Travel in Germany

Traveling in Germany: A Complete Guide

Germany is a country rich in history, culture, nature, and traditions. Each region has its own unique character: from the Bavarian Alps to the beaches of the North Sea, from romantic castles to modern metropolises. Here is an overview to better organize your trip.

Road Rules in Germany

Speed:
- City: 50 km/h
- Out of town: 100 km/h
- Motorways: no limit on sections without signage, but 130 km/h recommended.
Alcohol: max 0.5 g/l (0 for new drivers).
Seatbelts: Mandatory for everyone.
Tolls: Free motorways for cars, tolls only for trucks.
Special notes: Priority is given to the right in built-up areas unless otherwise indicated; strict compliance with traffic lights

Useful Information

Language: German, English widespread in the cities.
Currency: Euro.
Sockets: Type F (compatible with Italian ones).
Transport: excellent railway network (Deutsche Bahn). The Deutschlandticket is very convenient (€49/month, regional trains and buses).
Security: very high, except in crowded tourist areas.
Payments: Cards are common, but some places only accept cash.

Regions and Places to Visit

Bavaria

Munich: The capital of beer and the Oktoberfest, with Marienplatz, the Englischer Garten, and the Hofbräuhaus.
Neuschwanstein Castle: Europe’s most famous fairytale castle.
Bavarian Alps: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Zugspitze (Germany’s highest peak).
Lake Constance: Perfect for cycling tours and cruises.
Atmosphere: Alpine traditions, breweries, mountain landscapes.

Baden-Württemberg

Stuttgart: city of the car (Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Museum).
Heidelberg: romantic university city with castle.
Black Forest (Schwarzwald): Mountains and picturesque villages, ideal for hiking.
Freiburg: Green city, perfect as a base for hiking and wine.
Atmosphere: nature, historic villages, excellent white wine.

North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)

Cologne: its Gothic cathedral is a UNESCO heritage site.
Düsseldorf: capital of fashion and Altbier beer.
Bonn: Beethoven’s birthplace.
Ruhrgebiet: former industrial area transformed into museums and contemporary art.
Atmosphere: urban, young, lively, with big carnival parties.

Hesse (Hessen)

Frankfurt: Germany’s financial heart, but also its medieval old town (Römer).
Wiesbaden: an elegant spa town.
Kassel: Famous for documenta, one of the most important contemporary art exhibitions in the world.
Atmosphere: Business and culture, excellent rail connections.

Saxony (Sachsen)

Dresden: baroque city with the Zwinger and the Frauenkirche.
Leipzig: city of Bach and Wagner, young and creative.
Ore Mountains: mining villages and traditional craftsmanship.
Atmosphere: art, music and architecture.

Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt

Weimar: city of Goethe, Schiller and Bauhaus.
Erfurt: beautiful medieval center with the Cathedral.
Quedlinburg: UNESCO heritage site, one of the most picturesque villages.
Atmosphere: The historic heart of Germany.

Brandenburg & Berlin

Berlin: Multicultural capital with the Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and Museum Island.
Potsdam: The palaces of Sanssouci, residence of the Prussian kings.
Atmosphere: cosmopolitan, youthful, historic, and modern at the same time.

Hamburg & Schleswig-Holstein

Hamburg: large port, Speicherstadt (warehouse district), Reeperbahn (nightlife).
Lübeck: medieval city famous for marzipan.
Sea Coast North and Baltic: beaches, lighthouses and holiday resorts.
Atmosphere: seafaring, cosmopolitan, elegant.

Bremen (Land of Bremen):

Bremen An elegant and creative Hanseatic city, a crossroads of maritime trade, art, and science, Bremerhaven offers a decidedly maritime soul, spectacular museums, and harborside promenades. All within a "human-sized" radius, perfect for a long weekend or as a stopover between Hamburg and the North Sea coast.

Not to be missed

Marktplatz & Town Hall: the The Gothic-Renaissance Rathaus and the Statue of Roland (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) frame one of the most beautiful squares in Germany.
The Town Musicians of Bremen: bronze sculpture dedicated to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale – touching the donkey’s legs brings good luck!
Böttcherstraße: a brick museum street, a masterpiece of Expressionism, with shops, galleries, and the Glockenspiel.
Schnoorviertel: medieval quarter of narrow, colorful houses, cafés, and artisans – the most photogenic place in the city.
Schlachte: the promenade on the Weser, ideal at sunset among waterside bars and historic boats.
Kunsthalle Bremen: High-quality art gallery (from Romanticism to modern painting).
Universum Bremen: Interactive science museum, perfect for children too.
Übersee-Museum: collections on trade, ethnography and nature of the world "beyond the seas".
Weser-Stadion: for football fans, the home of Werder Bremen.
Parks: Bürgerpark and Rhododendron-Park (with the “botanika” garden) for a green break.

From don’t miss – Bremerhaven

Klimahaus Bremerhaven 8° Ost: immersive journey along the 8°E meridian through the ecosystems of planet.
Deutsches Auswandererhaus (Emigration Museum): stories, documents, and settings of the millions of Europeans who left by sea.
Deutsches Schifffahrtsmuseum (Emigration Museum Navigation): Historic ships and maritime culture.
Zoo am Meer: Small but scenic, directly overlooking the North Sea.
Havenwelten & SAIL City: futuristic harbor district; climb to the Belvedere for a 360° view.
Fischereihafen: fish restaurants, smokehouses, and markets; Excellent for a traditional dinner.
Harbor tour: boat trips through locks, shipyards, and container terminals (fascinating at sunset).

Lower Saxony (Lower Saxony)

Hannover: Exhibition center and urban parks.
Harz: Mountains and castles.
East Frisian Islands: Unspoiled nature and seascapes unique.
Atmosphere: nature and sea.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Rostock: historic port city.
Island of Rügen: Famous for its white chalk cliffs.
Jasmund National Park: Wild nature and spectacular views.
Atmosphere: Relaxed, tranquil, and maritime landscapes.

Cuisine Typical by Region

Bavaria: Weißwurst (white sausage), Brezel, Schweinshaxe (shank), Märzen beers.
Baden-Württemberg: Spätzle (egg pasta), Maultaschen (similar to ravioli), wines from the Rhine Valley.
NRW: Himmel und Ääd (mashed potatoes with apples and sausage), Kölsch beer (Cologne) and Altbier (Düsseldorf).
Hesse: Apfelwein (apple cider), Handkäs mit Musik (spiced cheese).
Saxony: Dresdner Stollen (Christmas cake), Quarkkäulchen (fresh cheese pancakes).
Berlin: Currywurst, Döner Kebab (influenced by the Turkish community).
North (Hamburg): Fischbrötchen (fish sandwich), Labskaus (sailors’ dish).
Mecklenburg: Smoked fish, cabbage and potato soup.

When to Go to Germany

Spring (April-June): Mild climate, gardens in bloom, beer gardens.
Summer (July-August): perfect for lakes, trekking and the North Sea; more crowded cities.
Autumn (September-October): Grape harvests, Oktoberfest, foliage in the woods.
Winter (December-February): Christmas markets (Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne), winter sports in the Alps and Black Forest.

Germany offers experiences for everyone: culture, nature, entertainment, and gastronomy. The ideal is to choose 1-2 regions for a short trip or travel across it by train/car to discover the country’s diversity.