When my sister Ali and fellow travel partner in crime Eileen decided to plan a girls getaway to Germany, we all agreed to scratch driving the autobahn of the travel bucket list! And there you have it, the romantic road Germany itinerary was born.

Traveling in September made for fantastic weather. We were able to explore the Black Forest and drink a few beers at Oktoberfest, so off we went! Planning a road trip with your pack is never an easy task, but a little planning certainly goes along way. Check out our tips on how to make the most of a road trip through Germany.

Table of Contents

• Berlin, Germany (Day 1-3)
• Driving the Romantic Road Germany Itinerary
• Baden Baden, Germany (Day 4-6)
• Fairytale German Castles in Bavaria (Day 7-8)
• Munich & Oktoberfest (Day 9-10)

Explore the cultural history of Berlin Germany

This capital city is often sighted for its tumultuous past, but with a rich arts and cultural scene, it shouldn’t be missed. Berlin is quite far off the beaten path of our romantic road Germany itinerary, but well worth the wait.  

 

Visiting in the fall is the perfect time to do a walking or cycling tour of the Berlin Wall. The seasonal weather is also a great time to grab a beer and relax in the Tiergarten. One of my favorite parts of the trip was enjoying the outdoor graffiti history lesson at the East Side Gallery. Shopaholics should check out the Winterfeldt Market on Saturday to grab some German goods.

If you’re really digging German culture and plan to be in Berlin a bit longer, have a look at this German language school that could help you dive deeper! It’s great for nomads too who work remotely and may want to find opportunities in Germany a little easier.

The best spot to catch a view of the sunset is on top of the Reichstag, the city’s parliament building. Brandenburg gate is also stunning in the evening, and its a short walk from the Reichstag.

Tip! Be sure to book your time well in advance, also don’t forget to bring your passport to your appointment!

Also, no trip of Berlin is complete without snapping a photo at Checkpoint Charlie. We only had a few short days in Berlin. However, if we had more time we absolutely would have made a day of exploring Museum Island. A single day is not enough to soak in all the five museums on the island have to offer.

Tip! If you’re planning to visit a few museums, purchase a pass to make the most of your time.

Where to Stay

• Where We Stayed: Hotel Residenz Begaswinkel I loved this cozy bed and breakfast, just a few blocks away from Tiergarten
• Eco Friendly Mid Range: The Circus Hotel Stylish hotel in a central location
• Economic Option: EastSeven Berlin Hostel Fantastic Prenzlauer Berg location, offers free walking tours daily.

What to Eat

• Cookies Cream Vegetarian dishes with a hipster twist
• Restaurant Die Schule Traditional German dishes tapas style
• Prater Berlin’s oldest beer garden
• Defne Tasty turkish cuisine
• Augustiner Braeu Authentic bavarian beer hall
• Here’s a great list of Berlin’s great coffee shops!

Driving the romantic road Germany itinerary

After a beautiful weekend, it was time for my crew to pick up our wheels and hit the autobahn. We headed to the airport to pick up our gem vehicle. Ford minivan! Yes, three American girls came all the way to Europe just to rent a Ford. However, much to our surprise the van was the perfect size and smooth ride for the long journey.

The crew voted for Ali to take the wheel first; it was her idea to the romantic road Germany itinerary! Eventually it was my turn, and it was time for me to face my fears. Traveling isn’t just about having fun, it’s a way to push yourself outside your comfort zone. Much to my surprise, the what I thought would be terrifying were thrilling and most memorable experiences of the trip!

Tip! Be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road and international road signs before putting the pedal to the metal.

A few hours and many Pringles later, we arrived in the city of Baden Baden. This town is located  at the foot of the Black Forest and beginning of the romantic road Germany itinerary.

Rent a Car

• Auto Europe Works with multiple vendors throughout Europe to find you the best deal
• Sixt Offers multiple pick-up locations throughout Germany
• Europcar Can pick up and drop off in different locations
• Discover Car Hire: A good option to compare various rental options in Germany.

Enjoy a spa day at Caracalla baths Baden Baden

After zipping down the autobahn on our romantic road Germany itinerary, it was time to sit back and relax. Baden Baden, who’s prefix ‘bad’ means ‘bath’ in German, is famous for their mineral baths and spa culture.

There are two baths in town to choose from. The more traditional and historic Friedrichsbad Roman-Irish baths is a nude bathing facility. If public nudity is not your cup of tea, Caracalla baths Baden Baden is the choice for your crew.

