eco tourism in germany

Everything You Need to Know as an Eco-tourist Visiting Germany

Eco-tourism is becoming far more popular these days. Global eco-tourists are projected to spend over $333 billion a year by 2027 .

Are you planning a trip as an eco-tourist? If you are looking forward to having an unforgettable vacation without unnecessarily harming the environment, then Germany is exactly what you are looking for (just make sure that you will use an eco-friendly airline ). You probably haven’t heard much about its beaches, but they will certainly leave you enchanted. Walks and hikes are quite common activities in Germany, so you can enjoy traveling through this country without leaving a huge carbon footprint.

However, it is important to be prepared when traveling to Germany first. You need to get your visa in order. You also have to make sure that you understand the language enough to get by. German is one of the hardest languages to learn next to Russian and English. You can try using cutting-edge language bundles to improve your proficiency in German.

This incredible country has a network of about 200,000 kilometers of trails in places with incomparable natural landscapes. The best thing about all this is that the trails are designed for all types of people.

You will have the opportunity to travel through the northern forests of the Giessen or Hesse region, which occupies a territory of more than 21,000 square kilometers. You can also canoe down the small Lahn River and get to know its surroundings. Following the route of the aforementioned river we can visit the medieval and ecological city of Marburg, which dates back to the 12th century.

Traveling through Germany gives you the chance to enjoy the wide variety of flora and fauna around the attractive Moselle River, where it is possible to see a variety of fish. To get here we must go to the region of Rhineland-Palatinate, a federal state of almost 20 square kilometers, in the middle of romantic mountains. However, you don’t have to use a train to access this region. You will be able to bike , which will help lower your carbon footprint.

If you are a nature lover, then we recommend Nordic Walking. It is an endurance sport from Scandinavia, which has become the latest sensation in Germany. You can enjoy a series of trails and parks, such as Grafenau in the Bavarian Forest or the Todtmoos marshes, located in the Black Forest.

Geography of Germany that You Can Enjoy as an Eco-Tourist

Germany is a European country with great privileges as it has a diversity of landscapes, mountains, hills, plains, forests, lakes, rivers and beautiful coasts. It is a place of vast culture and great interest. Many tourists come from distant parts of the world to appreciate the German geography and spend a fun vacation in this country which has been the site of countless important historical events.

The country is dedicated to preserving this beautiful geography. This is one of the reasons it is rated the 10 th eco-friendliest country in the world .

The geography of Germany is very diverse. There are beautiful mountains, coastal plains, plateaus and lowlands. The German plains have a very suitable soil for agriculture. Its plateaus extend in territories composed by soft mountains, fluvial valleys, rivers and basins. The mountains are very imposing and many of them attract people that love mountaineering. It is not possible to forget the Zugspitze whose height is 2962 meters, which is located in the extreme south of the country in the Bavarian Alps.

Most of the German rivers are in the western area. The Rhine is the main river, but the Elbe, Danube and Oder rivers are also popular. The Muritz Lake occupies wide expanses. It is the largest in the country. Lake Constance is another outstanding one.

One third of Germany is covered with forests, but most of them belong to the southern areas. In the north, on the other hand, sandy regions dominate, where herbaceous and shrubby vegetation is predominant. On the other hand, in the mountains, the prairies are abundant due to geographical reasons. The fauna that is commonly found in temperate forests such as deer, wild boars, weasels, badgers, wolves and foxes.

The German population is one of the largest conservation-minded groups in the world. That is why this country can offer many travel opportunities for the more adventurous, in each of its beautiful areas there will be something to do.

Because of the ecological concern and interest, national parks have been created in Germany whose main goal is to preserve the natural wealth, located in the mountains and also on the coast. The world is increasingly interested in keeping natural areas alive, so the country has made efforts to increase the number of such areas. Germany is mindful of the preservation of its natural areas, which is why they are ideal to visit.

Germany’s most important rivers

Throughout the centuries, rivers have played an important role in the history of different civilizations. Today they are still of great importance, especially from an economic point of view. Without going any further, Germany’s major rivers have been central to the country’s history and development. Moreover, some of them are considered among the most beautiful in the world.

The rivers flowing within Germany have been fundamental to the country’s history and have been instrumental in the weaving of a network of internal commercial communication that has been crucial to its history. These rivers have also been used for the production of hydroelectric power or for tourist consumption. In addition, they have made Germany one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

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Sustainable Tourism

Germany, Hamburg, St. Pauli, Couple exploring the city on their bicycles

Demand for eco-tourism and sustainable travel is also growing in Germany. According to a 2021 study, three-quarters of German travellers see sustainable travel as important. More and more travel providers are using legally binding environmental and social standards in their branding, supported by the associated certificates and labels. These relate to the sparing use of natural resources such as water, for example, climate-friendly transport, reducing waste, and involvement in species protection projects. Organic farms offer holiday rooms with regional and seasonal menus, while eco campsites promote conservation and environmentalism.

Travellers in Germany love spending time in its rich and varied natural environments, such as the 103 natural parks and 16 UNESCO biosphere reserves. Everyone should be able to get around easily in Germany. To this end, many initiatives ensure that people with disabilities can travel without restrictions in Germany.

5 Ways a Trip to Germany Will Be Your Most Sustainable One Yet

Germany has it all: Bewitching mountains and beautiful coasts, charming villages and vibrant cities, fascinating landmarks and a unique cultural scene. Connecting visitors to all of these is an eco-friendly and affordable public transit system, which is part of what makes this European country among the most sustainable industrial nations in the world. Even so, it has a goal of slashing its greenhouse gas emissions by more than half by 2030 .

As a visitor, reducing your environmental impact in Germany is easier than ever. You can get to attractions conveniently by taking advantage of miles of pedestrian walkways and bike lanes in cities small and large; you can climb the hills of the Black Forest with ease by renting an electric bike (e-bike); and you can move around the country efficiently on electric trains. Even before arriving, you can minimize your carbon emissions by flying to Germany with Lufthansa , which gives passengers the option to offset the CO₂ emissions of their flight and has more non-stop routes between U.S. and German cities than ever.

Miles of pedestrian streets and bike lanes make exploring cities effortless and eco-friendly

The cleanest forms of transportation are walking and biking. German metropolises like Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich make it simple to reach top attractions this way thanks to miles of pedestrian streets and bike lanes. The capital city of Berlin is even known as one of the greenest cities in Europe, boasting 2,500 parks, more than a million trees , and ample opportunities to walk and bike to any destination.

“I have absolutely zero need for a car in Berlin. And that comes down to both good transportation infrastructure and the fact that the city is designed on a very human scale,” says Corrina Allen-Kiersons, a Berlin-based travel writer. “Residential areas have huge parks and lots of bike lanes and sidewalks. There’s no need to drive to a pharmacy or grocery store — every neighborhood has several that you can walk or bike to.”

During the pandemic, pop-up bike lanes — marked by yellow tape — made an appearance in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district of Berlin to avoid crowding public transportation. These lanes helped reduce vehicular traffic and encouraged walking and cycling so much that the city decided to make them permanent . Currently, there are 1,500 miles of cycling network, with more than 250 paths expected to be added in the next few years. Visitors interested in learning about Berlin’s eco-friendly side can book a Green Bike Tour to see sustainable architecture, green roofs, solar installations, parks, and gardens.

Fussgängerzonen, or pedestrian areas, have been a fixture in Germany for over 50 years , starting in Munich for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. Prime examples are the Bavarian capital city’s Neuhauser Strasse and Kaufingerstrasse in Old Town, which include boutiques, department stores, and myriad restaurants and bars. These streets are most popular during the annual Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market), where upwards of 200,000 individuals stream through its colonnades daily.

Long-distance cycle routes make the entire country — and beyond — super accessible

With more than 250 long-distance cycle routes throughout the country, those seeking a cycling vacation have plenty of choices. In Southwest Germany — the birthplace of the bicycle — long-distance cycle routes link Alpine villages and medieval towns with lakes and forests and feature bike-friendly hotels, inns, restaurants, and cafés along the way.

For example, bikers can follow the River Danube on the Danube Cycle Path from Donaueschingen in Baden-Württemberg to Passau in Lower Bavaria (though the entire route extends 746 miles all the way to Budapest in Hungary). There's also the Elbe Cycle Route , which runs for 790 miles through several states and major cities.

Regular bikes as well as e-bikes, which will give riders an extra boost to climb mountains, are available in rental shops everywhere.

Ample public transportation keeps your carbon footprint low while you get around with ease

Those visiting Germany’s urban centers can rely entirely on public transportation, including ferries, trams, buses, and trains to get around — but even rural areas are incredibly well-connected, further reducing Germany’s carbon footprint. “The trains take you almost everywhere in the country. I recently went to a remote lake and walked to the shore within 20 minutes,” shares Allen-Kiersons.

A city train ticket for the commuter rail S-Bahn — a subsidiary of the national railway, Deutsche Bahn (DB) — can also be used for a bus or streetcar (and ferries, as is the case in Hamburg, where ferry boats are part of the public transit system). In larger cities, the S-Bahn is part of the underground U-Bahn lines. Allen-Kiersons says the transit system is supplemented with a network of rental scooters, bikes, and e-bikes that can get passengers from door to door.

Germany also offers a subscription-based monthly flat-rate ticket to encourage sustainable transportation. Called the Deutschlandticket (D-Ticket for short) and available for €49 ($52), it allows passengers to travel via bus, subway, and tram (the only exception being high-speed trains) in all municipalities in the country. The monthly ticket is available to visitors and residents alike.

Green Rail Journeys let you get to the rest of Europe comfortably and sustainably

The long-distance Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains are fast, reliable, and powered entirely by green electricity — and DB aims to be carbon neutral by 2040. These trains take passengers all around Germany, even to smaller towns and remote scenic villages, as well as to 14 other European countries. Passengers planning a round-trip with several stops can purchase the Interrail Pass . Bonus: Trains offer organic and seasonal dishes, including vegan and vegetarian options.

Furthermore, Frankfurt introduced hydrogen-powered public transportation earlier this year.

Carbon-offset Lufthansa flights make traveling to Germany extra green

At this point in time, flying still causes carbon emissions. But to reduce this environmental impact, German carrier Lufthansa began offering Green Fares for flights within Europe and to North Africa that include the cost of mitigating flight-related carbon emissions. The additional amount in the fare goes towards long-term climate protection projects and sustainable aviation fuels.

The Lufthansa Group has an ambitious goal of cutting their net carbon emissions in half by 2030, compared to 2019, and becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. The plan is to deliver 200 new short and long-haul aircraft to the Group’s airlines to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, making this the largest fleet modernization in the history of the corporation.

The airline is further investing money in advancing key Sustainable Aviation Fuel technologies to make flying more sustainable. The Sun-to-Liquid procedure is among the newer technologies being pursued, where concentrated sunlight is used to produce carbon-neutral kerosene. Lufthansa Group is also investing in fuel based on biogenic waste materials and developing Power-to-Liquid technology, where sustainable aviation fuel is created from renewable power sources.

The in-flight experience is also greener thanks to the use of sustainable packaging and cutlery made from bamboo. And in 2024, Lufthansa will introduce Lufthansa Allegris , which will overhaul 27,000 seats on 80 aircraft, much of which will be made from recyclable materials, including cushions, covers, and blankets.

Ready for a green getaway in Germany that combines sightseeing and sustainability? Book your Lufthansa flights here .

Lavanya Sunkara is an award-winning writer who primarily covers travel, conservation, and sustainability.

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Eco-Tourism in Germany: A Sustainable Adventure

A panorama of Germany's diverse natural landscapes, featuring forests, mountains, and city parks.

With its commitment to environmental sustainability, Germany has emerged as a top destination for eco-tourists. From national parks to biosphere reserves, and even sustainable cities, there’s a multitude of ways to experience Germany’s green side.

National Parks: Nature’s Sanctuaries

Germany’s national parks serve as sanctuaries for a variety of flora and fauna. Whether it’s the ancient beech forests of Jasmund National Park, the Alpine landscapes of Berchtesgaden, or the waterways of the Lower Oder Valley, each park offers a unique eco-adventure.

An aerial view of Jasmund National Park, showcasing the dense beech forest and the rugged chalk cliffs.

Biosphere Reserves: Balanced Biodiversity

Biosphere reserves represent regions of exceptional biodiversity, where humans and nature coexist harmoniously. The Rhön Biosphere Reserve, for instance, is known for its dark skies, making it a perfect location for stargazing. The Spreewald Biosphere Reserve, on the other hand, is a maze of water channels, offering canoeing experiences like no other.

A nighttime scene at Rhön Biosphere Reserve, featuring a sky full of stars.

Sustainable Cities: Green Urban Living

Germany’s cities are also joining the eco-tourism trend, implementing sustainable practices and green spaces for residents and tourists alike. Freiburg is often called Germany’s “eco-city” for its solar-powered homes, extensive cycling routes, and sustainable urban planning. Similarly, Hamburg’s HafenCity is a model of modern sustainable living with its energy-efficient buildings and numerous urban green spaces.

A street view in Freiburg, featuring solar-paneled houses and a bicycle lane.

From exploring biodiverse landscapes to experiencing sustainable city life, Germany’s eco-tourism opportunities offer travelers a chance to enjoy and respect the environment. As you traverse this green country, remember that every sustainable choice you make contributes to preserving the beauty of our planet.

Responsible Travel

Germany is an extremely beautiful and one of the most visited tourist spots in the whole world. Every year, so many tourists pay a visit to this country to experience it's beautiful culture and heritage. Germany is a country present in Europe which covers the western and the central part of Europe . It is one of the most developed countries in the whole world, and as the years are passing it is getting more and more advanced. Germany has the largest economy in Europe, and in the world, it is ranked on number five. Being a tourist in today's world comes with its own set of responsibilities and obligations. The change climate of the planet urges us to be more responsible and take accountability for our actions and also study the impact we have on the environment. One must travel in an eco friendly way and ensure that the local citizens or the natural surroundings are not affected. These are some of the most crucial tips that vacationers must follow to travel responsibly.

Use an eco friendly transport method : It is very important to opt for an eco friendly transport method that will be the least harmful for the environment and will also decrease your carbon footprint. For example travelling by a bus or train will be more ideal than travelling by a plane or car. If you are from nearby European countries then instead of catching a flight you should consider taking the train as it will release significantly less amount of Co2. Using public transport instead of taxis and private vehicles also helps massively. It is also a lot cheaper and budget friendly.
Check your carbon offset : Plenty of online resources, apps and websites are available that you can look into in order to track your carbon footprint and look for alternatives to activities that can increase your carbon footprint.
Bring your own reusable cutlery : 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away everyday in Germany that are not recycled. Same goes for plastic straws, cups, cutlery and water bottles. Always have your own water bottle and metal straws. It might not look like a significant step but it can make a huge difference.
Travel lighter : If you are travelling by car then make sure you take away the extra stuff and travel lighter. This will ensure that your car is not using too much fuel. Travelling light if you are flying in also really helps.
Try to support the local communities and shops : Do not just go to the same hughstreet chains and brands that you find everywhere in the world. n order to support local craftsmen and artisans always shop local. During your trip to the city, you will come across small shops and food stalls in almost every lane of the city. If you want to have an unforgettable experience in the city, then buy goods and handicrafts from these shops. This will not only help you to save a lot of money but you will be supporting a lot of local people who are dependent on their small businesses to earn a livelihood.

Air Quality and Pollution

While the Quality in Germany is not as good as the air quality in its neighbouring countries of Switzerland , Netherlands , Denmark , it is still pretty good. The figures are nowhere near being alarming so you will not have to worry about it too much. Another promising part is that Germany has done wonders to reduce the pollution level and improve its air quality. The government and the locals have played an equally important role in doing so. This just illustrates that they take this issue seriously and so should you. When you are visiting the country make sure that you practice all the tips provided in the aforementioned section. If you belong to sensitive groups, if you suffer from asthma, or any allergies, it is recommended that you carry your medication with you just to be safe. It is unlikely that anything will trigger it but just be safe.

Respect the Culture

Local People of Germany are very conscious when it comes to respecting their culture and beliefs . There are so many rules and regulations made by the government of Germany regarding respecting the culture. People of Germany are known for their punctuality, and they are always on time to do any of their work. Christianity is the religion that is followed by the local people of Germany, and for them, respect for religion is extremely important. So many Festivals in Germany are celebrated, and in them, their traditional music is being played on which the people dance and enjoy. They eat traditional food on special occasions and are very fond of drinking beer at any of their festivals. Germany has a very ancient and rich heritage of culture, and the past of this country is full of pride and devotion. The people who lived in Germany in the early days were very hardworking and devoted. They worked day and night to raise the economy of this country and contribute towards the development of the country.

It is very important for tourists to respect the culture of Germany as everyone should respect every culture. The best thing Tourists can do is get involved in the festivals and cultural programs to get to know this country's culture properly. This will help the tourists know all the rules and regulations regarding the culture, and they will get all the information about the culture.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Germany has a very large surface area, and it has so many beautiful and fascinating places to visit. This country is full of tourist attraction spots, and the tourists need almost 2-3 weeks to visit the best attraction places in Germany. Some of the places which every tourist must visit are mentioned below.

