Visit Germany: The UN-Official Guide

The territory of Germany covers 357,021 km2 (137,847 sq mi), consisting of 349,223 km2 (134,836 sq mi) of land and 7,798 km2 (3,011 sq mi) of water. It is the seventh largest country by area in Europe and the 63rd largest in the world. Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Alps (highest point: the Zugspitze at 2,962 metres (9,718 ft)) in the south to the shores of the North Sea (Nordsee) in the north-west and the Baltic Sea (Ostsee) in the north-east. Between lie the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: Wilstermarsch at 3.54 metres (11.6 ft) below sea level), traversed by some of Europe’s major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.

Germany shares borders with more European countries than any other country on the continent. Its neighbours are Denmark in the north, Poland and the Czech Republic in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France and Luxembourg in the south-west and Belgium and the Netherlands in the north-west.

From the high Alps in the South, the Bavarian plain, and the flowing hills of central Germany to the coast of the North and Baltic Sea: it all looks like a miniature train landscape packed with the nicest of old towns, medieval houses, gothic churches.

Thanks to the different regional princedoms, earldoms, monarchies and states Germany did not unite until the last centuries. Thus Germany has not one but many major cities. And each city has its own unique character, formed by its history and the surrounding region. Each is a whole new world unto itself in which you will experience not only different architectural styles and art treasures but also a very distinctive lifestyle. Local traditions and mentalities are clearly reflected everywhere – in the arts, the nightlife, the shops, the pubs and restaurants and the way people work and live.

To start in the north, spend some days in Hamburg, Bremen or Lübeck, those old “Hanse” cities, whose prosperity arose from the independent shipping trade. Berlin, the capital, is of course one of the top travel destinations in Germany – no matter if you are going there for business, cultural or political reasons, or just to enjoy yourself: Berlin has everything!

The division of BERLIN into zones of occupation in 1945, although seemingly arbitrary, followed exisiting local government boundaries, and the dual profile which emerged was by no means solely a product of the Cold War. In his famous interwar collection of short stories, Goodbye to Berlin, Christopher Isherwood wrote:

Berlin is a city with two centres – the cluster of expensive hotels, bars, cinemas, shops around the Memorial Church, a sparkling nucleus of light, like a sham diamond, in the shabby twilight of the town; and the self-conscious civic centre of buildings around the Unter den Linden, carefully arranged.

The latter, the political and cultural core of the Imperial German capital, duly became the heart of East Berlin and of the GDR, while the former quickly adapted itself to the makeshift role of city centre. Because of the decades of division, the reunited city found itself with two of almost everything, but the rationalization process has already reduced the duplication quite markedly, and will eliminate it almost entirely over the course of the next decade.

Although never a conventionally beautiful city, Berlin has much fine architecture, as well as an extraordinary spread of museums which collectively rank among the very richest on the planet. It also has a wide range of bars and restaurants, a vibrant nightlife and strong traditions in the performing arts. Because it occupies a vast geographical area, one interrupted by a plethora of parks, forests and lakes, Berlin is not a place that is appreciated easily or quickly.

Pending Berlin’s full recovery from its long period of division, MUNICH is the German city which most has the air of a capital about it. Even though it has never ruled over a territory any larger than the present-day Land, the grandiose palaces from Bavaria’s era as an independent kingdom give it the appearance of a metropolis of great importance. When this is added to a remarkable postwar economic record (courtesy of such hi-tech giants as the car manufacturer BMW, the aerospace company MBB and the electronics group Siemens), and to its hard-won status as the national trendsetter in fashion matters, it’s easy to see why Munich acts as a magnet to outsiders. Students flock here to study; the rich and jet-set like to live here, as do writers, painters, musicians and film-makers, while foreign nationals now make up more than a fifth of the population. Munich’s other, more familiar face is of a homely city of provincially minded locals whose zest for drinking, seen at an extreme during the annual Oktoberfest, is kept up all year round in cavernous beer halls and spacious gardens.

The city is something of a late developer in German terms. It was founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion, the powerful Saxon duke who for a short time also ruled Bavaria, as a monastic village (Mönchen means monks) and toll-collection point on the River Isar, a Danube tributary. In 1180, it was allocated to the Wittelsbachs, who ruled the province continuously until 1918 – the longest period achieved by any of the nation’s dynasties. Munich was initially overshadowed by Landshut, though it became the capital of the upper part of the divided duchy in 1255. Only in 1503 did it become capital of a united Bavaria, and it remained of relatively modest size until the nineteenth century, when it was expanded into a planned city of broad boulevards and spacious squares in accordance with its new role, granted by Napoleon, as a royal capital. Hitler began an even more ambitious construction programme in accordance with Munich’s special role as Hauptstadt der Bewegung “Capital city of the (Nazi) Movement”; thankfully, only a part of it was built, surviving to this day as a reminder of this inglorious chapter in the city’s history.

