
Big cities in Germany—Germany is known for a lot of things, from its economy to the enormous resources it possesses. However, there are other interesting things to know: the big cities in Germany and the availability of jobs that attract the best workers from around the globe.
The big cities in Germany are known as some of the best places to live, work, go to school, and grow a family, which makes them a hot spot for families and people alike. These cities are quite different owing to their history and standard of living, but one thing they all have in common is hospitality. If you, by any chance, find yourself in any of these cities, you will find it easy to get by and survive because of the friendly environment.
These 5 big cities in Germany are ranked by the population growth over the years, land mass, economic strength, quality of life, etc. Although there are over 2,000 cities and towns in Germany, this piece will provide a detailed insight into 5 big cities in Germany.
5 Big Cities in Germany
1. Berlin—

An image of German cathedral (Deutscher Dom)
Popularly known as the capital, Berlin is also the largest city in Germany, with a population of about 3.7 million people. Due to its geographical location, Berlin has often been referred to as ‘the heart of Europe’ owing to its position as a city of politics, culture, media, lifestyle, and science. Berlin is known as one of the big cities in Germany because its economy is one that thrives on tech, different creative industries, research facilities, and education. These industries have further made Berlin a travel destination for people from different parts of the world, as they want to experience the lifestyle, get jobs, and live in a culturally diverse area.
Living in Berlin is relatively affordable, as the cost of living can depend on an individual’s lifestyle. Minimum wage in Germany is about €12-€13 per hour, so with a budget of about €1700-€2300 and €2500-€4000, respectively, a single person and a family can live a comfortable life on a monthly basis. Rent costs between €850 and €2000 per month depending on your preferred location. Houses within the city center tend to cost more than those farther from the city center, so if you’re looking for an accommodation in Berlin, it is best to work with your budget.

If you’re looking for the perfect vacation, relaxation, or hangout spots in Berlin, you might want to visit places like the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, Museum Island, Tiergarten, and other beautiful spots. For more information, click here
Generally speaking, if you decide to make Berlin, one of the big cities in Germany, your home, you would be making a wonderful choice because it is a city that has everything you would want.
2. Hamburg

Located in northern Germany at the banks of the Elbe River, Hamburg, with a landmass of 755.26 km, ranks number two on the list of the big cities in Germany, right after Berlin. Founded in the 9th century, Hamburg is ranked as the 7th largest city in the European Union with a population of approximately 1.9 million. Over the years, this population growth has seen that this city diversifies its economy to areas like logistics and shipping, financial services, aviation, tech, and entertainment, etc.
If you’re looking to visit Hamburg, one of the big cities in Germany, or reside there for a period of time, you definitely should know about the standard of living of this beautiful city. Among the big cities in Germany, Hamburg is considered to be a fairly expensive city but is also slightly cheaper than Frankfurt and Berlin, which makes it a top destination for people, especially families.
Housing rent in Hamburg ranges between €500 and €1500 depending on the type of accommodation and its location. Shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaft) are usually preferred because they are a cheaper option popular amongst singles and students. Rent in a WG costs between €400 and €800, with utilities either included in the rent or charged separately.
For apartments close to the city center, rent is between €800 and €2000, and apartments outside the city center cost less than that, usually between €500 and above. If you are a student, you might want to look at student hostels, which are always the cheapest options for students.
What is life without a good time to chill with family and friends or just some ‘me time’? These spots below are regarded as some of the best spots to chill in Hamburg. Some are also renowned venues with a lot of history.
Places to visit in Hamburg
- Elbphilharmonie

Considered the tallest inhabited building in Hamburg, the Elbphilharmonie is a wonder to behold. A concert hall with a capacity of 2,100 people, this architectural masterpiece is a good spot for families to visit on weekends or weekdays.
2. Planten un Blomen

The Planten un Blomen is an urban park located in the inner city of Hamburg covering 47 hectares. It is known for being a wonderful location for couples, families, and everyone seeking premium relaxation. The scenery is a beauty to behold, and with access to a lot of activities to partake in, this is a perfect spot for everyone.
There are more lovely spots in Hamburg that everyone should check out.
3. Cologne

Cologne, one of the big cities in Germany, is the most populous city in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the third biggest city, just behind Berlin and Hamburg, with a landmass of 405.15 km² and a current population of 1.1 million people. Located on the left west bank of the Rhine, Cologne is a city renowned for its hospitality, rich cultural and historical landmarks.
The biggest industries in Cologne, one of the big cities in Germany are the automotive, financial, and creative industries. Cologne is a hub for media and culture. Also, it is important to note that Europe’s biggest airline, Lufthansa, has its corporate headquarters in Cologne. For football lovers, the German football team FC Köln plays its home games in the same city.
Looking to live in one of the big cities in Germany, knowing the cost of living is very essential. Among the big cities in Germany, Cologne is considered a relatively affordable city to live in, which makes it a top destination for people, especially families.
Accommodation in Cologne is fair and ranges between €600 and €1500 depending on the type of accommodation and its location. Shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaft), which cost €500–€600, are usually preferred because they are a cheaper option popular amongst singles and students. One bedroom apartments close to the city center cost €800 and above, while apartments outside the city center cost €600 and above per month.
Places to visit in Cologne
- Cologne Cathedral

