Germany Road Trip

Germany is a multifaceted country that offers visitors diverse adventures to explore. From the shores of the Black Sea to the snow capped mountains of the Alps, with the lush river valleys of the Rhine and the Danube running in between, Germany is delightful for outdoor enthusiasts.  Rolling hills and shadowy pine forests give way to well preserved towns and culture rich cities. History lovers can discover Germanys past, being the core of the Holy Roman Empire in Medieval times, the production of the Protestant Reformation in the Renaissance, and the central stage for much of the World Wars. With over 20,000 castles, over 30% of the land covered in forests, and beer being considered a basic food group, Germany is sure to have something to offer everyone. 

If you are keen to discover the diversity of Germany on an extended road trip, I have put together this guide as inspiration. We have done much of this route ourselves, and actually we are still getting fines in the mail to this day from those pesky traffic cameras. It is definitely in your benefit to study the numerous road sign meanings before setting out in your own car, and be diligent about your speed when entering towns. With that business out of the way, lets get started on our Germany Road Trip!

Drive the Autobahn

Obviously we are going to start our road trip on the world famous Autobahn, where you can push your car to any speed- but only where indicated. Again, watch those road signs, and make sure you get out of the way of faster traffic. 

Cologne 

This city is gorgeous, located on the river Rhine and home to the Cologne Cathedral. This is a Gothic Church built from 1248 to 1880, and is the second tallest church in Europe. It is magnificent and a great place to set the stage for the wondrous things you will see to follow. Nearby Bonn was once the capital of West Germany, and is also the birthplace of Beethoven. There are several interesting sites pertaining to the composer if you have the time to stop. 

Frankfurt 

Just about 2 hours south of Cologne, you will come to this global commercial hub. It was one of the most important cities for the Holy Roman Empire. Kings were elected and emperors were crowned here in the Frankfurt Cathedral, which you can still tour. Sip some traditional apple wine and take in the lovely timbered houses in the old city and the Romer. 

 Baden-Baden

A famous European spa town just another two hours south of Frankfurt, known for its thermal spas and being the beginning of the Black Forest High Road. Take the time to soak in the healing waters and enjoy the stunning landscapes. 

The Black Forest

The Black Forest spans over 100 miles from north to south, had has a dense dark canopy of Fir and Pine trees. This is the birthplace of the brothers Grimm, two German folklore publishers. When you are exploring this area, it’s easy to see where they got their inspiration and content! Take the Black Forest High Road to discover some unique sights. The Triberg Waterfalls, 2 hours south of Baden-Baden, are one of the most popular places to see, and brings you close to Worlds Biggest Cuckoo Clock at Eble Uhren-Park.  Consider staying near Triberg for a couple of days, perhaps purchase a cuckoo clock, go hiking, and eat some Black Forest Cake.

The Romantic Road

This is a longer jaunt, about 3 hrs from the Triburg area, but there are other cool discoveries to be made along the way if you would like to extend this leg. The Romantic Road is a winding 220 miles from Fussen to Wurzburg, connecting well preserved medieval towns. We recommend starting at Fussen and stopping at the beautiful picturesque towns further north. The route is really lovely, and you can stop wherever you feel led, but some of the most famous stops are Dinkelsbuhl an Rothenburg ob der Tauber. I really liked the Wieskirche Pilgrimage church in the rococo style, which is lesser known and was actually stunning. 

Fussen

We loved Fussen, it’s enchanting and quaint, small enough to be walkable but large enough to offer great restaurants and places to stay. Its a great base for exploring nearby sights and a getting outdoors for hiking or biking. 

Go hiking in the Bavarian Alps

There are several great places to hike near Fussen, or you can take a day trip to Germanys highest mountain peak, Zugspitze. At over 2900 meters, this may not be suitable for every hikers ability, but there is also a cable car to help you along. 

Neuschwanstein Castle

This iconic inspiration behind the Disney castle was one of my favorite stops in Germany. It is a 19th century palace commissioned by King Ludwig II. He was a shy person, perhaps a little mad, and he loved myths. He wanted to build a fairy tale fantasy castle where he could retreat for solitude. Sadly, he died only 186 days after moving into his dream castle, and it was still incomplete at the time. Today, you can tour the inside of the castle with a guide, or tour the grounds independently. There are nice wide paths leading up to the precipice, and a storybook bridge over a waterfall which gives you this glorious view in the photo below. 

