It is often said that the Germans build the best cars and they certainly have some amazing roads, so what better way to see this beautiful country than an epic road trip! Below you will find the perfect one-week Germany road trip itinerary along with stunning photos from along the way.
There is a famous route through Germany called the Romantic Road, this is not a particular road but rather a tourism campaign that directs you through some of the most scenic towns in western and southern Germany. The official ‘Romantic Road’ route is signposted and can be easily followed however it is a very full itinerary and also misses some gems that we really wanted to see.
This Germany road trip is our personal take on the perfect Romantic Road itinerary, taking in what we think are the most epic castles and most picturesque towns along the way. The itinerary is planned so as not to feel rushed while still seeing as much as possible, you will have plenty of time to wander around the stunning villages and also get in some proper German bier and pretzels!
Table of Contents
Germany Road Trip Overview
- Cologne
- Cochem – 1 night
- Burg Eltz
- Würzburg
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber – 2 nights
- Dinkelsbühl
- Hohenzollern Castle/Lichtenstein Castle – 1 night
- Hohenschwangau – 1 night
- Munich – 2 nights
Recommended stops
Day One – Depart Cologne early + drive 1.5 hrs to Cochem. Spend the day exploring the town and castle.
Night One – Spend one night in Cochem
Day Two – Wake up early and head to Burg Eltz + drive 3 hrs to Würzburg. Spend the afternoon in Würzburg followed by a 45 min drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Nights Two & Three – Spend two nights in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Day Three – Spend a full day exploring the highlights of Rothenburg.
Day Four – Depart Rothenburg in the morning + drive 40 min to the town of Dinkelsbühl. Spend a few hours exploring Dinkelsbühl, make sure to leave time for the 2.5 hr drive to Hohenzollern Castle and enough time to explore the castle before it shuts for the day. Option to skip this castle if you are feeling rushed.
Night Four – Spend one night in Sonnenbühl or any town near Hohenzollern/Lichtenstein Castles
Day Five – Start the day by visiting Lichtenstein Castle + drive 2.5 hrs to Hohenschwangau. Visit Hohenschwangau Castle and/or Museum of Bavarian Kings in the afternoon.
Night Five – Spend one night in Hohenschwangau
Day Six – Wake up early and head to the Neuschwanstein Castle viewpoint followed by a visit to the castle itself. Drive 1.5 hrs to Munich in the afternoon. Visit a beer hall/beer garden in Munich.
Nights Six & Seven – Spend two nights in Munich
Day Seven – Spend the morning at Munich Residenz followed by an afternoon of exploring the old city and seeing some of the famous sights, option to include a walking tour or brewery tour.
Day Eight – Head to Munich airport + fly home
Total Driving Time
13h 15min – (depending on traffic and chosen route)
We used the autobahns to save time and fit more in so the travel times are all based on this. The drives themselves are not always particularly impressive but each drive is kept short and the destinations more than make up for it.
Longest Stretch of Driving
3 hours – Burg Elz to Würzburg
Total Kilometers / Miles Covered
1030 kilometers / 640 miles
Germany Road Trip Highlights
The most incredible castles you’ll ever see, stunningly presented medieval towns, beautiful rolling vineyards producing delicious German varietals, scenic hikes through majestic mountain scenery and don’t forget the lively and welcoming traditional beer halls to rest your weary legs at the end of a long day (although you might inadvertently get weary arms from lifting steins!).
Wine with a view 😍This is a frequently occurring activity on this road trip itinerary! 📍Würzburg
Best Photography Locations in Southern Germany
In this Germany road trip itinerary, we hold nothing back. The photo opportunities around this region of Germany are truly endless so, we’ve made sure to include the exact locations and directions on how to take the most stunning photos to remember your trip by.
How Long Will I Need?
We completed this road trip in one week (7 nights, 8 days), this is the minimum time you should allow to follow it. Keep in mind that we started in Europe, if you are flying in from some distance away you will probably need an extra night or two at the beginning to recover and be ready to drive.
There are also so many other towns and attractions to visit that you could easily take much longer if you are able. If you prefer a slower pace then you certainly won’t regret spending an extra night in the towns along the way.
Experience a real life fairy tale on this epic one week Germany road trip itinerary 📍Lichtenstein Castle
Best Time of Year to Go?
We are big fans of shoulder-season travel in Europe, with less crowds, better prices and reasonable weather. In Germany this would be around May or September with an average high of around 18 and a low of 8 and no increase in rainy days, as high season is actually the rainiest time in this region. Avoid this trip in off season as many of the attractions will be closed.
Nevertheless, we actually ended up doing this trip in the middle of high season (July) as it was the only time we could fit it in. While some areas were quite busy, many tourists were on day trips from the bigger cities, meaning that you can keep your sightseeing to the morning and evening and drive during the middle of the day to avoid the crowds.
High season has temperature highs in the 20s and lows in the 10s. As mentioned, this region can be quite rainy at any time of the year but that’s one of the unknowns of travelling!
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The Ultimate Germany Road Trip Itinerary – Epic Castles, Fairy Tale Villages & Beer Halls
Follow me to the most beautiful towns and villages of Germany 😍 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Cologne
This epic journey starts in the city of Cologne. We were keen to just get straight on the road and spend more time in all the beautiful small towns and villages in the countryside so didn’t actually explore Cologne. As previously mentioned, if you have had a long flight then consider spending a night in Cologne so you can wake up fresh and ready to head off the following morning.
