We’ve been traveling to Germany often. It makes so much sense because we live just across the border. Plus there are loads of great things to do! Over the numerous trips that we have made it is safe to say that we’ve found some really interesting things to buy from Germany.
Initially I was mostly interested in the food. I mean, the meats in Germany are really really good and it does feel great to have them stocked up in our fridge. Food however isn’t the only souvenirs from Germany that we carted home.
There are loads of little traditional German gifts, alcohol, games and even decorations that have slowly made their way home over time. So if you are wondering what are the best things to buy from Germany then you have really come to the right place.
One thing that I really must warn you about is the food. For us, carting it across the border was easy. If you are flying out of Europe, make sure to check the custom and import rules before carrying food souvenirs from Germany back home.
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🛍️ Looking for some great souvenirs from Germany? I recommend getting a Beer Stein. They are fun and are traditional German gifts that are well loved! 🏬
Things to Buy From Germany: Table Of Contents
Things to Buy From Germany: Traditional German Gifts
1. German Clocks
German clocks are super cool and make great souvenirs from Germany!
Another really cool item on the list of traditional German gifts is the iconic clock. Back in the day, the cuckoo clock was really popular. In fact, you’ve probably read a lot about it when reading books that are set in Germany. They make their appearances in older movies too!
You will find German clocks in most of the big cities. Just keep your eye out. I couldn’t help stopping and peeping into the shops while I was walking by. They look really cute and I probably am going to get us one when we finally settle into our new house.
The best part about the German wall clocks is that you can get them online too! They make excellent gifts and really add to the décor of the house should you choose to put it in your own home!
2. Brubaker
I have honestly never seen a brubaker before I visited Germany. This is definitely one of the traditional German gifts that is extremely popular and really really cute.
At first glance itself, you will see the resemblance that the brubaker has to the Christmas tree.
The brubaker above is a very good example. It has small little figurines and candle holders where people can place lit candles.
The idea is to light up a person’s life or to bring light into someone’s home. At least that’s the explanation that I got when I asked.
Apparently, these traditional German gifts are very very popular during Christmas time. Tourists however even take them home as a decorative ornament.
3. Bits Of The Berlin Wall
If you want to take a bit of history back home, then one of the popular souvenirs from Germany is a piece of the Berlin wall.
I’ve never picked one up because it really isn’t my thing but I know one thing that I really need to warn you about. All the Berlin wall souvenirs are not authentic. Sometimes, people pawn off an old brick as a souvenir too.
The best thing to do is to buy it from a good store and get an authenticity certificate for it. That way you know that you aren’t being duped.
Oh and fyi… You can even buy a Berlin wall souvenir from Amazon! I’m not kidding. This way you know that it is a well reviewed vendor.
Things to Buy From Germany: Alcohol
When you are thinking of things to buy from Germany don’t forget to check out all the different types of German alcohol. From wine to beer and even the famous Jägermeister. There are loads of great options and you can check out the local specialties in the area you are traveling in.
4. German Wine
There are so many interesting different wines that you can buy as souvenirs from Germany.
Germany has loads of vineyards. Each one produces their own special variant of German wine. We realized this when we spent time in the Rhine valley. It is honestly one of the best places to indulge in the scenery and this liquid heaven,
While we were in Mainz, I had the opportunity to try apfelwein or apple wine. I did not know what to expect and in the end found that it did not taste like either cider or wine. In fact, to me it tasted a little more like apple juice with a kick. Lol.
It took some getting used to but if you like it, why not take some back home as souvenirs from Germany? Or one of the numerous other variants of (grape) wine available? They really do make great gifts!
5. Jägermeister
Jägermeister is used to make the jagerbomb and is a great souvenir from Germany.
The Jägermeister is one of the most popular things to buy in Germany. It is popular even in duty free shops across the airports in the world so that should give you an idea of how much people love it.
I may be a bit biased though. Shawn always has a bottle in his liquor cabinet. Now that we live so close to the German border it is always easy to replenish his stock.
Jägermeister is a German digestif. It is made using 56 different herbs and spices which give the alcohol its unique flavor. Speaking of alcohol… Did you know that the Jägermeister has a whopping 35 percent of alcohol in it by volume?
6. German Beer
German beer is one of the popular things to buy in Germany.
When I talk about German beer, people automatically think about the famous Oktoberfest. Surprise! Surprise! Germans drink beer throughout the year and they are mighty proud of the beer that is made within the country.
You will find beer available on the menu of almost every restaurant you visit and it is a great beverage to have especially in summer. I’m more fond of the ciders but Shawn really loves trying out new beers whenever he is in the area.
In fact, if he did not visit so often, he may have just decided to pack some to take home! He isn’t the only one who has the same idea mind you. Lots of people consider German beer one of the best things to buy from Germany!
7. German Whiskey
Whiskey is another great idea if you are looking for souvenirs from Germany.
