While living in Berlin, I’m often asked about the best way to experience Germany beyond the capital. My answer? A road trip in Germany.
This two-week itinerary starts and ends in Berlin, weaving through eight other UNESCO World Heritage sites that show off the country’s most charming places.
From Potsdam’s elegant palaces to the Hanseatic charm of Lübeck and Wismar, each stop offers something unique. Whether it’s exploring medieval towns like Quedlinburg and Goslar or soaking in the maritime history of Stralsund, this route gives a deeper appreciation of Germany’s hidden gems.
I’ll walk you through the exact itinerary, with planning tips and what to see. If you’re dreaming of combining history, culture, and scenic drives, this road trip has you covered. Let’s hit the road, shall we?
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Where Does this Road Trip in Germany Start?
This road trip starts and ends with Berlin. It can easily be adjusted for 1 or 2 weeks depending on how much time you have. Based on this itinerary, I recommend 4 destinations as overnights and 5 as day trips.
I also recommend you only rent a car once you leave Berlin, otherwise, utilize train travel.
Stop 1: Berlin (5 to 7 Nights)
Berlin is a city where history and modern life collide in the best way possible. It’s such a cool city to live and visit.
Its UNESCO site is the collection of 5 world-renowned museums located on an island in the middle of the Spree River.
Stop 2: Day Trip to Potsdam
Visiting Potsdam feels like a step into another era, with its elegant architecture and quiet streets.
Its UNESCO site is Sanssouci Palace and Park, the Baroque palace of Frederick the Great. It’s nothing short of inspiring with its delightful gardens spanning over 500 acres full of whimsical fountains, statues, and beautiful flowerbeds with six palaces dotted throughout. It’s known as the Versailles of Germany!
Potsdam Highlights:
✨Old Town Squares: at Alter Markt, a 16-meter obelisk showcases portraits of Potsdam architects, while opposite, the 17th century Neuer Markt, stands among Europe’s best-preserved Baroque squares
✨Potsdam Landmarks: 3 of the original 5 gates Jägertor, Nauener Tor, and Brandenburg Tor
✨Dutch Quarter: stroll through this charming neighbourhood with its Dutch-inspired houses, quaint streets, and unique shops
How to get to Potsdam from Berlin:
- 📍30 km southeast of Berlin in Brandenburg state in Germany
- Take the S-Bahn (S7) for 35 minutes to Potsdam (single ticket: €3.80)
- Pro tip: if you have a Berlin travel card for areas A and B, you only need to purchase a ticket for zone C which costs €1.60 and if you have a Berlin Welcome card, it includes transit to Potsdam
Stop 3: Day Trip to Wittenberg
Visit Wittenberg where Martin Luther sparked the Reformation, and you can still feel that history as you walk its cobblestone streets. It’s a small town with big stories, home to historic churches and a quaint Old Town.
Its UNESCO site is the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) is where the Protestant Reformation took place when Martin Luther nailed the famous 95 Theses to this church’s door in 1517.
Wittenberg Highlights:
✨Cranach Courtyard: tucked away off the main street with half-timber framed houses and the museum of Lucas Cranach a renowned painter of the Renaissance
✨Marktplatz: enjoy the charming town square surrounded by colourful buildings, cafes, and shops, while soaking up the lively atmosphere
✨Wittenberg Tower: climb to the top of this tower for panoramic views over the town
How to get to Wittenberg from Berlin:
- 📍90 km southwest of Berlin in Saxony-Anhalt State
- Take the regional train from Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof and arrive in Wittenberg in less than 1 hour (Ticket prices vary, expect to pay €20)
Stop 4: Quedlinburg (2 Nights)
Quedlinburg is straight out of a fairytale! This delightful medieval town dates back over a thousand years to the times of Charlemagne. One of my favourite things to do here is to wander its UNESCO-protected Old Town full of half-timbered houses spanning multiple centuries.
Quedlinburg Highlights:
✨Old Town: wander through the well-preserved old town with its narrow cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and cozy cafes
✨St. Servatius Church: visit this UNESCO site, known for its Romanesque architecture and impressive collection of medieval art
✨Quedlinburg Castle: explore the picturesque castle that overlooks the town and offers stunning views of the surrounding area
How to get to Quedlinburg from Berlin:
- 📍215 km southwest of Berlin in Saxony-Anhalt State
- Rent a car and take the A2 and A115 Autobahn for about 2.5 hours
Stop 5: Day Trip to Goslar
Goslar is a picturesque town in the Harz Mountains, known for its medieval charm and historic Rammelsberg Mine.
