Personalized trips to Germany
for independent travelers

How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
Chat icons Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
Credit card icon Step 3
Securely book your trip
100% satisfaction guaranteed

Travelers love kimkim

- ., traveled to in

Introducing Germany

Discover Germany, both old and new.
To say that Germany has a historical legacy is an understatement—this is a European nation with more than 2,000 years of upheaval under its belt, from the Saxon Dynasty through the global wars of the 20th century. In the past few decades, Germany has reemerged as a progressive, industrious nation and cultural powerhouse, with one of the best-loved capital cities in the world. 

When is the best time to visit?
Like most nations in Europe, Germany’s high season is in the summer. Beat the crowds in spring when the weather is pleasant and the cherry blossoms are at their prettiest (the blooms are best seen in the city of Bonn). Throughout Germany, spring is also the time to enjoy music, dance, and beer festivals—in Hamburg, there's even a celebration of the aforementioned cherry blossoms each May.

Late September and early October coincide with Germany’s world-famous Oktoberfest beer fest in Munich and throughout Bavaria. And if you visit during the snowy holiday months, you'll enjoy the quintessential Christmas markets of Hamburg, Dresden, Cologne, and Berlin.  

Where should you go?
Start your trip in Berlin, and stay for a while—it's a city filled with culture and history. This is where you'll find great restaurants, incredible nightlife in the Kreuzberg district, sites of interest like the Reichstag building and Brandenburg Gate, and important memorials and museums related to the Holocaust. For museums and medieval history, visit the historic Old Town districts of Cologne, Munich, and Hamburg. Outside the capital, travelers can encounter WWII-era history in Nuremberg, the Eagle’s Nest (Hitler’s bunker complex in the Bavarian Alps), and at the concentration camp at the town of Dachau. 

How many days do you need?
You can see the major sites of Berlin in a day or two, though you can spend much more time getting to know its many distinct neighborhoods and attractions. If you have at least a week, you can pair the capital with another major city: eat and drink your way through Munich, see the tony Elbe River port town of Hamburg, or visit the cathedrals and bridges of charming Cologne. Spend two weeks and add some time in the Rhine Valley, or road trip through the forests of Bavaria.

Germany Travel Insights

Munich's Christmas market in the courtyard of the Rathaus is one of many
Germany in December: Travel Tips, Weather & More

December in Germany is that special time of year when charming outdoor markets, or Christkindelsmarkt, pop up across the country. You won't have to travel far to find gingerbread and Glühwein from Hamburg down to the Austrian border in the shadow of the mighty Zugspitze (Germany's tallest peak). While you're in the Bavarian Alps, head to the lively ski resorts, which open this month just in time for the holidays.

The Berlin Cathedral in late autumn
Germany in November: Travel Tips, Weather & More

November is a quieter, colder time in Germany, but that doesn't deter intrepid visitors who put on an extra layer to explore uncrowded cities and historic sights on foot. By the end of the month, things start picking up again when Christmas markets open all over the country (especially Berlin) for warm mugs of Glühwein.

Visit the Eltz Castle in October for prime autumn colors
Germany in October: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Fall in Germany quiets down after Oktoberfest—a great time for scenic road trips that prioritize leaf-peeping and outdoor activities that may combine hiking and wine tasting. The cities, for their part, have plenty going on, from Berlin's festival of lights to an international book fair in Frankfurt. Read on for more on what to expect in Germany in October.

The southwestern town of Heidelberg kicks into spring in April
Germany in April: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Welcome to "Frühling" (spring) in Germany, when colorful blooms take the place of dull winter landscapes. This is a great time to explore the country post-hibernation and hit April fairs and festivals in cities like Frankfurt, Munich, and Stuttgart. Prices will increase during the week of Easter, so it's best to book early.

May is a great month to explore the gardens at Dresden's Zwinger Palace
Germany in May: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Without a doubt, May is one of the very best months to travel throughout Germany, thanks to the supreme spring weather. It's also before the summer crowds arrive, leaving you perfect conditions for enjoying a wide range of popular attractions and local festivals celebrating everything from white asparagus to cherry blossoms.

