50+ Fun Facts About Germany You Didn't Know

Are you planning a trip to Germany? If so, you’ll want to check out these fun facts about Germany first! 

Twenty-five million people visit Germany each year to explore its picturesque scenery, quaint towns, and delicious foods.

From Berlin to Munich to Hamburg, there are a ton of German cities to explore. What’s more, Germany is home to some of the most spectacular celebrations and festivals, such as Oktoberfest and Carnival.

Germany has a rich and diverse history, with varied landscapes and a range of cultural traditions. As an English speaker, you’ll find that many Germans have a good grasp of your language, especially in cities like Berlin. Still, it’s a good idea to learn some German before you visit.

There are plenty of interesting facts about Germany that will inspire you to learn more about the language and culture. Before you jump on the plane to embark on your German adventure, why not explore some of the quirkier German culture facts that are out there? We’ve picked over 50 of our favorite fun facts about Germany to fuel your own interest in this beautiful country!

What is Germany Famous For?

If you’re planning a visit to Germany  – or are just curious about what this country has to offer!  – you will be interested to learn that Germany is famous for the following attributes:

• It is known as the “Land of Poets and Thinkers”
• Germany has many famous Christmas traditions
• Its most famous foods are beer and sausages
• It is known for its major cities – including Berlin and Hamburg – along with its natural areas like the Alps and the Black Forest

Looking to take your own German skills to the next level so you can experience German culture for yourself? Online German lessons make it easy to connect with a native Deutsch speaker from anywhere in the world!

What Are 10 Interesting Facts About Germany and its History?

Here are some fun facts about Germany’s history.

• Before Berlin, there were five other German capitals including, Aachen, Regensburg, Frankfurt-am-Main, Nuremberg, and Bonn.
• Those who hate daylight savings time (DST) can blame the Germans, as they were the first to adopt it in 1916.
• Although the population is on the decline, Germany boasts the largest population in the European Union with 81 million people.
• If you look at a satellite image taken of Germany at night, you can clearly see where East and West Germany used to be. That’s because the majority of the streetlights on each side were installed before the wall came down and appear as different colors due to the bulbs’ chemical makeup.
• Almost one-third of Germany is powered by renewable energy, such as solar panels and windmills. Many Germans consider the amount of energy that the average American uses to be wasteful.
• Here are some fun facts about Hamburg Germany – it has the most bridges of any city in the world and is often considered the birthplace of The Beatles!
• In Germany, the sweets maker Haribo runs a program in which local children can swap acorns for candy, with the collected acorns being sent to nature preserves to feed animals.  
• More than a third of the country is still covered in forests and woodlands.
• 65% of the highways have no speed limit at all – the famed Autobahn!
• More than 1.5 million people move to Germany each year – it’s the second most popular destination for expats. 

What Are 5 Interesting Facts About Germany and the German Language?

The German language is something to be marveled at! Here are 5 interesting facts about this fun language. 

• German is the official language of five countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. These dialects can be quite distinct from one another!
• German is the third most commonly taught language in the world.
• In German, the word “danke” or “thanks” actually means “no.” If someone asks you if you would like a drink, make sure you say “bitte” or “please,” as this means “yes.”
• The German alphabet has more than 26 letters. The German pronunciation of these extra letters ä, ö, ü, and ß don’t exist in the English language.
• There are two principal divisions of the German language: High German, or “Hochdeutsch,” and Low German, or “Plattdeutsch.”
• Looking to take your own German skills to the next level? Online German lessons make it easy to connect with a native Deutsch speaker from anywhere in the world!

German Culture Facts and Superstitions

Here are some fun facts about superstitions and general culture in Germany.

• Most Germans believe that open windows will cause illness, such as achy joints or the flu. Because of this, the window panes stay tightly shut even in the most beautiful weather.
• Germans consider it bad luck to celebrate birthdays early. They believe in a philosophy that roughly translates into “don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”  An early congratulation for a birthday reminds the recipient that he or she could die before the actual date occurs.
• In Germany, it’s thought that if you bury your deceased dog under your doorstep, its ghost will guard the house.
• Rather than wave to your German friends, greet them by knocking on the table. It’s believed that knocking on oak is good luck because the devil isn’t able to touch the “holy” wood.
• Whatever you do, don’t cheers with water. Doing so means you’re wishing death upon your drinking buddies, and you definitely wouldn’t want to do that.

What’s So Special About Germany? The Brew! Fun Facts About German Beer

It’s all about the beer! Here’s what you should know about this country’s favorite beverage.

• The Weihenstephaner Brewery just north of Munich has been operating since 1040, making it the world’s oldest brewery.
• There are 1,300 beer breweries in Germany, producing over 5,000 types of beer. No wonder why Germans are the world’s second biggest beer drinkers.
• In Germany, beer manufacturers  are required to follow the purity law, also known as “Reinheitsgebot,” which allows only water, barley, and hops to be used in the production of beer.
• 6.7 million liters of beer are consumed at Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, which ironically takes place in September.
• Germans order their beer very differently. To order a single beer, raise one thumb. If you want to order two beers, raise your first finger. Be careful not to confuse your fingers and thumbs unless you want to order the whole pub a round of drinks!

More Germany Facts: Geography

Keep reading to find out some German geography facts.

• The capital of Germany, Berlin, is nine times larger than the city of Paris, and actually has more bridges than Venice.
• Germany has the world’s narrowest street in the city of Reutlingen. Called “Spreuerhofstrasse,” the street is approximately one foot wide at the narrowest point, and nearly twenty inches wide at the widest.
• Love the good outdoors? Approximately one-third of Germany is still forested.
• Germany has close to 700 zoological gardens, wildlife parks, aquariums, and animal reserves. The Berlin Zoological Garden is also one of the world’s largest zoos, with 84 acres and 1,500 species of animals.
• There are over 20,000 castles in Germany, most of them being at least 100 years old. Many of these castles were turned into museums, hotels, or cultural art centers for people to enjoy.

Interesting Facts About Germany and its Culture

Here are more facts about culture in Germany.