Planning on traveling to Germany? Whether it’s solo traveling, backpacking, or traveling with family, exploring Germany is going to be a wonderful travel experience. Germany is a huge, diverse, and amazing country. That’s also why you need travel guides to Germany. The country is also famous for its beer, sausages, majestic castles, and incredible hiking trails. It’s recommended to take your time and don’t rush while you’re visiting the country. Hence, you may want to have a basic plan or itinerary to make the best of your trip. To start your planning process, you can always refer to Germany travel guide books.
These travel guide books will help you figure out what to do, what to see, ways to get around, and show you everything you need to have the experience of a lifetime. Germany tour guide books also give you a little of the history of the places you visit. So, you can understand the culture better.
How To Choose The Best Germany Travel Guide Books?
Choosing the best Germany travel guide books helps you travel through Germany as seamlessly as possible. But, when you look at the shelves in the bookstore or online, it can be overwhelming. There are different aspects you should consider when selecting travel guides to Germany. Here are some of them!
Publisher/author
There’s a full range of guide book publishers. Choosing one of the known publishers or authors gives you up to date, inspiring, and trustworthy information. World-class guide books are written by expert writers that really know and familiar with the city, places, and others. Some well-known authors also write the guidebook based on their own experiences.
Version
Paperback, hardcover, or digital version? Some travelers who look for the best Germany travel guide books may prefer physical books (either it’s paperback or hardcover). Though it may not be handy, these books are useful when you need to take notes, use the maps, or look at the photos for preferences. Most publishers also provide a digital version for travelers who prefer practicality more.
Types
There are different kinds of Germany tour guide books you can choose from. Some books focus on relaxation, adventure travel, and traveling with children. Other books aim at travelers with different budgets. For example, if you want to visit Munich for its famous Oktoberfest, you can choose a guidebook that focuses on the festival and places you can stay near Oktoberfest itself. Are you planning to hike in the Alps? Then, choose a guidebook about Bavarian Alps with information about the mountain treks and detailed information, such as elevation, the trail, and more.
Content
Whichever traveling style you have, the best Germany tour guide books should give you all the information you need. Some travelers may like guidebooks with stunning photos, others may like those with the history or background about the region or the places they’re visiting. If you plan to have road trips or walking tours, getting a guidebook with maps and noted sights along the way is the best choice. What’s more, good guidebooks provide you handy tips and tricks from the insiders.
What should a travel guide include?
A good guidebook should include information about everything that useful for travelers, including places (regions), sights, and activities. Other information, like restaurants and accommodation, may be outdated, but still, it helps travelers to get a recommendation. Plus, the travel guide book that contains historical and cultural information and maps of varying details will be very useful.
German Survival Guide
13
Traveling in Germany without speaking a word of German is possible. But, having German Survival Guide is not only giving you language and cultural information about the country but also provides a lot of vocabulary and basic instruction that all focused on travelers’ needs. This why this book is on our list of Germany travel guide books.
Knowing a few phrases helps you making friends and ensuring a rich and rewarding travel experience. You can buy last-minute tickets to the opera, how to get help in an emergency or to find things to do in Berlin including discovering a hidden bar. For every purchase, you’ll get two cassettes and a small glossary/dictionary. All these make it one of your best travel guides to Germany.
The book has three parts, including phrases and grammar. It also includes full of cultural notes, like how not to look like a tourist, why not use first names, how to tip, and how to have good table manners. So, you understand daily social expectations, know what to expect and how to deal with them. You will find German pronunciations written throughout the book. With this, you’ll always have guidance on how to pronounce new words and phrases. Besides, the book provides an extensive index to help readers find the topics they want.
Ideal For
Long-term travelers, backpackers, business, and student travelers
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101 Amazing Things to Do in Germany
12
If this is your first time traveling to Germany, 101 Amazing Things to Do in Germany is one of the best Germany tour guide books to get. It offers you clear explanations about Germany and it’s compact enough to take everywhere.
This book provides the insight track on the most amazing and coolest things to see and do around the country. Whether you’re visiting popular attractions in Cologne, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, and Bonn, or visiting incredible festivals, from electronic festivals with world-famous headliners to the Berlin International Film Festival.