Did you know that Germany is one of the top producers of scotch in the world? So if this is your poison of choice, make sure to explore the different options that are available in all the cities of the countries. You can find German whiskey/scotch in any of the grocery stores. You do need to be over 18 to buy this so keep your id handy.
If you are wondering which brands are the best, I recommend trying out the following.
- Stork Club Straight Rye Whiskey
- Jane Doe 200
- Spicily Sweet Blended Malt by Sensibar
- Beverback Tequila Cask Finish
Since whiskey, scotch and tequila are some of the popular things to buy in Germany, you will find that almost all brands are great so if you can’t find the above, don’t worry. Just ask the store owner for his/her suggestion.
Things to Buy From Germany: Food
You may not know it but the food scene is great in Germany. Food is one of the best traditional German gifts that you can take back home and is also one of the top things to buy in Germany. From chocolate to sausages, there are loads of options and since we are such foodies, we know just what you should put in your bag to bring back home!
8. Chocolate
Germany shares a border with both Switzerland and Belgium. Countries that are famous for their chocolates. It should surprise no one that Germany too has its own special brands. Albeit not as famous as the other two, these chocolates are really good and are worth trying and buying.
Odds are you’ve probably heard of some of these brands too. They are really popular when it comes to things to buy from Germany. Chocolates are afterall pretty easy to pack and carry.
Oh yes, and some of the best brands are:
- Ritter Sport
- Milka
- Moser Roth
- Merci
- Schogetten
- Hachez
Frequent travelers will definitely know Ritter Sport and Milka from the duty free shops. Milka is one of the house favorites here.
Luckily you can buy Milka online and get all the delicious flavors! You can also get Ritter Sport online too!
9. Gummy Bears
One of the top things to buy in Germany are gummy bears.
Speaking of chocolates, we can not continue this list of souvenirs from Germany without talking about Gummy bears. Yes those colorful chewy delightful pieces of heaven that both adults and children love to munch on!
Did you know that the Gummy bear was a German invention? I didn’t until I visited.
You will find gummy bears easily available in all the stores. Why… They don’t just come in bear shapes. When we spent Easter in Germany, we went to Drachenburg castle for an egg hunt and the kids got a pack of gummy… well rabbits and eggs! They tasted as delicious as they looked!
10. German Tea
You can’t go wrong with tea when it comes to great things to buy from Germany.
During our first stay in Germany we had booked a lovely bed and breakfast. Obviously for breakfast we were served some traditional German tea. That was when the love story began.
Our kids in particular have loved tea from the time that they have been allowed to drink it. So for them this was comfort food and a bit of a memory of the Indian street food that they loved. Though I must say that Indian tea and German tea are very different.
We were served tea with tea bags but I’m given to understand that most Germans prefer to have their tea loose and use tea pots, strainers or infusers.
Popular variants of German tea include:
- Schwarztee or black tea
- Fruchttee or fruit tea (This is our favorite. Light, fragrant and soothing!)
- Kamillentee or Chamomile tea
- Fencheltee or Fennel tea
- Pfeffermminztee or Peppermint tea
11. Lebkuchen
If you are looking for the best food souvenirs from Germany, try the Lebkuchen!
I can’t blame you if you haven’t heard of lebkuchen before. I mean neither had I before I visited Germany BUT if you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend that you search for them.
Lebkuchen are also known as Honingkuchen or pfefferkuchen. They are honey cakes. They could be molded into a cookie shape and or a bar cookie shape and are especially delicious. Lebkuchen pairs extremely well with some of the strong German coffee that is offered in almost every restaurant and hotel you go to.
The best part is that lebkuchen are easy to pack and take. They are really delicious German souvenirs to take back home.
12. German Cheese
The Dutch maybe famous for their cheese but as their neighbor, Germany also has some amazing variants of cheese that we have been exploring while we stayed in the area.
Cheese is one of the best things to buy from Germany because it is unique to the area, easy to pack and lasts for a long while if you buy it in vacuum sealed packs.
Some of the best types of German cheese are
- Allgäuer Bergkäse – a hard cheese from the mountains in the Allgäu region of Bavaria
- Allgäuer Emmentaler – a German variant of the Swiss Elemental cheese
- Altenburger Ziegenkäse – a soft German cheese from a place close to Saxony and Thuringia
- Bergader Edelpilz – another cheese from Bavaria in Germany. This is similar to Roquefort. The only difference is that cows milk is made to prepare it.
- Butterkäse – A soft German cheese that is similar to Dutch Gouda.
13. German Sausage
Bratwurst is one of the popular things to buy in Germany when it comes to food souvenirs.
You really can’t go wrong with German sausages. Honestly some of you might get a giggle out of this statement. I get it. SO did I!
German sausages are one of the most popular street food in Germany. It is also one of the cheapest meals that you can get. Plus uber tasty! There are so many different varieties that you can try. The most popular one being the bratwurst. This is made of pork.
