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Travel advice for Germany
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Germany
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Daniel Neilson
updated 11.10.2023
Think Germany and you think beer. It’s a country whose beer culture is so ingrained and recognised that Oktoberfest (16 September–3 October 2017) is celebrated around the world.
It’s the birthplace of lager, and one that is full of life and flavour (a far cry from the insipid mass-produced stuff). In fact, the word "lager" just means cold-stored, and is a method of making beer rather than a specific style.
Most German beers are also held to the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law, that originated in the sixteenth century. It specifies that only water, malt and hops could be used to make beers – they didn’t know that yeast made beer ferment in those days.
All this adds up to a huge range of beers, but navigating the menu in a crowded Munich beer hall, or even in the bottle shops and online retailers, can be bewildering. So to hunt out Germany’s essential brews, we've compiled this handy guide to the best German beers and their styles.
9 days / from2263 USD
A self drive exploration of UNESCO Sites in Southern Germany
Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites across different German states. This self drive trip allows you to design your own days with recommendations stated for each day.
customize ⤍7 days / from2905 USD
Explore Berlin and Potsdam in depth
The German capital Berlin has plenty to offer: from historical sites to world-class museums and a vibrant nightlife. Enjoy this private tour to explore a wide range of activities in Berlin and Potsdam, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
customize ⤍8 days / from1501 USD
Explore Northern Germany on Your Own
From Bremen to Stralsund - Northern Germany offers plenty of gems to explore. With well-developed public transportation links, this itinerary is suited for everyone wanting to explore on their own - getting lost on the cobble-stoned streets of many UNESCO World Heritage Highlights.
customize ⤍15 days / from6264 USD
Capitals of Europe - Berlin, Prague, Vienna and more
This trip is ideal for all city & culture lovers: the Reichstag in Berlin, the castle in Prague, historical Cesky Krumlov, St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, the fortress above Salzburg and Schloss Neuschwanstein near Munich - these are just some of the highlights of this incredible roundup trip.
customize ⤍11 days / from4212 USD
Castles across Austria and Czechia
Austria and Czechia are home to some of the world's most beautiful architecture and culture gems, such as Schloss Schönbrunn in Vienna, Prague castle, the fortress above Salzburg and many more. Finish your tour with a visit to Schloss Neuschwanstein before flying out of Munich.
customize ⤍12 days / from4536 USD
Best of Germany
Germany has a lot to offer to visitors: history buffs will enjoy guided tours in Berlin and Dresden, children (and those at heart) will marvel at Schloss Neuschwanstein, scenery lovers will appreciate Rothenburg and the Black Forest. This trip truly has something for everybody!
customize ⤍11 days / from3510 USD
Exclusive trip to Prague and Austria
Explore the main highlights of Central Europe: fascinating Prague & historical Cesky Krumlov, the highlights of Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck in Austria and then further on to Germany - get in the Disney spirit at Schloss Neuschwanstein.
customize ⤍8 days / from1134 USD
Discover Saxony
Saxony is one of Europe’s most versatile destinations for art and culture. However, it is not just a treasure trove for culture buffs and city breakers but also features stunningly beautiful landscapes for adventures and active breaks in the great outdoors.
customize ⤍12 days / from5346 USD
Oktoberfest in Germany & Beer culture in Austria & Czechia
Oktoberfest is a 2-week festival held in Munich/Germany. The first weekend of October is traditionally the last weekend of the festival, so plan accordingly. Before or after, head to Austria and Czechia for some more insights in to European beer culture.
customize ⤍5 days / from1058 USD
Saxony - a first impression
Embark on an exploration tour through Saxony starting in Dresden. A 5-day “taster journey” combines cultural highlights and romantic spots in and around the state capital and make your way to Leipzig. The ideal tour for a perfect "first impression".
customize ⤍11 days / from4212 USD
Beer culture in Czechia, Austria and Germany
Beer is an important part of Central European culture and this trip allows you to get to know this part in more detail - Pilsner brewery in Czechia, the famous Hofbräuhaus in Munich, the small and unique Stiegl brewery in Salzburg - get your taste buds ready for lots of Beer-liciousness.
customize ⤍8 days / from4298 USD
An active outdoor trip for the whole family in Germany & Austria
Discover 'The Sound of Music' in Salzburg, swim in the lake at Zell am See, go hiking in the mountains of Kitzbühel, and get to know the world's most famous castle Neuschwanstein in Bavaria. Start and end to the tour is Munich and you can easily extend your days here.
customize ⤍This is the beer that took over the world after German and Czech migrants introduced Pils lager to the USA, UK and dozens of other countries, despite it being one of the most difficult beers to make. Pilsen is now by far the most popular style in Germany, if not worldwide. At its best, it is light, crisp, clear with an earthy hint of the Saaz hops. Helles is a slightly maltier version.
