Germany’s Romantic Road: A 7-Day Road Trip

Day By Day Itinerary

1. Day 1 Welcome to Germany

   

   Welcome to Germany! Upon your arrival at the airport, pick up your rental car and start your road trip adventure. Depending on the time of your arrival you may have some spare time to explore Frankfurt, before driving to your first night accommodation in Wurzburg. The drive from Frankfurt to Wurzburg will take you approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

   Suggestion for the day: Frankfurt Discovery

   • In Frankfurt you may have some time to wander along the Main River, stopping at some parks along the way. You can head to the town square, where you can check out the Fountain of Justice and the Cathedral. Make a stop to eat some pretzels or even drink some beer, if you are there in time for one of  the many beer festivals. After you’ve had enough of Frankfurt, hit the road and drive towards Wurzburg.
   • On the way, you can stop to explore Johannisburg Palace. Spend your first night in Wurzburg.
2. Day 2 Drive to Rothenberg

   

   Suggestion for the day: Discover the Charm of Wurzburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber

   • Today, you can start your day by visiting the magnificent Residenz (Palace). Explore its opulent Rococo interiors, marvel at the grand staircase adorned with Tiepolo frescoes, and wander through the exquisite Hofgarten (Court Garden) with its manicured lawns and sculptures. After, Take a stroll across the iconic Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge), adorned with statues depicting saints and mythological figures. Enjoy scenic views of the Main River and capture panoramic photos.
   • After, hit the road and drive 45 minutes to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. You can make a little detour and stop in Bad Mergentheim if you love stunning German Architecture and medieval history. Check out the churches, the Deutschordens Museum, and the palace, and wander the Palace gardens.
   • Another possible stop for you there is the Bad Merfentheim Wild Park, where you can see some unique native European animals. Continue to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Settle into your accommodation and take some time to explore the city. Stop in the main sites including Plonlein, which is the most iconic and most used example of a medieval township in any fiction story, movie, etc., before continuing to the Rothenberg’s Old Quarter. Explore the rest of the city in your own pace before settling in for the night.
3. Day 3 Drive to Nordlingen

   

   Back on the road and off to Nordlingen. It is another short drive of approximately 1 hour.

   Suggestion for the day: Picturesque Stops (From Rothenburg to Nordlingen via Dinkelsbuhl)

   • On the way, we suggest you stop in the town of Dinkelsbühl, another destination on the Romantic Road and a very picturesque one.
   • Arriving in Nordlingen settle into your accommodation and start exploring this medieval-looking town, surrounded by a city wall.  Upon first glance, Nördlingen actually draws hints of a typical German town. It has a city wall surrounding it. At its epicenter sits a towering church dominating the skyline. The church is perfectly alibied with red pitched roofs of hundreds of timber-frame houses and shops. Wander around the city’s picture-perfect streets, take a walk on the town wall, shop and collect some pretty souvenirs, or perhaps just do nothing and sit and watch people at the old town square!
   • If you’re into gastronomy, find yourself in one of the street cafes or a fine-dining restaurant.  For those who fancy exploring the antique collection from Nördlingen and Bavaria’s olden days, visit Stadtmuseum.  If you’re interested in knowing more about the meteorite impact on the earth here millions of years ago, the very moment that made Nördlingen so special today, make a stop in Rieskrater-Museum.
4. Day 4 Drive to Augsburg

   

   Today you will drive from Nordlingen to Augsburg. The drive will take you approximately one hour. Augsburg, as a town, is one of the oldest in Germany, with its foundation dating back to 15 BC. Statistically speaking, Augsburg is Bavaria’s third-biggest town, but when you’re there you don’t feel it that big

   Suggestion for the day: Historic Augsburg (From Medieval Walls to Renaissance Splendors)

   • If you are interested in seeing a bit of the Renaissance period and studying some expensive ceiling paintings, visit the town hall and the Golden Saal (located on the top floor of the town hall). Perhaps the most interesting attraction in Augsburg, Fuggeri is the world’s oldest social housing project that was started in 1516 by Jakob Fugger, a powerful merchant banker. Within a decade 52 houses were constructed in a walled housing pattern. The idea was to give poor people a place to live. You may also visit the Augsburg Cathedral, Mozart House, the church of St. Anna, Perlach Tower, and the Diocesan Museum. It is also worth exploring the shopping streets in the new town center of Augsburg.
5. Day 5 Drive to Fussen

   

   Today you will drive from Augsburg to Fussen. Together 1 hour and a half drive.

   Suggestion for the day: Scenic Route (Augsburg to Fussen via Schongau)

   • On the way, you can make a stop in Schongau. From Augsburg, the more you drive south, the more picturesque the journey gets. Between Augsburg and Schongau, you get patches of highland, with beautiful farmlands running on either side. Schongau is popular among tourists for its well-maintained medieval Stadtmauer.
   • Unlike other stops on this Romantic Road Road-trip itinerary, Schongau proves to be a little weakling in terms of the tourist attractions it offers. But the entire small-town vibe that it has makes Schongau one of the must-sees. After soaking up the Schongau atmosphere continue your trip to Fussen, your home for the next 2 nights. Fussen’s old town is a blend of brightly colored buildings, adorned with frescoes. The typical Bavarian architecture and cobblestoned streets give the town an old-world charm.
6. Day 6 Fussen

   

   Suggestion for the day: Fairy Tale Castles (Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein)

   • On day 6 of your road trip we suggest you do a day trip to the royal castles of Hohenschwangau and Schloss Neuschwanstein, related to King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Set on the foothills of the Alps, it’s hard to visit Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein without conjuring up thoughts of fairy tales and royal musings. You can find the castle of Hohenschwangau on many brochures highlighting tourism in Germany, and when you see it in reality, you understand the reason why! In the evening return to Fussen and settle in for the last night in Germany.
7. Day 7 Farewell Germany

   

   Following the A7 and A3, drive back to Frankfurt. Your Romantic Road road trip has sadly come to an end. Drive from Fussen to Frankfurt will take you approximately 4 hours and a half. Return your rental car and say goodbye to Germany until the next time!