Souvenirs from Germany: what to bring home

Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex

Are you planning a trip to Germany and want to plan ahead of time on what to bring back home for family and friends? No worries! After visiting the country many times in the past ten years, we have learned which are the best souvenirs from Germany.

From the most obvious to the things you might not think of, we have them all covered.

Of course, Germany is a large country, and each region is unique. But I’m sure you will find something to impress your friends back home.

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Table of Contents
  1. From Beer Steins to Black Forest Clocks: Iconic Souvenirs from Germany
    1. Christmas Decor Trinkets
    2. Gingerbread
    3. German beer
    4. Beer glasses or mugs
    5. Wine
    6. Birkenstock
    7. Dirndl/ lederhosen
    8. Football shirt
    9. Sauerkraut
    10. A bottle of schnapps
    11. A piece of the Berlin wall
    12. A traditional Cuckoo Clock from the Black Forrest
    13. Toy model of BMW/Porche/Mercedes
    14. Lego from Legoland
    15. Souvenirs from Oktoberfest
    16. Rosenthal coffee set
    17. Cutlery and knives from the famous town of Solingen
    18. A traditional nutcracker
    19. Candy & Cookies
    20. Pretzel

From Beer Steins to Black Forest Clocks: Iconic Souvenirs from Germany

Christmas Decor Trinkets

souvenirs from Germany

I visited Germany for the first time for the Munich Christmas Market. The first Christmas Market I visited left me impressed and wanting more. I was fortunate enough to return on many occasions, and I never went without a beautiful Christmas ornament.

However, don’t panic if you are not visiting during the winter holidays! Many cities have Christmas museums or shops that operate year-round. For instance, in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, there’s the German Christmas Museum and a few Christmas shops.

Gingerbread

hear shaped gingerbread in Munich

If you think you’ve tasted good gingerbread, think again! I promise you, the one they make in Germany is superior to anything you’ve ever tried.

When I worked for a big German company, clients would visit our office back in Romania and bring gingerbread. As a result, I tried many different kinds.

Besides, you can find the popular wiesn hertz at any open market nationwide. However, if you are ever in Nuremberg, stop by the Neef Confiserie Café. Their gingerbread is pricy but well worth it! It is the best I’ve ever had.

German beer

souvenirs from Germany

Even though we are not huge beer fans, it is hard not to try some while visiting Germany. On most of our trips to Munich or other places around the country, we would always try a beer garden.

Most regions or towns have their local brand, so you should research beforehand. I particularly like Paulaner weissbier (white beer). But that’s because I spent a lot of time in Munich and Bavaria.

Don’t worry if you don’t want to carry heavy bottles from the city. Beer gift sets are available at the airport.

Beer glasses or mugs

souvenirs from Dusseldorf

Germans love their beer and they also love Oktoberfest. As a result, many conversations, especially in the beginning, would get to this topic.

Did you know that the masskrug is the official one-liter mug used in biergartens during Oktoberfest? You can find those at souvenir shops if you want to bring one home as a gift.

Also, there are plenty of options for beer glasses in various sizes and shapes.

On the other hand, if you would rather have something even more traditional, look for ceramic beer mugs with a lid. They are often handmade and have different drawings.

Wine

Even though anyone would associate Italy or France with wine, Germany has great wines. We spent one month exploring the Moselle Valley and fell in love with the region. On top of the picturesque colorful towns tucked between hills covered with vineyards, they have a great wine selection.

On our months spent in northern Bavaria, our hosts had a winery on the Rhine Valley. Thus, we got to sample plenty of wines from that region as well. Let’s not forget the Riesling originates from Germany.

So, a bottle (or more) of good wine makes one of the greatest souvenirs from Germany.

Birkenstock

Truth be told, these shoes are not the prettiest. I know.

However, they are super comfortable, and I promise they will grow on you.

When I bought my first pair, I was slightly unconvinced. But now, I only wore those shoes for the entire summer.

The brand originated in Germany and dates back to 1774. It still produces shoes in the country and is committed to offering the best products based on its “walking as nature intended” philosophy.

Dirndl/ lederhosen

souvenirs from Germany
Photo by Kimia on Unsplash

A dirndl is a German traditional dress, the kind you usually see women wearing at the Oktoberfest. On the other hand, lederhosen are the leather pants worn by men.

It is expected to see people dressed in traditional clothing during special events such as weddings.

Plenty of shops sell them all over Munich, especially before and during Oktoberfest. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t find them throughout the year.

