Things to Do in Germany: Munich, Berlin and the Rhine

Quick answer

The best things to do in Germany on a first trip are Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich's old town and beer halls, the Zugspitze, a Rhine Valley cruise past castles, Heidelberg's old town and the Black Forest. In Berlin, see the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag dome, the Berlin Wall and Museum Island. In December, add the Christmas markets.

13 things worth your time in Germany

01
Neuschwanstein Castle
Landmark
King Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle above the Alpine foothills. The guided interior tour lasts about 30 minutes; the view from Marienbrücke is what most people remember.
Full day from MunichAbout ₹2,400 (€21 plus €2.50 booking fee)
Tickets are timed and sell out in summer, so book online. Children under 18 enter free but still need a ticket.
02
Marienplatz and Munich's old town
Landmark
The neo-Gothic town hall, the Glockenspiel's mechanical figures at 11 am and noon, the Frauenkirche and the Residenz palace, all within a few minutes' walk.
Half dayFree
03
Viktualienmarkt and a Bavarian beer hall
Food
Munich's open-air food market and the Hofbräuhaus are classic Bavaria, and vegetarians can order pretzels, Obatzda cheese spread and Käsespätzle.
2 hoursFree entry; a meal about ₹1,500–2,500 (€15–25)
04
BMW Welt and BMW Museum
Experience
The showroom is free and fun for car-loving families; the museum next door traces a century of BMW design.
2–3 hoursBMW Welt free; museum about ₹1,000–1,200 (€10–12)
05
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Landmark
The first Nazi concentration camp, 40 minutes from Munich by S-Bahn and bus. Sobering and important; not suitable for young children.
Half dayFree; audio guide about ₹400–500 (€4–5)
06
Zugspitze
Nature
Germany's highest peak at 2,962 m, reached by cog railway and cable car from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with snow even in early summer.
Full dayRound trip about ₹7,100–8,200 (€70–80)
Check the summit webcam before you go; cloud can hide everything.
07
Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag dome, Berlin
Landmark
The symbol of reunification, and the glass dome on top of the parliament building with a free audio guide and city views.
2–3 hoursFree
Reichstag dome visits need advance online registration and your passport at entry.
08
The Berlin Wall: East Side Gallery and Bernauer Strasse
Landmark
The longest surviving stretch, painted by artists in 1990, and the memorial at Bernauer Strasse, which explains how the death strip worked.
2–3 hoursFree
09
Museum Island, Berlin
Landmark
Five museums on one island, including the Neues Museum with the bust of Nefertiti.
Half dayDay pass about ₹2,400–3,100 (€24–30)
The Pergamonmuseum's main building is closed for a long renovation; check what is open before buying a pass.
10
Rhine Valley cruise, Rüdesheim to St Goar
Day trip
The UNESCO-listed stretch of the Rhine, lined with hilltop castles, vineyards and the Lorelei rock.
Full day from FrankfurtBoat about ₹2,500–4,100 (€25–40) one way
Sail downstream from Rüdesheim and return by train along the bank, which is faster.
11
Heidelberg old town and castle
Landmark
A red sandstone castle ruin above Germany's oldest university town, with the Old Bridge and a long pedestrian main street below.
Half dayCastle ticket with funicular about ₹1,000–1,200 (€9–12)
12
Black Forest: Triberg, Titisee and cuckoo clocks
Day trip
Dense pine forest, Germany's best-known waterfalls, a lake for pedal boats and workshops selling the original cuckoo clocks. A long-time favourite of Indian tour groups.
Full dayTriberg waterfalls about ₹800–1,000 (€8–10)
13
Christmas markets
Experience
From late November to 23–24 December, town squares fill with wooden stalls, lights and roasted almonds. Munich, Nuremberg and Cologne have the largest.
An evening or twoFree; mulled wine or hot chocolate about ₹500–700 (€4–6) plus a cup deposit
Keep the mug as a souvenir or return it for the deposit.

What are the best things to do in Germany?

First-timers from India usually focus on Bavaria (Munich, Neuschwanstein, the Alps) and the south-west (the Rhine Valley, Heidelberg and the Black Forest), with Berlin as the alternative for 20th-century history. Lufthansa and Air India fly non-stop to Frankfurt and Munich from several Indian metros, so an open-jaw ticket, into Frankfurt and out of Munich, avoids backtracking.

How do you get around Germany?

Fast trains: ICE trains link the big cities; Munich to Berlin takes about four and a half hours. Saver fares on the Deutsche Bahn app are far cheaper when booked a few weeks ahead.
Regional travel: the Deutschlandticket (about €63 a month) covers regional trains and city transport, but not ICE trains, and it is a subscription you must cancel. For a week-long trip, regional day tickets such as the Bayern-Ticket are often simpler.
Groups and seniors: a car with driver makes the Black Forest and Neuschwanstein much easier than train-and-bus connections.

What does sightseeing cost?

Germany is good value for sights: many headline experiences, including the Reichstag dome, the Berlin Wall, Dachau and Munich's old town, are free. Budget roughly €150–250 (₹15,000–25,000) per adult for a six-day mix of castles, cruises, the Zugspitze and museums.

Germany is in the Schengen area, and VFS slots in India fill fast before summer. Read our Germany visa and Schengen visa guides, and apply as soon as your dates are firm.

Next, check the best time to visit, the Germany trip cost, where to stay in Munich and our food guide for vegetarian options.

Frequently asked questions

Is Neuschwanstein worth a day trip from Munich?

Yes, for most first-timers. Allow a full day: about two hours by regional train to Füssen, a bus to Hohenschwangau, then a 30–40 minute uphill walk or a horse cart to the castle. The interior tour is short, so combine it with the Marienbrücke viewpoint and the lakeside village. Book the timed ticket online in advance.

Munich or Berlin: which is better for a first trip to Germany?

Munich suits families and scenery lovers, with Neuschwanstein, the Alps and Salzburg within reach. Berlin suits travellers interested in history, museums, nightlife and street art. On six days, Munich with Bavaria and the Rhine works better than trying to add Berlin, which is four and a half hours away by fast train.

Is Germany expensive for Indian travellers?

It is cheaper than Switzerland and comparable to France. Many top sights are free, and public transport is efficient. The main costs are hotels, often €110–180 a night for a central 3-star room, and restaurant meals at €15–25. Bakeries, supermarkets and Indian restaurants keep daily food spending under control.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.