Try: Weihenstephan Pils from the world’s oldest brewery. For a Munich Helles pick up Augustiner-Bräu Lagerbier-Hell.
© Werner Heiber/Shutterstock
This ‘March’ beer is a deliciously malty lager from Bavaria (and very similar to the Oktoberfest style). It's usually a couple of shades darker than a lager, with a rich caramel flavour, but has that same crisp finish. It’s becoming more popular among craft brewers, and rightly so – it’s eminently quaffable.
Try: The classic is Ayinger Märzen.
This beer made in Cologne (Köln) looks like a lager, but is fermented warm like English ale then cold stored ('lagered'). It’s one of the few beers with a Protected Geographical Indication, and is light and full of character. Altbiers from Düsseldorf are darker – the German beer most like a UK ale – but much crisper and cleaner.
Try: Früh Kölsch has been a classic since 1904. A great Altbier is Uerige Alt.
Stood overlooking the Alps or after a long day skiing, it’s the sumptuous Weissbier – a wheat beer – in that tall curvy glass that you’ll reach for. "Weiss" means white, and these beers are usually hazy. Hefeweizen in particular has a yeasty taste ("hefe" means yeast) imparting a spicy clove aroma and, often, a suggestion of bananas.
Try: Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier.
A refreshing wheat beer is almost considered breakfast, or liquid bread in southern Germany © Shutterstock
As the clamour for sour beers continues in the craft beer world, it was only a matter of time before the once-obscure Berliner weisse returned. And be thankful it did. This summer beer is usually low in alcohol (2.5-4%), cheek-suckingly tart and sessionable (yes, it’s a beery word I’m afraid). Don’t miss the salty Gose either, a close cousin.
Try: Bayerischer Bahnhof make a great Gose and "Berliner Style Weisse".
Brewing a light beer took time and skill, from the maltser who ‘toasts’ the cereal kernels to the brewer. First came the Dunkel, a dark lager, high in malt characteristics with very little hint of hops. It’s a popular style over the winter months and perfect for swilling down your classic Munich beer hall food, schweinshaxe – a roasted ham hock.
Try: The Augustiner-Bräu Dunkel (preferably in a loud Munich beer hall).
The ‘black lager’ is, for this beer enthusiast at least, one of the great beer styles. It can be as black as Guinness, but with an incredible lightness of touch, effervescence and as crisp as a pale lager. Buy one for a lager drinking friend and you'll have them on it all night. Delicious.
Try: Köstritzer Schwarzbier. No need to look any further. Seek out now.
Steady with this one, the alcohol volume is often around 7%. It’s a sweet, malty, lagered beer that is popular in winter. A slightly lighter gold version is the Maibock, while the Dopplebock is even stronger and maltier; a sipping beer – but not as much as Eisbock that can turn to the alcohol volume up to 11%.
Try: The Paulaner Salvator Dopplebock is the original, first created in 1629.
Bacon! Want to drink bacon? Well you probably never really thought of it before, but this is as near as you’ll get. There are a couple of other breweries around the world that make a Rauchbier, but really the Aecht Schlenkerla Marzen is the original and the one to pick up. The intense smokiness comes from malt that has been smoked. A bit of a surprise this one, but stick it out – it’s surprisingly drinkable!
Try: Aecht Schlenkerla Marzen.
Daniel is the editor of the craft beer publication Original Gravity%.
Explore more of Germany and its beer with The Rough Guide to Germany. Compare flights, book hostels for your trip, and don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.
Top image: © Frank Gaertner/Shutterstock
written by Daniel Neilson
updated 11.10.2023
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