Top Scenic Drives to Explore in Germany

Do you like road trips? Germany is a car lovers’ dream and the perfect place to hop in the car and make the journey your reward.

Germany offers many scenic drives and themed roads that will lead you past quaint villages, medieval castles, and unspoiled countryside. Delightful throughout the year, enjoy the delicious spoils of your travel from favorite foods to wine culture.

From the Romantic Road and the Castle Road to the Fairy Tale Road and the Wine Route, here are the roads best traveled in Germany.

Romantic Road

Follow the fairy tale by driving the Romantische Straße (Romantic Road). This 261-mile long drive through Bavaria was actually created by English-speaking travel agents in the 1950s, but the allure of castles still brings in visitors from around the world.

The road leads you from the Franconia wine country to the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein in the foothills of the German Alps. Along the way, you can enjoy the Bavarian countryside, which is dotted with picturesque towns, half-timbered houses, hidden monasteries, and romantic hotels. Also on the route is Würzburg with its Residenz and the charming Castle Hotel of Colmberg.

Note that this is the most popular German scenic drive and can get very crowded in summer with lines of tour buses trundling in. One way to see the cities without the crowds is to stay overnight in one of the smaller towns once the buses have moved on to their next destination.

Castle Road

If you want to see as many castles as possible in the least amount of time, take a ride on the Castle Road. Travel back in time with a route lined with more than 70 castles and palaces, showcasing everything from romantic ruins to picture-perfect castle museums.

The Castle Road, which spans over 625 miles, consists of a series of small, winding back roads with easy-to-follow signs. If you prefer to plan your journey before hitting the road, the website offers an English version and provides a detailed map of the route, including exact distances between castles and cities.

This captivating route starts in Mannheim and leads you all the way to Prague in the Czech Republic. With so much to explore along the Castle Road, it is advisable to select just a few castles to visit in-depth, while also enjoying the magnificent views of other castles from afar.

Fairy Tale Road

Explore the enchanting realm of the Brothers Grimm along the Fairy Tale Road. This picturesque route connects the towns and landscapes that inspired their most famous stories; hike in Little Red Riding Hood’s forest, visit the castle of Sleeping Beauty, and ascend the tower where Rapunzel let down her hair.

The Fairy Tale Road begins in Hanau, the birthplace of the two brothers Jacob and Wilhelm, and takes you to their home in Steinau, through the cities where the Brothers Grimm studied and worked.

Almost all towns along the Fairy Tale Road offer family-friendly activities, including puppet shows, parades, concerts, and charming statues of beloved fairy tale characters. The route is particularly enchanting around Christmas, when the festive Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets) enhance the charm.

Wine Road

The German Wine Road in Rhineland-Palatinate is the country’s oldest scenic drive. Starting in the southwest of Germany, this 50-mile route winds through the country’s second-largest wine-growing region, ultimately leading to the French border.

The Romans began cultivating wine here nearly 1,000 years ago, and the Germans have since perfected it. Experience the local culture in charming wine villages, traditional restaurants, vibrant vineyards, and local harvest festivals. Enjoy the local flavor at open-air farmers’ markets and wine festivals, which take place throughout late spring, summer, and especially during the fall.

Additionally, note that on the last Sunday in August, the wine route is closed to traffic and is open only to walkers, hikers, bikers, and inline skaters who wish to visit the seasonal open-air wine bars along the route.