PickBerlin's Brandenburg Gate - This beautiful gate is an ancient gate that is present in the country of Germany. This gate was constructed in the year 1791 and was built for the great King Frederick William II. Tourists who want to visit this place can find it in the city of Berlin in the acropolis. This gate was the neoclassical structure of this city and is still really nicely maintained. It has in total of 6 columns that join and make five beautiful pathways on the road. Out of these five passages, four passages are used for the regular traffic of the city, and the remaining gate is used for taking tolls and tax.
Cologne cathedral - This church is one of the most visited and famous cathedrals in the country of Germany. This is one of the most iconic and beautifully constructed cathedrals. It is a cathedral for St Peter and St Mary and Is of great importance for the country. It is also named as one of the largest cathedrals in the whole of Europe. It was built in the year 1248, and now also it is in very good shape and maintained very nicely. Tourists should definitely visit this cathedral as it is the must-visit place in the country of Germany.
The Black Forest - This beautiful forest is spread over more than 160 kilometers and is situated in the high Rhine south. If any tourist is a hiker, then he/she should visit this place as it is also known by the name hiker's heaven. It is one of the most visited highlands in the whole of Europe, and people love to visit this place. It is named dark as it is covered densely with hills, and due to the thick cover of the hills, sunlight cannot reach here.
The Berlin wall - On this wall, there are so many paintings related to world war II, and this wall is still in very good shape. This wall was made in the year 1961 by the thought of the cold war from Germany. But in the year 1990, it got broken, and the country started the renovation of this wall. This beautiful wall is present in the capital city of Germany, which is named Berlin. The wall's length kept on increasing as the years passed, and the maintenance of this wall is also really good. This place is a must-visit tourist place, and they should definitely pay a visit over this place.
Insel mainau - This Island is full of beautiful flowers and has a very thick cover of wide varieties of flowers. It is very fascinating for anyone to visit here as flowers of so many colors together look very beautiful and attract the attention of doing many people. This beautiful Island can be seen near the Constance lake of Germany and every day so many people can be deen visiting here. This Island is spread over more than 110 acres of surface area and is a very good spot for photography.
Sanssouci Park and Palace - This beautiful park and palace was built between the years 1744-1756 and is a very famous tourist spot. This place has a flower garden where so many beautiful flowers can be seen, and they smell really lovely. This place has more than 3000 trees of different types of fruits, and all of them are taken care of very nicely in this place. This is a lovely place for relaxation and stressing out as one can come here and enjoy the peaceful environment of this place.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber - This city is a very ancient city of Germany and one of the most visited and famous places in this country. It remained in very good shape during the thirty years of the world war and still is in very good condition. The routes of this place are excellent, and tourists who like to go on long drives should definitely visit this place. Many couples can be seen on these routes enjoying the environment and spending some quality time with each other. This city is very peaceful and very clean, and one who loves a peaceful environment will definitely love this place.
The Island of Rügen - This Island is a bit separated from Germany, but it is a part of Germany, and this Island is extremely beautiful. This Island is considered the first choice place to visit for the tourists, and every day, so many people arrive at this Island to explore it. This Island has so many ancient and historical landmarks which were constructed many years ago and show the heritage of the country of Germany. This Island also has so many beaches where people can relax and have a thick cover of forests and hills, enhancing the beauty of this Island.
Zugspitze Massif - This place is a part of the Wetter Stein mountain range, which is present between Germany and Austria. Tourists can easily visit here either with road transportation or another option which is through cable cars. This place is situated at the height of more than 2900 meters, and from the top, the whole city can be seen, which looks very beautiful. This place also has a very long Tunnel, which is 800 meters long, where the tourists and visitors can walk and enjoy. Tourists who are visiting Germany on vacations should definitely visit this place also as it has so many places which one can visit.
Berlin's Museum Island - This Island of Germany is one of the most important and also the most visited and famous islands of Europe. This Island has so many museums, and every museum is fascinating and lets the visitors know all the things that happened in the past. All these museums are in great shape and very nicely maintained as they are very important. These museums have all the information regarding the culture and the events that happened in the past so that people can gain information.

There are so many city parks in this country, and every one of it has its own significance and specialty. These parks are present in every locality. Visit here to enjoy and relax on the off days. Some of the most popular city parks present in this country are mentioned below.

City Park Freudenberg - A very beautiful park where so many people visit daily, it is present in Freudenberg Germany. This is a very nicely maintained place, and it has so many chairs to sit and relax. It has so many trees and plants, which lowers the temperature of the environment by its cool Breeze. The environment is very peaceful, and the chirping of birds in the peaceful environment is very soothing for anyone. It has walking tracks where the visitors can enjoy hiking, and the pathways also have signs and direction boards so that the visitors can easily fetch the right way.
Stadtgarten Freiburg - The flower gardens are the most beautiful thing which the visitors will get to see here. This city park is situated at a height so views from this park are really beautiful and one can see the whole city after reaching the top. Park is very beautifully maintained, and they ask their visitors not to throw any garbage in the park, dustbins are there to put the garbage inside them. So many families can be seen here spending time with their loved ones and kids.
Eilenriede City Park - This city park is a perfect place where visitors can get really nice pictures of themselves and also of nature. People who are very fond of photography and one who is professional photographers can visit this place for such beautiful clicks of nature. This park is present in Hanover, Germany and local people visit this park every day in the evening time to do some exercise. This city park also has joggers track where people can jog or walk, and the track is covered with trees.

National Parks

Germany has so many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, which have so many animals and plant species. In these parks, all the flora and fauna species are taken care of and kept safe so that interaction of humans from these species can not occur. Some of the national parks situated in Germany are mentioned below.

Jasmund National Park - It is one of the most beautiful national parks present in the country of Germany, and it is a very popular national park among the local people. Here people can see so many aquatic species, mainly Turtles and tortoises. It has a very big track for cycling and driving where people can use their own transportation to explore this beautiful park. This park also contains a beach forest with a very thick cover of the forest, and the view is fantastic. Tourists should visit this place as it is very beautiful and they will definitely enjoy their time here.
Harz National Park - This national park provides the most ideal and natural environment to its visitors as it is very peaceful and worth exploring. So many deers can be seen here hopping and grazing from one place to another. And they are very harmless to humans if appropriately treated. This national park has so many thousands of plant species and a very good place for botanists as they can research the plant species of this National park. This National park also has over 1800 species of Alpine plants, which are found in the whole world.
Bavarian Forest Park - This national park is home to so many animal species, and all these animals are kept here in a secure environment. You will be able to see some rare and unique species that are indigenous to the country and will not find anywhere else. This national park has many brown bears, which are very dangerous when poked by anyone. It also home to lynx and wolves of so many different species and varieties. This park has the best scenic views and is a really good place for taking photographs.

Beaches are favorites among the families, and on weekends so many families can be seen visiting their nearby beaches and enjoying. Every state and city of Germany has beaches, and some of the popular beaches in Germany are mentioned below.

Langeoog Beach - This beach is situated on the Islands of langeoog, an island where cars are not allowed and strictly prohibited. Visitors and local people can use cable cars, public transport or bicycles for rent are also available. This is a very big beach and has an extensive surface area where so many people can enjoy without it getting too crowded. This beach is immaculate, and visitors are asked to keep the beach and waterbody clean, and they should not throw any waste around the beach.
Lubmin Beach - This beach is considered the best nudist beach in Germany and is also a very popular beach in the country. It is a gorgeous beach with pine trees surrounding it. The best part about it is that there are many activities like fishing, horseback riding, diving etc that you can take part in while on your trip to the Lubmin beach. Definitely one of the top 5 beach beaches in Germany.
Wannsee Beach - If anyone wants to have adventurous activities, this beach is perfect for them. This beach is present in the capital city of Germany, Berlin , and is a very famous beach in this country. Adventurous activities like sailing and surfing can be done here by the people who are outdoorsy and hands on. The water body is very clean and maintained very nicely, and people are also requested to keep it clean. On warm days this place is the best and people can visit here as the environment of this beach is a bit cooler than the usual.

So many ancient and historical landmarks can be seen in Germany, and all these landmarks have their own significance. These landmarks just describe the history of this country and every year, so many tourists visit the important landmarks which are present in this country. Some of the famous and important landmarks of this country are mentioned below.

Sanssouci Palace - Located in the beautiful city of Potsdam, this incredible palace was constructed in the 18th century and regular restoration work has allowed it to maintain its beauty and charm. The display of grandeur and opulence will transport you to another era when you visit this magnificent palace. The artwork, the gardens, exquisite ballrooms and fountains are definitely worth exploring.
Neuschwanstein Castle - This beautiful castle was constructed in the 19th century and was one of the most expensive castles in Germany. It is also one of the most recognised and popular castles in Europe . You will find the location to be idyllic, built atop a rock ledge over the Pöllat Gorge in the Bavarian Alps by order of Bavaria’s King Louis II (“Mad King Ludwig”) this one cannot be missed.
Reichstag - This historical landmark was renovated in the 20th century in the capital city of Germany , Berlin . This landmark signifies about this country's politics, and this is the place where the parliament of Germany meets. Usually, this place was constructed in the 19 century, and in 1999 it went through so many renovations and glasswork. This place is open to the local people, and all the people have the right to explore this place. The glass dome of this place is very nicely and finely made, and it attracts so many people towards this place.

Museums really give you an opportunity to learn more about the history of the country, have an in-depth insight into it's past. Not only that but it also helps you learn about people, the culture, traditions and customs of the country. There are plenty of museums that are worth visiting in Germany. Some of them are mentioned below:

Germanisches National museum - Germanisches National museum is named as one of the largest and the most prominent museums in the country. It prides itself as being one of the most important museums that talk about the cultural history of the country and has multiple exhibitions to educate people about the prehistoric and the current culture of Germany. It's committed to conducting several different research projects as well. Fascinating exhibitions include a display of different weapons used in the world war.
Mercedes-Benz Museum - Located in Stuttgart, the mercedes benz museum traces the history of automobiles especially the ones invented by Carl Benz and the ones by the Mercedes Benz brand or the ones associated with it. With over 16o different vehicles at display, this museum is a dream come true for not only automobile lovers but historians, tech geeks and children as well because of the fascinating way the exhibitions tell a story.
Deutsches Museum - This museum shows the history and evolution of dinosaurs and how all the dinosaurs got extinct from the Earth. This museum focuses mainly on science, technology, and astronomy, so many workshops are also being carried out in this museum. It is a very nicely maintained museum, and the staff members are very professional and have knowledge regarding things this museum has.

Food is a very important and basic entity in each, and every one's life and local people of Germany are also very concerned about what they are eating. And there are so many different kinds of traditional foods which are being consumed by the local people and are very delicious. Tourists can also consume these dishes in any of the restaurants which are present in Germany. There are so many good restaurants in Germany, and they provide excellent food for their visitors . They have cuisines of various countries, and the visitor can choose any one of that cuisine on their own. The rates of all the restaurants are different, and it depends upon the popularity of the restaurant and also the quality of food provided by the restaurant. People can choose any restaurant of their choice and select the cuisine and eat the food they want . If tourists are interested in eating German food, then they can select German cuisine in any of the restaurants and try the traditional and local food of Germany. German cuisine is a very big of so many different kinds of dishes, whether it be veg, non-veg, sweet, spicy, and many more. Some of the traditional and most popular dishes which are being consumed in Germany are Maultaschen, doner kebab, sausages, currywurst, and many more dishes.

Drinks are usually consumed with meals or breakfast in the morning, and the local people of Germany are very fond of consuming drinks, whether it be an alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic beverages are more commonly consumed in this country as there is an age restriction, and after the age of 16, only anyone can drink alcohol. Age restriction on smoking is also there in Germany, and people can only smoke cigarettes after the age of 18. Coffee is the most consumed drink in the whole, but in Germany, coffee is the most consumed by the local people. People of this country prefer to start their day by consuming coffee as they keep them energized throughout the day. There are more than 1000 flavors of coffee available for the people to drink in Germany, and every flavor has a very unique and different taste. Fruit juices are also very common amongst people who are concerned about their fitness. Juices are really healthy for the human body, and daily consumption of fruit juices gives so many health benefits. Tea and milk are also consumed by the local people of Germany very often, and tea is more often consumed during ceremonies and festivals.

The quality of tap water is different in all the countries, but in almost all the countries, tap water is not good to drink. But in the land of Germany, the tap water is relatively safe to drink, especially in the prime States and cities of Germany like Munich and Berlin . In these places, tap water consumption is very common, and the water coming from the tap I'd safe to drink. So many people prefer tap water over mineral water in Germany as in doing many research tap water was proved better than the mineral water. Although tap water contains nitrates and chlorine in some states and cities, it makes it unfit for consumption. Nitrate levels in the tap water of some localities were found to be really high, and consuming this water can cause health problems . Many people are using water purifiers to filter these harmful chemicals from the tap water and then consume them in their daily activities. The people of Germany are also using packaged water bottles, but its consumption is significantly less as the water quality in most of the localities is good.

Germany is a vast country, and there are so many things to explore and visit here . Football is the national sport of this country and people are very fond of playing this sport whenever they are free. There are so many football stadiums in Germany, and people can go and watch the matches of their favorite teams and clubs there as a tourist one has so many places to visit although in one trip all those places cannot be visited and it requires so much time to visit them all. People can do so many adventurous activities in Germany like snorkeling, jungle safari, hiking and many more so this place is a really good option for adventure lovers. To relax and reduce the stress people can visit city parks or beaches and many local people visit these places very frequently. There are so many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in this country where nature lovers can go and see the wide varieties of animals and plants. Many landmarks and museums are also present in this country, which signifies about the culture and rich heritage of this country.

Accommodation

By the word accommodation, one can understand the place where they can live and reside. Choice of the accommodation is done mainly by tourists who are planning a trip to anywhere they want. If any tourist is planning a trip to Germany, then he/she has so many modes of accommodation where they can reside throughout their trip. Choice of the accommodation should be made very wisely and as per the requirement of the individual. Some modes of accommodation are a bit expensive and have so many facilities for their visitors so that they can never get bored while residing here. Some modes of accommodation are quite cheap, and they do not contain any such activities where people can enjoy and spend their time. Hotels are the most used and chosen accommodation in the whole world by the tourists as they have full of other activities for their tourists so that they can never get bored. Hostels and guest houses are also the mode of accommodation which are used less when compared to the hotels. Another mode of accommodation used mostly by the local people but sometimes by certain tourists is apartments.

Green Hotels

Green hotels, also referred to as environmentally friendly hotels, have contributed so much towards the welfare of the environment. A normal hotel causes so much pollution and harm to the environment, and this approach has totally changed the trend of hotels. Companies and authorities are now opting to make an eco-friendly hotel and are suitable for the environment. Like other countries, Germany also has so many green hotels, which shows that the people of this country are very concerned towards the environment. Some hotels in Germany are using electricity generated by the use of waste materials, which is really helpful for the environment. Generating electricity by waste products gives so many benefits as the waste products are getting used in the correct way rather than degrading the environment. Soaps and shampoos available in these hotels for the use of visitors are organic and are made from natural components, which also contribute to the environment. Beds present here will not be of wood. It would be of some other material as cutting of wood is harmful to the environment. There are many green hotels in Germany. Some of them are mentioned below.

Bio familienhotel gut nisdorf
Biohotel Sturm
Mawell resort
Refugium lindenwirt

Hostels and Guest Houses

Hostels are suitable for female tourists and visitors if considered about the safety measures. Hostels are a very comfortable and absolutely safe mode of accommodation . Females can book any hostel of their choice from online sites where the tourists can easily book any hostel as per their requirement and the number of people they are. Germany has so many hostels, and they have all the necessary facilities which the tourists want. They provide three meals in a day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the hostel staff will decide the menu.

Guesthouses are another mode of accommodation in which people can choose to reside or Live. Germany has lots of guest houses for visitors and outsiders, and they can book these guest houses online very easily and conveniently. They have fewer facilities than hotels, but still people who do not require any of those activities choose this mode of accommodation. Guesthouses provide three meals in a day, which starts with breakfast and ends with dinner. People can request the staff of the guest house for the change of the menu, and the staff is good enough to change it.

This mode of accommodation is mainly used by the locals of the country who don't have enough money to construct their own house . Apartments are a brilliant option for the middle-class people of Germany as they can easily afford this accommodation and do not have to pay so much money to reside here. Apartments are way more cheaper than purchasing a house although the facilities are somewhat similar. Germany is a country where there are so many apartments, and the buildings are very massive. One apartment has approximately 18-20 floors, and it can also be more than that. The rates of the apartment may vary on the basis of the locality and the number of bedrooms. 3BHK apartments are the most expensive apartments in Germany. It has three bedrooms, whereas 1BHK is the cheapest apartment one can get as it has only one bedroom and two people can live very easily over here. Some tourists who are on a long office trip can also rent apartments to prove cheaper than living in the hotels. Renting an apartment is very easy. One just needs to contact the agencies, and they will help the visitors to get the apartment.

Couchsurfing

Local people of Germany, are humble enough when it comes to giving hospitality to their friends and relatives. Any tourist who has a relative or a friend in Germany will get so many benefits as the relative can help in so many ways. Couch surfing is a very common practice done by the local people of Germany, and they don't mind providing hospitality to their near ones . Tourists will get so many benefits when they live in their relative's place. These tourists will not need to get worried about the accommodation as they already have a place to live. Locals will help their visitors in suggesting the best places in Germany which they should definitely visit. Local relatives will also be aware of all the traditional foods, and they will even know how to make it. So the visitors will not need to go to any restaurant as they will get to eat traditional food here only. Couch surfing is very budget-friendly as the visitors don't need to book any accommodation, and also they don't need to go to the restaurants to eat food, they already have facilities to live and eat.

Camping is an adventurous activity that many people do, and in Germany, there are some places that help people fulfill their urge to Camping . There are so many places in Germany which are covered by forest and steep valleys, and these are places where Camping can be done. Camping is a challenging activity that is usually practiced by a group of people. Camping needs precision and experience, and if anyone is practicing it for the first time, then he/she should take any expert's advice first. There are many organizations and agencies which provide space to the people who want to practice Camping. They give the visitors tents and rest they have to do it on their own. They charge money only for the space they provide, and the tent is optional. If anyone wants to take tents, then additional charges will be charged by the organizations. Tourists can also opt for this mode of accommodation, but they need to be very careful and need to follow all the rules and regulations which are required to do Camping. One should also know how to cook and make their food at Camping.

