Culture guide
Berlin · Germany
Germany Travel Guide
The Germany guide: Berlin, Munich, the Rhine and the ICE.
8 min read · 7 days · Updated September 12, 2026
- germany
- travel guide
- Destination
- Berlin, Germany
- Duration
- 7 days
- Best time
- May-Sep
- Style
- Culture · Food · History
- Daily budget
- 130 EUR
Germany runs on rails and regional pride: Berlin's century of history, Munich's beer gardens, the Rhine's castles, Cologne's cathedral, and the Christmas markets that define December. Planning figures: Berlin ~€130/day, Munich ~€150, the regions ~€100.
The classic route: Berlin (3–4) → the ICE south → Munich (3) with Neuschwanstein and the castles as day trips.
What this guide covers
Berlin & Munich
North to south by ICE.
Day 1
Berlin — the Wall
Bernauer Straße and the East Side Gallery.
Day 2
Berlin — museums
Museum Island and the Reichstag dome.
Day 3
Berlin — Kreuzberg
Tempelhof, the markets, the night.
Day 4
ICE to Munich
Marienplatz and the first beer garden.
Day 5
Munich — gardens
The Englischer Garten and the Residenz.
Day 6
Neuschwanstein day
The fairytale castle and the Alpsee.
Day 7
Farewell
The Viktualienmarkt; MUC.
Where to Go
Berlin is the history-and-nightlife capital. Munich is the beer-garden-and-Alps city. The Rhine's castles run by boat from Mainz; Cologne's cathedral and Hamburg's port round out the north.
- Classic: Berlin 4 → Munich 3.
- Markets: Berlin 2 → Nuremberg 1 → Munich 2 (December).
- Rhine: Frankfurt 1 → the castles 2 → Cologne 1.
The ICE Arithmetic
Berlin–Munich by ICE in 4 hours from €40 booked ahead. The Deutschland-Ticket (€49/month) covers all regional transit — worth it for two weeks of regional travel.
What to know before you go
Money
- Berlin ~€130/day, Munich ~€150, regions ~€100.
- Book ICE fares 2–3 months out.
When
- May–September is beer-garden season.
- December's markets are the alternate highlight reel.
Turn this guide into a trip
The trip planner opens pre-filled with Berlin — adjust the dates and interests to fit your trip.
Plan around this destination
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Ready-made trips
Frequently asked questions
Berlin or Munich?
Berlin for history and nightlife; Munich for beer and the Alps. The ICE makes both a one-week trip.
Is Germany expensive?
Mid-priced: €100–150/day, with beer cheaper than water in places.
How many days for Germany?
A week does Berlin and Munich; ten adds the Rhine and the Christmas markets.