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GERMANY TRAVEL GUIDE
Situated in Central Europe, Germany is the continent’s most populous country. Due to its size and location it has become one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, drawing visitors with its culture, history, good cuisine and of course, its beer. Germany enjoys solid transportation links with its neighbours and the rest of the world, making it an easy destination to visit.
Berlin, the capital city, is the political and cultural hotspot, and the country’s best sightseeing destination. Other popular cities to visit include Munich, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Hamburg. Cuisine varies greatly from region to region and sampling the local dishes of each area is one of the major highlights among those travelling through the country.
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GERMANY WEATHER - When To Go
Germany’s climate is fairly consistent across the country and sees four distinct seasons. Summers are warm to hot, winters are cold and the spring and autumn seasons are typically transitional. To generalise, summers are generally hotter and winters colder than here in the UK. Any time of the year is good for a visit though, whether it be the summer months when you can enjoy the beer gardens or wintertime for the Christmas markets.
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GERMANY HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Berlin: the country’s capital is often hailed as one of the great capital cities of Europe, its reputation based on it being a major centre for European culture, politics, media and science. The city presents itself as a bustling metropolis with modern amenities and services, and a wealth of attractions. For sightseers, must-sees include the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag (German Parliament), the historic Nikolai quarter and the Schloss Charlottenburg. For culture and history enthusiasts, the Checkpoint Charlie Museum (about the Berlin Wall), Bauhaus Design Museum, the Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin, the Gemaldegalerie and the Jewish Museum are among the venues most worth visiting. After a busy day of sightseeing, visitors with energy left can take advantage of the city’s thriving nightlife. [For more info on Berlin, click HERE].
- Munich: Sightseeing attractions include the Frauenkirche, Michaelskirche, Marienplatz and the Theatinerkirche St Kajetan. For culture and history fans, the Bavarian National Museum, the State Museum of Egyptian Art and the Munich City Museum are must-sees. Beer-lovers will enjoy the 1-litre beer glasses and the annual Oktoberfest (which starts mid-September!).
[For more info on Munich, click HERE].
- Hamburg: the second largest city in Germany, Hamburg can be reached in 2.5 hours by train from Berlin, making it a good destination for a weekend trip. The city has family attractions such as the Carl Hagenbeck's Tierpark (Hamburg Zoo) as well as plenty for sightseers, including the Reeperbahn, St Michaelis Church and the Alter Elbtunnel. The city is famed for its tolerance and liberalism, and is home to a vibrant night entertainment scene.
- Frankfurt: this cosmopolitan city in the state of Hesse is most famous for being Europe’s financial centre but it’s also a destination crammed with interesting things to see. Some of the highlights include the Frankfurt Cathedral, the Old Opera House, the Archaeological Gardens and the Botanical Gardens. For art enthusiasts, the Städelsches Kunstinstitut is a must, while for literature fans the Goethehaus, the former residence of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is one of the top venues to visit. From Berlin, Frankfurt can be reached in four hours by train.
- Cologne: the country’s fourth-largest city is just over an hour by plane from the capital and is famed for its lengthy history, which stretches back around 2,000 years. Top sights in the city include a magnificent cathedral, a number of splendid Romanesque churches and some interesting archaeological sites, plus a Chocolate Museum! The annual spring 5-day Cologne Carnival is a big crowd pleaser also, while the local cuisine is among the best in the country.
- Düsseldorf: Düsseldorf is North Rhine-Westphalia’s capital city and a destination famed for its fashion scene. The Altstadt (Old Town) is the place to head for many of the city’s attractions, with the Rathaus and Königsallee among the best known. The Rhine Embankment Promenade is a good place to take a stroll and enjoy beautiful scenery, while the Carlsplatz market offers opportunities to sample delicious edible delicacies.
- Other Germany highlights: also worth visiting are Hannover with its stunning Herrenhäuser Gärten, Nuremberg with its equally impressive Gothic Kaiserburg Castle and a cruise along the Rhine River.
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GERMANY HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: German cuisine is heavy on meat, fats and carbohydrates and great for those with hearty appetites. Eating out is not especially cheap but in regions like Bavaria and Saxony is simply not-to-be-missed. The quality of food and drink in Germany is generally excellent.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: the Germans know how to party and are very fond of their domestically brewed beer. Besides the countless bars, pubs and brewhouses, there are a variety of festivals in which beer drinking is the focal activity. Nightclubs play a wide range of music but the country’s major urban centres are famed for their techno-playing venues.
- Accommodation: all the big cities have good hotel selections, though prices are not especially cheap. Backpacker hostels are also widely available in the popular cities.
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GERMANY FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
There are a many options to fly to Germany from the UK. Many regional UK airports provide flights to Germany without the need to fly via London.
Flights to popular cities such as Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Cologne, Bremen, Hamburg and many more are available from the UK via the following flight providers:
British Airways - Easyjet - Ryanair - BMI - Germanwings - Air Berlin - Lufthansa
It is also worth trying travel sites such as Expedia.co.uk or ebookers for flight deals to Germany from the UK.
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