If you are looking for things to buy from Germany that you can take home and use in your cooking, this may be one of them. Though I must say that transporting it can get tricky especially in summer. You also can’t take them in a flight across countries because many of them have uncooked meat in them.
We stayed across the border. So it was just about an hour or two drive away which is why this is one of the most common things to buy from Germany in our area of town.
But you don’t have to worry about the shelf life because nowadays you can just buy fresh bratwurst online and have it delivered to you! That’s the best part about online shopping nowadays.
14. German Bread
German bread is delicious. Like the Dutch, you will find that Germans love to have sandwiches. Their sandwiches albeit consist of a huge bun stuffed with a solitary sausage or slice of meatloaf.
At first I was pretty skeptical. It looked dry and pretty unappetising to me. I decided to give it a try despite my preconceived notions. When I did I was blown away. The secret isn’t the sausage my friends. The secret lies in the German bread which is baked to perfection.
This has literally become my go to meal irrespective of where we travel. Bratwurst and bread is probably the best thing you can get.
Wondering where to get good bread in Germany? One great place is the farmer’s (local) markets that take place in the cities. The bread is fresh and tasty. It is also cheap. If you don’t get a chance to visit them, then try the grocery stores.
Things to Buy From Germany For Kids
There are quite a number of great things to buy from Germany for kids (and for adults like me who never grew up!). If you have a kid back home who you need souvenirs from Germany for, I suggest taking a look at the following options.
15. Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are popular things to buy from Germany.
I have loved jigsaw puzzles ever since I was a little girl. If you are like me, then put a marker on this point because one of the best things to buy from Germany is the jigsaw puzzles. You’ve probably heard about the Ravensburger puzzles. These are some of the best jigsaw puzzles available worldwide and are actually from Germany!
Since they are made in the country, you will find them everywhere and there are so many great options to choose from. You can also choose based on difficulty. Most of the Ravensburger puzzles that I have come across are usually 1000 pieces.
One great souvenir is to pick up a puzzle based on the location you visited. Some people put it together and even have it framed! That makes it a great souvenir from Germany.
16. Wooden Toys
There are loads of wooden toys that are great souvenirs from Germany.
These are designed to be safe for children to use. They don’t have sharp edges and are painted using bright child safe colors.
The colors stimulate the child’s mind and make the toy attractive. Many of these toys are designed to help with motor and cognitive skills.
In fact, HABA, the popular toy company for kids and one that I absolutely love for board games for kids, was founded in Germany.
It produces some of these toys and you can check them out.
17. The Rubber Duck
Have you heard of the infamous rubber duck? He crops up in hotels around the place and he comes home with you.
I thought it was ultra cute till we got one. Mind you, we have two toddlers so it’s absolute chaos because everyone wants their own duck.
That set us off exploring for a rubber duck. Sigh!
Turns out it is one of the popular things to buy from Germany and they come in a gazillion different sizes and costumes.
Oh and the price tag obviously differs. You will probably even see them in souvenir shops across the country.
If you ask me, they are great souvenirs from Germany and help you mark your visit to each location in an interesting way. Did I mention that they are cute too? I think I did. Lol!
Things to Buy From Germany: Decorative
18. Magnets
Magnets are one of the top things to buy in Germany.
You can’t go through any German city without spotting the souvenir shops. How do you know which shop I’m talking about? By the numerous magnets on display of course.
Magnets are one of the most popular things to buy in Germany and worldwide. They are cheap, small, easy to pack and carry. They make great gifts for people back home and honestly, you can’t go wrong with them.
I have friends whose fridge doors have no space left because they have collected that many!
19. Car Related Décor Items
Shawn always talks about all the different German cars. Volkswagen and BMW are two popular brands that are manufactured in the country. If you are a car aficionado, then you will find loads of different car memorabilia in all the cities of the country.
From keychains to decorative items, the list is pretty endless. Keep an eye out for them and I’m sure you will find something that you like. They are definitely some of the coolest things to buy from Germany.
20. Beer Steins
Beer Steins are some of the top things to buy in Germany.
Beer steins are traditional German mugs used for beer. This is one of the traditional German gifts that you can find in almost any city. Most of the steins are ornate and come with a lid. They act as an insulator to keep your beer cold too!
We saw a couple of really cool traditional beer steins when visiting Mainz. Yup! The above pic was taken there. You can see how much these steins have evolved over time.
Nowadays the beer steins are more ornamental than functional and they are one of the best things to buy from Germany because they look pretty good on any shelf in the house. A couple of our German friends brought us a couple of these when they visited us in Bangalore and we love them.
Rather than use them as just ornaments, we bring them out every now and then for board game night!
There you have it! These are some epic things to buy in Germany. You can pretty much get most of these items in almost any city in Germany.
Let us know which are your favorite souvenirs from Germany in the comments below!
🛍️ Looking for some great souvenirs from Germany? I recommend getting a Beer Stein. They are fun and are traditional German gifts that are well loved! 🏬
