Enchanting  Germany holidays & tours

Currently, UK citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Germany for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page.

Both Germany cities and countryside see their share of tourists, so there are Germany tours for every interest. One of the most visited attractions across the whole country is Cologne cathedral, the medieval Gothic highlight of a trip to this enticing city. The capital Berlin with its sights and often turbulent history is similarly popular, along with Munich, although there’s plenty to discover in all the country’s cities. Germany’s picturesque historic villages, especially those along the Romantic Road, are another highlight of Germany holidays, as is the scenery of the Black Forest and Bavaria. Another favourite way to see several of the top tourist destinations in Germany in one go is a river cruise, especially a Rhine cruise but also on Danube river cruises starting in Munich.

Germany uses the Euro. Major credit and debit cards are also widely accepted and ATMs are easy to find in urban areas.

There isn’t really a bad time to visit Germany, but it will depend on where you’re planning to visit and what you’re planning to do. The north and the mountains of the south are cooler than the south-west, for example, so if you’re visiting in winter, you can expect the northern cities to be cold. However, there are wonderful Christmas markets in midwinter and fantastic conditions for winter sports and skiing in the mountains. The shoulder season of May-June and September-October are usually best to visit the cities or to take a cruise on the Rhine or Danube as it isn’t too hot but you should avoid the worst of the wet weather. September and October also see many of Germany’s festivals, including the famous Oktoberfest in Munich. July and August can be very hot so it’s not a great time for city breaks, but it’s a lovely time to get outdoors on the cooler coast and in the mountains.

Germany is known for its sausages, sauerkraut, breads and beer but that’s only the beginning of the must-try German foods and drinks to look out for on your Germany holidays. With different influences across the country, you’ll also find different dishes if you’re visiting Munich versus Cologne, for example. In the former, look out for schnitzel, usually made from pork or turkey rather than the traditional Austrian veal, as well as käsespätzle, a sort of pasta layered with cheese and fried onions. Meanwhile in Cologne, himmel un ääd (which translates to Heaven and Earth) is a mix of black pudding, friend onions, mashed potatoes and apple sauce. In the east, look out for Königsberger Klopse, veal meatballs with capers in a creamy sauce – pure comfort food and perfect for a chilly winter’s day. Countrywide, you can enjoy Germany’s national dish, sauerbraten, tender marinated roast meat, as well as fried potato pancakes, which go under many names including reibekuchen,

Finish your meal with a classic dessert, such as Black Forest gateau, apfelstrudel and käsekuchen (cheesecake) or the more unusual spaghettieis, made with ice cream, cream and strawberry sauce but designed to look like a plate of spaghetti. And as well as Germany’s deservedly famous beers, you’ll also find wines galore, particularly made in the wine regions of the south-west. Riesling and the wines from the Mosel Valley are some of the best known, but you’ll be spoiled for choice, with mulled wine at every Christmas market as well. Or try a shot of fruity schnapps to keep out the cold.

It’s worth bringing layers whenever you travel to Germany as the weather can be changeable year-round. If you’re visiting more than one region during your trip, you could also find different climates along the way. Otherwise, tailor your packing to your trip – comfortable shoes for lots of walking around cities, outdoor gear if you’re hiking or skiwear for winter sports, something dressier for evenings in the city or aboard a river cruise. German clothing tends to be understated, stylish and conservative, with more neutral colours, but visit a city like Berlin and you’ll quickly discover than anything goes, so it’s fine to stick to your normal fashion choices and wardrobe. If you’re visiting the Christmas markets on a Germany escorted tour, make sure to bring plenty of warm layers as it can be surprisingly cold by December. For more tips, check out our packing guide

There are no specific recommendations for vaccinations beyond those advised for life in the UK, including all boosters. There is no requirement to show any proof of vaccinations either, and no malaria is present in the country.

Yes, Germany is very child-friendly with plenty to keep younger travellers entertained and an efficient infrastructure which makes exploring easy. With magical castles and historic villages which seem to have come straight from a fairytale, kids can imagine the classic stories from the Brothers Grimm come straight to life. There are plenty of chance to get outdoors too, from walking and cycling to fun in the snow during the winter months. Teens will enjoy the edgy vibe of Berlin, as well as exploring Germany’s cities. You might not find kids’ menus in restaurants but there will be highchairs and it’s often easy to order half portions, while it’s not uncommon to find play areas next to beer gardens.

The most famous castle in Germany is the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria but there are countless other castles, forts, palaces and other historic sites to visit on our Germany tours. The Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Prussian Versailles, while the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin is another magnificent construction. Or discover the moated castle of Moritzburg, the 12^th century Eltz Castle in the Eifel Mountains, the medieval Nuremburg Castle, the fairytale Wernigerode Castle in Sachsen-Anhalt and Schwerin Castle at its location in the centre of a lake in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, in northern Germany.

You’re spoiled for choice if you’re hoping to visit a Christmas market on your Germany holidays, including special Christmas market tours and Christmas Rhine cruises. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the most famous, along with the Cologne Christmas market, while Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is one of the oldest. Berlin alone has over 80 Christmas markets, while Stuttgart, Munich, Leipzig and Hamburg also stand out. For two of the most picturesque Christmas markets, it’s hard to beat the Black Forest’s Ravenna Gorge and the pretty medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.