It also includes good information and travel tips, like where you want to dine, the places where you can party like a local and make new friends, and where to shop for authentic souvenirs. Visiting the fairytale castles that inspired Disney movies? You can find information about the coolest historical and cultural sights that you can’t miss. What’s more, there are some recommendations for outdoor activities and destinations for nature and outdoor lovers.
Ideal For
Adventurers, backpackers, photographers, party-goers, art, and cultural lovers
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The Ultimate Guide to Oktoberfest
11
You can find Oktoberfest around the world, but Munich is the place where you can get an authentic experience in its original place. The book is written based on the author’s knowledge and experiences from countless visits to the festival for years, making it one of your best travel guides to Germany. It gives visitors of Oktoberfest extensive practical advice and a clear idea of things to do and see during the festival, no matter if you come as single travelers, couples, groups, or family.
You will find everything about the event in 39 pages of The Ultimate Guide to Oktoberfest. There is a section about Oktoberfest’s background to give you some insight into the world’s biggest folks and beer festival. The table of contents guides you on the essential information, like How to get there, What to Wear, What to do if you don’t have a reservation, and What to eat and drink.
Some sections give you a description of each tent (14 big beer tents and more than 20 small and medium-sized tents). Get the details about The Parades, such as the Traditional Costume Parade and Opening Parade. You will also find the lyrics to few German songs. So, you can join in the singing in the beer tents.
Ideal For
Food travelers, photographers, party-goer travelers, groups, and family travelers
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The Rough Guide to Germany
10
If you’re looking for Germany travel guide books in the Kindle version, The Rough Guide to Germany is your best choice. Whether you’re planning to cruise down the Rhine Valley, go wine-tasting along the Mosel Weinstrasse, or enjoy the Schauinsland cable car, it helps you discover Germany and get the most of your visit that suits every traveler’ budget.
It provides detailed regional coverage, including off the beaten track or more tourist destinations like Berlin and Brandenburg. The book also includes ideal places and attractions to visit, such as Schloss Neuschwanstein, Elbe Sandstone Mountains, and Berlin Wall Memorial along the way to help you organize your trip itineraries. Plus, recommendations to sleep, eat, drink, and shop.
Rough Guide books are written by expert authors who are passionate about both writing and travel to deliver insight and priceless information. The Rough Guide to Germany is full of a stunning and rich collection of inspiring color photography. Plus, there are full-color maps that you can use without needing to get online. There’s even essential basic pre-departure information, including getting there, local transports, and background information about history, books, film, and music. So, if you need Germany tour guide books for your traveling, this is the one.
Ideal For
Family or group travelers, solo travelers, backpackers, photographers
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DK Eyewitness Travel: Back Roads Germany
9
DK Eyewitness Travel: Back Roads Germany is one of the best Germany travel guide books for travelers who want to discover the real soul and charm through the back roads of Germany. The book provides you twenty-four researched routes, each lasting one to five days. The book reveals hidden gems, breathtaking views, and authentic local experiences that you can only discover on road.
Get the unexpected experience on each tour that is burst with information and loaded with ideas for varied activities. These include cycling trips, short walks, and longer hikes to days on the beach, watersports, to wine tours. This book includes glossy color photos and a pull-out map of the entire region for easy navigation between tours and zip code information for use with a GPS device.
Plus, it has practical information you would need, including road conditions, length of the drive, parking information, and opening hours. On top of that, the authors also put the best-value hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants specializing in regional produce. All this information making it your best travel guides to Germany.
Ideal For
Adventurers, backpackers, family/group travelers, and photographers who want to experience Germany on a road trip
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Journey Through Germany
8
Journey Through Germany offers you a guide from north to south Germany that offers many different natural and cultural landscapes. These include the plains of northern Germany, the midlands hills to the highest point in the land, the Zugspitze, the coastal mudflats, and the popular islands of Sylt and Rügen. Besides, there is also additional essence about Germany, like Goethe and Schiller, Ludwig II of Bavaria and his palaces, plus the castles on the Rhine and Saale.
