Cultural, industrial, and academic influences from Deutschland, which is “Germany” in German, permeate deeply into societies around the world. But, exactly, what is Germany known for?
Learn about the top influences from Germany and discover what makes this nation so special, from Oktoberfest to Beethoven, the Bavarian Alps, and BMW.
Table of Contents
Typical German Food and Drink
The easiest, and often most fun, way to begin experiencing what Germany is known for is by sampling their many famous dishes and drinks! For a unique culinary experience, try some of the following German foods and drinks:
- Sauerbraten (sour roast)
- Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes)
- Stollen (sweet, nutty, and spicy Christmas bread)
- Rotkohl (red cabbage)
- Bier (beer)
- Glühwein (warm, mulled wine)
Bavarian purity standards of 1516 for beer making
Did you know one of the oldest food regulations in the world is still in effect, coming from Germany? The Bavarian Reinheitsgebot of 1516, the first German standard for what could be used to make beer, will soon celebrate its 500th anniversary in breweries around the world. It declared that three ingredients were to be used to brew beer:
- barley
- hops
- water
The German beer garden
The German beer garden is all about enjoying a finely crafted German Bier (beer) in the middle of a nice garden among friends.
Here you can step into the heart of German culture with local brews, order authentic German cuisine, and make new friends around the long, shared tables. Most popular in warmer southern Germany near cities like Munich, but you can find them scattered over much of Germany.
Glühwein
What better way to warm up from walking the winter streets of a Christmas market than with Glühwein (warm, mulled wine)?
The direct translation of Glühwein is “glowing wine,” because it’s served “glowing” hot. This beverage Germany is known for is often slow-cooked with fruits and spices like cloves and star anise for a flavorful Christmastime drink.
Famous holidays in Germany
Taking a trip to Germany? Check your calendar and see if one of these holidays Germany is known for falls within your vacation’s timeline:
Oktoberfest
Who in the United States hasn’t heard of Oktoberfest (October Fest)? Oktoberfest in Germany is celebrated much like it is here in America: With music, food, good company, and of course, plenty of authentic German Bier (beer).
If you ever wonder, “What is Germany known for?” look for a celebration of Oktoberfest near you around late September and early October and you’ll soon understand.
German Unity Day
A time for cultural unity and reflection on the long road that led to the formation of modern-day Germany, German Unity Day is held on October third every year. This follows the anniversary of when the German Democratic Republic (GDR) joined the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in 1990 to reform the nation as we know it today.
Local Germans celebrate with free admission to museums on German culture, history, and art, as well as by attending public fairs featuring speeches from high-ranking government officials.
Krampusnacht: The fun behind the horned devil
The infamous Krampusnacht (Night of Krampus) has made Germany famous for what seems like a macabre holiday. Celebrated on the fifth of December’s cold night in the mountains of southern Germany, locals drive out evil spirits with the Krampuslauf (Krampus Run).
Young men of the town drink heartily, then dress in costumes of the horned devil named Krampus and rampage through the streets in a sort of parade, spooking onlookers and handing out candy to children.
German Christmas Markets: Warmth in the wintertime
For a German, few settings evoke a feeling more nostalgic than the German Christmas market. Here you can find street stalls selling authentic wooden toys, treats like Lebkuchen (German Christmas cookies)and Glühwein (warm, mulled wine). Sometimes there’s even a Ferris wheel!
These markets usually open up around late November or early December and last until Christmas Eve in Germany.
German composers who made Germany famous
Germany was a cultural hotspot for composers of classical music and continues this tradition today. These German composers who made, and continue to make, Germany famous include:
- Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
- Ludwig von Beethoven (1770-1827)
- Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
- Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
- Hans Zimmer (1957-Present)
There are several block-buster movies today, such as Interstellar, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Lion King, whose soundtracks were composed by Hans Zimmer. He connects the long history of composers in Germany to the modern day, showcasing the standing tradition of music Germany is known for.
Iconic German architecture and landmarks
Germany has long been known as a center of architectural innovation, with landmarks that help shape both European and global building design.
German architecture reflects the nation’s dedication to precision, pride in its craftsmanship, and often Germany’s close historical relationship with Christianity.
