Romantic Road to the Black Forest, Germany
In Germany the freewheeling experience becomes more challenging with driving on the right hand side of the road. Don’t be put off, roads and autobahns are well surfaced and clearly signposted. Most major roads do have tolls so it is often cheaper and more scenic to stay on the secondary roads.
Marvel at the Bavarian landscapes half-timbered chalets and magnificent castles with alpine foothills forming a stunning backdrop along the Romantic road. Meander from Frankfurt to Munich, pass scenery mirrored in Lake Constance and explore the enchanting Black Forest, straight out of Brothers Grimm fairy tales.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Frankfurt – Darmstadt – Heidelberg (97km)
Visit Heidelberg Castle whose Gothic ruins dominate the skyline. Explore the old town and see the Main Street, Karl’s Gate and The Old Stone Bridge.
Day 2: Heidelberg – Wurzburg – Rothenburg (221km)
Make your way to the walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, on the Romantic Road, with cobbled streets and charming ramparts.
Day 3: Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Dinkelsbühl (48km)
Germany’s Romantic Road winds through countryside, connecting walled towns and cute villages.
Day 4: Dinkelsbühl – Augsburg – Munich (177km)
Wake up in the beautiful city of Dinkelsbühl, a ‘must-do’ on the Romantic Road trail. You’ll feel like you’re staying in a fairy tale story book. Soak up Augsburg’s sights, one of Germany’s oldest cities, before reaching Munich.
Day 5: Munich – Fussen (129km)
Wander through Munich’s Marienplatz surrounded by historical buildings and see the Glockenspiel show. Visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
Day 6: Fussen – Lindau (106km)
Lindau, on Lake Constance (also called Bodensee), is known for its old town situated on an island.
Day 7: Lindau – Titisee–Neustadt (159km)
Drive through the mountainous dense, evergreen Black Forests, to arrive at the foot of the Feldberg, the highest point in the Black Forest, where the crystal-clear waters of romantic Lake Titisee lie.
Day 8: Titisee–Neustadt – Freiburg (32km)
Freiburg is surrounded by vineyards and full of Gothic buildings.
Customise this itinerary to travel at your own pace.
Continue over to Basel or up to Strasbourg.
Highlights worth seeing along the way
Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Try a schneeball made from short pastry, formed into a ball and deep-fried in hot butter-fat for 4 minutes, then dusted with powdered sugar.
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle – The most visited castle in Germany, incredibly princess-like and pretty.
Christmas Markets – Visit the markets in Würzburg, Bamberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg, Nordlingen and Augsburg to pick up something special and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Explore Lindau and Lake Constance – In the harbour you’ll find a Bavarian Lion statue and the stone Lindau Lighthouse, the perfect spot to have lunch. Further along the harbour front is the 12th century Mangturm, a tower with a Rapunzel’s braid hanging from a window.
Visit the Lindau Gothic Old Town Hall – Sundays or early morning the square is quieter for better photos of the artwork.
Take a boat trip up the Rhine to the Falls – The largest plain waterfall in Europe and easily accessible by car. There are viewing platforms and the amount of water thundering over is awe-inspiring.
Buy a Cuckoo Clock – The famous Hones’ clocks have been produced in Titisee-Neustadt since the 1700’s.
Feeling Active – Titisee-Neustadt is the starting point for many a hike and outing in the scenic surrounding area.
Our favourite places to stay:
• Hezelhof Hotel, Dinkelsbühl
• Hotel Torbrau, Munich
• Hotel Reutemann and Seegarten, Lindau
• Maritim TitiseeHotel, Lake Titisee
Choosing your Rental Car
Take into consideration the size of the vehicle you require. We strongly recommend a compact size car for two adults. If the vehicle is to be used for day touring from a central base and not for transporting your luggage, a smaller vehicle may be adequate. We suggest you book your car before leaving home as this will save money and ensure you get the car of your choice.
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