Getting There and Moving Around

Reaching Germany is very easy and so many modes of transportation are available in this country through which traveling becomes really easy. Tourists only have one option to reach here, which is air transportation as other modes of transportation will take many days to reach Germany. Air transportation is a very rapid and convenient way of traveling when anyone wants to cover a longer distance in a significantly less amount of time. Direct flights are available for this country and flights from every country land and take off from the international airports of Germany.

Local people have so many ways to travel inside this country, and mainly public transportation is used the most as it is very cheap and convenient . People can hire taxis if they want to reach their destination in very little time. Cable cars are also available in Germany, which runs on electricity, and it is a very cheap mode of transportation in Germany. For outsiders, a taxi is the best mode of transportation if they want to travel to any of their desired destinations. Buses are also available for

transportation in Germany and it is one of the most used transportation in this country.

Air transportation in Germany is very well developed, and this country is very nicely connected to all the other countries due to this mode of transportation. Traveling through this mode is very costly, and the charges are very high, but if anyone who has to cover a very long distance should opt for this mode of transportation only. Airplanes are very convenient, and traveling in them is very comfortable. Germany has many international airports on which flights from all over the world land and departures. Many domestic airports are also present in this country where only flights that run inside the country arrive. Some airports provide free bus facilities that take passengers out of the airport and drop at their desired location. This facility is mainly started for people who came from another country and are unaware of public transportation. Every airplane has different classes, and every class has a different fare. The economy class is the cheapest class of the airplane, and the business class is a bit costlier than the economy class. Name of some international airports in Germany is mentioned below.

Frankfurt Airport
Munich International Airport
Münster Osnabrück International Airport
Dusseldorf Airport Ground Handling GmbH

Road transportation in Germany is very well connected and developed and is one of the most used transportation by the people of Germany. There are so many buses running inside this country which connect the States and cities of the whole country. There are both government buses and private buses which are run by some private agencies and authorities. Buses are one of the cheapest modes of transportation and are mostly used by middle-class people as they cannot afford a taxi every day to travel. Buses are very convenient and traveling through buses is also very comfortable. The buses in Germany are always on time and are incredibly punctual. Every city and state of Germany has many bus stations, and so many buses are running on one route only as the population of this country is very high. Buses are a very good option for tourists also as they are unaware of the routes and the bus will drop them wherever they want to go. Every locality and city has so many bus stations, and from every station, passengers can travel in their respective buses. Some of the bus stations which are present in Germany are mentioned below.

Jena central bus station
Bad Hersfeld bus station

Germany has a very nicely connected railway system, and they are used mainly by the people who want to travel to another state . The ticket price of trains is less when compared to buses so if anyone wants to cover a longer distance in less time and less money then traveling on a train is a very good option. Deutsche Bahn operates the Railway system in the country of Germany, this agency looks after all the activities of trains and looks after them. There are some trains in Germany which connect one city to another city and cover a very short distance compared to other trains. Another train is, which connects two or more than 2 States and covers a considerable distance. High-speed trains are also available in Germany, which covers a very large distance in a very short period of time. Ticket prices of high speed trains are costly when compared with the other trains. Trains that have to cover more distance have more facilities than the trains that cover short distances.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is a very common practice in the country of Germany, and so many people can be seen practicing it. There is an emergency lane on every road of this country where anyone can stand and ask for hitchhiking if they are in any sort of help. However, some people are afraid of practicing it as there is always a risk of the wrong person. In recent times there were so many people who asked for hitchhiking and then robbed that person. So this practice is only being practiced now in any medical or any other emergency. If people are good, then hitchhiking is a really good practice as it helps in making new friends. Tourists can opt for this practice as they are unaware of the public transportation system. On the way, tourists can ask them about transportation in Germany. They can also ask them about the places they can visit in this country, which will help them have a good trip. This practice can help the people reach their destination very quickly as the roads of this country are very well developed and the people are also very aware of the routes.

Other methods are available in Germany, through which people can travel from one place to another. Taxi is one such method of transportation which is mostly used by the people who are unaware of any other modes of transportation to travel in this country. There are so many taxi renting companies and agencies which provide people with taxis. People can hire them with the driver or without the driver . People who are aware of the routes do not opt for drivers while the tourists opt for drivers as they do not know anything about the routes of this country. People can easily hire taxis through online websites and also by directly contacting the agencies. Another mode to travel in the land of Germany is by cable cars, these cable cars run on electricity and are very well connected to all the cities and states of this country. These cars run over the tracks, and the tracks are still very nicely maintained in this country. Both of these modes of transportation are widely used by the local people of Germany and are very convenient. These modes of transportation are very reliable and very punctual.

Sustainable Shopping

Sustainable shopping is a perfect way to protect the environment and contribute to its safety. By sustainable shopping, one can understand purchasing commodities made up of organic or eco-friendly materials and methods. In the country of Germany, there are so many eco stores from where one can easily purchase such products and contribute towards the environment. In the manufacture of these products, enhanced technologies and expertise is required. These products are very cheap and safe for the use of human beings as they are not made up of any chemicals which are harmful to the human body. Clothes are available nowadays which are made up of substances which are eco-friendly and later they can get degraded easily. Organic foodstuffs are also available in this country, which is absolutely free from any chemical harmful to the human body. These kinds of foods stuffs are perfect for kids as nowadays every food stuff has so many chemicals in it, which creates so many health issues in the kids. People of Germany have now started using eco-friendly products as they contribute towards the environment and are also safe for the use of humans. There are so many eco stores in Germany of them are mentioned below

LANA organic eco-fashion store kaiserswerth
Eco erneuerbare energien

Recycling of products has now become extremely important to save our environment as there are so many materials that are degrading the environment. Recycling of non-biodegradable waste is very important as this waste causes amount of environmental degradation. People of Germany have made so many machines and have so many reliable methods through which these kinds of waste can be recycled very easily. When it comes to technology, Germany's country is significantly ahead and has so many techniques and methods through which they can easily recycle any kind of material. By recycling the non-biodegradable waste, they are saving the environment from degradation. Some German authorities are trying to make something useful from this waste, and at some, they have got success also. There are some hotels which are using electricity which is generated by certain kinds of waste products. Some companies also got successful as they managed to make clothes out of this waste and these clothes are eco-friendly . Local people of Germany are also getting involved in this recycling campaign and helping the authorities.

Management of waste is an extremely important factor so as to protect the environment from degradation . The government of Germany is trying very hard and started opting for measures for the proper management of any kind of waste in this country. There are so many agencies and companies which contribute to the waste management of the land of Germany. And as the years are progressing, the number of these agencies and companies are increasing. These companies are aware of all the ideal methods for the disposal of any kind of waste without causing any harm to the environment. These companies have all the enhanced techniques and methods through which they can dispose of any kind of waste material, whether it be electronic items or plastic substances. All these companies are awaring the local people about the basic techniques they can follow for their waste disposal.

Work and Study Abroad

Germany has a very big population, and the opportunity of getting a job in this country is comparatively relatively less . Local people need to work really to get a decent job to earn money and make their living. But in comparison to other countries, the percentage of getting a job to the individual is high, and the government is also trying very high to increase job opportunities. Germany has so many renowned universities that provide their students with opportunities to help them settle abroad. Although if any student wants to settle overseas, it needs so much money to settle there. A middle-class kid cannot afford all these expenses, so the option left is showcasing the talent, and then they might get selected by the University for this program. However, German universities provide very quality education to their students, so one can quickly succeed in this country if he/she has talent and capabilities.

Exchange Student

Germany is a very good country when considered its Universities and education system. Every year so many universities of Germany carry exchange programs and give chances to the students of other countries to study in their universities. The education system of this country is one of the best education systems in the entire world, and students from all over the world come and study in this country. Mainly students who are living in a country whose quality of education is not as per their requirement enroll themselves in the German universities to get the perfect education for them. Education in Germany is costly, and one needs a good amount of money for enrollment in the best universities in Germany. Scholarship programs are also being carried out in this country so that students who are not financially stable can also get equal opportunity and get a quality education. Students can enroll themselves in the exchange programs on the online sites of the German universities. Some of the well known German universities are mentioned below.

Technical University of Munich
Free University of Berlin
Technical University of Berlin

Au pairing companies have provided jobs to so many unemployed and help them earn their living. These companies have increased the job opportunities in this country and helped so many people who were not getting jobs. Anyone who wants to get jobs from au pairing companies needs to enroll in these companies. One can easily enroll themselves on their online sites, and they just need to put some personal information and the kind of jobs they can do . Jobs provided by these companies in Germany are not permanent, and the wages provided to the people are also quite low. In these low wages making a living is very difficult, so the people also need to do some other work so as to earn more money. Work provided by these companies are Nany's, they can help in taking care of infants. The caretaker can do any kind of household work, whether it be cooking, cleaning the house, taking care of kids, and many more.

Volunteering

This method is mostly opted by the students who have just passed their University exams and want to do a job. Getting a job through volunteering is not so easy as the competition in this practice is really high, and one should be very confident and talented so as to get a decent job. Volunteering can be done in any of the renowned companies to showcase their capabilities so as to get a permanent place in that company. Volunteering is a very tough thing to do as one has to work for 10-12 hours a day without getting paid. Every year, many freshers get an excellent job after doing this practice and earn a decent amount of money . Volunteers have to follow all the rules and regulations of the place they are working in and have to be very strict with themselves so that they cannot commit any mistake. There is no room for mistakes in volunteering as one mistake can take away their opportunity to get a job.

Europe | List of Countries in Europe | List of Cities in Europe
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Asia | List of Countries in Asia | List of Cities in Asia
South America | List of Countries in South America | List of Cities in South America
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01 June 2022

Sustainable cities: 10 green german cities well worth a visit.

Germany is famous for taking green issues seriously. And nowhere more so than in its favourite cities, where sustainability manifests itself in everything from rooftop beehives to recycled airports.

Main image: © GNTB / Francesco Carovillano

1. Freiburg

Freiburg (Shutterstock)

There’s a city on the edge of the Black Forest where the trams seem to glide along enticing strips of lawn. Where some 82% of the urban area is classified as green space. Where the majority of the population travels by bicycle, and the streets gurgle with Bächle , roadside gutters that run with clean river water. That city is Freiburg, and if you climb the Schlossberg out of the centre, the green can be seen all around. This is Germany’s foremost eco-city, but visitors to its nicely preserved medieval cathedral square might not be aware of those credentials until they notice that the produce in the daily market is organic and local. The big eco initiatives are out in the suburbs, where new buildings have to be low energy, many solar powered. Here, car ownership is down to 172 per thousand inhabitants, barely 30 percent of a typical urban average.

2. Frankfurt

Look closely and you'll see Frankfurt is much greener than it looks on the surface (Shutterstock)

One luxury Frankfurt hotel, popular with high-flying executives in Germany’s financial capital, has another high-flying population up on the 28 th floor. Bees, in a rooftop apiary that supplies honey for treatments in the spa. It’s an example of how the appearances of this city of concrete and steel can be deceptive. Despite evident conspicuous consumption, this remains the German city with the most vegetarian restaurants per head. And it is also the city that has extensive botanical gardens with one being a Palmengarten . All in all, around 80% of the population live within 300 metres of a public green space, and 64% either walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work. One of the city’s eco initiatives is the MainBecher scheme, where sustainable coffee cups can be bought at any participating venue and filled at a discount. You can either return them for a refund or keep them to use again.

Berlin's skyline from the Tiergarten park (Shutterstock)

The Berlin vibe – young, creative, freethinking – is a perfect seedbed for sustainability. After all, this is the city with a giant park, the Tiergarten, at its heart. It is the city which has famously recycled its buildings, creating hotels out of warehouses and nightclubs out of factories. It is a city populated with vegan restaurants and upcycled vintage clothing shops. And talking of upcycling, it is the city whose famous Wall has a section that has become an art gallery, whilst much of the rest of its former route is now a cycle path. Gardening projects are flourishing here, where volunteers come together to create urban fruit and vegetable gardens on unused wasteland. And this is a city which also even recycles its airports. Temp el hof , which was so instrumental in the famous airdrop which kept west Berlin supplied during the Cold War, is now a much-loved urban park.

Cologne (© GNTB / Francesco Carovillano)

Anyone who has been to Cologne during Carnival will know that there’s a deeply unconventional streak to the city. The Carnival floats are the creation of local neighbourhoods, and that same neighbourhood vibe resurfaces again in local commitment to sustainability, when residents open up their courtyards and gardens to resell unwanted and homemade items – who doesn't love a second-hand bargain? The city’s location on the Rhine means that a lot of its tourism is water-based, with visitors starting or finishing their river cruises from here. There are other transport alternatives too, because Cologne’s railway station is the focus of the high-speed trains that connect with Brussels and thence London, which makes it a key entry point for British travellers who want a greener alternative to flying. Those visitors are more than likely to purchase the tourist board’s KölnCard, which offers free public transport within the city and up to 50% off at museums, restaurants, shops and attractions.

Bremen (©GNTB / Francesco Carovillano)

The Hanseatic city of Bremen has cleaned up its act since much of its big shipping opted to not travel up the river Weser, but to offload at its seaport of Bremerhaven instead. The ancient merchant houses remain as a sign of previous prosperity, whilst the river front has been given over to leisure, particularly for cyclists, for whom there’s a free, multilingual cycling navigation app. In fact there are four rivers in the Bremen vicinity, the Ochtum, the Wümme and the Lesum together with the Weser, as well as nine public swimming lakes. In total that means 47 square metres of water per resident, and no other large German city has as much as that.

Celle's French Garden (© GNTB / Francesco Carovillano)

At first sight the handsome and ancient city of Celle, not far from Hanover, doesn’t look like a centre of sustainability. Preservation, yes. Heritage, for sure, with its castle and pretty market square. The town has some 500 lovingly restored medieval timber-framed buildings, which must be a nightmare to heat, along with several well-maintained Bauhaus buildings, too. But it is the need to protect those buildings which has ramped up local conservation efforts, initiating city tours by electric train, by horse-drawn carriage, by segway, and by electric bike. In fact Celle was the first city in northern Germany to be certified as a sustainable destination, back in 2017, with its emphasis on the likes of buying regional products, changing lighting to LEDs, etc. And sitting as it does in a region of heathlands, rivers, moors and forests, landscapes, it has a lot to preserve.

Hamburg is nicknamed the Venice of the North (Shutterstock)

When it rains in London, the saying goes, the people of Hamburg put their umbrellas up. This is meant to be the most British of German cities, and it certainly shares similar weather. It is way ahead of London, however, in the sheer numbers of commuters who go to work on foot or by bicycle. This is a city of waterways, subtitled the Venice of the North, with two big lakes, the Alsters, like a pair of lungs at its heart. Accordingly, boats are a part of city life, whether that be setting out on a solar-powered tour of the port, or renting a sailboat on the Outer Alster. Back in 2011, Hamburg was designated as Europe’s Green Capital, and it hasn’t rested on its laurels: recent innovations include a green roof subsidy of up to €100 ,000 for anyone installing at least 20 sqm of soil to support any kind of vegetation on their roof.

8. Wernigerode

The town of Wernigerode in the Harz mountains (Shutterstock)

With its fairytale castle, cobbled streets, roofs topped with pointy hats, and proximity to the Harz mountains famous for witches, there’s something truly magical about Wernigerode. Many visitors come here en route to the Harz National Park – including fishy visitors in the streams that gurgle through town. For them, Wernigerode has carefully removed all obstacles to migration to allow them to move upstream to their spawning grounds in the hills. Meanwhile public transport is free for tourists, thanks to the Harzer Urlaubs-Ticket, and many places will allow free refills of empty water bottles.

9. Regensburg

Regensburg is the former capital of Bavaria (© GNTB / Francesco Carovillano)

There’s a Mediterranean flavour to the former capital of Bavaria. The tall narrow streets of the old city could easily have been transported from Nice, and the plazas surrounded by ice-cream parlours could easily be from the Italian Riviera. The city has 1,400 buildings of serious historical significance, including the 12 th century Steinerne Brücke, a magnificent bridge straddling the Danube, which for many centuries was the only river-crossing between Ulm and Vienna. Regensburg is of course UNESCO registered, and very aware of the need to preserve its treasures. Accordingly, it has curated a lot of recommendations for eco tourism on its sustainability website, regensburg-nachhaltig.de. Here you’ll find listings of accommodation which, for example, obtain their electricity from renewable sources, of restaurants that serve mainly regional and seasonal produce, of shops that sell organic or fair trade products. They even recommend companies where travellers can offset their CO2 emissions.

The 700 year old Krämerbrücke (Shutterstock)

The capital of Thuringia is an elegant city of Renaissance and Baroque facades, threaded by gliding trams. The head-turner here is the 700 year old Krämerbrücke (Merchant’s Bridge) lined with houses and craftsmen’s shops. Bridges like these, still with their own inhabitants living on top of the arches, are very rare these days, and its lesser-known location means that the Krämerbrücke gets a fraction of the attention that Florence’s Ponte Vecchio does. The bridge is the focus of the city’s emphasis on sustainability, its shops selling local handicrafts such as Blaudruck prints, hand-painted ceramics, Lauscha glass, hand-made jewellery and wood carvings as well as wines from the nearby Saale-Unstrut region. And beyond the bridge, the city’s shops and restaurants are encouraged to offer more organic food, particularly from the local area. Meanwhile the citizens are doing their own bit by topping the list of the most economic users of water per head in all German cities.

