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Good news for you! To have an eventful road trip in Germany you no longer need to study Google Maps and rack your brains over the best itinerary. Because I've already done that for you.

In this post I have put together itineraries of different duration across all regions of Germany for you. With the help of the info boxes "Route Profile", "Highlights" and "Culture and Events" you can quickly get an overview of the individual itineraries. I am sure that there is a suitable road trip for you.

There is hardly any country which is better suited for discoveries on your own than Germany. From the Wadden Sea in the far north to the Alps, Germany is characterized by an excellent network of well maintained roads. Everywhere you will find accommodation and restaurants of all categories.

Did you know that Germany has no less than 51 UNESCO World Heritage sites? You most likely have heard about the Museum Island in Berlin, the Cologne Cathedral and the Hamburg Speicherstadt. But do you also know the Bremen market square with the statue of Roland, Classical Weimar or the Bauhaus in Dessau? Whether for a weekend trip or your annual leave - on my routes you will discover the scenic diversity of Germany just as the traces of 2,000 years of German history.

Symbol of German reunification: Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

Tours for 3 to 4 Weeks

Road Trip through all of Germany in 4 Weeks
(with Map)

You won't be able to experience all the country's sights on this route. Germany is just too big for that. But I promise you that this tour will give you an overview of Germany's scenic diversity and incredible cultural richness. You may also realize that "the Germans" cannot be lumped together. The difference between a person from Bremen and a person from Munich is about as big as the difference between a Swede and a Greek - in terms of mentality, temperament and language or dialect. You will be surprised!

If you come from abroad, then the best start and end point for this round trip is an international airport, such as Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt or Munich, where you will be able to take over your rental car. You bring your own car from a place within Germany or from a neighboring country? Then simply start at the point on the route that is closest to your hometown.

The more time you can take for this tour, the better! In my opinion, 4 weeks is the minimum for this itinerary.

Exposed location - the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is dotted with picturesque castles

Or would you prefer a short trip?

To help you decide, you will find an overview of the most beautiful cities and most important sights of Germany in my post about Germany's most beautiful destinations.

Route Profile

Itinerary:

Round trip - start at any point!

Frankfurt - Heidelberg (89 km) - Baden-Baden (87 km) - Konstanz (208 km) - Füssen (146 km) - Schönau (226 km) - Munich (119 km) - Regensburg (124 km) - Nuremberg (112 km - detour via Rothenburg ob der Tauber!) - Bamberg (172 km) - Eisenach (177 km) - Weimar (86 km) - Leipzig (130 km) - Dresden (118 km) - Berlin (193 km) - Rügen (315 km) - Lübeck (258 km) - Hamburg (69 km) - Bremen (126 km) - Detmold (165 km) - Cologne (210 km) - Koblenz (106 km) - Frankfurt (121 km)

Time requirement:

At least 4 weeks

Total distance:

3357 km. Plus day trips from the overnight location (e.g. trip from Bremen to the North Sea coast).

Ideal for:

Travelers who want to get to know Germany's landscapes, cities and culture in all its facets.

Best time to travel:

May to October. In winter I would rather not do the tour (snowfall and road closures in the Alps, rainy weather in northern Germany).

