The best German road trips

Driving in Germany isn’t vastly different from most other countries in Europe, or further afield. However, there are a few things you should be aware of, so you can get around safely and have the peace of mind to enjoy your Germany road trip as much as possible.

- Drive on the right-hand side of the road. This might seem obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning here, particularly if you’ve been travelling through a lot of different countries before you visit Germany. Stick to the right!

- Speed limits: 50 km/h for built up areas, 100km/h outside built-up areas, 130 km/h on a motorway (autobahn). Famously, there are long stretches of the autobahn where there are no official speed limits, but the law does state that you have to be driving at a speed that allows you to control your car easily. So you could still get a ticket if you’re going too fast.

- Safety gear. In Germany, there’s a legal requirement to fit your car with winter tyres during the colder months. This was first introduced in 2010. You’re also required to have a high-vis safety jacket in the vehicle, and a warning triangle fitted.

Mostly located in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, Saale-Unstrut is the northernmost winemaking region in the world. Its pleasant climate and fertile soil have helped to create (usually dry) wines of exceptional quality – just make sure you leave the tasting to your passengers! The Saale-Unstrut wine route weaves its way across the hills and valleys of this region, passing rivers, vineyards, and majestic castles. You can also pay a visit to the sky disc of Nebra, an artefact that dates back over three millennia.

To immerse yourself in the best of the country’s world-renowned technical expertise, the Germany technology route is a great road trip to follow. Starting from the Belgian border in the west, you’ll follow a series of country roads for 450 kilometres across to Thuringia in the east.

On the way, there are mines to explore, historic factories and museums, and a gigantic radio telescope. It’s also surrounded by the country’s always-impressive natural scenery.

Frightening and delighting successive generations of children for over four centuries, the tales of the Brothers Grimm are perhaps Germany’s most popular cultural export. Driving the Germany Fairy-Tale Route will give you a feel for the evocative landscape that birthed these unforgettable stories.

You can start near the brothers’ workshop in Kassel, before following the banks of the River Wesel down towards the coast. Along the way, you’ll find the Pied Piper’s village of Hamelin, and the majestic castle that was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty, deep in the Reinhardswald forest.
 

The Germany Alpine route takes you on a tour of perhaps the most under-appreciated region of the Alps. From rolling foothills to rocky peaks, this German alpine road trip will be an exciting test of your driving skills, as well as a chance to experience some truly breathtaking natural scenery. Stunning sun-dappled lakes dominate the region, and the Scheidegg waterfalls are a must-see.

Driving aficionados will love navigating the Oberjoch pass through the Allgau Alps, as it twists and turns around 106 separate hairpins. Then there are the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, rising majestically above the trees.

Taking you eastwards from the town of Konz, near the border with France, the Moselle river route traces the water as it winds its way through one of Germany’s key winemaking regions (the ever-popular Riesling is a big export from this part of the country). And if the picturesque landscape doesn’t set your pulse racing, then the frequent 180-degree hairpin turns will.

Make sure you pay a visit to Trier, which is a designated UNESCO world heritage site. Built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, it’s the oldest town in Germany, and was also the birthplace of Karl Marx.

The romantic Rhine route takes you through Germany’s heartland, exploring some of its most important cultural touchstones as it follows the river. It starts in Mainz, which is an important city in the Roman Catholic faith, as well as being the place where Johannes Gutenberg developed the printing press. You’ll cross the river several times, passing rural villages, vineyards, and several historic castles, before ending up at Bonn. The former capital of Germany continues to be an exciting cultural hub – it’s well worth spending a couple of days there, if you have the time.

Gliding eastwards through the northern part of the country, the Germany Avenues route has plenty of variety. As you follow its mostly-tree lined roads, you could take the time to stop at Jasmund National Park, whose chalk cliffs make it a hugely popular tourist destination in the Baltic. You’ll pass gorgeous lakes and medieval villages, as well as Brandenburg. Located 60km west of Berlin, this city is made up of one-fifth of water and has a famous island cathedral.

The Bertha Benz memorial route retraces the movements of the eponymous automotive pioneer, who was one of the founders of the iconic car company Mercedes-Benz. This Germany road trip starts in Mannheim, a unique city that combines technological innovation and imposing baroque architecture. From there, you’ll head through the Baden wine country, passing the world-famous ruin of Heidelberg Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. You’ll end up in the city of Pforzheim, which is now the centre of Germany’s jewellery industry.

This epic German castle route covers 1000 km, starting in Kurpfalz, just outside Frankfurt. You’ll see over ninety castles as you head west, before ending up on the other side of the border, in the Czech capital of Prague. The historic fortresses include Guttenberg Castle, which dates back to the 12th century and has never been captured from its residents, the Staufer dynasty. There’s also the town of Coburg, which is home to no fewer than four royal castles.

Breeze through Franconia, Hohenlohe, Swabia and the Allgäu region on the Romantic route, which is perhaps the most scenic and spectacular Germany road trip. It features the lively baroque city of Würzburg, and the Roman city of Augsburg, on the border with northern Italy.

One of the quirkier Germany road trip ideas is this exciting route through the main areas of the traditional German toymaking industry. The Germany toy route takes you past a number of artisanal workshops in the Thuringian Forest, as well as the Playmobil factory in Nuremberg, while passing through some tricky mountainous terrain.

Silver mining in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) has been a key source of wealth for Germany over the years, and the practice dates back as far as the 12th century. This Germany silver route takes you from the mines to the furnaces, and all the way to the royal vaults where silver was hoarded. You’ll experience the wonder of nature and a historic industrial tradition, before finishing up in Dresden, the iconic capital city of Saxony that’s known for its baroque beauty.

History and architecture buffs will love the Germany palaces route, which takes you on a tour of the country’ most magnificent palaces. Starting with the baroque majesty of Schloss Ludwigsburg, you’ll head through the south-western part of the country. The half-wooded spa town of Schloss Urach is a particular highlight. This is also one of the best Germany road trip ideas in terms of pure driving pleasure, as it traverses some of the country’s best roads.

If you want to plan a road trip in Germany but you only have a few days, this 284-kilometre Kings and Emperors route is ideal. It starts at the quaint town of Passau, which sits on three different rivers, before heading towards the River Danube’s Schlogen bend – a unique landmark where the current changes direction drastically, twice. You’ll drive on towards the trendy city of Linz, and eventually finish up just south of the border, in Vienna.

Explore the relevant pages for more in-depth info about these routes, and start planning a Germany road trip to remember. And don’t forget to pick up your Avis hire car before you go – you can come and see us at any of these locations in Germany.