After kicking off an epic 7-country European adventure in France (you can read all about the complete itinerary and travel planning here), Germany became my second fascinating destination—and honestly, Germany stole my heart! This Germany winter travel guide will show you exactly why visiting during December and January turned out to be absolutely magical.
From the moment my friend and I crossed the border, Germany surprised me with its perfect blend of efficiency and charm, where centuries-old castles coexist with cutting-edge technology, and where every meal felt like a warm hug from a culture that truly knows how to live well. Winter in Germany offered something truly special—Christmas markets glowing with warm lights, cozy beer halls perfect for escaping the cold, and snow-dusted medieval towns that looked straight out of a fairy tale.
Whether you’re following along with our complete European journey or planning your own German adventure, this country proved why it deserves a spot on every European itinerary—rich history, incredible food, and those picture-perfect moments that make you fall in love with travel all over again.
Epic 7-Country Europe Adventure Series:
- Complete Itinerary & Travel Planning – What to do before you go, packing, accommodations, flights
- France Travel Guide – My first stop in the City of Light
- Germany Travel Guide – Castles, culture & incredible food ← You are here
- Austria Travel Guide – Alpine beauty & fairy-tale villages
- Czech Republic Travel Guide – Medieval magic in Central Europe
- Poland Travel Guide – A brief but unforgettable taste
- Belgium Travel Guide – Waffles, chocolate & medieval charm
- Netherlands Travel Guide – Canals, culture & Dutch delights
Germany Winter Travel Guide
I loved Germany. It seemed like this country was huge, as we kept ending up going through it or back into it. It was almost like you couldn’t avoid it. I visited about 12 cities/towns (not including places we slept in or drove through).
Germany had beautiful lakes, mountains, green grass, and mesmerizing architecture. It’s interesting because certain cities in Germany didn’t have as many old buildings as a lot of the other countries, due to them being heavily bombed during the war.
The Germans all seemed pretty friendly, and I never felt like safety was an issue. When you go to obscure towns, they don’t always speak English, but for the most part people did. I, again, had no issues doing what I needed/wanted to do.
Germany seemed pretty affordable for the most part. As I mentioned earlier, we often chose to sleep in Germany because hotels were quite cheaper. I don’t remember ever having to use cash in Germany, seemed like most places were up-to-date with accepting credit cards.
How To Use Public Transportation in Germany
Even though I was lucky to have a European friend, who had a car and was doing the driving, some of the major cities were terrible for parking. So we did end up taking a subway/train and a bus at a couple of points.
You buy your ticket at a kiosk, and then usually somewhere on the platform or right before it, is a box where you punch/validate your ticket. Not all stations have gates, so if you didn’t stamp your ticket and someone checks you while on board you’ll probably be in trouble.
What that trouble looks like I have no idea. I’d assume a fine of some kind.
Bus stops have an “H” and they operate similar to the trains, with the exception that you can either buy your ticket on the bus or at the bus stop. You must time stamp your ticket in the orange box on the bus, unless you bought the ticket on the bus then it will already be time stamped.
You may also look into The FAIRTIQ app to buy tickets for rail or bus.
I don’t know much about the taxis, as I never took one, however I can tell you that they are always a cream color! If you find a line of taxis then you must get into the front one.
Food in Germany
I did like how generally in Europe they never take your credit card away from you when you eat at a restaurant — they either bring the terminal to you, or you get up to go pay.
In Germany it is not mandatory to tip, no one will be rude to you, but it seems people do tip 5-10% of the bill as a gesture of appreciation for a good experience. If the service wasn’t great, or you just don’t want to, then don’t tip.
Just like in France, whenever you get coffee they give you a little cookie. I kept giving the cookies to my friend, but eventually tried one. And I’d say it’s like a little hard biscuit, maybe with a cinnamon flavor or something. Help me out here, what are those little cookies called? Maybe it’s biscotti. IDK.
Anyways, I had no bad food in Germany. Often times the little crack in the wall places were the best! It did seem like they eat a lot of meat and potatoes. If you can find it look for currywurst (not something I would’ve tried on my own, but it actually was delicious).
I’d have to say that one of my favorite German dishes though was Käsespätzle (cheesy noodles). I found myself wanting to eat that over and over again.