Despite its cosmopolitanism, Munich is small enough to be digestible in one visit, and has the added bonus of a great setting, the snow-dusted mountains and Alpine lakes just an hour’s drive away. The best time of year to come is from June to early October, when all the beer gardens, street cafés and bars are in full swing.

Right in the centre Hannover is worth a visit. In the eastern part of Germany, you can find real jewels: Leipzig, Weimar, Schwerin and even Dresden , although it was bombed horribly, saved lots of their prewar architectural heritage, and the latter has just restored the famous Frauenkirche. Continue going southwards, maybe with passing Nuremberg, you will sooner or later arrive in Munich, the capital city of beer, but also of art, with the famous Pinakothek. It is a good starting point to find the treasures of Bavaria.

Germany’s cities have endless pleasant surprises in store for those who enjoy good food and drink. In addition to top-quality international cooking each region has its own local specialities, ranging from hearty country fare at simple inns to modern light cuisine at star-rated restaurants. Accompanied by our world-famous beers and wines, all this plenty is guaranteed to make your tour of Germany’s cities an unforgettable culinary experience.

Discover the beautiful Southwest of Germany with cities like Freiburg, Heidelberg and Tübingen. In the western part cities still have some french influence, discover Bonn, Düsseldorf, Cologne- the heart of the Rhineland, Trier, the oldest city of Germany and a former capital of the Roman Empire or Aachen with its impressive cathedral and history back to Charlemagne.

Today, Germany is also an industrial powerhouse. In the Ruhrgebiet ( Essen, Oberhausen, Duisburg and surroundings) there is heavy industry, different car brands like Porsche, Mercedes (near Stuttgart ), BMW and VW make Germany one of the world’s biggest car producers and Frankfurt is the country’s bank and finance centre, called also “Mainhattan” (“Main” is a river in Frankfurt). All this makes the standard of living one of the highest in the world.

After years of separation between West Germany and the DDR, the country is now growing together back again, a longer and perhaps more painful process than many expected. At the same time has Germany become a more normal country. If you look at the history of Germany this century, being normal is not a bad thing.

Saxony’s capital Dresden is located in what once was called Valley of the Clueless; as the city is encircled by mountains and hills, the signals of the West German TV stations never seemed to reach Saxony’s antennas, forcing them to watch the propaganda programs the Socialist party had hatched up for them. Once an important cultural and commercial metropolis featuring Germany’s then most impressive architecture, Dresden was practically wiped out over two nights of air raids in February, 1945. The city has recently undergone much renovation and is now reaching the splendor it once had. Nowadays, it is marked by hard contrasts: most of the famous buildings have been restored or rebuilt from scratch; the Neustadt, formerly a beggars’ quarter, is flourishing to a surprising extent; various parks and recreational areas contribute to its beauty. However, the city is not without its bad districts. While these contrasts have clearly been typical of German cities since World War II, one is inclined to claim that majesty and deformity are scarcely as close to each other as in Dresden. It almost seems as if each side was the prerequisite to its counterpart. Hellerau

Located in the city’s very north, Hellerau is a quarter you might be predisposed to miss, but it’s definitely worth a visit, being the first German “Garden Town.” Its founding originates in Karl Schmitz’s commitment to the city’s plans, begun in 1907. Luckily enough, the remote district had not been a target for Allied bombers in 1945, and remains a popular destination to this day. Loschwitz

Dresden’s most impressive bridge, the ” Blue Wonder ” (Blaues Wunder), connects Blasewitz and Loschwitz. The latter is an excellent place to live in, provided that you can afford to rent or buy a residence here. Among the sights one shouldn’t miss are the castles Albrechtsburg Schloß and Schloß Eckberg (now a luxury hotel). Especially when seen from the other side of river Elbe, Loschwitz’s villas and châteaus afford a fantastic view. Fairly close to the north of Loschwitz, the quarter named Weißer Hirsch is situated along the edge of Dresden’s very own forest, the Dresdner Heide . Weißer Hirsch

Driving from Bühlau towards Dresden’s inner districts, one should look out for the automatic speed cameras. On a lighter note, the tiny yet appealing district Weißer Hirsch (White Stag), namesake of a traditional restaurant, is located here. This area is home to Dresden’s upper class; they reside in charming dwellings, play tennis on tepid afternoons, enjoy the silent riverside atmosphere at the Elbhänge (Elbe slopes) or uses the cable railway towards Loschwitz. We, on the contrary, head for the city’s inner parts and pass the Radeberger Vorstadt – host to the combined brewery and beer garden and the Waldschlösschen (Forest Castle) – to reach the Äußere Neustadt (Outer Neustadt). Äußere Neustadt

