Germany
Germany for Beginners: Destinations, Cultural Highlights, and Travel Tips for Your First Visit
Author: Alka
Are you dreaming about your German adventure? Pack your essentials, keep some cash handy, and leave the rest to us. As you read this blog, we’ve covered all the details to ensure a spectacular trip. There’s a way to see the best of Germany without missing out on its hidden gems, trust us and let’s start with the destinations you need to check & admire:
1. Berlin: Start your trip with its capital city covering its most famous attractions, offering the right blend of history, culture, and sightseeing.
- Berlin Wall Memorial & Documentation Center: Visit the longest preserved stretch of 1.3 km, turned into an open-air art gallery with over 100 murals. There are various highlights of the place such as ‘Berlin Wall Trabant’, and ‘Fraternal Kiss’ that you can explore. Walk westwards towards the Oberbaum Bridge for a scenic view of the Spree River. Go to the observation platform for a full view of the old border zone.
- Brandenburg Gate & Charlie CheckPoint: Visit the Brandenburg Gate to witness the symbol of Berlin’s division and reunification. At the time of sunset, it’s best to take photos with the illuminated gate. Head towards the most famous border crossing between East & West Berlin during the Cold War, housing museums and replicas of the guardhouses and soldiers booths.
- Museum Island: It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site in Berlin’s historic district, home to five world-famous museums. Start with the Pergamon Museum, a Roman-era structure over 16 meters high; the Neues Museum accommodating the Bust of Nefertiti- one of the most iconic artifacts in the world. You can visit more museums and cultural landmarks except on Mondays.
2. Bavaria & Munich: Add these cities to your itinerary for an experience rich in history, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences:
- Neuschwanstein Castle: It’s the fairy-tale castle that inspired Disney romanticizing medieval architecture with its soaring towers and turrets creating a picturesque silhouette that has inspired many fairy tales and books as a backdrop. To reach the castle take a shuttle bus or even a carriage from the Hohenschwangau village.
- Marienplatz & Neues Rathaus: The New Town Hall is the heart of Munich surrounded by historic buildings and lively street performances. Enjoy the Glockenspiel Show- a mechanical show with 32 life-sized figures reenacting Bavarian history daily at 11 AM & noon.
- Viktualienmarkt: Have you ever seen a paradise for food lovers? Head to Munich’s famous food market offering a mix of Bavarian specialties, international delicacies, and fresh produce. In the market, look for six historic fountains scattered around the market dedicated to famous Munich figures.
3. Frankfurt: It’s a city with a vibrant mix of modern skyscrapers and historic charm ensuring you experience the best of Frankfurt in a structured way with a visit to:
- Romerberg: Start your tour with Frankfurt’s historic old town hall featuring a medieval three-gabled building and one of Frankfurt’s symbols. Visit a charming Gothic church from the 12th century- Alte Nikolaikirche. Explore the Hauptwache cafe and grab a local cake and coffee.
- Main Tower: It’s the only skyscraper with a public viewing platform in Frankfurt for getting a 360-degree view of the city and the Main River. Visit on a clear day for the best skyline shots. For lunch, Kleinmarkthalle is the best option for serving its local specialties.
- Stadel Museum: It’s operational from 2 PM to 4 PM, a 15-minute walk from Main River takes you to one of Germany’s top art museums with collections from the Middle Ages to modern times. Relax at the Main Riverbank for great views of the skyline and love locks on the bridge.
4. Cologne: Cologne (Koln) is a vibrant city on the Rhine River, famous for its attractions such as:
- Cologne Cathedral: It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring Germany’s most iconic Gothic Cathedral with twin towers, where you need to climb 533 steps for panoramic views of the city. Entry to the cathedral is free, however, there are charges involved for climbing the Twin Towers.
- Hohenzollern Bridge: Just a 5-minute walk from the cathedral, witness the famous Love Lock bridge with breathtaking views of the Rhine River. It’s the best spot for photos to capture the cathedral and the city skyline where couples attach locks to symbolise their love.
