Travel Guide To Germany

Indian Embassy in Germany

Embassy of India

Tiergartenstr.17 10785 Berlin, Germany
Hours of Operation: 9.00 hrs. To 17.30 Hrs. (Monday to Friday)
Telephone Number: 0049-30-257950
Fax Number: 030 26557000

Visa Process for Indians

The following documents are required to get a German visa:

• Original Valid passport for 06 months from the date of travel along with old passport, if any
• Visa application forms
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Return air ticket
• Day-to-day itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Income tax papers for last 3 years or Form 16
• Original saving bank statements of previous 6 months 

Time Required: 15 Working Days

Disclaimer: These are the standard requirements needed to attain a German visa. The visa requirements may change according to factors like employment status, age, etc.

About Germany

When in Germany, get all set for a roller coaster ride of feasts, extravagances and attractions while experiencing the country’s magnificent scenery, free-spirited culture, half-timbered towns, big-city beauties, and romantic palaces. Believe it or not, there is something unquestionably arty in the way the country’s scenery unfolds – the grooved, dune-fringed coasts of the north; the magnificent forests, quixotic river valleys and extensive vineyards of the centre; and splendour of the Alps, carved into rocky glory by glaciers and the elements.
 

Top Places to Visit in Germany

Berlin – Dating back to the 13th century, Berlin – Germany’s capital is all about exciting nights and busy days. Prime attractions of the city include the Brandenburg Gate, Rebuilt Reichstag, Museum Island, Berlin Wall Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie, Charlottenburg Palace and Park, Gendarmenmarkt, Grosser Tiergarten and the Victory Column and the Berlin Cathedral Church.
Munich – Home to numerous museums and buildings that date back to centuries old. Top attractions of the city include Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz, Englischer Garten, Hofbräuhaus am Platzl, New Town Hall and the BMW museum. Munich is the only place in Germany where the old and modern world sits side by side.
Hamburg – Located in Northern Germany, Hamburg is a major port city that attracts millions of travellers every year. Top attractions of Hamburg include Mahnmal St-Nikolai, Fischmarkt, Elbphilharmonie, Hamburger Kunsthalle and Miniatur Wunderland.
Frankfurt – Home to the European Central Bank, Frankfurt serves as the financial hub of Germany. The city was primarily damaged during the World War II and was later rebuilt with perfection. Top attractions of Frankfurt include Romer, Goethe House, Palmengarten, Römerberg, Städel Museum and St. Paul's Church, Frankfurt am Main.
Cologne – Serving as Germany’s western region’s cultural hub, Cologne is a 2,000-year-old city that serves as heaven for history buffs. Top attractions of the city include Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Phantasialand and Great St. Martin Church.
Dusseldorf – Known all around the world for its art scene and the fashion industry, Dusseldorf is an ideal vacation spot for those interested in any of these. Top attractions of the city include Altstadt, Königsallee, Rheinturm, Düsseldorf-Kaiserswerth and Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum Dusseldorf.

How to Reach

Situated in the heart of Europe, Germany is one of the most beautiful countries to explore. Almost all the top carriers offer connecting flights from India to Germany. Some of the top airlines operating in this route include British Airways, Air France, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Jet Airways, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines.

Best Time to Visit

From March through May and from late October through November are the best months to visit Germany. During this period, the weather might be chilly, but the advantage of low airfares and hotel rates will make it up. 

Things to Pack

If you are planning a visit to Germany during the winter months, there are a lot of things that you need to carry. 

• A long and warm jacket
• A pair of gloves
• 3-4 pair of socks
• A warm muffler
• Cold cream and lip balm
• A pair of boots
• 3-4 sweaters

Carry flowy dresses, linen clothes, an umbrella, loss of sunscreen and comfortable shoes if planning a visit to Germany in the summer months. Apart from all these things mentioned above, be sure of carrying your travel insurance policy to make your vacation worry-free. 
 

Top Delicacies of Germany

Bratwurst – No matter which German city you pick as your vacation spot, you are sure to see a lot of people enjoying a Bratwurst. It is a delicious sausage that is made of veal, beef or pork. It is a popular snack that is usually served with a bun or bread roll.
Maultaschen – This is yet another delicious German dish that every traveller should try. It is basically a pasta dough dumpling that is usually filled with meat, eggs, onions, spinach, parsley, and spices. Many restaurants serve Maultaschen with soup.
Stollen – Usually seen a lot around the Christmas time, Stollen is an ideal dessert for those who crave much for sweets. It is bread made of dried or candied fruit, nuts like almonds,marzipan and spices like cardamom and cinnamon.

Shopping List Essentials (Where to Shop)

From old-style Bavarian stores to fashion-forward places and exclusive international labels, Germany offers a lot for those who wish to shop their heart out when on vacation. Here are a few shopping spots that are must-visit for the fashion-forward travellers.

Mönckebergstraße, Hamburg

One of the most prominent shopping streets of Hamburg, Mönckebergstraße. This favourite shopping spot offers something for everyone. So, whether you are looking forward to buying a few gifts for your entire family, you will undoubtedly find something here.

Kurfürstendamm, Berlin

With more than 200,000 square meters of restaurants and shops, this place is the perfect choice for those looking to indulge in some shopping in Berlin. This area is home to flagship stores of some of the top brands from around the world.

Maximilianstrasse, Munich

Maximilianstrasse is a prime shopping destination in Munich, thanks to its number of international designer stores. Serving as Munich’s style hub, this area offers a kilometre long stretch of luxury shops. From Cartier and Montblanc to fashion houses including Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino and Gucci, you will find them all here.

Top Indian Restaurants in Germany

Delhi 6 Indisches Restaurant, Berlin

Address – Friedrichstraße 237, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Contact Number - +49 30 2516775

Bombay Palace, Frankfurt

Address – Darmstädter Landstraße 6, 60594 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Contact Number - +49 69 626310

Dwaraka

Address – Rentzelstraße 38, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
Contact Number – +49 40 453237

Healthcare Centres

The Charité University Hospital, Berlin

Address: Charitépl. 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany

The University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich

Address: Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 München, Germany

Asklepios Klinikum Harburg, Hamburg

Address: Eißendorfer Pferdeweg 52, 21075 Hamburg, Germany

Currency

The official currency of Germany is Euro.

Basics of Local Communication

Being a popular tourist attraction, there will be no problem in communicating with the locals in Germany. However, in remote areas, a fair understanding of the local language can be of great help.