The Itinerary

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Highlights

  • Frankfurt: Old town and Römer, Goethe House, Paulskirche, skyline
  • Heidelberg: Heidelberg Castle, Old Town, Philosophenweg
  • Baden-Baden (UNESCO World Heritage "The Important Spa Towns of Europe"): Trinkhalle, Casino, State Art Gallery, Old Town; Black Forest High Road (!).
  • Lake Constance: Constance, Mainau Island, Reichenau Monastery Island (UNESCO World Heritage), Unteruhldingen Pile Dwelling Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)
  • Füssen: Royal castles (Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau), Pöllat Gorge, Alpine panorama
  • Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Zugspitze, Eibsee, Partnachklamm gorge
  • Schönau: Königssee with pilgrimage church St. Bartholomä
  • Munich: Old Town, English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace, Residence, German Museum, Alte Pinakothek
  • Regensburg: Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage), Valhalla, Danube Breakthrough and Liberation Hall at Kelheim, Weltenburg Monastery
  • Nuremberg: Historic Old Town (Main Market Square, Church of Our Lady, City Hall), Imperial Castle, Albrecht Dürer House, former Nazi Party Rally Grounds
  • Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Medieval townscape with city wall, town hall, castle garden, St. Jacob's church, Christmas museum
  • Bamberg: Old town ensemble (UNESCO World Heritage), imperial cathedral, town hall, former fishermen's quarter ("Little Venice")
  • Eisenach: Wartburg Castle (UNESCO World Heritage), Bach House, Dragon Gorge, Hainich National Park (part of the UNESCO World Heritage Beech Forests)
  • Weimar:  UNESCO World Heritage Site "Classical Weimar" with Goethe's home, Schiller's home, Duchess Anna Amalia Library, Park on the Ilm River, Belvedere Palace, Bauhaus sites (UNESCO World Heritage Site); Buchenwald Memorial Site
  • Erfurt: St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Severi Church, Fish Market, Krämer Bridge, Erfurt City Hall, Augustinian Monastery (Luther site), Petersberg Citadel
  • Leipzig: St. Nicholas Church, St. Thomas Church, Monument to the Battle of the Nations, Market Square and Old Town Hall, Mädler Passage (with Auerbach's Cellar), Leipzig Zoo
  • Dresden: Zwinger, Semper Opera House, Frauenkirche, New Town Hall, Saxon Switzerland (Elbe Sandstone Mountains)
  • Brandenburg: Spreewald, Potsdam (Sanssouci Palace - UNESCO World Heritage Site), Uckermark
  • Berlin: Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island (UNESCO World Heritage), Kurfürstendamm, TV Tower, Gendarmenmarkt, Topography of Terror
  • Rügen: Jasmund National Park (Königsstuhl), Cape Arkona, Baltic resort Binz
  • Lübeck: Holsten Gate, City Hall, Cathedral, Buddenbrook House (UNESCO World Heritage "Hanseatic City of Lübeck")
  • Hamburg: Speicherstadt and Kontorhausviertel with Chilehaus (UNESCO World Heritage Site), HafenCity with Elbphilharmonie, Binnenalster with Jungfernstieg, Michel, St. Pauli, harbor, Kunsthalle
  • Bremen: Market Square with Roland (UNESCO World Heritage), Town Hall and Schütting, St. Peter's Cathedral, Schnoor Quarter, Böttchergasse, Kunsthalle, Übersee Museum, excursions to the North Sea (Wadden Sea National Park - UNESCO World Heritage) and to the artists' village of Worpswede
  • Detmold: Teutoburg Forest, Externsteine, Hermann Monument
  • Cologne: Cologne Cathedral, Altenberg Cathedral (in Altenberg - approx. 15 km from Cologne), Augustusburg and Falkenlust Castles (UNESCO World Heritage - near Brühl)
  • Koblenz: Deutsches Eck, Loreley, Upper Middle Rhine Valley (UNESCO World Heritage), day trip to the Moselle (Eltz Castle and Reichsburg Cochem)
Neuschwanstein Castle is probably Germany's most famous castle

