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Though the German autobahn may be infamous for its never-ending construction and sneaky speeding cameras, it’s also famous for its high-speed and fast cars speeding their way down the left lane. What better way to embrace driving down these famous highways than by taking a road trip to see Germany’s most coveted castles, nature preserves, fairytale towns and wine? Fill up your tanks, turn on your GPS and choose any of these five famous roads for the perfect road trip!
Romantic Road
Originally created by English-speaking travel agents in the 1950s, the Romantic Road or Romantische Straße is located in the regions of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. This famous road stretches 261 miles long and highlights major experiences such as visiting the Franconian wine country and the Neuschwanstein castle. As you look out the car window and catch striking views of the Bavarian countryside, be sure to park your car and roam the quaint towns, castles and monasteries along the way. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a well-known and well-preserved medieval town in Bavaria’s Franconian region, is a pit-stop you must take! For the history buffs, visit Germany’s oldest city, Augsburg, which dates back 2,000 years. In this historic city, a 1,000-year-old castle, Burg Colmberg, calls its visitors to relive the medieval era.
Fairytale Road
Ever hear of the brothers Grimm? If the name doesn’t ring a bell, fairytales such as Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty and Puss in Boots are tales originated from the creative minds of the German folklorists. During this road-trip which starts in Hanau, witness the towns and landscapes that inspired the brothers to write the folktales we all love and know today. Along your drive, you will be brought to Steinau where the brothers grew up.
Adventure awaits as this 370-mile-long expedition allows you to visit Sleeping Beauty’s castle, hunt the Big Bad Wolf in Little Red Riding Hood’s forest and ask Rapunzel to let her hair down in her famous tower. This trip in particular is perfect for children as they can appreciate real life fairytales that are imbedded in the magical towns that are filled with puppet shows, parades and even statues of popular characters.
The Black Forest High Road
Perhaps the most known area, the Black Forest is synonymous with cuckoo clocks and deliciously rich Black Forest cake. However, it’s also home to the beautiful and adventurous 44-mile-long drive bursting with stunning mountain views and nature. The journey starts in Freudenstadt and runs north through the Schliffkopf and Kniebis mountain ranges. In order to catch a breathtaking view over the Rhine Valley, hike up the newly opened path on the Bühlerhöhe.
For those who enjoy skiing, this road trip has your name on it as many ski-lifts are open and connects to the Nordschwarzwald cross country skiing trail.
Mummelsee, a serene lake at the western side of Hornisgrinde, is also a popular tourist attraction that brings its admirers to be one with nature. The Hornisgrinde tower provides picturesque views from the highest mountain in the Northern Black Forest area.
The Castle Route
When in Germany, one must marvel at all the castles this country has to offer. Luckily, the Castle Road allows us to see many of these ancient fortresses in a short amount of time. Stretching over 625 miles, Castle Road consists of winding and small back roads, typical of Europe, that is dotted with over 70 castles to include ruins. The road starts in Mannheim and ends in Prague, and it is recommended to pick a few castles to see due to how many there are. You can spend days exploring and taking yourself back in time to when knights and lords ruled the land. Ever wanted to feel like royalty? Stay in a castle hotel! Castle Hornberg is a four-star accommodation that will make you forget what century you’re in!
The German Wine Route
Considered to be the most popular driving tour, immerse yourself on wine culture and become a true connoisseur by driving through the German Wine Route or Deutsche Weinstraße. The 50-mile-long drive is branded by the grapes logo and starts off in Schweigen-Rechtenbach and ends in Bockenheim in the Palatinate wine region. Grape vines hung at the center of charming wine villages, local foods and farmer’s markets are all perks to stopping by any weingut areas, or wineries. One of the better-known destinations along this road is Bad Dürkheim which is not only home to the biggest wine barrel in the world but also serves as a spa town. This town is synonymous for its famous Wurstmarkt, a massive “sausage” and wine fest that takes places every September. Whether it’s the wine or the colorful and easy drive, the Weinstraße has got everything you need!
With its rich history and many sights to see, these road trips are waiting for you to uncover the best of Germany! Drive safe!
