Germany Travel Guide: How to Tour Germany?

Not sure which month to choose for your trip or what things to take with you? In this piece, we're happy to share some Germany travel tips as well as give answers to many questions we often receive from travelers planning to go on tours of Germany.
Last updated: 18.07.2024

Why travel Germany?

The answer to this one is simple: as this country has something for everyone.
Tasty local food and drinks - check, historical architecture, castles, and well-preserved authentic towns - check, rich history and interesting traditions - check, gorgeous nature - yes, again, check! You name it, Germany's got it. So if you believe that Germany isn't the destination for you, you may be mistaken.

Actually, the question of where to travel Germany is more relevant as the list of things to see and do in the unique Germany cities is surprisingly large.
Plus, public transport in Germany is very developed so having many places on one single getaway is easy.

How to travel Germany?

Although many people prefer to do "EuroTrips" solo, backpacking, couchsurfing, and camping isn't something that’s suitable for all. And since travelers generally choose to have multiple destinations on their Germany itinerary (and maybe even add on other neighboring European countries to it), pre-arranged private tours to Germany, put together by pros around your needs, are a great time-saving opportunity to see the country the way you want without the need to join exhausting group bus tours for 40+ travelers nor to spend all your savings on luxury packages.
When you've decided that Germany is the country that's next on your radar, the first thing you should do is check whether citizens of your country need a Germany tourist visa.
Because it is part of the European Union and the Schengen, passport holders of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, (and some others) luckily won't need a visa to enter.
Keep in mind though that in order to avoid trouble at customs upon arrival, make sure that your passport has at least two empty pages plus that it will be valid for another 6 months after your date of entry.

What's for money, the currency in Germany is Euro. You won't have a problem withdrawing Germany's currency in any local ATMs nor exchanging cash in the local banks or exchange offices.
Nevertheless, note, that there will most likely be a fee for the withdrawal if your card isn’t issued in Euros, the same often applies for purchases you make abroad with your debit card, and credit cards might not be accepted in all places. For this reason, we recommend checking with your bank regarding the terms before you go to avoid unpleasant bills.

Best time to visit Germany

If you're wondering when to travel Germany to get the ultimate experience, we believe that this in much depends on what you'd like to see and the mode of travel you prefer. The thing is that this country is wonderful to go to any time of the year.
The biggest number of tourists arrives in the summertime, of course, thus, the main sights, museums, and hotels may be crowded from June to August. The winter months, especially December, are a favored time too as the Christmas spirit of the local markets and the old towns, sprinkled with snow, allure globetrotters with their festive atmosphere.
And speaking of festivities, the autumn months of September and October are very popular as well - these months are the time when numerous wine harvest events and the famous Oktoberfest are held.

spring months from the end of March to the end of May are a great time for a Germany vacation. Simply because there are by far fewer tourists, making for comfortable crowdless sightseeing of major Germany tourist attractions, better rates for transportation and accommodation, and the accompanying mild weather conditions are certainly a bonus.
Speaking of Germany weather, it is rather mild and proud of its blooming springs, hot summers, warm golden autumns, and snowy winters. The average temperatures in May are around 19°C (66°F), about 24°C (75°F) in July, approximately 13°C (55°F) in October, and 3°C (37°F) in the end of December. June is the month that usually has the most rainfall.

Places to visit in Germany:

Brandenburg Gate
Berlin Wall
Black Forest
Neuschwanstein Castle
Berlin's Museum Island
Sanssouci Park and Palace
Cologne Cathedral
Rhine Valley
Berchtesgaden National Park
Old Town of Quedlinburg
Maulbronn Abbey
Modelleisenbahn Miniatur Wunderland

What to pack for Germany?

As mentioned earlier, Germany luckily boasts having all four different season types, so it goes without saying that the clothes and things to put in your suitcase depend on the month of your trip.
For the winter months from late November to mid-February have a warm coat, sweaters, hats, gloves, and warm shoes. For spring and fall, it's a good idea to pack a raincoat and umbrella. For summer, don't forget to have a hat and some sunblock. Regardless of when you go, though, comfortable walking shoes are a "must" as you'll most likely be covering large distances on foot every day of your trip (and the old towns of numerous German cities are cobblestone).
In any case, keep in mind that Germany uses 220-volt electricity plugs, as opposed to 110-volt ones used in the USA. Therefore, it makes sense to get a power adaptor beforehand so that you won't have trouble charging the devices you'd like to bring with you. Plus, make sure to have all your documents handy, including medical insurance that'll be valid while you're overseas. Having a small medical pack with all the medicine and first aid supplies you are used to taking and using won’t hurt either.

Must-have Germany souvenirs

Apart from the classic refrigerator magnets, T-shirts, and keychains, most people going to Germany like to bring back unusual things which you probably won't be able to buy back at home.
For starters, this could be a bottle or two of German craft beer made in one of the many tiny local breweries which do not specialize on mass production. Many of the souvenir beers come in decorated ceramic mugs or in packs with branded beer glasses, a nice gift or thing to remember your trip by, right?
The gourmets also like to buy a pack of pretzels or other similar yummy treats too.
Of course, traditional German hats, or Tyrolean/Bavarian hats with the feather on the side, as well as adorned aprons are a hit too.

We hope that this was helpful! And if you have more questions about the destination, feel free to contact our expert travel specialists as well as browse examples of custom-made Germany tour packages which we can build around your preferences.