adventurous backpacking through thailand, a relaxing cruise on the caribbean sea or a road trip through the spectacular national parks of the u.s. – due to the corona travel restrictions, we will probably have to say goodbye to these vacation plans for the time being. the alternative: a vacation at home in germany. Sounds boring? But it is not! We have selected the 10 most beautiful places in germany that you can travel to by car in a relaxed way. Where the journey could go, we tell you in this article.
Tip: before you start your road trip through germany, it’s worth taking a look at our article on vacation by car. Here you can find out everything about the load correctly of the vehicle, for route planning, the dealing with travel sickness and other useful tips.
1. The wadden sea: endless vastness
Vacation at the north sea – rushing sea, long sandy beaches, grassy dunes. our round trip through germany begins here. A special highlight is the wadden sea of the north sea, which is the largest contiguous mudflat landscape the world forms. Endless expanses, a boundless horizon and a huge variety of flora and fauna await you. the wadden sea is not only home to wadden worms, but also seals, harbor seals and porpoises. Twice a day the ebb tide makes sure that you can explore the wadden sea on foot.
discover the wadden sea during a wadden sea hike (source: melanie lemahieu/shutterstock.Com)
Besides the tidal flat hike, the region offers many other exciting activities: boat excursions, seal watching, a overnight stay in a beach chair – and of course the whole range of water sports. car drivers can use the north sea coast along exciting routes discover: from small fishing villages over dreamy harbors to the endless horizon of the wadden sea.
From the wadden sea to the eifel
length of the route: ca. 470 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 4h 50 min
2. the eifel: volcanoes and castles
medieval castles, impressive volcanic craters, half-timbered idylls and vineyards – the eifel is a historic low mountain range in north rhine-westphalia and rhineland-palatinate, framed by the rhine and the moselle. From the wadden sea to the eifel, it takes just under 5 hours by car. Until 10.000 years there were active volcanoes here, which invite you to hike today. By the way, this is the best way to experience the eifel in all its facets – from the devil’s gorge over forested mountain ranges to the romantic eltz castle.
Tip: with a fuel discount credit card you can save quite a bit on fuel costs during your road trip. read more in our article fuel cards& credit cards with fuel discount.
eltz castle is also worth a visit from the inside (source: ashley hadzopoulos/shutterstock.Com)
situated in a picturesque valley on a rocky head and overlooking 850 years of history back. The eltz castle is one of the most popular castles in germany and should not be missing on any travel route. however, the castle can only be reached on foot – you can park your car conveniently in the nearby parking lot. Otherwise, country roads through expansive fields and hilly woodlands offer relaxing car rides with impressive panoramas.
From the eifel to the black forest
length of the route: ca. 420 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 4h 30 min
3. the black forest: fairytale waterfalls
evergreen forests, high waterfalls and impressive gorges: welcome to the black forest, the highest and largest contiguous low mountain range in germany. it takes about 4.5 hours by car to reach the black forest from the eifel. The deep and dark forests have already inspired the brothers grimm for their fairy tales. Special highlights in the black forest are the hollental with its 600 meter high rock walls as well as the triberg waterfalls.
the triberg waterfalls offer a fairy-tale spectacle of nature (source: andrii zabolotnyi/shutterstock.Com)
Tip: you are with children on the road? How to long car rides master with your offspring and which child seats you can find out in our article driving with a child.
the rhine falls in the black forest is with 23 meters height one of the three highest waterfalls in europe. don’t forget to try the world-famous black forest gateau (kirschtorte)! For car drivers the black forest offers various panoramic roads to explore the area. Idyllic villages, impressive viewpoints and wild nature are just some of the highlights of the so-called vacation roads.
From the black forest to lake constance
length of the route: approx. 140 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 1h 45 min
4. lake constance: a must not only for water lovers
Sparkling water, historic old towns and the spectacular mountain panorama make the 63 kilometers of lake constance in the foothills of the alps to one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in germany. that’s why it can’t be missing on our road trip. Lake Constance is fed by the Rhine and invites visitors to the sailing, surfing, swimming and cycling a – a ca. 260-kilometer round trip around the lake provides varied perspectives.