Ever since I first visited Munich, I have wanted one, and I finally brought one home a few years ago. That’s why I firmly believe it is an excellent souvenir from Germany.

Football shirt

Germans like football, and any souvenir shop should have at least one type of football shirt. Depending on the city you visit, you can go for the generic Germany shirt or choose a local team, such as Bayern Munchen.

Allianz Arena Munich
Photo by Stock Birken on Unsplash

Of course, if you are visiting the famous Munich Allianz Arena, you will have the chance to browse the FC Bayern fans’ shop.

By the way, the picture takes me back to my Allianz office because it was on the wall next to my desk.

Sauerkraut

Much like kimchi in South Korea, sauerkraut is one of the most appreciated national dishes in Germany.

It is basically finely cut raw cabbage fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. Germans like it because it goes very well with meat and sausage.

You can buy it in jars, or you can easily make it yourself – there are plenty of recipes out there.

A bottle of schnapps

This takes me back once again to my first visit to Munich. We visited during December for the Christmas Market, and as you might expect, temperatures were very low. Since we had a lot of walking, we had to keep ourselves warm. Enter schnapps.

Schnapps is a distilled fruit brandy made from different fruits. It resembles a lightly flavored vodka. If you like it, try it in Germany and bring some bottles home.

A piece of the Berlin wall

souvenirs from Germany
Photo by Luis Diego Hernández on Unsplash

Today, this isn’t easy to find. However, you can still buy a piece of the wall in certain physical stores in Berlin.

Make sure to check authenticity and documentation of provenance before making any purchase.

A traditional Cuckoo Clock from the Black Forrest

If you visit the Black Forest, it is hard not to step foot into a cuckoo clock workshop. That’s because traditional wooden clocks originate from southwestern Germany.

It is believed that during the 18th century, during winters, farmers would craft this special kind of clock.

Of course, you can purchase one online. However, the experience is more authentic when you get one directly from Germany.

Toy model of BMW/Porche/Mercedes

If you like cars, visiting one of the famous German car manufacturers is a must.

On my first visit to Munich, I visited the BMW Museum, which was a great experience. Even if I am not passionate about cars, the museum is organized to catch your attention.

Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porche Museum are other great attractions. You will find both in Stuttgart.

No matter which one you visit, don’t leave without a toy model car as a souvenir from Germany.

Lego from Legoland

souvenirs from Germany
Photo by Omar Albeik on Unsplash

Legoland is an excellent destination for people traveling to Germany with kids.

You will find the park between Munich and Stuttgart, and you most likely will need to rent a car to get there.

Obviously, you cannot leave the park without a Lego as a souvenir.

Souvenirs from Oktoberfest

Even though we covered most of the traditional souvenirs you can find at Oktoberfest, this still needs a particular point.

Oktoberfest is very popular with tourists and locals, so many plan to visit Munich during this celebration.

Many souvenirs might be a bit more pricey during Oktoberfest. However, they are usually engraved. You can get anything from gingerbread hearts to beer hats or beer mugs and cups.

Rosenthal coffee set

Rosenthal is a famous German porcelain producer with over 140 years of experience. I love their classic and innovative products, but I know that quality is what best describes them.

That’s why any Rosenthal product makes a great souvenir.

Of course, you can also order them online since they are fragile and cannot be carried from abroad.

Cutlery and knives from the famous town of Solingen

Made of high-quality 18/10 chrome-nickel stainless steel, the dining utensils are manufactured carefully in the German city of Solingen. So you can be sure of excellent quality.

A traditional nutcracker

nutcracker
Photo by Dare Artworks on Unsplash

The Nutcracker dates back to the 17th century. It grew in popularity during the 19th century and became synonymous with Christmas.

People from Erzgebirge used them to crack nuts at dessert time. They also bring your family good luck.

Candy & Cookies

Growing up in Eastern Europe, we considered German candy the best. However, not many had access to it during communism or even later in the grey ’90.

We would dream of Haribo, Loacker, Leibniz, and other German brands.

So, bringing candy or waffles as a souvenir is a great idea.

Pretzel

souvenirs from Germany
Photo by Yuhan Du on Unsplash

Alex is a sucker for German pretzels. That’s why whenever I travel to Munich for work, I bring him something to enjoy.

It is true that my flight would last less than 2 hours, but if you store the pretzels properly, they last a long time.

Try the ones with butter because they are delicious!

Also, you can buy frozen pretzels and bake them at home. If you don’t feel like carrying them all the way from Germany, try these Bavarian ones. You get them at home and can pretend you brought them all the way from Munich.

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The best souvenirs from Germany