5-Day Germany road trip Starting from Dortmund to Cologne

Your road trip adventure in Germany begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Dortmund. You’ll stay in Dortmund for 3 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 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 5-day vacation in Germany!

Day 2 of your road trip will take you to the best attractions Dortmund has to offer. Cherish the 2 nights you have left in Dortmund by discovering the best things there are to see and do in the city.

There are plenty of attractions, markets, and restaurants for you to experience today in the city of Dortmund. Your accommodation will be conveniently located close to several of the best attractions you won't want to miss.

You'll be able to visit more of the best travel destinations like the extraordinary LWL Industrial Museum Zollern. This attraction is a museum and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,274 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations in Dortmund is the spectacular German Football Museum. This attraction is a sport museum and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,266 visitors.

You could then travel to the amazing Rombergpark Botanical Garden. This must-see tourist destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,382 visitors.

This is a popular destination among visitors in Dortmund.

Your discovery of Dortmund does not have to stop there. Check out the fantastic selection of tours and tickets offered in Dortmund on this day of your trip.

After a long day of exploring some of the most popular attractions in Germany, be sure to eat at Restaurant YUMINI, which is considered one of the best restaurants in the city of Dortmund. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,893 customers.

Alternatively, another of the top restaurants in the city of Dortmund is the popular FOOD BROTHER. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,283 customers.

Another great restaurant we recommend in the city of Dortmund is Pfefferkorn Dortmund Hoher Wall. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,934 customers.

When you’ve finished your meal, Wenkers am Markt is one of the best bars in the city of Dortmund for an after-dinner drink. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,713 customers.

Tapas & More is another of the most popular bars in the city of Dortmund. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 964 customers.

Alternatively, a great bar that locals enjoy in the city of Dortmund is Uncle Tom's. Uncle Tom's has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 678 customers.

Stopping at one of these popular bars is the perfect way to celebrate another incredible day in the magical city of Dortmund!

Rise and shine on day 3 of your road trip in Germany. Today, you'll wake up in Dortmund 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 Dortmund 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 Dortmund. This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 26,545 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Duisburg Inner Harbour. This attraction, a beloved inland port, has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 5,446 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Dortmund is the stunning Tiger & Turtle. This must-see tourist destination and travel destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 7,589 visitors.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Craftbeer Corner Coeln. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,165 customers.

Locals also recommend Gruber's, another of the best restaurants in Cologne. Gruber's is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 625 customers.

After dinner, visit Toddy Tapper to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Cologne, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 590 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,484 customers.

Gilden im Zims 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 5,823 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!

Get ready to experience some of the most famous attractions in the area!

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

You could also go sightseeing at the incredible Cologne Cathedral, a popular attraction that receives around 5,000,000 yearly visitors. This catholic cathedral and travel destination has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 68,667 visitors.

Joining a top-rated tour in Cologne is another excellent way to spend your new day in Germany. The best tours in this travel destination will take you on an exploration to some of Germany’s most well-known attractions and best-kept secrets.

With this tour, you’ll set out on a journey to Germany’s most interesting sights. As you go along this remarkable tour, you’ll also have the unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of Germany’s scenic spots.

You could then travel to the amazing Cologne Chocolate Museum for some sightseeing. This popular attraction is a museum and has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 36,145 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination is the outstanding Cologne Cathedral. This top sight is a spectacular catholic cathedral that has over 5,000,000 yearly visitors. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 68,667 visitors, this catholic cathedral deserves a spot on travelers' bucket lists.

We also recommend a visit to the popular Rheinaue. This attraction, a stunning park, has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 14,075 travelers.

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

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Atlantico Café, one of the best restaurants in the city of Dortmund. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,477 customers.

After dinner, visit Kraftstoff, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Dortmund. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 634 customers.

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

Day 5 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’ll then say farewell to Dortmund. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Germany!