Cheap 5-Day Germany Road Trip from Bremen traveling south to Essen and Cologne

Your exciting road trip through Germany starts when you reach the incredible city of Bremen, where you'll stay for 1 night. You'll pick up your rental car in Bremen and begin your adventure in Germany.

Bremen is a popular cheap holiday destination in Germany with something to offer every traveler. More than a city in Germany, Bremen is also a great place to find top-rated budget accommodations. You'll find many of these accommodations close to bustling markets and cultural attractions.

Indulge in the culinary wonders of Bremen, where exceptional dining and drinking experiences await at unbeatable prices. Explore the city's diverse venues, ensuring a memorable culinary journey for every visitor.

Paulaner's a der Schlachte is an excellent example. Here, you can enjoy good food and service at affordable prices. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 4,376 customers.

1885 Die Burger Bremen is another great restaurant option for budget travelers. This restaurant serves a variety of delicious and savory meals at low prices and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,076 customers.

Locals enjoy dining at Restaurant Luv, and you might want to check it out too. This restaurant has an exciting menu and an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 2,691 reviews.

Visit Restaurant ELISA, an excellent place to enjoy a couple of drinks. This bar is one of the locals’ favorite hangout spots and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,972 customers.

Feldmann's Bierhaus serves various snacks and drinks at affordable prices, making it another great bar option for budget travelers in Bremen. Customers have rated feldmann's Bierhaus an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 1,817 reviews.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and a cheap holiday experience in Germany!

Day 2 of your road trip across Germany offers you the chance to visit 2 popular cheap holiday destinations in the country, including Bremen and Essen. You'll conclude your sightseeing and exploration in Essen.

Start your day with a visit to Bremen. This extraordinary college town is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,602 visitors.

Next, make your way to Town Musicians of Bremen. This top attraction is a literary work with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 9,811 visitors.

We also recommend a visit to Schnoor. This street is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 16,197 travelers.

If you’re keen to keep exploring, visit Universum Science Center. This highly recommended sightseeing destination has received an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 4,240 travelers.

Today is also your chance to spend some time at Rhododendron-Park Bremen. This botanical garden is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,069 travelers.

After soaking in Bremen’s unique atmosphere, jump into the car with a full heart and drive in the direction of your next destination: Essen. Expect your car journey to take a minimum of 3 hours. When you arrive in Essen, it's time to take a break from the road.

Fasten your seatbelt and make your way to your next stop. Upon arrival, we highly recommend checking out some of the top attractions.

Essen offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Germany. Whether you're in need of a quick break from your activities or seeking a comfortable place to rest, rest assured you'll find a welcoming and affordable option in the city.

Savor the culinary delights of Essen, where affordability meets excellence in dining and drinking. From inviting bars crafting signature cocktails to cozy eateries serving up local favorites, the city offers an unforgettable experience for every taste bud.

For the best dining experience in this affordable destination, eat at the highly recommended sattgrün theaterpassage. This restaurant is sure to satisfy your hunger as it has an impressive average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,011 customers.

Restaurant Artemis is another local-favorite restaurant in Essen. Restaurant Artemis serves delicious and affordable meals, and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 2,233 reviews.

Known for its good food and service, BLOCK HOUSE Essen is also popular among locals and cheap holiday goers in Bremen. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 of 5 stars from around 2,330 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the top bars in Essen. Café Goldbar is a popular option, rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 526 customers.

Continue your evening at Temple Bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 502 customers.

Cafe Nord is another place you could check out tonight. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,856 customers.

Toast to another unforgettable road trip adventure during your cheap holiday in Germany!

Day 3 of your self-drive vacation in Germany will take you to the city of Cologne, where you'll be staying for 1 night. On your way to Cologne, you'll explore 3 popular cheap holiday destinations in Germany, including Essen, Brühl, and Cologne.

When you’re ready for some sightseeing, make your way to UNESCO-Welterbe Zollverein. This much-appreciated museum is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars in 20,866 reviews.

Next up is Museum Folkwang. This art museum has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,007 visitors. As one of the top places to visit in the city, Museum Folkwang welcomes 800,000 visitors annually.

