Germany Travel Guide: Berlin Munich Castles & Rhine

Welcome to Germany! Explore Germany, a diverse country in the heart of Europe offering vibrant cities, fairytale castles, scenic river valleys, dense forests, and rich history and culture. Discover the historical significance and dynamic energy of Berlin, experience Bavarian traditions (and Oktoberfest!) in Munich, drive the picturesque Romantic Road, marvel at Neuschwanstein Castle, cruise the Rhine Valley past vineyards and castles, or hike in the Black Forest. Easily accessible with excellent transport links, Germany has something for everyone. This guide covers the essentials for your trip.

Navigate this guide:

Best Time to Travel
Getting There (Flights, Trains, Driving)
Top 10 Places & Activities
Accommodation in Germany
Why Book With Me?
FAQ About Traveling to Germany
Plan Your German Trip

Best Time to Travel to Germany

Germany experiences four distinct seasons:

Spring (April to May): Pleasant weather as temperatures warm up. Flowers bloom, beer gardens open. Good time for city breaks and exploring before peak summer crowds.
Summer (June to August): Warmest months, ideal for outdoor activities, festivals, beer gardens, hiking in the Alps/forests. Peak tourist season, can be busy in popular areas.
Autumn (September to October): Often beautiful weather continues into September. Fall foliage colours landscapes. Wine festivals take place along rivers (Rhine, Moselle). Oktoberfest in Munich (late Sep/early Oct). Fewer crowds than summer later in season.
Winter (November to March): Cold, especially inland and south, with snow common. Famous for charming Christmas markets (‘Weihnachtsmaerkte’) across the country (late Nov-Dec). Good time for cosy city breaks or skiing in the Bavarian Alps. Fewer tourists outside Christmas market season.

Getting There (Flights, Trains, Driving)

Germany is extremely well-connected:

Flights: Numerous direct flights operate year-round from many European hubs and international airports to multiple German cities including Berlin (BER), Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA), Hamburg (HAM), Duesseldorf (DUS), Cologne/Bonn (CGN), Stuttgart (STR), etc. Airlines include major carriers and budget options. Flight times from nearby countries are short.
Trains: Possible via high-speed rail links from neighbouring countries like France (Paris), Belgium (Brussels), connecting to Germany’s high-speed ICE trains to cities like Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin.
Driving/Ferries: Possible via ferry crossings to France/Netherlands/Belgium and driving, or using rail tunnels like the Channel Tunnel if coming from the UK. Germany has an excellent motorway network (Autobahn – note some sections have no speed limit).
Getting Around Germany: Excellent and efficient public transport. Deutsche Bahn (DB) operates extensive high-speed (ICE) and regional train network. Major cities have good U-Bahn (metro), S-Bahn (suburban rail), tram, bus systems. Driving is easy outside major city centres.

Top 10 Places & Activities in Germany

Berlin:** Germany’s dynamic capital, rich in history and culture. Visit Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building (book dome visit ahead), Museum Island (UNESCO site with Pergamon, Neues Museum etc.), East Side Gallery (longest remaining stretch of Berlin Wall), Checkpoint Charlie, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Explore diverse neighbourhoods (Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg).

Best Hotels in Berlin: Budget (Grand Hostel Berlin Classic Kreuzberg £20-£40/dorm), Mid-Range (Hotel AMANO Grand Central £100-£160), Luxury (Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin £300+).

Berlin for Families, Solo Travellers & Wheelchair Users: Great for solos (history, nightlife, museums). Families enjoy Tiergarten park, museums, boat trips. Accessibility generally good; U-Bahn/S-Bahn network improving but not all stations fully accessible. Major museums usually accessible.

Top things to do Berlin: Brandenburg Gate & Reichstag visit, Museum Island exploration, East Side Gallery walk, Berlin Wall Memorial & Documentation Centre, Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Tiergarten park stroll.

Where to stay Berlin: Mitte (central, sights), Prenzlauer Berg (families, cafes, boutiques), Kreuzberg (alternative, nightlife), Charlottenburg (West Berlin, upscale shopping).
Munich (Muenchen):** Capital of Bavaria. Explore Marienplatz (central square with Glockenspiel), visit the Hofbraeuhaus beer hall, English Garden (Englischer Garten – surfing on Eisbach river wave), Deutsches Museum (science/technology). Famous for Oktoberfest beer festival (late Sep/early Oct). Gateway to Bavarian Alps.

Best Hotels in Munich: Budget (Wombat’s City Hostel Munich Hauptbahnhof £25-£45/dorm), Mid-Range (Hotel Schlicker zum Goldenen Loewen near Marienplatz £130-£200), Luxury (Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Muenchen £350+).