We spent the day at Caracalla baths. The facility is open from 9am – 10pm daily and offers robe and towel rentals. The facility includes an indoor and outdoor pool, several saunas, massage services, and a full service cafe. All expenses are tracked on a wristband provided upon entering the spa. It also serves as your locker key. Be sure to block off at least a half day to enjoy the full relaxing effects of the mineral bath experience. Ali, Eileen, and I could have spent the whole day there!

Where to Stay

• Where We Stayed: Gasthaus Linde A cozy economical bed and breakfast just on the outskirts of downtown Baden Baden
• Live in Luxury: Brenners Park Hotel & Spa Fully immerse in the lavish spa experience and Michelin star menu
• Mid-Range Accommodation: Landgasthof Hirsch Offers modern rooms, free breakfast, and wifi. Simple and efficient

What to Eat

• Cafe Konig Great spot to savor a slice of traditional Black Forest cake
• Laterne Traditional German Fare
• Löwenbräu Baden-Baden Fantastic outdoor beer garden, great afternoon beer and pretzel spot

What are the best pit stops along the Romantic Road?

In my humble opinion, the best part of a road trip is the ability to be spontaneous. Want to stop at the local cafe for a coffee and slice of cake, go for it! If you want to pull over and throw a few euros in a giant cuckoo cuckoo clock, carpe diem! We left this portion of driving the romantic road Germany itinerary open. However, here are a few tips on how to make the most of your road trip.

• Triberg Falls: Soak in all the natural beauty that the Black Forest has to offer by hiking the Triberg Waterfalls. A small 3.50 Euro fee will allow access to the park.  
• Schwarzwald Souvenirs: Pick up all your traditional honey and cuckoo cuckoo clocks at The House of Black Forest Clocks. Ali and I picked up a beautiful clock handmade by Adolf.
• Vineyards and wineries: Explore the vineyards located along Lake Constance and taste the delicious wine the region has to offer.
• Relive your childhood in Oberammergau: Take a stroll through this charming town to admire the beautifully illustrated classic fairy tales painted on building facades.
• And last but not least…

How to visit fairytale German castles in Bavaria?

We know the reason you are reading this article is to figure out how to see fairytale German castles in Bavaria. Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned to be built as a home for King Ludwig in the 19th century. Unfortunately, he never lived long enough to see its completion. Shortly after his death the castle was open to the public. Today ladies of all ages can walk the grounds and imagine all their fairy tales coming true!

Tip! Both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles are to tourist destinations in Germany. Make sure to make your reservations online at least a few days in advance. Also arrive at least an hour before your reservation, as the line to pick up tickets is quite long during the summer months.

If you choose to tour both castles, you will have some time in between showings. We choose to pack snacks and enjoy a picnic lakeside. Just make sure you leave plenty of time to catch the bus or a horse drawn carriage up to the castle grounds, or you’ll be practicing your racing skills uphill to avoid missing your time slot! After exploring the fairytale German castles in Bavaria, we headed for Munich.

Munich & Oktoberfest 

After a week long romantic road Germany itinerary, we finally made it to the land of beer, Munich, Germany. Full disclosure, our primary purpose for heading to town was to experience the beer tents at Oktoberfest, however the city of Munich has so much more to offer. My crew did manage to see the Glockenspiel. This is the cuckoo cuckoo clock of all cuckoo cuckoo clocks, located in the center of town.

Tip! Try to head to the fairgrounds during the week earlier in the day to avoid the long lines. Also, drink plenty of water during the day… you’ll thank yourself later!

Where to Stay

• Where we stayed:B&B Hotel Munchen City-West Modern decor and modest accommodations at a great price. 
• Heart of the City: Relaxa Hotel Munchen Luxury accommodations in the heart of the city. Just a short 10 minute walk from the fairgrounds. 
• Budget Accommodations:Wombat City Hostel Just a stone’s throw from all the action!

What to Eat

• Fraunhofer Authentic German fare
• Prinz Myshkin Premier vegetarian spot
• Wirtshaus Ayingers Just across the street from the famous Hofbraehaus, with a quieter vibe

From walking the halls of the fairytale German castles of Bavaria to relaxing in the Caracalla baths Baden Baden, there is something for everyone to enjoy on the romantic road Germany itinerary. Hope you find this guide packed full of great tips and tricks to make the most of your next holiday to Germany!

What tips do you have to make the most of a road trip through Germany? What attractions are you most interested in seeing?