Cities & Culture
Typically German: Sweet ideas and trendy souvenirs
The Germans! Those who enjoy travelling to Germany on holiday must remember to stock up on souvenirs. We have made a list of the classic and trendy items.
Those who have been to Bavaria might want to purchase a Dirndl or Lederhosen. A traditional beer mug might also look good at home. On the other hand, if you've been to Frankfurt you might want to pack some Bethmännchen: these round marzipan balls don't only taste good at Christmas time. A Bembel is of course a typical Hessian item. But what should you take home from Stuttgart? Those who can't do without spaetzle at home should buy a spatula. So that you can enjoy the Swabian delicacy everywhere. Family members who had to stay behind at home will be more than pleased with some Stollen from Dresden. It is simply delicious! And from Berlin? The traffic light man is the gift of choice: he is available made of chocolate, in the form of a lamp or even a notepad, for example. Or maybe you prefer treats from Leipzig? Make your trip unforgettable and take a piece of German culture home with you! Here are our ideas for typical German souvenirs.
1. Bethmännchen
The Bethmännchen from Frankfurt are a very special highlight. These delicious marzipan balls are traditionally decorated with halved almonds. They are named after the famous Bethmann banking family.
2. Cider Wine from the "Bembel"
A Hessian classic: This beautifully painted clay jug is placed at the tables in cider wine taverns. And it comes with the typical glass: this is what the cider is drunk out of. There is a drink with many variations. Sparkling cider wine has meanwhile become fashionable.
3. Ahle Wurscht
Complete your culinary journey of discovery with a piece of Ahle Wurscht. This hearty specialty from northern Hesse is known for its rich, smoky taste, which is the result of traditional maturing processes.
4. Cuckoo clock
The Black Forest is famous for its cute cuckoo clocks, many of which are still handmade in the old tradition. You can admire the largest example in the town of Schonach.
5. Ampelmännchen (Traffic Light Man)
This traffic light man was seen in the GDR for many years and is today associated with Berlin and Eastern Germany in particular. There are countless gift ideas featuring the traffic light man motif in the capital, even as pendants for necklaces.
6. Trabbi Toy
7. Chocolate TV-Tower
8. Cologne Water
9. Koelsch beer
Experience the unique taste of Koelsch, the light and refreshing beer from Cologne, which is brewed exclusively in the Rhine metropolis according to old brewing traditions and is known for its convivial drinking culture in the traditional breweries.
10. Black rye bread
The variety of German bread is huge and the German bread culture is intangible cultural heritage. Try the hearty black bread, a classic of German bakery, prized for its strong flavor and nutritious whole grain ingredients.
11. Dresdner Stollen
The delicious Dresden Stollen is eaten predominantly at Christmas time. Theoretically, it can last for up to four months, but in practice it should be eaten immediately.
12. Nuremberg Lebkuchen (Gingerbread)
Nuremberg gingerbread is a traditional German pastry that is particularly popular at Christmas time and enchants every palate with its rich mixture of spices and nuts.
13. Nutcracker amd christmas decorations
Those who have been on holiday to Saxony, should definitely purchase a traditional nutcracker. These little wooden men are not only pretty to look at, they can also be used to crack nuts. Hand-blown Christmas baubles, hand-carved wooden angels and incense burners, which spread a wonderful scent in winter, come from the Ore Mountains.
14. Dirndl, Trilby, Lederhosen
Dirndls and lederhosen are the iconic traditional costume from Bavaria. They embody both tradition and timeless style and are flaunted at festivals such as the world-famous Oktoberfest.
15. Beer mug
You can't leave Bavaria without having drunk out of a beer mug. Of course, you can also pack this massive glass in your suitcase.
16. Kemm'scher cake from Hamburg
Raincoat, Elbsegler, Kemm'scher cake or Labskaus: If you have been on vacation in the Hamburg region, you can buy many beautiful souvenirs.
17. Spaetzle-scraper / spatula
Nothing beats a homemade spaetzle: it is mainly eaten in Baden-Württemberg. It is not too hard to make at home, but you'll need a scraper or spatula. That is made out of metal or wood.
18. Black forest ham
19. Spekulatius Cookie
20. Baumkuchen
21. Lübeck marzipan
22. Soap in the shape of coal from the Ruhr
23. Magnets for various German cities
24. Wine, Stuttgart e.g Trollinger, Hesse: Riesling
Explore the variety and quality of German wines grown in the country's 13 wine regions, where renowned wineries from Mosel to Baden cultivate fine wines with passion and expertise to delight every wine lover.
25. Bremen town musicians as pendants or chocolates
The beautiful houses of Bremen's Schnoor district are available as porcelain miniatures. Those who would prefer to buy the Bremen town musicians as souvenirs, you can even get them as fine chocolate.
26. Porsche toy car
Experience Stuttgart, the city of cars, which is considered the cradle of the automotive industry and home to famous car brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
27. Baloney from the Saarland
28. Alte Pomeranze Liqueur
29. Leipziger Lerche
The Leipzig larks are a classic Leipzig speciality. The delicious pastry made from shortcrust pastry, jam and marzipan gets its name from the lark. Around 1800, the bird was no longer allowed to be shot, so the master bakers found that a tasty alternative was needed. The criss-crossing strips of dough still remind us of the stuffed, tied songbird.
30. Spreewald pickles
Enjoy the crunchy Spreewald gherkins, a delicacy from Brandenburg that is known for its unique, spicy taste and is traditionally pickled by hand according to old family recipes.
31. Steiff teddy bears
The charming Steiff teddy bears from Giengen have been capturing children's hearts worldwide for over a century with their incomparable quality and the famous "button in the ear".