Culture and Events

  • Frankfurt am Main: Christopher Street Day (July), Museumsuferfest (August), Apfelweinfestival (August), Rheingau Wine Market (September), Frankfurt Book Fair (October), Christmas Market (December)
  • Heidelberg: Heidelberg Spring (March/April), Castle Festival (June/July), Christmas Market (end of November until Christmas)
  • Baden-Baden: Easter, Whitsun, Summer and Autumn Festivals at the Festspielhaus
  • Constance: Alemannic Fasnet with a big parade on Sunday, Seenachtsfest (August)
  • Meersburg: Lake Constance Wine Festival (September)
  • Füssen: Allgäu cattle drive (Viehscheid/Almabtrieb) in many towns in the region, e.g. Wertach and Nesselwang (September), Romantic Advent market in the monastery courtyard of St. Mang (two weekends in December).
  • Munich: City birthday in mid-June, Tollwood Summer Festival 3 weeks in June/July, Opera Festival July/August, Oktoberfest mid-September to early October, Christkindlmarkt late November to Dec. 24.
  • Regensburg: The Dult (folk festival in May and August), Days of Ancient Music (June), Medieval Spectaculum at the Stone Bridge (July), four Old Town Christmas Markets (December)
  • Nuremberg: Rock im Park (May/June), Burggrabenfest with medieval market (September), Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world's most famous Christmas markets (December)
  • Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Historical Shepherd's Dance (Easter and Whitsun), Imperial Town Days (September), Rotenburg Reiterlesmarkt (December)
  • Bamberg: Sandkirchweih (Bamberg Sandkerwa) with fishing contest (August)
  • Thuringian Bach Weeks: Thuringia's largest music festival - 3 weeks in April/May (at authentic Bach sites in Eisenach, Erfurt, Weimar, among others)
  • Weimar: Goethe Wine Festival at Frauenplan (around August 28, Goethe's birthday), Onion Market in October, Weimar Christmas 1st weekend of Advent until early January.
  • Erfurt: Krämerbrücken Festival (June), DomStufen Festival (August/September), St. Martin's Day Festival on Cathedral Square (November 10), Erfurt Christmas Market (December)
  • Leipzig: Leipzig Book Fair (March), Bach Festival Leipzig (June), Leipzig Christmas Market (December)
  • Dresden: International Dixieland Festival (May), Dresden Music Festival (May/June), Film Nights on the banks of the Elbe (August), Striezelmarkt (December)
  • Berlin: Berlinale (February), Carnival of Cultures (May/June), Christopher Street Day (July), Berlin Art Week (September), Berlin Marathon (September), more than 100 Christmas markets throughout the city (e.g. Gendarmenmarkt, Potsdamer Platz, Charlottenburg Palace - 1st Advent weekend until Dec. 22, some until Dec. 31), New Year's Eve party at Brandenburg Gate (Dec. 31)
  • Rügen: Störtebeker Festival (June to September)
  • Lübeck: Travemünder Woche with sailing regattas (end of July), Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (July/August)
  • Hamburg: Spring Dome (March/April), Harbour Birthday (May), Summer Dome (July/August), Alstervergnügen (August), Winter Dome (November), Hamburg Christmas Markets (December)
  • Bremen: Easter meadow (from one week before Good Friday for 2 weeks), Breminale (July), Bremer Freimarkt (October), Christmas market and Schlachte-Zauber (from 1st Advent weekend to 23.12.)
  • Cologne: Cologne Lights (July), Cologne Carnival (February)
  • Koblenz: Rhine in Flames (5 dates between May and September - several locations on the Middle Rhine), Wine Festival (April to July), Christmas Market (mid-November to early January)

Top Tour Bavaria (with Map)

This road trip full of highlights takes you from Würzburg across several UNESCO-Welterbe-Stätten bis zu den Bayerischen Alpen. You will be amazed by the variety of charming old towns, historical monuments and charming landscapes you will experience on this tour.

In Würzburg, Nürnberg and Regensburg, you will dive deeply into German history. Rothenburg ob der Tauber will enchant you with its medieval charme. Experience a Three Rivers Cruise in Passau at the confluence of Donau, Inn und Ilz, and take a trip to the Baumwipfel-Pfad Bayerischer Wald. Follow the tracks of Fairytale King Ludwig II. and explore his most beautiful castles on the Chiemsee and around Füssen. Finish your tour in one of the most interesting German cities, the Bavarian state capital Munich. From there, you can easily get back home by plain, train or car.

The Old Town Hall in the Regnitz River is Bamberg's most famous landmark

Route Profile

Itinerary:

(Frankfurt - Heidelberg - ) Würzburg (120 km) - Rothenburg ob der Tauber (62 km) - Nuremberg (84 km) - Regensburg (108 km) - Passau (123 km) - Berchtesgaden (142 km) - Prien am Chiemsee (79 km) - Garmisch-Partenkirchen (127 km) - Füssen (60 km) - Munich (131 km)

Time requirement:

3 to 4 weeks

Total distance:

916 km (1035 km from Frankfurt)

Ideal for:

Culture enthusiasts, gourmets (wine and Bavarian cuisine!), fans of spectacular landscapes

Best time to travel:

May to October. In winter I would not do this tour either because of the danger of impassable roads in the Alps.

The Itinerary

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Tip: Extra Days Frankfurt and Heidelberg

Traveling by plane and want to start and end your tour of Germany at an international airport? Then add two more travel days, land in Frankfurt and see the cities of Frankfurt and Heidelberg in the first two days after arrival.

