The most beautiful cities in Germany

Germany’s most beautiful cities and towns stand among the best places to visit in the European Union. They span almost the full range of European variety.

There are cities with Roman origins and remains such as Trier, Cologne, Regensburg and Mainz.
Medieval cities such as Nuremberg, Erfurt, Bamberg and Worms and the half-timbered Harz region towns of Goslar, Quedlinburg and Wernigerode.
Renaissance showpiece cities such as Lübeck, Augsburg or Bremen.
Cities with Baroque survivals, including Dresden, Heidelberg or Passau.
Plenty of German cities have beautiful palaces on their streets or nearby, like Potsdam, Munich, Stuttgart, Würzburg and Weimar.
The great cathedrals such as Cologne, Regensburg, Bamberg, Mainz, Erfurt, Worms, with countless other churches, sometimes in Romanesque but more commonly in the Gothic style. The münster of Ulm has the tallest spire of them all.
Museums of culture and art among world’s best, including Deutsches Museum, Deutsches Nationalmuseum, Alte Pinakothek and the Pergamonmuseum.

All these places can be reached by train and bus (Quedlinburg is on a branch line). All offer a range of hotels, hostels, guest houses and other types of accommodation. All are very walkable and, like most German towns and cities, are really best seen on foot. But trams and buses help get people to and from hotels or attractions and for the bigger centres, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf and Nuremberg, there are fast regular options in the form of S-bahn and U-bahn trains and light-rail transport.

Security

Travellers are subject to local laws, of which ignorance may not be taken as an excuse for infringements. Common sense and usual Western standards are the best everyday guides to proper behaviour in Germany and vigilance the best safeguard of self and property. The only particular warning may pertain to copyright infractions and there are warnings against purchase or illegal digital download of what may be copyright material.

For current advice on travel in Germany, travellers should seek advice from their country’s government departments responsible for foreign relations. Its embassy (Botschaft) and consulates in Germany (listed below) can provide some support and advice to travellers. The US State Department advice webpage for Germany stresses German vigilance in meeting potential terrorist threats, but also points out the limitations of Europe’s Schengen open-border policy in tracking some threats.

Crime

The incidence of crime is relatively low in Germany and recent statistics have showed a decline in overall criminality. Instances of violent crime are lower still. The highest crime rates in the country are reported for Frankfurt am Main, Hannover and Berlin. Munich has one of the lowest levels reported, but overindulgence in Oktoberfest beer can lead to brawls. The most common offences to concern travellers are bike theft (car theft is also prevalent), begging or pickpocketing. But the main threat to possessions is quite likely to be other travellers.

As usual busy public places, especially transport hubs, are places to be vigilant, especially with luggage and other possessions.

Police

The German police (Polizei) will be on the street in combinations of blue, green or khaki with dark jackets in cooler weather. Most police forces are state-based (Landespolizei) and uniforms and sleeve and cap badges vary accordingly. Their vehicles may be labelled with blue or (older) green. The universal police emergency telephone number is 110. Police will be on site at major transport hubs.

Traffic police (Verkehrspolizei) have white caps. Criminal investigation departments wear plain clothes as in most English-speaking countries. The federal police (Bundespolizei) are responsible for border security, railways (with posts at or near many major stations) as well as the coast guard (Küstenwache). Other federal agencies cover national criminal intelligence. Some large cities have a municipally based police (Stadtpolizei or Ordnungsdienst) attending to local laws. Volunteers (Sicherheitswacht or Wachpolizei), some uniformed in blue and armed, also take on neighbourhood patrols in states such as Berlin, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony and Hesse.

Police can demand identification on the spot so a passport or other proof should be carried. Keeping copies of official documents should be standard practice for travellers.

Fire

The fire brigade (Feuerwehr) can be called on the 112 free emergency number.

Embassies & consulates

Embassies and consulates of a traveller’s home country will generally assist in matters of law and medical crisis, such as finding local lawyers and doctors, and with emergencies such as medical evacuation. Direct advice on local law is not usually provided.

They expect all travellers will take reasonable precautions and make prudent preparations, often including registering travel plans with the department of foreign relations. It is best that travellers check their country’s consular charter before travelling and wise to have contact details (see below) available in case of emergency.