The well-preserved medieval historic city centre is the reason for its UNESCO status.
Goslar Highlights:
✨Goslar Old Town: wander through the charming streets admiring its half-timbered houses and picturesque squares
✨Goslar Imperial Palace: explore the historical significance of this UNESCO Site, which was once a residence for German emperors
✨Zwinger Tower: climb to the top of this tower for panoramic views over Goslar and its surrounding landscape
How to get to Goslar from Quedlinburg:
- 📍60 km northwest of Quedlinburg in Lower Saxony State
- Take the A36 for about 40 minutes
Stop 6: Hamburg (2-3 Nights)
Welcome to one of the coolest cities in Germany! Hamburg stands as the second-largest city and is known as a port city – where historic UNESCO-listed warehouses of Speicherstadt and Kontorhausviertel with Chilehaus blend in with modern architecture along the Elbe River.
Hamburg Highlights:
✨Elbphilharmonie: A modern architectural icon, that resembles a ship is a concert hall perched atop an old warehouse
✨Mahnmal St-Nikolai: take the elevator up Hamburg’s second-tallest building to a viewing platform with views over the city
✨Rathaus: Hamburg’s Baroque City Hall is one of Europe’s most impressive ones.
How to get to Hamburg from Quedlinburg:
- 📍285 km north of Quedlinburg in Hamburg State
- Drive along the A36 and A7 for just under 3 hours
Stop 7: Day Trip to Lübeck
Lübeck is a medieval gem famous for its brick Gothic architecture and status as the former capital of the Hanseatic League. Its UNESCO recognition comes from its well-preserved Old Town, showcasing centuries of trade history and cultural influence making this the top spot to visit.
Lubeck Highlights:
✨Holsentor: the red-brick city gate from 1464 with its twin pointed cylindrical towers that ever so charmingly appear to sag
✨Marienkirche: dating back to 1250, this church stands as the most impressive brick Gothic architecture in northern Europe and ranks as the third largest of its kind in Germany
✨Old Town: wander the cobblestone streets and seek out the city’s prettiest buildings
How to get to Lubeck from Hamburg:
- 📍70 km northeast of Hamburg in Schleswig-Holstein State
- Both driving and taking the regional train take about 50 minutes from Hamburg
Stop 8: Wismar (2 Nights)
The coastal town of Wismar is a stunning sight! It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its outstanding example of Hanseatic League urban design and preserved brick Gothic buildings. Visiting the historic harbour and medieval architecture of Old Town make this worth visiting.
How to get to Wismar from Hamburg:
- 📍130 km northeast of Hamburg in Mecklenburg–West Pomerania State
- Take the A1 and A20 for about 90 minutes
Stop 9: Day Trip to Stralsund
Stralsund is a charming Baltic Sea town known for its historic Old Town, surrounded by water on nearly all sides. Its UNESCO status highlights its role in the Hanseatic League and its exceptional brick Gothic architecture.
Stralsund Highlights:
✨Old Town: stroll the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its Patrician houses built for the upper class and aristocracy from the Hanseatic era, 13th century Town Hall
✨Marienkirche: dating back to the 14th century, this church stands as the second-largest Brick Gothic building in the Baltic Sea region
✨Frankenteich, a chain of lakes and park grounds making it a pretty place to go for a stroll
How to get to Stralsund from Wismar:
- 📍150 km northeast of Hamburg in Mecklenburg–West Pomerania State
- Drive for about 90 minutes along the A20
Listen to the Germany Road Trip Itinerary
Prefer to listen instead? Tune into the podcast where I dive into all the details and insider tips for this journey on the Amateur Traveler.
German Road Trip Tips
- Pack a Travel Adapter: Bring a universal travel adapter to keep your devices charged and use GPS apps like Google Maps or Waze for navigation.
- Learn Basic German Phrases: While English is widely spoken in cities, knowing a few German phrases shows respect and can improve your interactions.
- Carry Cash: Keep cash handy for parking fees and small shops or bakeries that may not accept credit cards.
- Drive Carefully on the Autobahn: Some sections have speed limits, so always check posted signs to avoid fines from photo radar. I’ve learned the hard way, and have been charged for going over the speed limit, for as little as 5km over.
Final Thoughts
I always like to refer to UNESCO sites as a way to plan my itineraries. And as you can see this road trip brings you to some amazing ones!
If you want to read about another road trip I took in Germany, I highly recommend the Alpine Route, 450 km through the German Alps as a trip of a lifetime!
