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" , as well as "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.
Hardly any European country is better suited for a road trip than Germany. From 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.
Tours for 3 to 4 Weeks
Road Trip Through All of Germany in 4 Weeks
(With Map) - the Most Beautiful Highlights in One Tour
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.
Or would you prefer a short trip?
To help you decide, you will find an overview of the most beautiful cities , as well as most important sights of Germany in my post about Germany's most beautiful destinations.
Itinerary:
Round trip - start at any point!
Frankfurt - Heidelberg (89 km) - Baden-Baden (87 km) - Constance (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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- 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)
- Frankfurt am Main: Christopher Street Day (July), Museumsuferfest (August), Apfelweinfestival (August), Rheingauer Weinmarkt (September), Frankfurt Book Fair (October), Frankfurt Christmas Market (December)
- Heidelberg: Heidelberg Spring (March/April), Castle Festival (June/July), Heidelberg Christmas Market (end of November until Christmas)
- Baden-Baden: Easter, Whitsun, Summer and Autumn Festivals at the Festspielhaus, Baden-Baden Christmas Market (December)
- 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, Munich's Christkindlmarkt End of November until 24.12.
- 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 in the 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 Fischerstechen (August), Bamberg Christmas Market (December)
- 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 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), over 100 Christmas markets throughout the city (e.g. the WinterMagic at the Gendarmenmarkt, the markets at Potsdamer Platz, Alexanderplatz and Charlottenburg Palace - 1st Advent weekend until 22.12., some until 31.12.), New Year's Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate (31.12.)
- Rügen: Störtebeker Festival (June to September)
- Lübeck: Travemünder Woche with sailing regattas (end of July), Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (July/August), Lübeck Christmas Market (December)
- Hamburg: Spring Dome (March/April), Harbor Birthday (May), Summer Dome (July/August), Alstervergnügen (August), Winter Dome (November), Hamburg Christmas markets (December)
- Bremen: Easter Fair (from one week before Good Friday for 2 weeks), Breminale (July), Bremen Free Market (October), Christmas market and Schlachte magic (from 1st Advent weekend until 23.12.)
- Cologne: Cologne Lights (July), Cologne Carnival (February), Cologne Christmas Market (December)
- 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.
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
Download this map to your cell phone to navigate safely to your next destination.how to do it, I explain step by step in my post
Plan a Route with Google Maps - the Complete Guide and 3 Extra Tips
By loading the map, you accept Google's privacy policy.
Learn more
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.
- Würzburg: Baroque Residence (UNESCO World Heritage), Marienberg Fortress, Romanesque Cathedral of St. Kilian, Old Main Bridge, Veitshöchheim Palace and Court Garden, Franconian 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)
- 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
- Würzburg: Würzburg Wine Village (May/June), Africa Festival May/June, Hofgarten Wine Festival (July), Würzburg Harbor Summer (July/August), Würzburg Bach Days (October/November), Würzburg Christmas Market (December)
- 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
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 , as well as 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.
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 of 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.
Itinerary:
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
Download this map to your phone to safely navigate to your next destination. How to do this, I explain step by step in my article
Plan a Route with Google Maps - the Complete Guide and 3 Extra Tips
By loading the map, you accept Google's privacy policy.
Learn more
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.
- Eisenach: Wartburg Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bach House, Dragon Gorge, Hainich National Park (part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Beech Forests).
- Weimar: UNESCO World Heritage Site Classical Weimar (Goethe's residence, Schiller's residence, the rococo hall of the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, Park an der Ilm, Belvedere Palace, etc.), Bauhaus Museum and Bauhaus sites, Buchenwald Concentration Camp Memorial
- 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, Castles and parks, 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
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 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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I plan all my travel routes with Google My Maps. This is a feature of Google Maps that you may not have seen before. read more
Even if you're not a winter sports enthusiast, there might be a reason to travel around Germany in December: the Christmas markets. In fact read more
Weimar's sights stand in the tension between cultural highlights and the greatest barbarism in human history. The bell tower of the Buchenwald memorial on the Ettersberg read more
Most of Würzburg's sights can be easily reached on foot, because the city center is manageable. The highlights of the city center can be read more
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places of outstanding universal value, whether for their cultural significance or their unique natural setting. The UNESCO World Heritage List was read more
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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Your choice of subject for the photos makes you want more - the tips encourage very much to travel along with the background information you provide. For all those who have never been eager to travel, like me, an aha experience. Thank you Angelika.
Dear Silvana, thank you for your lovely comment. I'm glad that you feel inspired. And I know that you have already discovered some beautiful corners of the world and enjoyed it😉. By the way, at the end of May I'm going to Weimar again on the trail of our mutual friend Goethe, and right after that on that of Thomas Mann and Günter Grass in Lübeck😃. Best regards, Angelika
Dear Angelika, very interesting tours through Germany, also beautiful pictures.
Hello Johannes,
I am very happy that you like my route suggestions and the photos. There will be more routes and posts about destinations in Germany here soon!
Cheers, Angelika