Germany Travel Guide: the best things to do, see, and eat

Summertime in Germany draws many visitors, and longer, warmer days mean you’ll have more time to get outside and enjoy the best things to do in Germany. From swimming in pristine lakes to tasting wine at vineyards along the Rhine, there are countless reasons why Germany shines in the summer months. Visit Germany on tour during this season and see for yourself.

There’s no shortage of fairy-tale castles to visit in Germany, but Neuschwanstein is one of the most famous. It was built by opera enthusiast King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century, and we consider it to be one of the most iconic things to see in Germany. Thinking about traveling to Bavaria to visit this castle? You can view the ornate palace that inspired Walt Disney himself on many of our Germany tours. Discover everything you need to know about Neuschwanstein Castle before you go.

Germany’s Black Forest is a must-see for anyone looking to visit an area that’s full of rich cultural traditions and warm hospitality. It’s the place to go for year-round festivals, luxury spas, and some of Germany’s prettiest scenery. “Southern Germany is absolutely beautiful,” said staffer Aaron. “The Black Forest is where the Brothers Grimm’s fairytales are based, is the namesake of culinary classics like Black Forest cake and Black Forest ham, and is the native home of the cuckoo clock. Both the Black Forest and Freiburg, the sunniest city in all of Germany, are of particular note.” Read more about why we love to visit the Black Forest, and plan your trip with us on our Switzerland, Alsace & the Black Forest tour.

Large pieces of the Berlin Wall—once a symbol of division, now one of reunification—still stand in the city. Berlin also commemorates its years spent divided with a brick line running through the city, which marks where the wall once stood. Today, you can visit Checkpoint Charlie, a recreation of a border crossing between West and East Berlin. Beyond the wall, Berlin itself is worth a visit. The city is full of young artists, vibrant restaurants, and countless activities day and night. Check out more tips for traveling in Germany with our list of things to do in Berlin and don’t miss a thing in the iconic city when you go on our Historic Germany: Berlin to Bavaria tour.

This UNESCO-listed, Gothic cathedral took more than seven centuries to complete. Despite the evolving architectural styles and technology over the centuries, builders stayed true to the Medieval plans, which were written on parchment paper. This led to the creation of a cohesive triumph of architecture. What’s even more notable? The cathedral still hosts active services, making it one of our favorite things to see in Germany.

Located in Dusseldorf, the Rhine Tower offers a remarkable view of the city and the Rhine River—and also houses a Japanese restaurant. In the 1970s, several Japanese companies headquartered their European branches in Dusseldorf. The employees who immigrated to Germany for work laid roots here and created a unique cultural fusion with their German neighbors. Today, Dusseldorf has some of the best Japanese food you can get outside of Japan.

Most akin to pasta, this simple German dish is generally made of flour, eggs, water, and salt. The noodles are often cooked and seared to achieve a slight crispness on each side. Spatzle is typically served as a side to a meat dish with a buttery, herbal sauce or tangy sauerkraut. Sometimes, cheese is added to make the spatzle less of a side dish and more of a main event. One of our Germany travel tips? Try multiple renditions of spatzle. (Thank us later.)

Bratwurst is a fried sausage, which means it can be made with a variety of meats and different herbs. There are more than 40 different styles of bratwurst, so we won’t name them all. We will, however, recommend that you try a few different types no matter where you are in Germany.

This classic German side of braised red cabbage is sweet and sour, making it an ideal complement to many entrees. The bright taste cleanses your palate between bites and breaks up the rich meat it often accompanies. Duck and blaukraut, for example, are a common pairing for German holiday dinners.

While schnitzel roots lead to Italy, Germany lays claim to some of the best in the world. Here, schnitzel is made with tenderized meat—usually turkey or pork—then breaded and fried. The main component of German schnitzel is the variety of sauces that you can choose to top it with—and, if you’re thinking ahead, you can get a side of spatzle to soak up your remaining sauce.

One pastry of many names, the Berliner is made of sweet, fried dough filled with either jam or vanilla cream, dusted in powdered sugar or coated in a sweet glaze. One thing is certain: No matter how you refer to it, you’ll be calling it delicious.

Beer brewing is one of the most important industries in Germany—in fact, the highest density of breweries in the world is reportedly found just outside Bamberg! Whether you’re raising a stein at Oktoberfest or sipping a chilled Pilsner at a traditional outdoor beer garden, you can be sure you’re tasting a piece of authentic German culture. Check out our guide to the beers of Germany.

Germany makes one-of-a-kind, regulated, delicious, beer—but Germany also excels in making other distilled delights, like wine and schnapps. We love trying different schnapps when traveling through the country because they’re made with natural, local produce and cover a range of sweet and savory flavors. (This author found that a lot of Bavarians like to make—and share—their schnapps.)