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No other river in the world links as many countries as the Danube: ten in all. It rises in the Black Forest in Germany and flows into the Black Sea in the border region between Romania and Ukraine. Although the Black Forest and the metropolises of Vienna and Budapest have long attracted travellers from all over the world, the middle and lower Danube regions have benefited relatively little from international tourism. The Danube Competence Center (DCC) based in Belgrade aims to change that. It is promoting sustainable tourism jointly with the GIZ, Germany’s agency for international cooperation, as its central partner. One key area involves strengthening the rail network and cycle and shipping routes as environmentally friendly alternatives to the car.

Tourism with added value in Morocco

Morocco has a wealth of unspoilt natural settings and unique landscapes. The GIZ is strengthening tourism development in the mountain region of Beni Mellal-Khenifra and in Souss-Massa on the Atlantic coast. The focus of attention here is not only on environmental protection, but also on employment opportunities and sources of income for the rural population. The project especially aims to offer prospects for women and young people. There are plans to train at least 5,000 people and advance tourism in these regions with 20 new accommodation facilities and the marketing of local products.

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Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism in Munich

Sustainable tourism is conscientious travel. It means being careful with the environments you explore, and respecting the communities you visit. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines eco-tourism as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. TIES suggests that eco-tourists follow these principles:

Minimize environmental impact.
Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
Provide direct financial benefits for conservation and for local people.
Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climates.
Support international human rights and labor agreements.

You can find some eco-friendly travel tips and statistics, as well as touring companies and associations -- listed by destination under "Travel Choice" -- at the TIES website, www.ecotourism.org. This website lets you search for sustainable touring companies in several categories (water-based, land-based, spiritually oriented, and so on).

While much of the focus of eco-tourism is about reducing impacts on the natural environment, ethical tourism concentrates on ways to preserve and enhance local economies and communities, regardless of location. You can embrace ethical tourism by staying at a locally owned hotel or shopping at a store that employs local workers and sells local goods.

Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com) is a great source of sustainable travel ideas; the site is run by a spokesperson for ethical tourism in the travel industry. Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) promotes ethical tourism practices, and manages an extensive directory of sustainable properties and tour operators around the world.

In the U.K., Tourism Concern (www.tourismconcern.org.uk) works to reduce social and environmental problems connected to tourism. The Association of Independent Tour Operators ( AITO; www.aito.co.uk) is a group of specialist operators leading the field in making holidays sustainable.

Volunteer travel has become popular among those who want to venture beyond the standard group-tour experience to learn languages, interact with locals, and make a positive difference while on vacation. Volunteer travel usually doesn't require special skills -- just a willingness to work hard -- and programs vary in length from a few days to a number of weeks. Some programs provide free housing and food, but many require volunteers to pay for travel expenses, which can add up quickly.

For general info on volunteer travel, visit www.volunteerabroad.com and www.idealist.org .

Before you commit to a volunteer program, it's important to make sure any money you're giving is truly going back to the local community, and that the work you'll be doing will be a good fit for you. Volunteer International (www.volunteerinternational.org) has a helpful list of questions to ask to determine the intentions and the nature of a volunteer program.

Bavarians, with some justification, consider themselves in the avant-garde of green travel. Although they suffered one of history's most devastating attacks on their environment (World War II), in the postwar years they became a front-runner in preserving their environment and protecting nature. Germans are known for recycling and reusing their natural resources.

In Germany, more and more systems are going into place to generate energy from wind and solar power.

Bavarians didn't exactly invent walking or hiking across their countryside, but you would think so when you notice the number of citizens who prefer this form of exploration. It's a way to stay in good health, enjoy nature, and avoid harming the environment, all at the same time.

Trails in Bavaria are often signposted, cutting through all areas of the country, from tidal shores to low mountain regions, with tours offered to some of the more difficult-to-reach points along mountaintops.

The outdoor enthusiast might want to concentrate on Bavaria's national parks, 14 in all. Our favorite of these biosphere reserves is the Bavarian Forest National Park.

For general data about the parks of Germany, consult Nationalpark Service, Informationshaus, 17192 Federow, Germany (tel. 039/91668849; www.nationalpark-service.de). The national parks are free, but camping at designated areas ranges from 5€ to 10€ per night. Some parks have huts that are basic but better than a tent, and this form of accommodations costs from 10€ to 20€ per person.

If you're interested in camping, check the Great Outdoor Recreation Page (www.gorp.com) before you go. It has some fine data not only on camping but also on ways to enjoy the landscapes of Germany.

Many organizations are devoted to eco-tourism today, including Biosphere Expedition, P.O. Box 917750, Longwood, FL 32791 (tel. 800/407-5761; www.biosphere-expeditions.org). This California group sets up eco-friendly tours to the Bavarian Alps, for example. Earthwatch, 3 Clocktower Place, Ste. 1000, P.O. Box 75, Maynard, MA 01754 (tel. 800/776-0188; www.earthwatch.org), often includes Germany in its 1- to 3-week jaunts to promote conservation of natural resources.

An unusual offering for the true green visitor is provided by Willing Workers on Organic Farms, Postfach 210259, 01263 Dresden (www.wwoof.de). Charging a membership of 20€, the organization's name says it all -- participants get free room and board at a variety of organic farms throughout the country, featuring Bavaria, but they must be willing to work for their supper.

One of the best ways for the green traveler in Bavaria is to take a tour from one bio hotel to another. These jaunts take you to the most scenic parts of the country, including the Bavarian Forest. For information and a list of these places to say, check www.biohotels.info .

Increasingly popular is spending a holiday on a Bavarian farm, a welcome alternative for families with children. Sometimes guests can help with the activities, such as feeding the cows or helping with the harvest. Some lodgings are no longer working farms but have been turned into tranquil guesthouses with typical regional charm. Find out more about this type of holiday by searching www.landtourismus.de .

It's Easy Being Green

Here are a few simple ways you can help conserve fuel and energy when you travel:

Each time you take a flight or drive a car, greenhouse gases release into the atmosphere. You can help neutralize this danger to the planet through "carbon offsetting" -- paying someone to invest your money in programs that reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by the same amount you've added. Before buying carbon offset credits, just make sure that you're using a reputable company, one with a proven program that invests in renewable energy. Reliable carbon-offset companies include Carbonfund (www.carbonfund.org) and TerraPass (www.terrapass.org).
Whenever possible, choose nonstop flights; they generally require less fuel than indirect flights that stop and take off again. Try to fly during the day -- some scientists estimate that nighttime flights are twice as harmful to the environment. And pack light -- each 15 pounds of luggage on a 5,000-mile flight adds up to 50 pounds of carbon dioxide emitted.
Where you stay during your travels can have a major environmental impact. To determine the green credentials of a property, ask about trash disposal and recycling, water conservation, and energy use; also find out whether sustainable materials were used in the property's construction. The website http://greenhotels.com recommends green-rated member hotels around the world that fulfill the company's stringent environmental requirements.
At hotels, request that your sheets and towels not be changed daily. (Many hotels already have programs like this in place.) Turn off the lights and air conditioner (or heater) when you leave your room.
Use public transport where possible -- trains, buses, and even taxis are more energy-efficient forms of transport than driving. Even better is to walk or cycle; you'll produce zero emissions and stay fit and healthy on your travels.
If renting a car is necessary, ask the rental agent for a hybrid, or rent the most fuel-efficient car available. You'll use less gas and save money at the tank.
Eat at locally owned and operated restaurants that use produce grown in the area. This contributes to the local economy and cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions by supporting restaurants where the food is not flown or trucked in across long distances.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Tourism in Germany

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Tourism in Germany is big business. But why is tourism so important here and how should it be managed? Read on to find out…

Germany, with its rich history and diverse landscapes, is a prime destination for travellers worldwide. From the bustling streets of Berlin to the serene Black Forest, the country offers a unique blend of cultural and natural attractions. In this article, I aim to provide an overview of Germany’s tourism highlights, guiding visitors through its multifaceted appeal.

Geography of Germany

Germany is located in Central Europe and is bordered by nine neighbouring countries, including Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands to the west. Germany’s landscape is diverse and includes low-lying areas, highlands, and mountain ranges. One of the most prominent features of Germany’s geography is the North German Plain, which stretches from the Netherlands to Poland and is characterised by rolling hills, forests, and farmland.

In the north of Germany, there are several notable bodies of water, including the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The North Sea has a coastline that extends along Germany’s northern border, while the Baltic Sea is situated to the northeast of the country. Along the Baltic coast, there are many beautiful beaches and harbours, which are popular tourist destinations in the summer months. The country’s major port cities, such as Hamburg and Bremen, are also located in this region, due to their proximity to the North Sea.

Central Germany is characterised by numerous low mountains and hills, such as the Harz Mountains, the Thuringian Forest, and the Black Forest. This region is home to several major rivers, including the Rhine, the Moselle, and the Danube. The Rhine is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe and is a major transport route for cargo ships. The river flows from Switzerland through Germany and the Netherlands, eventually emptying into the North Sea. Along the river, there are many picturesque towns and cities that are popular tourist destinations.

To the south of Germany, there are the Alps, which are a mountain range that stretches across several European countries, including Austria, Switzerland, France, and Italy. In Germany, the Bavarian Alps are the most prominent, with peaks reaching over 2,700 metres. The region is known for its stunning natural beauty, with numerous lakes and rivers, and is a popular destination for winter sports, including skiing and snowboarding.

Overall, Germany’s geography is diverse and includes a wide range of landscapes, from low-lying plains to high mountain ranges. The country’s position in central Europe, as well as its numerous rivers and coastlines, has made it an important transport hub, and it’s beautiful natural scenery continues to attract tourists from all over the world.

Tourism Industry in Germany

The tourism industry is an important sector of the German economy and has been growing steadily in recent years. According to statistics from the German National Tourist Board, more than 37 million visitors travelled to Germany in 2019, generating almost 90 billion euros in revenue. The tourism industry provides employment opportunities and generates income for a broad range of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, and cultural attractions.

Germany’s tourism industry is supported by its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural scenery, and modern infrastructure. The country is home to a multitude of historical sites, including the Brandenburg Gate, Neuschwanstein Castle, and the Berlin Wall, which attract visitors from all over the world. In addition, Germany has a thriving arts and cultural scene, with world-renowned opera houses, museums, and galleries.

Germany’s natural attractions are also a major draw for tourists. The country has hundreds of beautiful parks, gardens, and nature reserves, including the Black Forest, the Bavarian Alps, and the North Sea coast. There are many opportunities for outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, cycling, and skiing.

The German tourism industry is also supported by the country’s excellent infrastructure, including world-class airports, modern railway systems, and well-maintained roads. This makes travel around the country convenient and efficient. In addition, Germany has an extensive network of hotels, guesthouses, and other accommodation options, ranging from budget to luxury, which cater to the needs of a diverse group of travellers.

As Germany continues to invest in its tourism infrastructure and promote its cultural, natural, and historical attractions, the tourism industry is expected to continue growing and contributing significantly to the country’s economy in the years to come. By providing visitors with high-quality experiences and services, Germany’s tourism industry has the potential to become an even more important part of the country’s economic future.

Statistics of Tourism in Germany

Now lets highlight a few ket statistics about tourism in Germany:

1 – In 2019, Germany welcomed over 89.9 million overnight visitors, making it the seventh most visited country in the world.

2 – The tourism industry in Germany generated €131 billion of revenue in 2019, accounting for 4.5% of the country’s GDP.

3 – The tourism industry in Germany employs over 3 million people, or 7.5% of the country’s workforce.

4 – The top five source markets for tourism in Germany are the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Austria.

5 – The most popular cities for tourism in Germany are Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Cologne.

6 – In 2019, the average length of stay for visitors to Germany was 3.1 nights.

7 – The most visited tourist attractions in Germany are the Cologne Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle, the Berlin Wall, and Europa-Park.

8 – In 2019, approximately 35% of all overnight stays in Germany were in hotels, while 31% were in private accommodation, and 18% were in holiday homes or apartments.

9 – Germany is a popular destination for cultural tourism, with over 25,000 museums and galleries, and numerous historical sites and cultural events

10 – Germany is also a popular destination for outdoor tourism, with over 130,000 kilometres of hiking and cycling trails, numerous ski resorts, and hundreds of parks and nature reserves.

Popular Tourist Attractions in Germany

Germany boasts a vast array of tourist attractions, from historical landmarks and cultural treasures to stunning natural landscapes and beloved amusement parks. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Germany include:

The Brandenburg Gate

As a symbol of Germany’s tumultuous past, the Brandenburg Gate is one of the most iconic landmarks in the country. Standing tall in the heart of Berlin, this neoclassical monument was built in the 18th century and has played a central role in many of Germany’s most significant political events.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Nestled in the German Alps near the town of Füssen, Neuschwanstein Castle is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the castle’s enchanting design and fairy-tale setting are sure to leave visitors spellbound.

Europa-Park

Located in Rust, Europa-Park is Germany’s largest theme park and one of the most popular attractions in the country. With over 100 rides, shows, and attractions spread over 95 hectares, the park offers something for everyone, from thrill-seekers to families with young children.

The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier that divided the city from 1961 to 1989, separating East and West Germany during the Cold War. Today, visitors to Berlin can see remnants of the wall throughout the city, including the iconic “Checkpoint Charlie” crossing point and the Berlin Wall Memorial, which provides a powerful testament to Germany’s complex history.

Cologne Cathedral

One of the most impressive Gothic structures in Europe, Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for architecture enthusiasts. Built over the course of six centuries, the cathedral’s stunning facade and intricate stained glass windows are sure to leave visitors awestruck.

The Romantic Road

Stretching over 350 kilometres from Würzburg to Füssen, the Romantic Road is one of Germany’s most scenic drives. Along the way, visitors can explore charming mediaeval towns, picturesque countryside, and stunning castles and palaces, including Neuschwanstein Castle.

The Black Forest

Located in southwestern Germany, the Black Forest is a stunning natural landscape that boasts picturesque villages, dense woodland, and stunning waterfalls, making it a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers alike.

Germany offers an endless list of attractions and experiences for visitors, from historical landmarks and cultural treasures to delightful cuisine and outdoor adventure. These popular tourist attractions are just a few examples of the unique and diverse offerings available in this remarkable country.

Popular Types of Tourism in Germany

Germany is a highly diverse country that offers a wide variety of tourism experiences for visitors. Some of the most popular types of tourism in Germany include:

Cultural Tourism

Germany is home to a wealth of cultural treasures and relics, from world-renowned opera houses and museums to historic castles and fortresses. The country’s capital, Berlin, offers a wealth of cultural experiences, including art exhibitions and musical performances, while cities like Munich and Frankfurt are known for their world-class museums and galleries. Other cultural attractions to explore include the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the famous Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, and the ancient Roman city of Trier.

Ecotourism and Outdoor Activities

Germany is a haven for those who enjoy outdoor activities and nature-based tourism. With a host of stunning natural landscapes, from the majestic Alps to the rolling hills of the Swabian Jura, visitors can hike, bike, swim, rock climb, and more all year round. Popular ecotourism destinations include the Black Forest, the Bavarian Alps, and the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest unbroken systems of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world.

Historical Tourism

Germany has played a key role in European history and is home to a wealth of historical monuments, museums, and landmarks. Historic destinations like the Reichstag Building in Berlin, the Bavarian castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, and the Nuremberg Castle are just some of the historical sites worth visiting when in Germany.

Festival Tourism

Tourism in Germany has a reputation for throwing unique and lively festivals throughout the year, many with a strong cultural and historical significance. The famous Oktoberfest is held annually in Munich and is one of the largest beer festivals in the world. Other notable events include the Berlin Film Festival and the Christmas markets that sprinkle the country throughout the Advent period each year.

Food and Wine Tourism

With a great tradition of local cuisine and world-renowned beer and wines, Germany is the ideal destination for food and wine lovers. Visitors can enjoy traditional German dishes such as schnitzel and spaetzle, while wine enthusiasts can explore the vineyards and wineries in the Moselle Valley or the Baden Wine Route.

In conclusion, tourism in Germany offers visitors a diverse range of tourism experiences, making it an appealing destination for a perfect European vacation. From exploring the country’s rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty to outdoor activities and festivals, there are plenty of reasons to visit Germany.

Economic Impacts of Tourism in Germany

The tourism industry is an essential part of the German economy, generating substantial economic impacts at both national and regional levels. In 2019, the sector contributed €131 billion to the country’s GDP, accounting for 4.5% of the total. The industry also indirectly supports various other sectors of the economy, including transportation, retail, and construction.

The tourism industry also serves as a significant source of employment, providing jobs for over 3 million people, representing 7.5% of total employment in Germany. These jobs are spread throughout a broad range of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, and cultural attractions, among other sub-sectors.

Furthermore, the tourism industry is a significant contributor to the country’s exports. Germany is the seventh most visited country globally, receiving over 89.9 million tourists in 2019, with the tourism sector accounting for approximately 10% of the country’s total exports. The revenue generated by the industry enables the country to maintain a positive trade balance and create more job opportunities in related sectors.

Beyond its direct economic effects, the tourism industry also has important indirect effects on other sectors of the economy. These include transportation, retail, and construction, among others, as tourists spend money to purchase goods and services and create new demand for infrastructure and facilities.

Overall, tourism in Germany continues to be a vital part of the economy, providing a significant source of income and employment for the country. By investing in infrastructure and services to attract more visitors, Germany can continue to benefit from a thriving tourism industry while also improving living standards and driving long-term economic growth.

Social Impacts of Tourism in Germany

The tourism industry in Germany is not only an essential contributor to the country’s economy but also has significant social impacts that can be both positive and negative.