Tip: for a road trip you need lots of storage space. Find out here which cars with large luggage compartments are the best travel companions and how you can get from A to B safely with a roof box.
the island of lindau in lake constance with its famous harbor entrance (source: sergey dzyuba/shutterstock.com)
Next to the colorful fruit blossoms in springtime you can also visit the many islands in lake bodensee. Especially the flower island mainau and the old town of island of lindau are worth a visit. By the way, you can drive on the island of lindau by car. In addition car ferries for flexible transport across the lake from A to B.
From lake constance to berchtesgadener land
length of the route: approx. 340 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 3h 40 min
5. Berchtesgadener land: impressive mountain worlds
From the alpine foothills deep into the mountains in under 4 hours by car: in the outer southeast of bavaria, at the border to austria, lies the berchtesgadener land. The landscape invites you to marvel with its deep valleys, high mountains, crystal-clear mountain rivers and mysterious moor landscapes. The berchtesgaden national park is with its over 20.000 different animal species by the way the only german national park in the alps.
Tip: if you run out of gas on the road, these fuel apps will help you find the nearest gas station with the best prices.
Surrounded by the panorama of the national park and the imposing peak of the second highest mountain in germany, the watzmann, stretches the emerald green konigssee. other sights in the berchtesgadener land are the historical kehlsteinhaus as well as the 500 year old salt mine.
romantic lakes with alpine panorama can be found in berchtesgadener land (source: canadastock/shutterstock.com)
Boredom is not guaranteed during this stopover on our round trip through germany hiking, mountainbiking, climbing, skiing or paragliding – the mountains of berchtesgadener land have something to offer for every adventurer. but the area also offers exciting routes for car drivers. the german alpine road is the oldest panoramic road in the alps and leads along famous sights such as the neuschwanstein castle, the zugspitze or the lake chiemsee.
from berchtesgadener land to the bavarian forest
length of the route: ca. 200 kilometer
duration of the car trip: 3h
6. bavarian forest: primeval forest feeling guaranteed
our car route through germany makes another stopover in bavaria – namely in the bavarian forest. The approximately 100 kilometer long low mountain range lies at the border between bavaria and the czech republic and is considered the largest forest landscape in central europe. dense forests, romantic lakes, high moors and enchanted castles make the bavarian forest one of our top travel destinations in germany.
the bavarian forest is considered the largest forest landscape in central europe (source: chriiz/shutterstock.Com)
Tip: if you are a dog owner, a vacation in germany by car offers the advantage of being able to take your take your dog with you without any problems you can visit. Tips for the transport of dogs and how to take your four-legged friend get used to long car rides, read in our article dog in the car.
Besides an exciting primeval forest hike the bavarian forest also offers the longest treetop path in germany with a viewing platform at a height of 40 meters. If you want to go even higher, you can use the 1455 meter high summit of the great arber climb. Incidentally, the craft of glassmaking has a long tradition in the bavarian forest. Along the 250 kilometers long glass road you can admire the art of glassblowing from the car.
From the bavarian forest to the elbe sandstone mountains
length of the route: ca. 430 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 4h 20 min
7. elbe sandstone mountains in saxon switzerland: bizarre rock formations
on the way to our next destination within germany, we leave the alps behind us and, after a drive of just under 4.5 hours, head for the elbe sandstone mountains in saxon switzerland. This is located along the upper reaches of the elbe in saxony and parts in the czech republic. Mysterious gorges, whimsical rock formations and castles rich in culture transform the low mountain ranges built of sandstone a magical place.
the elbsandsteingebirge is one of the 10 most beautiful places on our route (source: mschelhorn/shutterstock.Com)
gasoline and diesel mixed upthis breakdown during a fuel stop can have serious consequences. find out more about the consequences and how to prevent worse in our article "wrong fuel".
The most popular destination is the bastion, a famous rock formation with an almost 77 meter long bridge. This bridge takes tourists to the ruin felsenburg neurathen. Another highlight of the elbe sandstone mountains is the fortress konigstein, one of the largest mountain fortresses in europe. the proximity to the elbe ensures a varied daily program: here you can enjoy rent kayaks, cross the elbe with a raft, explore caves and a book a quad tour. By car you can reach the breathtaking panorama explore the saxon switzerland along numerous curves through steep rocky gorges.
