Germany

Germany is a country of distinct regions rather than one centre: Baltic coast in the north, forested uplands in the middle, Alps and beer culture in the south. Intercity trains connect the major cities in a few hours, and every city has a walkable core. Museums and industrial heritage are unusually strong, and the Christmas market season reshapes the calendar.

Cities

Berlin

Berlin is spread out and low-rise, with its history written across the centre in fragments: Prussian museums on one island, Cold War remains a few stops away, and reinvented industrial buildings in between. Public transport is what makes it manageable. Three days is enough for the core museums and two outer neighbourhoods.

Munich

Munich is Bavaria's capital, with a compact centre around Marienplatz, a very large city park and the Alps an hour south by train. Beer halls and gardens are a real part of daily life rather than a tourist set piece. It works well as a base for day trips to the lakes and to Neuschwanstein.

When to go

See all seasons

• Spring: Mild with long evenings; beer gardens open.
• Summer: Warm, busiest in the Alps and on the Baltic coast.
• Autumn: Oktoberfest, wine harvest and forest colour.

Entry & visas

Entry rules for this country aren't published here yet.

Always confirm entry rules with the official source before you book.