- Schokoladenmuseum: Are you ready for the sugar rush? Cologne Chocolate Museum is a paradise for chocolate lovers, a chance to deep dive into its history, production, and artistry of chocolate. The museum is closed on Mondays, with a suggested tour of 2-3 hours. Your tour begins with a Lindt chocolate fountain, where you can dip a wafer into fresh, warm chocolate. Learn about the Mayan and Aztec cocoa rituals and how chocolate was once a luxury for European elites. Step into a mini tropical rainforest to see real cacao trees growing inside the museum. At the end, customize your chocolate bar with your favorite toppings.
CONCLUSION
From the moment you step off the plane to the last sunset, every twist and turn is packed with excitement, creating your chance to live a story worth telling with Germany. Get ready to dive headfirst into an adventure like no other! With these tips in your pocket and the best spots mapped out, all that’s left is to embrace the thrill and make it unforgettable. So, pack your bags, follow the guide, and let the magic of your journey unfold!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Essential Travel Tips to Know Before Exploring Germany:
- Germany is made up of 16 diverse federal states, so there’s much more to explore beyond Munich and Berlin. For inspiration, plan your trip around major events or festivals. For instance- the World’s largest beer festival happens every year in Munich in October, sounds great right?
- Sundays in Germany are quiet, as most shops and supermarkets remain closed, with only a few exceptions, such as convenience stores at train stations. However, you can take advantage of this by visiting museums, as many offer heavily discounted admissions on these days.
- Look for the ‘Pfand’(deposit system), where you can return bottles to designated recycling machines and receive a small deposit back.
- Tipping culture is more modest compared to other countries. It’s standard to round up the bill or tip around 10% for good service.
- Keep an apparent concern for other individual’s privacy while taking pictures.
1. How to Reach?
- By Flight: Major cities around the world have direct flights to Germany’s international airports, including Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Munich Airport (MUC), and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). If you are already in Europe, then you have the option of low-cost carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Lufthansa for affordable flights to various German cities.
- By Train: Germany is well-connected to its neighboring countries by high-speed trains. You can take EuroCity(EC) or InterCityExpress(ICE) trains to cities like Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin.
- By Bus: Download the FlixBus app to book buses within Germany. Though they are slower than trains or flights, they are quite budget-friendly.
2. Local Transport
Germany has an effective and extensive local transport system, so you won’t need to rent a car unless you’re visiting a remote place. Make sure to look out for City Passes so that you can save money while sightseeing and visiting paid attractions. You have regional trains, metros, and buses to choose from. However, buses (aka coaches) are a very budget-friendly way to travel from city to city in Germany.
3. Visa, Currency & other information
- Visa requirements: Germany is part of the Schengen Zone, so visitors require a Schengen Visa for short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days).
- SIM card: Take it directly from service providers.
- Currency: The official currency of Germany is the Euro, whereas cash is still the king and widely used especially in smaller towns or markets. So, keep the cash handy to explore the places.
4. Accommodation
Don’t count on finding big-name hotel chains, instead embrace the charm of local motels(budget-friendly versions of hotels) that provide a cozy and authentic experience for travelers.
- Standard option: A&O Hostels, consider Airbnb for private apartments or shared spaces at a low cost.
- Deluxe option: Adina Apartment Hotel, search for package deals that include breakfast or transport passes.
- Luxury option: Hotel Adlon Kempinski, consider booking it directly through the hotel website for exclusive offers.
5. Places to Eat
Germany is very heavy on vegetarian and vegan culture, so no worries at all. Just keep in mind that water at restaurants isn’t typically free, but you can ask for tap water by saying ‘Leitungswasser’ as most locals do. It’s a simple way to stay hydrated without adding extra cost to your meal!
- Vegetarian option: Tian Restaurant (Munich)
- Non-vegetarian option: Zur Letzten Instanz (Berlin)
- Vegan option: 1990 Vegan Living (Berlin)
