Take a Road Trip in Germany to 9 UNESCO City Gems

Germany Road Trip Itinerary Overview

Road Trip in Germany

This road trip can be easily adjusted for 1 to 2 weeks. The more time you have the more you can see and at a leisurely pace.

I found that combining train and car travel is the best option. I will refer to both so that you can choose the right mode of transportation for you. Be sure to use my recommended trip-planning resources for accommodations, car rental, train and tours.

Road Trip Germany Starting Point: Berlin

Berlin is a city where glamour meets grit! Dive into a culturally rich city featuring a wide range of architectural styles and delicious cuisine. Add a pulsating nightlife and a fascinating history and Berlin is a city for every traveller.

Berlin UNESCO site: discover a collection of world-renowned museums located on an island in the Spree River, including the Pergamon, Altes, Neues, Bode Museums and Alte Nationalgalerie.

Where to Stay in Berlin:

I recommend staying in Berlin for 5 to 7 nights. This allows you enough time to explore Museum Island for three full days, a day trip to Potsdam for one full day and a day trip to Wittenburg for one full day.

Here are my recommended picks for hotels in Berlin:

• Luxury: Ritz Charlton located near Potsdamer Platz
• Mid-level: Adelane Boutique Hotel located near Friedrichstraße shopping mile
• Affordable: Urbn Dreams II located near Alexanderplatz

Day Trip to Potsdam

Potsdam lures travellers with its elegance and grandeur! Not to be left out is the elegant Old Town Square and historic gates to the city.

Potsdam UNESCO site: Sanssouci Palace, the Baroque palace of Frederick the Great and Sanssouci Park is nothing short of breathtaking 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!

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)
• Note: 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

Day Trip to Wittenberg

Wittenberg is a small yet culturally rich city that holds immense historical importance. The right mix of medieval charm and intellectual vigour draws history buffs and culture seekers alike to walk its cobblestone streets and visit the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation.

Wittenberg UNESCO site: 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.

How to get to Wittenberg from Berlin:

• 📍90 km southwest of Berlin in Saxony-Anhalt State, Germany
• 🚉Take a regional train from Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof and arrive in Wittenberg in less than 1 hour (Ticket prices vary, expect to pay €20). The Old Town is a 15-minute walk from the Wittenberg train station
• 🚗Rent a car and take the A9 Autobahn and arrive in just over an hour
• I recommend travelling by train from Berlin

German Road Trip Overnight in Quedlinburg

Quedlinburg is straight out of a fairytale! This delightful medieval town dates back over a thousand years to the times of Charlemagne. Wandering through its old town feels like stepping into a storybook with its half-timbered houses adorning the narrow streets. The intricate designs and colourful facades make each building unique and add to the town’s enchanting atmosphere.

Quedlinburg UNESCO site: The historic city centre where there are over 1,300 half-timbered buildings spanning multiple centuries.

How to get to Quedlinburg from Berlin:

• 📍215 km southwest of Berlin in Saxony-Anhalt State, Germany
• 🚗Rent a car and take the A2 and A115 Autobahn for about 2.5 hours
• 🚉Take a high-speed train from Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof (IC Norddeich Mole) to Magdeburg (4 stops in 90 minutes), then take a regional train (RE Thale Hbf) to Quedlinburg station (8 stops in 75 minutes)
• I recommend renting a car for this next leg of the journey

Where to Stay in Quedlinburg:

I recommend staying in Quedlinburg for two nights. This allows you enough time to explore Quedlinburg for one full day and Goslar for one full day.

Here are my recommended picks for hotels in Quedlinburg:

1. Romantik Hotel am Brühl: discreetly located south of Schlossberg mountain, this lovely hotel seamlessly blends historical charm with contemporary elegance. It’s the sole home of Quedlinburg’s Michelin-starred restaurant, and guests rave about the rooms, scenic surroundings, and delicious breakfast.
2. Wyndham Garden Quedlinburg Stadtschloss: housed in a former castle, combines modern decor with fairy-tale charm. Guests love its central location and the enchanting wine collection in the vaulted cellar.
3. Hotel Zum Bär: a family-run gem on historic Market Square, offers budget-friendly comfort in a timber-framed building. With traditional rooms and a German cuisine restaurant, guests appreciate the warm service, prime location, and delightful breakfast.

Day Trip to Goslar

Goslar, nestled in the picturesque Harz Mountains, was one of the major mining towns during the Middle Ages. At its peak, it was home to numerous silver mines and was an important center for trade and commerce. The wealth accumulated during this period can still be seen today through the town’s picturesque half-timbered houses, grand churches, and an imposing castle.

Goslar UNESCO site: The well-preserved medieval historic city centre.

How to get to Goslar from Quedlinburg:

• 📍60 km northwest of Quedlinburg in Lower Saxony State, Germany
• 🚗Rent a car and take the A36 for about 40 minutes
• 🚉Take a regional train (RE11 Magdeburg Hbf – 3 stops in 15 minutes) to Halberstadt and another regional train (RE21/4 Goslar 7 stops in 49 minutes) to Goslar station
• I recommend renting a car for this next leg of the journey

German Road Trip Overnight in Hamburg

Welcome to one of the coolest cities in Germany! Hamburg stands as the second-largest city in Germany and boasts a thriving cultural scene, architectural marvels, picturesque waterways, and a rich maritime history. It effortlessly combines old-world charm with modern innovation. The Port of Hamburg is one of the largest ports in Europe and has played a significant role in shaping the city’s economy throughout history.

