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Germany

Travel Guide Germany

Diverse nature from the Wadden Sea in the north to the summit of the Zugspitze, the country's highest mountain in the south – Germany not only has a lot to offer in terms of history and culture but is also a great destination for nature lovers. Whether on foot, on horseback, in a canoe, by bike or by train, Germany can be discovered in many ways. In addition to the sixteen large national parks, there are numerous other nature reserves that protect and preserve various habitats and their flora and fauna. Here, outdoor lovers have the chance to discover native animal and plant species and enjoy nature to the fullest.
Thanks to its well-developed infrastructure and the wide range of offers for travellers, Germany is not only ideal for enthusiastic single travellers but also for families with children of all ages.

Highlights in Germany

The Bavarian Forest National Park is the first and oldest national park in Germany. Founded in 1970, the national park, together with the neighbouring Šumava National Park in the Czech Republic, forms the largest continuous forest area in Central Europe. A visit to the city of Munich is worthwhile in advance. Before you set off into the tranquility of nature, you can stroll through the historic old town and enjoy a traditional pretzel and beer.
Founded in 2004 and covering 110 km², the Eifel National Park offers visitors majestic beech forests, gnarled oak forests and unspoilt nature. In particular, the daffodil blossom from mid-April to early May is a unique natural spectacle. A well-developed network of hiking trails and information centres enables nature lovers to discover the park on their own and learn a lot about the local flora and fauna.
The Lower Saxony Wadden Sea, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, is also a highlight in Germany and a stark contrast to the Bavarian Forest or the Eifel. Characteristic of the Wadden Sea is the endless expanse of beaches, dunes and sandbanks. Naturally, flora and fauna in this ecosystem also differ significantly from the flora and fauna from the inner country. With a bit of luck, you can observe seals, grey seals or harbour porpoises in the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony. If you want to enjoy the vastness and peace and quiet, you can take part in a guided mudflat walk or explore the coast along the Wadden Sea by bike.
Besides the many natural attractions, Germany also has a lot to offer historically. A wirde range of castles and old monasteries have been preserved and can now be visited by tourists. Neuschwanstein Castle is certainly the most famous castle in Germany, but there are countless other historical sites worth seeing. If you travel to Northern Germany, you should plan a visit to Schwerin Castle which was idyllically built on a little island. The Heidelberg castle ruins are also a very popular destination for tourists and also offer wonderful views of the city and the Neckar River.

Geography of Germany

With nine neighbouring European countries, Germany is located in the heart of Europe. No other European country has that many neighbours. Germany borders the North Sea, Denmark and the Baltic Sea to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France to the west and Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands to the northwest. In the North Sea you can find the East Frisian Islands, Helgoland and some North Frisian Islands which also belong to Germany. In the Baltic Sea there are Fehmarn, Poel, Rügen, most of Usedom and some smaller islands.

The country is one of the most populous states in Europe.

The country covers an area of almost 350,000 km² which is divided from north to south into six major natural regions: the North German Lowlands, the Central European and South-West German Central Uplands, the Alpine foothills, the Alps and the maritime areas belonging to Germany. These regions were shaped in particular by the glaciers of the Quaternary Ice Age, around 2.5 million years ago, and by mountain formation, which took place over a period of 100 million years between the Cretaceous and Miocene periods.

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Geomorphology/Geology

The flat landscape of the north is interspersed with numerous lakes and marshes. The highest elevation is only just over 200 m. A popular destination here is the Mecklenburg Lake Plateau, where water lovers in particular get their money's worth.

The central European and south-west German low mountain range region is, as the name suggests, characterised by mountainous structures. The Volcanic Eifel or the Taunus, popular among hikers, are two of the mountain ranges found in this region.

There are also some well-known lakes in the Alpine foothills, such as Tegernsee and Lake Constance. The landscape is reminiscent of the geomorphological structures of the North German Plain, but the area of the greater region is several hundred metres larger than the area in the north. In addition to extensive woodland areas, the region is characterised by extensive green spaces which have been created and are being maintained through agricultural use. These pasture landscapes extend as far as the valleys of the Alps. In terms of surface area, the Alps are the smallest of all regions. However, the high mountains to be found here have altitudes between 1500 m and almost 3000 m. The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany at just over 2900 m and a popular destination for tourists and adventurers.

