.

How can I travel in Germany?

Germany is well-known for its motorways . They criss-cross the country in all directions. With the exception of a few islands, you can get to virtually every point of interest in Germany by car. Travelling by train in Germany is very convenient, too: the local and long-distance public transport network has trains and buses that serve virtually the entire country. The major cities and their surrounding areas in particular offer excellent transportation links. One convenient option for travel between larger towns and cities is that of the long-distance buses. There is also domestic air traffic – though given that Germany is not overly extensive in size, more ecofriendly forms of travel are available.

Here you will find tips for travelling in Germany:

Bonus tip: how can I travel in Germany on a limited budget?

Travelling costs money, and even though there are a lot of countries that are more expensive than Germany, it is certainly not one of the cheapest holiday destinations. The longer you want to spend exploring Germany, the more this applies, of course: travel, accommodation, food and drink are necessary expenses. One option is to earn the cost of your trip in Germany itself while you are there.

Find out all about work and travel in Germany:

What are the most important things I need to know when travelling to Germany?

Germany is made up of 16 federal states , but this won’t affect you in terms of tourist travel. There are no noticeable borders between the states and the same laws apply everywhere throughout the country. Germany has a nationwide system of healthcare consisting of general practitioners and hospitals. In order to keep costs low in the event of illness or accident, tourists are advised to take out travel health insurance for the duration of their visit to Germany. All common means of payment are accepted in Germany, though paying with cash is still widespread, especially in the case of small amounts. Food in Germany is international: Italian, Turkish and Asian cuisine is to be found practically everywhere. German cuisine with all its specialities is an option too, of course.

What can I eat and drink when I visit Germany?

The restaurant landscape in Germany is practically unlimited and highly diverse. In big cities in particular it is possible to find almost every type of international cuisine, often in gourmet quality, too. Virtually every town in Germany has a pizzeria, a kebab restaurant or a Chinese restaurant serving good food that is reasonably priced. But tourists will want to try the country’s own typical dishes and drinks, too. Some dishes require a little tolerance, unlike perhaps the most common German drinks such as beer and wine. When it comes to beer and wine, it’s always a good idea to try regional specialities.

What places should I visit in Germany?

There are hundreds of worthwhile destinations in Germany. Here you will find the most popular places for tourists from abroad to visit in Germany:

Everything you need to know about the most attractive German towns and cities

But this is only a small selection of course. You might be asking yourself: where do I start my trip to Germany? What are the most frequently visited towns and cities in Germany ? Maybe you’d like to get to know the big German cities ? Hamburg, the port city on the North Sea, Berlin, the German capital, Leipzig, the cultural centre in the east, or Cologne, the city with the famous cathedral? Frankfurt, the city of banks and museums? Or Munich, home to the Oktoberfest, situated on the edge of the Alps? Each of these cities has a long and fascinating history, even dating back to Roman times in some cases.

Our bonus tip: “Berlin for free”

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money if you want to visit Germany. Here we have compiled a special set of tips for those who’d like to get to know Berlin (almost) for free:

Everything you need to know for a trip to the countryside in Germany

Germany has a rich variety of landscapes: the islands in the North Sea and Baltic Sea , extensive plains in the north rising to the lower mountain ranges, and then Germany’s highest point in the far south – the Zugspitze in the picturesque Alps. In all these regions you will find unique and stunning landscapes, romantic river valleys, majestic mountains such as the Brocken in the Harz Mountains or the Feldberg in the legendary Black Forest – and there are even enchanted primeval forests, too.

The different landscapes provide habitats for numerous different animal species. If you are interested in wild animals, this is the right place for you:

Everything you need to know about cultural and historical highlights on your trip to Germany

No one can visit the land of Goethe, Bach and Beethoven without at least encountering in some form the mark left by these and other great artists – or indeed hearing their works. Germany is the country with the most symphony orchestras and opera houses. The Berlin Philharmonic is considered one of the best orchestras in the world, and more than a third of the world’s opera performances take place in Germany. In Berlin alone there are three opera houses, the Semperoper in Dresden is world-famous, too, and then of course there is the Festspielhaus in Bayreuth, where only works by Richard Wagner are performed. Popular music has an equally important role to play: with festivals such as “Rock am Ring” at the Nürburgring motor racing track and concerts ranging from local bands to international superstars, there is something on offer to suit every taste.

Great art treasures in impressive museums

In Germany, cultural education is seen as a responsibility of the public sector, which is why many museums receive funding from the state. This is another reason why the country has countless museums that many millions of people visit every year. Berlin has an entire museum island – a must-see on any visit to the capital. The Alte Pinakothek in Munich, the Städel Museum in Frankfurt, Museum Ludwig and the Wallraff-Richartz Museum in Cologne, the Staatsgalerie in Stuttgart and the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden – the list of outstanding exhibition venues is virtually endless. The advantage from your point of view when travelling to Germany: it’s usually not far to go to the nearest major museum.

Spectacular presentations of history and technology

Museums are not only dedicated to the fine arts, of course. The largest technology museum of its kind in the world is in Munich: the Deutsches Museum. 1.5 million people visit it every year. Another spectacular place to see is the Sinsheim Museum of Technology, where a real Concorde is on display – still the fastest passenger aircraft ever. Anyone visiting Frankfurt am Main who is interested in natural history should be sure not to miss the Senckenberg Museum.

German history is featured in numerous museums, with both its dark and bright sides. The largest German-language cultural history museum is the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg. Meanwhile, the Buchenwald memorial on the site of a former concentration camp near the Goethe and Schiller city of Weimar is dedicated to the crimes perpetrated under National Socialism.

Where can I immerse myself in German history up close?

Finding out about history in a museum is fascinating, but here are some tips for you if you want to really immerse yourself in the past. Open-air museums bring bygone times back to life, ancient walls give you history at first hand and historical festivals offer a glimpse of what life must have felt like in past eras.

Unique destinations in Germany: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The United Nations awards a distinctive seal of quality to particularly outstanding natural or cultural monuments. They are declared by UNESCO to be World Heritage Sites . Here you can find out which of these places you should definitely not miss in Germany:

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Are you a nature-lover wanting to get a feel for the great outdoors in Germany?

It is possible to explore cities and landscapes on foot. Those wishing to cover lengthier distances in the countryside may prefer to travel by bicycle. Germany offers numerous opportunities for this, too:

Where can I stay on my trip to Germany?

Germany has hotels in all price categories, ranging from exclusive luxury hotels to budget hostels. You will find accommodation in all price categories via the usual channels on the internet, too. One particular feature in Germany is the concept of the youth hostel: nowadays these can be used by people of all ages, including families. The accommodation they provide is usually quite basic, but inexpensive. Since Germans like to camp, Germany has lots of campsites as well. Motorhome travellers take note: you are allowed to stay for a single night anywhere where it is not expressly forbidden. But one night is the maximum.

Are you looking for what is typical of Germany or what is not so typical?

If it’s winter and you want to experience something typically German: go to a Christmas market! If you like whimsical things, such as cuckoo clocks: set off on the German Clock Road. Here you will find some distinctive ways to explore Germany – not always off the beaten track, but highly recommended:

Bonus tip: I want to visit Germany without travelling!

Want to visit Germany but without travelling? We can help you with that. We’ve put together some great destinations for you to explore digitally. You might like to start with a virtual tour of some of the most impressive spots:

Frankfurt’s New Old Town is a spectacular sight, shown here in 360-degree video:

But there are lots of other ways to explore Germany on the internet without setting foot in the country. Try our tips for a virtual visit to Germany:

© Westend61/Getty Images

Prepare for a roller-coaster ride of feasts, treats and temptations experiencing Germany's soul-stirring scenery, spirit-lifting culture, big-city beauties, romantic palaces and half-timbered towns.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, your next trip starts here.

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Museumsinsel

Museumsinsel & Alexanderplatz

Walk through ancient Babylon, meet an Egyptian queen, clamber up a Greek altar or be mesmerized by Monet's ethereal landscapes. Welcome to Museumsinsel …

Neues Museum

For over 60 years, not a soul was able to visit Berlin’s Neues Museum – in fact, it sat in ruins. But today it’s one of the city’s most celebrated…

Pergamonmuseum

The Pergamonmuseum is one of Berlin’s most visited historical gems and perhaps also its most controversial. This museum offers an archaeological time-warp…

East Side Gallery

Friedrichshain

The East Side Gallery is the embodiment of Berlin’s grit and guts.

Fernsehturm

Germany's tallest structure, the TV Tower is a Berlin icon.

Topographie des Terrors

Historic Mitte

This compelling exhibit tells stories of terror and persecution in Nazi Germany.

Cologne’s geographical and spiritual heart – and its single-biggest tourist draw – is the magnificent Kölner Dom. With its soaring twin spires, this is…

Gedenkstätte Buchenwald

Between 1937 and 1945, hidden from Weimarers and surrounding villagers, 250,000 men, women and children were incarcerated here, some 56,500 of whom were…

Top picks from our travel experts

17 of the best things to do in germany.

Zeche Zollverein

The Ruhrgebiet

A key site along the Ruhr area's Industrial Heritage Trail, the former Zollverein coal mine was a marvel of efficiency while in operation from 1932 until…

Tempelhofer Feld

The airfield of Tempelhof Airport, which so gloriously handled the Berlin airlift of 1948–49, has been repurposed as one of the largest urban parks in the…

Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer

Prenzlauer Berg

For an insightful primer on the Berlin Wall, visit this outdoor memorial, which extends for 1.4km along Bernauer Strasse and integrates an original…

Biergarten Muffatwerk

Think of this one as a progressive beer garden with reggae instead of oompah, civilised imbibing instead of brainless guzzling, organic meats, fish and…

Schloss Neuschwanstein

Appearing through the mountaintops like a mirage, Schloss Neuschwanstein was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. King Ludwig II planned this…

Situated on the shores of the English Garden's Kleinhesseloher See, the Seehaus has a family-friendly beer garden with an attached almost-upmarket…

A collaboration between the architect Matthäus Pöppelmann and the sculptor Balthasar Permoser, the Zwinger was built between 1710 and 1728 on the orders…

Frauenkirche

The domed Frauenkirche – Dresden’s most beloved symbol – has literally risen from the city's ashes. The original church graced the skyline for two…

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

On good days, views from Germany’s rooftop extend into four countries. The return trip starts in Garmisch aboard a cogwheel train (Zahnradbahn) that chugs…

Memorium Nuremberg Trials

Göring, Hess, Speer and 21 other Nazi leaders were tried for crimes against peace and humanity by the Allies in Schwurgerichtssaal 600 (Court Room 600) of…

Englischer Garten

The sprawling English Garden is among Europe's biggest city parks – it even rivals London's Hyde Park and New York's Central Park for size – and is a…

Elbphilharmonie

Welcome to one of the most Europe's most exciting recent architectural creations. A squat brown-brick former warehouse at the far west of HafenCity was…

KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau

Officially called the KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau, this was the Nazis’ first concentration camp, built by Heinrich Himmler in March 1933 to house political…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

From cities to countryside and up the highest mountain, experience the best of Germany with these top things to do.

Things to Know

From paying with cash to not crossing against a red light, here are the things you need to know before going to Germany.

Transportation

Germany's public transportation network is one of the best in the world. Here's what you need to know to get exploring.

Visa Requirements

Do you know if you need a visa to visit Germany? We can help you work it out.

Money and Costs

From Deutsche Bahn rail passes to hiking and camping in the summer months there's plenty of ways to save money in Germany.

Traveling with Kids

With lots of family-friendly activities and a well-developed infrastructure, Germany is an ideal destination for families traveling with kids of all ages.

Best Road Trips

Hit the road with these six touring routes and visit historic towns, castles and palaces, plus epic mountains and remote beaches.

Latest stories from Germany

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As you plan your big trip to Germany this year, don’t sleep our our list of the the top places for scenery, culture, history and (yes) beer.

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Germany and beyond

15 Best Germany Travel Guides

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my  disclaimer policy.

Looking for the best Germany travel guide to take on your trip? Here are 15 of the most useful options for travelers planning trips to Germany!

Germany is a world class tourist destination in the heart of Europe.

Every year, millions of people travel there to taste its many famous beers and traditional German cuisine , visit enchanting fairy tale castles , national parks, and beautiful sights, learn about its rich history and culture, and much more.

No matter whether you plan to visit busting big cities or Germany’s many thriving smaller cities, you’ll find tons of attractions and points of interest. But they can be difficult to explore effectively without a guide to help you along the way. 

