Germany Itinerary - 10 Days

Germany has been slowly emerging as Europe’s top tourist destination in recent years. The amazing country is not just about stunning landscapes, quaint medieval towns, fairytale castles, and classic vineyards. Germany is also known for its mysterious forests, contemporary history, vibrant nightlife, diverse culture, and buzzing cosmopolitan vibes. All in all, a trip to Germany is a memorable travel experience. The country is big, impressive, and beautiful and it is not possible to see all of it in one go. The highlights are scattered all over the country and planning an itinerary can be a bit overwhelming. This 10-day itinerary attempts to show you the best of Germany so that you make the most out of your time there.

Suggested 10-Day Itinerary for Germany

Germany Itinerary, Day 1–3: Munich 

Our itinerary starts in Munich, the third biggest city in Germany. The city is well-connected and it is easy to fly to Munich from all parts of the world. Munich is famous for its Oktoberfest which is celebrated every year from the middle of September to October. But you are never short of things to see and do in Munich.

Start by exploring the old city center on foot as most of the iconic sites are within walking distance. Sip beer in one of the famous beer gardens, explore the world-class museums, climb St Peter’s Church for stunning panoramic views, and discover the vibrant street art & culture. If you love cars, visit the BMW Museum. The museum displays the technological advancements of automobiles and motorcycles. Many vintage automobiles and motorcycles are on display inside the bowl-shaped building. Try to use Munich as a base to explore the Bavaria region by taking day trips.

Don’t miss the classic, fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle perched on a rugged hill – a perfect blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Gothic architecture. While the exterior of Neuschwanstein Castle is breathtaking, the interior is not so impressive, romantic, or fairytale-like. The Castle is immensely popular, so it is better to book the tour beforehand. You’ll need about two hours to drive from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle. It will take you three hours if you take public transportation. There is no direct train service. You must take the train and bus, followed by an ascent to the castle by foot, horse carriage, or shuttle bus.

Places to visit in Munich:

• St. Peter’s Church
• Rathaus – City Hall
• Frauenkirche – Cathedral Church of our Lady
• Hofgarten – the Royal Garden
• Marienplatz Square – the Main Square
• Hofbrauhaus – the Beer Hall
• Deutsches Museum – Museum of science and technology
• Nymphenburg Palace
• Munich Residenz – Palace complex
• Dachau Concentration Camp – day trip
• Neuschwanstein Castle – day trip
• Zugspitze – Germany’s highest mountain – day trip

 Germany Itinerary, Day 4-5: Black Forest 

Your journey from Munich to the Black Forest requires a 5-hour drive or a 6-hour train ride. The birthplace of the Grimm Brothers’ Tales, the Black Forest region is a huge spruce-covered mountain range steeped in fascinating myths. There are plenty of charming villages and small towns to stay in in the Black Forest, but Baden-Baden and Gengenbach work as a good base for day trips and for our onward journey to Heidelberg. The forests are beautiful and there are lots to do there – you can explore the quaint villages, savor the delectable Black Forest Cake, get interesting insights into cuckoo clock traditions, enjoy a relaxing spa, and hike in the enchanting lush forests.

Places to visit in the Black Forest:

• Triberg Waterfalls
• Lake Titisee
• House of 1000 Clocks, Triberg
• Thermal Spas at Baden-Baden
• Lichtenstein Castle
• Freiburg– Historic Town
• Ravenna Gorge
• The Black Forest Open-Air Museum

Germany Itinerary, Day 6: Heidelberg

Depending on your mode of transport and where you are staying in the Black Forest, it will take you 1-2 hours to hit Heidelberg – a picturesque town that is famous for its University. One of the most loved towns of Germany, Heidelberg is quite small and you can visit most of the attractions on foot. You can climb or take the funicular to the castle on the top of the hill to get a birds-eye view of the old town and the river.

Places to visit in Heidelberg:

• Church of the Holy Spirit
• Heidelberg Castle
• Hauptstrasse and the Altstadt – Old Town
• Karl Theodor – Old Bridge
• Heidelberg University

Germany Itinerary, Day 7-8: Moselle Valley

You need a couple of hours to get to Moselle Valley from Heidelberg. River Moselle, a tributary to the River Rhine, runs through Germany. Moselle Valley is the region surrounding the enchanting River Moselle. The spectacular valley is renowned for its fine wine, sleepy medieval villages, crumbling fairytale castles, steep lush-terraced vineyards, and gorgeous promenades.  Koblenz is a central and convenient town to base yourself on and explore the Moselle Valley region. If you are looking for bigger cities, Bon and Cologne are two other good options.