Positive Impacts:

Tourism in Germany provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the cultural heritage, traditions, and lifestyles of locals, which can further promote mutual understanding and cultural exchange. This exchange of knowledge and experience may help to reduce misunderstandings and ease social and political tensions between different nations.

Tourism in Germany also encourages the preservation of natural and cultural treasures as they contribute to the attractiveness of destinations. Tourism can provide local communities with the resources and the incentives to preserve and maintain natural and cultural sites, which can also have spin-off benefits for local conservation efforts.

Additionally, tourism can stimulate economic development in rural areas, less developed regions, and areas with little industrial production, creating employment opportunities for local communities and helping to reduce poverty rates.

Negative Impacts:

Tourism in Germany can lead to overcrowding in popular tourist destinations, which can cause tension between locals and visitors. It can also contribute to environmental damage, negatively impacting local ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity.

Tourists may also create an increase in prices of goods and services in the area, which can result in a decrease in the standard of living for local communities. Furthermore, the commodification of local cultures and traditions to meet the expectations of tourists can lead to cultural erosion and homogenization, thus undermining the uniqueness and diversity of local cultures.

In conclusion, the social impacts of tourism in Germany are complex and involve both positive and negative aspects. To mitigate the negative social impacts of tourism and optimise the positive ones, it is crucial to balance tourism’s benefits and impacts carefully. All stakeholders, including local communities, tourists, and government agencies, must work together to ensure that the tourism industry is sustainable and responsible, promoting cultural exchange, environmental conservation, and economic growth.

Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Germany

The tourism industry in Germany has significant environmental impacts due to the large number of visitors and the activities they engage in while travelling. Some of the key environmental impacts of tourism in Germany include:

Energy consumption

The tourism industry is an energy-intensive sector that requires transportation, accommodation, and recreational activities. The consumption of energy in transportation, accommodation, and leisure puts pressure on the environment as large amounts of energy are required for heating, cooling, and lighting, as well as for transportation.

Greenhouse gas emissions

The tourism industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. In Germany, the transportation sector accounts for approximately one-fifth of total greenhouse gas emissions, a significant proportion of which is due to tourism transport.

Water resources

The tourism industry consumes significant amounts of water for various activities, including bathing, swimming pools, and irrigation. This consumption puts pressure on water resources in areas where water is already scarce.

Waste management

Tourism activities generate significant amounts of waste, including packaging, food waste, and disposable items. Improper handling and disposing of this waste can have severe environmental consequences, including pollution of land, air, and water.

Biodiversity

Tourism activities can have a profound impact on local biodiversity, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. Activities such as hiking, camping, and off-road driving can cause damage to fragile ecosystems, leading to soil erosion, habitat loss, and the displacement of wildlife.

However, there are efforts to mitigate these negative environmental impacts by promoting sustainable tourism practices. Examples of initiatives to promote sustainable tourism in Germany include the use of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency measures in tourist accommodations, promoting eco-friendly modes of transportation, and initiatives to reduce waste and conserve water. The introduction of sustainable tourism practices helps to minimise environmental impacts while ensuring that the tourism industry remains a valuable contributor to the German economy.

FAQs About Tourism in Germany

Now that we know a bit more about tourism in Germany, lets answer some of the most common questions on this topic:

1 – What is the best time of year to visit Germany?

The best time to visit Germany varies depending on what you want to do and see. The summer months (June to August) are popular for sightseeing and outdoor activities, while winter (December to February) is great for skiing and visiting Christmas markets.

2 – Do I need a visa to travel to Germany?

Travellers from many countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia, can enter Germany without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Check with the German embassy in your country to see if you need a visa.

3 – What is the currency used in Germany?

Germany uses the euro (EUR) as its currency.

4 – Is English widely spoken in Germany?

English is widely spoken in Germany, particularly in tourist areas, so it’s easy to get by without speaking German.

5 – How can I get around Germany?

Germany has an excellent public transportation system, including trains, buses, and trams. You can also easily rent a car or bike to get around.

6 – What are some famous German foods?

Some famous German foods include sausages, schnitzel, pretzels, and black forest cake.

7 – What are some popular German festivals?

Some popular German festivals include Oktoberfest, Karneval (Carnival), and Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Markets).

8 – What are some popular tourist destinations in Germany?

Some popular tourist destinations in Germany include Berlin, Munich, the Romantic Road, Cologne, and the Black Forest.

9 – Is tipping expected in restaurants in Germany?

Tipping is not usually expected in Germany, but rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated.

10 – What is the voltage and plug type in Germany?

The voltage in Germany is 230V and the plug type is type C and type F. You may need a universal adapter to use your electronic devices in Germany.

To Conclude: Tourism in Germany

Germany, with its tapestry of historical landmarks and modern innovation, remains an essential destination in the European travel circuit. As we’ve journeyed through its attractions, from bustling cities to tranquil countryside, the enduring appeal of German tourism becomes evident. For both the seasoned traveller and the curious explorer, Germany promises a rich blend of culture, nature, and history, continually inviting renewed exploration.

If you enjoyed this article about tourism in Germany, I am sure you will love these too:

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Sustainable City Guide to Munich for the Responsible Traveler

I may earn income from affiliate links or partnerships in this post. I spend time to curate tours or products that align with my values. Thanks for supporting my work, at no additional cost to you.

Last updated on November 23rd, 2023 at 05:08 pm

A re you curious about how you can visit Munich sustainably? Munich is a wonderfully green city full of urban and wild parks, outdoor recreation, rich culture, local small businesses, extensive public transportation and bike trails, sustainable initiatives, and more! Despite all this, at first glance, it can be hard to know where to start with little information available to tourists. This sustainable city guide to Munich will help you navigate the city with a mindful approach so you can experience all the city has while reducing your footprint.

I lived in Munich for nearly seven years, and during that time, I explored the city in depth, finding the best ways to embrace sustainable principles. My insider knowledge about my former home means that this guide covers everything you need to know to explore Munich with a sustainable focus. Munich is the perfect city for anyone starting a sustainable travel journey, as mindful travel concepts are integrated seamlessly into the city. Munich embraces a circular economy, plastic-free initiatives, bio (organic) products, amazing public transportation, eco-friendly hotels, and a tourism model that prioritizes sustainable development. Munich is also great for more experienced sustainable travelers, with many hidden gems and opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange.

Sustainable Traveler's Guide to Munich. Eco Tips and Itinerary for the sustainable travel in Munich.

No matter where you are on your sustainable travel journey, this responsible traveler’s guide to Munich covers everything you need to know, from how to use public transportation, cultural aspects, eco-hotels, where to find small businesses and other practical ways to reduce your impact.

Looking for more mindful content for your trip to Munich? Don’t miss my expert guides!

Alternative Guide to Munich
Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to Munich
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Munich Info

Green Transportation

Visit Off-Season

Reduce Your Waste

Urban Nature & Green Spaces

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Sample Itinerary

Munich takes a modern approach to sustainability. As a visitor or resident, engaging in a sensible, eco-focused lifestyle is easy!
But, some of these practices can be hard to spot if you are new to the city. This guide helps you understand Munich’s sustainable practices so you can be a responsible visitor.
Beyond that, you’ll learn how to use public transportation, attend cultural events, support local businesses, and find other ways to reduce your impact.
Discover the best eco-hotels that I’ve personally stayed in and recommend.
Get ideas for an eco- friendly multi-day itinerary.

Munich Sustainability Info

Munich and Germany are global leaders in practical and functional sustainability. Historically, Bavaria is known for its darker relationship with nature, having deforested and killed much of the region’s wildlife before the 20th century, but its modern approach aims to balance its previous destruction with integrated natural approaches that benefit both humans and nature, allowing them to co-exist. As you explore Munich, you will see many of these natural approaches in action, and it is not uncommon to see an old graveyard turned into a wildlife habitat and park for the living.

Socio-Economic Sustainability Model

Munich uses an economic model that incentivizes long-term sustainable development over short-term gains. That means as Munich grows as a city, they prioritize development that is mindful of the environmental and social impacts. For example, as they expand public transportation, they aim to reduce their emissions simultaneously.

Their tourism model considers local businesses, residents, and sustainability for a well-rounded approach that creates meaningful tourist experiences, benefits the community and minimizes impacts.

Cutting Emissions & Green Energy

Munich aims to cut its CO2 emissions in half by 2030 based on 1990 numbers. While it remains to be seen if they will achieve this target, Germany has already cut emissions by 40% since 1990. Munich has made progress in modernizing its public transportation, construction, energy use, and more! Munich’s municipal utility company utilizes green energy with a goal of powering 100% of its Munich operations with wind and solar.

Green Energy & Transportation

As you explore Munich, see if you spot their new line of hybrid solar buses. These buses were developed in Munich and have roofs covered in solar panels, reducing fuel consumption. Many of Munich’s buses are now electric and green!

Older vehicles that do not meet certain environmental standards are banned from Munich’s city center. Great public transportation allows those with older vehicles to park outside the city and commute in for work and errands.

The Green City initiative prioritizes pedestrians and bicycles over cars. There are plenty of pedestrian and bike-only zones, free of cars. These pedestrian zones include urban green spaces spread throughout the city – from large urban parks to small rooftop gardens.

waterfall at the English Garden in Munich

Circular Economy & Low Waste

Munich embraces a circular economy. That means every beer bottle or juice bottle you drink from is created to be returned to the producer, who then reuses the bottle. This is great for Munich’s economy and environment. It reduces waste levels, reduces recycling emissions, and employs many people. Before throwing anything away, consider whether it should be returned to the kiosk or supermarket you bought it from.

Additionally, Munich is a very low-waste city with very minimal single-use plastic. Ensure you are prepared with your reusable tote, utensils, and a coin purse to engage in their pfand system (more on that later).

Getting Around Munich – Green Transportation

One of the best parts of Munich is our excellent transportation, walking trails, and bike paths. Living near central Munich, I can walk to most places within 20 minutes. For those longer journeys, our public transportation is a relaxing and eco-friendly experience. Download Google Maps ahead of time to access walking paths, bike trails, and transportation timetables.

Walking: My preference is to walk, and I highly recommend it for those with stable mobility and good walking shoes. Most areas have clean and wide sidewalks, so you can enjoy looking at all the little shops and small businesses as you travel from sight to sight. Most major sights and Munich’s alternative neighborhoods are all accessible from the city center by foot.

bikes resting along a red ivy wall in Munich

Bicycling: During your entire stay in Munich, I recommend renting a bicycle from Radius Tours at the main Hauptbahnhof or Mikes Bikes . Both will have great tips on fun ways to explore the city by peddling, but you can also use Google Maps bike routes. One of my favorite routes is to ride along the Isar and connect with the Englischer Garten. Munich has terrific bike trails that are safe, and you can ride with traffic to get anywhere. Get your online bike map . Here in Munich, we ride rain, shine, and snow. If you enjoy longer bike treks, bike to Starnbergersee for a day trip to the lake.

Public Transportation : Munich’s public transportation is fast, clean, safe, well-connected, and energy-efficient. You can take advantage of buses, trams, trains, and subways. Our city transportation company recycles, adheres to carbon reduction goals, operates modern energy-efficient vehicles, cuts noise pollution, uses high-quality filters, reuses its braking energy, and utilizes heat pump energy to keep its environmental impact low.

Grab a multi-day City Tour Card for Munich and enjoy the sights with discounts on numerous places.

Visit Munich Shoulder and Off-Season

Compared to other major European cities, Munich handles its tourism relatively sustainably with a well-developed plan bringing together local business owners, residents, and tour operators to ensure healthy levels of tourism. However, there are times when the city experiences mass tourism, such as Oktoberfest and Christmas markets. I highly recommend experiencing cultural events, but I recommend visiting Munich during the off-season for a slower trip soaking in the city’s flavors. Munich is busiest at Oktoberfest (Mid-September – Early Oct), but summer is the busy season across Europe, and there are typically long lines for experiences outside of Munich, like at Neuschwanstein , museums, and other tourist attractions. You’ll contribute to a healthy and sustainable year-long tourism economy by visiting shoulder or off-season.

spring cherry blossoms and a historic church in Munich

Spring: Spring in Munich is lovely. Blooming cherry trees line historic streets. The weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy a leisurely exploration of the city without the crowds. If you visit toward the end of May, you’ll likely catch beer gardens as they open, so you can still enjoy the outdoor beer experience. You might even plan your trip to experience cultural events such as Frühlingsfest and Mayday celebrations.

Thai pagoda on a lake in westpark Munich

Autumn: Munich in the autumn is beautiful. While Oktoberfest happens in autumn, if you visit just before or after the fest, you’ll find relatively low tourism numbers and fantastic weather. You can see the autumn colors as they explode through the Alps and enjoy hiking, biking, beer gardens, outdoor dining, and city exploration. Autumn is my favorite time for taking a nature-based or cultural day trip from Munich to Andechs Monastery . The scenery is incredible, and the crowds are minimal.

snow falling at Munich's historic old city square

Winter: Many people don’t like visiting Munich in winter outside of the Christmas market season, but I love Munich in the winter! If you spend a few snowy days exploring Munich just after the new year, you’ll have an excuse to visit museums, the theater, visit the Alps for a ski trip , and, as a bonus, see a place like Neuschwanstein in the winter without the crowds is magical!

Visiting the Christmas markets is magical, but you can enjoy a quiet, snow-covered Munich in January or February.

Ways to Reduce Your Waste in Munich

Munich is leaps and bounds ahead of some cities regarding its minimal and zero waste initiatives. In the seven years I lived in Munich, I noticed dramatic changes in the amount of plastic I encountered. It is now almost surprising to see single-use plastic anywhere in the city. Still, it’s important to remember to ask for no straw and bring your tote bag to avoid unnecessary plastic. Here are some cool plastic-free initiatives you can look forward to when visiting the city.

plants growing out of a car Tollwood Winter Festival

The Pfand System

You’ll likely encounter the pfand system at many places across Munich. Instead of using cheap single-use plastic cups, breweries serve drinks in high-quality reusable glass beer steins. To ensure you return these glasses, avoiding the landfill, you will pay an extra couple of Euros for the glass. The cashier will give you a pfand chip or token, and once you’ve finished your drink, you return the glass and the token for the Euro deposit you paid. While it is most common at beer gardens, you will likely pay a pfand at Christmas markets for gluhwein, plates at festivals, and even plastic or glass bottles from the supermarket. Sadly, most tourists don’t know about this and throw away their beverage bottles, but I encourage you to take advantage of the system to reduce your waste.

When you are at a designated beer garden, the pfand is easy to return. You walk up to the booth, accept returns, and hand them your dirty mug and the token. You will get your money back.

The supermarket system is a bit more complicated, but I encourage using it. If you buy a glass or plastic soda, water, or juice bottle from a supermarket – do not throw that bottle away! Return it to the supermarket. Many have automatic bottle machines at their entrance. Insert your bottles and get your receipt for cash back.

If you are unsure what to do – you can leave these bottles outside by trashcans. Someone will pick them up and return them to get your money back.

Crates of German beer ready for recycling

Munich operates a circular economy for its beer bottles and crates.

Plastic-free Shopping

Most supermarkets do not bag your groceries in single-use plastic or paper bags. Instead, you bag your groceries in your travel tote or after buying a reusable tote from the supermarket. Most stores have phased out plastic bags for fruit and vegetables. Instead, you can just put them in the bag with everything else like I do and wash them in your BnB or hotel. If you want to experience the novelty of a zero-waste store in Munich, then stop by Servus Resi. It might be challenging to shop there as a tourist, but they have zero waste toiletries if you forget to pack yours. Plus, seeing how zero-waste stores in Europe operate might be fun.

Ohne package free store sustainable munich

Drinking Water

All water in Munich is clean, safe, and ready for drinking. The city is slowly starting to put water bottle stations around the city, such as the one on Sendlinger Strasse, but they are hard to find. I recommend you fill up your reusable bottle from the sink before heading out for the day. Despite the tap water being such high quality, Germans love their bottled mineral water. If you go to a restaurant and ask for water, you will get a glass bottle of sparkling or still water. I often specifically ask for tafelwasser (tap water) and almost always receive a hard no and get a bottle instead. Why do Germans do this? We will never know.

You can take comfort in the fact that these glass bottles are part of a city-wide pfand system where the beverage company picks up the bottles, refills them, and returns them to restaurants – so they aren’t single-use. However, if this bothers you, ensure you have your lightweight travel bottle in your purse, which I do :)

Most cafes no longer offer to-go coffee cups, encouraging you to bring your own. I suggest packing a bottle that can double as a coffee mug or water bottle.

Fun Fact : While there aren’t many refill stations around the city, all the water fountains at Viktualienmarkt are potable. As I pass through this area, I typically fill my bottle with fresh, clean drinking water.

Munich’s Urban Green Spaces and Parks

Munich is home to one of the largest urban parks in the world, the Englischer Garten – and that is just one of the dozens of parks sprinkled throughout the city. The parks in Munich offer countless ecological benefits, including keeping the city cool on hot days, reducing air and water pollution, providing a home for small animals, recreation for residents, and prime real estate to escape the city’s bustle and connect with urban nature.

Englischer Garten

The most famous garden in Munich, this sprawling park runs from the city’s heart towards the airport. Some of the highlights include the Eisbach, a small channel of water running through the garden. It’s common to hop in and float down like a lazy river or watch the Munich River surfers ride the waves. Otherwise, stroll along the endless tree-filled paths, find a place to read a book, or stop for a beer at the Chinese Tower or Seehaus to see that pfand system in action. There are also some bike trails so you can saddle up for an adventure.