→Click here to browse accommodation options in Cologne←
Car Rental in Cologne
Cars can be rented at both the airport and the main train station, depending on how you’ve reached Cologne, keep in mind this is a one-way trip so be sure to check the one-way fee with your chosen provider. Some providers include this in the price when you book but others keep it in the fine print and ask for it when you pick the car up, so check before you book!
Use the search box below to compare prices on car rental options for the dates that you require. We always use this search tool for car rentals because their insurance prices are the most reasonable, they have the best selection of providers and usually the best rates.
Aim to leave Cologne as early as possible so you have as much time as possible in the beautiful valleys of Rhineland.
Cochem
As you leave the motorway for the country roads leading towards your first stop in Cochem you’ll start to see your first views of the beautiful river valleys and numerous vineyards that characterise this area.
The town itself sits on the bank of the Mosel River with picturesque colourful buildings lining the riverfront and vineyards sitting in steep relief on the hillsides surrounding the town. You may not notice all this straight away however as your eyes will be drawn towards the truly impressive castle positioned high in the sky above the town.
Even on an overcast day Cochem is as charming as ever
I first saw a photo of Cochem years before I ever lived in Europe and it was always a dream to visit this place. I can tell you that the views in person are far better than any photo and the charm of the town made me wish I could stay longer.
Highlights of Cochem
Riverfront Promenade – For me the single best thing to do in Cochem is simply walking along the riverfront! Take in views of the picturesque and colourful historical buildings along the main street, maybe popping in for a glass or two of the delicious local wines. Cross the bridge to the far side of the river for best angle to admire both the town and castle, see below photo.
Mosel River Cruise– One of the most popular things to do in Cochem is to take a panoramic cruise along the beautiful Mosel River, taking in the picturesque scenery as you go. Admire the pretty timbered houses of Cochem, the rolling vineyards and of course the dominating castle as you enjoy a 1 hr cruise.
Tickets include an audio guide in English and German, which will explain the history behind the sites and landmarks. Check prices and availability here.
Enjoying the beauty of Cochem from the river’s edge
Cochem Castle (Reichsburg Cochem) – This stunning castle has been traced back to 1130 however it was reconstructed in the current style around 1868. Make your way up on foot to enjoy a (rather steep) walk through the vineyards and sweeping views back over the valley.
Castle Tickets: €7/adults, €3.50/children
Opening Hours: 11am-3pm/winter months, 9am-5pm/summer months
Click here to view more information about the castle’s opening hours.
Market Square – Head one street in from the riverfront and you will find the beautiful old market square. Enjoy a coffee in one of the cafes as you take in the well preserved half-timbered buildings and the tall domed tower of St Martin Church.
Pinnerkreuz Viewpoint – Head up the main street running perpendicular to the river and you will find one of the lesser known but best attractions of Cochem. The Pinnerkreuz viewpoint offers a brilliant view over the town and castle and best of all you can get a cheap cable-car all the way up! Enjoy some drinks at the café on the summit while you take in the spectacular view.
Take in the panoramic views from Pinnerkreuz viewpoint
Tour a Winery (Weingut) – This region is famous for its Reislings and the area around Cochem boasts a number of excellent wineries. If you can’t make it to a winery then don’t forget to try a couple of glasses at one of the lovely local restaurants. Book a Mosel Valley wine tour here.
Where to Stay in Cochem
After a big first day you can spend the night relaxing in Cochem ready for an early start to Burg Elz. We recommend staying in town because once you taste the local wine you might not be able to stop at one glass! See below for some great options in Cochem town including where we stayed. Remember to check that they provide parking!
Budget: Stumbergers Hotel
This is where we stayed in Cochem and we were more than happy. Situated right on the river and a short stroll from town, we were really impressed with the exceptional cleanliness and comfort of the room.
Some rooms provide an amazing castle view and there is a lovely restaurant/beer garden on site. Breakfast is included so you can get off nice and early the next day. Free parking is included with your stay. Book your stay at Stumbergers Hotel.
The pretty market square of Cochem
Mid-Range: Union Hotel
If you want to stay right in town then check out Union Hotel. Apart from the great location right near all the best sites and restaurants, it features a deck with river views and an excellent free breakfast. The rooms are clean and very tastefully decorated. Book your stay at Union Hotel.
Splurge: Hotel Germania
Based in an 18th century historical building right in the town centre, stay here to enjoy the best breakfast in town included in your room rate. The Hotel Germania may also have the best wine in town given it produces its own brand at a nearby vineyard. Try the wine on your private balcony or terrace with castle views or organise a tour to the vineyard. Book your stay at Hotel Germania.
→Browse more accommodation options in Cochem←
A beer with a spectacular view at the cafe near the top of the cable-car
Burg Elz
Today is a big day and the sites start off in spectacular fashion with a trip to the jaw-dropping Burg Elz. Visiting this epic castle was a huge highlight of our German road trip!
If you want to get the best pictures free of crowds then make sure you head off early, the opening time of Burg Elz is 9:30am so plan to be there at least an hour prior. We arrived at 8:00am and there were already a few photographers setting up their tripods outside the castle at that time.
Once it opens you can enter and look around the castle, viewing the treasury and armoury with a number of artefacts, then visit café inside to reward yourself for the early rise.