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This article shows you the best Germany travel guides out in the market today (both in hard copy and Kindle) and how you can choose the best one for your trip.

Whether you plan to spend time in Berlin, the Rhine, Bavaria (or elsewhere!), want to travel by cruise, train or take a road trip, or are traveling solo, with a partner or your entire family, there’s a guide for every kind of itinerary and traveler!

• 1 Quick Guidebook Recommendations
• 2 Why Use A Travel Guide?
• 3 Germany Travel Guides Comparison Chart
• 4 How To Choose The Best Travel Guide For You
• 5 15 Best Germany Travel Guides
• 6 What To See And Do In Germany?
• 7 When Is The Best Time To Go To Germany?

Quick Guidebook Recommendations

Check out this quick list of our favorite guide books if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

• For Insider Tips On Hidden Gems : Fodor’s Essential Germany
• For Kindle Unlimited Users : The Rough Guide to Germany
• For First-Time Travelers to Germany: Rick Steves Germany
• For multiple formats and off-line maps: Lonely Planet Germany
• For DIY Berlin Walking Tours: National Geographic: Walking Berlin
• For Visiting Munich, Bavaria & The Black Forest: Lonely Planet: Munich, Bavaria, and the Black Forest
• For Visiting Rothenburg & the Rhine: Rick Steves’ Rothenburg & the Rhine
• For Road Trips & Day Trips in Germany, Austria & Switzerland : Lonely Planet’s Guide to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
• Best City Pocket Guide s: Lonely Planet’s Pocket Guide Berlin, Hamburg, Munich
• For Roadtrips in Germany: DK Eyewitness Road Trips
• For Rail Travel in Germany: Europe by Rail
• For River Cruises: Lonely Planet Cruise Ports European Rivers
• Best Guide for Kids: Kids Travel Guide Germany
• For Quickly Learning About German Culture: Culture Smart Germany
• For Learning German Language: 1,000 German Phrases

Why Use A Travel Guide?

Germany travel guides are a great resource for planning specific aspects of your trip, especially when combined with the info we provide on this website.

You can never have too much trip planning information, and a good travel guide provides essential travel information without the need for wifi.

Travel guides are especially useful for people who don’t have a lot of experience traveling abroad or who don’t speak the language of their destination country.

The guides we highlight below can help you find good restaurants, learn about regional customs and traditions, and avoid scams in specific locations.

If you’re looking for something more specific than general travel advice, there are many specialty travel guidebooks available that cover everything from hiking trails to famous literary locations around the world!

Germany Travel Guides Comparison Chart

Here’s an overview of the best guidebooks for Germany travel. Scroll down for a more detailed review of each book!

• Perfect for insider tips
• Full-size street maps
• Sample itineraries

• Free with Kindle Unlimited (as of now)
• Carefully planned itineraries
• Full-color maps

• Perfect first timers
• Strategic advice for making the most out of your budget
• Tips on how to plan a multi-week trip to different cities in Germany

• Honest reviews of restaurants
• Free on Kindle Unlimited too
• Add notes to personalize your digital guidebook

• 15 walking tours
• Step-by-step itineraries
• Detailed maps

• Up-to-date research on travel information and what businesses are still open after light of Covid-19
• “What’s new” sections featuring cultural trends
• New, up-and-coming areas to visit

• Insider travel tips 
• How to avoid tourist traps
• Rothenburg & Rhine focused

• Germany, Austria & Switzerland
• 33 trip ideas
• Fastest travel routes & scenic detours

Small & handy

Books for Berlin, Hamburg & Munich

Expert advice on top tourist destinations & neighborhoods

• 24 well-researched driving routes.
• Discover stunning views and hidden gems off the beaten track
• Practical tips for driving in Germany

50 key routes

Tips on the best ticket deals

Fun sights to see along the routes

• Advice for first-timers
• Covers Germany & other European cruise routes

• Fun facts about Germany
• Language learning
• Coloring pages, quizzes, puzzles & journal pages

• German history
• Cultural values, traditions & etiquette
• Regional cultural differences

• 1,000 basic words, phrases, and sentences in German
• Small talk, asking for directions, finding a bank, ordering at restaurants
• Phonetic pronunciation guide!

How To Choose The Best Travel Guide For You

There are a lot of travel guides on the market, making it pretty overwhelming to find the right one. When choosing the best travel guide for your trip, there are a couple of things you should take into consideration.

Grab our FREE Germany Trip Planning Checklist Now!

What are your travel plans?

If you’re going on a multi-week trip across Germany, visiting several cities and regions, then the best travel guide for you will be a comprehensive general country guide on Germany.

These kinds of guides usually have multiple chapters dedicated to all the big cities and regions, making it easy to flip through whichever destination you’re going to along your trip.

On the other hand, if you’re mostly staying in a specific region or a couple of cities, then it’s better to find a regional guide that really narrows in the area you’re visiting. This way you won’t be bogged down with city information that may not be applicable to your trip. 

What’s your travel style?

If you’re going on road trips, you’ll find guidebooks with specific information and helpful tips on driving in Germany, the best scenic routes, and more. Likewise, if you’re going on a river cruise, find a guide that covers that specific type of travel. There are also guides that are geared towards kids.  

What’s your preferred writing style?

Do you prefer matter-of-fact, objective, no-frills writing? Or do you gain more value from reading personal guides filled with the author’s own anecdotes and experience of the city?

There are also guides that focus heavily on history, others on beautiful travel photography. Make sure to read reviews to get a gist of the style and content of the guide!

Fodor’s Essential Germany is the perfect guide for those who want insider tips on how to experience Germany like a local.

Fodor’s Travel Guides are all written and researched by local experts, who can offer you unique insights you might not find in other guides. 

In this guide you’ll find fully updated information on all of Germany’s main attractions and hidden gems, which includes restaurants, hotels, and even outdoor activities.

As well as full-size street maps and beautiful photographs, you’ll also have access to multiple sample itineraries to help you make the most out of your travel time.

The Rough Guide to Germany is one of the best options   for those who want a guidebook on their Kindle – it’s free with Kindle Unlimited (as of now)!

You’ll have rundowns of must-see landmarks, carefully planned itineraries, and full-color maps to navigate the streets of Berlin or Munich without the need to go online.

This guide covers a vast majority of areas in Germany, not just the major cities . If you’re spending more time in a certain region, then the detailed regional coverage will be very useful. 

Rick Steves is one of the most well known travel writers from the United States. His mission is to empower Americans to go on fun and culturally enriching trips to Europe and his guidebook to Germany reflects that.

People who are traveling to Germany for the first time will find this guide very useful. It has strategic advice on how to make the most out of your budget and time with tips on how to plan a multi-week trip to different cities in Germany.

Other handy features include self-guided walking tours, a packing checklist, and a German phrasebook. This edition also has up to date detailed information reflecting the changes brought about Covid-19.

Lonely Planet has some of the best guidebooks in the market and the Lonely Planet’s Germany is no exception - it's currently the #1 best seller on Amazon.

They provide comprehensive and trustworthy information on everything you need to know about Germany, from the most visited tourist areas to less well known historic cities.

This guide makes sure to provide itineraries and honest reviews of restaurants, shops, landmarks that cater to every kind of travel style and budget.

The book is available in both digital (it’s free on Kindle Unlimited too!) and paperback versions. The digital version comes with downloadable PDF and offline maps that are great for preventing extra roaming charges, embedded links to recommendations with websites.

You can even add notes to personalize your guidebook. The paperback version is small and sleek, making it easy to bring around while traveling.

If you’re staying in Berlin for some time, then you’ll probably be spending a good amount of time walking (alongside using their excellent public transport).

And there’s no better way of getting to know a city than by walking! National Geographic Walking Berlin is the best guidebook for this.

This book contains 15 walking tours with step-by-step itineraries and detailed maps that will have you roaming and exploring Berlin like a true local in no time.

Lonely Planet just came out with their newest guide on Munich, Bavaria, and the Black Forest.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect spa town to relax along the Black Forest or celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich, this guidebook will have you covered.

Since it was just recently published, you’ll be able to find up-to-date research on travel information and what businesses are still open after light of Covid-19.

Aside from all the essential reading, there are also “what’s new” sections that feature cultural trends and new, up-and-coming areas to visit. 

From wandering around quaint villages, going back in time exploring ancient castles ruins, or dining in good restaurants by scenic vineyards, the Rhine Valley is a must-visit.

It’s particularly known as a romantic destination, but every kind of traveler can enjoy it. Rick Steves’ guide to the Rhine is a great place to start planning your trip.

It includes insider travel tips on how to beat crowds and avoid tourist traps. The selective coverage also includes information on Rothenburg, a picturesque well-restored medieval city. 

Lonely Planet’s Guide to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is perfect for those whose travel plans always include day trips or road trips.

Especially if you’ve planned your itinerary with the goal of visiting neighboring countries like Austria or Switzerland, then this guide is for you.

This guide covers everything from the Romantic Road, Lake Bodensee, the Swiss Alps, Zurich, Lake Geneva, Vienna, Salzburg, and more! It features over 33 trips to take with useful advice on breaks to stretch your legs along the way, the fastest travel routes, and scenic detours.

The Lonely Planet’s Pocket Guide series are perfect for those taking shorter trips over a weekend or maybe those who have limited leisure time during business trips.

These guides are small and handy, getting down to the basics of each German city. It’s easy to use and concise, with expert advice on the top tourist destinations, neighborhood chapters, and day planners.

Click here for more information on Pocket Berlin, Pocket Hamburg , and Pocket Munich

DK Eyewitness Road Trips is ideal for those who want to explore Germany through road trips.

This guide contains 24 well-researched, easy to follow driving routes. Each lasts from 1 to 5 days, so you can choose any depending on your time and preference.

You’ll get to learn about stunning views and hidden gems off the beaten track that you can only discover on the road. It’s full of practical tips like road conditions, detours, parking info, and navigation details for GPS use.

Plus, each tour includes ideas for activities and sights along the way.

Europe by Rail is the definitive guide for planning your European trail travel journey using Interrail or Eurail.

This guide includes 50 key routes that you can follow or incorporate into your Germany itinerary.

It also contains tips on the best ticket deals, where to stay, and fun sights to see along the routes. It covers popular routes such as Glacier Express, the Rhine Valley, French Riviera, and the Scottish Highlands with information on new routes to Slovakia, Greece, and more.

River cruises have been gaining popularity, with many tourists loving the different perspective you get as you travel by water through scenic riverfront views.

Riverboats are usually much smaller than Mediterranean cruises, making for a more social experience and more frequent stops and onshore activities. 

This Lonely Planet guide is perfect for those going on a European cruise through a number of different countries but who do not want to buy a guide book for each country.

It covers the following routes: Northern Rhine, Southern Rhine (France, Germany, Switzerland), Western Danube (Austria and Germany), Eastern Danube (Hungary and Serbia), the Seine (France), and the Elbe (Czech Republic and Germany).

Traveling with children to Germany for the first time can be intimidating. Kids Travel Guide Germany is here to help ease your worries!

This guide is a fun gift to give your kids as a way to cultivate their interest in traveling from a young age. Leonardo, the cute cartoon tour guide, will teach your kids fun facts about Germany and even basic German words.

It also comes with an activity book full of coloring pages, quizzes, puzzles, and journal pages to document their trip.

Nothing enriches travel experiences like immersing yourself in the country’s local culture. Culture Smart Germany shows you everything you need to know about German culture and way of life.

You’ll find chapters discussing history, values, cultural differences between regions, cultural traditions, and common etiquette to follow.

It’s great for navigating day to day life while you travel and even for more formal business trips.

This German phrase book is the ideal companion for your trip to Germany.

With more than 1,000 basic words, phrases, and sentences in German it covers every travel situation you could think of from small talk, asking for directions, finding a bank, and ordering at restaurants.

Easy to use and straight to the point, this guide will help you familiarize yourself with the German language and navigate social situations with locals. It also comes with a phonetic pronunciation guide!

What To See And Do In Germany?

If you’re not sure which guidebook will work best for you, consider where you most want to spend your time.

Germany is filled with tons of historic places to learn from, beautiful landscapes to admire, and fun cultural activities to experience. To get a gist of what awaits you in your Germany trip, let’s break it down to some of the main travel destinations in the country.

Berlin, the capital of Germany (and the largest city), is where you’ll find some of the most iconic landmarks of German history. You won’t run out of things to see from the Brandenburg Gate, the East Side Gallery, the Holocaust Memorial, the German Parliament Building (Reichstag), and many more.

For more information on the top historic places to visit in Berlin, read our guide to planning the ultimate Berlin itinerary.

