Germany Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Germany is one of Europe’s most rewarding and efficient travel destinations. You get fairy-tale castles, half-timbered towns, and river valleys full of vineyards, along with cutting-edge cities, excellent museums, and a famously reliable public transport system. Berlin brings history, nightlife, and creative energy; Munich delivers Alpine day trips and beer gardens; the Rhine and Moselle valleys give you castles and river cruises; Bavaria has storybook villages and the Romantic Road; Hamburg and the north add maritime flair. Because Germany sits in the heart of Europe and is part of the Schengen Area, it is easy to combine with nearby countries. This guide is written for first-time visitors who want practical, SEO-friendly information—when to go, how to get around, what things cost, and how entry works for travelers from the U.S., Canada, the EU, the U.K., and Australia.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Berlin: Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag dome, Berlin Wall Memorial & East Side Gallery, Museum Island, Alexanderplatz, Potsdamer Platz, day trip to Potsdam.
Munich (München): Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, Nymphenburg Palace, English Garden, day trips to Neuschwanstein Castle, Dachau Memorial, or the Alps.
Romantic Road (Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Füssen): Medieval towns and castles.
Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau: Bavaria’s famous “Disney” castle area near Füssen.
Rhine & Moselle valleys: Vineyards, castles (Marksburg, Rheinfels), river cruises, towns like Bacharach, Rüdesheim, Cochem.
Hamburg: Port city, Elbphilharmonie, Speicherstadt, Miniatur Wunderland.
Frankfurt: Gateway city with a mix of old town (Römer) and skyscrapers—good for arrivals/departures.
Cologne (Köln): Cathedral (Kölner Dom), Rhine views, carnival in season.
Dresden & Leipzig: Baroque architecture and music/history cities.
Black Forest (Schwarzwald): Lakes, spa towns like Baden-Baden, hiking, and villages.

Good to Know

Best time to visit: May–Sept for pleasant weather and outdoor cafés; Dec for Christmas markets; winter for ski trips to the Alps/Bavaria.
Public holidays & Sundays: Shops are often closed on Sundays and public holidays—plan grocery/retail shopping for weekdays or Saturdays.
Cash vs card: Card acceptance is much better than it used to be, but some small bakeries and older gasthäuser still prefer cash.
Tap water: Safe to drink everywhere—order “Leitungswasser” if the restaurant allows it.
Culture: Being on time is appreciated; keep noise down in residential areas at night.

Visa & Entry Requirements for Tourists from the U.S., Canada, EU, U.K., and Australia

EU/Schengen citizens: Free movement to Germany with valid ID/passport.
U.K. citizens: Visa-free short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) in Schengen, including Germany. Passport must meet Schengen validity rules.
U.S. citizens: Visa-free for tourism/business for up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area, provided your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure and issued within the last 10 years.
Canadian citizens: Also visa-free for 90/180 tourism in Schengen.
Australian citizens: Visa-free for 90/180 tourism in Schengen.
Important: You may be asked for proof of onward/return travel, accommodation details, and sufficient funds. Check for upcoming digital authorisation systems (such as ETIAS) before you travel and follow the latest German/EU guidance.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Euro (EUR, €).

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD often sits somewhere around 0.90–0.95 EUR, 1 GBP around 1.15–1.20 EUR, but rates move—check right before your trip.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 65–100 EUR/day – hostel/budget hotel, regional trains, street food/bakeries, 1–2 paid sights.
Midrange: 120–200 EUR/day – 2–3 star hotels near the center, regular restaurant meals, ICE or long-distance trains, museum passes.
Luxury: 230–380+ EUR/day – 4–5 star hotels, fine dining, first-class rail, private/organized day tours, wellness stays.

Tipping: Service is often not automatically included.

Credit card acceptance: Very good in cities, hotels, transport, and chains. Smaller rural businesses may prefer EC/debit or cash. Always have some euros on you.

ATMs: ATMs (Geldautomat) are easy to find at banks, train stations, and city centers. Avoid expensive independent ATMs in touristy areas—use bank ATMs instead.

Best way to get cash: Withdraw euros from a bank ATM with a low/zero-fee card and pay by card in hotels/restaurants whenever possible.

Language & Communication

Official language: German.
English: Widely understood in big cities, tourist attractions, and by younger people; less in rural/small-town areas—learn a few German basics (Hallo, Bitte, Danke).

SIM cards / eSIM

Main operators: Deutsche Telekom (Telekom), Vodafone, and O2. Several budget/MVNO brands run on these networks.
Where to buy: Airport/tourist kiosks, official operator stores, electronics chains (MediaMarkt, Saturn), and supermarkets. Bring your passport for registration.
Tourist eSIM: Very convenient—buy online before arrival; many EU eSIMs work across Schengen.
Coverage: Excellent in cities and along major rail lines; can be weaker in some rural/mountain/forest areas (Bavaria, Black Forest, Harz) but still workable.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 230V, 50 Hz.
Plugs: Type C and F (two round pins, Schuko). Travelers from the U.S./U.K./Australia will need an adapter and should check device voltage.

Getting Around

Trains: Deutsche Bahn (DB) runs frequent and comfortable trains. ICE high-speed trains connect major cities; IC/EC and regional trains fill the gaps. Book ahead for saver fares.
Regional tickets: Länder-tickets and regional day passes can make day trips very affordable—great for small groups.
Public transport in cities: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses are reliable and integrated. Buy tickets from machines or use contactless/official apps.
Car rental: Good for the Romantic Road, castles, and wine regions. Drive on the right. Parts of the Autobahn have no general speed limit, but many stretches do—watch the signs.
Domestic flights: Possible, but trains are often just as fast center-to-center for many routes.

Safety

Overall: Germany is very safe for tourists, including solo and family travelers.
Petty crime: The main issue is pickpocketing/bag theft in crowded areas (Berlin and Munich metros, big stations, Christmas markets, festivals like Oktoberfest). Keep bags zipped and in front.
Events/strikes: Rail strikes or demonstrations can affect transport—have a backup plan.
Driving: Follow Autobahn rules, keep right except to pass, and watch for speed cameras.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Petition/donation scams: Around major sights, someone may ask you to sign a petition or donate—politely decline.
Ticket resales: Buy train and attraction tickets from official websites or machines.
Taxi overcharging: Rare, but make sure the meter is on or use ride-hailing where available.
“Reserved” seats on trains: On long-distance trains, check the seat reservation screens to avoid sitting in booked seats.

Spend a few days in Berlin, ride the train south to Munich, add a castle day trip, and you will get Germany’s history, nature, and everyday café-and-bakery life in one smooth itinerary.