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My home for over two years, and the base of all my European adventures, Germany ranks in my top 5 in Europe (for good reasons).
From beautiful old towns, to stunning landscapes, to endless lakes, to endless breweries, to delicious bakeries, to friendly locals and a multitude of activities, Germany has it all.
I particularly like the attitude of locals and the fact that English is widely understood, if not spoken, making it easy for a first time traveler to Europe to spend a lot of time in Deutschland, without feeling too lost.
Make sure not to rush through this country, and experience a bit of both the cities and the countryside to really understand the nerve of the country.
Top Things To Do In Germany
1. Get lost in the streets of Berlin
“Berlin, the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine”.
If there is only one city you must visit in Germany, it is Berlin.
From the history that scorched the past of Germany, to the counter culture districts, to the art and music scene, to the startup scene and to the multicultural atmosphere, Berlin really is a marvel.
I’ve had the pleasure to visit twice and each time I have not been disappointed.
Some of the must-do’s include a city tour (usually free), the Berlin East Side Gallery, the Parliament, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain districts and the thriving techno nightlife.
Read next: How To Enjoy Oktoberfest in Munich
2. Hike through the Black Forest
If you have the pleasure to visit the country in the summer, do make sure to arrange for a short hike through the Black Forest, which is not only massive but also majestic.
You can make Freiburg or Offenburg as your base and either book tours through Get Your Guide or independently from your hotel or hostel.
3. Go on a road trip on the Romantic Road
Made famous in the 1950’s, the Romantic road stretches from Würzburg to Füssen (350 km), and is a great choice for those of you who like road trips.
A few stunning towns to stop along the way would be Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nordlingen.
Read Also: Top 5 Most Beautiful Towns in Bavaria Germany
4. Experience a Christmas Market
After having lived in Germany for over two years, and seen three seasons of Christmas markets, I have to say I am addicted!
The best Christmas market (in the world) is in Nuremberg and takes place from the last week in November until the 24th of December. Dates may vary depending on locations so it’s worth a visit to check the city’s local website so you won’t miss out on all the fun.
Other Christmas markets in Germany that are also worth visiting include the ones in Munich, Dresden, Leipzig, Stuttgart and Cologne.
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5. Visit the 19th century Neuschwanstein Castle
The castle that Disney built it’s logo on is not only a stunning castle and one of the oldest, preserved castles in Europe but the setting in itself is quite magical.
The castle can be reached by an easy day trip from Munich or if you prefer to live a little closer, a cute little town called Füssen makes for a neat stop. If you happen to be in South Germany, which you most likely will be, do make sure to make a quick stop to Neuschwanstein!
Read Also: 10 Things to do in Bremen.
Typical Budget
Accommodation
Hostels in Germany are relatively cheap when compared to other western European countries and would not set you back more than $20-30 a night. If you plan to backpack across Europe or travel cheap, I highly suggest taking a look into these top hostel chains.
Hotels in Germany start on average at about $50 for a budget stay and can push up to $100 for a fancier hotel. For two people, I would recommend a budget of at least $60 per night if you plan to stay in a hotel.
Another good alternative, is to book an Airbnb, but make sure to know if you are close or far away from the city centre and how long it will take you to travel around. Public transport is extremely efficient but also expensive in Germany with a one way ticket costing upwards of $4 and a daily pass can be upwards of $12.
(Get $26 free travel credit on Airbnb when you sign up with a new account!)
Food
Grocery stores in Germany are a plenty and stocked with at a ton of cheap snacks. Small bakeries and snack shops can also be found easily. If you pick up a snack at a bakery store (such as a chain called the ‘Der Beck’ or the local baker), it will set you back less than $5. Coffee is cheap and really good, and a small cup can be yours for about $3.
I’d highly recommend to pick up ‘doner kebabs’ at a Turkish fast food shop where you can also find vegetarian options (such as Falafel wraps) for less than $5. You can also find meals which are less expensive as a large restaurant.
Eating at restaurants in Germany can get quite expensive. Most main dishes will set you back at least $10-$15 and add to that a drink, you’re looking at $20 per meal. High end or popular restaurants can be upwards of $30 a meal. Check out these popular money saving travel hacks.
Transport
Bigger cities have effective and well connected transport systems and it connects the local trains, subway, buses and trams together.
If you only travel a short distance, you can take individual tickets from $3 onwards or if you plan to use public transport a lot, I’d recommend getting a daily pass. There may also be group passes which can make it cheaper for you if you’re travelling with more people.
The one life saving app that can tell you the most updated information on Germany’s public transport is the DB Navigator app. Make sure to have it on your phone, it’s even more accurate than Google Maps.
Want all my money-saving tips? Get my guide to Europe
My detailed, 90+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff and gets straight to the practical information you need to save time and money while planning a trip around Europe. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, how to apply for visas, which mode of travel to pick, top European highlights, where to stay, what to eat, what to pack and so much more!
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Before you go, check out the following Europe travel guides:
Vox says
We might try to skip on over to Germany on our trip to London this year, so this was very helpful. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Shruti says
Happy to be of help. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Danica Anne Panganiban says
Lovely post. I can totally relate. Been calling Germany my home now too. 🙂
Shruti says
sounds great. thanks for reading!