Pass The Passport

Places / Europe

Germany

Visited

At a glance

Region
Western Europe
Capital
Berlin
Population
83.5 million (2025)
Area
357,114 km²
Languages
German
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+49
Visited: Germany

Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.

Before you go

Overview

The Federal Republic of Germany is a country located in Central and Western Europe. Germany is the largest economy in Europe. A large portion of the country is covered by forests and rivers.

Germany recorded a population of 83.02 million in 2019 and covers an area of 357,386 km2.

The capital city is Berlin. The city is known for its Wall remains Brandenburg Gate and the gold-coloured Berliner Philharmonie.

Other major cities in Germany are Hamburg, Munich, Potsdam, Cologne, Kiel, Dresden and Bremen.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin.

History

The country was united by Otto Von Bismarck in 1871. It became a republic after its defeat in World War I. Adolf Hitler who headed the Nazi Party became the chancellor of the country in 1933.

West Germany joined NATO and East Germany joined Warsaw Pact in 1955. The two regions were reunited in 1990 by Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is based on the history of Europe but with influences from the secular and religious cultures.

The country’s main crops are sugar beets, cereals, rye, fodder crops and potatoes. Common dishes include bratwurst, maultaschen, labskaus, currywurst and black sausage.

Wildlife

Common wildlife animals include European pine marten, European wildcat, wild boar, European badger, bi-coloured shrew, red fox and chamois.

Festivals & events

The major festivals include Oktoberfest in Munich, Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Berlinale Film Festival and Weihnachtsmarkt Festival.

Things to see

Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical memorial in Berlin built during the 18th century by Frederick William a Prussian King.

There is the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin that was built by Peter Eisenman in commemoration to the Jewish victims during the Holocaust.

There is the Berlin Opera and Berlin Philharmonic, a large theatre with one of the most famous orchestras in the world.

Also, there is the Neuschwanstein Castle that was built in the 19th century on a rocky hill in Hohenschwangau.

There are numerous tourist attractions sites in the different cities like Berlin museum Island, the black forest and Rhine valley.

Heidleberg Castle, Heidleberg.

Interesting facts

Germany is the most populated and industrialized country in Europe.

It is also the leading manufacturer and exporter of vehicles, machinery and electronics in the world.

The University fee in Germany is free even to the non-Germans.

The predominant population adheres to Christianity.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Run a marathon in Germany

Berlin Marathon

Berlin · usually September

The flattest and fastest of the World Marathon Majors, where most marathon world records are set. Entry is by ballot. The finish runs through the Brandenburg Gate.

I ran it in September 2026

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

Races I've run in Germany

  • Sep 2017 Spartan Sprint · Berlin, Germany 1:15:00
  • Sep 2017 Spartan Super · Berlin, Germany 3:00:00
  • Sep 2026 Berlin Marathon · Berlin, Germany 3:14:54

All my races

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany

6 of 54 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Germany

From 2 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

September 2026 Berlin Marathon

Berlin

Whole trip gallery
  • The Brandenburg Gate under a deep blue sky in Berlin
  • Berlin Cathedral's green domes behind the fountain in the Lustgarten
  • A colourful mural on the East Side Gallery, the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall
  • The golden Victory Column rising above the Tiergarten
  • The dome of the Bode Museum above the River Spree on Museum Island
  • The Reichstag building with its glass dome and German flags
  • The Berlin TV Tower soaring above Alexanderplatz under wispy clouds
  • A man wearing a medal standing in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
  • A large classical palace building with a domed roof next to a cathedral dome under a blue sky.
  • Colourful Trabant cars parked outside a yellow Trabi World building with a large sign.
  • Bright graffiti mural with cartoon figures including Batman and bold colourful lettering.
  • A colourful mural on the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery.

January 2023 Bremen

Bremen

Whole trip gallery
  • Bremen's market square and historic gabled houses glowing at dusk

Plan your trip to Germany

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Germany