This dynamic city has also undergone a lot of changes in the past decades, growing into one of the most interesting cities to visit in central Europe. Many people are drawn to the vibrant Berlin arts scene and music scene.

After all, the capital city is home to world-class museums (including some that give you a glimpse into what life was like in East Germany) and some of the best nightlife in Europe. 

Plus, it’s the gateway to rugged Rügen island to the north on the Baltic Sea, historic Dresden to the south, as well as “Swiss Saxon” national park area.

Hamburg, located on the Elbe river in northern Germany, is one of the most unique German cities. Famous for its ports, lakes, canals, and rivers running throughout the city, Hamburg shows you a different side of Germany.

Whether you canoe through the canals (super fun!) or try delicious fresh seafood after a harbor cruise, you won’t run out of fun activities to do in Hamburg. It’s one of my favorite cities in Germany!

The Black Forest is a region worth visiting for its spectacular scenery, small towns, and close proximity to France and Switzerland. It’s one of the best places to visit for those who love outdoor activities. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails to explore and lakes and waterfalls to admire.

In-between immersing yourself in nature, you can explore picturesque smaller towns like Baden-Baden, Heidelberg, or Freiburg, and villages like Titisee-Neustadt, Triberg, and Gengenbach. You can also spend an afternoon seeing how people used to live at the Black Forest Open Air Museum.

Making your way to southern Germany, you’ll find the Bavarian Alps. For a scenic drive that makes the most out of your experience, we recommend driving south down the Romantic Road.

This route connects storybook castles , medieval towns, and breathtaking landscapes. It’s also one of the best ways to get to Neuschwanstein, the fairy tale castle that’s undoubtedly one of Germany’s most popular attractions.

A staple in all Germany itineraries is, of course Munich, the biggest city in Bavaria. It’s a popular destination for good reason – it’s a beautiful city rich with history far beyond the famous Oktoberfest. Munich (and Bavaria in general) is what most people envision when they think of Germany.

From Munich’s beer gardens, lush urban parks, and historic plazas, you won’t run out of things to see! Check out our guide on how to plan the perfect Munich weekend itinerary here.

Before leaving southern Germany, make sure to stop by Lake Constance (Bodensee in German). Found along the country’s border of Austria and Switzerland, this region with its lakeside small towns is a great place for sunny summer holidays. 

In Central Germany, you’ll find the Rhine Valley which holds great historical and cultural importance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also a popular romantic destination where you can do activities like wine tasting in hillside vineyards and going on a cruise on the Rhine river. We recommend exploring the area on a boat tour to bring you to quaint villages and ancient castles.

Cologne is a great gateway city to the Rhine Valley. The city’s old town is home to the famous Cologne Cathedral and it’s a great walkable area with lots to see.

Another nearby major city is Frankfurt. Though you may only know Frankfurt as Germany’s financial capital or home to one of the world’s busiest airports, the city is fun to explore for its modern architecture, the contrasting historic old town, and interesting museums. Read our guide to spending a day in Frankfurt here or how to day trip to the many castles in the area.

We hope this gives you a good idea of all the exciting things to see and do in Germany. We know there’s a lot to take into consideration. That’s why we also prepared a step-by-step guide on how to plan the perfect Germany vacation that answers everything from where to stay, what cities to visit, and how to get around!

When Is The Best Time To Go To Germany?

We get this question a lot! The best time to go to Germany totally depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. There’s really no bad time to visit because each season has something great and unique to offer!

During summer, you’ll get to enjoy warm and sunny weather. The long days are perfect for sightseeing since the sun sets as late as 10:00-10:30 pm. Be aware that you won’t always be guaranteed clear, blue skies, though. Some days can be rainy or windy but that kind of weather usually doesn’t last longer than a couple of days.

On the flip-side, it can also get really hot during heat waves, and you won’t find A/C in all restaurants and hotels.

Another downside is that since it’s peak season, streets and tourist attractions can be much more crowded with families from all over the world traveling during summer break. Prices for tickets and accommodations are also at their highest so we recommend booking reservations as early as possible.  

Winter can also be a beautiful time to visit, but you’ll obviously have a very different experience. Snow, cold weather, and short days with the sun setting as early as 5 pm are just some of the things that you can expect.

Luckily, you’ll have the festive bright lights and cozy atmosphere of Christmas markets to make up for it. It’s also an ideal time to visit if you love winter activities like skiing or sledding.

Fall can be a good time to visit, especially if you want to participate in Oktoberfest festivities which take place late September to early October. The autumn weather means it’s still pleasantly enough for strolls, though you’ll have colder nights as you approach winter. 

Weather during spring can be a bit of a toss-up. Some days can bring light breezes and warmth but other days can be gloomy and rainy. But you’ll get to see cities come alive and locals spend more time in parks or beer gardens as flowers bloom and outdoor activities kick into gear.

Cate has been traveling to Germany for 30+ years. She has lived in Germany, taught college German, and has a PhD in German Applied Linguistics. She loves helping travelers plan their dream trips to Germany!

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GERMANY TRAVEL PLANNER:  Just getting started? Have questions about Germany’s confusing train tickets or how to find the best guided tours? Not sure which parts of Germany should be in your itinerary (and what to leave out)? Our  Germany Travel Planner  answers those questions and more via how-to videos, our interactive Germany Planning Map, City Cheatsheets, and MUCH more. Click here to unlock the best of Germany the easy way!

GERMANY TRAVEL CONSULT:  Feeling overwhelmed? Itinerary just not coming together? Wonder if a few tweaks would take your trip to the next level? Book a Mini or Full consult with Cate! She’ll help you create or tweak your itinerary, recommend train tickets/passes, hotels, things to do, guided tours, show you how to buy train tickets, orient you to specific cities, help you plan out day trips, and answer your Germany travel questions.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  We recommend using  Booking.com  since they have widest range of accommodations available from hostels, boutique hotels, luxury chains, aparthotels, at the best prices. Check out our  accommodation guides  for specific recommended hotels.

WHAT TO PACK: If you’re bringing your phone, be sure to bring this plug adapter , this power bank , and this wrist strap . They’ve been lifesavers for us! You can see our other packing essentials here and here .

TICKETS & TOURS:  For guided tours, day trips, private tours, and skip-the-line tickets,  Get Your Guide  is our go-to!

TRAINS & BUSES:  To research train schedules and buy tickets or a Germany Rail Pass, we recommend the official  Deutsche Bahn (German Rail System)  website (and download their DB Navigator app). For buses, look at  FlixBus  , which offers tickets for routes within Germany and to other European countries. FlixBus is often cheaper than trains but can take longer.

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Travel Guide Germany

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Though it remains far less well known or understood by outsiders than some of its neighbours, since reunification Germany has at last gained a higher profile as a place to visit, thanks partly to the remarkable resurgence of Berlin, one of the most fascinating and exciting cities in Europe. But the appeal of the reunified Germany is not limited to the capital. Use our travel guide to Germany to get inspired and plan your travel to Germany. If you prefer to be more hands-on, get a copy of the Rough Guide to Germany .

Travel facts about Germany

Where to go in germany, unesco world heritage sites in germany, food and drink in germany, outdoor activities and sports in germany, german wines: a wine-making renaissance, history and heritage in germany, art, architecture and culture in germany, tailor-made travel itineraries for germany, created by local experts.

9 days  / from 2263 USD

A self drive exploration of UNESCO Sites in Southern Germany

Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites across different German states. This self drive trip allows you to design your own days with recommendations stated for each day.

7 days  / from 2905 USD

Explore Berlin and Potsdam in depth

The German capital Berlin has plenty to offer: from historical sites to world-class museums and a vibrant nightlife. Enjoy this private tour to explore a wide range of activities in Berlin and Potsdam, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

8 days  / from 1501 USD

Explore Northern Germany on Your Own

From Bremen to Stralsund - Northern Germany offers plenty of gems to explore. With well-developed public transportation links, this itinerary is suited for everyone wanting to explore on their own - getting lost on the cobble-stoned streets of many UNESCO World Heritage Highlights.

Tailor-made trips for   Germany

• Germany occupies 357,112 square kilometres territory in Central Europe. It has land borders with nine countries and a coastline of 2389km on the North and Baltic seas.
• Politically, Germany is a parliamentary democracy, with an upper house – the Bundesrat – and a lower chamber, the Bundestag , both in Berlin. The administrative structure is federal, with the sixteen Länder (states) having a high degree of autonomy.
• Germany is the largest economy in the European Union , and it is the world’s largest exporter . As the economic heart of the euro zone it is also home to the headquarters of the European Central Bank .
• With a population of around 82 million, Germany is the most populous nation in the European Union, and it is also among its most densely populated and highly urbanized . The four largest cities are Berlin (3.46 million inhabitants), Hamburg (1.8 million), Munich (1.35 million) and Cologne (1 million).
• Germans DO have a sense of humour and they DO love to sunbathe naked . DON’T feel you can’t mention the war though. Today Germans are avid consumers of their own history, and the Nazi era is picked over exhaustively in TV documentaries, in books, and at the cinema.

Berlin is at the top of the list for places to visit in Germany / © canadastock/shutterstock

Best cities and towns in Germany

For many visitors, one of Germany’s cities will be where to go first. Berlin is genuinely exciting – a metropolis on fast-forward, growing into its rediscovered role as the nation’s capital yet preserving evidence of its sometimes unhappy role in European history.

Many other cities have proud histories as independent city-states or as capitals in their own right: thus, there’s nothing remotely “provincial” about ancient, liberal Cologne , Dresden’s restored Baroque splendour or the proud Bavarian metropolis of Munich . The financial capital, Frankfurt , impresses with its dynamism and international spirit, while Bonn , the former West German capital, charms with its scenic setting and excellent museums.

Elsewhere, chic Düsseldorf and laidback Stuttgart embody aspects of the German economic miracle, while the eastern city of Leipzig fizzes with fresh energy. Mercantile Hamburg looks askance at the rest of the country, maintaining the worldliness of a great port, while Nuremberg evokes the triumphs and tragedies of Germany’s past.

Cultural attractions of capital city-quality are not limited to the bigger cities, and many of the most rewarding places are quite small : the cathedral cities of Bamberg and Regensburg ; the Hanseatic ports of Lübeck , Stralsund and Wismar ; the “Prussian Versailles” of Potsdam ; and micro-capitals like Weimar , Schwerin and Eichstätt .

Germany has university towns as evocative as any: Heidelberg is the most famous, but Freiburg , Marburg and Tübingen are just as charming. As for the spa towns , at their best – in Baden-Baden, Bad Homburg or Wiesbaden – they combine health benefits with turn-of-the-century elegance and lovely natural settings.

Landscape, nature and road-trips in Germany

For a potted digest of Germany’s cultural riches the Romantic Road is deservedly popular, a road journey linking Rococo churches with medieval cities and eccentric royal castles. Other themed “roads” are devoted to fairy tales, half-timbering or wine. Often, the most magical places – a fortress on a crag, a placid village rising above vineyards, an ancient market square of improbable quaintness – await discovery on such routes.

Nor should Germany’s undeniable natural beauty be overlooked. The Bavarian Alps , the Black Forest and the valleys of the Rhine and Mosel have long been celebrated. Still, the talcum-powder softness of Rügen’s beaches , the smart resorts of Sylt and the lonely splendour of Mecklenburg’s lakes have yet to make it onto the international travel agenda. A shame, but great for travellers who like to explore great outdoor places away from the crowd.

One unsung pleasure of a visit to Germany is the opportunity to meet its people . The officious neighbour who complains if you don’t hang your socks out to dry in alphabetical order may not be entirely fictional, but you’re far more likely to be struck by the warmth and open-mindedness of Germany’s people – and particularly its young people. You can have fun testing how liberal a place is by observing how the locals react to the red Ampelmann when crossing the street: the bigger and more laidback the city, the more likely they are to ignore the no-jaywalking rule. In contrast, the sight of upright citizens waiting patiently for the green light despite an absence of traffic as far as the eye can see is still one of the more comic pleasures of small-town Germany.

Discover more places in Germany

• Hesse Travel Guide
• Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Travel Guide
• Munich and central Bavaria Travel Guide
• Northern Bavaria: Franconia Travel Guide
• North Rhine-Westphalia Travel Guide
• Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland Travel Guide
• Saxony Travel Guide
• Saxony-Anhalt and the Harz Travel Guide
• The Alps and eastern Bavaria Travel Guide
• The Black Forest Travel Guide
• Thuringia Travel Guide
• World Heritage sites in Germany
• Bremen and Lower Saxony

Germany sport a whopping 46 UNESCO world heritage sites worth your visit. There is a bit for everyone: from places of historical significance and cultural achievements to industrial heritage sites , palaces and castles , the natural beauty of parks and landscapes , whole medieval towns , modern architecture , and even some really obscure listings . If you intend to include some of these sites in your trip to Germany, download a free copy of the Rough Guide to the World Heritage sites in Germany .

