Overview

Stunning mountain views, picturesque cities and towns, incredible history and culture and the best tasting beer in the world. Sound good? Believe me, it is! I spent 6 months living in Germany, and I would visit again in a heartbeat. There is too much to do and see in a week, but I’m going to break down the very best Germany has to offer in this all-in-one guide!

Who is this guide for?

This guide is for anyone who wants to get the most of their visit to Germany within a week. You won’t catch everything, but will have an amazing time, seeing, eating, drinking and experiencing the very best Deutschland has to offer. I would recommend sticking to mainly the southern and western regions for a week-long trip, but we begin the itinerary in the capital, Berlin!

Know before you go (Visas, weather, packing etc.)

If you are a resident of the EU you won’t have an issue entering and spending a week in Germany, as there are no restrictions for this time frame. If you are a resident of a country outside of the EU (USA, Australia etc.) you will need to check the specific visa requirements in relation to your country of residence when planning your trip. Further info can be found here: Germany Visa Information for Travellers

In terms of weather and best times of the year to visit, July and August are the warmest months of the year and you will have the best chance of a pleasant, sunny trip in these months. If you are keen to avoid big tourist crowds, there is good news, as Germany generally does not have the same sort of tourist traffic as its warmer, Mediterranean neighbours. You’ll likely find cheaper flights in the months of May and September, and there is the option to line up your trip alongside a visit to one of the most famous festivals in the world, Oktoberfest, should you choose to visit around September! See my separate post for all you need to know about the iconic Bavarian festival: (insert hyperlink)

The timing of your visit will dictate your packing options. I would recommend light, airy clothing in summer months, with a good rain jacket as thundery downpours can appear unexpectedly. In Winter months you will need plenty of warm gear including a well-insulated coat, woolly hat and gloves. It can get frosty and snow is not uncommon. The cool, crisp winter air is perfect for a hot Glühwein at one of Germany’s famous Winter markets! (Link to blog on Christmas Markets in Europe)

What is the best way to get around in Germany?

Like much of central Europe, Germany is very well connected by public transport, and it is quite easy and affordable to get around this way. (Insert Trainline affiliate mention here). Domestic flights can be a good way to move around quickly if you need to move across a large part of the country quickly, and with some help from sites such as Skyscanner.com you can quite often find cross country flights for less than €100 per person at peak season, and a lot less than that in the Winter months! Renting a car/camper is always a great option and gives you more flexibility to explore, but watch out for hidden costs such as insurance and charges per kilometre covered. In this itinerary I will detail my own recommended way to get around for each part and will cater for all options!

Trip plan:

Day 1 – Berlin

Days 2/3 – Munich

Day 4 – Stuttgart

Day 5 – Heidelberg

Day 6/7 – Cologne

Google maps

Itinerary

Destination 1 – Welcome to Berlin!

Gutentag (hello!) and welcome to Germany! You’ve got a packed week ahead experiencing the some of the best this beautiful nation has to offer, and it all kicks off in the historic capital city, Berlin. Of course you can follow the route in the opposite direction if you are coming from the west for example – Cologne is an equally good starting point!

Day 1: Berlin – Exploring the nations capital!

• Morning: Start with a visit to the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building and the Victory Column.

Berlin’s historic city centre has no shortage of incredible sights, and all within walking distance of each other! From Alexanderplatz, the closest main U-Bahn train station, you will immediately notice the impressive Berlin TV tower looming overhead. A short 10-minute walk and you’ll come across the Berlin Cathedral, a great spot for a photo! From here, I would recommend another stroll down the main avenue of Berlin, ‘Unter Den Linden’, to the famous Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of German Unity today. The nearby Reichstag building is another impressive sight and photo opportunity!

Don Recommends: Another great spot to visit in the area is the Victory Column – I visited in 2018 and this was one of my Berlin highlights. A bit of a challenging climb to get to the top, but the 360 degree views of the city are 100% worth it in my opinion!

• Afternoon: Explore Museum Island, including the Pergamon Museum.

The Pergamon Museum is a must do while in Berlin. It is packed with ancient historical artefacts and art, and can easily be done in an afternoon. I spent between 2-3 hours here when I visited and it just flew by. Make sure to take your chance to see the Pergamon Altar, which dates back to 160 BC!

• Evening: Walk along the East Side Gallery, a preserved section of the Berlin Wall.

Walk alongside an important part of German and world history and take in some of the amazing artwork that now covers this part of the old Berlin wall which separated east and west Berlin from the 60s until its fall in 1989.

• Food: The city is widely known for a great Currywurst, an iconic German sausage meal that I would recommend for lunch. You’ll be spoiled for dinner options – there is a strong foreign influence on the Berlin food scene and you can easily find some great Mexican, American and Japanese food in central locations!

Don Recommends: Try a currywurst for lunch at Curry & More Berlin, and ‘Schlögl’s – Altberliner Gaststätte’ is a spot I loved for dinner, with great beer!

• Accommodation: Stay at Hotel Adlon Kempinski for luxury, or The Circus Hostel for budget-friendly comfort.

Day 2-3: Munich

On the morning of day 2, your best bet to squeeze as much as possible into your trip is to book a short domestic flight from Berlin to Munich in advance. Even at peak times of the summer you should be able get one for less than €100 per person, with a flight time of just over 1 hour! Alternatively you can take a high speed ICE train from Berlin, which takes about four hours but can cost between 100-200 Euros.

