Are you an adventure-seeker who’s looking for something exciting for your next vacation? Well, road tripping in Germany can be a great idea!
German freeway, known as Autobahn, lies sprawled across the country. It gives you quick and easy access to all major cities in Germany. Taking a road trip in Germany can’t get any better thanks to the fantastic sceneries you will pass.
Here are the best scenic routes for your first remarkable road trip in Germany with your family and friends!
Route 1: Germany’s Fairytale Road
Steinau – Schwalm – Kassel – Castle Sababurg – Trendelburg
Birthplace of Brother Grimm in Germany
Let’s start with German Fairy Tale Road — the enchanting world of Brothers Grimm. First stop is the birthplace of Brothers Grimm in Steinau. The house where the two brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm, lived is now open to the public as a museum.
You can walk through the dark forest in the Little Red Riding Hood setting in Schwalm region to visit the Museum der Schwalm. It features traditional costumes that Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother wore.
Continue your fairy tale road trip to Kassel. The city is home to GRIMM WORLD that features interactive exhibits and Brothers Grimm’s personal copy of Children’s and Household Tale.
Sababurg Castle where the legend of Sleeping Beauty begins
Discover Sleeping Beauty at Castle Sababurg. It was built almost 700 years ago and is surrounded by a lush green park.
You can climb atop the castle tower and experience Sleeping Beauty’s tale or watch a theater performance in the courtyard.
Trendelburg Castle where Rapunzel was imprisoned
End your magical journey with the home of another fairy tale princess, Rapunzel, in Trendelburg. Visit the Trendelburg Castle to see the tower where she was imprisoned by an evil witch.
Route 2: South Germany
Munich – Feussen – Meersburg – Europa Park – Baden Baden – Stuttgart – Frankfurt
Alps view from Munich
Discover the beauty of South Germany by driving from Munich to Frankfurt. Munich has one of the best views of the Alps. Pay a visit to the Old Town of Munich with stops at Frauenkirche (Cathedral Church of Our Lady), Alte Pinakothek and the Munich Residenz.
Linderhof Palace, built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Continue your trip from Munich to Fuessen. In less than two hours, you will see the Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle that was built by King Ludwig II. These castles are two of Germany’s most famous landmarks.
Mountain Saentis over the Lake Constance
Drive west to Meersburg to pass Lindau and witness the breathtaking scenery of Lake Constance. Within two hours, you will arrive at the home of the Old Castle and the New Castle. Stop by to visit the open-air archaeological museum in Unteruhldingen or the baroque pilgrim church at Birnau.
Europa Park, the largest theme park in Germany
Hop off the car and enjoy a thrilling experience in Europa Park in Rust. This is Germany’s largest theme park and one of the best in the world with over 100 attractions and shows.
On the way from Meersburg to Europa Park, you can take a break and enjoy the beauty of Danube River at Donaueschingen.
A two-hour drive from Europa Park will bring you to Baden Baden, a wellness and spa destination. Baden Baden has a magnificent landscape and hot balloon ride to help you unwind.
Porsche Museum in Stuttgart
What’s a road trip without a detour? Head to Stuttgart where two of the biggest automobile manufacturers, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, have opened their museums to the public.
Stuttgart’s pedestrian zone and shopping outlets are also worth visiting before departing for Frankfurt.
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Route 3: River Rhine
Frankfurt – Cologne – Boppard – Heidelberg – Rothenburg
Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge at sunset
Let’s begin with a two-hour journey from Frankfurt to Cologne! Once you have arrived, take as much time as you want to admire the grand Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s most famous landmarks.
Continue towards Boppard, pay a visit to Bonn and stop at Beethoven-Haus. It’s a memorial site, museum and cultural institution dedicated to the world’s most significant composer. You can also make a stop to see Moselle Viaduct, a high bridge over Moselle river, in Winningen before proceeding to Boppard.
The ruins of Heidelberg Castle
Continue your drive for an hour and 40 minutes to Heidelberg to see the breathtaking ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Though the castle was constructed around 1200 and what remains now are mostly ruins, you can see the Ruprecht wing and the magnificent Renaissance fireplace.
The castle has an amazing view of the Neckar River and the Neckar Valley far into the Rhine plain. Every Saturday, the ‘Life at court’ guided tour gives travellers a glimpse of how it was like to reside at Heidelberg Castle.
Neckar River
Driving along the Neckar River, you can see castles, vineyards and small villages up till Rothenburg. Visit Bad Wimpfen to see a fairytale skyline with a blue tower, churches and historic buildings of Celts and Romans.
An old church transformed into an art gallery, Museum Wurth, is also worth visiting for its excellent modern art exhibitions.
If you are looking for alternative scenic routes in Germany, simply visit the official website of German National Tourist Board.
