Country guide · Germany
Best places to visit in Germany
5 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: File:Museumsinsel Berlin Juli 2021 1 (cropped).jpg : Kasa Fue derivative work: Georgfotoar, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
For a first trip to Germany, start with Berlin: Cold War history, world-class museums and nights that never end. Berlin is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 5
- Best months overall
- May–September and December
- Start with
- Berlin
- Least expensive here
- Berlin
5 places to visit in Germany
Best: May–July, September and December · 4 days
Munich
Beer gardens, royal palaces, world-class art and the Alps on the horizon
Best: May–September and December · 2 days
Cologne
Gothic cathedral, Kölsch brewhouses and Germany's wildest carnival
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Best: May–September and December · 2 days
Frankfurt
Skyline, riverside museums and apple-wine taverns on the Main
Best: May–September · 3 days
Hamburg
Harbour city of brick warehouses, Alster lakes and the Elbphilharmonie
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate | May–September | 4 days | $150–$260 |
| Munich | Oktoberfest and Beer gardens | May–July, September and December | 4 days | $180–$320 |
| Cologne | Cologne Cathedral and Kölsch beer | May–September and December | 2 days | $150–$260 |
| Frankfurt | Skyline and Römerberg | May–September and December | 2 days | $170–$300 |
| Hamburg | Elbphilharmonie and Port of Hamburg | May–September | 3 days | $160–$280 |
When to visit Germany
Across these destinations the most reliable months are May–September and December. Timing still varies by place: Berlin is best in May–September; Munich is best in May–July, September and December; Cologne is best in May–September and December.
Signature dishes across Germany
| Destination | Try first | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Currywurst | Döner kebab and Berliner Pfannkuchen |
| Munich | White sausage | Pretzel and Roast pork knuckle |
| Cologne | Kölsch | Halve Hahn and Heaven and earth |
| Frankfurt | Frankfurt green sauce | Cheese with music and Apple wine |
| Hamburg | Fish sandwich | Franzbrötchen and Labskaus |
Events through the year in Germany
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Berlin: International Green Week — food and agriculture fair (usually January); Munich: Fasching carnival season (January to February) |
| February | Berlin: Berlinale international film festival (usually February); Munich: Fasching street celebrations at the Viktualienmarkt (usually Shrove Tuesday) |
| March | Munich: Starkbierzeit — strong-beer season in beer halls (usually during Lent); Cologne: Street carnival in years when Easter falls late (early March) |
| April | Berlin: Berlin Half Marathon (usually early April); Munich: Frühlingsfest — spring beer festival on the Theresienwiese (usually late April to early May) |
| May | Berlin: Labour Day street festivities in Kreuzberg (1 May); Munich: Maidult — traditional fair and market in Au (usually early May) |
| June | Berlin: Fête de la Musique — free concerts across the city (21 June); Munich: Tollwood summer festival at Olympiapark (usually late June to July) |
| July | Berlin: Berlin Pride (CSD) — large parade through the centre (usually late July); Munich: Munich Opera Festival (usually July) |
| August | Berlin: Long Night of Museums (usually August); Cologne: Gamescom video-game fair at Koelnmesse (usually August) |
| September | Berlin: Berlin Marathon (usually late September); Munich: Oktoberfest (usually from mid or late September to the first Sunday in October) |
| October | Berlin: Day of German Unity (3 October); Munich: Long Night of Munich Museums (usually October) |
| November | Berlin: Anniversary of the fall of the Wall (9 November); Munich: Christmas markets open (usually late November) |
| December | Berlin: Christmas markets at Charlottenburg Palace, Gendarmenmarkt and Breitscheidplatz (December); Munich: Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz (late November to 24 December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | Munich | 504 km |
| Berlin | Cologne | 477 km |
| Berlin | Frankfurt | 424 km |
| Berlin | Hamburg | 255 km |
| Munich | Cologne | 456 km |
| Munich | Frankfurt | 305 km |
| Munich | Hamburg | 612 km |
| Cologne | Frankfurt | 153 km |
| Cologne | Hamburg | 356 km |
| Frankfurt | Hamburg | 393 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to Germany?
Berlin: Berlin is a sprawling, green city of distinct neighbourhoods, reunited only in 1990 after 28 years divided by the Wall. Mitte holds the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag dome, Museum Island and the Holocaust Memorial…
+When is the best time to visit Germany?
Generally May–September and December, though it varies by region.