Spring Road Trips in Germany: 5 Scenic Drives & Easter Markets

Würzburg (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Start with the Würzburg Residence (UNESCO says it’s important, and it actually is), then head to Marienberg Fortress for some views. Walk across the Old Main Bridge and pretend you’re here for the architecture, not the wine.
• 2 days: More time means a deeper dive—check out the cathedral, take a winery tour, or just soak in the Franconian vibes at a slower pace.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Walk the medieval walls, visit St. James’s Church, and take your Plönlein photo (because everyone does). The Night Watchman’s Tour is one of the few guided tours that’s actually entertaining, so it’s worth sticking around for.
• 2 days: If you want more time to explore, visit the Crime Museum (medieval justice was…creative) or spend extra time in the Christmas store that’s open year-round.

Dinkelsbühl (½–1 Day)

• ½ day: A smaller, less touristy version of Rothenburg. Walk the town walls, visit St. George’s Minster, and admire the colorful medieval houses.
• 1 full day: Stay longer if you enjoy relaxed exploration, local museums, or just want a slower-paced break from the busier stops.

Augsburg (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Highlights include the Fuggerei (Europe’s oldest social housing complex), the Rathaus, and the Augsburg Cathedral. It’s one of Germany’s oldest cities, so there’s plenty of history to absorb.
• 2 days: If you like quirky museums, check out the Augsburg Puppet Theatre Museum. Or take a relaxed stroll through the Botanic Gardens and enjoy a break from cobblestone streets.

Füssen & Neuschwanstein Castle (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Neuschwanstein is the main event—do the tour, check out Hohenschwangau Castle, and take in the Alpsee views. It’s busy but worth seeing at least once.
• 2 days: If you want to explore beyond the castles, Füssen’s old town has its own charm. Consider a trip to Linderhof Palace, Ludwig II’s finished (and much smaller) masterpiece.

Final Verdict:

• Fast track: 4–5 days. Enough time to see everything, but you’ll be on the move constantly.
• Best experience: 7–9 days. More time to take in the details, enjoy the regional food, and not feel rushed.

Dresden (2–3 Days)

• 2 days: Start with the must-sees—Zwinger Palace, Frauenkirche, and the Semperoper. Walk along the Brühl’s Terrace, visit the Green Vault if you like over-the-top royal treasures, and admire the Fürstenzug (a giant porcelain mural of Saxon rulers because why not).
• 3 days: Take a day trip to Pillnitz Palace, explore more museums, or head over to the alternative scene in Neustadt, where street art and indie cafés make up for the city's royal excess. If you like Baroque architecture, you won’t run out of things to look at.

Leipzig (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Check out the St. Thomas Church, where Bach worked (and where he’s buried, in case that interests you). Visit the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, which is absurdly large but historically important. Walk around the old town and see Mädler Passage for a mix of history and shopping.
• 2 days: Add the Spinnerei art district, visit the GRASSI Museum, or take a relaxed break at Clara-Zetkin-Park. If you’re into music history, there are plenty of Bach, Wagner, and Mendelssohn-related sites to track down.

Görlitz (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Walk through the Altstadt, which looks like a movie set (because it basically is—Hollywood loves filming here). Admire the Görlitz Department Store, a stunning Art Nouveau building, and cross the pedestrian bridge into Poland just because you can.
• 2 days: If you like slow travel, stay longer to explore the quirky museums, visit the St. Peter and Paul Church, and enjoy the ridiculously well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture. This is a town best enjoyed without rushing.

Final Verdict:

• Fast track: 4–5 days. You’ll see everything major but won’t have time to linger.
• Best experience: 6–7 days. Enough time to soak in the details, explore at a relaxed pace, and maybe even enjoy a second coffee without checking the time.

Baden-Baden (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Stroll through the Lichtentaler Allee, a fancy-sounding park that’s genuinely beautiful. Peek into the Kurhaus Casino (or gamble if you feel lucky), and visit the Caracalla Spa or Friedrichsbad for some thermal bath time—because that’s what Baden-Baden is all about.
• 2 days: If you enjoy hiking, head to the Merkur Mountain via funicular for some Black Forest views. Or, if you'd rather embrace the old-money spa town vibe, spend more time in the thermal baths and pretend you’re European aristocracy.

Triberg (½–1 Day)

• ½ day: This is basically the cuckoo clock capital of the world, so expect lots of them. Check out Triberg Waterfalls (Germany’s highest, though they’re not exactly Niagara), visit the Black Forest Museum, and stop by Haus der 1000 Uhren (because what’s a few more cuckoo clocks?).
• 1 full day: If you really want to lean into the Black Forest experience, explore nearby hiking trails, try Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) in its natural habitat, and visit the world’s largest cuckoo clock—which, yes, is a thing people come here to see.

