Germany travel guide: cities, Christmas markets and slow trains

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Germany in a nutshell

It is a Saturday morning in Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, coffee in hand, and the departure board lists Berlin in two hours and Cologne in four. That is the quiet appeal of Germany. It is a country built for moving around, and its big cities feel like they belong to different nations.

Germany uses the euro and is part of the Schengen Area. Flights from most European airports are short, and rail links from Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris and Vienna make it easy to arrive without flying at all.

Which city should you choose?

Berlin, for history and late nights

The capital sprawls. You come for the Wall, the museums on Museum Island and neighbourhoods such as Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg, and you stay for the feeling that nothing here is quite finished. Start with our Berlin guide.

Hamburg, for water and red-brick warehouses

Germany's great port city is greener and calmer than its reputation. The Alster lake sits in the middle of town, the Speicherstadt warehouses line the canals, and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall crowns the harbour. See our Hamburg guide.

Munich, for beer halls and the Alps

Bavaria's capital is wealthier and more traditional than Berlin, with the mountains close enough for a day trip. From late September into early October it belongs to Oktoberfest. Read our Munich guide.

When to go

Each season gives you a different country.

• Spring: parks in bloom, terraces reopening and fewer visitors than in high summer.

• Summer: long evenings by the water in Hamburg and beer gardens in Munich. Berlin can be hot and dusty in August.

• Autumn: Oktoberfest in Munich, and better hotel rates in Berlin and Hamburg once the summer crowds leave.

• Advent: the Christmas markets open in late November. Book early, because half of northern Europe has the same idea. Our pick of the best is in German and Austrian Christmas markets.

Getting around

Trains are the easy answer between cities. Deutsche Bahn's ICE high-speed services link Hamburg, Berlin and Munich, and tickets bought well ahead are usually far cheaper than walk-up fares. The honest caveat: German trains run late more often than their reputation suggests, so leave a generous margin before a flight. Within cities, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn cover almost everything, and a day ticket pays for itself quickly.

Good to know

• Most shops close on Sundays. Museums, cafés and restaurants stay open.

• Cash is still more common than in the UK or the Nordics, especially at small cafés and market stalls.

• Christmas market drinks come in a deposit mug. Return it and you get the deposit back, or keep it as a souvenir.

• Once you have done the big three, look at the Baltic coast, the Rhine Valley or the Black Forest.

Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Adlon Kempinski

Frequently asked questions about Germany

Which German city is best for a first visit?

Berlin if you care about history, art and nightlife. Hamburg for an easy, compact weekend. Munich if you want city, mountains and Bavarian food in one trip.

How many days do I need in Germany?

Three or four days suits one city. A week lets you combine two cities by train, for example Berlin and Hamburg or Berlin and Munich.

When do German Christmas markets open?

Most open in the last week of November and run until just before Christmas. A few of the big ones stay open until New Year.

Is it easy to travel around Germany by train?

Yes. High-speed trains connect all the major cities. Book early for the best fares and allow for delays.

Where should I stay in Germany?

That depends on the city. Our hotel guides for Berlin, Hamburg and Munich sort the best hotels by neighbourhood.