The pleasures of travelling to Germany are not only intellectual. The excellence of its beer derives from the sixteenth-century Reinheitsgebot, the world’s oldest food purity law.

Germany’s food culture is traditionally characterized by wholesome but hearty dishes, a vast array of sausages and excellent but calorific cakes. Yet the impact of immigration, travel and increasing culinary ambition has been powerful, and most towns nowadays offer a wide selection of international options, usually including Balkan, Greek, Italian and Turkish. Learn more about food and drink in Germany .

Though the dangers of over-indulgence are ever present, so too is the antidote. The tradition of the Kur or spa visit has endured to a far greater extent in Germany than elsewhere. If you want to unwind in saline or hot springs while travelling in Germany, there are innumerable spa towns up and down the country.

In summer, the nation’s endless forests and mountains play host to hikers and cyclists while the Alps tempt international visitors with an excellent array of downhill ski runs in winter. Find out more about outdoor activities and sports in Germany .

The Black Forest in Germany is popular for hiking, cycling and motorcycle road trips © Funny Solution Studio/Shutterstock

Germany’s wine growers did themselves no favours when, in the 1970s, they responded to growing demand from abroad by exporting the cheapest and worst of what they produced. German wine was saddled for decades with a reputation for poor quality.

All that is now changing. A new generation of wine makers is eschewing high technology, chemicals and the mass market in favour of organic production that reflects the terroir , or soil and climate conditions of the region. It helps that Riesling – Germany’s most popular grape – strongly reflects the conditions in which it has been grown. The result is a resurgence of light, drinkable, dry white wines that range from elegant crispness to the subtly mineral. German wines are increasingly common on wine lists in North America and in parts of Asia, where they match the cuisines well.

Germany’s major wine regions are mostly in an arc that follows the course of the Rhine from the Mosel in the west to Baden in the south. To the east, wine is grown in more challenging climatic conditions in Franconia , Saale-Unstrut and along the Elbe near Dresden.

The 2006 football World Cup was something of a turning point, both with regards to Germany’s image abroad and to its own self-image, rehabilitating the idea of German patriotism for the first time since the war. When football fans descended on cities all over the country, they discovered a friendly, multiethnic and multicultural nation that was, for the most part, at ease with itself, finally happy to fly its own flag in a harmless display of national pride.

Throughout Germany you will find landmarks of its rich history, like the Zwinger in Dresden - © shutterstock

It’s now three decades since the events of 1989 swept away the Berlin Wall and brought to an uplifting end a turbulent and agonizing century for Germany, ill-served at crucial points in its brief history as a united nation-state by erratic and adventurous rulers who twice led it into disaster. In 1918, as Kaiser Wilhelm II’s vainglorious dream of empire ended in defeat, starvation and revolution; and at the end of World War II, as Hitler’s vile race-war rebounded in terrible fashion on the German people who had chosen him as their leader. There followed a period of forty-five years in which not one Germany but two faced each other across a tense international divide – the so-called Iron Curtain – throughout the years of the Cold War.

Political fragmentation is nothing new in Germany. From the tenth century until the early nineteenth, the Holy Roman Empire provided only a loose semblance of sovereignty over a vast collection of states, and it’s this jumbled history, as much as the country’s varied geography, that explains Germany’s sheer diversity. According to an old German expression, city air makes you free, and for centuries many of Germany’s cities governed themselves without feudal overlords.

In stark contrast was the absolutist yoke of the feudal states , which ranged from substantial kingdoms like Prussia, Saxony or Bavaria to tiny landgraviates and prince-bishoprics. Yet each made its contribution to Germany’s heritage, in the architectural and cultural splendour of many a former Residenzstadt. The Lutheran Reformation and its aftermath left their mark too: northern Germany is predominantly Protestant, the south more Catholic, yet the division is not clear cut. Staunchly Protestant towns alternate with devoutly Catholic ones, while in some places the two traditions share a single church.

Germany’s contribution to the world of classical music is undeniable, and provides a powerful pretext for a visit, whether to experience the glories of the Berlin Philharmonic or of Wagner’s Ring at Bayreuth, or to follow in the footsteps of great composers: Bach in Leipzig, Beethoven in Bonn.

Television tower in Berlin - © shutterstock

Germany’s reputation as the cradle of modernism is also well deserved, and a pilgrimage to the Bauhaus in Dessau or the Weissenhofsiedlung in Stuttgart is sure to please design fans. German modernism was preceded by the older traditions of the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo , each of which left a rich legacy of artistic and architectural treasures.

Germany’s prowess in fine art is less well known, yet from the pioneering realism of Albrecht Dürer to the ethereal Romanticism of Caspar David Friedrich , it’s a powerful tradition that is well worth discovering. Most German cities of any size have excellent art galleries , with Berlin and Cologne hubs of the European contemporary art scene.

Modern architecture in Germany - Reinventing the urban scene

Since reunification, Germany has experienced a rush of high-profile building projects, adding style and excitement to the urban landscape.

Berlin led the way, at times seeming like a perpetual building site. Daniel Libeskind’s Jewish Museum , the government quarter including the Reichstag, and David Chipperfield’s resurrection of the long-ruined Neues Museum all grabbed headlines, while Peter Eisenman’s monument for the murdered Jews of Europe ensures the Holocaust is remembered right at the heart of the capital.

But the action isn’t limited to Berlin. In Düsseldorf , star architects including Frank Gehry transformed a redundant dock into the Medienhafen , a funky setting for some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. In Munich , Herzog & de Meuron’s Allianz-Arena created a new symbol for the city, while a handsome new synagogue and museum reinstated a highly visible Jewish presence. In the Ruhr area , redundant industrial sites have been recycled to create some of Europe’s most original cultural spaces.

The stream of projects shows little sign of abating. Herzog & de Meuron’s extension of Duisburg’s Küppersmühle art gallery perches a translucent cube atop dockside silos, while their audacious design for the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg places a concert hall above a portside warehouse.

Top image: Neuschwanstein castle © VOJTa Herout/Shutterstock

Travel advice for Germany

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Germany

• Eating and drinking in Germany
• Travel Tips Germany for planning and on the go
• Culture and Etiquette in Germany
• Getting around Germany: Transportation Tips
• How to get to Germany
• Shopping tips for Germany
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Germany
• Travelling with children in Germany
• Best time to visit Germany

The Rough Guides to Germany and related travel guides

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 22.07.2021

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The TOP 100 sights and attractions in Germany

Germany has a wealth of fantastic tourist sights and attractions, which people travel from all over the world to see. But which architectural treasures and places of natural beauty are the most popular? The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) put this question to its international visitors, and around 25,000 people from around the world chose their personal favourites for 2022/2023.

Find inspiration from the favorites of international users!

Take part in the current voting and make your favourite sight known!

1 Europa-Park, Rust

2 miniatur wunderland hamburg, 3 phantasialand, brühl, 4 rothenburg ob der tauber, 5 nürburgring, 6 neuschwanstein castle, hohenschwangau, 8 black forest, 10 therme erding.

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136 Useful German Travel Phrases, Expressions and Vocabulary Words

Planning your big trip to Germany is so exciting—but you’re not done until you’ve brushed up on common German phrases for travel.

In this post, you’ll find a handy phrasebook of German travel phrases and vocabulary , conveniently organized by group.

Print it out or keep it on your phone for smooth travels and the trip of a lifetime.

German Greetings, Introductions and Goodbyes

German expressions for shopping, german travel phrases for the restaurant, german words and phrases for directions, german travel phrases for public transportation, german travel phrases for the hotel, german phrases for getting around the city, german words and expressions for emergencies, german expressions for language help, german guides for traveling, german apps for travelers, why you should learn german travel phrases, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Please note that most of these German sentences are in the formal Sie conjugation. For your travel purposes, this form should be just fine, although native speakers may opt to use different pronoun forms with you depending on the context.

A trusty guide fits in your backpack or purse, and it serves as a way to look up unfamiliar words and phrases or brush up on vocab while traveling from one place to another. Here are some recommendations:

“Rick Steves’ German Phrase Book and Dictionary”

You can’t go wrong with Rick Steves, since the man has traveled all over Europe (numerous times), hosted his own travel show and written dozens of bestselling guides for European travel.

From meeting new people to ordering a bratwurst, this guide outlines the most common everyday phrases to further improve your travel lingo. It also comes with phonetic spellings , currency information, rail transportation guides and a cheat sheet that you can tear out and slide in your pocket.

“German Survival Guide”

This guide can give you the confidence to speak with people while traveling through Germany and Austria. It touches on cultural points and shows you how to interact with German speakers a various spots such as the Autobahn, grocery stores, ice cream parlors and more.

It includes vocabulary and basic German instruction , with travel and study tips scattered throughout the entire guide. It’s a rather helpful book for your travels if staying in Germany or Austria for quite some time.

Lonely Planet German Phrasebook and Dictionary

This German phrasebook has a huge section for decoding restaurant menus and ordering food properly, plus a 3,500-word two-way German-English dictionary.

The cultural manners section can prevent you from embarrassing yourself or making others feel uncomfortable and help you feel at ease while traveling.

Lonely Planet at large has tons of German phrasebook and travel guide options available on their site.  Read these ahead of time to know what to expect wherever you go, then bring them on your trip to whip out at a moment’s notice. 

“Perfect Phrases in German for Confident Travel”

Context and manners are extremely important when going to Germany, just like they are in every country. If you insult a person’s language, why would they talk to you in return?

The “Perfect Phrases” book details the proper words and phrases to use while traveling, while also discussing faux pas and how they can hurt your conversation.

“Point it: Traveller’s Language Kit”

This guide may not help you much with your pronunciation, but it’s an essential tool to bring with you while traveling in German-speaking countries.

The “Point It” book has 1,300 images and words, so you can point at the images when your speaking abilities fail. For example, point to the picture of a chicken when ordering at a restaurant.

A good app can serve as a viable replacement for a travel and language guide that doesn’t add any weight to your pack. Plus, the apps generally offer audio to hear how to pronounce certain words and phrases. Here are some great options:

Learn German Phrases & Words: Phrases for Travel in Germany

The Learn German Phrases & Words app is designed to boost your speaking capabilities while traveling. It can be used without an internet connection, so you can always depend on it.

The visual guide has carefully categorized sections like greetings, eating, romance and health. The app has over 800 common German phrases, and the German-speaking parrot pronounces everything for you.

Learn German – Phrasebook

This phrasebook is free, but you can upgrade to receive all of the phrases and words for your travels. The app works as a quick reference perfect for tourists visiting Germany. 

The main page shows categories like numbers, general conversation and transportation. Once you select a category and phrase, it gives you the option to hear a spoken version and slow down the audio for better understanding.

Wie Geht ‘s German

The Wie Geht ‘s app provides a few lessons with audio tracks that are useful while moving around the world. It has a travel section filled with options like directions, meeting people, weather, shopping, money and more.

Membership is required to get most of the content. The app is formatted like a class, but feel free to skip around and use the examples when you come across a moment when they are needed.

Germany Travel Guide Offline

The German Travel Guide app is not going to help you much with your German learning, but it may prevent you from getting lost.

The app works online and offline, with detailed maps for navigating cities like Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. Check out weather, time and fun suggestions while moving around the cities.

With this app, you can immerse yourself in the German language and culture before stepping foot in Germany.

• Even if you can’t have a fluent conversation, native German speakers always appreciate when foreigners put the effort into learning a bit of their language . It shows respect and demonstrates that you truly want to reach out and connect with people while abroad. 
• You won’t be totally reliant on your German phrasebook. Yes, your German phrasebook has glossy pages and you love getting the chance to use it—but you want to be able to respond quickly when people speak to you, at a moment’s notice. 
• If you can express yourself with some basic German phrases , you are less likely to be taken advantage of by taxi drivers, souvenir shops and waiters!
• The perception that all German speakers speak English is simply not true. Even in big German cities you’ll find loads of people that know very little English. You don’t want to have to track down other English speakers every time you have a question or want to make a friend.

Try practicing some of these phrases out loud to get your pronunciation right before leaving on your travels. 

