Welcome to Germany

A mosaic of historic towns, exciting cities and breathtaking natural beauty, Germany is a one-stop-shop European vacation.

Overdose on arts and culture in Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg, stroll through traditional Christmas markets, Oktoberfest celebrations and medieval Old Towns. From Heidelberg to the Bavarian Alps, Cologne to the Black Forest, Germany is Europe on a grand scale.

Spend time at the Brandenburg Gate, once part of the infamous Berlin Wall, and explore the treasures of Museum Island. Raise your eyes to the towering Cologne Cathedrals, one of the largest in Europe and dating to the 13th century. Wander through half-timbered villages in the Black Forest, between the Rhine and Danube river valleys. Explore the picturesque Neuschwanstein Castle, inspiration for Walt Disney’s famous theme park castles.

Venture to Rügen, the largest of the German Baltic islands and a wonderland for nature enthusiasts. Don’t forget to sample white asparagus in the springtime, chanterelle mushrooms in the summer, sausages, schnitzel and so much more, all washed down with foamy, regional beer or a remarkable Riesling.

Unique Facts

• The country’s oldest zoo, the Berlin Zoological Garden, opened in 1844. They claim to have more than 1,300 species of animals.
• The world’s narrowest street is Spreuerhofstrasse in Reutlingen, Germany. It’s about one foot wide at its narrowest and one and a half feet at its widest.
• Oktoberfest is a historic and much revered two week festival in Munich, starting in late September. It dates back to October 12, 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich all came out to celebrate and Oktoberfest was born!
• The country’s capital has changed several times. It was Aachen, Regensburg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Berlin, Weimar and Bonn. It is now Berlin and has been since 1990.
• There are more than 1,000 varieties of sausages available to try in Germany. The most popular is currywurst, which involves sausages covered in spicy curry.

Language

Germany’s official language is German.

When To Go

The best time to go to Germany is during the summer. While the crowds are heavier, the whole country enjoys beautiful weather at this time. If you want to avoid the crowds, consider spring or autumn. Late November until Christmas is the time to visit for traditional holiday markets and anytime in the winter months is suitable for those participating in snow sports.

Airports

Frankfurt Airport
Munich Airport
Düsseldorf Airport
Berlin Airport
Cologne-Bonn Airport
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport
Hamburg Airport
Stuttgart Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for three months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of less than 90 days.

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Germany: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types C and F. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Euro

Getting Around

Road conditions throughout Germany are excellent but can differ from those in the United States. Speed limits are posted on large stretches of the highway, on the Autobahn in urban areas and when the road has many curves.

German streets and sidewalks have dedicated bike lanes. Bicycles have priority use of bike lanes over pedestrians and automobiles. Bicyclists also have priority over cars when turning onto side streets.

High-speed trains connect all major cities in Germany, as well as destinations within Europe. Buses, streetcars and subways operate in major cities. Metered taxis are prevalent. Consider renting a car to explore the Black Forest and Schleswig-Holstein regions.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Berlin
Clayallee 170,
14191 Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
Telephone: +(49) (30) 8305-0
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(49) (30) 8305-0
Fax: +(49) (30) 8305-1215
ACSBerlin@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Welcome Center Germany
Friedrichstraße 171
10117 Berlin, Germany
Tel: +49 30 220127515

Frankfurt Tourist Information Römer
Römerberg 27
60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Dusseldorf Tourist Office
Marktstraße 6d
40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
Tel: +49 211 17202840

MunichTourist information Center
Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 3
80539 München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 24231768

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

General Emergency: 112

Safety and Security

The crime rate is relatively low in Germany. Crimes of opportunity, such as pickpocketing, mostly occur on public transportation and at major tourist sites.