Journey to Germany for Leisure
Germany, a land of rich history and vibrant culture, continues to captivate travellers from across Europe. In 2024, the country recorded an impressive 496.1 million overnight stays, surpassing pre-pandemic figures, making it one of the leading leisure travel destinations on the continent [2][4].
Upper Bavaria, a picturesque region in Germany, emerged as the top tourist destination, recording 41.6 million visitor nights in 2023 [2][4]. This trend underscores the strong domestic and international appeal of Germany's leisure offerings.
While precise country-specific data on overnight stays by foreigners is not extensively provided, neighbouring European countries, such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France, and the UK, are typically major sources of inbound tourists due to proximity and strong travel ties [1][3].
Leisure trips from Europeans to Germany are indeed very frequent, contributing significantly to the nation's tourism sector. In fact, leisure travelers account for the majority of overnight stays, with a substantial 72% coming from Europe [1].
The USA, UK, Austria, Poland, and France each have between 4.2 and 6.5 million overnight stays by foreigners in Germany, while Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, and Sweden each have between 1.4 and 3.5 million [1]. The Netherlands, however, hold the record for the most foreign overnight stays, with 11.5 million [1].
The primary modes of transport for trips to Germany from Europe are car, airplane, train, bus, and other, with nearly half of the 68 million trips made by car, and airplane being the second most common mode, accounting for 32% of the trips [1]. Bus and train account for 8% and 9% of the trips, respectively [1].
Interestingly, business trips account for only 22% of the total trips, with leisure trips being more common at 58% [1].
The tourism sector in Germany is on a steady growth trajectory, with a forecast of €57 billion in international visitor spending for 2025, indicating a strong interest from a wide range of international tourists [1][3].
For those seeking a more detailed breakdown by nationality, official tourism statistics from Germany’s Federal Statistical Office or the German National Tourist Board might provide the latest country-specific overnight stay data.
Germany's lifestyle, characterized by its rich history and vibrant culture, attracts numerous travelers from Europe, particularly from neighboring countries like the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, France, and the UK. Many of these Europeans opt for car travel when visiting Germany, contributing to a considerable number of overnight stays.