This travel guides to Germany book has the cover picture of Neuschwanstein Castle and more famous sights presented in the book. It gives a good overview of rich and turbulent past places in Germany, from the fairytale castles of Ludwig II of Bavaria to the Romanesque cathedrals of the German emperors. You will find that the book contains 75% photos and 25% text. Plus, there is short (yet informative) information for each image.
It provides a wide variety of photos, including churches, castles, small towns, big cities, people in local costumes, landscapes, and food that can be your photos’ inspirations. The book also includes Medieval cities and modern architectural constructions that harbor many highlights of Germany’s artistic and cultural history.
Ideal For
Photographers and the tech-savvy travelers
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Walking in the Bavarian Alps
7
Planning to hike the Bavarian Alps on the border of Germany and Austria? You should get Walking in the Bavarian Alps before going. This guidebook provides information on mountain walks and treks in Bavarian Alps, (southern Germany) between Lake Constance and Berchtesgaden. There are 70 routes range from half-day walks to 3-day hut-to-hut treks you can choose from, making it one of the best Germany travel guide books that all hikers and adventures need.
Some treks, including Partnach, Königssee and Breitach, and Höllental gorges are accessible from Munich, Salzburg and Innsbruck. This Bavarian hiking guide in the English book helps you narrow down your hike routes. Also, it gives you detailed information, including elevation gain, what there is to see along the way, a nice description of the trail terrain, and difficulty level. Along the way, you’ll find its detailed hiking map very useful. It also includes color photos, transport advice, and good tips for accommodation and refreshment stops.
Ideal For
Adventurers, hikers, outdoor lovers, and photographers
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National Geographic Traveler Germany (4th Edition)
6
If you’re looking for Germany travel guide books that mention smaller towns in Germany outside the cities, National Geographic Traveler Germany (4th Edition) is a great choice. For example, the book gives a short page of information about the city of Münster, but with quite detailed facts and interesting things to do in Münsterland and the area around Münster. It also the perfect Germany Travel Guide book for getting to know the countryside, complete with detailed background descriptions and self-guided walking and driving tours. This guidebook will satisfy your eyes with lots of fabulous photos from National Geographic.
If you want to take a walk up to the Summit of the Brocken, you will get everything you need to know about the information on walking or taking a train. Also, there are details on how hard the walk is, what is not to be missed, and how long it will take you. Besides, the book covers the entire country region by region, from the capital city of Berlin, Rheinland-Pfalz, Thuringe, Sachsen, northern Bavaria, Munich, and the Alps, and finally Baden-Wurtemberg.
What’s more, it provides you the insider tips on favorite or little-known sites and events. These include attending the medieval festivals celebrated at many castles in the Rhine Valley, surfing and windsurfing off the northern Baltic coast, touring underground Berlin, and learning how to brew beer in Bavaria.
Ideal For
Backpackers, adventurers, hikers, and photographers who look for enriching and authentic experience
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Kids’ Travel Guide Germany
5
Traveling with kids can be challenging. If you plan a family trip to Germany for the first time, Kids’ Travel Guide Germany is one of the best Germany travel guide books to give your kids. It’s a smart and fun way to keep your children interested in traveling from an early age. It focuses on four main destinations in Germany: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt/Main, and Hamburg. The book helps them (and also you or other adults) to get more familiar with the country and ready for the journey.
It includes activities before leaving, even suggestions for what to pack. Children can learn a little about the country, from flags and symbols, geography, food, history, and even some useful word in Germany.
With the help of a fun, educational, and engaging tour guide, Leonardo, kids can read relevant facts about Germany. The texts are well written and simply accompanied by big drawings and pictures. This unique travel guide and activity book in one also includes puzzles, useful tips, quizzes, coloring pages, and special tasks to keep them interested during the trip. What’s more, they can document and write about their experience in the several journey pages in the book. Not only available in paperback, but it’s also available for e-book readers.
Ideal For
Kids and family travelers
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Fodor’s Travel Essential Germany
4
Whether you’re planning to visit Munich, Berlin, and the Bavarian Alps for the first time or third, Fodor’s Travel Essential Germany is a great guidebook to make the best travel experience. Fodor’s travel guides are written by local writers who know the destination better than anyone else.
