Welcome to Hollywood, the place where dreams come true! Walk with us on the red carpet to the Oscars and explore the most glamorous attractions and beautiful tours of America's movie capital!
Curtain up for the stars! The Academy Awards in Hollywood are the most important event in the film and entertainment industry. Since 1929, actors, directors, and other filmmakers have dreamed of walking down the red carpet at the Oscars and being awarded one of the world-famous golden statues.
The glamorous ceremony, at which the most famous stars from around the world get dressed in their most beautiful dresses for the red carpet, traditionally takes place in early March at the Dolby Theatre - formerly known as the Kodak Theatre - on Hollywood Boulevard. Each year, the most outstanding performances are honored in a total of 24 categories, including best film, best director, best screenplay, and best lead and supporting actors.
Hollywood is not only a highlight at the time of the Oscars but is always worth a trip! In the most famous district of the sun-drenched metropolis of Los Angeles, you'll find a multitude of amazing sights that exude glitz and glamor all year round. We take you to the top attractions in Hollywood that you should not miss during your exploration of the world of the rich and famous.
When you think of Hollywood, the iconic nine white capital letters that tower high above Los Angeles in the Hollywood Hills are sure to come to your mind. The city's famous landmark has been in place since 1923 - exactly 100 years now. When it was first established, the 15-meter-high lettering was called "Hollywoodland" and came about thanks to the idea of a Los Angeles real estate agent who wanted to lure property buyers to the area.
You'll find stars and starlets in Hollywood not only on the screens of movie theaters but also on the prestigious Walk of Fame. America's most glamorous walkway stretches a full 18 blocks along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street and is adorned with over 2,700 stars made of pink terrazzo. Each star is unique and dedicated to a celebrity from film, television, music, radio, or theater. Which stars would you like to see?
Some of the most legendary movie premieres of all time took place at the TCL Chinese Theatre in the heart of Hollywood. Also known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the cinema will probably catch your eye mainly because of its unusual architecture: owner Sid Grauman had it built in 1927 in the style of a Chinese pagoda. However, the biggest highlight of the building awaits you in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre. Here, you will find the hand and footprints of some of the most famous Hollywood stars on the cement floor.
Do you want to combine sightseeing and thrills? No problem, Universal Studios Hollywood is a movie studio and amusement park in one! First, take a movie studio tour that brings you to world-famous film sets like the Bates Motel from “Psycho” or the town square from “Back to the Future.” On a VIP-Tour you can even take a look behind the scenes at the shooting of current film and television productions. Afterwards, you can get the ultimate adrenaline rush on numerous roller coasters, 3D and 4D rides, and interactive experiences.
Are you looking for a place where you can take an unforgettable vacation photo of the Hollywood Sign? Then we recommend a hike to the Griffith Observatory. The building on the South side of Mount Hollywood not only offers a breathtaking view of Los Angeles, but you can also get up close to the "real" stars! Take a seat in the planetarium room and listen to a demonstration of the wonders of the universe. After that, you can explore famous exhibits like the Foucault pendulum and the Tesla coil.
Do you want to get to know Hollywood from its best side? We'll tell you which tours you can take to experience the unique atmosphere of the movie metropolis.
A tour of the stars' homes is one of the most popular and exciting ways to discover Hollywood's secrets. Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, or Nicolas Cage: the guided tours in a minibus take you to the Hollywood mansions where famous actors and music stars live or have lived. An experienced tour guide will provide you with interesting facts and gossip about the buildings and the celebrities.
A more flexible and relatively inexpensive option to discover Hollywood and Los Angeles is a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour. The popular round trips in the typical red buses are operated by different providers and take you to the most famous attractions of Hollywood. You can hop on and off as you please and take as much time as you want to visit each sight.
A helicopter flight over the rooftops of Hollywood is a truly unforgettable experience! During your sightseeing flight, you will discover the Hollywood Hills, Griffith Park, and the Santa Monica Mountains from high above and see the most famous Hollywood landmarks from a completely different perspective. Of course, you'll be able to take unique vacation photos that you will be envied for by everyone back home.
Are you in the mood for some exercise in the fresh air? A walking tour to the Hollywood Sign will be just the thing for you! On your guided group tour along the trails leading to the Hollywood Sign, your guide will entertain you with stories and fun facts. With the guided walking tour, you'll not only make sure you don't get lost in LA, but you'll also get a close-up view of the Hollywood Sign at the end of the hike.
Would you like to cruise the palm-lined streets of Los Angeles? With a rental car, you are completely independent and flexible to discover the chic Hollywood area but also reach all of Los Angeles and its surroundings. Since the most exciting places in LA are surprisingly far apart, and the city's highways are well connected, a rental car truly is the most comfortable way to get around the "City of Angels."
Car rental companies in the USA usually require a credit card to book the rental car.
In the movie city of Los Angeles, you can enjoy the sunshine and pleasant temperatures almost all year round. The subtropical climate in Southern California spoils you with average daily temperatures between 20 °C and 29 °C, making Hollywood an attractive destination at any time of the year. If you are sensitive to heat, we recommend that you do not plan your trip to Hollywood in the months of July and August because, during this time, the thermometer can climb above 40 °C during the day.
Between December and February, be sure to pack an umbrella and raincoat in your luggage, as Hollywood occasionally experiences storms and heavy rainfall during this time of year. Although some outdoor activities may end up in the rain, Los Angeles travel during the winter months also has some advantages: there are generally fewer tourists in the city, and hotel prices are usually cheaper.
Aside from climatic conditions, be sure to consult the Hollywood event calendar before deciding on your travel dates.
For these events, a flight to LA is worthwhile:
How did Hollywood become the glittering movie capital that fascinates us so much today? Our little excursion into the history of Hollywood begins at the beginning of the 20th century when the district was still a small rural community. In 1911, Hollywood's first film studio, the "Nestor Studio," was founded. Other well-known studios followed, such as Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Many actors, directors, and producers from all over the world then answered the call of the new film metropolis and moved to Hollywood - the rapid rise to the world capital of film had begun.
Between the 1920s and 1950s, Hollywood experienced its Golden Age. Memorable film classics such as "Gone with the Wind," "The Wizard of Oz," and "Casablanca" date from this era. Also, legendary actors like Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, and Elizabeth Taylor made a name for themselves at this time.
The 1960s and 1970s were a time of upheaval in Hollywood as the industry faced the rise of television. Independent filmmakers gained more and more influence, and films like "The Godfather" and "Jaws" became box-office hits.
Although the nature of films and production processes have changed over time, Hollywood has maintained its status as the center of the American film industry to this day, and the glamor of the Golden Age continues to inspire filmmakers around the world.
Does Hollywood fascinate you so much that you just want to learn everything about it? You might not have known these interesting facts about the movie metropolis:
Have you already caught movie fever? Well, then throw on your most glamorous outfit and book your flight to America! And so that you don't forget anything important like your passport, travel health insurance, or ESTA authorization, you should definitely check out our travel tips for the USA before you go!
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!