Germany
About Germany
Germany rewards short trips more than long itineraries. The Bavarian Alps in the south, the sandstone towers of Saxon Switzerland in the east, and the Black Forest in the west are three completely different landscapes, and each is a comfortable long weekend rather than a two-week route. Everything below came from exactly that — single hikes and two-day road trips rather than one grand tour.
Best experience: Garmisch-Partenkirchen — the Partnachklamm gorge and the hike around it.
- Königssee and the Berchtesgaden Alps
- The hike behind Neuschwanstein — better than the castle itself
- The Partnachklamm gorge at Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- The Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland
- Black Forest Christmas markets
Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: June to September for hiking; late November and December for the Christmas markets
- Currency: Euro
- Language: German, English widely spoken in cities
- Transportation: Excellent long-distance and regional rail network, A car is worth it for the Alps, the Black Forest and Saxon Switzerland, Flixbus is the cheapest way between cities and into neighbouring countries
Latest Articles
Königssee: The Boat, the Obersee and the Ice Chapel Hike
How to plan a full day at Königssee - the boat to St. Bartholomä and Salet, the walk to the Obersee, and the 3-4 hour hike to the Eiskapelle ice chapel.
Neuschwanstein: Skip the Castle, Do the Hike Behind It
Why I didn't go inside Neuschwanstein and don't regret it - the hike behind the castle, the Marienbrücke closure problem, and why the Alpsee below is worth your afternoon.
Hiking the Partnachklamm: Bavaria's Spectacular Gorge Walk
Walking the Partnachklamm gorge near Garmisch-Partenkirchen - a path cut and tunnelled straight into the rock walls, with the river thundering below.
Saxon Switzerland: The Bastei Bridge Hike from Kurort Rathen
A day trip from Dresden to Saxon Switzerland National Park - the hike up to the Bastei Bridge from Kurort Rathen, and why you should budget 30 minutes just for the photo.
2-Day Black Forest Christmas Road Trip (and the Ravennaschlucht Parking Trap)
A 2-day Christmas road trip through the Black Forest - Strasbourg's market, Freiburg, Triberg waterfalls and the Ravennaschlucht market under the railway viaduct, where you must book parking in advance.
Regensburg to Dresden Road Trip: Bamberg, Spreewald and Saxon Switzerland
A road trip from Regensburg to Dresden through eastern Germany - stopping at Bamberg on the way, then the canals of the Spreewald and the Bastei Bridge once you arrive.
Quick Facts
- Capital: Berlin
- Time Zone: CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2 in summer)
- Visa Requirements: Schengen Visa required for most non-EU citizens
Cultural Notes
- Sunday closing is real — most shops shut all day
- Cash is still expected in smaller places; don't assume card
- Tap water is safe, but restaurants will default to selling you bottled
- Trails are well signed and colour-coded, and signage is trusted