From the elbe sandstone mountains to the harz mountains
length of the route: ca. 280 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 3h
8. Harz mountains: the mysterious myths of the brocken
The highest mountains in northern germany lies at the intersection of lower saxony, saxony-anhalt and thuringia. you reach the harz from the elbsandsteingebirge after about 3 hours drive by car. deep forests, bizarre rocks, millennia-old moors and the legendary brocken give the harz a very special atmosphere. Around the 1141 meter high brocken mysterious myths have been entwined here since the 17th century. In the 19th century the mountain is considered main meeting place of the witches. To this day, every year on the night of the first of may, the walpurgis night celebrated.
Tip: you want to plan your vacation trip with an e-vehicle and need a reliable charging station finder for it? Thanks to helpful electric car apps, you can now not only work out a suitable route, but also find charging stations very quickly and easily.
the brocken railroad shapes the image of the harz mountains (source: gestur gislason/shutterstock.Com)
The brocken tour is the highlight of every trip to the harz mountains. Whether you hike up, climb in the famous brocken railway climb or be pulled up by a horse-drawn carriage, is up to you. Other exciting activities in the harz are z.B. Climbing, summer tobogganing And bungee jumping. A 292 kilometer long autoroute leads you right through the national park harz, so you can easily explore the rugged mountains and picturesque half-timbered villages with your car.
from the harz to the lower oder valley
length of the route: approx. 280 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 3h
9. national park unteres odertal: an oasis of tranquility
enough of the mountains? you long again for flat land and endless expanses? then you are looking forward to our next stop of the germany-roadtrip, which you can reach from the harz mountains after about 3,5 hours by car. The national park unteres odertal lies at the lower or valley in brandenburg and is the the only alluvial national park in germany.
important: plan enough stops for a safe trip on vacation. we have compared the top 10 most popular car stops in germany for relaxing breaks!
the national park unteres odertal is a paradise for humans and animals (source: radekd/shutterstock.Com)
on over 10.000 hectares green meadows and gentle rivers you will find a high variety of flora and fauna. more than 145 different species of birds settle in the lower or valley to breed. And also people find here rest and deceleration. The best way to explore the unique river floodplain is with a canoe.
From the lower oder valley to the mecklenburg lake district
length of the route: ca. 150 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 1h 45 min
10. Mecklenburg lake district: a lake-seeking destination
Have you ever heard of the "land of 1000 lakes" heard? To be precise 1117 lakes, the mecklenburg lake district to the the largest networked water sports area in europe make. The landscape stretches over mecklenburg-western pomerania, brandenburg and schleswig-holstein. From the lower oder valley you are quickly there: only ca. 1 hour and 45 minutes by car to the mecklenburg lake district. romp on the water with numerous activities: boating, bathing, diving and sailing, you have the choice. If you prefer to stay dry, you can take a trip down memory lane. The mecklenburg lake district offers a historic cultural landscape with countless estates and manor houses.
Tip: on a road trip through germany in the summertime, it can quickly get very hot in the car – especially if you get caught in a nasty traffic jam. In our article "air conditioning or automatic air conditioning? The perfect companion through the summer" we tell you how you can keep a cool head even in this situation.
lakes wherever you look: the mecklenburg lake district with its 1117 lakes (source: sahara frost/shutterstock.Com)
If you wish to have a special kind of accommodation, you can pay completely rent a houseboat without a boating license. This is how you can enjoy the ride on the water during the day before looking for a suitable parking space on the shore in the evening and spending the night there. by the way: at night, the mecklenburg lake district offers a breathtaking view of the starry sky. But you can also explore the land of 1000 lakes by car. Through the bear forest in muritz, along the coasts of numerous lakes up to the biosphere reserve the car route through the mecklenburg lake district guarantees you a varied tour.
From the mecklenburg lake district back to the wadden sea
length of the route: ca. 450 kilometers
duration of the car trip: 4h 30 min
The right car for your road trip through germany
why go far when the good stuff is so close by? Home leave is in trend – without expensive flights or train rides. All you need is a reliable car. if you are still looking for a suitable vehicle for your road trip through germany, we recommend that you take a look at leasingmarkt.De to look around.
Tip: on vacation with an electric car? This goes! Find out how it works and which e-models offer a particularly long range in our article "traveling with an electric car".
Whether it’s a station wagon, an off-road SUV or a summer convertible: we guarantee that you will find the right car for your trip to germany at reasonable rates. We wish you a good trip!