Munich for Families, Solo Travellers & Wheelchair Users: Safe, walkable centre good for solos. Families enjoy Deutsches Museum, English Garden, nearby Alps. City centre largely accessible; good public transport.

Top things to do Munich: Marienplatz & Glockenspiel, Hofbraeuhaus visit, English Garden stroll/surf watch, Deutsches Museum, Viktualienmarkt food market, day trip to Neuschwanstein.

Where to stay Munich: Altstadt (Old Town – near Marienplatz), Maxvorstadt (museums, university), Schwabing (bohemian, cafes), near Hauptbahnhof (station – convenient but less charm).
Neuschwanstein Castle:** Fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II in Bavaria, perched dramatically on a hill. Inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. Book tickets well in advance. Often visited as day trip from Munich or Fuessen.

Access: Requires bus/walk uphill from Hohenschwangau village to castle entrance/viewpoints.
Romantic Road (Romantische Strasse):** Popular scenic driving route (approx 400km) through Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg, linking picturesque medieval towns like Wuerzburg (Residenz UNESCO), Rothenburg ob der Tauber (well-preserved walled town), Dinkelsbuehl, Noerdlingen (in meteorite crater), ending near Fuessen (Neuschwanstein).
Black Forest (Schwarzwald):** Forested mountain region in southwest Germany. Known for hiking trails, charming villages (Triberg – waterfalls, cuckoo clocks), spa town Baden-Baden, scenic drives (Schwarzwaldhochstrasse).
Hamburg:** Major port city with maritime atmosphere. Explore Speicherstadt (UNESCO warehouse district) and modern HafenCity, visit Miniatur Wunderland (model railway), enjoy nightlife around Reeperbahn (St Pauli district), take harbour boat tour, visit Elbphilharmonie concert hall.
Cologne (Koeln):** Famous for its magnificent Gothic Cathedral (Koelner Dom – UNESCO site, climb tower for views). Visit Roman-Germanic Museum, Ludwig Museum (modern art), walk along Rhine river, explore Old Town, sample local Koelsch beer.
Rhine Valley (Middle Rhine UNESCO):** Scenic stretch between Bingen and Koblenz. Known for steep vineyards, numerous castles perched above the river (e.g., Marksburg, Rheinfels), charming towns (Ruedesheim, Bacharach). Best explored by river cruise or driving/cycling along river banks.
Dresden:** Capital of Saxony, beautifully rebuilt after WWII bombing. Visit Frauenkirche church, Zwinger Palace (art museums), Semperoper opera house.
Nuremberg (Nuernberg):** Bavarian city known for its imperial castle, well-preserved old town walls, Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Christmas market (Christkindlesmarkt).

Accommodation in Germany

Excellent range and quality throughout the country:

Budget: Hostels (Jugendherbergen/DJH & independent), budget hotel chains (B&B Hotels, Motel One often good value), simple guesthouses (Gasthof/Pension) (£20-£50 dorm/basic room).
Mid-Range: Numerous comfortable hotels (independent & chains like IntercityHotel, NH, Mercure), apartments (‘Ferienwohnung’ – FeWo), traditional inns (£70-£160).
Luxury: High-end international and German hotel chains, spa hotels, castle hotels, boutique design hotels (£160 – £400+).

Why Book With Me?

From Berlin’s history to Bavaria’s castles, Travelistry organises your German experience efficiently.

Personalised Service: Itineraries for city breaks, scenic drives (Romantic Road), exploring specific regions (Bavaria, Rhine), Christmas markets, historical tours.
Expert Knowledge: Best transport options (train vs car), navigating cities, booking trains (DB), finding charming accommodation, regional highlights.
Stress-Free Planning: We handle flights/trains, hotels/Gasthoefe, train tickets, car hire, key tours and attraction tickets (Neuschwanstein).
Value for Money: Finding deals on transport and accommodation across Germany’s generally mid-range price point.
Support: Assistance throughout your German trip.

FAQ About Traveling to Germany

Do I need a visa to travel to Germany from the UK? No, as Germany is part of the Schengen Area, UK citizens do not need a visa for short tourist stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). A valid passport is required.
What is the currency? The currency is the **Euro (EUR)**. ATMs (Geldautomat) are widespread. Card payments are very common, but carrying some cash is still useful, especially in smaller towns/markets or for smaller purchases.
Is Germany expensive? Costs can vary. Major cities like Munich or Frankfurt tend to be more expensive. Good value is possible outside major hubs and by utilizing budget accommodation and transport options.
Is it safe? Germany is a very safe country with low crime rates. Take standard precautions against pickpocketing in crowded cities, tourist sites, and train stations. Always check your home country’s travel advice before departure.
What language is spoken? German is the official language. English proficiency is generally very high, especially in cities and among younger people. You can easily get by with English in most tourist situations.