Knowing how to talk about places and locations can make all the difference when you’re travelling to a German-speaking country. Whether you need to ask where the nearest Apotheke is or make sure the Museum is still open, knowing the relevant vocabulary and phrases is key. 

However, in this blog post, we are not just looking at place names in German but also at the grammar topic of prepositions. Listen to the episode while reading the text to get the most out of the pronunciation tips! 

Asking about places in German using “gibt es…”

One of the most common ways to ask about places in German is by using the phrase gibt es..., which means is there…? or are there…?. It’s a useful expression when you’re trying to find something in a town or city, such as a museum, a park, or even a swimming pool.

Here are a few examples:

• Gibt es hier einen Park? Is there a museum here?
• Gibt es ein Museum in der Nähe? Is there a museum nearby?
• Was gibt es hier am Sonntag zu tun? What is there to do here on a sunday?

Notice the change from ein to einen when using masculine nouns like der Park. This is because the accusative case is used after gibt es… 

Prepositions in German: describing locations

When you want to describe where something is located, prepositions like neben (beside), gegenüber (opposite), and zwischen (between) are incredibly useful. However, these prepositions require you to use the dative case to indicate the position of something.

Here’s how the definite articles change in the dative case:

Now, let’s see some examples of these prepositions in action:

• Das Hotel ist neben dem Bahnhof. The hotel is beside the station.
• Es gibt eine Bank gegenüber dem Rathaus. There is a bank opposite the town hall.
• Es gibt einen Spielplatz zwischen dem Bahnhof und der Kirche. There is a playpark between the station and the church.

Using prepositions with distance and location

If you want to ask if something is nearby, you can use the phrase in der Nähe, which means nearby or close by. This helps ask about places in German within walking distance:

• Gibt es einen Park in der Nähe? Is there a park nearby?
• Ja, es gibt einen Park nur zehn Minuten von hier. Yes, there’s a park just ten minutes from here.

Adding in der Nähe really is a fantastic expression to use when you are exploring a city. Try to use it the next time you are in a German-speaking area. 

Asking for maps, timetables, and opening hours

When visiting a tourist office or talking to the receptionist in the hotel, it’s useful to know how to ask for a map or brochures of interesting places. Here are some helpful phrases:

• Haben Sie einen Stadtplan? Do you have a map of the town?
• Kann ich eine Broschüre haben? Can I have a brochure?

You can also ask when certain places open or close:

• Um wie viel Uhr öffnet das Schwimmbad? At what time does the swimming pool open?
• Um wie viel Uhr schließt die Bank? At what time does the bank close?

As an answer, you might hear the opening or closing time or even both. 

• Das Schwimmbad öffnet um 8 Uhr. The swimming pool opens at 8 am. 
• Die Bank ist zwischen 9 und 5 Uhr geöffnet. The bank is open between 9 am and 5 pm.

Being able to talk about places in German and use the correct prepositions is key to navigating through towns and cities with ease. Whether you’re asking about the location of a museum or trying to figure out where the nearest park is, understanding how to use phrases like gibt es… and in der Nähe can be the first step to getting some great recommendations. 

Don’t forget to practise using the dative case with prepositions, and make sure to listen to our related podcast episode for pronunciation tips and further examples. With a little practice, you’ll be able to confidently ask for directions and even describe locations in German when asked about them.

Just in case the places you want to see are not in der Nähe, we have prepared a blog post for you looking at using public transport in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.