Germany is continuing to reinforce its position as one of Europe’s leading travel destinations after recording strong tourism performance during the first five months of 2026. According to the German National Tourist Board, the country welcomed 174.9 million overnight stays between January and May, representing a 1.3% increase compared with the same period in 2025. International tourism also remained steady, generating 28.7 million overnight stays, while domestic tourism continued performing above pre-pandemic levels. The latest figures underline Germany’s continued appeal among international travellers, including a growing community of visitors from India.
Overnight stays continue climbing across Germany
Germany’s tourism sector maintained positive momentum during the opening months of 2026, supported by both domestic and international travel.
The 174.9 million overnight stays recorded between January and May reflect continued visitor demand across the country’s cities, heritage destinations, alpine regions and cultural attractions. Domestic tourism has now exceeded 2019 levels, demonstrating sustained interest in travel within Germany while supporting hotels, restaurants, transportation providers and local businesses.
International travellers also continued contributing significantly to the country’s visitor economy through leisure holidays, business travel and event tourism.
International tourism remains resilient
Overseas visitors generated 28.7 million overnight stays during the first five months of 2026, reflecting stable international demand despite changing global travel conditions.
Germany continues attracting visitors through its blend of historic cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, castles, festivals, river cruises and nature-based experiences.
Popular destinations including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Dresden and Frankfurt continue welcoming international guests throughout the year, while regional destinations benefit from growing interest in slower, experience-led travel.
The country’s extensive rail network and international aviation connections also make multi-city travel convenient for overseas visitors.
Indian travellers continue supporting tourism growth
India remains an important long-haul source market for Germany.
Between January and May 2026, Indian travellers generated 350,488 overnight stays, representing a modest year-on-year increase of 0.1%. During May alone, Indian visitors accounted for 86,870 overnight stays, reflecting sustained demand for travel to Germany.
Indian travellers continue exploring Germany for leisure holidays, business visits, educational travel, family tourism and cultural experiences.
Destinations featuring historic architecture, shopping districts, scenic landscapes, Christmas markets, culinary experiences and major exhibitions continue attracting visitors from India throughout the year.
Diverse experiences strengthen destination appeal
Germany offers a wide range of tourism experiences across its federal states.
Berlin attracts visitors through its history, museums, architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Munich combines Bavarian traditions with internationally recognised events, while the Black Forest, Rhine Valley, Bavarian Alps and Romantic Road continue drawing travellers seeking scenic landscapes and outdoor recreation.
Wine tourism, river cruises, cycling routes, wellness resorts and castle tours further contribute to Germany’s broad tourism offering.
Seasonal festivals and regional cultural events also encourage repeat visitation throughout the year.
Strong transport network supports travel
Germany’s transportation infrastructure remains one of its major tourism strengths.
International airports in Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Düsseldorf connect the country with destinations across Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East.
High-speed rail services allow travellers to move efficiently between cities, making it easy to combine multiple destinations within one itinerary.
Public transportation systems in major cities further enhance accessibility for international visitors.
Domestic tourism continues exceeding pre-pandemic levels
Domestic travel remains one of the strongest contributors to Germany’s tourism recovery.
The latest figures indicate that German residents continue travelling extensively within the country, supporting accommodation providers and regional tourism economies throughout the year.
Short breaks, wellness holidays, countryside escapes and cultural city visits remain popular among domestic travellers, complementing international visitor demand.
The combination of strong domestic tourism and stable overseas arrivals provides a balanced foundation for continued sector growth.
Tourism supports local economies
Visitor spending continues benefiting hospitality, transportation, retail, food services and cultural institutions across Germany.
Hotels, guesthouses, museums, tour operators and event venues continue welcoming both domestic and international travellers, while tourism investment supports destination development and visitor infrastructure.
Growing demand from international markets such as India also contributes to expanded airline connectivity and tourism promotion initiatives.
These developments continue strengthening Germany’s competitiveness within the European tourism landscape.
Looking ahead
Tourism authorities continue monitoring visitor trends as the summer season progresses.
Stable international demand, continued domestic travel and expanding interest from long-haul markets position Germany for sustained tourism performance throughout the remainder of 2026.
Industry stakeholders will continue evaluating overnight stay figures and international arrivals as new tourism statistics become available in the coming months.
Conclusion
Germany continues demonstrating strong tourism resilience with 174.9 million overnight stays recorded between January and May 2026 and stable international demand generating 28.7 million overnight stays. Domestic tourism remains above pre-pandemic levels, while Indian travellers continue contributing to the country’s growing international visitor base. Supported by diverse tourism experiences, strong transport connectivity and year-round destination appeal, Germany remains one of Europe’s leading destinations for global travellers.