• Day 2 Morning: Visit Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus. Don’t miss the Glockenspiel show. The show takes place at 11am, 12pm and 5pm from March to October!
• Day 2 Afternoon: Explore the English Garden, and visit the BMW Museum.

A bike tour is a great way to explore the city, including the beautiful English Gardens, which has a great beer garden on the lake! Alternatively, check out the BMW museum, some of the motors on display here will blow you away!

Don Recommends: If you have time or want an alternative to the above, I’d highly recommend a trip to Nymphenburg Palace. This place is stunning, and a stroll through the gardens is a great way to spend an afternoon!

• Day 2 Evening: Enjoy a traditional Bavarian dinner at Hofbräuhaus.

If you choose to do the bike tour, it will end here, and it is the perfect spot to fill the belly after a long day of exploring and sightseeing! A very traditionally Bavarian spot, it will be lively with a great atmosphere, and it will give you a taste of Oktoberfest.

Don’s tip: The locally produced beer Hofbrau is still to this day the best I have ever tasted – it follows purity laws that ban additives, and is well worth a try while in Munich.

• Day 3: Take a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany’s most iconic castles.

Make sure to have your camera on hand for this day trip! It’s well worth it to book an organised tour from Munich to get the full experience, but a trip can easily be planned yourself – a 2 hour train ride to Fussen, and a ten minute bus ride will get you to the castle.

• Food: Breakfast at Café Frischhut (Schmalznudeln), lunch at Augustiner Bräustuben for hearty Bavarian dishes.
• Accommodation: Stay at Hotel Bayerischer Hof for a luxury experience or Wombat’s City Hostel for a more budget-friendly option.

Day 4: Stuttgart

Start your day early on day 4 to maximise your time to enjoy Stuttgart – an ICE train will take you there in comfort in around 2.5 hours!

• Morning: Visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum to explore automotive history.

A must do in Stuttgart in my opinion, and well worth the €16 entry fee!

• Afternoon: Explore Stuttgart’s city center, including Schlossplatz and Königsbau Passagen.

A walking tour starting at Stuttgart’s beautiful city centre is a great option for your afternoon. Alternatively, head to Killesberg and climb the observation deck for great views of the city, and check out the animal park there!

• Evening: Have dinner at Cube Restaurant with panoramic views of the city.
• Accommodation: Stay at Althoff Hotel am Schlossgarten for luxury or Motel One Stuttgart-Hauptbahnhof for budget comfort.

Day 5: Heidelberg

A short regional train ride to Heidelberg on the morning of Day 5

• Morning: Visit Heidelberg Castle and the Old Bridge.

Heidelberg is a magical town, and the castle that sits looking over the river and the old town is picturesque sight not to be missed while in Germany. A short walk from the train station by the river and you will be at the historic oldtown. The ‘Old Bridge’ is a great spot for a photo! There is an old hillside railcar that will take you up to the castle easily and with impressive views. It can be busy at peak times but I was very glad I did it!

The castle itself is a sight to behold so get your camera ready! A guided tour booked in advance is a great way to get the full experience and learn about the exciting history of the old castle, but it can easily be explored yourself at your own pace!

• Afternoon: Stroll through the Old Town and along the Philosopher’s Walk for beautiful views.

Take a walk around the cobblestone streets of the old town and check out the market square. There are lots a nice cafes and places to grab a bite to eat – personally I would recommend a sweet treat from Eiscafé Gelato! If you’re feeling full of energy, the ‘Philosopher’s walk’ at the other side of the river is very nice, and you can see the whole city from there.

• Evening: Enjoy dinner at Schnitzelbank, a cozy restaurant with traditional German fare.
• Accommodation: Stay at Heidelberg Suites for a boutique experience or Lotte Hostel for budget travelers.

Day 6-7: Cologne

Your final destination, Cologne, promises to be a good one! Rise early and hop back on the train for a 2 hour ride to one of Germany’s most iconic cities.

• Day 6 Morning: Visit the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom).

Cologne cathedral is just breathtaking – the detail and intricacy of the design is mind blowing, and you can easily lose yourself marvelling at the sheer height of the ceiling once inside. It will really have you wondering how humans can build such amazing feats of architecture!

• Day 6 Afternoon: Take a walk along the Rhine and the Hohenzollern Bridge, which has over half a million love locks attached to it!
• Day 6 Evening: Enjoy dinner at Peters Brauhaus for local Kölsch beer and traditional dishes. I really liked the apple strudel here!
• Day 7 Morning: Take a Rhine river cruise

A relaxing Rhine river cruise through Cologne is a great way to take in the city’s skyline. You could also so this after dark, the city lights make it a totally different experience

• Day 7 Afternoon: Take a wander through the city’s old town, which is filled with colourful houses, shops and traditional breweries

• Food: Breakfast at Café Reichard with a view of the cathedral, lunch at Bei Oma Kleinmann for giant schnitzels.
• Accommodation: Stay at Excelsior Hotel Ernst for luxury or The Qvest Hideaway for a stylish, mid-range option.

Transportation

• Berlin to Munich: Take a high-speed ICE train (approx. 4 hours).
• Munich to Stuttgart: Travel by ICE train (approx. 2.5 hours).
• Stuttgart to Heidelberg: Take a regional train (approx. 1 hour).
• Heidelberg to Cologne: Travel by ICE train (approx. 2 hours).

FAQs