- Cologne Cathedral (began in 1248)
- Brandenburg Gate (built 1791)
- Fernsehturm (Berlin Television Tower, 1969)
- Reichstag Building (rebuilt in 1999)
- East Side Gallery, Berlin (1990)
- Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral, began 1894)
Impenetrable castles that secured Germany
Stoic, intimidating Schlösser (castles) from Germany’s rich military history dot the landscape as a reminder of Germany’s engineering prowess and dominion over the land.
From Hohenzollern, the crown jewel of the Prussian royal family, to the fairy-tale design of Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, the battles that built Germany relied on these structures for security.
Check out Eltz Castle in the Rhineland-Palatinate for an example of a German castle never destroyed or rebuilt, offering the most authentic view of historical craftsmanship.
World-class natural wonders in Germany
Other than what the Germans have built, the landscapes they call home create a beautiful nation. The Bavarian Alps showcase dramatic, snow-capped topography, while down lower on the geographic scale the Rhine Valley boasts a romantic scene with fertile soil.
The Schwarzwald (Black Forest) is heavily influential to German culture, from their famous Cuckoo clocks to the sweet and delicate Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cherry cake).
Consider a look at the famous Rhine and Donau rivers that have historically helped define the borders of Germany to see unique coastlines.
Scientific advancements Germany is known for
Did you know technological advancements discovered in Germany influence your daily life? These scientific breakthroughs have made their mark on the world in stark and noticeable ways, making Germany known for its academic prowess.
Famous German automobiles
Since the manufacture of the first German automobile in 1885, Germany has prided itself on the production of reliable, high-quality vehicles. Sold across the world for their fine make and reputation, several well-known automobile manufacturing brands have made Germany their home.
- BMW
- Audi
- Porsche
- Volkswagen
- Mercedes-Benz
Whether you’re looking for luxury, high-performance, or reliability, German-made automobiles are what Germany is known for.
The printing press comes from Germany
Modern books and publishing are possible thanks to the discovery of the Gutenberg printing press in Germany in 1436. Thanks to this advancement in technology, books, fliers, and all reading material alike could be mass produced.
Knowledge and communication were made much faster and cost effective compared to the days of having to transcribe all text by hand in a slow and laborious process.
Nuclear fission was discovered in Germany
The power of splitting the atom, for better or for worse, was discovered in Germany by Otto Hahn and Fritz Straßmann in December 1938. This process of the breakdown of the atom and harnessing the energy it creates is known as nuclear fission.
From the atomic bomb that decided America’s victory over Japan in World War II to the modern nuclear reaction sites that provide clean energy around the world, Germany’s mastery of splitting the atom led to a new age of energy and warfare.
Germany’s leadership in the European Union
Germany has played a central role in influencing and shaping the European Union (EU) since its early days. This is largely thanks to its status as the EU’s largest economy and as one of its founding members.
A recent study shows that around 63% of European respondents positively view Germany as the leading nation of the EU, showing how well-received Germany is as a leader by other European nations.
Influential words Germany is known for
German loan words not only sound funny to English speakers sometimes but they also capture nuance and depth in a way that English sometimes falls flat on.
For example, the meaning of Schadenfreude is “happiness derived from another’s misfortune.”
| German Loan Word | Pronunciation in English | English Translation |
| Angst | angst (rhymes with “thanks”) | fear, deep dread |
| Dachshund | DASH-hound | badger dog (wiener dog) |
| Doppelgänger | DOP-uhl-gang-er | a look-alike |
| Gestalt | geh-SHTALT | a unified whole, power |
| kaputt | kah-PUT | broken |
| Kindergarten | KIN-der-gahr-den | kindergarten |
| Poltergeist | POL-ter-gyest | noisy ghost |
| Rucksack | RUCK-sac | a backpack |
| Wanderlust | WON-der-luhst | the desire to travel |
| Zeitgeist | ZYTE-gyest | ghost of the ages |
Languages and dialects Germany is known for
Though there is no official dialect recognized by Germany’s government, the German dialect learned in public schools and spoken in government and news is known as Standardhochdeutsch (Standard High German).
The rich history of the nation has given rise to over 250 to 300 German dialects, depending on the linguist’s definition of a dialect. These dialects are generally categorized into a few different groups.
- Hochdeutsch (High German)
- Mitteldeutsch (Central German)
- Niederdeutsch (Low German)
What makes a dialect “high” versus “low” here isn’t a matter of how formal or aristocratic the dialect is considered in Germany. Rather, it’s a simple matter of being from the highlands or lowlands of Germany. Classic German efficiency in naming!
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