It’s divided into regions to help planning your trip. From the capital city Munich, the art scene of Berlin, to the more traditional region of Bavaria. Whether you’re interested in Germany’s beautiful scenery, vibrant nightlife, and hearty food and drink, the book gives recommendations, up-to-date references, and important facts.
It also includes useful details, such as where to eat and stay, climate throughout the year, and when attractions are closed. Plus, there are full-size street maps that will help you get around confidently. Spectacular color photos give you some guides and inspirations of the ultimate places and attractions throughout Germany. What’s more, there are some sample itineraries to help you plan. These include a map with travel times by train and recommended scenic bike rides and drives. Get this full-color travel guide book on paperback and digital version, where you can get it on Kindle.
Ideal For
Backpacker and adventure travelers, family or group travelers, business travelers, food travelers, and party-goers who are looking for insider tips from local experts
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Rick Steves Germany 2020
3
Rick Steves Germany 2020 is one of the most useful Germany travel guide books you can have. It helps you in preparation if you plan on visiting Germany for the first time and don’t know where to start. The book is easy to navigate, full of advice, and also focuses on details like money and transportations. So, you can create unique itineraries aligned with your interests for a multi-week trip through Germany on budget. Whether you’re visiting modern cities, alpine forests, remarkable villages, or fairytale castles, it has it!
Even before you leave, the book already helps by providing a packing checklist. It also gives historical information and how to get the most out of your time visiting top sights and hidden gems. The book is divided into some cities to help you find the destination easily. Plus, there are sections with helpful tips on finding places to sleep, eat, and see. You will also find information about transportation and travel tips to connect with local culture or self-guided walking tours. On top of that, this comprehensive travel book includes a German phrasebook and a fold-out map.
Ideal For
Backpackers and adventurers
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Lonely Planet Best of Germany
2
Lonely Planet is here with one of the best Germany travel guide books. It always comes with loads of information in a short amount of time. As one of the world’s best travel guidebook brands, Lonely Planet Best of Germany provides trustworthy information for every kind of traveler. You’ll find info on several top major cities, like Berlin, Cologne, Neuschwanstein, Potsdam, and Dresden, as well as Germany’s most popular attractions. So, you can get the best cultural insights about history, art, food, and more!
The book is available on both digital (Kindle) and paperback versions. The paperback version is small and sleek, making it easy to carry around during your traveling. It also includes several suggested itineraries with some information about various aspects of the trips. You’ll find recommendations about things to see and do, places to eat, places to avoid, and how to get to and from. Though it doesn’t provide lodging recommendations, the book provides some brief information on the different areas to stay in town. Besides, our website has covered that section for you!
At the end of the book, there are two short sections about German history, food, beer, and wine. Also, the arts and architecture of Germany, the German outdoors, and Germans as a people. It has full-color pictures of Germany’s interesting places. What we love the most is that the book has several detailed maps.
Ideal For
Backpackers, group travelers, photographers, family travelers, and tourists who prefer short stays in different places
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DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Germany
1
Filled with information, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Germany is a book that any traveler would need. Like others DK Eyewitness Travel Guide, this book is written by their expert travel writers and researchers. This guidebook is divided into states and major cities by a color-coding on the page edge. So, you will find the best attractions easily, from its Christmas markets, festivals, popular beer halls, to beautiful castles. Also, the book provides detailed itineraries and “don’t-miss” destination highlights with insights into history and culture. This makes it great for planning your visit.
There’s a breakdown of each state into smaller cities that are filled with a Visitor Checklist, several walking tours, and a map. It includes practical information about each location, like hours of operation and a phone number. Plus, the book provides about federal holidays. What’s more, there are hotel and restaurant listings for your recommendation.
The book also includes hand-drawn illustrations and hundreds of beautiful photographs. Our favorite is the 3D image of the Castle in Heidelberg with complete tags. All show what each part is and when it was completed. Sits at the top of our list of the best Germany travel guide books, it’s the next best thing to have a personal guide at your side. It’s also available in Kindle if you prefer the digital version.
Ideal For
Any type of traveler, from business travelers, family or group travelers, long-term travelers, backpackers, to solo travelers, and more
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