Freiburg im Breisgau (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Start in the Altstadt, checking out the Münster (stunning cathedral with a great market outside). Walk along the Bächle (tiny medieval water channels in the streets that locals still love), and head up to Schlossberg for a view of the city and surrounding vineyards.
• 2 days: Take your time wandering through Freiburg’s relaxed café scene, visit the Augustiner Museum, or take a short trip to the Schauinsland cable car for even better views. Freiburg is a university town, so it’s lively, but it also happens to be one of Germany’s sunniest cities—so if the weather’s good, enjoy it.

Final Verdict:

• Fast track: 3 days. You’ll see everything essential but won’t have much downtime.
• Best experience: 4–5 days. Enough time to soak in the spa town luxury, get your fill of cuckoo clocks, and enjoy Freiburg’s laid-back vibe.

Hamburg (2–3 Days)

• 2 days: Start at the Speicherstadt (UNESCO-listed warehouse district) and take in the Elbphilharmonie—even if you don’t care about architecture, the views are solid. Walk along the Landungsbrücken, check out the St. Michael’s Church, and maybe visit the Miniatur Wunderland if impressively detailed model trains are your thing.
• 3 days: Add a harbor boat tour, spend time in Planten un Blomen (a park that’s way more relaxing than the city’s industrial vibes), or get lost in Schanzenviertel for cool shops and street art. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Reeperbahn is Hamburg’s notorious nightlife district—worth seeing, even if just for the people-watching.

Lübeck (1 Day)

• 1 day: Lübeck is basically a brick Gothic time capsule. Walk through the Holstentor (the city’s iconic medieval gate), explore the Altstadt, and visit St. Mary’s Church. Lübeck is also the marzipan capital of the world, so you might as well stop by Café Niederegger to see what all the fuss is about.

Rostock (½–1 Day)

• ½ day: A quick stop in the Altstadt to see the Marienkirche, the astronomical clock inside, and the university area. If you’re just passing through, this is enough.
• 1 full day: If you want to explore more, head to Warnemünde, a beach town just outside Rostock. It’s got a lighthouse, a long sandy beach, and a relaxed vibe—especially in summer.

Rügen Island (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: The highlight is Jasmund National Park, home to the famous chalk cliffs that inspired Romantic painters. Visit Binz, a seaside resort town with old-school beach charm, or take the Rasender Roland, a steam-powered narrow-gauge railway that’s equal parts nostalgic and touristy.
• 2 days: More time means checking out the island’s quieter spots like Kap Arkona (a scenic lighthouse area) or exploring Sellin with its picturesque pier. If you like long coastal walks, Rügen delivers.

Final Verdict:

• Fast track: 4–5 days. You’ll see the highlights, but it’ll be a lot of moving around.
• Best experience: 6–7 days. More time to soak up Hamburg’s energy, Lübeck’s medieval charm, and Rügen’s coastal scenery without rushing.

Hanau (½ Day – 1 Day)

• ½ day: Hanau’s main claim to fame is the Brothers Grimm—you’ll find statues, references, and the Grimm Brothers National Monument in the Marktplatz. If you’re passing through, that plus the Philippsruhe Palace (a baroque riverside mansion) is enough.
• 1 full day: If you’re a serious Grimm enthusiast, visit the Wilhelmsbad historic park and the Grimm’s Fairy Tale Route stops in town. Otherwise, Hanau is mostly a starting point.

Kassel (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Kassel’s highlight is Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a massive, UNESCO-listed park with the Hercules Monument, cascading waterfalls, and Wilhelmshöhe Palace. If you’re not into landscapes or old palaces, Kassel might not be your scene.
• 2 days: Visit the Grimmwelt Museum, which leans heavily into the Brothers Grimm connection. If you like modern art, check out Documenta Halle, linked to the famous Documenta contemporary art exhibition. Otherwise, extra time here just means more park wandering.

Marburg (1 Day)

• 1 day: This is one of Germany’s best-preserved university towns, and it has the kind of storybook medieval old town that feels like a film set. Climb up to Marburg Castle, wander the Oberstadt, and visit the Elisabethkirche, which is actually pretty important historically. If you’re following the Brothers Grimm theme, they studied here, and you’ll find a Grimm-themed walking trail through town.

Bremen (1–2 Days)

• 1 day: Start at the Marktplatz, where the Town Hall and Roland Statue scream UNESCO. Take your obligatory photo with the Bremen Town Musicians statue, then explore the Schnoorviertel, a ridiculously picturesque medieval district. Walk along the Böttcherstraße, an artsy street that looks straight out of an old German expressionist film.
• 2 days: If you like maritime history, visit the Übersee-Museum. Or, if you just want to hang out somewhere cool, spend more time in the Viertel, Bremen’s trendy café and nightlife area. More time also means a boat tour along the Weser, if that’s your thing.

Final Verdict:

• Fast track: 3–4 days. You’ll cover the essentials, but you’ll be moving quickly.
• Best experience: 5–6 days. More time to enjoy the details—especially in Kassel’s parks and Bremen’s old town—without rushing.