Germany is home to many fascinating ancient ruins and interesting architecture. The country is dotted with well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Porta Nigra in Trier and the Roman Baths in Baden-Baden. The iconic Cologne Cathedral, a stunning …
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Backpacking Germany in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Germany with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Germany
Welcome to Germany, a backpacker's haven where modernity meets tradition in a picturesque landscape. Pros? Efficient public transport, diverse cultural experiences, and a well-established backpacker infrastructure. Germany boasts a rich history and vibrant cities. However, it can be pricier than some destinations, and off-the-beaten-path adventures may require extra effort. For backpackers seeking a blend of history, culture, and efficient travel, Germany offers a well-trodden yet rewarding path, where the journey unfolds through charming villages, bustling cities, and scenic landscapes.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Germany
Architecture
Mountains
The Bavarian Alps in Germany are a great mountain range to explore. This stunning region offers a variety of outdoor activities and breathtaking landscapes. The Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, is located here and offers incredible panoramic …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Germany
- Visit the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin: This iconic landmark is a symbol of Germany’s unity and is a must-visit for history buffs.
- Explore the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria: Known as the ”Fairy Tale Castle,” this stunning palace offers breathtaking views and a glimpse into Germany’s rich history.
- Experience the Oktoberfest in Munich: Join the world’s largest beer festival and enjoy traditional Bavarian food, music, and of course, beer!
- Discover the Romantic Road: Drive along this scenic route, passing charming towns, picturesque landscapes, and medieval castles.
- Visit the Cologne Cathedral: Marvel at the impressive Gothic architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site, and don’t forget to climb to the top for panoramic views of the city.
But Germany offers more...
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Germany
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Germany
The best time to visit Germany for backpacking is during the summer months, from June to August. During this time, the weather is generally pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). This allows for comfortable exploration of the country's cities, towns, and natural landscapes.
In addition to favorable weather conditions, summer offers a wide range of outdoor activities and events. You can hike in the Black Forest, explore the picturesque Bavarian Alps, or visit the beautiful castles along the Rhine River. Germany also hosts numerous festivals and cultural events during the summer.
However, it's worth noting that summer is also the peak tourist season in Germany, which means that popular attractions can be crowded and accommodation prices may be higher. If you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October), when the weather is still pleasant, and there are fewer tourists.
In addition to favorable weather conditions, summer offers a wide range of outdoor activities and events. You can hike in the Black Forest, explore the picturesque Bavarian Alps, or visit the beautiful castles along the Rhine River. Germany also hosts numerous festivals and cultural events during the summer.
However, it's worth noting that summer is also the peak tourist season in Germany, which means that popular attractions can be crowded and accommodation prices may be higher. If you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October), when the weather is still pleasant, and there are fewer tourists.
Risk level: medium (50%)Safety advice for Germany
- Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorists have staged attacks and threatened more. They may target transport hubs and places foreigners visit, including Christmas markets. Be alert in public places and report suspicious activity to the police.
- Violent crime isn't common, but it does happen. Petty crime occurs occasionally, such as pickpocketing and theft from cars and trains. Take care of your belongings.
- Racial harassment occurs. Take care in cities, particularly in the former East Germany.
- Watch out for drink spiking. It can lead to sexual assault. Stick with people you trust in bars.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
GermanyMy tips to get you on the way!Does Germany sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Germany. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Germany may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Germany. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Germany may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Germany, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Germany, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024