If you fancy being a part of a fairytale, then put a trip to Southern Germany on your bucket list. With its black forests, castle ruins, medieval villages, rugged ravines, tumbling waterfalls, and alpine lakes and you’ll be wondering why you’ve never been. Well, we’re here to tell you that there is only one way to really get a sense of what South Germany has to offer, and that is summed up in two simple words: Road Trip!
To get a good taste of the beautiful German south we recommend a minimum of 7 days. As an example, we’ve put together a route that lasts a week in which you’ll see all the best the region has to offer including Heidelberg, Freiburg, Lindau, the Black Forest, the Wutach Gorge, Neuschwanstein Castle, Lake Constance and the inside of many fine food establishments and public houses (beer gardens, beer halls, pubs, you name it).
We can help kickstart your adventure with flights to Germany, starting in Frankfurt and leaving from Munich. We can also search for the cheapest car rental to suit you for your journey.
Roadtrip in Germany: things to know
Germany is the perfect country to have a road trip due to its good signposting, great modern motorways – or autobahns – and stunning scenery. The rule is to drive on the right – the same as the rest of mainland Europe and the USA. This may take a bit of getting used to initially but it will soon feel normal.
Where to park in Germany
Most hotels offer parking, where there are many public car parks in busy areas. In Munich and Frankfurt it may be easier to find a free parking space on the edge of the city and then get around using the excellent public transport links.
In the mountainous regions and the less populated regions you should be able to find free parking easily.
Gas prices in Germany
Currently gas is approximately 1.88 Euro per litre.
Tolls in Germany
There are no toll roads in Germany – unless your vehicle weighs more than 3.5 tonnes.
Speed on highway in Germany
There is no speed limit on the highways, however, it’s important to remain a safe distance from cars in front of you and be guided by the traffic. There is a limit of 50 km/h in towns and villages and 100 km/h on other roads in unpopulated areas.
In Germany, the driving side is the right side of the road. This is the same as in all of mainland Europe and North America.
Roadtrip South Germany: Day 1 | Frankfurt – Heidelberg
- Driving time 1hr 12mins, 56 miles
The first day of your German road trip should be a relaxing one: you can rack up the miles later, but today you can take some time to unwind, get used to the driving, look around and get to know the country and people a little before setting off.
Start off your trip by taking the time to explore what Frankfurt has to offer. Save some time by parking directly in Braubachstraße in the old town (there are usually places here and should save you from only seeing the city while driving in circles), then walk the cobbled streets and view the colourful houses.
From there it is just a few steps to the famous Frankfurt Römer (City Hall) with its Gothic gables and the half-timbered houses scattered around the grounds. Looking like a scene straight out of a fairytale and yet almost completely restored after the Second World War – you’ll hardly believe it isn’t actually centuries old.
After that, head to Paulskirche (St. Paul’s Cathedral – the German version) for a quick lesson in German history. This former house of God became the seat of Germany’s first democratic parliament and which is now open to the public as a museum.
Route details
If you still have some go in you, take a stroll across The Iron Bridge, the most beautiful bridge in the city, which straddles the river Main – and head to the über-German Adolf Wagner restaurant in the party district of Sachsenhausen. Everything on the menu is as authentic as it gets but given a chance you have to try something off the menu with green sauce, a delicious Frankfurt speciality – both meat and vegetarian dishes are available.
After your belly’s full it’s finally time to hit the road. Head south out of the city towards Odenwald on the B45. Take the exit at Dieburg and follow the winding road through the picturesque uplands and the towns of Erbach and Michelstadt until you hit the Neckar River near the town of Eberbach – the views are nothing if not romantic!
Detour to Neckarsteinach: We recommend taking a coffee break in Neckarsteinach. One great place is the Hotel Vierburgeneck which provides a view of the town’s namesake – four different castle ruins. A pretty fantastic backdrop indeed.
After the second, third or fourth double espresso, it’s only a few kilometres drive to Heidelberg and it’s beautiful palace. The gorgeous city that is to be your first night’s stay-over destination.
KAYAK Tip: A Frankfurt must-try is ‘ebbelwoi‘- a slightly sour fruit wine. Visit a traditional apple wine bar to sample.
Where to eat: Start as you mean to go on with sausages at Adolf Wagner’s in Frankfurt.
Places not to miss: View more than 6000 species of plants at Palmengarten, a 50 acre botanical garden founded in 1868.
For a great selection of food & beverages enjoyed in the tightest of spaces, we recommend the Red Ox. Popular with students, this traditional bar has been owned and operated my the same family for 6 generations. Live music starts at 7:30 sharp, and if you’re nice the piano man may even play a song for you.
