TravelTourist attractions

Understanding written information is always important. Here are some techniques to help you understand a variety of texts about tourism in German-speaking countries, including short translations.

Part ofGermanReading (for exams until 2025)

Tourist attractions

If you want to talk about what there is to do in different places, you will need to know a variety of phrases.

Question

Was gibt es hier zu tun? – What can you do here?

Match up the English and German in these phrases and then check your answers.

GermanEnglish
1. Es gibt ein Schloss.A. There is an art gallery.
2. Es gibt einen schönen See.B. There are lots of opportunities for excursions.
3. Es gibt viele Berge.C. There is a nice lake.
4. Es gibt eine Kunsthalle.D. There is a castle.
5. Es gibt viele historische Häuser.E. There are lots of concerts.
6. Es gibt viele Ausflugsmöglichkeiten.F. There are lots of opportunities for sport.
7. Es gibt viele Konzerte.G. There are lots of mountains.
8. Es gibt viele Sportmöglichkeiten.H. There are lots of historic buildings.
German1. Es gibt ein Schloss.
EnglishA. There is an art gallery.
German2. Es gibt einen schönen See.
EnglishB. There are lots of opportunities for excursions.
German3. Es gibt viele Berge.
EnglishC. There is a nice lake.
German4. Es gibt eine Kunsthalle.
EnglishD. There is a castle.
German5. Es gibt viele historische Häuser.
EnglishE. There are lots of concerts.
German6. Es gibt viele Ausflugsmöglichkeiten.
EnglishF. There are lots of opportunities for sport.
German7. Es gibt viele Konzerte.
EnglishG. There are lots of mountains.
German8. Es gibt viele Sportmöglichkeiten.
EnglishH. There are lots of historic buildings.

Visiting Switzerland

Was gibt es in der Schweiz für Touristen? – What is there for tourists in Switzerland?

Although it's a small country, there is a lot for tourists in Switzerland.

Lake Geneva
Image caption,
The water jet at Lake Geneva – 'der Genfersee'

Question

Read these German sentences describing Switzerland.

  • Die Hauptstadt von der Schweiz ist Bern, aber Zürich ist die größte Stadt in der Schweiz.
  • Das Schauspielhaus Zürich ist weltberühmt.
  • Am Genfersee gibt es einen großen Brunnen.
  • In Genf gibt es viele Museen und Geschäfte.
  • In Schaffhausen gibt es den Rheinfall. Der Rheinfall ist der größte Wasserfall Europas.
  • In der Schweiz gibt es viele schöne hohe Berge. Sie heißen Jungfrau, Eiger, Mönch und Matterhorn.
  • Es gibt viel für die Sportfreunde. Man kann Radfahren, Ski fahren und wandern.

Now complete the English sentences with the correct information provided above.

  • The capital city of Switzerland is __________.
  • The largest city in Switzerland is __________.
  • The Zurich __________ is world-famous.
  • Genf is the German name for __________.
  • There is a big __________ on Lake Geneva.
  • There are lots of __________ and __________ in Geneva.
  • The Rhine Fall is the biggest __________ in Europe.
  • The Jungfrau, Eiger, Mönch and Matterhorn are some of the tallest __________ in Switzerland.
  • Sport lovers can __________, __________, and __________.

Did you know?

Der Bodensee, or Lake Constance in English, lies on the border between Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

As a result, it is the only place in Europe that has no borders.

It means all three countries can enjoy what it has to offer without leaving their homeland. It is a very popular and beautiful tourist destination.

Lindau, Bodensee
Image caption,
Lindau is one of three islands in Lake Constance – 'der Bodensee'