Page last updated: 7 Oct 2024
Germany has long been a crossroads of cultural history, modern cityscapes, breathtaking landscapes, and natural beauty, drawing in millions of visitors from around the world every year.
How may people visited Germany in 2024
- From January 2024 to July 2024, approximately 21.18 million international tourists visited Germany.
- In July 2024, tourist arrivals in Germany increased to 4.78 million from 3.95 million in June, due to the Men’s UEFA Euro 2024 held in the cities across Germany from June 14 to July 14.1
| Month | International Tourist Arrival (in millions) |
| January 2024 | 1.86 |
| February 2024 | 2.16 |
| March 2024 | 2.39 |
| April 2024 | 2.79 |
| May 2024 | 3.25 |
| June 2024 | 3.95 |
| July 2024 | 4.78 |
How many people visit Germany every year?
In 2023, 34.8 million international tourists visited Germany.
- The number of visitors steadily increased from 2017 to 2019, climbing from 37.4 million to 39.6 million.
- Faced with global challenges, arrivals dramatically fell to 12.4 million in 2020 and dipped further to 11.6 million in 2021.
- In 2022, Germany’s tourism sector began showing signs of recovery, with tourist numbers nearly tripling the prior year’s to reach 28.5 million.2
- A 22% increase in international arrivals was evident in 2023, reaching approximately 34.8 million visits.3
How much do visitors spend in Germany every year?
In 2023, a total of $46.9 billion was spent in Germany by tourists.
- 2017’s expenditure stood at $40 billion and increased to $41.8 billion in 2019.
- Spending plummeted in 2020 and 2021 to $22.1 billion, a significant drop indicative of the pandemic’s effect.
- In 2022, there was a positive turn, with tourism expenditures rebounding to $31.3 billion.
- Continuing the upward trend, 2023 experienced a substantial rise in spending, hitting $46.9 billion, demonstrating strong economic recovery.4
Where do visitors to Germany come from?
Historically, Germany has mainly attracted international tourists from the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria. This trend persisted even during the pandemic.5
- In 2019, the Netherlands led with 4.8 million tourist arrivals, followed by Switzerland (3.4 million), and Austria (2.1 million).
- The pandemic significantly cut visitor numbers by half or more. Dutch visitors were reduced to 2.3 million, Swiss to 1.4 million, and Austrians to 820,000.
- Visitor numbers in 2021 further reflected ongoing challenges. Visitors from the Netherlands fell to 2 million, Switzerland to 1.2 million, and visitors from Austria marginally rose to 842,000.
Germany Travel Resources
How many people visited Germany in 2023?
- In 2023, Germany welcomed a total of 34.8 million tourists. This was a 22% increase from the previous year.
How much did visitors spend in Germany in 2023?
- Tourists spent $46.9 billion in Germany in 2023. This spending exceeded the pre-pandemic figure by approximately 12%.
Impact of Coronavirus – Germany Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021
- In 2020, inbound visitors fell drastically to 12.4 million, a steep decline of approximately 68.5% from 2019. Consequently, expenditures dropped to $22.1 billion, which was roughly a 47% decrease from the previous year.
- Visitor numbers in 2021 didn’t see the hoped-for recovery, instead decreasing slightly to 11.7 million. Visitor spending stayed relatively stable at $22.1 billion.
How popular is Germany as a tourist destination?
- Germany ranks 1st place as as a cultural destination* among worldwide travel by Europeans with over 25% of all international holiday trips to Germany being cultural trips.6
- Germany ranked 3rd as a destination considering climate and environmental protection and sustainability tourism.
How long do visitors stay in Germany?
- In 2023, tourists spent an average of 13.1 days holidaying in Germany. This was the second-longest average stay in Germany since 1998 (15.1 days).
Top Attractions in Germany
- Brandenburg Gate, Berlin: An 18th-century neoclassical monument that has stood through the city’s history and today is a symbol of unity and peace.
- Cologne Cathedral: A stunning Gothic cathedral with its detailed architecture and twin spires that dominate the skyline of Cologne.
- The Black Forest: A picturesque forested mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, known for its dense evergreens and quaint villages.
- Neuschwanstein Castle: The famous 19th-century hilltop fairy-tale castle built by King Ludwig II.
- The Harz Mountains: Known for its enchanting forests, medieval towns, and the legendary Brocken, the highest peak.
Germany Travel Statistics Resources
Europe Travel Statistics Resources
References
- TE: 2024 Germany Tourist Arrival ↩︎
- UNWTO: Tourism Statistics – Global and Regional ↩︎
- EuroStat: Nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments – Global and Regional ↩︎
- EuroStat: Tourism Satellite Accounts in Europe – 2023 Report Edition ↩︎
- OECD: Tourism Trends and Policies 2022 – Germany ↩︎
- GT: Ranking of Germany in Tourism ↩︎
