Germany holidays

Germany: the land of cars, castles and Christmas. Renowned for its turbulent history, musical heritage and intense love of frothy brewed beverages, Germany brims with charm all year round.

For cheap-as-chips street food, vibrant nightlife and bucket loads of history, book a weekend city break in Germany’s cosmopolitan capital, Berlin. Overflowing with art and culture, Berlin draws an eclectic crowd and is supremely easy to explore, thanks to its extensive public transport network.

For a cheap holiday to Germany, compare city breaks to Berlin with trips to other buzzing urban locales, such as Frankfurt (known for its skyscraper-packed skyline), Hamburg (a handsome and hip port city), Düsseldorf (filled with fashion and art) and Cologne (famous for its gorgeous Gothic cathedral).

Bavaria is the home of forests and fairy-tale castles. Locals here laze in beer gardens, swim in lakes during the warm summer months and cosy up in snow-sprinkled mountain towns during the winter.

Bavaria’s most famous city is undoubtedly Munich, the site of the country’s popular annual beer festival (Oktoberfest), but don’t miss Nuremberg during the festive season or the stunning castle in Neuschwanstein.

The mountain towns in Saxony and the Rhineland are the best destinations for all-inclusive holidays in Germany.

During summer, there is hiking, water sports and river cruises aplenty, while winter holidays in Germany come with snowy mountain backdrops in this scenic part of the country.

Children love the theme parks and kid-friendly attractions dotted around Germany. What’s more, under-18s often enter free of charge at many of the country’s major attractions.

Christmas is a particularly special time to take a family holiday to Germany, as most cities, towns and villages hold their own festive markets.

For cheap holidays in Germany, compare prices in late spring or early autumn. As schools tend to be in session during this time, there are usually fewer crowds and you may even find reduced prices at all-inclusive German holiday resorts.

If you’re heading here for the slopes, know that Germany’s ski-holiday season will run from Christmas time until early April. For cut-price hotel deals, try the Bavarian ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which often sees fresh snow as late as March.

Events for your diary

Germany really does love its beer-related festivals. Everyone knows about Oktoberfest in Munich (which, despite its name, actually begins around the middle of September), but few have heard of Munich’s Spring Festival, held annually in April and May. Much like Oktoberfest, the Spring Festival is all about singing, dancing and drinking steins of beer.

Book your family holiday to Germany around December and prepare to celebrate an early Christmas. St Nikolaus Day (December 6) is when the saint fills well-behaved children’s shoes with toys and gifts.

Currency: Euro (€)

Capital city: Berlin

Language: German

Key phrase to learn: Fährt dieser Zug nach…? (Does this train go to...?)

Time difference: Germany is one hour ahead of London

Average flight time: One hour 30 minutes

International phone code: +49

Emergency services number: 112

Public holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Easter Monday, May Day (May 1), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Day of German Unity (October 3), Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26)

Link to FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany