Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	$ (44,263)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	(12,259)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	7,679
Foreign currency net investment hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Net current period change	13,142
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	(43,380)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	7,679
Digital Realty Trust, L.P.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10,608,100
Net current period change	(47,507)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	7,899
Ending balance	18,398,487
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(117,869)
Net current period change	(48,321)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending balance	(166,190)
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Cash flow hedge adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	308
Net current period change	(12,711)
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	7,899
Ending balance	(4,504)
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	13,525
Reclassification to interest expense from interest rate swaps	0
Ending balance	39,677
Digital Realty Trust, L.P. | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(91,409)
Ending balance	$ (131,017)