Official language: German

Religion: 57% Christian - 36% No religion - 7% Others / Undeclared

Population: 2018 estimate 83,019,200[8](17th)

Location: located on the continent of western Europe

Currency: Euro

Traditional food:

Sauerbraten

Germans love their meat dishes, and sauerbraten (meaning ‘sour’ or ‘pickled’ roast) is a pot
roast that’s regarded as one of the country’s national dishes. It can be made from many
different meats, which are marinated in wine, vinegar, spices, herbs and seasoning for up to 10
days. This recipe is ideal for tenderising cheap meat cuts. Schweinebraten is a delicious roast
pork dish usually served with braised cabbage or sauerkraut and dumplings (knoedel), and
washed down with a pilsner beer.

Rouladen

This typical German food involves wrapping thinly sliced meat – usually beef but also veal or
pork – around a filling of bacon or pork belly, chopped onions, pickles and usually mustard, and
then browned and simmered in broth (braised). The mixture changes between regions, with
some variations including minced meat. It is common to serve this dish with gravy, dumplings,
mashed potato or blaukraut (cooked red cabbage). This was once considered a common dish
using cheap meats but is now eaten at festivals, weekends and family meals.

Brezel

Brezel are soft, white pretzels made from flour water and yeast and sprinkled with salt (and
sometimes different seeds). It’s great to eat as a side dish or snack, especially with a strong
German beer. They’re in every bakery and on street stands, sold plain, sliced and buttered
(butterbrezel) or with slices of cold meats or cheese.

Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte

You’ll find lots of cakes and tarts to tempt you in Germany, commonly made with fresh fruit.
Few can resist a huge slice of the most famous of German cakes: the delicious Schwarzwalder
Kirschtorte, or Black Forest gateau. The cake is named after Schwarzwalder Kirschwasser,
which is a liqueur distilled from tart cherries. Alternating layers of rich chocolate cake, cherries
and whipped cream are topped off with more cream, maraschino cherries and chocolate
shavings.

Main Citie: Berlin

Tourist places:

Rothenburg medievalun

Munich

Coblenza y el valle del Rin

The city of Munich is known for being the headquarters of Oktoberfest

1. Oktoberfest, Munich
What started as a royal wedding celebration is now the largest folk
festival in the world, drawing crowds of nearly 7 million people who
consume almost 8 million liters of beer. The Bavarian capital of Munich is
among Germany’s most beloved tourist destinations and is filled with
castles, palaces, monuments, and gorgeous architecture. Oktoberfest is
the most famous of all traditional German festivals. During the two weeks
of Oktoberfest each fall, the entire city dons dirndl and lederhosen and
huge crowds join in on the drinking, eating, and merriment on the Wies’n.
More than just drinking (though it obviously takes center stage), the
festival grounds are decked out with rides, games, shops, and food stands.

Music, beer, lederhosen…what else do you need?

Though Munich’s Oktoberfest is the largest, many cities in Germany hold
their own folk festivals at this time. Huge fairs with plentiful beer and
traditional German dress can also be found at the Cannstatter Volksfest in
Stuttgart or the Cranger Kirmes in Herne, both of which also draw crowds
in the millions.

But Oktoberfest isn’t only about beer and getting drunk. Half of the
fairgrounds include carnival rides and games, and the “Old Oktoberfest”
section is less raucous and includes more traditional tents. In some years,
there is a wine tent where you can try out German wines. Otherwise, if
you want a break from the crowds, the smaller tents are more like
restaurants, and specialize in a certain meal while serving you a liter of
beer as well. Furthermore, the biergartens are attached to every big
tent and offer you some fresh air and a more casual, conversational
atmosphere than inside the tents.

2. DFB Pokal, Berlin

If you’ve ever believed Germans to be stoic, you’ve never seen them at a
soccer game. Like most Europeans, Germans are crazy for football and
often have a deep-seated loyalty for their regional team. Held annually,
the DFB Pokal is a knockout tournament for 64 of Germany’s top qualified
football teams. The final, which takes place in summer in Berlin’s Olympic
Stadium, is the German equivalent of the Superbowl. Rivalries run high.
Face paints and banners as far as the eye can see. Singing, cheering, open
weeping, and the occasional streaker make the DFB Pokal Final one of the
wildest and most emotional annual events in Germany.
 Borussia Dortmund takes home the title as 2017 DFB Pokal
Champions. Source.

