Germany Facts

Insider tips you always wanted to know about Deutschland


Guten Tag, and welcome to the Germany Facts Guide, your reliable source for the most interesting facts about Germany.
Hi, my name is Rita, let me be your native German guide to the well-known attractions and hidden secrets of my home country.

Whether you plan your holidays in Germany, or want to learn about German customs and traditions, you will find many tips and stories on my website.

A picturesque old mill in the black forestHexenloch Mill, Black Forest

Hidden in a small valley, the Hexenlochmühle is a true insider tip


Discover the most beautiful destinations, ancient castles, splendid palaces, find info about the German states & cities, learn about history, culture and Christmas traditions.

So, pour yourself a cup of coffee and explore Germany with me. 
Below is an overview of the topics covered in this guide. If you need to plan your journey immediately, go to the travel planner to find tips & answers to frequently asked questions.

This website takes you on a virtual tour to my favourite parts of Germany, with heaps of background information and marvellous pictures.

Believe me, there is more to explore in Deutschland than Neuschwanstein castle and Sauerkraut. Although I will cover these, too :).

While telling you about my country, I will also sprinkle the stories with a few German words. I even have a few free German lessons where you can learn useful phrases. Isn't it great to know already some special words when you come to visit us?

Discover Unique Destinations

Why is Germany such a favourite tourist destination?

It is the variety of attractions in my opinion.
From the sea & lowlands in the north, the rolling hills in the centre, and down to the Alps in the south, the stunning scenery never gets boring.
Let me show you my favourite cities & towns, the places where I love to spend my holidays.

Stunning Routes & Landscapes

Lookout over the Moselle valley

Some of our holiday regions and themed tourist routes are well-known around the world, while other destinations are even unknown for many Germans.

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Picturesque Cities & Towns

Small half-timbered houses with restaurants in front at Römerberg in Frankfurt

Quaint little towns with half-timbered houses and modern cities, they all have their own flair and history.

Attractions & Events

I just love castles and palaces, they are the most fascinating & inspiring places. Thankfully, many are open to the public and can be explored on your own, or with a guided tour.

Neuschwanstein and Heidelberg castles are well-known around the world, but did you know Germany has Frankenstein castle? There are many more worth a visit.

Castles & Palaces

Burg Eltz - a medieval castle surrounded by forests

German castles belong to the well-loved tourist attractions.
With hundreds, even thousands of castles, palaces and ruins scattered throughout the country, it is hard to choose which castles to explore.

How we celebrate Christmas & Easter

Christmas stalls in front of the town hall in Hanau

Christmas markets and customs go back to the middle ages, and many traditions have made their way to other countries around the world.
And of course the Osterhase cannot deny its German origins.

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Culture, Traditions and German Food

When we think of culture, topics like literature, theatre and opera come to mind. Lessons at school cover Goethe, Schiller and the Grimm Brothers, famous philosophers, composers and painters.
However, the Oktoberfest tradition, arts & crafts, architecture, and "kitschy" things like the cuckoo clock and the garden gnome, belong to the rich German culture and customs as well.

Like the landscapes, German food and cooking varies so much from the North Sea to the Alps. Although there are some "classics", like Schnitzel, which you will find everywhere, regional specialities abound.
Discover black forest cake and apple strudel, Currywurst and potato salad, Spätzle and pork roast. German cuisine is delicious and tempting.
This Germany Facts Guide is also a culinary journey to my country. I promise that I add new recipes every now and then.

Travel Tips - Train Travel & Accommodation

How to get around in Germany?

A steam locomotive in Wernigerode

As a daily commuter I share my experience and knowledge to help you to get around by train and local public transport. The German rail and train travel chapter in this guide is quite extensive.

Learn about the different tariff systems for long-distance and local trains and find the cheapest tickets for your needs. Don't miss these articles and the FAQ by other readers.

Discover unique accommodation

An old half-timbered house

Wherever you go in Germany, you will have a good choice of hotels, guest houses and holiday flats for a convenient stay, and to suit all budgets.

The most common type of accommodation outside the big cities are small and medium sized hotels. They are often family-operated, have a cosy restaurant and are located in beautiful old houses - the epitome of German Gemütlichkeit!

Holiday flats are perfect for families when you want to stay a couple of days in the same town.

German States - General Facts

Find out about the size of the country, its population, time zone and other general facts. Discover the 16 German states and their capital cities. Each state has its own traditions and stories to tell.

Do I need a visa for Germany? Opening times of shops? Where to exchange money?

General facts, cliches & interesting titbits

A map of Germany

Want to know how the Germans tick? What they like & dislike? Take the stories about my fellow men with a grain of salt, but I am sure they make a good read.

Essential Tips for Travellers

Traveller documents

There are a lot of questions first time visitors to Germany ask. You will find the answers right here in the Germany Facts Guide.

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A beautiful lighthouse with two light keeper houses at the baseWesterheversand Lighthouse, Schleswig-Holstein
A church in front of a high mountainSt. Bartholomä Chapel, Lake Königssee & Watzmann

Thanks for visiting. Have fun browsing the Germany Insider Facts website.