Before we part ways, there’s one final German travel phrase you need to know: Gute Reise!   (Have a good trip!)

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47 Survival German Travel Phrases [You Need To Know]

Are you dreaming about your next trip to Germany? Maybe this is your first visit and you’re keen to blend in. Or perhaps you’ve visited German speaking countries a few times but always resorted to using English.

In this post you will discover 47 tried and tested German travel phrases that have worked well for me on my many trips to Germany. You’ll also hear audio of each of the phrases.

After reading this post you will:

• Know how to say 47 essential German travel phrases
• Hear how each of the phrases sound
• Be able to mix and match which ever phrases you want to try out on German speakers

Why Learn German Travel Phrases?

Before we get started I want to give you a quick pep talk.

If you’re travelling to a German speaking country any time soon, you may head there with the idea that ‘everyone speaks English’.

If you’re heading for a city break, you’ll probably meet people in the tourist industry that do speak a bit of English. But once you step off the tourist path, you’ll realise that many people don’t speak much English at all.

Even if you’re opting for a city break, it shows a great deal of respect to the local people to at least learn how to say ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in German. If you expand your knowledge and learn how to say more German tourist phrases such as ‘I would like’ or ‘can I check in?’ the person you’re speaking to will be really impressed.

In my many trips to Germany, I’ve learned to never be afraid of speaking German with the locals. Even during my earlier visits when I tried and butchered that poor language, the German speakers I spoke to were so happy that I was even trying.

Don’t let the fear of making mistakes stop you from trying. Even if you mostly speak English, then throw in one of these German travel phrases somewhere, you’ll make progress.

Common German Words

Let’s make a start with the most common German travel phrases and words you’ll encounter as a tourist. These are simple pleasantries that will be appreciated by the locals. So make sure you learn some of these even if you don’t learn anything else.

Asking For Help / Not Understanding

Whenever you’re in a country where you don’t speak a lot of the language, it’s always helpful to learn a few ’emergency phrases’.

For example, one time when I was in Germany, but didn’t know much German at that point, another guest in a hotel started chatting to me in German. My go-to phrase to politely end a conversation was sorry, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut (sorry, my German isn’t very good).

And just so you know, in a real emergency, the emergency number in Germany is 112.

Whether you’re stopping for a quick coffee or a full on meal, there are loads of chances to practice some German travel phrases with the waiting staff when you order food and drink in German . At the very least, memorise ich hätte gern … (I would like…) and then add your drink or meal of choice. It’s really polite and shows a lot of respect to the person serving you to order in this way.

Some key words to listen out for are trinken (drink) and essen (eat). These are great words to train yourself to listen for so you can get a feel for what is being asked.

In a hotel you’re most likely to meet English speakers, but if you want to practice some German, the receptionists are usually very happy to speak to you. Why not try some of these essential phrases out?

Getting Around & Directions

Thanks to Google Maps, you probably won’t need to ask a local for directions, but it’s always helpful to know how to ask the way to the toilet / bathroom if you’re in a café.

One thing to keep in mind when shopping in Germany, is that you’ll encounter shops, cafés and restaurants that only accept cash. So it’s a good idea to check before you order.

German has 3+ words for receipt, and in my experience they seem to be interchangeable. One way of saying receipt isn’t limited to the area you’re in, so you might hear Quittung, Bon and Beleg being used all in the same city. Keep your ears alert for these tricky words!

So there you go, 47 essential German travel phrases, all tried and tested and ready for you to use on your next trip.

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50 Essential German Phrases for Tourists: English Translations and Pronunciations

If you’re planning a trip to Germany, it’s always helpful to know a few basic phrases in German to help you navigate your way around the country. This guide provides 50 essential German phrases for tourists, along with their English translations and pronunciations. From ordering food in a restaurant to asking for directions, these phrases will come in handy during your visit to Germany.

Table of Contents

Here are 50 essential german phrases for tourists traveling in germany, with their english translations and german pronunciations:.

Read also: Offensive German Vocabulary: 50 Words You Should Avoid Using

• Hello – Hallo (hah-loh)
• Goodbye – Tschüss (chooss)
• Please – Bitte (bit-teh)
• Thank you – Danke (dahn-keh)
• You’re welcome – Bitte (bit-teh)
• Excuse me – Entschuldigung (ent-shool-dee-goong)
• Do you speak English? – Sprechen Sie Englisch? (shpre-chen zee eng-lish?)
• I don’t understand – Ich verstehe nicht (eekh fer-shtay-eh nikht)
• How much does it cost? – Wie viel kostet es? (vee feel kohs-tet ess?)
• Where is the bathroom? – Wo ist die Toilette? (vo ist dee toh-let-teh?)
• Can you help me? – Können Sie mir helfen? (kern-nen zee meer hell-fen?)
• I would like… – Ich möchte… (eekh merkh-teh…)
• Do you have…? – Haben Sie…? (hah-ben zee…?)
• Yes – Ja (yah)
• No – Nein (nine)
• Excuse me, is this seat taken? – Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz besetzt? (ent-shool-dee-goong, ist dee-zer platz beh-zetst?)
• What is your name? – Wie heißen Sie? (vee hi-sen zee?)
• Nice to meet you – Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen (froit mikh, zee ken-nen-tsuh-lern-en)
• Can you recommend a good restaurant? – Können Sie ein gutes Restaurant empfehlen? (kern-nen zee ighn goot-es rest-o-rahnt em-pfeh-len?)
• I’m allergic to… – Ich bin allergisch gegen… (eekh bin ah-ler-gish geh-gen…)
• Is there a pharmacy nearby? – Gibt es eine Apotheke in der Nähe? (gibt ess igh-nuh ah-po-teh-keh in dare neh-eh?)
• Could you call me a taxi, please? – Könnten Sie mir bitte ein Taxi rufen? (kern-nen zee meer bit-teh ighn tahk-see roo-fen?)
• Where can I find a map? – Wo finde ich eine Karte? (vo fin-deh eekh igh-nuh kahr-teh?)
• Can you show me on the map? – Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? (kern-nen zee ess meer auf dare kahr-teh tsigh-gen?)
• I need a doctor – Ich brauche einen Arzt (eekh brow-khe igh-nen ahrtst)
• I’m lost – Ich habe mich verlaufen (eekh hah-beh meekh fer-lah-fohn)
• Is it safe here? – Ist es hier sicher? (ist ess heer zee-cher?)
• Is there Wi-Fi here? – Gibt es hier Wi-Fi? (gibt ess heer wee-fie?)
• How do I get to…? – Wie komme ich nach…? (vee kohm-meh eekh nahkh…?)
• What time is it? – Wie spät ist es? (vee shpayt ist ess?)

Read also: 45 Ways to Save Money During Your Trip to Europe

• Can you tell me the way to…? – Können Sie mir den Weg nach… erklären? (kern-nen zee meer den vayg nahkh…er-kla-ren?)
• I would like to book a room – Ich möchte ein Zimmer reservieren (eekh merkh-teh ighn tsim-mer reh-zer-vee-ren)
• Is breakfast included? – Ist Frühstück inklusive? (ist frooh-shtook in-kloo-see-veh?)
• What time is breakfast served? – Wann gibt es Frühstück? (vahn gibt ess frooh-shtook?)
• Can I pay with a credit card? – Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen? (kahn eekh mit kreh-dit-kahr-teh tsah-len?)
• What is the exchange rate? – Wie ist der Wechselkurs? (vee ist dare vek-sel-kurs?)
• Can I get a discount? – Kann ich einen Rabatt bekommen? (kahn eekh igh-nen rah-baht geh-kom-men?)
• I need a wake-up call – Ich brauche einen Weckruf (eekh brow-khe igh-nen vehk-roof)
• Is there a safe in the room? – Gibt es einen Safe im Zimmer? (gibt ess igh-nen zahf-eh im tsim-mer?)
• Can I have some more…? – Kann ich noch etwas…haben? (kahn eekh nokh ess-tas…hah-ben?)
• How far is it to…? – Wie weit ist es bis…? (vee vight ist ess bis…?)
• What is the best way to get to…? – Wie komme ich am besten nach…? (vee kohm-meh eekh am bes-ten nahkh…?)
• I’m sorry – Es tut mir leid (ess toot meer liyt)
• What is the weather like today? – Wie ist das Wetter heute? (vee ist dahs vet-ter hoy-teh?)
• Do you have a menu in English? – Haben Sie eine Speisekarte auf Englisch? (hah-ben zee igh-nuh shpy-suh-kahr-teh owf eng-lish?)
• Could you please bring me the bill? – Könnten Sie mir bitte die Rechnung bringen? (kern-nen zee meer bit-teh dee rek-noong bren-gen?)
• Is there a tourist information center nearby? – Gibt es ein Touristeninformationszentrum in der Nähe? (gibt ess ighn too-ris-ten-in-fohr-ma-tsee-ons-tsent-room in dare neh-eh?)
• How do I get to the train/bus station? – Wie komme ich zum Zug/Busbahnhof? (vee kohm-meh eekh tsuhm tsug/boos-bahn-hof?)
• Can I have a glass of water, please? – Kann ich bitte ein Glas Wasser haben? (kahn eekh bit-teh ighn glahs vah-ser hah-ben?)
• Have a nice day – Einen schönen Tag noch (igh-nen shern-en tahg nokh)

With this guide, you now have a handy resource to help you communicate with locals during your trip to Germany. Don’t be afraid to practice these German Phrases for Tourists and immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these essential German phrases will help you make the most of your trip

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German for Travelers: The Basic Travel Phrasebook

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You hear it all the time. Don't worry, everybody in Germany (Austria/Switzerland) speaks English. You'll get along just fine without any German.

Well, since you're here at the German Language site, you know better. First of all, not everyone in German Europe does speak English. And even if they did, how rude of anyone going there not to bother learning at least the basics of the language.

If you're going to be in a German-speaking country for a long period of time, it's obvious you'll need to know some German. But often travelers or tourists going for a brief visit forget one of the most important elements in planning their trip:  Deutsch.  If you're going to Mexico, you want to know at least " un poquito de español ." If you're headed for Paris, " un peu de français " would be nice. Germany-bound travelers need "ein bisschen Deutsch" (a little German). So what's the minimum for a traveler bound for Austria, Germany, or German Switzerland?

Well, courtesy and politeness are a valuable asset in any language. The basics should include "please," "excuse me," " sorry ," "thank you," and "you're welcome." But that's not all. Below, we have prepared a short phrasebook with the most important basic German phrases for a traveler or tourist. They are listed in approximate order of importance, but that is somewhat subjective. You might think that "Wo ist die Toilette?" is more important than "Ich heisse..."

In parentheses (pah-REN-thuh-cees) you'll find a rudimentary pronunciation guide for each expression. 

Travel Deutsch: Basic German for Travelers

Mixing any of the above phrases-for example, "Haben Sie..." plus "ein Zimmer?" (Do you have a room?) may work, but requires a bit more grammar knowledge than a real beginner is likely to possess. For instance, if you wanted to say, "Do you have a rental car?" you would have to add an -en to "ein" ("Haben Sie einen Mietwagen?"). But leaving it off would not prevent you from being understood-assuming you are pronouncing the basic German correctly.

You won't find too many questions in our guide. Questions require answers. If you ask a question in fairly decent German, the next thing you're about to hear is a torrent of German in the answer. On the other hand, if the restroom is left, right, upstairs, or downstairs, you can usually figure that out-especially with a few hand signals.

Of course, it's a good idea to go beyond the bare minimum if you can. Several important areas of vocabulary are relatively easy to learn:  colors, days, months, numbers, time, food and drink, question words, and basic descriptive words  (narrow, tall, small, round, etc.). All of these topics are covered in our free  German for Beginners  course.

You'll need to set your own priorities, but don't forget to learn at least some essential German before your trip. You'll have "eine bessere Reise" (a better trip) if you do.  Gute Reise!  (Have a good trip!)

Related Pages

German Audio Lab Learn the sounds of German.

German for Beginners Our free online German course.

Travel Resources and Links A collection of information and links for travel to and in German Europe.

Wo spricht man Deutsch? Where in the world is German spoken? Can you name the seven countries where German is the dominant language or has official status?

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Guide to German Travel Phrases for Tourists and Travelers

When you’re traveling outside of your home country, there’s a very good chance that you won’t speak the language of that country. For that reason, it can be really helpful to learn some basic German travel phrases before going to Germany, Austria, or even parts of Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxemburg.

In this article, we’ll provide you with German phrases for tourists that will help you survive basic daily situations.