Highlights

  • Würzburg: Baroque Residence (UNESCO World Heritage), Marienberg Fortress, Romanesque Cathedral of St. Kilian, Old Main Bridge, Veitshöchheim Palace and Court GardenFranconian wine villages in the region Volkach with Pilgrimage Church Maria im Weingarten (Mary in the Vineyard), terroir f Volkach, Vogelsburg)
  • Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Well preserved medieval town center with Plönlein and town wall, medieval crime museum, Christmas museum
  • Nuremberg: Historic Old Town (Main Market Square, Church of Our Lady, City Hall), Imperial Castle, Albrecht Dürer House, former Nazi Party Rally Grounds, Memorium Nuremberg Trials
  • Bamberg: Old Town Ensemble (UNESCO World Heritage)
  • Danube valley near Kelheim: Danube Narrows, Weltenburg Monastery, Liberation Hall
  • Regensburg: Old town with Stadtamhof (UNESCO World Heritage), Valhalla (Donaustauf)
  • Passau: Veste Oberhaus (Europe's largest castle complex), Three Rivers Corner (confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers)
  • Berchtesgaden: Berchtesgaden Castle, Kehlsteinhaus ('Eagle's Nest' - Hitler's former vacation residence) and Obersalzberg Documentation (the Obersalzberg Documentation is closed for renovation until spring 2023!)
  • Königssee with pilgrimage church Sankt Bartholomä 
  • Chiemsee: Chiemgau Alps and islands Herrenchiemsee, Frauenchiemsee 
  • Sights around Füssen: Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Castle, Oberammergau with Ettal Monastery, Wieskirche (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Zugspitze
  • Munich: Old Town, English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace, Residence, German Museum, Alte Pinakothek
  • Extra day Heidelberg (at the beginning of the tour): Old town and castle ruins, philosopher's path
  • Extra day Frankfurt (at the beginning of the tour): Old Town and Römer, Goethe House, Paulskirche, Skyline
The Plönlein - one of the most popular photo motifs in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Culture and Events

  • Würzburg: Würzburg Wine Village (May/June), Africa Festival May/June, Hofgarten Wine Festival (July), Würzburg Harbor Summer (July/August), Würzburg Bach Days (October/November)
  • Franconian wine villages around Würzburg: Wine and vintner festivals e.g. in Volkach, Prichsenstadt, Iphofen and Sommerach.
  • Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Imperial City Days (September), Rotenburg Reiterlesmarkt (December)
  • Nuremberg: Rock im Park (May/June), Burggrabenfest with medieval market (September), Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world's most famous Christmas markets (December)
  • Regensburg: The Dult (folk festival in May and August)Days of Ancient Music (June), Medieval Spectaculum at the Stone Bridge (July), four Old Town Christmas Markets (December)
  • Passau: Passau Christmas Market at the Cathedral (annually from the 1st Advent weekend up to and including 23.12.)
  • Berchtesgaden: Berchtesgaden Advent (annually from the 1st Advent weekend up to and including 31.12.)
  • Chiemsee: Cattle drive (Viehscheid) in Sachrang (end of September), Herrenchiemsee Festival (June), Christmas Market on Fraueninsel (two weekends in December)
  • Füssen: Allgäu cattle drive (Viehscheid/Almabtrieb) in many towns in the region, e.g. Wertach and Nesselwang (September), Romantic Advent market in the monastery courtyard of St. Mang (two weekends in December).
  • Munich: City birthday in mid-June, Tollwood Summer Festival 3 weeks in June/July, Opera Festival July/August, Oktoberfest mid-September to early October, Christkindlmarkt late November to Dec. 24.
  • Extra day Heidelberg (at the beginning of the tour): Heidelberg Spring (March/April), Castle Festival (June/July), Christmas Market (end of November until Christmas)
  • Extra day Frankfurt (at the beginning of the tour): Christopher Street Day (July), Museumsuferfest (August), Apfelweinfestival (August), Rheingau Wine Market (September), Frankfurt Book Fair (October), Christmas Market (December)

Tour for 1 to 2 weeks

Wartburg Castle is a World Heritage Site. Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German here.

Road Trip East Germany - Cultural Route from Eisenach to Berlin (with Map)

As a friend of German art and culture, you are guaranteed to go into raptures on this tour! The first highlight is Wartburg castle near Eisenach, according to Goethe "the most German of all castles". Here Martin Luther translated the New Testament from ancient Greek into German language in the winter of 1521/1522 in a sensational 11 weeks ..

The route leads you further to Weimar, the city of German classicism, which is inseparable from Goethe and Schiller. At the beginning of the 20th century, Weimar was the cradle of the Bauhaus. From Weimar it is only a short drive to both Thuringia's beautiful capital Erfurt and to the light city of Jena. On the way from Weimar to Leipzig you can visit Naumburg Cathedral which - like the Bauhaus sites and 16 objects from the heyday of classical Weimar - is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Goethe's residence on the Frauenplan is one of Weimar's most popular attractions

We continue to the historical Leipzig, the most populous city in Saxony. Johann Sebastian Bach directed the St. Thomas Boys Choir from 1723 until his death in 1750. The second important church in the city, St. Nicholas Church, is known as the starting point of the peaceful revolution, which led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and finally to the German reunification in 1990.

