What is the best time to visit Germany?

The best time to visit Germany depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Brandenburger Tor. Check weather patterns for Europe before booking.

What currency does Germany use?

Germany uses the euro (€). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Germany?

Bratwurst is one of Germany's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Currywurst and Schweinshaxe. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit Germany visa-free?

93 countries can enter Germany without a visa, typically for up to 90 days. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Germany safe for tourists?

Germany is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Germany

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Western and Central…

Capital

Berlin

Language

German

Currency

euro (€)

Population

83.5M

Timezone

UTC+01:00

Visa-free access

93 countries

Travelling to Germany

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Western and Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north.

Germany is located in Western Europe, Europe. The capital is Berlin, and the official language is German. The local currency is the euro (€). With a population of 83.5M, Germany is one of the larger country in Europe.

Germany offers visa-free entry to 93 countries, with most stays allowed for up to 90 days. The remaining 105 passport holders need to apply at an embassy.

Top places to visit in Germany

Brandenburger Tor

A 26-metre high sandstone triumphal arch completed in 1791; this Neoclassical gateway is topped by the bronze Quadriga and represents the terminal point of Unter den Linden; stand at Pariser Platz at midnight when the yellow floodlights isolate the Doric columns against the black sky; the silence of the square provides a heavy contrast to its 1989 history of division.

Kölner Dom

A High Gothic masterpiece whose twin spires reach 157 metres; the cathedral took 632 years to complete and houses the gilded Shrine of the Three Kings; the interior turns amber at 4 pm when the western clerestory windows catch the low sun; illuminating the 13th-century floor mosaics; the air is thick with the scent of frankincense and the muffle of rubber-soled shoes on stone.

Schloss Neuschwanstein

A 19th-century Romanesque Revival citadel perched on a jagged alpine outcrop 800 metres above the Pöllat Gorge; the interior remains an unfinished Wagnerian fever dream of wood-carved grottoes and gilded thrones; walk to the Marienbrücke at dawn when the fog curls around the limestone turrets; the sound of the waterfall below is the only break in the cold mountain silence.

Museumsinsel

A UNESCO-listed ensemble of five world-class institutions; the Pergamon Museum features the massive 2nd-century BC Pergamon Altar and the glazed blue bricks of the Ishtar Gate; walk the central colonnade at noon when the natural light hits the Neoclassical facades; the scale of the classical statuary and the bullet-scarred walls of the Neues Museum provide a visceral timeline of German preservation and destruction.

Königssee

A fjord-like emerald lake enclosed by the 2,700-metre sheer limestone faces of the Watzmann massif; the water reaches depths of 190 metres and is remarkably pure; take the electric boat to St. Bartholomä at 9 am; listen for the trumpet echo against the Echo Wall; the sound is sharp and clinical against the moss-slicked basalt cliffs.

Altstadt

The definitive medieval Bavarian town enclosed by a complete 14th-century ring wall with 42 towers and gatehouses; the half-timbered gables of the Plönlein represent the zenith of Middle Ages urban planning; walk the covered battlements at dusk when the wood-smoke from hearths fills the narrow lanes; the sound of the Night Watchman’s iron-tipped staff on the cobblestones signals the city’s transition into night.

See all 20 places in Germany →

What to eat in Germany

Explore all Germany dishes →

Germany visa requirements

Visa-free

105

Visa required

Countries that can visit Germany visa-free

93 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 90 days.

Europe

Asia

United Arab Emirates90d

Americas

Oceania

Before you go to Germany

🛂

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Germany immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

✈️

Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

💱

Currency: euro

The local currency is €. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

🗣️

Language: German

German is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

🔌

Power & connectivity

Check Germany's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

🛂

Check your visa for Germany

Select your passport for an instant result.

🗺️

Germany 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

📍

Explore Germany

20 places, 6 dishes, and more.

More Europe travel guides

Popular destinations

FAQ · Germany

Germany — your questions

It depends on your passport. 93 countries can enter Germany visa-free. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.