Roadtrip South Germany: Day 2 | Heidelberg – Freiburg
- Driving time 2 hr 42 mins, 122 miles
Today you’re going to head upriver, well along the river banks anyway. Driving south along the Rhine, it’s worth taking a coffee, cake and culture break in Karlsruhe. Home to botanic gardens, a palace, parks, lakes, and gardens – Karlsruhe is also home to some top museums including the State Museum of Natural History and the fantastic ZKN Centre for Arts and Media.
Continue south on the A5 until you hit Offenburg, where you should take the turnoff and head into the idyllic Kinzigtal (Kinzig Valley). And now the road starts to twist and turn, passing through the picturesque Black Forest villages of Gegenbach, Haslach and Gutach which are often associated with the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and each well worth a stop off. The road curves as you drive higher and deeper into the dense evergreen and mountainous region bordering France. Your primary destination is Triberg with its famous waterfalls. Not as big as Niagara Falls, but awe-inspiring, nonetheless!
Afterwards, you deserve yet more food (gotta refuel, after all). Take a break at Café Schäfer in Triberg, making sure to try their traditional black walnut gateau! If you need something a bit more hearty, just a few kilometres further lies the village of Schonach. Home to not only the world’s largest cuckoo clock, the largest building in the village is the Schwarzwaldgasthof, a restaurant that has been cooking fantastic cuisine from fresh, local ingredients for over 250 years.
Freiburg is known for its reconstructed medieval old town and the brooks that run throughout the city, but it’s also a thriving student town and somewhere you should definitely make sure to take advantage of the nightlife.
KAYAK Tip: Don’t forget your sunnies for Freiburg is known as ‘the sunniest city in Germany’
Where to eat: Described as the best Mexican food in Germany, try Yepa, Yepa.
Places not to miss: View St Martin’s Gate with it’s iconic medieval gate tower and clock.
Roadtrip South Germany: Day 3 | Freiburg – Lindau
- Driving time 3 hr 08mins, 131 miles
Today you are plunging into the abyss, well, the ravine at least: the Wutachklamm is a real surprise for anyone who considers Germany to just be green fields and pleasant yet safe landscapes – because here the wildness of Mother Nature reigns supreme.
From Freiburg, take the B31 to the Schattenmühle guesthouse (shadow mill) which also houses the area’s information centre. From here it’s easy to enter the ravine, which the River Wutach has carved through the mountain over thousands of years. Greenish gloomy twilight, the sound of the river, the rock face creating the walls of the canyon, rare moths and wild orchids – the expedition is worth it! The whole ravine is about 20 miles long, you probably need two days to see everything – so to stay on schedule you should probably turn back after an hour.
The hike is gorgeous but hard on the old legs. If you can spare some time there’s nothing better than taking a dip in the clear waters of the Kirnbergsee. Only a few kilometres away, the Kirnbergsee is relatively warm for a mountain lake and has numerous sandy beaches.
As you’re in the neighbourhood already it’d be rude not to stop at Europe’s biggest waterfall, the Rhein Falls. Simply head east for an hour until you reach Neuhausen, which is located on Swiss territory.
Onwards from here, exit the motorway in Stockach-Ost and continue around the shore of Lake Constance
You’ll probably be hungry and luckily, there is no lack of delicious fish dishes found on the shore of Lake Constance and on Lindau Island. Whether you want grilled fish from a BBQ or a fancy seafood meal you can find it all within just a few kilometres drive. After food it’s worth taking a walk and finding somwhere pretty for a nightcap.
KAYAK Tip: Have your passport handy when you visit the Rhein Falls as you will cross the border to Switzerland.
Where to eat: Soak up stunning lakeside views and eat posh food at EIL.GUT.HALLE, which also features classic cars.
Places not to miss: Mangturm Tower, on the shore, hosts story-telling fairytale sessions and offers 360 degrees of Lindau.
Roadtrip South Germany: Day 4 | Lindau – Kempten
- Driving time 1hr 8mins, 64 miles
It’s time to head back inland. As you head east from Lake Constance, keeping the Alps on the right, you’ll be met with beautiful views as the local cattle traverse from the geranium-covered lowlands and the Alpine peaks soar away into the heavens.
Today you’re travelling to one of the oldest cities in Germany, and the main hub of the Allgäu region, Kempten. With its rich cultural heritage, Kempten is proud of the art collection you’ll find at the Allgäu Museum at the baroque Kornhaus, a former grain storehouse.
Across the River Iller you’ll find a dig site-turned-museum of a Roman village at The Cambodunum Archaeological Park, . And if you fancy something 100 percent authentic, visit the Benedictine monastery, resplendent in original Bavarian Rococo!
KAYAK Tip: In order to have a good time, we recommend snacking on Bavarian specialities such as Weißwurst (white sausage), potato salad and a local white beer.
