5 Days in Germany The Perfect Itinerary (2023)
If you plan to visit Germany for just 5 days, here I have put together for you a two 5 days perfect itineraries that you can choose from:
5 Days in Germany The Perfect Itinerary Option 1: Where Cool Meets Culture – Berlin and Beyond
5 Days in Germany The Perfect Itinerary Option 2: The Bavarian Highlights – Munich & the Bavarian#itinerary-2
5 Days in Germany The Perfect Itinerary 1: Where Cool Meets Culture – Berlin and Beyond
Your hunger for more German culture will undoubtedly be whetted by this little trip. Take in the energy of the perpetually unfinished German capital, be in awe of Dresden’s renaissance, and honor a Prussian ruler more devoted to the arts than to war.
Berlin
The Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie are some of the most popular landmarks in the city’s historic center. After viewing the magnificent artifacts in the Pergamonmuseum, take a tour to the Scheunenviertel, the city’s former Jewish neighborhood. At the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer and the East Side Gallery, you may come to terms with what it was like to live in divided Berlin. At the Topographie des Terrors, Berlin during the Third Reich receives a prime spot. Don’t forever to visit the Neues Museum to admire the beauty of an Egyptian queen.
From Berlin to Potsdam you get in 1.5 hours by car via A115 & B1 or in 45 minutes by bus.
Potsdam
Not just fans of the royal family might take the short detour to nearby Potsdam’s Unesco-listed Schloss & Park Sanssouci. Frederick the Great loved to spend his summers in the park and castle complex because it allowed him to be “sans souci” (without cares). He is buried close by. Tickets are timed, so arrive early and while you’re waiting, explore the other palaces and structures in the park, particularly the enchanted Chinesisches Haus. Consider including a trip to Schloss Cecilienhof, the location of the 1945 Potsdam Conference, if you’re interested in WWII history.
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Head to your next location, Dresden. From Potsdam to Dresden you get via A103 & B1in 2.5 hours by car or in 2 hours by bus.
Dresden
Take a long day journey to Dresden or stay overnight. In either case, focus your attention on the historic center that has been rebuilt from the ruins; the Frauenkirche and the Grünes Gewölbe treasures in the former royal palace are must-sees. On a boat trip or on a stroll along the Elbe’s north bank, make sure to take in the city’s distinctive cityscape. Choose your favorite among the Zwinger’s many collections to satisfy your need for culture once more. You can choose from collections of china, paintings, or armor.
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5 Days in Germany The Perfect Itinerary 2: The Bavarian Highlights – Munich & the Bavarian Alps
Most travelers envision beer gardens, fairytale castles, lederhosen, adorable villages, and the snow-covered Alps when they think of Germany. This trip is a rewarding introduction to the best that Germany’s south has to offer, far from attempting to dispel these clichés.
Munich
Spend your first day in Munich getting lost in the maze of narrow streets in the old town. Time your stroll to see the carillon at the Neues Rathaus and get a bite to eat at the Viktualienmarkt. Explore the majestic Residenz in the afternoon to gain a taste of the splendor that the Bavarian emperors surrounded themselves with. Include a stroll in the Englischer Garten on a beautiful day, perhaps with a stop at the Chinesischer Turm beer garden. You should definitely visit the Hofbräuhaus to see what all the hype is about, but you should also compare it to a local beer hall. If you enjoy art, visit the Pinakothek museums to view a variety of works, from contemporary paintings to ancient sculpture.
From Munich to Füssen you get via A96 & B17 in 2 hours by car, 2.5 hours by bus or by train in 2 hours.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Once in Füssen, find your way to the Neuschwanstein Castle. King Ludwig II’s fairy-tale castle is not the oldest or even the most ancient in Germany. No other building speaks to the imagination like Schloss Neuschwanstein. A guided coach tour is the simplest way to travel there from Munich, though you can also get there by train or vehicle. To really enjoy Neuschwanstein’s allure, arrive early and set aside some time for at least a little stroll around the nearby forests. Drive by the flamboyant Wieskirche, a rococo pilgrimage church that is placed on the Unesco World Heritage List. Make another stop at Oberammergau if you’re going straight to Garmisch-Partenkirchen to take in the charming painted houses and expert woodcarvings.
From Füssen to Garmisch-Partenkirchen you get in hour by car and in 2 hours by bus.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
The most opulent alpine resort in Germany is Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Although the double-village itself is rather attractive, you are here to experience the breathtaking cogwheel train and cable car ride up the Zugspitze. From this highest point in Germany, on a clear day, you can see into four other countries. You might be tempted to try your skiing prowess on slopes that frequently host international championships if it’s winter.
