Germany is one of the most popular countries to visit in Europe. People from all over the world flock to Germany to explore its beautiful castles and fairytale old towns, and to understand its horrific war history.
Whether you are planning a trip to Germany and want to make sure you experience it to its fullest, or you simply want to learn more about this incredible country, we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 things Germany is famous for.
20 Things Germany is Famous For
As a travel blogger, I have a responsibility to share both the positive and the negative aspects of a destination. And unfortunately for Germany, the thing it is most known for isn’t abhorrent actions in World War II. So, we’ll start there and then move on to the country’s redeeming qualities.
World War II
Let’s get the stain on Germany’s past out of the way first. Germany is probably most famous – or should we say infamous – for its brutal role in World War II. Although Germany was involved in both world wars, the second one was particularly monstrous because of the Holocaust, during which millions of Jewish people and other marginalized groups were murdered in death camps and concentration camps, like Auschwitz outside of Krakow, Poland.
Led by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime, the war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, had longterm global impact, reshaping international borders and resulting in the formation of the United Nations.
While it may have been the darkest chapter in German history, the country doesn’t try to hide the topic and its past atrocities. Instead, throughout the country you’ll find memorials, monuments, and museums detailing that ugly history in hopes that through education and awareness, history will never repeat itself.
Beer
Moving on to one of the more fun-loving things Germany is famous for – the country’s beer culture dates back thousands of years – when brewing beer was primarily done by monks.
But one of the most fascinating things about German beer is the strict quality standards that brewers must follow. The country is home to the Reinheitsgebot, or Beer Purity Law, established in 1516, which mandates that beer can only be brewed using water, malt, hops, and yeast—ensuring a high-quality, natural product.
Some of the best beers to try in Germany include Dunkels, Hefeweizens, and Kolsch – a beer hailing from the city of Cologne – one of the best cities to visit in Germany.
Oktoberfest
A country famous for its beer culture undoubtedly knows how to party. So, it is no surprise that the country plays host to the largest Volkfest in the world. Oktoberfest in Munich is a longstanding tradition that combines lively beer tents, fair rides and cultural costumes like lederhosen and dirndls.
Each fall, approximately 6 million people travel to the Bavarian capital to attend Oktoberfest during the two weeks that the festival runs. It’s a tradition that dates back to 1810, when the residents of Munich were invited to a huge celebration to mark the wedding of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig.
Gummy Bears
One of our favorite souvenirs from Germany, Haribo gummy bears are a beloved candy that the country is celebrated for. While Haribo Golden Bears are sold all over the world, the ones made in Germany are special.
The Haribo products sold in the United States are actually made in Turkey. While those sold in Germany are made in Germany and include one extra flavor – apple!
The Haribo gummy bears sold in Germany also seem to have a softer texture and are made with real fruit juice and natural flavors rather than artificial colors and flavoring.
Riesling
Wine lovers probably already know that Germany is known for producing one of the finest white wines in the world.
German Riesling is an acidic white wine that often has a floral or fruity aroma. Rieslings are mostly produced in the Mosel Valley – between Cologne and Frankfurt, but other regions like the Rheingau, Pflaz, and Nahe also create this crisp white wine.
Germany’s cool climate and steep vineyard slopes along the river valleys make these areas perfect for growing the grape varieties needed to produce Riesling wines.
Pretzels
Pretzels are one of the most popular foods to try in Germany. You can’t think of Germany without picturing a market stall selling freshly baked pretzels and breads.
Known for their twisted shape, golden-brown crust, and chewy texture, German pretzels are served plain, salted, or topped with seeds and enjoyed as a snack, a side dish with beer, or paired with sausages, mustard, or beer cheese.
Their roots in Germany date back to the early days of monks. Pretzels were often associated with religious symbolism, representing hands crossed in prayer.
Sausages
Another food Germany is renowned for is its sausages. The country produces multiple types of sausages, with each region having its own take on sausage. Bratwursts are perhaps the most popular variety in the country. This is a flavorful sausage made from pork, beef, or veal and seasoned with spices like nutmeg and marjoram before it is thrown on a grill.
Weißwurst is another type of sausage from the Bavarian region. A popular food to try when visiting Munich, weißwurst is a white sausage made from minced veal and pork, flavored with parsley and lemon zest. It’s typically eaten at breakfast and served with mustard and freshly baked pretzels.
Automobiles
Germany – particularly the city of Stuttgart – is often referred to as the birthplace of the automobile. In the 1880s, Karl Benz, founder of Mercedes-Benz, invented the first gasoline-powered car. The country produces some of the world’s most renowned car brands, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen.
German cars are celebrated for their quality and performance, and the country’s manufacturers continue to lead the charge with automobile advancements in safety, technology and sustainability.
Castles
Germany has some of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Many of the castles scattered across Germany’s countryside are positively fairytale-like. A glimpse into medieval times, castles like Burg Eltz, Hohenzollern, and Neuschwanstein are often located in remote areas. Some are perched atop hills while others sit at the bottom of valleys surrounded by trees.
Not only do many of Germany’s castles look like a fairytale setting, but some of these landmarks are also the real-life inspiration behind some of the most iconic Disney movies. Once the fortresses and residences of nobility and kings, most of Germany’s castles have been transformed into tourist destinations.