Where to eat: NOVA Essen & Trinken has a lovely terrace and good vegan options.
Places not to miss: The majestic St. Lorenz Basilica in Kempten with its intricate interior and impressive domed towers is a very serene spot.
Roadtrip South Germany: Day 5 | Kempten – Bad Hindelang
- Driving time: 1 hr 3 mins, 35 miles
A nice and easy day on the mileage today because you want to take your time as you wind your way through the stunning mountain scenery. First off, take the A8 to reach our first stop of the day which is the small town of Hohenschwangau, on the edge of the Alps. Located along Germany’s ‘Romantic Road’ you will find the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle – Bavaria’s No.1 tourist hotspot.
We recommend leaving early so you have plenty of time to admire and go inside this amazing destination which you will no doubt have seen before in TV shows and movies including The Great Escape, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Monuments Men. It was also the inspiration for the famous Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida.
The stunning castle, which dates back to the late 1800s, was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, but he died under mysterious circumstances after only living there for 172 days. Make sure you book your tickets in advance.
Afterwards go to the nearby Marienbrücke bridge, just a 15-minute walk away, to get even better views of the castle. The 1845 bridge is built right between two sheer cliffs, and it’s where you’ll find the most spectacular views.
After an afternoon of culture, make the short drive to Bad Hindelang via the A7 for an evening meal and to rest your head before another day of action.
KAYAK Tip: You can book queue-jumping tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle if you wish to speed things up or have young kids.
Where to eat: The restaurants around the castle will probably be a tad inflated due to the beautiful location so venture a bit further afield when you want to eat. Schwangau Castle Brewery is a good shout.
Places not to miss: Hohenschwangau Castle, the yellow summer home of King Ludwig is nearby Neuschwanstein so make time for a visit here as the interior is more impressive.
Roadtrip South Germany: Day 6 | Bad Hindelang – Munich
- Driving time 2hr 58 mins, 128 miles
Wake up bright and early ready for a morning of hiking in the Bavarian Alps to see Germany’s highest and probably the most picturesque alpine lake – Lake Schrecksee. If you catch sunrise this is probably the most stunning photograph opportunity of your trip.
The summer months of July and August are the best time to visit with lovely temperatures to go swimming in the lake too.
Star your ascent from the Auf der Höf car park. If you wish you can get a head start on the climb (and miss steep pathways!) by catching the bus – which leaves every 30 minutes – and cutting out the first 10km. How much walking you want to do is up to you but it should take approximately 3.5 hours to get to the top if you start from Bad Hindelang.
If you don’t fancy the hike you can take part in other outdoor activities such as less strenuous walks, mountain biking, archery or indulging in delicious cheese spaetzle (baked cheese and onion delicacies).
Another alternative option if you’re not in the mood for hiking is to head straight to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for a wander.
With its idyllic landscape worthy of a postcard, you’ll find colourful houses with quaint balconies and window shutters, gabled roofs and fancy facades, backdropped the dramatic mountains; sublime.
From here you will ma the final leg of the road trip on A95 to Germany’s capital – Munich.
The journey should take you a little over an hour so you’ll be just in time for an evening of fun at one of Munich’s famous beer halls/gardens. Various guides will tell you which are the best and the locals will all have a personal recommendation, but some safe bets (safe because they are fantastic, thank you very much) are Hofbräuhaus Brewery, Augustiner Keller, Paulanergarten and the Viktualienmarkt. You can see all your options at the fantastic Munich Beer Gardens site.
If it’s a match day, football fans may wish to try and grab a ticket to watch the city’s football team – and one of the best teams in the world – Bayern Munich in action.
KAYAK Tip: Don’t forget comfortable walking boots and hiking sticks for the big Lake Schrecksee hike.
Where to eat: After you’ve worked up an appetite on your hike, visit Keck Cafe & Weinbar in Bad Hindelang for lunch – make sure you try the Allgäu cheese.
Places not to miss: If you like to ski or snowboard and are visiting during the winter months, Bad Hindelang is a marvellous ski resort so add a few days onto your trip and enjoy!
Roadtrip South Germany: Day 7 | Final day in Munich
- Driving time: 30mins, 20miles
Wake up to a final busy morning of sightseeing before your return home. Don’t miss the amazing Marienplatz square, the sprawling English Garden with its beer halls, and the magnificent Nymphenburg Palace.
It’s just over 20 miles to drive to return your rental car at the airport before you catch your flight.
KAYAK Tip: Keep some Euros in your pocket at all times as there are still many places across the city that don’t accept card payments.
Where to eat: Broeding is a favourite restaurant with locals with a menu that changes daily.
Places not to miss: The Hofbräuhaus am Platzl beer hall during Oktoberfest in October.
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