5-Day Germany Road Trip from Cologne traveling east to Heidelberg and Karlsruhe

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

Cologne has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Old Market. This attraction is a best-rated sightseeing destination and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 12,654 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 Cologne, Craftbeer Corner Coeln. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,165 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Cologne is Gruber's. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 625 customers.

Cologne also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Cologne is Toddy Tapper. This bar has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 590 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Cologne is Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,484 customers.

Locals also enjoy Gilden im Zims. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 5,823 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-day vacation in Germany!

Day 2 of your road trip through Germany gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You'll start your day with some exploring in the city of Cologne and end it at a top-rated hotel in the city of Heidelberg. You will stay in Heidelberg for 1 night. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Cologne is the amazing Cologne Chocolate Museum. This attraction is a museum that is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 36,145 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible park, Rheinpark. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,259 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Cologne is the outstanding Cologne Cathedral. This popular catholic cathedral and travel destination has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 68,667 visitors.

You can make the most of your new day in Cologne by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else the city has in store for you. There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your road trip in Germany. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before it's too late.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Heidelberg, where you will access the best hotels and places to stay.

After dinner, visit Vetter's Alt Heidelberger Brauhaus, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Heidelberg. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,422 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like HANS IM GLÜCK - HEIDELBERG Heiliggeistkirche. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,229 customers.

Alternatively, Sahara Restaurant is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Heidelberg. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,850 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Germany!

You’ll stay in Karlsruhe for 1 night.

One of the best places to explore today is Heidelberg Palace. This excellent attraction is a museum that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 53,614 visitors.

To experience the local culture, see more of Germany, and meet new people at the same time, we highly recommend you go on a tour. On this tour, you can go on an epic adventure to some of the best places to visit in Germany. You also get to admire popular places of interest.

You could then travel to Mercedes-Benz Museum for some unforgettable sightseeing experience. This popular attraction is an automobile museum and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 42,121 visitors. Approximately 876,109 people visit Stuttgart every year to see the fantastic Mercedes-Benz Museum.

This outstanding square has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 41,090 travelers.

You’ll have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Karlsruhe.

After a long day of traveling and sightseeing, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Karlsruhe, Vogelbräu Karlsruhe. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,187 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the top bars in the city of Karlsruhe, Der KofferRaum - Cocktailbar. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 651 customers.

Be sure to celebrate another day of your incredible road trip adventure through Germany with a toast!

Rise and shine on day 4 of your road trip in Germany. Today, you'll wake up in Karlsruhe and embark on a scenic drive to Cologne, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Karlsruhe and Rhineland-Palatinate 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 Karlsruhe. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Zoological Gardens Karlsruhe. This attraction is a zoo that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 16,578 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Marktplatz. This attraction, a beloved must-see tourist destination, has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 6,675 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Karlsruhe is the stunning State Museum of Natural History, Karlsruhe. This natural history museum and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,111 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Speyer Cathedral. This attraction is a catholic cathedral that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 9,839 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Technic Museum Speyer. This museum and attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 23,618 reviews.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated Mainz Cathedral. This catholic cathedral and travel destination is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,102 visitors.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Rhineland-Palatinate, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Cologne. When you arrive in Cologne 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 Servus Colonia Alpina. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,757 customers.

Locals also recommend The Little Steakhouse, another of the best restaurants in Cologne. The Little Steakhouse is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,631 customers.

After dinner, visit Gaststätte Lommerzheim to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Cologne, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,487 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Jameson Pub Cologne. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Jameson Pub Cologne has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,308 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 5 of your road trip in Germany is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Cologne 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.

Media Park Köln mbH is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Cologne. This top-tier point of interest and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,883 visitors.

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

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