Diplomatic posts assist in cases of lost travel documents and provide general advice on local conditions and practices for travel purposes. They can also assist in getting information to next of kin in emergency cases. They generally provide assistance with absentee voting in elections.

Embassies and consulates cannot usually be expected to provide direct assistance with costs, although some might provide small loans with strict conditions in emergency cases.

Embassies and consulates might be able to provide emergency help without notice but it is generally best to telephone and arrange appointments. Honorary representatives might provide only a limited range of services to citizens. Embassies and consulates can be closed on public holidays celebrated in the home country as well as local public holidays. Emergency numbers, for use out of hours, are provided where available in the contact list below.

Embassy contacts and office or consular hours

Australia

Australian Embassy, Berlin
Wallstraße 76, 10179 Berlin
(tel 030-8800880, fax 030-880088238, email [email protected])
M-F 8.30-17.00

www.germany.embassy.gov.au/beln/home.html

* Australia also has a consulate-general in Frankfurt and an honorary consul in Munich. In emergencies, tel 0011-61-2 6261 3305.

Canada

Embassy of Canada, Berlin
Leipziger Platz 17, 10117 Berlin
(tel 030-20312470, email [email protected])
M-F 8.30-16.30

https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/germany-allemagne/

* Canada also has consulates in Munich and Düsseldorf. In emergencies, tel 030-203120.

India

Embassy of India, Berlin
Tiergartenstraße 17, 10785 Berlin
(tel 030-257950, email [email protected])
M-F 9-17.30

https://indianembassyberlin.gov.in/

* India also has consulates-general in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. In emergencies, tel 030-25795820.

Ireland

Embassy of Ireland, Berlin
Jägerstraße 51, 10117 Berlin
(tel 030-220720)
M-F 9.30-12.30

https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/Germany/

* Ireland also has a consulate-general in Frankfurt and honorary consulates-general in Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and Stuttgart. In emergencies leave contact details, tel 030-220720.

Israel

Israeli Embassy in Germany, Berlin
Auguste-Viktoria-Straße 74, 14193 Berlin
(tel 030-89045511, email [email protected])
M-Th 14-16.30

https://embassies.gov.il/berlin/

* In emergencies, tel 030-89045203

Malaysia

Embassy of Malaysia, Berlin
Klingelhöferstraße 6, 10785 Berlin
(tel 308857490, email [email protected])
M-F 8.30-16.30

https://www.kln.gov.my/web/deu_berlin/home

* Malaysia also has a consulate-general in Frankfurt. In emergencies, tel 0160-91883622.

New Zealand

New Zealand Embassy, Berlin
4th floor, Friedrichstraße 60, 10117 Berlin
(tel 030-206210, email [email protected])
M-F 9.30-13, 14-16

https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/germany/new-zealand-embassy/

* New Zealand also has a consulate-general in Hamburg. In emergencies, tel 0011-64-99202020

Singapore

Embassy of the Republic of Singapore, Berlin
Voßstraße 17, 10117 Berlin
(tel 030-2263430, email [email protected])
M-F 9-13, 13.30-17

https://www.mfa.gov.sg/overseas-mission/berlin

* Singapore also has an honorary consulate in Munich. In emergencies, tel 0152-23412182

South Africa

South African Embassy, Berlin
Tiergartenstraße 18, 10785 Berlin
(tel 030-220730, email [email protected])
M-F 8-12.45, 13.30-16.30

https://www.suedafrika.org/en.html

* South Africa also has consulate-general in Munich, a consulate in Frankfurt and honorary consuls in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Hannover, Bremen, Dresden, Stuttgart, Dortmund and Kiel.

United Kingdom

British Embassy, Berlin
Wilhelmstraße 70, 10117 Berlin
(tel 030-204570, email [email protected])
M-F 9-13, 14-17.30

*The UK also has consulates-general in Munich and Düsseldorf and honorary consulates in Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Hamburg. In emergencies, tel 030-204570.

www.gov.uk/government/world/germany

United States

Embassy of the United States, Berlin
Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin
American citizen services and mail address:
Clayallee 170, 14195 Berlin
(tel 030-83050, email [email protected])

https://de.usembassy.gov/

* The US also has consulates-general in Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Leipzig. In emergencies, tel 030-83050.