Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	$ (258,257)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(12,393)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	223
Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(270,650)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	223
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10,608,100
Net current period change	(281,392)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	226
Ending balance	17,682,649
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(117,869)
Net current period change	(268,543)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending balance	(386,412)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	308
Net current period change	(12,849)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	226
Ending balance	(12,315)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	26,152
Net current period change	0
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending balance	26,152
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(91,409)
Ending balance	$ (372,575)