Harvest time in the vineyards around Stuttgart, Germany
Germany in September: Travel Tips, Weather & More

There's more to early autumn in Germany than liters of beer and oompah bands. September is a lovely time to explore the country's quieter natural environs once the summer crowds have dissipated, with meandering drives in the Black Forest and 13 wine regions and activities in the Alps before the snow arrives.

Related Destinations

Travelers who visit Germany also visit these destinations

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
kimkim trips are 100% climate neutral
A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
BBB A+ rated

Kimkim is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Germany

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Amazing Munich
Germany | Feb 17 - Feb 20, 2023

Ana
Ana C.
St. Marys, GA | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2023

We started our trip with a flight cancellation due to an airport strike, but our Kim Kim team, Tomaz, Mojca and Zala made the necessary arrangements and delivered a wonderful experience!
Our 3 day trip started with a visit to the Dachau concentration camp. A very emotional but a must see one!
Then we headed to the city were the Palace, the churches, the Redidenz, the monuments, Marienplatz, the streets and the great vibe, made of our trip an unforgettable one for sure!
The BMW world and... read more

We started our trip with a flight cancellation due to an airport strike, but our Kim Kim team, Tomaz, Mojca and Zala made the necessary arrangements and delivered a wonderful experience!
Our 3 day trip started with a visit to the Dachau concentration camp. A very emotional but a must see one!
Then we headed to the city were the Palace, the churches, the Redidenz, the monuments, Marienplatz, the streets and the great vibe, made of our trip an unforgettable one for sure!
The BMW world and museum, the Olympic Park and its Tower, the walk through the English Garden made the second day a very relaxing one, ending with a must dinner at the Hofbrauhaus!
The third day we drove to the Neuschwanstein Castle and the view were breathtaking! From there, we went to Innsbruck, visiting gorgeous churches and the absolutely beautiful Austrian Alpine mountains. Innsbruck was the perfect end to our trip. Quaint and beautiful! ( and the visit to the Swarovski store)
The star of the trip: Mr Karl, our private guide! He went above and beyond! We felt like visiting with a family member. He was great with our 9 year old and a wonderful talker. He is so knowledgeable in history, not only of the city or the country, but of the whole world. His positive attitude and his smile makes the trip even better! We definitely need more Karls in the world!
Thank you Kim Kim for another awesome vacation!
See you in our next adventure!

Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Reviewed on Feb 28, 2023

Hi Ana,

thank you for your nice words! See you soon travelling again with KimKim!

Berlin, Munich and Neuschwanstein the last week of Dec 2022
Germany | Dec 26 - Jan 1, 2023

Liza
Liza L.
Shaw, DC | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2023

Zala and Tomaz planned an excellent, detailed itinerary with transportation, tours and lodging. Hotel Mio in Munich was the best. Located in the old city on a pedestrian shopping zone, rooms were quiet and one had a view of an old church clock tower. The rooms had espresso machines. Berlin's Hotel 38 rooms were very small and the bathrooms were tiny- similar to a train, but the breakfast was superior with plentiful offerings and fantastic staff. It would have been nice to have had... read more