Places to visit in Moselle Valley:

• Cochem Castle
• Trier – Germany’s oldest town
• Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
• Schloss Stozlenfels Castle
• Bernkastel-Kues – for wine tasting
• Traben-Trabach town
• Beilstein’s River Promenade
• Eltz Castle

Germany Itinerary, Day 9-10: Berlin

It takes around 6 hours (both by train and car) to reach Berlin from Moselle Valley (Koblenz), so you should start very early as you have a busy day ahead in Berlin. Any visit to Germany cannot be complete without visiting the bustling, hippest capital city. Berlin is cultural, political, and contemporary and you will encounter history at every turn. The city may not be outwardly beautiful, but a visit to Berlin will give you vivid glimpses of the tumultuous events of the twentieth century when Berlin was heavily bombarded during World War II

Two days are not enough for Berlin, but you can make the most of it by visiting the highlights. Berlin’s TV Tower, which soars 368 meters into the sky, is the city’s most visible landmark. From here, you can enjoy spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the entire city – and beyond! Take a stroll through Tiergarten Park, walk down the tree-lined boulevards in Prenzlauer Berg, and enjoy the crazy nightlife. Don’t miss the world’s largest open-art gallery gracing sections of the Berlin Wall with murals painted across about a mile.

One of the best ways to grasp the essence of Berlin is to join the free walking tour that starts from Brandenburg Gate. Underground tours in Berlin are an alternative way to learn about the city’s complex history, as you can see war bunkers and escape tunnels in what are now defunct metro stations.

Places to visit in Berlin:

• Brandenburg Gate
• Museum Island – a collection of five world-class museums
• Berlin Wall Memorial
• Prenzlauer Berg – Boulevard
• Reichstag – the German Parliament
• East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall)
• Holocaust Memorial – Memorial to murdered Jews of Europe
• Tiergarten Park
• Mauerpark – Flea Market

Germany Itinerary, Day 11: Depart from Berlin

It is the end of our 10-day German itinerary and time to depart for your next destination from the Berlin airport. Try to take an evening flight, so that you can use the day to explore the remaining attractions of historical Berlin.

Best time to visit Germany?

Germany is a year-round destination and each season has its own charms. June to September is the peak season with warm, sunny weather and long days. Perfect weather to enjoy the outdoor activities and the music festivals celebrated in different parts of the country. Winters can be cold, drab, and blustery but you can enjoy skiing opportunities, stunning landscapes, Christmas markets, and rock-bottom rates. Visiting Germany in May is a good option as it starts getting warmer, trees are in full bloom, the crowds have yet to arrive, and everything is affordable. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Munich in autumn when the iconic Oktoberfest is celebrated. Millions of people reach Munich from all over the world, the whole city is in a festive mood, and beer flows like water.

How to reach Germany?

Centrally located in the heart of Europe, it is quite convenient and affordable to reach Germany from all parts of the world. Frankfurt is one of the biggest airport hubs in the world. Germany has a wide network of airports that covers the whole country, so you can choose your arrival/departure city at your convenience. Our trip starts in Munich and ends in Berlin, and both these cities are very well-connected. Germany is linked to all neighboring countries by extensive and regular train services, mostly operated by Deutsche Bahn. All the major cities are also well-connected via bus routes, so reaching Germany is never a problem.

Getting around in Germany?

The most two popular options to travel within Germany are by train and car. Unless you are driving a car, rail is the most convenient way to reach most parts of the country with frequent departures. They are super-fast, reliable, and comfortable, though not always cost-effective. Book a German Eurail Pass to travel within Germany – it is stress-free, affordable, and gives you the flexibility to hop on and off whenever you like. Reservations are not mandatory but are recommended during holidays and weekends. Flights connect most German cities, but if you add the wait time at the airport with all the formalities involved, it makes sense to travel by train.

Driving on Germany’s famous autobahn is an amazing experience if you are comfortable driving at bullet speed. Car rentals are available at airports and one-way rentals are allowed without any additional fees. If you are not interested in driving, coach travel between cities is cheap and punctual though not as efficient and fast as trains. Ride-Sharing and Hitchhiking are also common in Germany.

Getting around in town?

Like most of Europe, Germany has an excellent public transport network. In cities like Berlin and Munich, one ticket gives you access to U-Bahn trains (subway), S-Bahn trains (above ground), trains, and trams. A multi-ticket strip or day pass will prove to be more cost-effective than a single-ride ticket. Efficient public transportation will take you everywhere without a car or taxi. Taxis are expensive and can be easily avoided. Uber has very limited availability in Germany. German cities are very bike-friendly and you can rent a bike to get around the city.

Language in Germany?

German is the official language of Germany but English is widely spoken and understood in most regions of Germany. If you go to smaller towns and villages, you may face some problems communicating with the locals but in big cities and popular tourist areas, language should not be a hurdle in getting things done.

Currency?

Euro is the official currency of Germany since 2002. One Euro is around 1.20 dollars.