25+ Best Things to Buy in Germany (That You’ll Actually Want + Use!)

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This list shares some of the best souvenirs from Germany, so you can bring a small piece of your exciting trip to Deutschland home with you!

There’s a lot to love about traveling around Germany: the beautiful sights, the rich food, the crisp beer—the list goes on. 

The one con? No matter where you go, time flies by too darn quickly, and before you know it your trip is over and you’re home again. That’s where studying up on the best things to buy in Germany can come in handy!

Finding a memorable and unique souvenir can help you cherish your trip for a lifetime. And I don’t know about you, but I can be a little picky about the souvenirs I pick up from a new place. 

Particularly, I like things that I can (and will) actually use in my day-to-day life instead of items that’ll collect dust and eventually get donated or thrown away.

I feel this way no matter where I go, and it’s no different for the souvenirs from Germany I’ve collected during my time here! And as someone who’s spent a lotta time in Deutschland, I know a little somethin’, somethin’ about the best things to buy in Germany. 

So without further ado, here are some of the most unique and best German souvenirs I recommend to friends and family planning an adventure to Germany. 

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25+ Best Things to Buy in Germany

1. Beer Steins and Glasses

Beer steins or mugs are one of the most classic things to buy in Germany. A German stein is a traditional beer mug made of stoneware, glass, or porcelain. It often has a metal lid to protect your beer from pests like wasps and flies. 

Some are plain, simply displaying a beer brand’s logo, and others are more intricate, with images of things and places around Germany. While some can be a little tacky IMHO, steins are great to take home and display as decor or use as a mug as intended. 

German beer steins can range in price from €15 to €90+ each. 

2. Cuckoo Clocks

Cuckoo clocks are another traditional gift from Germany that make for excellent souvenirs. Authentic cuckoos come from the Black Forest (you can see one of the world’s largest in Triberg!), are hand-carved, and are non-electric or battery-powered.

Ingeniously, traditional cuckoo clocks run thanks to weights and gravity, but it’s important to note that they require hands-on attention to operate properly. Also, authentic cuckoo clocks, especially larger ones, can be pretty expensive. 

You can pay anywhere between €100-€700+ for an authentic cuckoo clock. Or you can nab a battery-operated one that mimics the traditional versions for a fraction of the price. 

Some of the best places to buy cuckoo clocks in Germany include Triberg, Schönwald, and Schonach. But you can find clock shops outside of the Black Forest too! 

3. German Beer 

Germany has a reputation for its beer, so of course, grabbing a bottle or two (or three) to enjoy at home is a must for beer lovers! 

To say that Germany’s beer culture is unique, is an understatement! The country actually still has on the books a “beer purity law” from 1516 that states beer must only be brewed with water, barley, hops, and yeast. 

From this law, we get a long list of traditional German brews like Hefeweizen (wheat), Helles (pale lager), Dunkel (dark lager), Altbier, and more! 

What’s exciting about German beer is that every region has its own popular local brew. That means you can collect a beer from each place you visit in Germany if you wish!

Some of Germany’s most consumed beers include:

• Krombacher (Bavaria)
• Paulaner (Munich)
• Bitburger (Mosel Valley)
• Erdinger (Bavaria)
• Berliner (Berlin)

4. German Wine 

Germany is also home to an excellent wine scene. And I have the pleasure of living in one of the nation’s best and more beautiful wine-producing regions—the Mosel Valley. 

Other places to sample local wines in Germany and witness sprawling vineyards include Saxony, the Rhine Valley, Baden, etc. 

Even if you don’t have a chance to visit one of Germany’s wine destinations, it’s worth grabbing a bottle as a German souvenir to take home. 

Germany is particularly famous for Riesling wines originating from the Rhine Valley. When ordering Riesling, you’ll have the choice of “trocken” (dry), “halbtrocken” (half-dry), “feinherb” (slightly sweet), and “fruchtig” (fruity) flavors. 

White wines and Riesling aren’t the only wine produced in Germany. Other varieties include: 

• Eiswein (ice wine): produced from grapes naturally frozen on the vine. Their sweetness and low alcohol content make it a great dessert wine. 
• Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir): one of the rare but popular red wines grown in Germany. 
• Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris): a white German wine noted for its more golden coloring and dry and slightly acidic flavor. 

