The Best Road Trips in Germany

A trip to Germany would not be complete without taking at least one road trip through the country’s incredibly scenic countryside. Germany is a country known for its diverse culture and variety of things to do, which makes it an excellent place to travel.

From the sprawling metropolis of Berlin to the scenic lakes in Bavaria, Germany is home to some of the most beautiful cities and breathtaking countryside in the world.

Here’s our list of the best road trips in Germany, so you can get out there and explore all that this gorgeous country has to offer.

Don't forget to check our Top Car Rental Tips and the current travel restrictions in Germany and Europe in general, now let's go!

Germany North

The famous and often-visited city of Berlin has a great deal to offer travelers, from art museums to landmarks like Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag.

But just outside the German capital is one of its most picturesque regions: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, home to beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and sandy beaches. Mecklenburg is a great place for hiking (or biking), as well as sailing on its freshwater lakes.

Germany Center

In and around Frankfurt, you can reach destinations like Wiesbaden, Mainz, Heidelberg, and Darmstadt with a 30-minute drive or less.

The Rhine Valley, Romantic Road, and Odenwald are all within a few hours’ drive of Frankfurt.

Germany South

The Fairy-Tale Road and Romantic Road: The German section of one of Europe’s most famous drives is relatively short (compared to its sister route, which stretches over 800km) but makes up for it with a combination of beautiful views and charming towns.

This region contains some of Germany’s most well-known landmarks, such as Neuschwanstein Castle and Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Enjoy a road trip along with one of these two routes by car or by bike.

Stuttgart, Freiburg, and Wurzburg

A Three-City Tour of Germany’s South-Western Highlights: The best way to explore a country is through its cities, especially if they happen to be spread out over a large area.

This route will take you on one of Germany’s most scenic drives and through three cities that make it easy to enjoy German culture without going too far off course: Stuttgart, Freiburg, and Wurzburg.

Frankfurt, Nuremberg, and Munich

Three Cities In One Day Trip: Frankfurt, Nuremberg, and Munich are three of Bavaria’s most popular cities.

All three make for a fun trip by car during COVID, especially if you have only one day to spend on vacation.

The round-trip drive from Frankfurt to Nuremberg or Munich takes about two hours each way, but can be done during a lunch break and will still leave you with some free time.

Hamburg, Berlin, Potsdam

A Driving Tour of The Classic German Cities Hamburg, Berlin, and Potsdam make up three of Germany’s most-visited tourist destinations—all located within a two-hour drive from one another.

While these three cities are worth a visit on their own, driving between them allows you to see even more of what makes Deutschland such a fascinating place.

Take our advice on how to plan your road trip so that you can have some of your best travel experiences yet!

Rhine Valley

The Rhine Valley and its countless castles are a sight to behold.

While there are dozens of things to do in southern Germany, many people opt for a road trip up north.

For those who choose that option, it’s important to note that there is only one way to travel through the Rhine Valley: by car.

Dresden and Leipzig

Most people think of Munich when they hear Germany, but it’s worth traveling to Dresden and Leipzig as well.

In Dresden, you can travel back in time while visiting famous landmarks like The Frauenkirche Church and The Kreuzkirche Church. Also, check out Der Neue Marstall and Kunsthofpassage while you’re there—you won’t regret it!

And no trip to Leipzig is complete without a visit to St.

Cologne/Bonn

Cologne is a beautiful city located on both sides of the Rhine River, boasting more than 1,000 years of history. The stunning Cologne Cathedral is a must-see while visiting.

Take a day trip to Bonn and explore one of Europe’s best-preserved castles, or get outdoors and take an easy hike around Odenthaler See Lake.