For instance, when traveling to the center of Europe, you’ll probably have to take a train at some point. (And if you don’t have to take one, we suggest you take one anyway. This experience is part of traveling to Germany.)

Once you’ve bought your ticket at Deutsche Bahn (the German railway company) and you’re ready to discover a new city, the conductor may want to see your ticket or ask some questions. If you didn’t know, even though this is an international company, their staff isn’t one-hundred percent trained to speak English. Trust us, you don’t want to come into this situation unprepared. You’ll need to know phrases for travelers in German.

But no worries. To prevent you from this embarrassing situation, we have free courses for beginner , intermediate , and advanced students. You can even find free bonus material on our website.

Without a lot of hustle and bustle, let’s just get straight to it. Here are the most useful German phrases for travelers.

Table of Contents

• Why Should You Learn German?
• German Pronunciation Specialities
• Basic Questions and Their Perfect Answers
• Restaurants and Ordering Food
• At the Hotel
• Locations and Transportation
• Working Through Communication Barriers
• How GermanPod101 Can Help You Master Urgent Travel Situations

1. Why Should You Learn German?

We know that learning another language can be frustrating and hard, and this may be more true of German than some other languages. But here are some facts that should convince you to learn German:

• Studying in Germany is free – While you have to pay for a college education in most countries, studying in Germany is free of charge.
• Germany is Export King – Germany is the country with the biggest export market in Europe , and the third biggest worldwide.
• Easy for native English speakers – English and German belong to the same language family , which makes it easy to learn (and vice versa).
• Startup hotspot – The startup scene is growing rapidly in the cities of Berlin, Munich, Cologne, and Hamburg.

Knowing even just the basic German travel phrases for beginners can greatly help you make the most of your time in Germany.

2. German Pronunciation Specialities

Before we move on to learning German phrases for travelers, you should have a little information on German pronunciation specialties.

As already mentioned, German is really close to the English language, which makes it easy for good English speakers to adapt to German. But there are some combinations that require special effort in terms of pronunciation. On the left, you see the letter combination; on the right, an English equivalent to that sound.

3. Greetings

Now, onto the most basic German words and phrases for travellers: Greetings. These are the most common German travel phrases, and always important to have at the ready.

• Hallo! Hello!
• Guten Morgen! Good morning!
• Guten Tag! Good day!
• Guten Abend. Good evening!
• Bitte. Please.
• Danke. Thanks. / Thank you.
• Tschüss. Bye.
• Auf Wiedersehen. Goodbye.
• Ich heiße … My name is …
• Ich bin in Deutschland für … Wochen. I am in Germany for … weeks.
• Ich komme aus … I am from …
• Wie geht’s? How are you?
• Mir geht es gut. I am fine.

4. Basic Questions and Their Perfect Answers

To help you out with the pronunciation and some practice for these questions, you can find a free lesson on our website . Also feel free to click on the links in the chart; they’ll take you to relevant German vocabulary lists on our site to help you answer the questions yourself!

5. Restaurants and Ordering Food

• Einen Tisch für zwei/drei/vier Personen, bitte. A table for two/three/four persons, please.
• Wir haben eine Reservierung. We have a reservation.
• Die Speisekarte, bitte. The menu, please.
• Ich hätte gerne das Steak mit Pommes. I would like the steak with fries.
• Haben Sie ein veganes Gericht? Do you have a vegan meal?
• Können Sie etwas empfehlen? Can you recommend something?
• Noch ein Glas Wasser, bitte. Another glass of water, please.
• Getrennt oder zusammen? Together or separately?
• Guten Appetit. Enjoy your meal.
• Die Rechnung, bitte. The check, please.

We have a complete vocabulary list for you, with words for the restaurant.

6. At the Hotel

• Haben Sie noch freie Zimmer? Do you have free rooms available?
• Wie viel kostet ein Zimmer pro Nacht? How much is a room per night?
• Ich möchte ein Zimmer reservieren. I would like to reserve a room.
• Ist das Frühstück inklusive? Is the breakfast inclusive?
• Zimmerservice. Room service.
• Um wie viel Uhr ist Check-Out? At what time is the check out?

7. Locations and Transportation

1- Asking for and Giving Directions

2- transportation.

• Wo ist die Haltestelle? Where is the station?
• Wo kann ich eine Fahrkarte kaufen? Where can I buy a ticket?
• Fährt dieser Zug / Bus nach … ? Is this train / bus going to … ?
• Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? Can you show me on the map?
• Muss ich umsteigen? Do I have to change?

Again, we’ve prepared for you a free vocabulary list with words that you can use when asking for directions and locations.

8. Working Through Communication Barriers

Just in case you don’t know what to say or you didn’t understand anything someone just said to you, here are some phrases that can get you out of this sticky situation:

• Sprechen Sie Englisch? Do you speak English?
• Können Sie das bitte nochmal wiederholen? Could you please repeat that again?
• Ich spreche kein Deutsch. I don’t speak German.
• Ich verstehe Sie nicht. I don’t understand you.
• Können Sie das bitte übersetzen? Could you please translate this for me?
• Hilfe! Help!

Maybe you’re asking yourself if you can go to Germany without speaking any German. Sure you can, you can live there even without speaking the language.

Getting along as a tourist with just English will be more than easy for you. Everybody knows at least the basics of English. And as long as they can see that you’re patient, they’ll be patient with you.

9. How GermanPod101 Can Help You Master Urgent Travel Situations

In this article, we showed you the most helpful phrases that you can use on your travels. We covered some basic pronunciation specialities of the German language, greetings, numbers, situations in a restaurant and hotel, and asking for directions.

While you can survive traveling Germany with only English, Germans will be really grateful when they see that you’re trying to speak their language. We know that German is a hard language, but to see someone trying makes us happy.

This article was just the beginning; take a look at our free resources . But if you really want to get to it and become a good German speaker, then we can offer you a private teacher to help you learn based on your needs and goals with the German language.

Before you go, let us know in the comments how you feel about using the useful German travel phrases outlined in this article. Feel free to reach out with questions in the comments below, and know that the more you practice and use these essential German travel phrases, the easier it will become.

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60 Essential German Travel Phrases

Are you planning a trip to a German-speaking country? There are so many reasons for learning basic German travel phrases before you jump on that plane. And we invite you to try out Drops to learn more than 2500 useful German words and phrases !

The locals will appreciate any effort you make to speak the local language. You’ll make traveling far easier on yourself as you’ll be able to communicate more clearly. You can get to know people who don’t speak English and experience a different culture.

Despite the common belief, not everyone speaks English. Even if you are planning a city break, it will be appreciated if you make an effort to speak a bit of German. It’s a sign of respect for the people in the country you are visiting.

If you want to venture away from the cities, you’ll likely encounter a lot of people who hardly speak any English at all. So it’s worth being prepared!

So let’s dive right in and take a look at my favorite tried and tested German travel phrases.

German Greetings & German Basics

Hallo - “hello”

Tschüss - “bye”

Auf wiedersehen - “goodbye”

Tschau - “ciao”

Guten Morgen - "good morning”

Guten Tag - "good day”

Guten Abend - "good evening”

Gute Nacht - "good night”

Danke / Vielen Dank / Dankeschön - " thanks” and “many thanks”

There are a few ways to say thank you in German. Just use danke for now but expect to hear the other versions as well.

Bitte - "please”

Sorry - "sorry”

Entschuldigen Sie bitte - "excuse me” or “sorry”

Ja - "yes”

Nein - "no”

German Phrases You Might Hear

You might also hear the following German expressions:

Gerne - "gladly” or “my pleasure”

Bitte schön - "there you go” or “you’re welcome”

Both of these are often used in restaurants and cafes, when the waiting staff bring your food or drinks over, and also in shops. More on that later!

German Phrases in the Hotel

One of the first things you’ll do when you arrive in a German-speaking country is check into your hotel. There are a few standard phrases which you can use, and the checking in procedure usually follows the same pattern. 

The receptionist will ask if you have a reservation (listen for ‘Reservierung’ ), they’ll ask your name (listen for ‘Name’ [Nahmeh] ) and they’ll give you your key (listen for ‘Schüssel’ ).

Checking in to the Hotel in German

Kann ich bitte einchecken? - “Can I check in please?”

Ich habe eine Reservierung - “I have a reservation”

Mein Name ist (...) - “My name is (...)”

Ich bleibe bis Montag hier / bis zum vierundzwanzigsten (24th) Juni hier - “I’m staying here until Monday / until the 24th June”

Wann / wo gibt es Frühstück? - ”When is breakfast?”

Gibt es hier WLAN [vee-lan]? - “ Is there wifi here?”

Wie lautet das WLAN-Passwort? - “What is the wifi password?”

Um wie viel Uhr muss man auschecken? - “By what time must I check out?”

Kann ich bitte auschecken? - “ Can I check out, please?”

What You May Hear in German at the Hotel

Haben Sie eine Reservierung? - “Do you have a reservation?”

Wie ist Ihre Name? - “What is your name?”

Bleiben Sie hier für drei (3) Nächte / eine (1) Woche / zwei (2) Wochen? - “Are you staying here for 3 nights / 1 week / 2 weeks?”

Frühstück ist bis sieben (7) Uhr bis zehn (10) Uhr - “Breakfast is from 7am until 10am”

Ihre Zimmernummer ist… - “Your room number is…”

Shopping in German

If you’re out exploring the city, you’ll probably want to do a bit of shopping for souvenirs. The first phrase (ich schaue mich nur um) in this section was pretty essential for me in the early days when I was too nervous to speak much German. If a shop assistant comes up to help and you’re just having a look around or you’re too nervous to speak, this phrase can come in handy.

What You Can Say When Shopping in German

Ich schaue mich nur um - “I’m just looking around”

Ich suche nach… - “I’m looking for…”

Wie viel kostet das? - “How much does that cost?”

Kann ich mit Bargeld / Kreditkarte bezahlen? - “Can I pay with cash / credit card?”

Könnte ich eine Tüte haben? - “Could I have a bag?”

What You May Hear While Shopping in German

Kann ich Ihnen helfen? - “Can I help you?”

Möchten Sie es probieren? - “Would you like to try it?”

Eating Out in German

When it comes to eating out, this is a really great way to practice a bit of basic German. You only need a few phrases to get by. Your power phrase in this section is ich hätte gern… which you can use for any food or drink order. It’s very polite and the serving staff will appreciate it.

Like when checking into the hotel, there is usually a set pattern to look out for when in a cafe or restaurant:

The waiter will ask for your drinks order (listen for trinken ), they will then ask for your food order (listen for essen ) and later they will ask if you’d like a dessert (listen for Nachtisch ).

What You Can Say in German When Dining Out

Haben Sie ein Tisch für ein (1) / zwei (2) / drei (3) Person(en)? - “Do you have a table for 1 / 2 / 3 person / people?”

Ich hätte gern (…) bitte - “I would like (...) please”

• einen schwarzen Tee (mit Milch) - “a black tea (with milk)”
• einen Kaffee - “a coffee”
• ein Mineralwasser - “a mineral water”
• ein Glas Rotwein - “a glass of red wine”
• ein Glas Weißwein - “a glass of white wine”
• ein Bier - “a beer”

Könnte ich ein stück Kuchen haben? - “Could I have a piece of cake?”

Was empfehlen Sie? - “What do you recommend?”

Kann ich bitte bezahlen? - “Can I pay please?”

What You Might Hear in German at a Restaurant

Was möchten Sie? - “What would you like?”

Ich empfehle (...) - “I recommend (...)”

Was möchten Sie trinken? - “What would you like to drink?”

Was möchten Sie essen? - “What would you like to eat?”

Möchten Sie die Nachtischkarte? - “Would you like the dessert menu?”

Sightseeing in German

When you’re out sightseeing, you’ll probably be able to find an English language tour guide. But there are a lot of situations where you might be on your own and need to ask where something is. The simple phrase wo ist… is very useful and easy to remember.

Entschuldigen Sie bitte - “excuse me please”

Wo ist (…)? - “Where is (...)?”

• die Touristeninformation - “the tourist information”
• das Stadtzentrum - “the city centre”
• das Museum - “the museum”
• der Dom - “the cathedral”
• das Rathaus - “the town hall”
• der Bahnhof - “the train station”

When You Struggle to Understand German

If all else fails, here are some phrases to memorize to help you if you have trouble understanding German. Trust me, I used these a lot when I first started visiting Germany. If you’re a bit nervous about your German, committing a few of these phrases to memory can help you get out of tricky situations.

Ich verstehe nicht - “I don’t understand”

Ich spreche kein Deutsch - “I don’t speak German”

Mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut - “my German is not so good”

Sprechen Sie Englisch? - “Do you speak English?”