5. German Whiskey, Schnapps and Spirits

While on the topic of alcohol, traditional German Whiskey, schnapps, and other spirits are worth mentioning as some of the best things to buy in Germany. 

Schnapps is a strong, dry spirit, often flavored from fruit or herbs, ranging in alcohol content up to 80 proof. For something easier on the tongue, opt for schnapps with a lower ABV and a sweet flavor like peach or butterscotch. Mint is also quite popular! 

Other German spirits to consider are Eierlikör (a creamy egg liquor) and Korn, a strong liquor that offers stiff sippin’. 

You’re likely already familiar with Jagermeister, an herby digestive from Germany. That’s also great to try when in Deutschland!

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6. Haribo Gummies

Although gummy bears are available worldwide, getting them in Germany is extra special because it’s where they come from! Specifically, gummy bears were invented in 1922 in Bonn, Germany, by Hans Riegel, who later went on to create the Haribo brand many know and love today. 

While you can’t visit the factory itself, the Haribo factory store in Bonn is a great place to stock up on gummies while enjoying little exhibits sharing the history of the OG gummy bears. 

And if Bonn isn’t on your to-visit list, you can stock up on Haribo at any local grocery store or other Haribo locations like Solingen and Oberhausen. 

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7. German Chocolate 

When I think of premier chocolate brands in Europe, it’s often Swiss or Belgian that come to mind—but German chocolate is pretty delicious too!

You can grab some favorite German chocolate brands conveniently at the grocery store for an affordable price. 

Some of the best German chocolate brands include:

• Ritter Sport: my faves include Marzipan (very German), strawberry yogurt, and coconut macaroon. 
• Merci chocolates can be purchased in lovely gift boxes, making them an excellent pick for giving to friends and family. 
• Milka is a creamy chocolate bar with many flavors, much like Ritter Sport. My all-time favorite is Oreo.
• Lindt isn’t technically German (it’s Swiss), but many German cities have big Lindt stores with the assorted mix where you can pick from various truffle flavors. 

8. Other German Snacks and Treats

Checking out the snack situation in a new country is one of my favorite ways to experience the local culture. And it’s also just fun to see all the unique and different flavors of chips, crackers, snacks, cookies, etc! 

If you’re also a snack lover, some worthwhile German varieties to add to your shopping list include:

• Lebkuchen and Lebkuchenhertz: German gingerbread is especially popular for Christmas and a great item to try, a more traditional German dessert. 
• Hanuta: popular hazelnut wafers that are insanely delicious.
• Really anything hazelnut: hazelnut is a prominent flavor in Germany, so anything Nutella-like is worth trying! 
• Paprika chips: paprika is the preferred flavor for many savory snacks.
• Erdnuß Locken: peanut puffs similar to Cheeto puffs but peanut butter flavored!
• Mezzo Mix or Spezi: sodas that mix orange soda and cola, a very unique German speciality. 
• Anything marzipan: Marzipan is very German, and is sweetened almond paste used in some chocolates and desserts. 
• Anything anise or black licorice 

9. German Tea 

Tea is a way of life in Germany. So much so that there’s tea for nearly any occasion and ailment. It’s even a running joke that if you’re sick and see a doctor, they’ll likely prescribe you some ibuprofen and tea!

And you can see this deep love for all things tea when you visit the grocery store, and an entire aisle is devoted to the stuff. You can find everything from black tea, ginger, peppermint, fruit, chamomile, East Frisian Tea (Assam blend), and more!

Some of the most notable German tea brands include Teekanne, Messmer, Dethlefsen & Balk, and Haelssen & Lyon.

10. German Traditional Foods 

Don’t worry; I only have one last food recommendation! Those particularly fond of traditional German food should consider picking up:

• Sauerkraut and Sauerkraut juice
• *Cured meats and cheeses
• Glühwein Spices 
• Herbs and sauces
• Canned meats and fish

*Be sure to check the specific import laws of your home country; certain meats and cheeses may not be allowed back into your home country due to animal and agriculture health decrees.

