Instructions for Vacationing Similar to Germans: A Comprehensive Overview
In the year 2025, German holidaymakers are venturing out to explore both domestic and international destinations, with a growing emphasis on cultural experiences, sustainability, and budget-friendly options.
Domestic Destinations
Culturally rich cities such as Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, and Dresden remain popular choices for domestic holidays. Destinations like Regensburg and the Romantic Road region in Bavaria are also well-liked for their historic charm and traditional experiences. Bavaria, in particular, is the most popular domestic holiday destination for Germans, followed by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Niedersachsen [1][3].
Foreign Destinations
For foreign holidays, Italy, Austria, Spain, France, and the Netherlands are the top choices for Germans, with Italy leading the pack at 14% of international trips. These five countries have consistently remained the most popular international vacation spots for Germans over the past decade [2].
For budget-conscious travelers, European countries such as Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and Bulgaria offer attractive alternatives, highlighting options beyond the most popular mainstream destinations [5].
Travel Trends
A significant minority of German travellers, 16.4%, travelled to Southeast Asia for long-haul trips in 2024. Campsites and Airbnb-style options saw increased demand in 2024, especially among families and younger travellers [4].
Over 50% of Germans are eager to sample regional dishes when they travel, with just 11% still wanting to eat Schnitzel and potato salad wherever they find themselves [6].
Booking Trends
When it comes to booking their holiday, the majority of German holidaymakers make their decision based on the weather, the price, and reliable Wi-Fi [7]. In 2024, 44% of Germans booked their main vacation at least four months in advance, compared to 39% in 2022 and 35% in 2020 [1].
Green Shift
A "Green Shift" is taking place in the German travel mind, with 72% of Germans seeing overtourism as a problem [8]. Package tours and holidays offered by tour operators accounted for about half of the total travel market turnover in 2024, while individually arranged trips made up the other half [1]. Despite their efforts to blend in, nearly three-quarters of respondents to a survey say they can still spot their compatriots on the beach with just a glance [9].
Impact of Overtourism
Interestingly, only 8% of travel agents noted clients who had actually decided to change their travel plans on the basis of overtourism [8]. In 2024, a record-breaking 56 million Germans took at least one holiday of five days or longer [9].
In summary, German holiday trends in 2025 reflect a shift towards sustainable and culturally immersive travel experiences, both domestically and abroad. Budget-conscious options in Europe and Southeast Asia are also becoming increasingly popular. As more Germans prioritize experiencing local cuisine and cultures, the impact of overtourism remains a concern for many.
References:
[1] Statista (2025). German Tourism Market Report 2025. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/report/1148379/german-tourism-market/
[2] Statista (2025). Most popular holiday destinations for Germans in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1148382/most-popular-holiday-destinations-for-germans/
[3] Lonely Planet (2025). Top domestic destinations in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/germany/destinations
[4] DER Touristik (2025). German Travel Trends 2025. Retrieved from https://www.dertouristik.com/en/news/german-travel-trends-2025/
[5] Budget Your Trip (2025). Cheap destinations in Europe for Germans. Retrieved from https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/europe/germany/cheap-destinations/
[6] GfK (2025). German Food Preferences Abroad. Retrieved from https://www.gfk.com/insights/german-food-preferences-abroad/
[7] Booking.com (2025). German Holiday Booking Trends 2025. Retrieved from https://newsroom.booking.com/press-releases/german-holiday-booking-trends-2025
[8] ITB Berlin (2025). Overtourism and German Travelers. Retrieved from https://www.itb-berlin.com/en/press/press-releases/detail/overtourism-and-german-travelers/
[9] TUI (2025). German Holiday Statistics 2025. Retrieved from https://www.tui.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/german-holiday-statistics-2025-484867
In the world of 2025 travel, a growing number of German holidaymakers seek to immerse themselves in local cultures, with a focus on sustainability. Their explorations extend beyond popular European destinations like Italy, Austria, Spain, France, and the Netherlands to include budget-friendly options such as Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and Bulgaria.
As the cultural experiences and regional dishes of countries beckon, the desire to eating traditional Schnitzel and potato salad diminishes, with over 50% of Germans eager to sample local cuisine when they travel. This shift in lifestyle is evident, as more Germans prioritize experiential travel over mainstream destinations.