Isar Flaucher

The Isar is a river in Munich, and the city recently underwent a restoration project to rewild the river. The project removed the narrow channels from the river and opened up the river with wide gravel banks. Extensive nature surrounds the river. It’s a great natural space to exercise on the running and biking trails. Most locals also enjoy hanging out on the banks with a local beer in hand, watching the sunset.

This was the largest urban floodplain renaturalization anywhere in the world. The Isar of ancient times was a wild and mighty river. As Munich developed through the Middle Ages, the river was channeled for energy and to bring water into the city. However, by the 1800s, the river was narrow and so dirty, unable to perform its natural functions that it often flooded, taking out bridges, and was the source of disease outbreaks like cholera. After several large floods, the city returned the river to more alpine characteristics. In the 1990s, this process began, and the river is now clean, a habitat for biodiversity, and a great place for recreation.

This local hidden gem is an excellent escape from the English garden’s busier parts. Enjoy walking the circular walking trails and stop at the Japanese garden. Stop at Ganz Wasser, one of my favorite quirky beer gardens in Munich, for a refreshing drink and vegan food.

Luitpold Park

Munich doesn’t have many vantage points, but Luitpold Park offers spectacular views of Munich’s skyline surrounded by nature. Just take a brisk walk up the hill and enjoy the sunrise or sunset over the city.

Schloss Nymphenburg castle gardens and lake

Schloss Park Nymphenberg

The castle park is more manicured than the others. It isn’t a park for picnics or relaxing. Instead, you can stroll the former royal gardens with beautiful trees, lakes, fountains, and birds. If you have extra time, you can visit the palace museum and spend time photographing the swans.

Altersudfriedhof

This is my best-kept secret in Munich. This historic graveyard in the heart of the Isarvorstadt neighborhood is perfect for a stroll. It is a prime example of how Munich seamlessly integrates nature and functionality. It is normal to use graveyards as a park, and in this little pocket of nature, you’ll find plenty of urban wildlife and many locals enjoying the fresh air.

Urban Wildlife: Munich is a typical European city seemingly void of wildlife, but you can spot plenty of birds and small critters if you keep your eyes peeled. Dozens of wild birds call Munich home , and if you head to any of the parks, you’ll likely spot plenty, making the area great for urban birders. Watch for squirrels, martens, hedgehogs, ducks, beavers and swans. For a leisurely day trip from Munich to enjoy nature, visit the Murnauer Moos Nature Reserve.

Learn About Munich’s Culture and History

When most people think of Munich’s cultural highlights, they naturally think of Oktoberfest or the Christmas markets. Still, there are plenty of local cultural events in and around Munich that you can visit throughout the year to learn about Bavarian traditions and culture. One of the more meaningful parts of traveling is cultural exchanges, and learning about the history and culture of your destination should be part of any sustainable itinerary.

Cultural Events in Munich

Volksfest are best thought of as small, intimate community events around Munich, where you will find traditional food, beer, market stands, and rides. Some of my favorite that happen across Munich are:

Auer Dulten dates back to the 14th century and happens thrice a year, bringing together over 300 markets and food stalls.
City Founding Festival : Munich was founded in June 1158. For two days every June, the city celebrates with medieval markets, beer gardens, traditional dancing, folklore, and history lessons.
Magdalenafes t has been happening in Munich since the 1700s and is an excellent option for families traveling to Munich in July with rides, food stalls, and vendor booths.

Beer Festivals

Beer is part of Munich’s cultural identity and is home to the world’s oldest still-operating brewery and some of the brewing industry’s biggest names.

Starkbierfest is a historic event that dates back to the 1700s when monks brewed strong, dark beer to tide them over during Lent. Join locals in traditional Tracht for beer, folk songs, food, and Starkbier.
Fruhlingsfest is a spring festival with beer tents, rides, and cultural events. It feels like a mini Oktoberfest for young locals.
Oktoberfest is the biggest beer festival in the world. Oktoberfest still nods to tradition but is often visited by rowdy tourists, which can take away from charm – depending on who you ask. Make sure to visit the Oide Wisen for a historical and more authentic experience , including music and folk dancing. The Agricultural Fair happens every 4th year and is another great cultural experience.

Almabtriebs

At the end of every harvest year, agricultural towns host an Almabtreib, an alpine cultural event throughout Bavaria, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Farming towns dress their cows with fancy headdresses, bringing them down from the mountains to winter in lower fields. Farmers wearing traditional lederhosen parade their cows down the streets, ending at a small festival with traditional music, local craft beer, farm-fresh cheese, meats, and dance.

Christmas Market s

Munich’s Christmas Markets date back to the 14th century and are a long-standing cultural tradition in Munich. Ensure you learn about the Advent Season in Munich, a very important time for families and traditions beyond the markets. Enjoy traditional gluhwein, market foods, and hand-crafted vendors under the glittering Christmas lights of Munich city. I have a comprehensive guide to enjoying Munich’s Christmas Markets with a sustainable and cultural focus.

Karneval, including Rose Monday and Fat Tuesday, signaling the start of Lent, are important to German culture. Munich hosts events during Karneval week with traditional dancing, a parade, costume events, and the main stage with quirky Emcees. Most of the events happen at Marienplatz or the Viktualienmarkt. Costumes are encouraged similarly to how N. Americans might celebrate Halloween!

Maypole raisings happen across Munich on May Day. The main event happens at the Viktualienmarkt for the ceremonial raising of Munich’s central ole, which rumor has is the same tree used for the Marienplatz Christmas tree. However, I love to visit the Augustiner Kellner for their Maypole raising. Here, you’ll find plenty of traditional music, dancing, beer, and the Maypole festivities!

Shop Local. Farmer’s Markets. Thrift.

Supporting local businesses is one of the best ways to prevent tourism leakage. By supporting local businesses and products and shopping sustainably your destination will be able to utilize the revenue to offset the negative impacts of tourism by mitigating additional emissions, building better infrastructure, and local small businesses will thrive.

Munich best hipster coffee shop cafe bla

Or ‘Kauf Lokal’ as we say in Munich. Look for the Kauf Lokal sign for local handmade artisanal products so you can directly support Munich’s local small business economy. You can visit Kauf Lokal for the full list of local stores participating . An easy way to use this guide is by entering your hotel’s or accommodation’s zip code to see what is around you or search by category. Supporting local businesses in Munich has never been easier with the handy guide created by a local entrepreneur. If you’re BIG into supporting local businesses, then visit during the Kauf Lokal expo in May, where you’ll find all Munich’s local brands, big and small, under one roof.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dein lokaler Marktplatz! (@kauflokalcom)

Support Diverse Local Businesses

Elle’Cee is a Black-owned clothing boutique in Munich. The woman who owns it is incredibly friendly and speaks fluent English. Stop in, spice up your wardrobe, and support a local small business. While you’re there, swing by Annam Grill, one of my favorite places for fresh Vietnamese food in Munich. We eat here at least once a week.

Makula is a Black-owned West African restaurant serving some of Munich’s best food. The owner is hilarious and often shares some of his secret spicy booze with you after you’re full of flavorful vegan food. I also love Black-owned Cafe Omo for fantastic Ethiopian food – their flatbread and vegan sample platter for 2 is literal perfection.

Bellevue di Monaco is a cafe, restaurant, and community center where migrants work and gain employment skills. They have a ‘pay what you can’ system, and the more you pay for your food, the more money goes back into a program to help migrants gain employment and afford basic housing.

If you shop around Glockenbachviertel at places like Eiscafé Eismeer or Kraftwerk, you’ll be supporting businesses owned by members of or supporting the LGBTQIA community.

Farmer and Flea Markets

One of the best ways to visit Munich sustainably is by supporting local farmers and producers at markets around Munich. Look for labels that say products were grown or produced in Munich, Bavaria, or Germany.

Sustainable Tip: Always bring your reusable shopping bag to markets for local products. This ensures you are visiting Munich as responsibly as possible.

Viktualienmarkt is the biggest market is the Viktualienmarkt. It is a great place to get the full immersive market experience with bustling flower stands, fresh mushrooms, local wine, meats, cheeses, olives, fruits, veggies, spices, honey… you name it, and you can find it. This is a great place to stock up on food for a picnic in the Englischer Garten or get a little souvenir to take home. While you’re visiting, make sure to check out Munich’s May Pole at the center.

Elisabethmarkt platz Munich local Markets

Market at Elisabethplatz is my favorite as a relaxing alternative to the Viktualienmarkt. You’ll find stands of fresh food, flowers, local products, and wares. One of my favorite coffee places, Standl 20 , is also at Elisabethplatz . This is a great place to kill an hour or stock up on food to get you through the day.

Wiener Markt, or Vienna Square, is a charming small market on the French Quarter’s outskirts. Located at the old road intersection connecting Munich and Vienna, it was destroyed during WWII and rebuilt in 2002, giving it historical significance. This is a great launching point to explore Haidhausen, a charming neighborhood with many boutiques and cafes.

Wochenmarkts are weekly local markets that change locations daily. My favorite is Wochenmarkt Au, south of the Isar. The markets are humble, but you’ll find staples like cheese, bread, and other grocery items from local vendors. Search ‘Wochenmarkt’ in Google Maps, and you’ll find several locations. Check the dates as they are only open one day a week at various locations.

Thrifting is a great way to get clothing if you need to restock some staples while traveling or forgot to pack a windbreaker without contributing to the fast fashion problem.

Sustainable Tip: The fashion industry contributes more to greenhouse gases than the airline industry . Choosing an organic fabric, buying used clothing, supporting local brands, and providing fair trade products are crucial.

Pick n Weight is a store where you pay for your clothing by the Kilo. These stores have a vintage and eclectic selection of clothing, all categorized by color. Another great option is Oxfam, a practical everyday wear store if you’re on a tight budget or don’t like consuming new clothing while you travel. If you’re looking for a previously used Dirndl called Wasch-Dirndl, check out Schwabinger Holareidulijö Trachtenladen or Lily´s Treff. I highly recommend this option if you visit for Oktoberfest and don’t want to buy a new Dirndl you’ll likely never wear again.

Flohmarkts, or garage sales, are popular in Munich, especially in the summer. They range from massive outdoor markets on the Oktoberfest grounds to night markets in lofts and small neighborhood markets. My favorites are large annual summer events like the Night Bazaar and the Frühlingsfrest Flohmarkt. You can find all the dates and locations of the Flohmarkts on this website.

Boutique Stores

If you’re looking for locally owned boutiques, I suggest exploring Gärtnerplatz and Reichenbachstraße. I also recommend the roads Amalienstraße, Schellingstraße, and Türkenstraße in the university district. Here are a few highlights worth checking out.

MILK is a great place to shop in Munich since they do all the hard work for you by selecting clothing from small businesses, fair and sustainable labels, and clothing made from organic materials. Maloja Store: A local Munich streetwear and athletic store typically uses only organic materials and sustainable methods for making their clothing. The interior of the store has a vintage upcycle feel. Bella Natura features hip European fashion trends from sustainable materials at fair trade prices. Shop fair fashion from a local Munich-owned boutique. Grune Erde is a socially conscious, sustainable, organic, and eco-friendly store full of homewares, clothing, furniture, and more. If you want a sustainable souvenir from Munich, swing by after visiting the Viktualienmarkt.

Vegetarian and Vegan Food

Munich isn’t all schnitzel and pork knuckle. A vibrant and emerging vegetarian and vegan scene is taking over the city. Germany was recently ranked the 6th best country for vegetarians, and more than 12% of Germans identify as vegan or vegetarian. Being such a vegetarian-friendly city, Munich is great for vegetarians or anyone trying to eat less meat. Don’t worry you can still enjoy traditional foods that are made vegan or adapted for a plant-forward diet. Challenging yourself to eat less meat or trying some of Munich’s vegan options has never been easier.

Check out my full vegetarian and vegan guide to Munich for dozens of restaurants, local vegan foods to try, and even how to order food without meat or dairy in German.

Eco and Sustainable Accommodation

Where you choose to stay can make all the difference. If you opt for local hotels that feature local and sustainable products like food and soap, you’ll reduce the tourism leakage in the region and get a great night’s sleep. These are a few of my favorite eco-hotels in Munich. I have personally stayed in all of these hotels and would recommend them for anyone visiting Munich interested in a sustainable itinerary.

The Lost Weekend Coffee Shop Munich Germany

Living Hotel – Living Hotels is a local German, family-owned, sustainable, and ethical company. They started right here in Munich! At their restaurants, you’ll find locally grown and in-season food offerings. And it doesn’t stop there. The German brand Living Hotels uses 100% green energy, offsets the carbon cost of travelers, donates to environmental projects, no longer uses plastic cups, the paper is recycled, and commits to reducing dirty palm oil products. Some locations have bee farms on the roof and provide electric car charging stations and local zero-waste products. There are four locations in Munich: Viktualienmarkt , Deutsches Museum , Olympiapark , and Princess Elizabeth . I recommend the one at Viktualienmarkt for its great central location and customer service!

The Flushing Meadows is a no-fuss hipster boutique hotel in my former neighborhood. If you are an independent traveler who doesn’t need anyone at a hotel to fuss over you, this is the spot for you. The hotel is committed to sustainability with waste and energy reduction, local products, and more. With a spectacular rooftop bar, you can grab a drink to watch the sunset with a historic church as a backdrop. Right out the front door, you can easily access the Isar, and Glockenback, a hip and sustainable neighborhood.

Schwan Locke. If you need a comfortable place for a longer stay, I love Schwan Locke. The hotel was designed with the modern digital nomad in mind. I loved staying here and taking advantage of their co-working space, cafe, and rooms with kitchens. The location is great, next to Ubahn and Oktoberfest.

25Hours Hotel: The Royal Bavarian is located in the old post office, but revamped with royal Bavarian charm. 25Hours is a German-owned hotel chain with strong sustainability commitments that features local products. You’ll feel like you’re inside a living history lesson as Bavarian culture and history are incorporated throughout the hotel. Their restaurant and cafe feature vegan food from an Israeli family-owned restaurant.

Soulmade is a vegan-friendly hotel made entirely out of wood. They have a strong statement against racism and homophobia and support children’s education and health in Germany. With a pocket park in the center, this is the perfect location for an extended, slow stay in Munich. It is located just outside the city but is probably one of the most sustainable hotels I’ve ever seen!

Morbi vitae purus dictum, ultrices tellus in, gravida lectus.

Sample Sustainable Itinerary

To experience the best of Munich and the surrounding area, I recommend spending at least two days in the city while budgeting 1 to 2 days for day trips. But – you know me, I’m always an advocate for slower travel, and you could easily spend 5-7 days to get a taste of the city.

Day 1 – Explore the best of Munich

While I often advocate getting away from the top 10 sights of cities, many have significant cultural and historical significance and can be worth visiting. For day one, I recommend visiting all the major highlights of Munich. If you do this during the week, things will be less crowded. I’ll hand this over to my good friend Christina at Happy To Wander, as she has one of the best and most immersive 24-hour guides to Munich that I think covers the highlights, traditional food, and even some local hidden gems.

Day 2 – Get off the beaten path

Explore Munich’s local neighborhoods and alternative haunts. Check out my hipster and alternative guide to Munich that will help you support small businesses, explore the alternative neighborhoods, and get a taste of local life in Munich. End the alternative day with beers by the Isar, where all the locals hang out to watch the sunset.

Day 3 – Day Trip to Nature

You can learn much about your destination by exploring local connections with nature. Munichites love spending time outdoors, from Nordic walking, skiing, hiking, surfing, paddleboarding, swimming, etc. I recommend heading out to one of Munich’s larger lakes – you can even bike there for a full day of outdoor goodness, the murnauer moos , go hiking in the Alps , or even go for a long walk down the Isar if you want to stay in the city.

Day 4 – Cultural Day Trip

Learn more about Bavarian culture or history by visiting Dachau Memorial Camp , Andechs Monastery Brewery , or any other day trips I highlight.

Check out my full list of nature-based and culture-based day trips from Munich.

Sustainable Travel Guide for Munich, Germany. Eco Tips and Itinerary for the responsible traveler

What was something you learned that you are excited to implement on your next trip to Munich? Let me know in the comments. Let’s get curious about reducing your impact and saving travel in Munich, Germany.

Curiosity Saves’ Sustainable Travel Resources & Tips

Accommodation: I primarily use Booking.com to find sustainable accommodation. Not only do you get a Genius Discount for being a loyal customer, but their new feature allows you to filter based on sustainability. When available, I will always choose a sustainable 3+ property, which means the hotel has significantly reduced its environmental impact and has a vested interest in the community. You can read about each hotel’s efforts at the bottom of the page.

Packing Essentials: Before buying, first consider if you need new items. If you do, invest in quality and long-lasting technical clothing from your local Co-Op like REI . REI is also great for getting your reusable water bottle and cutlery set .

Patagonia , has clothing created with regenerative practices . Patagonia will always repair or swap items and recycle them at the end of their line.

Farm to Fee t for socks made with regenerative practices that keep you stink and sweat-free and great for travel! Pistil Designs for cold-weather essentials.

Osprey travel bags have lasted me 10+ years, making them a great sustainable investment. Whether a day bag I take hiking or my favorite carry-on.

eSIM: Swapping out SIM cards in every country you travel to is wasteful and confusing, so I recommend Airalo eSIM . Airalo is a game changer for travel, as I can purchase a local or regional SIM with a pre-determined amount of data and download an eSIM directly on my phone.

Buses and Trains: To find and book the best train and bus transportation in Europe, Canada, and the United States, I use Omio . Omio is a fantastic resource for quickly comparing train and bus routes with English search results and easy-to-use QR codes.

Of course, you might need to book a flight when trains and buses aren’t an option, and you’ve first considered reducing or altering your trip to avoid flying as much as possible. I use Google Flights for their easy-to-understand carbon comparison tool.