11. Hand Blown Glass 

Germany has a rich glass-blowing tradition that can be found in pockets throughout the nation. If you appreciate the fine art of glass blowing, you can find beautiful works like lamps, pitchers, glassware, Christmas ornaments, and more. 

Some of the best places in Germany for glass blowing include Monschau (North Rhine-Westphalia), the Black Forest (Baden-Württemberg), Lauscha (Thuringia), and Bavaria. Many local shops even have glass-blowing demonstrations where you can blow your own ornament or see the process live.

» Read More: 12 Charming Things to Do in Monschau, Germany

12. German-Made Knives 

Home chefs and pocket knife enthusiasts will also be excited to learn that Germany is home to high-quality knives. The knives produced in German are recognized for their thick and dense construction that easily cut through items and are made to last. They’re up there with Japanese knives as some of the best in the world. 

Most of the famous knife brands in Germany are based in Solingen, but you can typically find them all over. In particular, brands like Wüsthof, Zwilling J. A. Henckels, and Böker are some to keep your eyes out for if this is a German souvenir that tickles your fancy. 

13. Ceramic Houses

Often put out during Christmas, you can find these charming little ceramic houses in various cities across Germany. I’ve seen them in places like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Christmas markets. 

You can get German ceramic houses in different sizes, from small to large, and many are miniatures of real-life German landmarks or notable timber-frame homes. 

14. Christmas Stuff 

No one does Christmas quite like the Germans! So obviously that means that some of the best things to buy in Germany revolve around this cheerful holiday. 

While many things are only available during the holiday season (which typically starts in early November), there are places you can buy Christmas goodies year round. Most notably, the Käthe Wohlfahrt store is open year round and is where you’ll want to go for German Christmas gifts out of season. 

Many big souvenir shops in famous tourist destinations will sell Christmas items year round too. 

Some of the best German Christmas gifts to add to your souvenir list include:

• Advent calendars: Chocolate and speciality available! I once got a Lush advent calendar and my boyfriend a Wera tool one. 
• Ornaments  
• Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramid)
• Gluhwein mugs (mulled wine) and Feuerzangenbowle (mug with metal perch for burning a sugar cube)
• Nutcracker 

15. Birkenstocks

Not everyone loves Birks, but these oh-so-comfy and practical sandals have become my go-to for my travels! And there’s no better place to buy them than in Germany (where they’re from).

A classic pair of leather Birks in the States can cost $90-$100+. But in Germany, you can snag some for around $65-$75, even less if you go to a Birkenstock outlet! I scored my most recent pair of Arizonas for only €40.

There are Birkenstock stores all over Germany and about six outlet locations which you can find on their store locator page. 

16. German Pottery: Westerwald, Stoneware, Porcelain, etc. 

If you’re seeking something to buy in Germany that’s cool and practical, consider nabbing some German pottery. Ceramics is another art form in Germany that’s been around for centuries, and there are many incredible antique, retro, and modern pieces for every style and taste! 

Some of the best German pottery brands include Villeroy & Boch, Hutschenreuther, and Rosenthal. The Westerwald pottery items are also distinctly German and are the dishware style characterized by its grayish background and blue details. 

Some of the best ceramic items to buy in Germany include pitchers, steins, bowls, espresso cups and saucers, and more!

17. German Tracht: Traditional Lederhosen and Dirndls

Known as Tracht in German, this traditional style of clothing hails from Bavaria and the Alpine region in Austria. The lederhosen (men’s leather shorts and pants with connected suspenders) and Dirndls (women’s dresses with tight busts and flowing skirts topped with an apron) are what many associate with historic German dress. 

This specific German item likely isn’t an ideal souvenir for everyone, but it is especially fun for those planning to go to Oktoberfest or the spring folk festivals. It’s also a great souvenir for those with Bavarian heritage who wish to pay homage to their cultural background. 

18. German Watches

Those with a penchant for luxurious souvenirs should consider buying a German watch to commemorate your visit. There are quite a few brands known to be of high quality that are also easy on your wallet. 

Some of the most recognizable German watch brands include A. Lange & Söhne, Sinn, Glashütte Original, and Junghans, to name a few! German-made watches can be purchased in local jewelry and watch stores that are popular in many cities. 