Travel Tips and Trivia for Germany

The public transport network in Germany is well developed. In urban areas, buses are a good means of getting from destination to another. There are also trams and underground trains in the larger cities. Various taxi companies also offer their services, although taxi rides are quite expensive. There are also bus connections in rural areas, some of which also transport bicycles. For longer distances, a trip by train or long-distance bus is recommended. If you prefer to drive your own car, you can also rent a car. This is certainly the most expensive option, but it also offers you a little more flexibility.
In Germany, there are different holidays depending on the federal state. The following list shows the public holidays that are considered public holidays in each federal state:
- 1 January: New Year
- 1 May: Labour Day
- 3 October: German Unity Day
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 26 December: Boxing Day
Moving holidays: Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday and Whit Monday
- In Germany it is forbidden to cross a street at a red light – if you are caught by the police, you have to pay a fine.
- Before you take a photo of people, you should ask for permission. This is something you should consider on each trip, no matter which country you go – out of respect for the person you want to photograph.
- Waste separation is very important in Germany. You should try to separate rubbish in your accommodation and in public if possible. There are usually several different bins for this purpose which are also labelled. Of course, it is a no-go to leave rubbish in nature.
- Compared to other countries, road traffic in Germany is very orderly. This also applies to the use of cycle paths. Pedestrians should not use cycle paths as footpaths and should watch out for cyclists when crossing a road.
- Germany has a long history with some dark chapters. Unfortunately, this also includes the period of National Socialism. Even though this period was several decades ago, the topic is still being dealt with. Nazi symbols and gestures are forbidden in Germany today and are punished under criminal law. It is offensive and disrespectful to make jokes or hurtful remarks about the victims of this horrible time.
- Punctuality is highly valued in Germany – according to the stereotype.
- There are rest periods in Germany. On Sundays, for example, you shouldn't take away any used glass or, if you get home from a party at 2am, make sure you don't make too much noise.

Climate in Germany

In Germany, travellers will find a temperate climate. Throughout the north, summers are usually warm and winters cool, but not too cold. In southern and eastern Germany, the temperature differences between the seasons are much greater. The months from June to September are the warmest with average temperatures of 21 to 25°C. January is usually the coldest month of the year. A lot of rain falls especially in the winter months, but it can also rain more frequently in summer. In southern Germany, snow also falls in winter, especially in the high and low mountain regions.

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Flora and Fauna in Germany

Deciduous and coniferous forests can be found throughout Germany, with the tree species beech and oak making up the majority of the deciduous forests. In German forests, hikers can admire various species of mushrooms and ferns, such as the golden-root mushroom or the bracken fern, which feel very comfortable here. In most waters you can find fish like the trout and other aquatic inhabitants.

Depending on the region, nature lovers can observe wild animals such as roe deer, wild boar, fox, badger or various bird species. Red deer or beavers are less frequently seen. In recent years, wolves and lynx have also returned to Germany, having previously become extinct in the country.

For bird lovers, autumn is a particularly good time to travel, as this is the time when the migration of various bird species such as the crane or the Canada goose towards the south takes place.

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Social Geography of Germany

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Germany has a population of about 80,600,000 people, more than any other country in the EU. The majority of the German population lives in urban centres. The biggest cities are Berlin, followed by Hamburg and Munich. The western part of the country is the most densely populated. Population density is lower in the north and east, with the exception of large cities like Berlin.

After the end of the World War II, many former German refugees returned to their home country and supported reconstruction. In the 1950s the German government began to recruit workers from abroad to improve the German economy. Many of these workers remained in Germany. Today the largest group of this ethnic minority is the Turkish community. In addition to migrants of Turkish origin, workers from Italy, Greece, Serbia, Russia and Poland have been coming to Germany since the 1950s.
The official language in Germany is German. Schools traditionally teach in High German, although there are strong differences between the dialects of the individual regions. For example, a resident of Hamburg might have some problems understanding someone from Munich. As a traveller, however, you don’t need to worry: Most information is in English and the younger generation in particular usually speaks good English.
Germany has a social market economy. The extensive system of social services and benefits provides security for all citizens. The government also subsidises certain industries and shares the costs of research and development with industry.

Germany has a very good economic position not only in Europe but also globally. Exports of machinery, especially cars, are Germany's strongest economic sector. The mechanical engineering sector is also an important employer.

Number 1 is the services sector. Around two thirds of the German workforce is employed in the service sector. These include trade, transport and communications, tourism, real estate, commerce, public administration and information technology services.

Although agriculture accounts for only a small part of the gross domestic product, agricultural products are also exported. In addition, Germany can cover part of its own requirements of certain foods. The main crops grown are cereals such as wheat, barley, maize and rye. Other important crops are potatoes, sugar beets, rape and various vegetables such as cabbage. Fruits such as apples and pears are also increasingly grown. Grapes are also grown and made into wine in south-western Germany. The valleys of the rivers Rhine, Neckar, Main and Moselle in the west are the most important growing areas for wine, being internationally renowned. In Bavaria, hops are grown for brewing beer.

The chemical industry has a long tradition in Germany, more than 100 years old. Today, mainly chemical products such as polymers, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals are produced in Germany.

Another historically relevant area is mining. Until the late 20th century, the mining of hard coal in the Ruhr area in western Germany was one of the most important areas of employment for the local population. However, due to competition from abroad, production declined significantly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The country's oil and natural gas reserves are very low which is why even today electricity is still mainly based on coal. Nuclear power plants are another source of electricity, but in 2000, the German government committed itself to phase out active nuclear power plants.