Is Germany Worth Visiting? 21 Reasons to Visit Germany

Germany is a wonderful country that I’ve called home since 2011. And while it often gets overlooked in favor of countries like Italy or France, Germany is a country rich in history and culture and interesting regional differences. So is Germany worth visiting? I certainly think so, and I’m going to share the many reasons to visit Germany in this article.

Aside from the history and the culture, Germany has gorgeous landscapes and intriguing cities. Or come for the tasty German beer. There are so many things to do and places to visit in Germany, and even if every reason on this list doesn’t grab you, I’m certain at least a few will.

Reasons to Visit Germany

After reading these reasons to visit Germany, I’m sure you’ll see why you should take a trip to Germany at least once in your lifetime.

Lively cities

Germany is a great country to visit if you like cities. From big cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, to smaller ones like Dresden, Leipzig, and Freiburg, you have your pick of city experiences in Germany.

Of course I’m partial to Berlin, my adopted home city. I think Berlin is worth visiting because it’s fascinating, loaded with history, arts, diverse cuisine, and a personality of its own, distinct from the rest of Germany.

But it’s worth including at least two or three cities on any Germany itinerary since each one is unique. Germany has regional differences, and you won’t see that if you only go to one city. You don’t have to debate about Munich vs Berlin, you can visit both.

Try one week in Germany from Berlin to Munich, or one week in Germany’s East, including Berlin, Leipzig, and Dresden.

Beautiful nature

Despite all the bustling cities you can visit in Germany, the country is always a fantastic place for nature lovers.

From the Black Forest to the Bavarian Alps, from the beaches of the north coasts to the Spreewald forest and Saxon Switzerland National Park in the east, there’s something for everyone.

You can combine a bit of nature with your city time. Take a day trip from Berlin to the Spreewald, or plan a weekend trip from Berlin.

Or choose to spend your whole Germany vacation enjoying the outdoors. Go hiking in warmer seasons or hit the slopes in the winter.

Medieval towns

Another reason to visit Germany is to see its charming medieval towns.

Take a trip along the Romantic Road to see Rothenburg ob der Tauber and several others on the route. Or check out Quedlinburg, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Germany. Görlitz near the Polish border is another town that escaped WWII damage and has a very well preserved old town.

The cobbled streets and half-timbered houses will make you feel like you’re stepping back in time.

World War II history

Germany is the best place to visit to learn about World War II history, and that alone makes Germany worth visiting for many people. It’s dark history, but it’s important to continue teaching about those events.

You’ll find lots of Hitler and WWII historical links in Munich and Nuremberg, but Berlin has lots of WWII sites too. And as depressing as they are, concentration camps like Sachsenhausen and Dachau are important to visit.

Cold War history

The Cold War was such an interesting period in Germany’s history since it divided the country. And it was so recent, you can still see the effects it had on Germany.

It’s worth visiting Germany to learn about this time period and how different East and West Germany were. Even more so, come to Berlin to see how the Berlin Wall shaped the city.

Berlin is the best place for Cold War attractions, and there are many places around the city where you can see remnants of the Berlin Wall.

World class museums

Germany has so many worthwhile museums to visit, covering all sorts of topics and themes. It’s not just art museums though. You can also visit technology museums, history museums, archeology museums, and museums focused on cars, and so much more.

Munich has the Deutsche Museum, which is the largest technical museum in the world and focuses on natural sciences. You can also visit the Alte Pinakothek, which is an art gallery and Munich’s oldest museum, the BMW Museum, the Bavarian National Museum, quirky ones like the Potato Museum, and more.

Hamburg has the fantastic Miniatur Wunderland model railway museum, my personal favorite in all of Germany. There’s also Hamburger Kunsthalle, which is one of the country’s largest art museums, Spicy’s Spice Museum, the International Maritime Museum, and more.

Berlin has the UNESCO Museum Island complex, Topography of Terror, the Stasi Museum, the DDR Museum, Humboldt Forum, the Hamburger Bahnhof art museum, quirky ones like the Museum of Disgusting Food and the Lipstick Museum, and so many other amazing museums.

If you’re a fan of museums, Germany has you covered.

Stunning castles

Germany is probably one of the first places you think of when you want to see amazing castles. Visit a few castles in Berlin and nearby Potsdam, check out Neuschwanstein on a day trip from Munich, or plan an entire trip around the country to see some of Germany’s best castles.

Other amazing castles you should see include Schloss Schwerin, Burg Eltz, Heidelberg Castle, and Lichtenstein Castle, just to name a few. The Germany tourism board says there are around 25,000 castles, palaces, and manors in Germany, and that is quite impressive.

Christmas markets

Sure, other countries in Europe have Christmas markets, but you can’t beat visiting the country that invented them during the holiday season. Pretty much every city and town in the country has at least one Christmas market, and lots of cities have multiple markets.

You can visit more than 60 Christmas markets in Berlin alone, ranging from traditional to cultural to wacky. Dresden is home to the world’s oldest Christmas market, and it’s quite wonderful.

If you’re looking for reasons to visit Germany in December, look no further than Glühwein, holiday treats, and unique souvenirs you can buy at Christmas markets, all combined with the unbeatable atmosphere.

Festivals

Germany certainly loves to celebrate. Oktoberfest is by far the most famous festival in Germany, but there are lots of others around the country.

Summertime almost anywhere in Germany means beer and wine festivals, but also music festivals. Lots of cities have fun Gay Pride festivals. The Carnival of Cultures festival in Berlin celebrates cultural diversity.

Karneval in Cologne is huge, but there are Carnival (like Mardi Gras) celebrations all over the country. The Berlinale Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in the world.