Car Rental: Discover Cars lets you shop for the best rate in English and keeps all your details in one place. Ganesh and I drove a Polestar EV at home and typically aim to book electric zero-emission or hybrid cars when we travel. Discover Cars has a filter that makes it easy to find hybrid and fully electric cars. They also offer resources on how to find charging stations best – but for that, I recommend the Plugshare app.

Tours and Excursions: GetYourGuide has an extensive collection of tours, excursions, and admission tickets for activities worldwide. When booking, you can look for the eco-certified badge, stay away from tours that promise wildlife encounters or direct contact, look for local tour guides, and quickly search the tour operator to ensure you support ethical operators.

While GetYourGuide is excellent for most locations, Viator by Trip Advisor has better activities for some of my favorite destinations, like my home state of Alaska.

Sustainable City Guide to Munich for the Responsible Traveler

About the Author: Susanna Kelly-Shankar

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18 comments.

I love this so much! Good to know about the Pfand system, I would have had no idea. Also definitely want to schedule more off-season travel from now on! Thanks for sharing.

The German pfand system is so great! I love that every bottle glass or plastic has a second life here. It does wonders for the local economy as well as it employs a lot of people who are involved in the system. Thanks for reading and I hope you are able to visit Munich sustainably during an off-season.

Munich is such an underrated city. I love all the museums there, and now I know how to do it sustainably!

I know Munich seriously has THE best museums I don’t think I’ll ever be able to visit them all even living here. Thanks for reading.

That is really cool that Munich has become so sustainable! I visited several times when I lived in Germany one summer but it was about 20 years ago so I don’t remember a lot other than great food! This makes me want to go back and see it again. I love all the great paths for walking, cycling and ability to take public transit. I’d love to go back for the Christmas markets one year!

Yeah, Munich it is really a leader in Europe for urban rewilding and sustainable initiatives. It’s a great place to visit and enjoy sustainable tourism in the city. Thanks for reading.

There are lots of great tips here! I tend to visit places in the off-season, and walk as much as I can rather than take public transportation. It’s a great way to get some exercise in and see more of the city!

That’s such a detailed post! Loved how Munich has a circular economy. I hope more cities adopt this practice (and not just for bottles and cans). I love visiting places during offseason and while Oktoberfest sounds great, I would prefer chucking the crowd and visiting in Spring maybe, hopefully soon! :)

I know the pfand system in Munich, it is so great – I heard the U.K. is trying to adopt something similar. I hope to catches on in more places.

I absolutely LOVE this post! I always look for more responsible and sustainable ways to travel and explore a place I visit. I have been to Munich before and just had to cancel my last trip because of the travel restrictions – but I will visit again with this guide in mind, and I will make sure to pay close attention to the highlights of what I just read here. Thank you for sharing!

Hi Paula, I do hope you are able to visit Munich with this sustainable itinerary – hopefully, we can travel again soon!

You’ve even me a whole new appreciation for Munich! Those eco-friendly hotels sound awesome and I’m a sucker for flea markets and the like! I haven’t been in over 15 years but I may need to return and try out your itinerary!

Yas, I hope you are able to come to visit so I can show you around to check out all the flea markets- Munich has some amazing ones for second-hand goods from ages ago in Europe.

I really want to visit Munich so this is such a great guide. As a vegetarian, traveling in Germany with a vegan/veggie guide post also makes it way easier as food is always my number one concern.

Munich has some amazing veggie food. I love that you can get traditional German food vegan style – or fresh modern vegan food. Hope you’re able to eat your way through Munich soon!

Awesome guide! Next time I’m in Munich I need to check out the farmers markets. Btw. I wrote a similar guide about Salzburg.

Spent many weeks exploring Munchen. How did you end up there? It’s a beautiful city and we saw MANY museums and kirches. The best! And the food! We’d spend a whole day at the viktualienmarkt. That’s a vacation right there! Now I’m anxious to get back there! Thank you for the great guide!

I’ve been working here as freelance writing for almost 6 years. I absolutely love living here. I’m so glad you were able to spend so much time in my home city!

Germany Eco Tours 2024/2025

The best eco tours in Germany. Below you will see 218 eco tours through Germany that are all carbon offset. Bookmundi offsets the CO2 footprint on behalf of all the multiday tour companies that we work in Germany by amongst others investing in wind, solar and tree planting projects around the world. In the future, we will continue to make our tours in Germany more sustainable and climate-friendly.

273 Eco trips in Germany

Starts Berlin, Germany
Ends Munich, Germany

Best of Germany

Best price guaranteed
No booking fees
Tour Type Group Tour
Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture , Culture shows and excursions , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Farm and plantation visits 'data-more-tripid='21113'>+4 more
Accommodation Hotel
Transport Coach
Age Range 5-99 yrs
Operated in English
Brochure Price: US$ 4,595
Special Deal (15%): - US$ 689
Total Price from: US$ 3,906
May 10 Only 7 seats left
May 17 Only 5 seats left
View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

Starts Starnberg, Germany
Ends Füssen, Germany

Bavaria: King Ludwig's Way

Tour Type Private Tour
Activities Walking tours & Trekking and Hiking
Accommodation Hotel, Guest House & Resort
Transport Boat, Ferry, Train, Private Vehicle & Taxi
Age Range 18-99 yrs
May 02 10+ seats left
May 03 10+ seats left

Starts Frankfurt, Germany
Ends Frankfurt, Germany
Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture , Natural landmarks sightseeing , Cruise , Sport tours, venues or tickets & Adventure 'data-more-tripid='21018'>+5 more
Brochure Price: US$ 3,595
Special Deal (13%): - US$ 450
Total Price from: US$ 3,145
May 11 10+ seats left
May 18 10+ seats left

Ends Berlin, Germany

German Christmas Markets

Activities Winter adventure & Christmas markets
Dec 03 10+ seats left
Dec 09 10+ seats left

Starts Oberammergau, Germany
Ends Oberammergau, Germany

Walking in Southern Bavaria

Activities Trekking and Hiking & Adventure
Transport Bus, Train, Private Vehicle & Boat
Age Range 13-95 yrs
May 25 Only 8 seats left
Jun 01 Only 8 seats left

Germany´s Best

Activities Explorer
Transport Boat & Bus
Age Range 15-99 yrs
May 09 10+ seats left
May 16 10+ seats left

Trip customizable
Activities Art and architecture
Transport Boat, Bus & Coach
Age Range 8-95 yrs

Starts Munich, Germany

Eastern Highlights

Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites
Transport Coach & Bus
Age Range 10-99 yrs
Brochure Price: US$ 2,505
Special Deal (32%): - US$ 807
Total Price from: US$ 1,698
May 23 Only 5 seats left
Jun 20 10+ seats left

Scenic Europe

Activities Natural landmarks sightseeing
Accommodation Hotel, Villa & Resort
Transport Coach, Taxi & Train
Brochure Price: US$ 2,165
Special Deal (32%): - US$ 701
Total Price from: US$ 1,464
May 27 10+ seats left
Jul 01 10+ seats left

Croatian & Eastern Delights

Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Local culture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Local culture & City sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='37650'>+1 more
Accommodation Hotel & Resort
Transport Coach & Private Vehicle
Brochure Price: US$ 3,270
Special Deal (33%): - US$ 1,066
Total Price from: US$ 2,204
Jun 02 10+ seats left
Jun 16 10+ seats left

Eastern Christmas & New Year Highlights

Brochure Price: US$ 2,260
Special Deal (23%): - US$ 524
Total Price from: US$ 1,736
Dec 23 Only 1 seat left

Taste of Eastern Europe

Activities Local culture & City sightseeing Local culture , City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites 'data-more-tripid='37649'>+1 more
Brochure Price: US$ 1,735
Special Deal (32%): - US$ 558
Total Price from: US$ 1,177
Jun 01 10+ seats left

Starts Trier, Germany
Ends Koblenz, Germany

Moselle Bike Path

Activities Bicycle tours & Adventure
Accommodation Hotel & Guest House

Best of North and East Germany

Tour Type Independent Tour
Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture
Transport Train & Bus

Germany Eco Tour Reviews

Ania Krysztofiak
Malembe Malembe

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5 Magical German Eco-Hotels

Hotels pushing the boundaries of sustainability..

Writer Andrew Neely

Biohotel Sturm.

After reunification in 1990, Germany emerged as an economic juggernaut and a manufacturing powerhouse. But unlike many of its international peers, Germany made steadfast commitments to subsidize sustainability and invest in renewable energy. While the archetypical German—replete with würst and combustion engines—is still alive and well, many are embracing once-unthinkable things like hybrid cars and a vegan lifestyle.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Germany’s burgeoning eco-tourism scene. From alpine villages to dense Saxon forests, the German landscape is increasingly dappled with picturesque eco-hotels. While greenwashing abounds in the industry, these hotels make steadfast commitments to reduce their footprint in concrete, measurable ways. Many of these accommodations are booked months in advance as more tourists clamour for luxurious living with a clean conscience.

Biohotel Sturm

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rhön mountains, Biohotel Sturm was the first “organic-certified” hotel in the region. World-class chefs gather raw ingredients from the adjacent Thuringian Forest and masterfully arrange them in an all-organic kitchen. The hotel offers a herb garden and orchard, both of which are open to guests. After a day of skiing, mountain biking, or hiking, guests can kick back by the swimming pond, free from chlorine and other harmful additives. In addition, Biohotel Sturm is certified carbon-neutral, with its own on-site solar panels and cogeneration unit.

Hofgut Hafnerleiten

Add “officially radiation-free” to the list of certifications you didn’t know you needed. The only German eco-hotel bearing this rare distinction, the Hofgut Hafnerleiten reduces electromagnetic interference using natural barriers and eco-conscious architecture. The property has its own well and membrane-purifying system, which routes wastewater to the on-site garden that provides most of the produce for its superlative kitchen. Set in the sparsely populated forests near the border of Austria, the hotel grounds are prime for wandering. Guests will encounter numerous ponds, fruit trees, and wild hedges.

Landgut Stober

Officially carbon-negative, Landgut Stober is home to a massive solar field, dual-fuel heating system, and 12.5-hectare forest perfect for summer strolls or cross-country skiing in the winter. Its wood heating system is supplied with naturally decaying materials from the surrounding forest, meaning that the property is 100 per cent fossil-fuel free. Bathrooms are supplied with rainwater to keep the carbon footprint even lower—and just in case you’re truly ravenous, the carpets are made from a fully edible corn-based compound. If vegan carpets aren’t enough to entice, the endless recreation opportunities in surrounding Brandenberg—from kayaking to nude bathing—are enough to justify a visit.

Creativhotel Luise

Home to the world-famous “beer massage,” Creativehotel Luise harnesses the healing powers of hops, barley, and malt to help guests reach peak relaxation. It has been in the same family for more than three generations. This family-run, carbon neutral hotel features “regenerative hotel rooms”:100% of the materials are either recyclable or biodegradable; this includes carpets recycled from fishing nets, straw ceilings, and plant-based glue in place of nails. Guests can enjoy a shower with solar-warmed water after a jog through nearby Tennenlohe Forest.

Mawell Resort

Within, the aquamarine infinity pool set atop a 200 meter tower is the obvious focal point. When guests are done lounging in the pool overlooking the Jagd Valley they can enjoy more than 12,000 square metres of spa areas, which use freshly filtered rain water. The hotel is heated with an ultra-modern biogas fermentation system that converts food waste into energy. Excess heat is provided to a local kindergarten and swimming pool.

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ETE's websites

Tourism for Nature

Zukunft Reisen

Ö.T.E. e.V. (Ecological Tourism in Europe)

Association for sustainable tourism

P.O.Box 201021, D-53140 Bonn Germany Tel. +49 (0)30-62393454 Tel. +49 (0)178-1424819 (Bernd Räth, General Secretary)

National Strategy on Biological Diversity

Carpathian Convention

ETE Projects

Innovative participatory sustainable business model for cycling along the Iron Curtain Trail – Central Europe

Fostering sustainable tourism development in Germany through cooperation and networking of stakeholders

Effective visitor management of Slovensky Raj National Park

IT-based visitor management in highly frequented gorges in the Slovensky Raj National Park in Slovakia

Fostering sustainable tourism development in Germany through the promotion of solutions and good practices.

Implementation of the sustainable tourism strategy in the Carpathians

Supporting the Carpathian countries in the implementation of the tourism strategy to the Carpathian Convention adopted in 2014

Sustainable Water-based Sport Solutions

Project for the sustainable development of water-based sports and tourism at the rivers Mur and Drau in Croatia and Slovenia

The project >>

ICTr-CE - Innovative participatory sustainable business model for cycling along the Iron Curtain Trail – Central Europe

The aim of the project is to develop a new, innovative, participatory and sustainable business model for a single tourism product along the Iron Curtain Trail.

Sustainability in German Tourism – Adjustments and optimization of infrastructure and funding mechanisms

The projects brings together associations from tourism, nature and environmental protection, leisure, sports and alternative mobility in search of best practices and solutions for sustainable tourism development.

Fostering sustainable tourism development in Germany - Solutions and good practices

The project aims at fostering sustainable tourism development in Germany through the promotion of specific solutions and good practices.

Preliminary studies for the effective visitor management of Slovensky Raj National Park

Preliminary studies for the development of a project on IT-based visitor management in highly frequented hiking gorges in Slovensky Raj National Park ("Slovak Paradise") in Slovakia.

The project >>

Implementation of the effective visitor management of Slovensky Raj National Park

Conservation of biodiversity in Slovensky Raj National Park through the implenetsion of a visitor management and communication system.

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Ecotourism in Germany: To The Beach
lindsontheroad
No Comments
May 31, 2011

When you think of a trip to Germany, you’re typically thinking about beer, saurkraut, and the Autobahn. Now, you can add beaches to that list. That’s right, beaches. Turns out Germany’s northeastern seafront is the place to see and be seen when summer’s heat tops the mercury. While completely frigid during the winter, the beaches along the North and Baltic Seas begin to sizzle once the sun comes out, making resorts in this area a popular destination for Germans, especially Berliners. Off-limits to Westerners during the Cold War, the rest of the world is slowly beginning to catch on that Europe has a new beach hotspot , and it’s not on the Mediterranean.

As the largest German island, R?gen is one of the most popular spots for summer beach vacations in Germany . The island is famous for its white chalk cliffs, which surpass the famed ones in Dover in terms of size, including the most dramatic cliffs in Jasmund National Park .

The most popular beach resorts can be found on the Schaabe beaches and between the eastern beaches of Sassnitz and G?hren, which include Binz, the most visited resort in R?gen, and home to the neo-gothic hunting castle of Jagdschloss Granitz, is not far from Prora, the Nazi-built tourism complex that has been empty for decades. Aside from the chalk cliffs and excessive sunshine, Rugen’s other seaside attractions include windsurfing and kitesurfing . If you can read German, have a look at Surfen auf R?gen for lessons and rentals.

Heiligendamm

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is Heiligendamm, Germany’s first Baltic seaside resort. Built as a playground for the wealthy and aristocratic, Heiligendamm remains a place of beautiful coastal luxury. It is known as the “white town by the sea” thanks to the elegant classic architecture along the promenade, and today, the main seafront area is occupied by the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm , a five-star hotel.

The Grand Hotel offers an exceptional array of activities and excursions , including hiking, golfing, tennis, and exploration journeys throughout the area. After spending the day being active, visitors can head back to the hotel for some relaxation. Within the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm is a healing spa that has been talked about for centuries. Treatments at the spa include soaking in the thermal waters, and a Baltic Sea Hammam exfoliation and relaxation session.

Right on the North Sea side of Germany’s border with Denmark, Sylt, the northernmost island in Germany, is a long sand dune with endless beaches and extensive leisure trails. Visitors can enjoy cycling, hiking, and walking trails throughout the island, and then head to the beach for a relaxing rest. For the most traditional experience, find a Strandk?rbe, a wicker beach basket.

While the temperatures in Sylt may not break the thermometer like other German beach resorts, it offers a lot of other ecotourism draws . Birds and butterflies are everywhere on the island, including over 600 species of butterflies and a large contingency of migrating birds. Many birds also use Sylt as hatching ground, so ornithologists will have a grand time visiting Sylt.

Ecotourism in Germany

The Germans are efficient. We all know that. That’s why it’s not surprising that green travel and ecotourism are big priorities in Germany, and not just by the beach. The whole country has plenty of ecotourism opportunities to explore. The official German tourism website has a substantial section devoted to ecotourism in Germany , including options for transportation, accommodation, activities, and even organic food. Ecotourism in Germany is comprehensive and efficient, and if you’re there in the summer, best done by the beach.

Photo Credit: Eddy H

How Kiel became a pioneering Zero Waste City, and what it can teach the rest of the world

Kiel's Zero Waste City plan aims to reduce waste by 15% per person annually by 2035 through over 100 measures. Image: Unsplash/Thomas Grams

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A hand holding a looking glass by a lake

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Stay up to date:.

This article was first published in November 2023 and was updated in April 2024.

Kiel has been certified as Germany’s first Zero Waste City.
Zero Waste Cities are working on plans to eliminate waste and introduce a more circular economy that reduces emissions.
In India, the city of Pune is working on a Project Zero Waste initiative with the World Economic Forum.

Waste is fuelling the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss , the United Nations says. That’s why zero-waste living is a top priority in efforts to reduce the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming.

The city of Kiel has become the first city in Germany to be certified as a Zero Waste City . What does this certification mean, and what can Kiel’s achievement teach other cities around the world?

Graphic explaining how the Certified Zero Waste certification process works.

What is a Zero Waste City?