Regarded as a Gothic architectural masterpiece, the Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage. The construction of this mighty structure started in 1248 but was not completed until 1880. And during these years, the builder and construction team were inspired by the same faith and stuck to the original plan. The Cologne Cathedral is Germany’s most popular tourist attraction, with over 6 million annual visitors.
This cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the second tallest church in Europe, after Ulm Minster, located in the German city of Ulm, and the third tallest church in the world. Indeed, visiting this place and being in a structure like this one should be in the to-do list of anyone interested in visiting Cologne.
Visit here for more information about natural parks and relaxation spots in Cologne.
4. Munich

One of the big cities in Germany, Munich, located on the river Isar north of the Alps, is a city popularly known as the home of the Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the location of top companies like BMW AG, Siemens AG, Allianz AG, etc. With a landmass of 310.43 km and a population of about 1.65 million people, Munich is the forth largest city in Germany, behind Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne, and the 11th largest city in the European Union region.
Munich is a city rich in culture, lifestyle, history, and entertainment and is a perfect city for people to live, go to school, and work in. With a family-friendly environment, Munich is a perfect place to live with your spouse and raise a family, as in 2018, it was named as one of the most livable cities in the world by Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey. Munich’s economy is well diversified with thriving industries in high tech, automobiles, science, engineering, and medicine.
Housing in Munich, number four on the list of the big cities in Germany is not entirely cheap, as you will need to spend more bucks to get yourself a good place to live. If you are new in Munich without a guaranteed place to stay, hotels and hostels would be your best bet, as they are relatively affordable depending on the class of the hotel. Mid-range hotels cost about €100 and above per night, while luxury hotels cost more than that, with starting prices in the region of €200. For hostels, which are popular in most European cities and are perfect for on-the-go tourists, €50-€60 would be a good price to find one.
As for activities in Munich, there is no better place to start than the old and popular Oktoberfest that has taken place since 1810. If you have come across images of people with unique old-school dressing and big glasses of beer in hand, then that is the Oktoberfest. The Germans love beer, and there is no shortage of big cups and drums. Oktoberfest is a two-week event that takes place towards the end of the year and is slated to be held between 20 September and 5 October 2025, so if you will be in Munich by then, you should endeavor to partake in the festivities.

Best spots in Munich
As one of the big cities in Germany, Munich has wonderful spots for relaxation and historical buildings that tourists and visitors can visit. Among them are
- Marienplatz

Marienplatz is a central square in Munich and has remained the city’s main square since 1158. It is known for its stunning architecture and a town hall, Neues Rathaus, which has continued to attract visitors to date. The Marienplatz is a great place to have food and drinks and even for shopping. Looking to visit this wonderful place? Check this out.
2. English Garden (Englischer Garten)

One of the most beautiful, quiet, and amazing places you will ever visit in Munich is the English Garden (Englischer Garten). Designed in the natural style of an English landscape park, this park is a green oasis right in the middle of the city with extensive meadows and lakes. Here, you can chill with your family, friends, and colleagues from work after a stressful day. Check it out.
5. Frankfurt

Sitting at number 5 on the list of big cities in Germany is Frankfurt. Popularly referred to as Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt is a beautiful city located on the foreland of Taunus with a landmass of 248.31km and a population of 800,000 people. Frankfurt is regarded as one of the big cities in Germany because of its booming economy, landmass, and its recognition as a global hub of commerce, education, culture, lifestyle and transportation.
Known as a city rich in culture, Frankfurt is a perfect city for people to live, go to school, and work in. Alongside European cities like Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg, Frankfurt is one of the four main capitals of the European Union as it is currently home to the European Central Bank. As a result of its place in the European economy, the city of Frankfurt is regarded as one of the busiest cities in Europe with people coming in for business and different reasons.
As for accommodation in Frankfurt, one of the big cities in Germany, prices varies. For hostels, prices range from €20 – €80 per night while the price for mid range hotels cost €100 – €200 per night depending on the location. For high range hotels, you will an average amount of €250 and above per night.
Best spots in Frankfurt
- Römerberg

As one of the big cities in Germany, Frankfurt has wonderful historical places and recreational centers where people can go to and one of the them is the Römerberg (Roman Mountain). The Römerberg is a public space in Frankfurt which is located on the Römer building complex and is surrounded by beautiful buildings built in the medieval era. The Römerberg has its place in the history of Frankfurt and has remained the location for the Frankfurt Christmas market.
2. Städel Museum

As one of the big cities in Germany, it is common for Frankfurt to have a museum that will attract locals and visitors all year round, and they have one – The Städel Museum. This beautiful structure is home to over 3,100 paintings, 660 sculptures, over 4,500 photographs and more than 90,000 drawings and paintings and as a result, attracting over 500,000 visitors yearly. Click here to read more.
If you want to migrate to Germany via any of the migration routes, these cities are some of the best places you can live as they are some of the best destinations in Germany.
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