Roavina

Country guide

Germany

A photograph of Germany
Photograph · Llez · CC BY-SA 3.0

Germany runs from the Baltic and North Sea coasts in the north down to the Alps in the south, and its 16 states have kept enough separateness that the country reads as a set of destinations rather than one. Over 83 million people live in them, more than any other European Union member. Berlin is the capital and the largest single city, Frankfurt is the financial centre, and the largest urban area is neither - it is the Ruhr, a belt of western towns that have grown into each other. Choosing between the Bavarian south, the Rhine, the Hanseatic north and the eastern cities is the actual planning decision; the distances are short and the places are not variations on one another.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
German
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+49
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 medical/fire · 110 police
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public drinking water is regulated under national drinking-water rules

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Berlin State Opera Berlin State Opera
    02 1 hour

    Berlin State Opera

    Staatsoper Unter den Linden

    Berlin State Opera, locally called Staatsoper Unter den Linden, is a working opera and ballet house on Berlin’s Unter den Linden boulevard.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  2. Konzerthaus Berlin Konzerthaus Berlin
    03 1 hour

    Konzerthaus Berlin

    Konzerthaus Berlin is a classical concert hall on Gendarmenmarkt, the historic square framed by the German and French Cathedrals. The building occupies a central position in Berlin’s cultural landscape and is valued both for its music programme and its architecture.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  3. Theater des Westens Theater des Westens
    04 1 hour

    Theater des Westens

    Stage Theater des Westens

    Theater des Westens is a major Berlin theatre venue in Charlottenburg, operating under the Stage Theater des Westens name. It belongs in a Berlin evening plan for travellers who want a full theatrical production in an established performance setting.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  4. Bierpinsel Bierpinsel
    05 1 hour

    Bierpinsel

    Bierpinsel is a distinctive tower structure in Berlin, Germany. The building features an unusual architectural design that has made it a recognizable landmark in the city's urban landscape.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  5. Prinzregententheater Prinzregententheater
    06 1 hour

    Prinzregententheater

    Prinzregententheater is a major theatre building in Munich, Germany. Constructed in the early twentieth century, it represents an important period of Bavarian cultural patronage under Prince Regent Luitpold.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Munich
  6. Berliner Ensemble Berliner Ensemble
    07 1 hour

    Berliner Ensemble

    Berliner Ensemble is a theatre company and performance venue on Bertolt-Brecht-Platz in Berlin’s Mitte district. Bertolt Brecht and Helene Weigel founded it in 1949, and the institution remains closely associated with epic theatre, political engagement and Brecht’s ideas about performance.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  7. Waldbühne Waldbühne
    08 1 hour

    Waldbühne

    Waldbühne is an open-air amphitheatre in Berlin, Germany, located within the Westend district near the Olympic Stadium complex. Originally constructed for the 1936 Summer Olympics, it was designed by architect Werner March as part of the larger Reichssportfeld grounds.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  8. Schiller Theater Schiller Theater
    09 1 hour

    Schiller Theater

    Schillertheater

    Schiller Theater is a major performing-arts venue in Berlin named after Friedrich Schiller, the German playwright and poet.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  9. Grips-Theater Grips-Theater
    10 1 hour

    Grips-Theater

    GRIPS Theater

    GRIPS-Theater is a Berlin theatre known for contemporary, socially engaged productions with a strong connection to younger audiences.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  10. Molecule Man Molecule Man
    11 1 hour

    Molecule Man

    Molecule Man is a monumental aluminium sculpture standing in the Spree between Treptow and Kreuzberg. American artist Jonathan Borofsky created the work, which consists of three intersecting human figures about thirty metres tall.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin
  11. Atze Musiktheater Atze Musiktheater
    12 1 hour

    Atze Musiktheater

    Atze Musiktheater is a Berlin performing-arts venue combining theatre and music. It offers travellers a chance to experience the city through a staged production rather than through a museum or outdoor landmark.

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Berlin

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Germany be?

Seven to ten days works for Berlin plus one connected region, or for a focused Rhine, Bavaria or northern-city route. Germany’s rail network makes multi-city travel practical, but changing bases every night still reduces useful time.

What entry documents are needed for Germany?

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office is the official visa reference. Review its nationality-specific entry rules and the Schengen application guidance for the passport and route being used.

What is the best way to travel around Germany?

Intercity and high-speed trains connect Germany’s major cities, with regional services completing shorter journeys. Deutsche Bahn publishes the integrated timetable; airport choice should follow the route rather than defaulting to one national gateway.

When is a practical time to visit Germany?

May through September favours outdoor city and countryside travel, while December has a distinct seasonal-market pattern. Alpine, North Sea and urban conditions differ enough that the intended region should determine clothing and reservations.

What money and payment basics apply in Germany?

Germany uses the euro (EUR). Cash and card practices are not stated as a single national rule in the cited source, so travellers should carry a backup and check the payment method before ordering or boarding.

What practical safety details should I save for Germany?

For Germany, 112 reaches medical and fire services and 110 reaches police. Type C and F plugs use 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.