Zero Waste Cities Certification is a European standard created by non-profit waste elimination network Zero Waste Europe . It is designed to help towns, cities and districts in the region eliminate waste and introduce a circular economy .

More than 480 local authorities in Europe have committed to a zero waste vision, Zero Waste Europe says.

Kiel’s Zero Waste City plan includes more than 100 measures to cut waste by an average of 15% per person, per year, by 2035. It also aims to halve residual waste – waste that can’t be recycled – by the same date.

Homes, businesses, schools, public bodies, events and the wider waste system are all part of Kiel’s zero waste efforts.

Graphic displaying the amount of cities committed to the vision of zero waste.

What zero waste actions is Kiel taking?

Kiel’s zero waste measures include grants of up to €200 ($210) to buy cloth nappies instead of disposable ones. “A child uses up to 6,000 disposable diapers,” the city says on its Zero Waste City web pages.

The city also gives out free reusable bags for fruit and vegetables at events, while public bodies are banned from using single-use items and a pay-as-you-throw system charges people based on the weight of the waste they throw away.

Another zero waste project in Kiel even involves turning waste hair from hairdressers into material that filters oil from water , UK newspaper The Guardian reports.

Other Zero Waste Cities

Other Zero Waste Cities include Tilos in Greece , which has seen a 43% fall in solid waste per person. Zero waste initiatives in Tilos include recycling coffee capsules, batteries and textiles, and turning residual waste that can’t be recycled into alternative fuel.

In Japan, the town of Kamikatsu on the southern island of Shikoku made a “Zero Waste Declaration” 20 years ago, according to The Washington Post . Kamikatsu’s residents sort their waste into 45 categories and take items they don’t want any more to the local thrift shop. Kamikatsu also has a zero waste craft brewery, which makes beer from crops that would otherwise go to waste.

Meanwhile, Osaki, also in Japan, recycles around 80% of its waste and was able to avoid building an incinerator when the landfill site became full. Waste is sorted into 27 categories, of which 26 are eligible for recycling. The waste is compressed and sent to recycling facilities around the country. "We have to mobilize everyone to make a difference," said town councillor Kasumi Fujita.

Zero waste projects at the World Economic Forum

In India, the city of Pune has introduced a Project Zero Waste initiative with the World Economic Forum to reduce waste and improve waste management systems. The city says less than 30% of its plastic waste is recycled and that waste management awareness is low.

The project includes workshops to raise awareness of good waste practices, and the introduction of better waste management systems in schools and colleges.

Consumers Beyond Waste is another World Economic Forum initiative that aims to develop sustainable, affordable and appealing alternatives to single-use items.

“More than 90% of plastic is never recycled, instead polluting our planet’s landscapes and oceans,” the Forum says.

Cities will play a central role in testing and implementing reuse systems on the ground.

These companies are helping to build zero waste cities

Businesses helping cities drive zero waste agendas include RecyGlo in Myanmar. Its technology connects businesses with recycling and logistics facilities to help them safely process their waste, and uses data to show companies the impact this has on their carbon footprint.

In Bengaluru in southern India, a company called TrashCon Labs is using automated sorting systems to organize waste into wet, dry and metal components and recycle it into various products. TrashCon Labs also turns non-recyclable waste into a type of board that is then used to make furniture and other items.

CIRT – whose name stands for “Can I Recycle This?” – has set up a digital platform that enables companies to answer that question for themselves. Allowing them to identify what items can be recycled helps them reduce their waste levels, landfill fees and packaging costs, and pushes them closer to their sustainability targets.

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Zero waste day highlights vital individual, local and regional actions, reducing waste is critical for building a circular economy: here's how local solutions can get us there, viet nam is creating its first zero plastic waste city. here's how.

Another digital platform that helps with waste management is provided by Duitin in Indonesia. Provided as an app, it connects people who have waste that needs taking away with “pickers”, who are paid to sort the waste. This helps boost recycling, cut landfill use and boost the local economy .

A company called Green Mining in Brazil is also boosting employment opportunities with a programme designed to increase reuse and recycling of “post-consumer packaging” – any packaging thrown away after a product has concluded its lifecycle, such as toilet roll tubes or yoghurt pots . Three-quarters of Brazilians do not separate recyclable materials when throwing out their rubbish, Green Mining says, but it is changing this by sending out collectors on special tricycles to collect rubbish in areas where large volumes of post-consumer waste are generated.

All these companies are members of UpLink , an open innovation platform from the World Economic Forum that helps innovators scale up ideas that can help people and the planet.

The World Economic Forum Centre for Nature and Climate is actively promoting the transition to a circular economy through various initiatives. The objective is to create a more sustainable and resilient economic system by reducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

The Circular Transformation of Industries initiative engages leaders from industry, government, academia, and civil society to drive circularity across sectors and economies. It consolidates information from previous efforts, shares best practices and creates new partnerships. Learn more about Unlocking New Value in a Resource-Constrained World .
The Circular Cars Initiative aims to create a climate-friendly automobility system by minimizing lifecycle emissions, particularly in manufacturing. Its goal is the development of a convenient, affordable, 1.5°C-aligned system by 2030. Discover the benefits of circular economy in the car industry here .
The Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) brings together global stakeholders to promote the transition to a circular plastics economy. GPAP provides a platform for global learning and local action in nine countries coordinating efforts and maximizing impact. Learn more in our Impact Report .

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License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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Sustainability
Small Business

On an old Kentucky coal mine, he's rebuilding a forest — and perhaps the local economy

In the mountains of eastern Kentucky, not far from the Appalachian hollow where President Lyndon B. Johnson declared his War on Poverty 60 years ago this week, a hilltop tells a story of American commerce, warts and all.

In the early 1900s, loggers with axes and crosscut saws felled the hardwood forests that covered these acres. In the 1990s the area was logged again, then it was surface-mined for coal from 2005 to 2015, a controversial process that requires regrading the land once mining has stopped and often results in severely compacted soil — so densely packed that it’s impossible for trees to once again grow.

By the time Green Forests Work , a nonprofit working to restore forests across Appalachia, arrived, it was a vast rocky field of scrubby non-native shrubs and grasses.

“If you’re going to put money into reforestation projects, there’s so much benefit to doing it on mined land,” says Chris Barton, the organization’s founder and president and a University of Kentucky professor of forest hydrology and watershed management. “They’re a scar on the landscape.”

GFW aims to repair the damage, which is not limited to the land itself. So far, it has planted more than 7 million trees across six states as part of its mission to not only regenerate forests and sequester carbon emissions but diversify local economies as coal production continues to decline. To do so, it works with landowners, local communities and organizations like the Priceless Planet Coalition , created by Mastercard in partnership with Conservation International and the World Resources Institute . The coalition aims to fund the restoration of 100 million trees at sites around the world, including this hilltop in Martin County .

In Kentucky, Green Forests Work, with support from the Priceless Planet Coalition, has planted more than 100,000 trees on a former coal mining site in Martin County. The land was extremely compacted, so first crews ripped up the top layer, banner photo, which creates conditions more suitable for the natural colonization of plants, above left. The seedlings are then planted, above right, and the site is monitored for five years. (Photos courtesy of Green Forests Work)

Barton, a Kentucky native, first spotted satellite images of the former surface mine a few years ago and contacted the landowner about reforesting the 150-acre site bringing in ecotourism to generate income.

With the owner’s approval, Barton and his team started preparing the land last year by ripping out non-native plants and tearing up the deep layer of compacted rock and soil left by the coal company when it stopped operations. The compacted soil stymies proper reforestation, and it also prevents rainwater from soaking in, creating more runoff, which can accelerate erosion and diminish water quality.

Employing local nurseries to grow seedlings and tree planters to put them in the ground, Barton’s team eventually hand-planted more than 100,000 trees at the site from 24 native species, including hazelnut, chestnut, white oak and black cherry.

Millions of grass and wildflower seeds were scattered across the former mine site, where fruit trees, including crab apple and persimmon, were also planted to encourage wildlife to visit the area.

Given that tree canopies require up to 20 years to fully develop, GFW is taking a long-term view. Yet the Martin County seedlings are already thriving, and birds and bats are returning to the area. In neighboring GFW projects, camera traps spot wildcats and black bears padding past.

Above right, Chris Barton, president of founder of Green Forests Work, stands in an 18-year-old oak and hickory forest he planted on a coal mine in eastern Kentucky in 2006. (Photo courtesy Green Forests Work)

These reforestation projects also offer an opportunity to use the local environment to build up new businesses, Barton says. In communities such as those in Martin County — which remains one of the most impoverished counties in the U.S. six decades after President Johnson’s pledge — residents are still struggling to find their economic footing after mining operations have moved on or turned to methods that require far fewer workers.

In addition to work generated directly by reforestation — tree planters, equipment operators, nursery workers — reforestation projects can include areas for camping, hiking trails and mountain bike tracks that can help pull in visitors to areas that were once far from the tourist trail and start to create ecotourism jobs.

Now Barton is setting his sights higher. Estimating that Appalachia has a million-plus acres of legacy mine land, he hopes his nature-based model can be easily replicated and tweaked to help reclaim sites impacted by mining around the world.

He’s already adapted it to the Australian outback after winning a Fulbright award to help replant former coal mine sites in Queensland and regenerate habitats for koalas — wildfires in recent years have destroyed vast swaths of their land — other indigenous animals.

Meanwhile, he can take a moment to appreciate what his project means for his home state. “In Appalachia, which has some of the worst poverty in the United States, it’s really good that we can contribute some economic stimulus to these communities,” he says. “Overall, it’s a win-win-win to do this type of work for the environment.”

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Everything You Need to Know as an Eco-tourist Visiting Germany
Geography of Germany that You Can Enjoy as an Eco-Tourist. Germany is a European country with great privileges as it has a diversity of landscapes, mountains, hills, plains, forests, lakes, rivers and beautiful coasts. It is a place of vast culture and great interest. Many tourists come from distant parts of the world to appreciate the German ...
Sustainable Travel and Ecotourism in Germany
Sustainable Travel and Ecotourism in Germany. Germans, with some justification, consider themselves in the avant-garde of green travel. In the postwar years they became a front-runner in preserving their environment and protecting nature. "Germans are known for recycling and reusing their natural resources," said Berlin activist Hans Welder.
Sustainability
Tourism providers in Germany are always developing new offerings for sustainable vacation experiences, with creativity and passion. Be inspired by these pages of selected travel ideas. Tip: Since most CO2 emissions occur during arrival and departure, a longer holiday is more environmentally friendly than multiple short trips.
TAT-2020-Nachhaltigkeit-Tourismus
Demand for eco-tourism and sustainable travel is also growing in Germany. According to a 2021 study, three-quarters of German travellers see sustainable travel as important. More and more travel providers are using legally binding environmental and social standards in their branding, supported by the associated certificates and labels.
Experience nature sustainably: embrace Germany's unique landscapes!
Experience nature sustainably: embrace Germany's unique landscapes! Three UNESCO natural World Heritage Sites, 16 UNESCO biosphere reserves, 16 national parks and 104 nature parks protect and preserve Germany's unique natural landscapes. Islands and coasts, towering mountains and thick forests, as well as thousands of lakes and rivers, can all ...
Sustainable travel
For nature lovers: The Wadden Sea. The Wadden Sea on the North Sea coast is an exceptional natural landscape. A site of UNESCO Natural World Heritage, it stretches across three of Germany's states: Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and Lower Saxony. From hotels and electric cars to restaurants, there are numerous sustainable travel options there.
Sustainable tourism in Germany
Here are ten sustainable tourism destinations in Germany. Sustainability and climate neutrality will again feature heavily at the world's biggest travel trade fair, the 2022 International Tourism ...
5 Ways a Trip to Germany Will Be Your Most
Germany has it all: Bewitching mountains and beautiful coasts, charming villages and vibrant cities, fascinating landmarks and a unique cultural scene. Connecting visitors to all of these is an eco-friendly and affordable public transit system, which is part of what makes this European country among the most sustainable industrial nations in the world.
Eco-Tourism in Germany: A Sustainable Adventure
With its commitment to environmental sustainability, Germany has emerged as a top destination for eco-tourists. From national parks to biosphere reserves, and even sustainable cities, there's a multitude of ways to experience Germany's green side. National Parks: Nature's Sanctuaries Germany's national parks serve as sanctuaries for a variety of flora and fauna. Whether it's the […]
Green Travel Guide to Germany
Responsible Travel. Germany is an extremely beautiful and one of the most visited tourist spots in the whole world. Every year, so many tourists pay a visit to this country to experience it's beautiful culture and heritage. Germany is a country present in Europe which covers the western and the central part of Europe.It is one of the most developed countries in the whole world, and as the ...
Post-pandemic travel
During the pandemic there was an increase in poaching. Over-tourism became a problem in countries, such as Germany, because of the increase in domestic tourism, especially in conservation areas close to large cities. Otherwise, things appear to have settled down again in many places and are almost the same as before the pandemic.
Sustainable cities: 10 green German cities well worth a visit
1. Freiburg. Freiburg (Shutterstock) There's a city on the edge of the Black Forest where the trams seem to glide along enticing strips of lawn. Where some 82% of the urban area is classified as green space. Where the majority of the population travels by bicycle, and the streets gurgle with Bächle, roadside gutters that run with clean river ...
Sustainable tourism with support from Germany
The Danube Competence Center (DCC) based in Belgrade aims to change that. It is promoting sustainable tourism jointly with the GIZ, Germany's agency for international cooperation, as its central partner. One key area involves strengthening the rail network and cycle and shipping routes as environmentally friendly alternatives to the car.
PDF Making tourism more sustainable
On 6 July 2022, the cabinet of the German government adopted a set of key points for the further development of the national . tourism strategy. The objective was to boost the competitiveness . of sustainable tourism and to pave the way for the advancement of the national tourism strategy as envisaged in the German government's coalition ...
Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism in Munich
This California group sets up eco-friendly tours to the Bavarian Alps, for example. Earthwatch, 3 Clocktower Place, Ste. 1000, P.O. Box 75, Maynard, MA 01754 (tel. 800/776-0188; www.earthwatch.org), often includes Germany in its 1- to 3-week jaunts to promote conservation of natural resources.
PDF Sustainability in tourism: developments, approaches and clarifications
key economic role in Germany as well, employing nearly 3 million people and generating 3.9% of German GDP (DIW Econ, 2017). Thus it is comparable to sectors such as retail and engineering. All in all, people in Germany now take holiday travel for granted, and attach consid erable importance to it (STIFTUNG FÜR ZUKUNFTSFRAGEN, 2017).
Tourism In Germany
5 - The most popular cities for tourism in Germany are Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Cologne. 6 - In 2019, the average length of stay for visitors to Germany was 3.1 nights. 7 - The most visited tourist attractions in Germany are the Cologne Cathedral, Neuschwanstein Castle, the Berlin Wall, and Europa-Park.
Sustainable City Guide to Munich for the Responsible Traveler
Munich and Germany are global leaders in practical and functional sustainability. Historically, Bavaria is known for its darker relationship with nature, having deforested and killed much of the region's wildlife before the 20th century, but its modern approach aims to balance its previous destruction with integrated natural approaches that benefit both humans and nature, allowing them to co ...
MOST Eco-friendly Tours & Trip Packages in Germany 2024/2025
Germany Eco Tours 2024/2025. The best eco tours in Germany. Below you will see 268 eco tours through Germany that are all carbon offset. Bookmundi offsets the CO2 footprint on behalf of all the multiday tour companies that we work in Germany by amongst others investing in wind, solar and tree planting projects around the world.
5 Magical German Eco-Hotels
Nowhere is this more apparent than in Germany's burgeoning eco-tourism scene. From alpine villages to dense Saxon forests, the German landscape is increasingly dappled with picturesque eco-hotels. While greenwashing abounds in the industry, these hotels make steadfast commitments to reduce their footprint in concrete, measurable ways.
ECOTOURISM EVALUATION OF CONCEPTS AND IMPACT ON GERMANY
Ecotourism evaluation of concepts and impact on Germany. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journa l, 28 (S6), 1- 16. ecotourism has been promoted as an alternative and sustainable approach that caters ...
Ecological Tourism in Europe
Sustainability in German Tourism - Adjustments and optimization of infrastructure and funding mechanisms. The projects brings together associations from tourism, nature and environmental protection, leisure, sports and alternative mobility in search of best practices and solutions for sustainable tourism development.
Ecotourism in Germany: To The Beach
The official German tourism website has a substantial section devoted to ecotourism in Germany, including options for transportation, accommodation, activities, and even organic food. Ecotourism in Germany is comprehensive and efficient, and if you're there in the summer, best done by the beach. Photo Credit: Eddy H.
How Kiel became Germany's first Zero Waste City
Kiel is the first city in Germany to be certified a Zero Waste City, with plans to eliminate waste and introduce a more circular economy that reduces emissions. Cities and Urbanization How Kiel became a pioneering Zero Waste City, and what it can teach the rest of the world
German Economy Latest: Private Sector Returns to Growth
German Rebound Drives Euro-Zone Private Sector to 11-Month High April composite PMI index rises to 51.4; economist est. 50.7 Germany gauge is at 50.5, France at 49.9; both beat estimates
Germany's infrastructure: Who pays for green energy shift?
04/22/2024 April 22, 2024. Germany's roads, bridges and railways are aging and crumbling, and new power lines are needed for a green energy transition. Upgrades will cost billions, and with the ...
Appalachia springs to life: Tree restoration at coal mines in Kentucky
Barton, a Kentucky native, first spotted satellite images of the former surface mine a few years ago and contacted the landowner about reforesting the 150-acre site bringing in ecotourism to generate income.. With the owner's approval, Barton and his team started preparing the land last year by ripping out non-native plants and tearing up the deep layer of compacted rock and soil left by the ...

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