Langsamer bitte - “slower please”

Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? - “Can you repeat that, please?”

Was bedeutet (…)? - “What does (...) mean?”

Bitte haben Sie Geduld mit mir - “please be patient with me”

So now you know all my essential German travel phrases! These helped me out a lot, and I hope you find them useful on your travels, too! 

Ready to learn more?  Try Drops!

About the Author: Emma Jackman is the founder of Emma Loves German an all-round resource for German learners. You’ll find articles on speaking, reading, writing, and listening in German as well as grammar tips, frequently used phrases, and other language learning tips.

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Home » 29 Common German phrases you’ll need on your travels

29 Common German phrases you'll need on your travels

Pack your socks and sandals, and hold on to your Bretzel. We’re going to Germany – the land of beer and sausages! 

Whether you’ve booked a trip to go to the Oktoberfest in Munich, the carnival in Cologne, or just a nice, relaxing hiking trip around the Black Forest, knowing how to get by in Germany will make your stay much more enjoyable.

We’ve gathered the most essential, basic German words and phrases that’ll help you get by on your travels.

From saying hi to ordering Bratwurst – here are 29 common German travel phrases for your travels

10 common german phrases.

From basic German greetings to pleas for help when you get stuck, we’ve got you covered.

• Hallo (Hello)
• Tschüss (Bye)
• Bitte (Please)
• Danke (Thanks)
• Entschuldigung (Excuse me)
• Sorry (Sorry)
• Formal: Können Sie mir helfen?; informal: Kannst du mir helfen? (Can you help me?)
• Formal: Sprechen Sie English?; informal: In Sprichst du Englisch? (Do you speak English?)
• Einen Moment, bitte. (One moment, please.)
• Das ist alles, danke. (That’s all, thank you.)

Want to learn more German phrases?

Enrich your German vocabulary and unlock a world of phrases beyond “Hallo!” with Busuu’s free expert-designed online courses. Join our 120 million+ native speaker community, and access a treasure trove of language learning resources.

Danke, I will

6 phrases for getting around .

Try these phrases out when Google Maps (or the paper version, if you’re that retro!) lets you down.

• Wo finde ich… (Where do I find… ) … den Bahnhof? (… the train station?) … einen Geldautomaten? (… a cash machine?) … die Touristeninformation? (… the tourist information?) … ein Taxi? (… a cab?) … eine Toilette? (… a toilet?)
• Darf ich bitte vorbei? (Could you let me pass please?)
• Wie viel kostet das? (How much does this cost?)
• Wann fährt…  (When’s… ) … der nächste Bus? (… the next bus?) … die nächste Bahn? (… the next train?)
• Ich habe mich verlaufen. (I’m lost.)
• Wie komme ich zu… (How do I get to… )

7 Common German phrases for eating out

Wining and dining out on the town? Whip out this list to hold your own in any German restaurant.

• Ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen… (I’ve got a reservation under… )
• Ich möchte bitte… (I would like… ) … einen Tisch reservieren. (… to book a table, please.) … ein Glas Wein. (… a glass of wine, please.) … die Speisekarte. (… the menu.) … zahlen.(… to pay, please.)
• Kann ich mit EC-Karte / Kreditkarte zahlen? (Do you take debit cards / credit cards?) 
• Zum Wohl! / Prost! (Cheers!)
• Guten Appetit. (Enjoy your meal.)
• Die Rechnung, bitte. (The bill, please.)
• Stimmt so. (Keep the change.)

Top tip: The service at restaurants or cafes usually isn’t included in the bill. Tipping is welcomed and should reflect how happy you were with food and service – 10% of the bill is the norm.

@busuu Do you know any more? 🇩🇪 #german #germanlesson #learngerman #germanwords #edutok #languagelearning #busuu ♬ Reason – XO TEAM

6 German sentences for talking about your travels

You never know who you might meet on your travels… open yourself up to meeting new people with these basic German conversation-starters.

• Ich heiße… (My name is… )
• Ich komme aus… (I’m from… ) … Großbritannien (… the UK.) … den Staaten (… the States.) … Australien. (… Australia.)
• Ich habe… (I have…) … ein Zimmer reserviert. (… booked a room.)
• Ich bin zum ersten Mal hier. (This is my first time here.)
• Ich bleibe für… (I’m staying for… ) … das Wochenende (… the weekend.) … ein paar Tage. (… a few days.) … eine Woche. (… a week.)
• Ich fahre weiter nach… (I’m travelling on to… ) 

Did you know this? Besides hip places like urban Berlin, it’s still most common to approach people you don’t know with the polite Sie instead of the personal du , which we use with friends, family or children. Though if you’ve been chatting with someone for a while, they might ask if you want to use the informal du – especially after you’ve been trying all these new phrases out on them. They might ask: Wollen wir uns duzen? (Should we use “du”?) Of course, you’ll want to say: Ja!

That’s all from us! Just one last thing: remember that being able to communicate always also means being able to connect. 

Knowing the local lingo is not only useful for navigating around unfamiliar places. Speaking German will also open many cultural doors for you. Even if it’s just a friendly danke (thanks), you’ll have shown you’ve made an effort. 

And who knows? You might even make a German smile!

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Basic German Words For Travelers

Most Germans speak English, especially younger people in the bigger cities, so you probably won't have any difficulties getting around this diverse country. Still, a little German can go a long way. The language has a rich history and is the third most widely taught foreign language in the USA, as well as one of the major languages of the world. In short, it is a useful language to know in general.

Try it when dining out or traveling by train, or even at the colorful vocabulary involved in Oktoberfest. Start your first lesson of Deutsch here, and learn common German greetings and basic vocabulary that will be helpful for you in any situation. (You'll find the pronunciation in parentheses. Just read it out loud, the capitalized part of the word should be emphasized.)

Basic German Words Every Traveler Should Know

• Yes – Ja (yah)
• No – Nein (nine)
• Thank you – Danke ( DAHN-kuh - not like the very popular Wayne Newton song)
• Please and You're welcome - Bitte (BITT-uh)
• Excuse me - Entschuldigen Sie (ent-SHOOL-degen see)
• I'm sorry - Es tut mir leid (ehs toot meer lite)
• Where? - Wo? (Vo?)
• Where's the restroom? - Wo ist die Toilette? (vo ist dee toy-LET-uh)
• Left / Right - Links / Rechts (linx / rechts)
• Do you have.... - Haben Sie... Rechts (Haaben ze...)
• Entrance and Exit - Eingang and Ausgang (Eyen-Gong and Ow-S-Gang)
• Men and Women - Herren/Männer and Damen/Frauen (Hair-en/Menner and Dom-en/FR-ow-en)

Dialects in Germany

For a mid-size country, Germany has a very diverse set of dialects. Linguists say there are as many as 250 distinct German dialects.

These get even more pronounced in places like Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. Vocabulary, accent and phrases vary wildly and some native German speakers can't even understand people from different regions. However, everyone learns Hochdeutsch (high German) and should be able to communicate by using these uniform words and pronunciation. 

For example, the pronunciation of "Ich" ("I") depends on dialect. In general, the sound is harder like "Ikh" in the south , while it is softer like "Ish" in the north, particularly in Berlin. However, there are many exceptions. We have used the softer "Ish" pronunciation in this guide.

German Greetings

• Hello/Good day - Guten Tag (GOOT-en tahk)
• Good morning - Guten Morgen (GOO-ten MOR-gen)
• Good evening – Guten Abend (GOO-ten AH-bent)
• Good night - Gute Nacht (GOO-tuh nahdt)
• Good bye – Auf Wiedersehen (Ouf VEE-der-zane)
• See you later - Bis später (Biss Sch-PAY-ter)
• Informal Good-Bye - Tschüß (t-ch-uice)

German Small Talk

• My name is - Mein Name ist.... (Mine NAH-muh ist...)
• What's your name? (formal) - Wie heißen Sie? (vee hie-ssen zee)
• Nice to meet you – Es freut mich. (As froit mish)
• How are you? (formal) -  Wie geht es Ihnen? (vee gayt es ee-nen)
• How are you? (informal) - Wie geht`s? (wee gates)
• (Very) Good - ( Sehr ) Gut  ( zair goot ) / Bad -  Schlecht (shlekht)
• I’m doing well. - Mir geht’s gut. (MIR gates GOOt)
• Do you speak English? (informal) - Sprichst du englisch? (shprikhst doo eng-lish)
• I would like… - Ich hätte gern… (Ish het-a Gar-en)
• I am from…[the USA/Canada/Australia/UK]. - Ich komme aus…(den USA/Kanada/Australien/Großbritannien)
• Do you speak English? - Sprechen Sie Englisch? (SPRA-shun see ANG-lish)
• I don't understand - Ich verstehe nicht (Ish VARE-stahe nisht)
• I can't speak German – Ich kann kein Deutsch. (Ish kun kine doitsh)
• How much does that cost? - Wieviel kostet das? (Vee-veal cost-it DAs?)
• Cheers! - Prost! (PRO-st)
• Have a good trip! - Gute Reise! ( GOOta Rise-a)

Regional German

Northern germany.

• Hi (informal) - Moin (Moi’n) Can also be used to ask if someone is good? ( Moin ?), and answered with good! good! ( Moin ! Moin !)
• Good - Jut (YOU-t)

Southern Germany

• Hello/Good-bye - Servus! (Sir-VUS)
• Hello (formal) - Grüß Gott or S'Gott (GRu-S GOT)
• May god protect you (informal good-bye) - Behüte dich/euch ( Gott ) (Ba-Hewta DICK)
• Yes! (strong) - Jawohl (Yeah VULL)

German Numbers

• Three - Drei
• Four - Vier
• Five - Fünf
• Six - Sechs
• Seven - Sieben
• Eight - Acht
• Nine - Neun
• Eleven - Elf
• Twelve - Zwölf

Days of the Week in German

• Monday - Montag
• Tuesday - Dienstag
• Wednesday - Mittwoch
• Thursday - Donnertag
• Friday - Freitag
• Saturday - Samstag
• Sunday - Sonntag

Months in German

• January - Januar
• February - Februar
• March - März
• April - April
• June - Juni
• July - Juli
• August - August
• September - September
• October - Oktober
• November - November
• December - Dezember

Ordering in German

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German Language for Travellers: Learn German Travel Phrases

Last updated on  April 4, 2024

If you are planning a short holiday stay or a business trip to Germany you do not need to learn any German as most people you are going to meet will speak some English anyway. But, it will not hurt if you learn some basic German phrases, such as greetings, just to sound nice. However, if you are traveling to Germany or any other German-speaking country more often, learning a few essential German travel phrases and expressions may help you get along in situations when there are no English speakers around. Below you will find an overview of free Internet resources that largely focus on German for travellers.

German for Tourists on YouTube

• German Phrases for Travelers is a 20 min video that will teach you the very basics of the German language that any foreigner travelling around Germany will find useful.
• Basic German Travel Phrases from expertvillage is a collection of fourteen youtube videos that will not only teach you essential German travel phrases like those used when greeting people, asking for directions, travelling through airports, seeking accommodation, ordering in a restaurant, renting a car or expressions used in emergency situations, but will also give you a couple of useful travel tips on must-see German locations for foreign visitors.

Interactive Online Courses for Travellers to Germany

• LingoHut offers a free German course suitable for tourists as most of their 109 lessons focus on travel topics such as understanding directions, airport and hotel conversations, moving around town, sightseeing, shopping, ordering food at a restaurant, etc. You will learn basic vocabulary and phrases related to each topic. Each lesson includes vocabulary training, flashcards, and matching, tic-tac-toe and concentration games as well as a listening game.
• Goethe Verlag has prepared a German course for beginners as part of their series called 50 languages. This course contains many lessons that frequent travellers to German-speaking countries may find useful. In the first 80 or so lessons you will learn basic German phrases related to the most common conversational topics whereas the remaining lessons provide examples of sentences illustrating the use of German grammar (this part may be difficult to understand without further explanation, though). You can access this course online for free, download all of its 100 lessons as mp3 files or try it on your mobile device. However, only the first 30 lessons are free in the mobile application. Complete course for portable devices will cost you $2.99.

German for Travellers on Mobile Apps

• Bravolol is a mobile application for foreign visitors to Germany who wish to learn some basic German phrases and vocabulary most frequently used when traveling around. You will be listening to the speaking parrot and repeating the phrases and expressions you heard. Whenever needed you can search for phrases by keywords. This app can also be used offline. The basic version is free but the full version will cost you $4.99.