19. Leather Goods

As an expat living in Germany, I wanted to treat myself to a nice leather bag from a well-known German company so I’d have something I’d use often and remind me of my time here even after I’ve moved. And lucky for me (and you), there are plenty of quality German leather goods brands to treat yourself to! From bespoke and indie to big name brands recognized internationally. 

I picked up my computer bag from Liebeskind and a weekend duffel for my boyfriend from Berliner Bags, and I love the quality and look of the pieces. 

Other great German leather brands to add to your shopping list include Jerome Studio, Picard, and Braun Buffel. 

20. Wood Carvings and Toys

Wood carving is another traditional craft in Germany that produces unique and quality items that make for wonderful things to buy and bring back home. Common wood-carved items to buy in Germany include children’s toys, Christmas decor, sculptures/figurines, and wall hangings—to name a few!

Woodworking is especially prevalent in the Black Forest, Bavaria, and Saxony. And if you’re mega interested in Germany’s historic wood-carving industry, places like Seiffen and Oberammergau should be on your radar.

21. Ampelmann

Primarily relevant to Berlin, the Ampelmann is the notable and cute crossing guard symbol synonymous with the city. This recognizable icon is a street crossing symbol hailing from East Germany that stands as a testament to a region that no longer exists.

You can find this cute little guy on various items in many German souvenir shops across the city. 

22. Antiques

Antique shopping in Germany (and most of Europe) is amazing because, well, the country is old. So if you appreciate retro and antique items, I highly recommend popping by antique shops and flea markets as you stumble across them. 

You can find relics from the World Wars, old prints, beautiful books, retro beer mugs, and gorgeous decor pieces. And if you’re like us (military and have moving services when you leave), don’t sleep on the furniture! 

23. Soccer Memorabilia 

Soccer, ahem, football, is biiiig in Germany! So all soccer and sports fans visiting Germany should consider seeing a Bundesliga soccer match (Germany’s premier soccer league) if visiting during football season. 

But generally, the top football clubs in Germany are FC Bayern Munchen (Munich), Dortmund, and Leipzig. If you have plans to visit Munich and tour the Allianz Arena or catch a Bayern game, blend in with locals by wearing red and white!

24. Luxury Goods 

Even though not technically a German souvenir, Many European luxury brands are cheaper in Germany and Europe compared to the United States. 

And when you purchase high-value ticket items in Germany as a tourist, you can request a tax refund at the airport, saving you even more (19%, in fact!) So, if you’ve always wanted a Louis Vuitton, Germany may be an excellent place to pick one up! 

25. Misc Things to Buy in Germany

As is the case with any tourist destination, you can also find the classic souvenirs in Germany like beautiful postcards, magnets, shirts, etc. In fact, these items are great to buy for the budget traveler or for folks with little room in their suitcases! 

But if you need even more inspiration for a souvenir from Germany, here is one last hail mary of ideas:

• Starbucks “You Are Here” Mugs
• German pocket/hand tools: Wera, Knipex, Bosch
• Locally roasted coffee beans: Dallmayr
• Rituals bath and body items and perfumes: the “Bath and Body” of Europe
• Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Book and German travel books
• A piece of the Berlin wall: although be warned 99% are fakes

6 Tips For Shopping + Packing Your Souvenirs From Germany 

1. Go to the local grocery store for German food, treats, wine, and beer to save money.
2. Get VAT (tax) refunded at the airport before you fly home. Germany has a specific process for the tax refund. You’ll need the receipt, the item with original tags and packaging, and the VAT form from the store where you purchased the item.
3. Check what foods can be brought home! While it may be tempting to bring specific food items (like meat and cheese), not all are allowed through customs. My U.S. friends should check out the TSA’s helpful guide: What Can I Bring? 
4. Many countries also have an alcohol limit on how much can be brought back in your checked luggage. It primarily applies to items with high alcohol content, but if you’re hoping to pack 10+ bottles of wine, it’s good to read the rules before flying home!
5. Use your clothing to individually wrap and pack fragile items to protect them from shock and breakage.
6. Don’t put anything of high monetary value in your checked luggage. Instead, bring it on the plane with you. People go through your bag, and you want to limit theft. 

There you have it! The best things to buy in Germany. Did I miss anything you think should be on the list? Share below!