Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

18 January 2025

4 minute read

A country with tons of natural beauty, cultural attractions for every taste, and historical old-world charm, Germany is a country that is essential to visit when touring central Europe. Originally from South Africa, Batool Nagdee lived in Germany for two years before moving to the Netherlands a few years ago. She stated that tourists to Germany coming in from South Africa can access visa applications online through the German Missions website, where, under the “consular and legal” section, they will find a TLS link for a Schengen visa. A letter of invitation from a family member or friend residing in the country can make the process easier.

Some must-visit attractions in Germany for first-time tourists include the Neuschwanstein or Cinderella Castle; the Cologne Cathedral which is a perfect example of Gothic architecture; the Berlin Wall and the Reichstag building in Berlin, as well as the Dachau concentration camp for those interested in history; Rothenberg, a typical  Bavarian town with a medieval feel; Black Forest National Park which covers the Fairy Tale Route for those who find the origins of classic fairy tales interesting; Rhine Valley which is a UNESCO heritage site; Heidelberg Castle; Stuttgart where the Mercedes Benz museum is situated; and the historical town of Nuremberg.

For tourists on a budget or a time limit, the main cities to tour would be Frankfurt, Cologne, Berlin and Munich. For short stays, hotel chains are small but affordable. While Airbnb’s and hotels don’t differ greatly in price, breakfast is rarely included in the cost of a hotel.

A lot of Germans do speak English, and language is only a barrier when travelling through the smaller towns or rural areas in Germany.  Public transport is easily accessible, reliable and affordable throughout the country. An app called DB can be downloaded to access all public transport systems. Batool says to take note that Uber does not operate in Germany.

There are millions of Muslims in Germany and Islam is widely practiced and tolerated, but the masaajid are not always easily visible so tourists would have to research to find one where they are located. Halal food is available in the country, most of it Turkish or Moroccan, but it is rare to find authentic German cuisine to sample.

Some off-the-beaten-path locations in Germany offering a more authentic experience include the old town in Frankfurt; Kashtakh Department Store; zoos and entertainment parks for kids; Wilderberg Animal Park that has the feel of a temperate forest; Reichenstein Castle; the central masjid in Cologne with its unique architectural style; and Bahrenburg. “The Unexplored Backyard” on Instagram covers unusual places in Germany that tourists may be interested in seeing.

Germany is a standout destination for international travellers with its national sites, culture and monuments and added to that is its cleanliness, safety and well organised running of the country.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Ibrahim Daya and Ml Muhammad Kara on the Weekend Breakfast Show.