By far Dresden’s most lively district, the Outer Neustadt is the area to the northeast of Albertplatz. Originally an economically and culturally unimportant poor man’s quarter, it was neglected by British and American bombers in World War II. The city’s catastrophe became the Neustadt’s opportunity to gain attention – although the quarter continued to deteriorate after the War, young folks and bohemian artists took over the neighborhood and deeply influenced the character it now has. Some of the pubs and clubs that had emerged during the Communist regime, like the Planwirtschaft , do still exist, even though their appearance and character have altered since then. The German Reunification of 1990 made West German real estate enterprises keen to renovate the old turn-of-the-century houses, and it attracted more students and businessmen willing to rent or buy apartments. Progressively, the Neustadt’s temper and charm have changed, its alternative culture partially moved to the quarter’s outer parts. The Outer Neustadt is marked by its population’s heterogeneity: punk teens with giant dogs sleeping rough, hip-hop kids wearing only the latest American brand outfits, white-faced people with black clothing locally referred to as Grufties (Goths), young, well-off entrepreneurs running Internet companies, lots of students from all over the country, and of course, those who have been living here since they were born. It is a peculiar mishmash, but also an intriguing one. The list of places to visit encompasses bars like Dejà Vu or Scheunecafe , innovative upscale boutiques such as Koma , the gorgeous Martin Luther Church and Pfund’s Molkerei , billing itself the world’s most beautiful milk shop. Innere Neustadt

Heading west from Albertplatz, the splendid Königstraße (King’s Street) leads us directly into the Inner Neustadt. This district burned down in the fire of 1685, and World War II also left its mark. The quarter has since been elegantly redeveloped, and currently it might be considered Dresden’s most beautiful area. Indeed, the Inner Neustadt bears a resemblance to Munich and its well-looked-after baroque houses, its designer boutiques and extravagant restaurants entice many well-to-do travelers. Altstadt

Crossing Augustusbrücke (Augustus’s Bridge) from here, the wonderful sight of Dresden’s lovely silhouette – the famous Canaletto view – meets the eye. Particularly at night, when most buildings are beautifully illuminated until 1am, the Brühlsche Terrassen (Brühl’s Terraces), the Semper Opera House and their surroundings constitute a majestic view. The bridge leads us into the Altstadt, originally the town’s older part. It had been almost entirely annihilated in February 1945, and for years thereafter, only the sad remains of the Frauenkirche (Women’s Church) had been left as a depressing legacy of the Second World War. Eventually, however, Dresden’s public overcame the tragedy and began to reconstruct, redevelop and renovate the quarter that had once legitimized the city’s international glory. Nowadays, the Theaterplatz is again one of Germany’s most admirable places, even though it is permanently flooded with tourists from all over the world. Around this square, you’ll find more architectural attractions than most other German cities have on the whole: irrespective of the aforementioned sights, there is the great Zwinger , the Castle (Schloß), the Cathedral (Kathedrale), the Fürstenzug and the Kempinski Taschenbergpalais , to name but a few. The sophisticated reconstruction of the Frauenkirche is being performed using practically all of the original parts that could be preserved. Art lovers and history connoisseurs must not miss a visit the Albertinum and the Green Vault ( Grünes Gewölbe ) that can be reached through Brühl’s Terraces. Innenstadt

At the Terraces’ other end, one should walk a few steps up Carola Bridge and turn around. Here, Dresden’s divergence is most impressive: to the right, there is the city’s picturesque silhouette that could not possibly have been painted more romantically; to the left, however, nothing but futuristic high-rises up until the very horizon. Following the St. Petersburger Straße, the road that Carola Bridge runs into, you’ll be led into the city center. That said, Dresden has no real center in the sense of a huge shopping district, but at least there is the Prager Straße , a modern pedestrian zone featuring several controversial architectural feats, such as the three almost identical Ibis Hotel towers and the two postmodern wells. The Prager Straße is a passable shopping street with all popular Western department stores like Karstadt , international chains such as H&M or Foot Locker, fast food restaurants, and a futuristic cinema called UFA Palace, incidentally Dresden’s only movie theater showing the latest movies (in English too, if only from Sunday to Tuesday). To the street’s southern end, you’ll find the central station at the Wiener Platz, one of Dresden’s many construction sites, showing that the city is still reconstructing and advancing. Südvorstadt A stones’ throw south of the main station, the university quarter unfolds. As Dresden University of Technology has no single campus, its facilities and institutes are widely spread over several districts, though the administrative center and the majority of academic buildings are situated around the Nürnberger Platz. Opposite the newly constructed Auditorium Center ( Hörsaalzentrum ) where most Business, Economics and Law students attend their classes, you’ll find the university cafeteria, or Mensa. Meals for students are affordable at 3EUR and the taste rather resembles English cooking. There are some student bars in the vicinity, though most students prefer the remote Neustadt for nightlife activities.

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