Germany's mix of Cold War history in Berlin, fairy-tale castles in Bavaria, and its excellent rail network make it a country that rewards moving between very different regions.
Not required for EU, UK, US, and Canadian citizens for stays up to 90 days — always confirm current rules before booking.
Plug & voltage
Type C/F, 230V
Tipping
5–10% in restaurants, rounded up and handed directly to the server
Safety
Very safe; efficient and orderly public transport
Getting around
High-speed ICE trains connect cities quickly; the autobahn is famous for good reason
Getting there
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is the natural start for this route; Munich Airport (MUC) works well if you'd rather begin in Bavaria and travel it in reverse
Tastes of Germany
Bratwurst
Grilled German sausage, served countless regional ways, often with mustard.
Pretzel
A chewy, salted bread twist, a staple of beer gardens and bakeries alike.
Schnitzel
A thin, breaded and fried cutlet, usually pork, served with lemon.
Black Forest cake
Layered chocolate sponge with cherries and whipped cream, named after the region.
Top attractions
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
An 18th-century neoclassical gate that came to symbolize a divided Germany during the Cold War, standing just behind the line of the former Berlin Wall. It's now a focal point for national celebrations and remains the city's most recognizable landmark. Nearby, sections of the wall and the Holocaust Memorial add further historical weight to the area.
Neuschwanstein Castle
A 19th-century fairy-tale castle built by the reclusive King Ludwig II of Bavaria, its turrets and mountain backdrop reportedly inspiring Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Set against the Alps in southern Bavaria, it's reached by a walk or horse-drawn carriage up from the valley below. The nearby Marienbrücke bridge offers the classic postcard view of the castle itself.
Cologne Cathedral
A Gothic cathedral that took over 600 years to complete, its twin spires dominating the Cologne skyline and once making it the tallest building in the world upon completion in 1880. It survived Allied bombing in World War II largely intact while much of the surrounding city was destroyed. Climbing the south tower's 533 steps rewards visitors with wide views over the Rhine.
Berlin Wall Memorial
A preserved stretch of the wall that divided East and West Berlin for 28 years, complemented by an outdoor exhibition and a documentation center explaining the personal and political impact of the division. Watchtowers and a reconstructed death strip give a visceral sense of the wall's scale. It's a sobering but essential stop for understanding modern German history.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
A remarkably well-preserved medieval walled town along the Romantic Road, its half-timbered houses and towers largely spared from wartime destruction. A full walk of the town walls offers views over the red-roofed old town below. It's especially atmospheric during its Christmas market season.
Black Forest
A densely forested mountain region in southwest Germany, its dark fir-covered hills giving the region its name and its cuckoo clocks their reputation. Small spa towns like Baden-Baden sit alongside hiking trails and waterfalls throughout the region. It's also the origin of Black Forest cake, a local specialty worth trying at its source.
Suggested itinerary
11 days
11 days covers Berlin, Cologne, the Black Forest, the Romantic Road, and Bavaria without rushing. 7–8 works if you drop one region; 14+ lets you slow down or add Hamburg.
1. Days 1–3
Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall Memorial, and the city's museum island.
Cost: The Berlin Wall Memorial is free; Museum Island's combined ticket costs about €19.
Where to eat: A currywurst from a street stand is the essential quick Berlin meal — cheap, fast, everywhere.
2. Days 4–5
Cologne
The cathedral and a walk along the Rhine.
~4.5h by train from Berlin
Cost: Cologne Cathedral is free to enter, though climbing the tower costs about €6.
Where to eat: Try a Kölsch beer, served only in small 200ml glasses at Cologne's traditional breweries — it's a whole ritual.
3. Days 6–7
Black Forest
Hiking trails and spa towns in southwest Germany's dense forest region.
~3.5h drive from Cologne
Cost: Most hiking trails are free; a spa day in Baden-Baden runs €25–40 for basic thermal bath entry.
Where to eat: Real Black Forest cake tastes noticeably different here than the export version — worth trying at a local konditorei.
4. Days 8–9
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
A stop along the Romantic Road's best-preserved medieval town.
~2h drive from the Black Forest
Cost: Walking the town walls is free; the Night Watchman's tour costs about €9.
Where to eat: Try Schneeballen, a local pastry specialty sold throughout the old town — best fresh rather than the decorated tourist versions.
5. Days 10–11
Neuschwanstein & Bavaria
The fairy-tale castle and Munich before departure.
~2.5h drive from RothenburgBook ahead
Cost: Castle entry costs about €21 and must be booked ahead.
Where to eat: A proper Bavarian beer hall dinner in Munich — pretzel, schnitzel, and a stein — is the fitting way to close the trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in Germany without a visa?
90 days within any 180-day period for US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders — the standard Schengen rule. The EU's EES biometric border system is now active, so budget extra time at your first entry.
Which airport should I fly into?
Berlin Brandenburg (BER) for this route; Munich (MUC) if you'd rather start in Bavaria and travel it in reverse.
Do I need a car for this itinerary?
Helpful for the Black Forest and Romantic Road legs, but Berlin and Cologne are well covered by train — renting only for the middle portion is a common approach.
Do I need to book Neuschwanstein Castle in advance?
Yes, tickets are timed-entry and sell out days ahead in peak season — book online before you arrive.