Hamburg UNESCO site: Speicherstadt and Kontorhausviertel with Chilehaus: the world’s largest warehouse district from 1883

How to get to Hamburg from Quedlinburg:

• 📍285 km north of Quedlinburg in Hamburg State, Germany
• 🚗Rent a car and take the A36 and A7 for just under 3 hours
• 🚉Take a regional train (RE11 Magdeburg Hbf – 3 stops in 15 minutes) to Halberstadt and another regional train (RE21/4 Goslar 7 stops in 49 minutes) to Goslar station and another regional train (RE10 Hannover 7 stops in 70 minutes) from the Hannover station take highspeed train ICE to Hamburg Hbf in 75 minutes
• I recommend renting a car (continuing your journey from Quedlinburg to Berlin)

Where to Stay in Hamburg:

I recommend staying in Hamburg for three nights. This allows you enough time to explore Hamburg for two full days and Lubeck for one full day.

Here are my recommended picks for hotels in Hamburg:

1. Fairmont: enjoy a luxury stay with one of the finest hotels located on the Alster Lake in the city centre. Guests rate this 5-star hotel high for its location and the amenities you expect to find at the Fairmont chain.
2. Torture: a luxe boutique hotel right in the city centre with a posh courtyard for guests and interior styling. Guests love its location and this hotel receives high marks for repeat guests.
3. La Bodega: a gorgeous 2-bedroom apartment in the city centre is a budget-friendly stay that includes free parking

Day Trip to Lübeck

Lübeck is a 12th-century gem overflowing with historic buildings. Discover the streets adorned with medieval merchants’ residences and crowned by many spired churches.

Lübeck UNESCO site: As the founding city of the Hanseatic League during medieval times, Lübeck played a significant role as a trading hub and has managed to preserve its rich heritage to this day.

How to get to Lubeck from Hamburg:

• 📍70 km northeast of Hamburg in Schleswig-Holstein State, Germany
• 🚗Rent a car and take the A1 for about 50 minutes
• 🚉Take a regional train (RE80 – 4 stops in 50 minutes)
• I recommend either taking the rental car or hopping on the train, as both are the same in distance and cost

German Road Trip Overnight in Wismar

The coastal town of Wismar is a stunning sight! Along the picturesque promenade watch as sailing ships gracefully dock, feel the sea breeze as you listen to the seagulls serenade you as you explore this maritime haven.

Wismar UNESCO site: Together with Stralsund, protect the heritage of the Hanseatic League during Medieval times including a 13th-century fortified wall.

How to get to Wismar from Hamburg:

• 📍130 km northeast of Hamburg in Mecklenburg–West Pomerania State, Germany
• 🚗Rent a car and take the A1 and A20 for about 90 minutes
• 🚉Take a high-speed train ICE from Hamburg Central Hbf to Ludwigslust station for 42 minutes and from Ludwigslust station take the regional RE8 train to Wismar (11 stops in 70 minutes)
• I recommend renting a car for this next leg of the journey

Where to Stay in Wismar:

I recommend staying in Hamburg for two nights. This allows you enough time to explore Wismar for one full day and Straslund for 1 one full day.

Here are my recommended picks for hotels in Wismar:

1. Townhouse Stadt: a stylish hotel located right on Market Square with spa amenities, a restaurant and a rooftop terrace. Guests rate the location as the best in Wismar.
2. Wonnemar Resort-Hotel: stay at a resort hotel with adjoining 52 ft² thermal baths for an extra relaxing holiday. Guests love the family-friendly amenities and location.
3. Park Inn by Radisson: located directly at the historic harbour, and for those that like to stay with a chain hotel. Guests rate the location as their favourite.

Day Trip to Stralsund

Nestled on the Baltic Sea is where you’ll find this picturesque gem. Stralsund offers nothing but charm- from its lively harbour to its medieval Old Town. Centuries-old buildings adorned with flowers line the narrow streets and hidden courtyards.

Stralsund UNESCO site: Together with Wismar, protect the heritage of the Hanseatic League during Medieval times including a 13th-century fortified wall.

How to get to Stralsund from Wismar:

• 📍150 km northeast of Hamburg in Mecklenburg–West Pomerania State, Germany
• 🚗Rent a car and take the A20 for about 90 minutes
• 🚉It’s not possible to travel by train

Road Trip Germany Ending Point: Berlin

Journey from Wismar back to Berlin as your final leg of this road trip itinerary in Germany.

Germany Road Trip Tips

• Pack a Travel Adapter: Ensure you can charge your devices by packing a universal travel adapter. Then you will have no worries using your phone’s GPS apps like Google Maps or Waze for real-time navigation and traffic updates.
• While many Germans speak English, more so in larger cities like Berlin and Hamburg, it’s always appreciated when travellers make an effort to speak the local language. Learn a few basic German phrases to enhance your communication and show respect for the local culture.
• Keep some cash on hand for parking fees. And local merchants, especially bakeries and small shops may not accept credit cards.
• Drive on the Autobahn with Caution: While the idea of cruising on the famous Autobahn is exciting, remember that certain sections have speed limits. Always adhere to posted speed signs, as photo radar is in effect. I’ve learned the hard way, and have been charged for going over the speed limit, for as little as 5km over.