“One of the best trips I ever did in Germany was a visit to the Moselle Valley,” said staffer Michael. “It’s not a big expanse, but a narrow and winding river valley where some of the best and oldest riesling vines grow on very steep slopes. It’s a part of Germany I suspect many people simply don’t know about, but it’s got beautiful little taverns and grand country estates. The town of Koblenz is a great starting point for a trip down the Moselle. It’s where the Rhine and Moselle meet, and provides stunning vistas of both rivers. Farther down the winding valley, many of its towns are like something out of a storybook. Towns such as Bernkastel-Kues and others are dotted along the river valley and are overlooked by expansive vineyards that date back centuries.”

We couldn’t create a Germany Travel Guide without mentioning the country’s commitment to remembrance and respect. “The Berlin Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (aka Berlin Holocaust Memorial) is an abstract labyrinth of concrete, rectangular blocks of varying heights over multiple city blocks,” said staffer Jordan. “The view from outside and within the memorial inspires reflection of the lives lost.”

The UNESCO-listed Rhine River Valley is one of Germany’s most spectacular sites—it’s dotted with historic castles, after all! You’ll pass by six of those regal landmarks as you boat from Boppard to St. Goar on our Rhine River Cruise & Wine Tasting, which you can add to the extension of our Switzerland, Alsace & the Black Forest tour.

Bavarian culture springs to life at German Biergartens, or beer gardens, and you can find some of the best in the city of Munich. These shady, open-air spots serve as a cornerstone of social life in Germany, and are the places to sip traditional beer and snack on regional eats. One to seek out during free time on tour? Viktualienmarkt in Munich, which sits in the heart of the city. Check out more top things to do in historic Germany.

Heidelberg is a pretty city located on the banks of the Neckar River in southwestern Germany. This is the place to see Germany’s oldest university, stroll through the Old Town’s bustling Market Square, and take in spectacular city views from the hilltop Heidelberg Castle. Want to find out why this Renaissance-era landmark is one of the most incredible places to see in Germany? Set off on our Germany, Switzerland & Austria tour to visit it for yourself!

Berlin itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but the city also has a lot of modern attractions to offer. Known for creative cocktail bars and five-star restaurants, this metropolitan, historic German capital has a little something for everyone (much like Germany itself). “The Berlin Wall is a must, but beyond that, there are many treasures to explore,” said staffer Libby. “I would suggest the waterfront bars and pools along the river that are popular in summer.” Check out more incredible things to do in Berlin based on your interests.

Invented in the Black Forest of Germany, these quirky clocks elicit feelings of fairytales and days gone by. For travelers who want to take one home, they’re conveniently made in a multitude of sizes.

A Germany travel tip from us: Commemorate your time spent at the various Christmas markets with ornaments for your tree! The country is known for some of the best Christmas markets in the world, after all, so bringing home a festive memento is more than fitting.

The dirndl dress and lederhosen are traditional clothes that have been worn in Germany for centuries. These outfits are still donned for festivals, special celebrations, and, most notably, Oktoberfest.

We could write a Germany Travel Guide solely about what wine to drink there. Instead, we recommend that you bring home one of the tastiest souvenirs possible: a bottle of German wine. The country may be known for its rieslings, but it produces plenty of other delicious varietals, too. Try a blaufrankisch if you like a dark, peppery red wine, or go for a pinot noir from the Moselle Valley—which was once famous for white wines like rieslings and elblings but is now producing excellent full-bodied reds.

We recommend making sure you have a sweater or sweatshirt with you no matter what time of year you’re there—temperatures often get cool in the evening. If you’re in Germany in the winter, temperatures will range between 30-40 F, so bring a hat, gloves, and winter coat.

Want a travel tip for Germany and beyond? Throughout Europe, it’s respectful to be sure your knees are covered when stepping inside many churches or cathedrals. If you’re visiting Germany in the summer and want to explore these religious buildings, wearing longer layers is a good idea.

Whether you’re looking to hike or stroll down city streets, one of our top travel tips for Germany is to make sure you pack shoes that are comfortable enough for all-day wear.

You will need either a type C or type F adapter for use in Germany. We recommend the former; it works in many other European countries, too.

Germany has instituted strict single-use plastic bans, which means you won’t be able to find items like plastic straws, cutlery, or plates. One of our best Germany Travel Guide suggestions is to bring anything you normally reuse. This means you should bring your own reusable straw and shopping bag (you will be charged for any bags at stores—even though they aren’t plastic). We always suggest that you bring a refillable water bottle on your travels to help do your part in reducing single-use plastics as well. Want to do more? Get tips on how to travel in a more eco-friendly way.