And beer is a pretty big deal in Germany. I don’t drink alcohol so I can’t speak to it, but I did see a cool beer garden in Munich. They had little “lockers” for people’s beer steins. And the whole place was old fashion looking, the waitresses were dressed in traditional attire, and the place was ginormous. I snuck a few photos, since I don’t think they like people filming in there.
I also tried some other cuisines and did have some really good Vietnamese food. Honestly, no bad food. It was all delicious.
Another interesting thing I saw, which kind of reminded me of the vending machines in Japan, was like a grocery / meal vending machine in this really small town. It was selling eggs and pre-made meals.
Places Worth Visiting
As I mentioned, I visited at least 12 cities/towns (maybe more as I can’t remember everything now), and some of them I only got to see at night because we were just trying to fit in as much as we could. But even still, each place had their own charm and I enjoyed them all.
I saw Walchensee, Kochel am See, Schlehdorf, Simbach am Inn, Jena, Kassel, Lindau, and my favorites, Konstanz, Munich, Freising, Görlitz, and Dresden.
Konstanz, Germany
1 Day Spent
The city on the lake. It’s a preserved medieval town with courtyards, a Gothic spire, and quiet cobblestone alleys. I felt that a full day here was plenty.
Munich, Germany
2 Days Spent
Colorful lively city. Old mixed with new. There was always something interesting around — whether that be street performers playing the accordion or hackbrett dulcimer, or people surfing in the middle of the city on the Schwabinger Bach.
There was plenty of old architecture to walk around and see. There were newer parts of the city as well. You could explore an underground shopping area where the subway is (which reminded me a lot of South Korea).
My friend introduced me to currywurst, consisting of all things I don’t particularly like, but admittedly was so delicious. I’m happy I tried it.
We only spent two days here, and I did feel satisfied, but the city is large enough where I think 3 days would probably still be good. Obviously the more time you spend in a place the more in-depth you can get into the city and the culture. And I did really like Munich.
Nymphenburg Palace , Munich, Germany
Nymphenburg Palace, a splendid Baroque masterpiece nestled on the outskirts of Munich, Germany, stands as a testament to the grandeur and opulence of Bavarian royalty. Built in the late 17th century as a summer residence for the Wittelsbach dynasty, the palace boasts magnificent architecture, lush gardens, and an impressive array of art and furnishings. Its sprawling grounds, adorned with ornate fountains and manicured lawns, offer a serene escape from the bustle of the city.
My friend was so sweet and entertained my obsession for palaces and castles. And the Nymphenburg Palace was one that I very much enjoyed. We purchased our tickets and one of the audio information tour gadgets — I learned some fun things.
I thoroughly enjoyed the lavish interior — the first room was absolutely breath-taking.
And then there was the “Gallery of Beauties” that was originally somewhere else, but was on display at this palace. The portraits were absolutely stunning, and it was fun to see the style of them change with time. But I have to admit if you really think about what’s going on here, I’m pretty sure it’s King Ludwig I’s spank bank. And yikes to that. lol
Dresden, Germany
1 Day Spent
Dresden was like non-stop eye candy. I love architecture. And while I’m no expert, my eyes enjoy it! I’m not sure if it was the right time of year or what, but this place was not very crowded at all. We only spent a day here, but I think two days would’ve been good as well.
I’ve been trying to put my finger on why I enjoyed this city so much and I think it was the beautiful buildings, lack of people, musical street performers, the size, and the mix of old and new. But this was one of my absolute favorite places that I visited.
Zwinger Palace in Dresden, Germany
Per usual, my palace obsession led me to Zwinger Palace. I didn’t end up going inside, but it was free to explore the grounds and that was enough for me since we were only spending a day in Dresden.
Designed by architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann, and construction started in 1710. It is one of the most important buildings of the Baroque period in Germany as well as the most famous architectural monument of Dresden.
Our German adventure was just the beginning! Next up, we crossed into Austria, where fairy-tale villages nestled in emerald valleys and snow-capped Alpine peaks created some of the most breathtaking scenery of our entire trip. From the vibrant mountain city of Innsbruck to charming Austrian hospitality that made us feel like family, Austria proved that sometimes the most beautiful destinations are the ones that leave you speechless.
Continue Reading: Austria Travel Guide – Alpine Beauty & Fairy-Tale Villages →
