Germany

Good to know

1. 1Germany is made up of sixteen states, and regional identity is strong. Bavaria, the Rhineland and the Hanseatic north each have their own food, dialects and festivals.
2. 2Berlin was divided for nearly three decades by the Wall, and the city still shows that history in its museums, memorials and the line of the old border.
3. 3Bread is taken seriously here, with hundreds of regional varieties, and many people eat a bread-based breakfast and a lighter evening meal called Abendbrot.
4. 4Beer is part of everyday life, and each region has its own styles, such as Kölsch in Cologne and Weissbier in Bavaria. Wine is also made, mostly along the Rhine, Mosel and a few other river valleys.
5. 5Germany has a long tradition of Christmas markets, which appear in towns and cities across the country in the weeks before Christmas.
6. 6The currency is the euro, though cash is still used more widely than in some neighbouring countries.

Tips for a first visit

• Carry some cash. Many small restaurants, bakeries and market stalls prefer it or accept only certain cards.
• Be on time. Punctuality matters in both social and business settings, and trains and appointments are expected to keep to the schedule.
• Most shops close on Sundays, so buy groceries and anything you need the day before.
• Try regional dishes rather than only the famous ones: Maultaschen in the southwest, Currywurst in Berlin, fresh fish in the north.
• Tap water is safe to drink, but restaurants usually serve bottled water, either still or sparkling, so ask for what you prefer.
• Greet shopkeepers and staff when you walk in, and wait for the green pedestrian light even when the street looks empty.

When to go

Late spring and early autumn are mild and pleasant for cities, hiking and wine regions. Summer is warm and long, good for lakes, beer gardens and festivals, while winter is cold and dark but brings Christmas markets and snowy mountains in the south. Spring and autumn are also good for avoiding the busiest crowds.

Getting around

Trains link nearly all the large cities, with fast intercity services on the main routes and slower regional trains reaching smaller towns. Long-distance buses are a cheaper but slower alternative, and the motorway network makes driving easy if you want to reach villages and countryside. Within cities, you can usually rely on trams, buses, and metro or suburban trains.