German Travel Phrases on PDFs

• German for Confident Travel is a free downloadable German travel phrasebook in the PDF format. It contains hundreds of German phrases with English translations and explanations on when to use each phrase. This phrasebook also provides pronunciation guidance for English speakers. The main focus is on travel-related topics such as greetings, food, accommodation, shopping, transportation and socializing.

Social Platforms for Travellers

• PolyglotClub is a social platform where people can find conversation partners in foreign countries who are native speakers in the language they are trying to learn. However, this platform is also used by travellers who wish to connect with natives in the country they are planning to visit. They can ask them all sorts of questions about their country, language and culture to become more familiar with the place before they leave on a trip. Likewise, travellers can ask their language exchange partners before they go on a trip to teach them correct vocabulary to be able to take a taxi, check at a hotel, ask for directions or order meals and drinks at a restaurant.
• Interpals brings together people from all over the world who are learning foreign languages and/or are looking for travel buddies abroad that will show them around when visiting their town. Although this platform is not specifically designed for teaching travel phrases, it is very likely that these will be some of the first expressions you will learn before and during your visit to another country.

Other Great German Learning Resources for Travelers

Also, do not forget to check out our section on German beginner courses where you will certainly find additional lessons that teach vocabulary and phrases you can use on your next trip to Germany or any other German-speaking country. Alternatively, for making friends in foreign countries who can help you learn their native language and introduce you to their culture see the list of free language exchanges . Your German language exchange partner will not only help you learn some basic German travel phrases but may also want to meet you in person and show you around their town next time you are visiting Germany.

Travel German FAQs

‘Ja’ (yaa) and ‘Nein’ (nain).

The first words you may want to learn before your trip to Germany should include: ‘Ja’ (yes) and ‘Nein’ (no), greetings such as ‘Hallo’ (hello), ‘Guten Tag’ (good day), ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ (good bye) and a couple of words to sound polite such as ‘Bitte’ (please), ‘Danke’ (thank you), ‘Entschuldigung’ (sorry, though many Germans also say sorry) and ‘Gesundheit’ (bless you).

‘Bitte’ is one of the most frequent words you will hear when visiting Germany and usually means ‘please’ or ‘yes, please’. As an interjection it can also translate as ‘you are welcome’, ‘here you go’ or ‘go ahead’. ‘Die Bitte’ is also a noun meaning a ‘plea’, ‘request’ or an ‘appeal’.

‘Bitte schön’ are actually two words used most often as a polite response to someone saying ‘Danke schön’ or ‘Danke sehr’ (i.e., different ways of saying thank you such as ‘many thanks’ or ‘thanks a lot’) and it means ‘you are welcome’, ‘my pleasure’ or ‘not at all’.

The most common casual German greetings are ‘Grüß dich!’ and ‘Hallo!’.

The German word for tip is ‘Trinkgeld’ which literally means ‘drink money’, suggesting that you usually tip the waiter. It is a kind of gratuity, not a service charge. Hence, if you were happy with the service, you round up the bill by adding up to 10% extra. But, if you were not satisfied, there is absolutely no reason to leave a tip.

You may hear people say ‘gerne’ quite often while travelling in Germany, especially as a response to saying ‘thank you’ to them. It is a polite expression that translates as ‘gladly’ or ‘with pleasure’, meaning that the person enjoyed helping you.

Genau literally means “exact(ly)”, “accurate(ly)” or “precise(ly)”. However, its other meanings are “that’s right”, “yes, that’s it”, “yes, that’s correct” or simply “right” or “yes”. This broader meaning is the main reason why German speakers use the word “genau” so much.

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Russia, Germany, UK urge restraint as Iranian threat puts Middle East on edge

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(Reuters) - Russia, Germany and Britain on Thursday urged countries in the Middle East to show restraint and Israel said it was preparing to "meet all its security needs" in a region on edge over an Iranian threat to strike Israel.

The German airline Lufthansa, one of only two Western carriers flying to Tehran, extended a suspension of its flights to the Iranian capital and Russia warned against travel to the Middle East.

Iran has vowed revenge for the April 1 airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus that killed a top Iranian general and six other Iranian military officers, ratcheting up tension in a region already strained by the Gaza war.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Israel "must be punished and it shall be", saying it was tantamount to an attack on Iranian soil.

The "imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime" might have been avoided had the U.N. Security Council condemned the strike and brought the perpetrators to justice, Tehran's mission to the United Nations said on Thursday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was keeping up its war in Gaza but making security preparations elsewhere.

"Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We are prepared to meet all of the security needs of the State of Israel, both defensively and offensively," he said in comments released following a visit to an air force base.

Iran has signalled to Washington that it will respond to Israel's attack in a way that aims to avoid major escalation and it will not act hastily, Iranian sources said.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran, Gallant's office said.

Conflict has spread across the Middle East since the eruption of the Gaza war, with Iran-backed groups declaring support for the Palestinians waging attacks from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq. Tehran has avoided direct confrontation with Israel or the United States, while declaring support for its allies.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian to urge "maximum restraint" to avoid further escalation.

Russia's foreign ministry told citizens they should not travel to the Middle East, especially to Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

"Right now it's very important for everyone to maintain restraint so as not to lead to a complete destabilisation of the situation in the region, which doesn't exactly shine with stability and predictability," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told a news briefing.

'POTENTIAL FOR MISCALCULATION'

British foreign minister David Cameron said on Thursday he had made clear to Amirabdollahian that Iran should not draw the Middle East into a wider conflict.

"I am deeply concerned about the potential for miscalculation leading to further violence," Cameron said on X.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken called counterparts including the Turkish, Chinese and Saudi foreign ministers "to make clear that escalation is not in anyone's interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate."

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday Iran was threatening to launch a "significant attack in Israel", and that he had told Netanyahu that "our commitment to Israel security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is iron-clad".

The U.S. expects an attack by Iran against Israel but one that would not be big enough to draw Washington into war, a U.S. official said late on Thursday.

The U.S. military said on Thursday it had destroyed an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from an area of Yemen controlled by Iran-backed Houthi militia. No injuries or damage were reported to U.S., coalition or merchant vessels.

Iran is the third-largest oil producer in the OPEC group and oil prices stayed near six-month highs on Thursday.

Late on Wednesday, an Iranian news agency published an Arabic report on the X platform saying the air space over Tehran had been closed for military drills, but then removed the report and denied it had issued such news.

Lufthansa said it would probably not fly to Tehran before April 13. Austrian Airlines said it was still planning to fly on Thursday but was adjusting timings to avoid crew having to disembark for an overnight layover.

Iranian air space is also a key overflight route for Emirates' and Qatar Airways' flights to Europe and North America.

Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot and Air Arabia, among the airlines that fly to Tehran, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach in Frankfurt, Shariq Khan in New York, Emily Chow in Singapore, and Simon Lewis and Steve Holland in Washington; Writing by Tom Perry, Ros Russell, Andrew Heavens and Stephen Coates; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Daniel Wallis)

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German university rescinds Jewish American’s job offer over pro-Palestinian letter

Nancy Fraser, professor of philosophy at the New School, condemned killings in Gaza carried out by the Israeli military

A leading Jewish American philosopher has been disinvited from taking up a prestigious professorship at the University of Cologne after signing a letter expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning the killings in Gaza carried out by Israeli forces.

Nancy Fraser, professor of philosophy and politics at the New School for Social Research in New York, said she had been cancelled by the university, which has withdrawn its invitation to the Albertus Magnus Professorship 2024, a visiting position, which she had been awarded in 2022. The letter was written in November 2023 following the 7 October attacks on Israel by Hamas, prompting Israel’s attack on Gaza.

Fellow academics have written a letter to the university in protest against the ban. In it, they call the withdrawal of the invitation “another attempt to limit public and academic debate on Israel and Palestine by invoking supposedly clear, distinct, governmentally sanctioned red lines”.

They said the letter, titled Philosophy for Palestine, which was signed by Fraser and several hundred other academics, was separate from Fraser’s work as a scholar and that her guest professorship had nothing to do with the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Cologne University said in a statement its decision to cancel the invitation had been made “with great regret”. It said the reason was that in the letter signed by Fraser, “Israel’s right to exist as an ‘ethno-supremacist state’ since its foundation in 1948 is called into question. The terror attacks by Hamas on Israel of 7 October 2023 is [sic] elevated to an act of legitimate resistance.”

It said that the signatories’ demand for the academic and cultural boycott of Israeli institutions was at odds with the university’s close ties to Israeli partner institutions and the views in the letter were not in line with its own statements from October 2022 on the situation in the Middle East region.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Rundschau , Fraser called herself a victim of “philosemitic McCarthyism” alongside a number of other academics such as Masha Gessen who have been cancelled in Germany over their views regarding the Middle East conflict amid growing criticism that a dominating pro-Israel political consensus has shut down any proper debate .

“After all, I was canceled in the name of German responsibility for the Holocaust. This responsibility should also apply to Jewish people. But in Germany it is narrowed down to the state policy of the currently ruling Israeli government. Philosemitic McCarthyism sums it up quite well. A way to silence people under the pretext of supposedly supporting Jews,” Fraser said.

In an interview with Die Zeit addressing the issue of Germany’s responsibility as perpetrator of the Holocaust for protecting Jewish life, Fraser said this duty was being wrongly applied to exclude criticism of the Israeli government.

“I completely agree that Germans have a special responsibility towards the Jews in light of the Holocaust. But to equate criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism is simply wrong. And may I add that as a Jew I also feel a special responsibility. But … that doesn’t mean giving this government carte blanche. What is happening in Gaza should not happen – and especially not in my name. I strongly reject the equation of Israel and Judaism. Judaism has a rich secular and, above all, universalist tradition. It pains me when it is reduced to Israel’s current hyper-ethno-nationalist politics.”

Asked why she thought the philosopher Judith Butler had been allowed to assume the same professorship in 2016, despite having been highly critical of Israel, Fraser said: “In Germany, the panic of doing something wrong has increased. In addition the war in Gaza is now rekindling the feverishness.”

Fraser has said she will continue to hold the lectures she had planned to deliver in Cologne, both at the New School and at another location in Germany.

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“It has been suggested that I give the lectures elsewhere in Germany under the slogan: ‘This is what you weren’t allowed to hear in Cologne’.”

In a letter to Joybrato Mukherjee the rector of Cologne University, the interim president of the New School, Donna E Shalala, described his decision as “simply outrageous”, and “insulting”, and asked him to reconsider. She commented that Albertus Magnus, the 13th-century free-thinking philosopher, scientist and bishop after whom the professorship is named, “would have been appalled”.

In the 1930s, the New School, she pointed out, had “rescued intellectuals seeking refuge from the Nazis” – including the political theorist Hannah Arendt, the psychologist Erich Fromm and the composer Hanns Eisler.

“We continued the body of critical thought that had been wiped out – promoting the remarkable traditions of the German academy,” she wrote.

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When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 and how is it celebrated?

The three-day festival celebrates the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims across the world.

As a new moon was not sighted on Monday evening after Maghrib prayers, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries will fast one more day, completing 30 days of Ramadan. The first day of Eid will then be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

The first day of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

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A ramadan no palestinian will ever forget, the cost of a ramadan iftar meal around the world, ramadan 2024: where do your dates come from, in washington, dc: celebrating ramadan, protesting israel’s siege of gaza.

Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date.

Other countries follow independent sightings.

When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on television, radio stations and at mosques.

How do Muslims celebrate Eid?

Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.

Muslims begin Eid day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.

On their way to the prayer, which is traditionally held in an open area, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”.

It is customary to eat something sweet before the prayer, such as date -filled biscuits known as maamoul in the Middle East. This particular festival is known as the “sweet” Eid – and the distribution of sweets is common across the Muslim world.

Muslims usually spend the day visiting relatives and neighbours and accepting sweets as they move around from house to house.

Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day.

Children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Girls and women in many countries decorate their hands with henna. The celebration for Eid begins the night before as women gather in neighbourhoods and large family gatherings for the application of henna.

In some countries, families visit graveyards to offer their respects to departed family members right after the morning prayers.

It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold festivities to commemorate the end of the fasting month.

Eid amid the onslaught in Gaza

For some 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza this Eid, this will be the first Muslim religious holiday after more than 33,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. With little food aid, and very limited water, Gaza’s Eid al-Fitr will be mired in destruction amid the continuing attacks.

What are common Eid greetings?

The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary depending on the country and language.

The video below shows how people say Eid Mubarak in different languages around the world.