3. Karneval, Cologne
Originating in Venice, Carnival is now celebrated all over the world from
New Orleans to Rio de Janeiro. Each has its own unique flavor, and the
German version is something like a two-week long costume party. This is
especially true in Cologne, a city famous for its Karneval celebrations.
Performers during the Rose Monday Parade in Cologne, Germany. Image
Source.

The biggest event of the season is Rose Monday, when 74 decorated

floats, 67 tractors, and 50 Ford Trucks promenade for three hours
through a 6 km track of downtown Cologne. Performers in the parade
toss sweets, flowers, and plush toys to the spectators, the vast majority of
whom are dressed in their wackiest costume. The parade also tends to be
filled with political satire, with many floats featuring caricatures of
European politicians.

The whole week is, like most traditional German festivals, accompanied
by heavy drinking and lots of dancing. Come for the Rosenmontag parade
but stay the whole week to attend all of the amazing concerts, parties, and
events that go on as part of Karneval.

Cologne is filled with costume parties and concerts during Karneval.

Photo by Martin Terber.

4. Asparagusfest and Onionfest, Schwetzingen &

Weimar
German food isn’t exactly adored world-wide. Known to consist mostly of
meat and potatoes, German cuisine tends to be pretty heavy on the basics.
Perhaps that is why there are several traditional festivals in Germany
dedicated to the country’s staple crops.

Have you ever seen anyone so excited about onions? Source.

Thanks to Germany’s long and persisting farmer culture, there are

festivals throughout the country to celebrate each important harvest,
with two crops in particular reigning supreme. Though German food
festivals dedicated to each foodstuff can be found in most any region
where the crop is grown, the Onionfest (Zwiebelnfest) in Weimar and
Asparagusfest (Spargelfest) in Schwetzingen are two of the largest and
most well-known harvest festivals in the country. Not only can you buy
the freshest picks of the season, you can also try plenty of dishes based
around the vegetable of the moment and pick up asparagus- or onion-
themed costumes.

5. Reeperbahn, Hamburg
Europe’s largest club festival and the German equivalent of
SXSW, Reeperbahn is a music festival spread out the beautiful northern
port city of Hamburg. Instead of being held in one dedicated location, the
majority of bars, clubs, and music venues throughout the city host
upwards of 800 concerts over the course of four days in September.
Reeperbahn is where music labels’ newest darlings make their debuts
and the next stars are discovered. Label scouts, indie hopefuls, and
underground music fans turn out by the tens of thousands.

During Reeperbahn, the entire city of Hamburg comes alive with

music. Source.

6. Berlinale, Berlin
The largest international film fest in the world, the Berlinale has been
held annually since 1978. With more than 400 films screened, all
competing for 20 prizes called Gold or Silver Bears, the Berlinale
showcases the world’s elite cinematic talent in most every genre.
The Berlin International Film Festival is one of Europe’s most prestigious
red-carpet events. Source.

Although it is of the most hyped red-carpet events in all of Europe,

Berlinale is distinct from many other film festivals in that it is accessible
for people outside of the film industry. While many renowned film
festivals are invite-only (Cannes) or require purchasing an access badge
for thousands of dollars (Sundance, SXSW), Berlinale sells public tickets
for single screenings. And, at around 12 euros a pop, it’s really not much
pricier than seeing a movie in theaters.

7. Wurstmarkt, Bad Dürkheim

Drawing crowds of more than 600,000 people each
September, Wurstmarkt is the world’s largest wine festival and dates
back to 1417. Wurst means sausage, which is just as plentiful as the wine,
making this traditional German festival a gluttonous good time. With 36
historic wineries in the region that cultivate primarily Riesling, Pinot, and
Gewurztraminer, there is lots and lots of tasting to be done. Locals say
that there are only two seasons in Bad Dürkheim: before and after
Wurstmarkt. No one has much recollection of what happens in between.