Berlin in spring means cherry blossoms and festivals that celebrate these pretty pink trees. Autumn in Berlin brings the Festival of Lights.

Germany is be worth visiting for those of you who enjoy festivals, celebrations, and having a good time.

River cruises

River cruises can be a fun way to visit several destinations without the hassle of transport to get from one to the next. You can take these cruises all over Europe (and the world really) but Germany has several rivers that take you to some impressive locations.

You can take day cruises on the Rhine River and Moselle River to see tons of impressive castles. But there are also multi-day cruises on the Rhine that go to cities in other regions, too.

Or you can cruise the Danube and see Regensburg and Passau before heading off to Austria and beyond. Some take you along the Rhine and the Main, visiting several cities in southern Germany.

Road trips

Even though Germany has great public transportation, sometimes a road trip is the perfect type of vacation. Cities in Germany are well connected by the Autobahn and other highways, but you can also take the scenic route.

Germany road trips allow you to pull over (where legal and safe!) to admire that cute village or castle ruins. Go at your own pace and be spontaneous.

Follow the Romantic Road (not an actual road but a route of towns) or get off the beaten path while visiting Germany. No matter what, road trips are a great reason to visit Germany.

Get a quote for a rental car here, and start planning your trip to Germany.

Spas

Germans love their spas, and there’s no better place to come for excellent spa culture. In fact, the spa town of Baden-Baden has recently been included in the Spa Towns of Europe UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But you can find world class spas in almost any city or town in Germany. Just be aware that they are typically a no clothing zone.

>>Read: How to Get From Berlin to Tropical Islands +Tips for Your Visit

Food

I know, Germany is not well known for its cuisine. But I promise, there is delicious food here. If anything, you should visit Germany to learn about the food and discover that it is actually quite tasty.

Travel to different parts of the country, and pay close attention. The regional differences are very interesting. From fish sandwiches in Hamburg to Nuremberg sausages in Nuremberg, and of course the endless varieties of bread, you can find so many interesting dishes to try in Germany.

Wine

Germany is pretty well known for Riesling, but there are many other types of wine here. The Rhine Valley region is the biggest wine producing area in the country, and you can try lots of different types here.

But even if you’re not visiting the Rhine or Mosel Rivers, be sure to try different wines on offer at local restaurants. I’m sure you’ll find a few you enjoy.

Beer

Of course the beer is much more famous than the wine, and it is certainly a good reason to visit Germany. The Reinheitsgebot is the German beer purity law that has been in place for well over 500 years. It limits the ingredients of beer to just water, hops, and barley.

This has led to a high standard for the quality of beer, and many people agree that it’s worth visiting Germany for the beer. But since the strict limitations of what can go into beer can mean not a lot of variety, make sure you also try some craft beer in Berlin and other cities around the country.

Biergartens are also legendary in Germany, and they exist in just about every town and city. If you’re visiting in warm weather, be sure to relax at a beer garden at least once.

It’s a safe country

In general, Germany has low crime rates, and you’re unlikely to encounter dangerous situations. Of course, like anywhere, you have to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. But overall, Germany is a safe place to travel.

Easy to get around

It’s very easy to get around in Germany if you don’t have a car, making it an easy travel destination for everyone. Use Deutsche Bahn for train travel and FlixBus for buses if you’re on a budget.

Almost every town in the country has a train station, and the ones that don’t usually have a bus connection to a train station. I’ve been living in Germany for over 12 years without a German drivers license, so I use the trains all the time.

And if you really want the flexibility of a rental car, Germany has safe roads that will connect you to destinations all over the country.

English is commonly spoken

While it’s always polite to learn a few words of the language when you travel, you’ll be happy to know that English is widely spoken, especially in cities and touristy areas. Berlin is an international city with residents from all over the world, and often English becomes the common language.

As you travel around to different parts of Germany, you usually won’t have a problem finding someone who speaks and understands enough English to help you out if you have a question. Restaurant menus and signs in museums are often in both German and English.

Easy to combine with other parts of Europe

Germany is well connected, so it’s easy to combine with other countries in Europe.

You could plan a trip to see both Munich and Vienna, or Berlin to Prague. Or visit the Rhine Valley plus Paris. The combinations are endless, and you are sure to find trains and flights to other destinations around Europe.

Art and culture

Germany is a wonderful country to visit for the arts and cultural activities.

You’ll find tons of art museums and theaters in major cities all over Germany. Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie is a fantastic choice, but you could also see an opera in Berlin. Fun fact about Berlin: The city boasts three opera houses.

Berlin is also home to the UNESCO Museum Island complex. And on the other end of the spectrum, it’s a great city to visit if you’re into street art because you can enjoy the murals all over Berlin, take a street art tour, or go to the Urban Nation street art museum.

Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, and many other cities also have endless choices for art museums, musical performances, and more. This is definitely a country that values artistic ability.

Not so expensive

OK so Germany won’t make any list of cheapest countries in Europe, but it is a reasonable place to visit on a budget. With bakeries practically on every corner, you can easily get breakfast and lunch for just a few euros. And there are other options for inexpensive meals, like currywurst and doner.

Lodging is likely to be one of your biggest expenses, but you can find lots of hostels, pensions, and guesthouses to save money. Book someplace that has a kitchen, and you can save some money by cooking a few meals.

For transportation, book your train tickets well in advance (months ahead if you can) for the best prices and compare Deutsche Bahn with Flixbus to find the cheapest option. Stick to one or two regions of the country so you can take advantage of regional train passes.

And luckily another reason to visit Germany is the abundance of free activities. There are loads of free museums, memorials, monuments, parks, and other attractions all over the country. You don’t have to skip Germany because of a tight budget.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this list of reasons to visit Germany helps you see why you should go to Germany. But there are lots more tips on the site!