4-Day Germany road trip Starting from Dortmund to Essen

Your road trip adventure in Germany begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Dortmund. You’ll stay in Dortmund for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Dortmund has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Hörde. This attraction is an ortsteil and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 693 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Dortmund, Restaurant Namu. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 892 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Dortmund is 60 Seconds to Napoli. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,208 customers.

Locals recommend Zum Alten Markt as one of the best restaurants in the city of Dortmund. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 4,074 customers.

Dortmund also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Dortmund is Steakhouse Rodizio. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,082 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Dortmund is The ASH Dortmund. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,283 customers.

Locals also enjoy Strobels Dortmund. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,913 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 4-day vacation in Germany!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 2 of your epic road trip in Germany, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Dortmund. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Essen. You’ll stay in Essen for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Dortmund’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Dortmund, start your day with a visit to the amazing German Football Museum. This much-appreciated sports museum and attraction is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,266 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Rombergpark Botanical Garden. This must-see tourist destination and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 6,382 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Dortmund Zoo to make the most of your road trip across Germany. The spectacular Dortmund Zoo is a zoo that has been rated an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars by 15,297 visitors.

The lovely LWL Industrial Museum Zollern is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 3,274 visitors have left this museum average ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Dortmund has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Essen. Essen offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular sattgrün theaterpassage. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 1,011 reviews.

The remarkable Restaurant Artemis is another top restaurant in Essen we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,233 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous BLOCK HOUSE Essen is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,330 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Essen, the fantastic Fritzpatrick's Irish Pub. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,779 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful HANS IM GLÜCK - ESSEN Rüttenscheid. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,619 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is Restaurant Hülsmannshof. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,570 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Germany!

Rise and shine on day 3 of your road trip in Germany. Today, you'll wake up in Essen and embark on a scenic drive to Dortmund, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Essen and Cologne before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Essen. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Phantasialand. This attraction is an amusement park that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 87,903 visitors. Over 1,750,000 people visit Phantasialand annually.

Wave goodbye to Brühl and continue your journey by car. If you want to break up today’s drive into two, take the opportunity to stop and discover what the city of Cologne has to offer.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Cologne Chocolate Museum. This attraction is a museum that has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 36,145 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Cologne Cathedral. This catholic cathedral and attraction has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 68,667 reviews. This site welcomes approximately 5,000,000 yearly visitors.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated Cologne Zoological Garden. This zoo and travel destination is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 29,743 visitors.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Cologne, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Dortmund. When you arrive in Dortmund you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Restaurant YUMINI. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,893 customers.

Locals also recommend FOOD BROTHER, another of the best restaurants in Dortmund. FOOD BROTHER is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,283 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Pfefferkorn Dortmund Hoher Wall. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,934 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Wenkers am Markt to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Dortmund, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,713 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Tapas & More. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Tapas & More has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 964 customers.

Uncle Tom's is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 678 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Germany, and look forward to more great days to come!

Day 4 of your road trip in Germany is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Dortmund before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Westfalenpark is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Dortmund. This park and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 18,013 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Dortmund and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Germany.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Dortmund at Atlantico Café before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,477 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend Café Brasserie Lotte for your last chance at a meal in the city of Dortmund. The Café Brasserie Lotte restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,295 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try KLUBHAUS1249. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,193 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Dortmund. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Germany!