Land of castles, fairytales, bratwurst, and beer, Germany is a destination hotspot for many travelers. While roaming the German countryside by train with nothing but a pair of boots and a backpack is an adventure that draws a growing number of high school graduates from overseas, not many consider taking a road trip instead. Why not? Germany is near legendary for its wonderful road systems, and taking a car allows you to enjoy an ease of exploration you won’t be able to experience by train. 

Feel free to stop for coffee and sandwiches in quaint countryside towns, stop to dip your toes in the rivers, or take the time to stretch your legs and see the view from the top of a mountain overlooking the countryside. You have absolute freedom to go where you like, when you like. No more waking up early to catch the train, no stressing over connections or reservations, just pure relaxation and adventure. 

Wetterstein mountains

When planning your road trip, you will want to take into account a few of the most beautiful destinations in Germany. Depending on your interests, you may want to follow a path that delves into the country’s history further, learning about World War II, Germany’s economics and politics, famous authors, and more, tracing all the way back to medieval Germany. If so, you may want to drive through Berlin, Speyer, Dresden, and Rothenburg. 

Moritzburg castle

Wine tour

If you fancy yourself a wine connoisseur, perhaps driving the famous Wine Road would be right up your alley. The oldest scenic drive in the country, the Wine Road starts in the town of Bockenheim and takes you fifty miles through one of the most beautiful parts of the German countryside. The road winds through vineyards, small country towns with a wine-making heritage that stretches back over 1000 years, and through the hills of the Palatinate Forest. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at dozens of wine shops, wine festivals, and tasting rooms. Be sure to visit Bad Dürkheim, home of the world’s largest wine barrel (capable of holding 44 million gallons of wine) and host to the largest annual wine festival in the world, the Wurstmarkt. The Wine Road is best travelled in fall, when the foliage is particularly lovely. 

Grimm brothers

Do you love fairytales? Do you have children who adore knights, princesses, dragons, and castles? The Grimm Brothers’ Tour makes for a magical road trip. Germany is the land of the Brothers Grimm, creators of Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunsel, Puss in Boots, Hansel and Gretel, and more. The German Fairy Tale Road connects the towns that acted as the inspiration for these stories. Start in Steinau, where Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm grew up, and then move on to explore the Shwalm Region, Göttingen, Trendelburg, Castle Sababurg, Hamlin, and Bremlin. Along the way, you’ll wander through the forests that inspired the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, sleep in Sleeping Beauty’s castle, climb Rapunzel’s tower, and search for the “little goose girl.” Take about a week to fully enjoy the German Fairy Tale Road. 

Castle tour

If you’re hoping to see as many castles as possible and beef up your photo album with stunning pictures of medieval fortresses and sweeping landscapes, consider taking the iconic German Castle Road. With 70 castles, fortresses, and palaces, it’s sure to satisfy your castle obsession. Over 635 miles long, the Castle Road stretches from Mannheim to Prague, in the Czech Republic. With so much to see, it’s best if you pick just a few of the castles to explore in depth, and view the others from a distance. Favorites include the Castle of Heidelberg, Castle Hotel Colmberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber (the best preserved medieval town in Germany), and the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (home of the best Christmas market in Germany). 

Neuschwanstein castle

Hohenzollern castle

Nuremberg Christmas market

Culture and art tour

Germany, like most of Europe, is home to many historical art museums and lively music festivals. There are a few German art museums in particular that are worth visiting as you journey the country by car. The Museum Brandhorst, in Munich, showcases a range of modern and contemporary artwork. Famous for its world-class collection of pieces by Cy Twombly, the museum also features art installations and shows, meaning that there’s something new with every visit! If you’re a fan of cinema, make your way to the Deutsche Kinemathek in Berlin, a museum dedicated to the history of German film. Finally, the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum in Cologne is a must-see, as one of Germany’s leading ethnology centers. Its collection, made up of over 60,000 objects and 100,000 historic photographs, is uniquely designed to show the similarities between cultures. 

Along your way, keep an eye out for music, art, and cultural festivals. With the freedom of having a car on hand, you may well stumble across festivals you didn’t know were taking place. If you can, spend time simply walking through the streets, wandering into pubs and shops, rubbing elbows with the locals. There’s no better way to get a feel for German culture than to immerse yourself in it!

Tips for Driving in Germany: 

-     Keep an eye out for the speed limits. On about 50% of German highways, there is no limit and you may drive as fast as the weather and circumstances permit. However, there are substantial fines if you’re caught speeding in a regulated area, so pay attention to the signs. Many drive at speeds of 100mph and up.
-    Study your maps and know your routes before driving, so as to avoid unnecessary confusion and stress on the road.
-    Driving in Germany is on the left side of the road.
-    Food in Germany is quite cheap when compared to other countries in Europe. Expect to pay 2-4 EUR for street food, up to14EUR for a traditional German meal (plus a drink).
-    Check the prices and hours of the museums and attractions you’re interested in in advance, to get a feel for how much time and money you’ll need to budget.
-    Enjoy cheap ethnic food to save money and enjoy authentic German culture.

About Hannah Miller: I’m a nineteen year old girl, with a serious case of wanderlust. Over the past few years I’ve traveled to over twenty-four countries, on six different continents, using bikes, buses, trains, planes, and of course, my own two feet. Wherever I go, a video camera and three instruments follow. I’m trying to change the world, one step at a time. By the end of my life I want to have visited every country in the world, and do it all through travel writing. In my opinion, there’s no better school than the big world around us, and no better way to learn about the planet I live on than to see it myself! My greatest fear: to reach the end of my days only to be filled with regret for the adventures I never had. Find me at http://www.edventuregirl.com/