Germany

Land of Ideas (Land der Ideen)

Current Local Time

Germany Flag
Time Zone
Europe/Berlin (CET/CEST)
UTC/GMT +1 hour (UTC+2 during Daylight Saving)

Current Weather in Berlin

18°C
Partly Cloudy
Feels like: 16°C
Wind: 12 km/h W
Humidity: 72%
Visibility: 10 km
Tomorrow
16°C / 10°C
Rainy
Day After
17°C / 11°C
Cloudy
Sunrise
6:15 AM
Sunset
7:45 PM
Pressure
1015 hPa
UV Index
4 (Moderate)

Country Information

Capital
Berlin
Population
83.2 million (2023 est.)
Area
357,022 km²
Government
Federal parliamentary republic
President
Frank-Walter Steinmeier (since 2017)
Chancellor
Olaf Scholz (since 2021)
Currency
Euro (€, EUR)
GDP
$4.43 trillion (2023 est.)
Calling Code
+49
Driving Side
Right
Official Language
German

Major Cities & States

Germany has 16 federal states (Bundesländer) with diverse cultures.

Berlin
Berlin
Munich
Bavaria
Hamburg
Hamburg
Frankfurt
Hesse
Cologne
North Rhine-Westphalia
Stuttgart
Baden-Württemberg

Must-Visit Landmarks

Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate

Neoclassical monument and symbol of German unity in Berlin.

Berlin
Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle

Fairytale castle that inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle.

Bavaria
Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

Gothic masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cologne
Reichstag Building

Reichstag Building

German parliament with iconic glass dome offering panoramic views.

Berlin
Black Forest

Black Forest

Mountainous region known for cuckoo clocks, cherry cake, and scenic trails.

Baden-Württemberg
Dresden Frauenkirche

Dresden Frauenkirche

Baroque church destroyed in WWII and meticulously reconstructed.

Dresden

Brief History of Germany

9 AD

Battle of Teutoburg Forest

Germanic tribes defeat Roman legions, establishing Rhine as cultural boundary.

800

Charlemagne Crowned

First Holy Roman Emperor, uniting much of Western Europe.

1517

Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther's 95 Theses spark religious transformation in Europe.

1871

German Empire

Unification under Prussian leadership with Wilhelm I as Emperor.

1933-1945

Nazi Germany

Adolf Hitler's dictatorship, WWII, and the Holocaust.

1949

Division & Reunification

Cold War division into East and West Germany, reunified in 1990.

Travel Tips for Visitors

Visa Requirements

Schengen visa rules apply. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for 90 days.

Currency & Payments

Euro (€). Credit cards widely accepted, but Germans prefer cash for small transactions.

Transportation

Excellent public transport (Deutsche Bahn trains, U-Bahn, S-Bahn). Consider Deutschland-Ticket for unlimited travel.

Cultural Etiquette

Punctuality is valued. Greet with handshake. Say "Prost!" before drinking. Separate trash for recycling.

Best Times to Visit

May-Jun: Spring, mild weather, fewer crowds
Jul-Aug: Summer, warmest weather, festivals
Sep-Oct: Fall, Oktoberfest, wine harvest
Nov-Dec: Christmas markets, winter sports

German Cuisine

Try bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel, sauerkraut, black forest cake, and beers like Pilsner and Weissbier. Regional specialties vary widely.