In Dessau completely different examples of great architecture are waiting for you. At Bauhaus Museum, Bauhaus Dessau and in the Master houses you can follow the footsteps of Gropius, Kandinsky, Klee & Co. Do not miss visiting the Garden Kingdom Dessau-Wörlitz, which was laid out in the 18th century as the first English landscape garden on the European mainland. Both Wörlitz Park and Bauhaus and Master Houses are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

On the way from Dessau to Berlin, you can easily make a detour to Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Here Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses against the sale of indulgences to the Castle Church on October 31, 1517. Luther is buried in the Castle Church of Wittenberg.

Finish your tour in our capital Berlin - Germany's most exciting city - and plan enough time for it (at least three days). Because of the history, there is an infinite amount to see and discover here -. Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, the UNESCO World Heritage Museum Island and the old center of West Berlin around Kurfürstendamm are just some of the highlights.

Route Profile

Itinerary:

(Frankfurt -) Eisenach (191 km) - Weimar (86 km) - Leipzig (131 km) - Dessau-Rosslau (69 km) - Berlin (126 km)

Time requirement:

approx. 2 weeks

Total distance:

598 km (687 km from Frankfurt)

Ideal for:

Anyone interested in beautiful German cities and German history; fans of German art, literature and intellectual history.

Best time to travel:

May to October, December (Christmas Markets!)

The Itinerary

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Tip: Extra Days Frankfurt and Heidelberg

Traveling by plane and want to start and end your tour of Germany at an international airport? Then add two more travel days, start in Frankfurt and see the cities of Frankfurt and Heidelberg in the first two days after your arrival. You can also do this tour in reverse order - from Berlin to Frankfurt.

Highlights

  • Eisenach: Wartburg Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bach House, Dragon Gorge, Hainich National Park (part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Beech Forests).
  • Weimar: Goethe's home, Schiller's home, rococo hall of the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, park on the Ilm River, Belvedere Palace, Bauhaus Museum, Buchenwald Memorial Site
  • Erfurt: St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Severi Church, Fish Market, Krämer Bridge, Erfurt City Hall, Augustinian Monastery (Luther site), Petersberg Citadel
  • Leipzig: St. Nicholas Church, St. Thomas Church, Monument to the Battle of the Nations, Market Square and Old Town Hall, Mädler Passage (with Auerbach's Cellar), Leipzig Zoo
  • Naumburg: Naumburg Cathedral
  • Wittenberg: Castle Church, St. Mary's City Church, Melanchthon House, Luther House
  • Dessau: Bauhaus Museum, Bauhaus Dessau, Masters' Houses, Wörlitz Park, Central Elbe Biosphere Reserve
  • Berlin: Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Kurfürstendamm, TV Tower, Gendarmenmarkt, Topography of Terror
  • Extra day Heidelberg (at the beginning of the tour): Old town and castle ruins, philosopher's path
  • Extra day Frankfurt (at the beginning of the tour): Old Town and Römer, Goethe House, Paulskirche, Skyline
Road Trip Germany - angiestravelroutes.com
The Wörlitz Park near Dessau was the first English garden on the European mainland.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Culture and Events

  • Thuringian Bach Weeks: Thuringia's largest music festival - 3 weeks in April/May (at authentic Bach sites in Eisenach, Erfurt, Weimar, among others)
  • Eisenach: Historical Luther Festival (August)
  • Weimar: Goethe Wine Festival at Frauenplan (around August 28, Goethe's birthday), Onion Market in October, Weimar Christmas 1st weekend of Advent until early January.
  • Erfurt: Krämerbrücken Festival (June), DomStufen Festival (August/September), St. Martin's Day Festival on Cathedral Square (November 10), Erfurt Christmas Market (December)
  • Leipzig: Leipzig Book Fair (March), Bach Festival Leipzig (June), Leipzig Christmas Market (December)
  • Wittenberg: May flower festival (May), historical festival "Luther's wedding" (June)
  • Dessau-Rosslau: Kurt Weill Festival (February/March)
  • Berlin: Berlinale (February), Carnival of Cultures (May/June), Christopher Street Day (July), Berlin Art Week (September), Berlin Marathon (September), over 100 Christmas markets throughout the city (e.g. Gendarmenmarkt, Potsdamer Platz, Charlottenburg Palace - 1st Advent weekend until Dec. 22, some until Dec. 31), New Year's Eve party at Brandenburg Gate (Dec. 31).
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You are planning a vacation or a short trip in Germany and don't know exactly which places or region(s) you want to visit? read more

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