Half-timbered Architecture
One of our favorite things Germany is famous for is its charming half-timbered architecture. Known as Fachwerk in German, this is a distinctive medieval architectural style that is particularly found in small towns and villages like Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Half-timbered architecture features a framework of external wooden beams, which are exposed and left visible, with the spaces between them filled with materials like clay, or plaster. The buildings often have steeply pitched roofs, colorful facades, and decorative detailing that adds to the picturesque aesthetic.
Half-timbered houses can be found all along the Romantic Road and are commonplace in regions such as Franconia, the Black Forest, and the Rhineland.
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall, or what is left of it, is a famous historical landmark known worldwide. For decades it split the capital city in half and stood as a symbol of a divided nation during the Cold War.
Erected in 1961, the wall physically separated East Berlin, controlled by the Soviet-backed communist regime, from West Berlin, which was a free democracy. It became an international symbol of the contrast between communism and democracy.
For nearly 30 years, the wall restricted the movement of East Germans and even separated families. Its fall in 1989 marked the end of the Cold War and paved the way for Germany’s reunification in 1990.
Today, you can visit parts of the Berlin Wall that are still standing, like the East Side Gallery. A visit to the wall, as well as the Wall Museum, should be included on every Berlin itinerary.
Long Words
This may be one of the sillier things Germany is known for, but anyone who has tried to learn German will agree that the language is famous for its long, hard to pronounce words.
German is one of the best languages to learn for travel, but it certainly isn’t the easiest. It often combines multiple smaller words into one larger compound word. In fact, many times nouns, verbs, and adjectives are all fused together to describe a specific concept in a single word.
For example, words like “Nahrungsmittelunverträglichkeit” which is a food intolerance or even “Donaudampfschiffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft” which is the association for subordinate officials of the head office management of the Danube steamboat electrical services are two words that demonstrate the language’s ability to form long, detailed terms.
While such long words are often seen as humorous, they also showcase the complexity of the language.
Christmas Markets
Germany is one of the best places in Europe for a Christmas vacation.
The country is beloved for its magical Christmas markets, which date back to the Middle Ages and have become a cherished holiday tradition worldwide.
Cities and towns across the country transform into winter wonderlands, with festive stalls selling holiday decorations, seasonal treats like gingerbread, mulled wine (Glühwein), and German souvenirs.
Markets such as the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt – which is the largest in Europe or the Striezelmarkt in Dresden – which is the oldest in Europe – attract millions of visitors each year.
Casual, Sporty Fashion
While the German language may be complex, its fashion is casual and practical.
With an emphasis on functionality and comfort, German fashion brands like Adidas and Puma are leaders in sports and athleisure wear.
Given Germany’s love for nature and the active lifestyles that many Germans live, outdoor and performance clothing is not only popular but practical. This fashionable practicality results in an effortlessly cool and comfortable look that is sporty rather than trendy.
Innovators
Germany is the birthplace of one of the most well-known innovators of all-time – Albert Einstein. Einstein’s groundbreaking work in physics and theory of relativity reshaped modern science. But Einstein isn’t the only German innovator who has helped advance technology and science. Others include Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the printing press, and Carl Benz, who built the first gasoline-powered car.
The country places a strong emphasis on education and engineering excellence, so it is very likely the world will continue to see innovative advancements from Germany in the years to come.
Composers
While Germany has dominated in the science and tech fields, the country has also produced some of the most influential composers in history. German composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Sabastian Bach shaped the world of classical music.
Beethoven, who is probably one of the greatest composers of all time, is known for masterpieces like the Symphony No. 9 and Moonlight Sonata. He revolutionized classical music with his emotional and bold compositions. Johann Sebastian Bach’s celebrated works include The Brandenburg Concertos and The Well-Tempered Clavier.
Football
If you’re a fan of football, known as soccer in the USA, chances are you have watched Germany’s national team compete on the international stage.
The German national team, known as Die Mannschaft, has won four FIFA World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014). The country’s football clubs like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig, are also highly competitive, powerhouse teams with millions of devoted fans worldwide.
Nature and Forests
It’s no wonder Germans are typically active, sporty, and into nature because the country is famous for its forests and landscapes like the Black Forest, the Bavarian Alps, and the Saxon Switzerland National Park.
These regions offer lots of outdoor activities, like hiking, cycling, and skiing. With over 30% of its land covered in forests, Germany values the conservation of its many reserves and protected areas. Many of these reserves and the country’s national parks have well-maintained trails where you’ll find German citizens exploring year-round, regardless of the weather.
Punctuality
Another fun thing Germans are known for is their punctuality. This cultural trait stems from their respect for efficiency, discipline, and others’ time. The mindset is noticeable in the workplace as well as in the German people’s structured approach to daily life.
In Germany, being late is often considered disrespectful, as it inconveniences others. You’ll notice this punctuality in Germany’s precise public transportation schedules, which are typically very reliable and run on time.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Last but certainly not least, Germany is among the top 5 countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are currently more than 50 UNESCO-designated sites in Germany.
From preserved medieval towns and castles to historic landmarks and natural wonders, Germany is a wonderful place to visit for culture and history lovers.
Germany consistently ranks among the top countries worldwide in terms of UNESCO-listed sites, alongside Italy, China, Spain, and France.
What is Germany Known For?: A Quick List
Famous German People: Albert Einstein, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Martin Luther, Karl Marx, Angela Merkel
Famous Landmarks in Germany: Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Munich Frauenkirche, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Neuschwanstein Castle, Dresden’s Bruhl’s Terrace, Black Forest, Elbphilharmonie, Cologne Cathedral, East Side Gallery
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