Dachau Concentration Camp

About 2 hours from Fussen, depending on how much of the Romantic Road you travel, you will find Dachau Concentration Camp. This was the first Nazi concentration camp, where prisoners were sent for re-education. Prisoners varied from political opponents, journalists and homosexuals, to asocials such as Jews. Torture, starvation, medical experiments, and mass executions were commonplace. This was also the “model camp” where training was performed for the SS officers, who called Dachau the “school of terror.” It was incredibly impactful to tour the grounds and museum here, as it was very informative and interesting. The biggest impact, however, was not only learning about the atrocities committed by the Nazi’s, but seeing the size and scale of just how many humans were imprisoned and tortured here. The inscription at the entrance was really profound: “May the example of those who were exterminated here between 1933-1945 because they resisted Nazism help to unite the living for the defense of peace and freedom in respect for their fellow men.” It is a valuable lesson for us all. 

Oktoberfest in Munich

Or, just drink in a Beer Hall like Hofbrauhaus, one of the oldest taverns in the world. Built in the 16th century, this wood timbered behemoth offers a ballroom, beer hall, beer garden, food, and of course, beer. Find a spot at one of the dozens of long wooden picnic style tables and order yourself a 1 littler beer and a soft warm pretzel. Make some new friends and join in on one of the dozens of toasts or anthems that are played by live entertainment. We (or our two pretty young daughters) got invited to sit with a table full of college age boys on holiday together, and we could not have had a more fun time. We barely got Colby to leave with us, I think he was hoping to be adopted into the boys’ friend group. 

While in Munich, see the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz from St. Peters church, or more accurately, from the top of the 91 meter tall tower in the church called “Old Peter.”  (seen in first photo) 

 Nuremberg

Nuremberg sits just 2 hours north of Munich. It has cobblestone streets, a lovely city center and it’s packed with German history, especially related to World War II. You can visit the Nuremberg trial courtroom, explore gothic churches, and learn about Nuremberg’s history of toy making all on the same day. Enjoy a Bratwurst and traditional red beer while you are here. 

Dresden

It’s about a 3 hour drive from Nurenberg to Dresden. One of the best things to see here is the Opera House, or Semperoper Dresden. The Renaissance style building was built in the early 1800’s and has an ornate interior. It offers top-class opera, ballet, and concerts. The surrounding landscapes are stunning as well, with many people choosing to hike the Bastei at Saxon Switzerland National Park nearby. 

Berlin 

Berlin is the capital of Germany and the last stop on our road trip. It is rich in history and home to iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall. The Brandenburg Gate stands for peace and unity, a monument that symbolizes a once divided nation. Many events happen here throughout the year to bring people together and celebrate the German identity. Aside from these, Berlin hosts several impactful museums, large green spaces, and legendary nightlife. Its modern and innovative, while staying true to its historical roots. 

Bonus Round: 

Not all of Germany’s best experiences can be completed on a road trip, and these two bucket list opportunities would be amazing to add to your trip. 

See a Christmas Market

Christmas Markets are a 16th century tradition that have become a famous German experience. If you are visiting at the right time, you can find them at Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne, Berlin, Munich and many more locations. They are festive, romantic, and spirited. Fun fact: the custom of Christmas Trees in general came from Germany, and was encouraged and shared by the royalty here throughout the rest of the world. 

Take a Rhine River Cruise

Typically running from Amsterdam to Basel, a river cruise would be the ultimate way to experience the Black Forest portion of this trip. In 8 days, you would get to see stunning castles, rolling vineyards, and fairytale towns, all from the luxury of your own intimate cruise cabin. 

Germany is know as “The Country of Poets and Thinkers”, being the birthplace of Beethoven and Bach, the famous classical music composers. It is one of the largest car producing countries in the world and a major hub of commerce. It has crystal clear lakes, soaring mountains, and sweeping forests. The well preserved medieval towns and conserved historical sites are staggering and impactful. After the tumultuous periods of World War I, World War II and the Cold War, Germany finally unified in 1989, and has come out stronger and better than ever before. It is absolutely a joy to travel in Germany, and I can’t wait to visit again.