Germany

General information

Germany is the most populous country in the European Union and its largest economy, a federal republic of sixteen states stretching from the Alps in the south to the Baltic and North Sea coasts. It combines medieval old towns, fairy-tale castles and world-class museums with a modern, efficient infrastructure, and its regions feel remarkably distinct — the beer halls of Bavaria, the cathedrals of the Rhineland, the forests and spa towns of the south, the ports of the north. German is the official language, though English is widely spoken in cities. Safe, well organised and easy to travel, Germany is famous for its Christmas markets, beer culture, engineering and landscapes that range from the Black Forest to the Baltic dunes.

Transport and how to get there

Germany's biggest gateway is Frankfurt Airport (FRA), one of Europe's largest hubs, followed by Munich (MUC) and Berlin Brandenburg (BER), with further international airports at Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne. Once in the country, Deutsche Bahn runs one of the best rail networks in Europe: high-speed ICE trains link the major cities (Berlin to Munich in under four hours), while regional trains and long-distance coaches (FlixBus) reach almost everywhere. The dense Autobahn network makes driving straightforward, and Germany's central position means it is easy to reach overnight by train from neighbouring countries.

Prices

Germany is mid-priced for Western Europe and often better value than its neighbours. Expect roughly 70-140 EUR per night for a mid-range hotel (more in Munich or during big trade fairs), with hostels from about 25 EUR. A meal at a casual restaurant is around 12-20 EUR, and beer is famously cheap — often 4-5 EUR for half a litre in a pub, less in shops. City transport day tickets run about 7-9 EUR, and many world-class museums charge 10-14 EUR, with some state collections free. Prices are approximate and vary by city and season.

Main attractions

Berlin leads with the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Museum Island and remnants of the Wall; Munich charms with the Marienplatz, beer gardens and Oktoberfest. Nearby rises the storybook Neuschwanstein Castle, the model for Disney's fairy-tale palace. Other highlights include the soaring Cologne Cathedral, the vineyards and castles of the Rhine Valley, the Romantic Road through walled towns like Rothenburg, the rebuilt baroque splendour of Dresden, and the maritime energy of Hamburg's harbour. Add the Black Forest, alpine lakes and countless Christmas markets, and Germany rewards every kind of traveller.