7-Day Germany Road Trip from Cologne to Düsseldorf and Dortmund and surrounding area

Your road trip adventure in Germany begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Cologne. You’ll stay in Cologne for 4 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 7-day vacation in Germany!

Day 2 of your road trip will take you to the best attractions Cologne has to offer. Cherish the 3 nights you have left in Cologne 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 Cologne. 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 in the city of Cologne, like the extraordinary Rheinpark. This attraction is a park and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,259 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations in Cologne, which gets around 5,000,000 annual visits, is the spectacular Cologne Cathedral. This attraction is a catholic cathedral and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 68,667 visitors.

You could then travel to the amazing Cologne Chocolate Museum. This museum has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 36,145 visitors.

This is a popular destination among visitors in Cologne.

Your discovery of Cologne does not have to stop there. Check out the fantastic selection of tours and tickets offered in Cologne 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 Servus Colonia Alpina, which is considered one of the best restaurants in the city of Cologne. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,757 customers.

Alternatively, another of the top restaurants in the city of Cologne is the popular The Little Steakhouse. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,631 customers.

When you’ve finished your meal, Gaststätte Lommerzheim is one of the best bars in the city of Cologne for an after-dinner drink. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,487 customers.

Jameson Pub Cologne is another of the most popular bars in the city of Cologne. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,308 customers.

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

On day 3 of your road trip, you’ll start and end your day in Cologne, but spend part of the day exploring places of interest outside the immediate city. You still have 2 nights left in Cologne.

Today you'll explore the city of Aachen. One of the best travel destinations you can make time for at the start of this day is Aachen Cathedral. This incredible attraction is an imperial cathedral and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 14,948 visitors.

Elisenbrunnen is another popular attraction you'll visit in the city of Aachen. This spectacular attraction is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 8,497 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the city of Aachen is Marktplatz am Rathaus. This amazing attraction is a top-tier point of interest and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,588 visitors.

To do something one-of-a-kind today, you can join a popular tour. Check out all the fun and eye-opening experiences you can try out in Germany to make your travel experience in the country more memorable.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll drive to your accommodation in the city of Cologne.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in the city of Cologne, Max Stark. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,193 customers.

Raise your glass and relax after another big day of your road trip adventure through Germany!

Day 4 of your road trip through Germany gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You will stay in Düsseldorf for 1 night. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Duisburg is the amazing Kaiserberg. This attraction is a park that is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,030 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible inland port, Duisburg Inner Harbour. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 5,446 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Duisburg is the outstanding Rheinpark Duisburg. This popular park and travel destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,087 visitors.

The spectacular Tiger & Turtle is another popular attraction you can visit today. This fascinating must-see tourist destination and attraction has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 7,589 visitors.

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 Düsseldorf, where you will access the best hotels and places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Takumi, one of the best restaurants in the city of Düsseldorf. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,216 customers.

Locals also recommend BLOCK HOUSE Düsseldorf as one of the best restaurants in the city of Düsseldorf. BLOCK HOUSE Düsseldorf is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,673 customers.

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

Rise and shine on day 5 of your road trip in Germany. Today, you'll wake up in Dusseldorf 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 Dusseldorf and Duisburg 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 Dusseldorf. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Rheinturm. This attraction is a communication tower that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 13,786 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Hofgarten. This attraction, a beloved english garden, has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 6,357 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Dusseldorf is the stunning Wildpark im Grafenberger Wald. This zoo and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,529 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Sechs-Seen-Platte. This attraction is a group of lakes that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,078 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible German Inland Waterways Museum. This museum and attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 924 reviews.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated Museum Küppersmühle. This art museum and travel destination is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,085 visitors.

The lovely Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 26,545 visitors have left this park an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Lastly, if you still got energy, the wonderful Hochofen 5 is also a worthwhile attraction you can visit in Duisburg. This point of interest is a must-see tourist destination rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 586 reviews.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Duisburg, 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 Namu. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 892 customers.

Locals also recommend 60 Seconds to Napoli, another of the best restaurants in Dortmund. 60 Seconds to Napoli is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 4,208 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Zum Alten Markt. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 4,074 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Strobels Dortmund 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 1,913 customers.

This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation.

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!

You’ll stay in Cologne for 1 night.

One of the best places to explore today is Westfalenpark. This excellent attraction is a park that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 18,013 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 Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for some unforgettable sightseeing experience. This popular attraction is a fortress and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 18,012 visitors.

This outstanding headland has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 33,451 travelers.

You can also stop at the popular Eltz Castle. This attraction, a stunning castle, has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 24,689 visitors.

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

After dinner, visit one of the top bars in the city of Cologne, The Corkonian Irish pub. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,421 customers.

You could also relax with a drink at a popular bar like Barney Vallely's. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 956 customers.

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

Day 7 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.

Rhine Garden Sculpture is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Cologne. This fountain and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,550 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!