Zala and Tomaz planned an excellent, detailed itinerary with transportation, tours and lodging. Hotel Mio in Munich was the best. Located in the old city on a pedestrian shopping zone, rooms were quiet and one had a view of an old church clock tower. The rooms had espresso machines. Berlin's Hotel 38 rooms were very small and the bathrooms were tiny- similar to a train, but the breakfast was superior with plentiful offerings and fantastic staff. It would have been nice to have had lotion in the hotel rooms in both Munich and Berlin but they did have water bottles. The one night we were at Ruby Louise Hotel in Frankfurt was good- there was lotion in the rooms, but no water bottles. Breakfast didn't start until 7am which was a little tight since our airport ride was scheduled for 7:30am. The restaurant that was booked for us on New Year's Eve, Zu den 12 Aposteln, was perfect and tasty, like eating in a cozy wine cellar. We would not have found this on our own.
High-speed trains were efficient, stress-free and a great way to travel- much more comfortable and better than renting a car.
Mr. Harald Zawuski was an exceptional guide! He was very knowledgeable, engaging, compassionate and thorough as he walked us for 6 hours around Berlin. Time really flew by and we gained a rich appreciation for the history and culture and were lucky enough to even see famous people- Angela Merkel and Christoph Waltz!
In Munich, Mr Thomas was great and took us to places we would not have known to go to on our own, such as inside the Preysing Palais.
The Neuschwanstein bus tour was excellent- we saw Linderhof, Oberammergau and Neuschwanstein. Our guide Barbara and driver were attentive and informative with a reasonable number of about 30 people with bananas, apples, cookies, peanuts, and snack pretzels on the bus as well as a bathroom. They also offered us a local bottle of beer on the way back to Munich. We walked the strenuous trail from the start of the visitor center to Marienbrucke and further up to the overlook at Neuschwanstein. Not for the faint of heart, it was an invigorating work-out but with amazing panoramic views.
This was a nicely organized adventure and I was happy to have their planning expertise. This was a rewarding time-saver for a memorable holiday family trip with our college son and teenage daughter.

Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2023

Hi Liza, thank you for your kind review. We look forward to seeing you travel with us in the future.

Tomaz

This was our first trip to Germany .
Germany | Sep 26 - Oct 1, 2022

naveen
naveen R.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2022

This was our first trip to Germany . We used Tomaz help to plan a trip in Bavaria . We had three days planned and each day the plan was really well scheduled .
First day we met Karl . We loved Karl . This man is full of patience , is so good with kids and gave us so much information . We did not want to leave his side so as not to miss any information . He is so kind and helpful. A very honest person who did not push any of his ideas and gave frank reviews of hotels and restaurants . We... read more

This was our first trip to Germany . We used Tomaz help to plan a trip in Bavaria . We had three days planned and each day the plan was really well scheduled .
First day we met Karl . We loved Karl . This man is full of patience , is so good with kids and gave us so much information . We did not want to leave his side so as not to miss any information . He is so kind and helpful. A very honest person who did not push any of his ideas and gave frank reviews of hotels and restaurants . We went to chiemsee lake the first days . On our way back he showed us a lot of Munich and even was kind enough to take us centre of city and show us the Marienplatz on our way to hotel . He got us umbrellas and asked us to keep them for the trip . Thanks to him we call a sweatshirt we bought “ monster t shirt “
Next day we went to rothenberg with Thomas . Another very kind and patient person . Very detail oriented . A very caring fatherly figure and he never gave us attitude for any detours esp when my wife started having headache he was kind enough to drive to a pharamcy . We talked a lot about history politics movies Oktoberfest food and he gave us some really good options of good Bavarian cuisine which was very affordable .
Karl took is to castles in Bavaria which was an awesome experience and he thendropped to Garmisch and again gave us a detailed plan on what all we could do. He could have just taken us to the castle and dropped us back and be done with it but he took his time and took us to these beautiful detours showing places you could not see if you did not have a private tour .

Thomas dropped us back to Munich airport and despite delay due to accident he kept his calm and was very reassuring all the way back .

We had a minor issue with the Train from Berlin to Munich as our seats were not reserved so we had to sit on the floor for 2 hours before we could find a spot .
Zala was very helpful all the way . Her emails are very well detailed with all the information and the trip went very smooth . The hotels booked very nice and very comfortable accommodations .
In all a very well planned trip . Looking forward for many more trips together

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Mercure Munich City Centre
Munich
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Zugspitze
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Tomaz Martinek
Tomaz
Tomaz Martinek
Local specialist in Slovenia | Reviewed on Oct 12, 2022

Hi Naveen, thank you. I look forward to seeing you on another trip with us. Kind regards, Tomaz