Continue your road trip and head to your next destination, Brühl. This car ride takes around 1 hour 5 min.

Seize the day by visiting some of the best attractions in the area, like Phantasialand. This extraordinary amusement park has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 89,377 visitors. Each year, around 1,750,000 people visit this remarkable site to admire its features and learn more about it.

Next, make your way to Brühl Castle. This museum is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 6,389 reviews.

Continue your road trip and head to your next destination, Cologne. This car ride takes around 29 min.

While exploring Germany is a refreshing experience, don’t forget to rest to regain your energy. Cologne has plenty of top-rated accommodation options in all price ranges. Travelers visiting Cologne on an affordable vacation can easily find a comfortable place to stay in the city.

Indulge in the culinary wonders of Cologne, where exceptional dining and drinking experiences await at unbeatable prices. Explore the city's diverse venues, ensuring a memorable culinary journey for every visitor.

After a long day of exploring, we recommend you try Bei Oma Kleinmann, one of the top-rated restaurants in the city. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,597 customers and is a great place to relax and enjoy a comforting meal.

Locals also recommend Craftbeer Corner Coeln, so you'll want to drop by this place. Craftbeer Corner Coeln serves delicious meals in hearty portions and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,165 customers.

Another must-try in the city of Cologne is Gruber's. This restaurant boasts an exciting menu and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 625 customers.

When you’ve finished your meal and an after-dinner drink sounds enticing, visit Toddy Tapper, one of the best bars in the city. This bar has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 590 customers, and is the perfect complement to your refreshing weekend getaway experience in Germany.

If you would like to try another place, Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln is another great option that serves a variety of drinks. Considered one of the most popular bars in Cologne, this bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,484 customers.

Gilden im Zims is also a great bar where you can have nice chats with locals and fellow travelers in the area. Gilden im Zims has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 5,823 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Germany. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Germany!

On day 4 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Germany, you’ll experience 3 charming destinations — Cologne, Solingen, and Bremen. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you. You’ll end your day in the city of Bremen.

Seize the day by visiting some of the best attractions in the area, like Cologne Chocolate Museum. This extraordinary museum has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 36,704 visitors.

Next, make your way to Old Market. This point of interest is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 12,740 reviews.

While in Cologne, we also recommend a visit to Cologne Cathedral. Hosting around 5,000,000 visitors every year, Cologne Cathedral is one of the best places to visit. This catholic cathedral has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 69,905 reviews.

Embrace the thrill of the open road as you wave goodbye to Cologne and set your GPS to Solingen. While on the road, immerse yourself in your favorite road trip tunes or sample the sounds from a local radio station. This car ride usually takes around 34 min. Upon reaching Solingen, unwind, observe, and explore. The best things to do, see, and eat are waiting for you.

Embrace the thrill of the open road as you wave goodbye to Solingen and set your GPS to Bremen. While on the road, immerse yourself in your favorite road trip tunes or sample the sounds from a local radio station. This car ride usually takes around 3 hours 21 min. Upon reaching Bremen, unwind, observe, and explore. The best things to do, see, and eat are waiting for you.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget-friendly accommodations in the city of Bremen. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Bremen, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

It's now time to discover the mouthwatering delights of Bremen, where top-quality dining experiences blend seamlessly with budget-friendly options. Check out the city's best dining options, offering a tantalizing array of flavors to satisfy every palate.

You could check out Restaurant Tendüre Bremen, one of locals’ top restaurant options in the area. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,943 customers, and is a great place to enjoy a satisfying meal after a busy day of exploring.

Gaststätte Kleiner Olymp is another excellent choice for cheap holiday-goers. This restaurant serves a variety of delicious and comforting foods and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,730 diners.

If you feel like having something different, check out the menu at Q1 - Metropolitan Kitchen & Bar. This restaurant is known to offer good food at reasonable prices. Q1 - Metropolitan Kitchen & Bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,707 customer reviews.

After dinner, stop by one of the best bars in Bremen. Hegarty's Irish Pub Bremen often offers travelers and locals alike a great time. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,529 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at Kaffeemühle (Mühle Am Wall) - Restaurant, Café, Bistro. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,588 customers.

Wohnzimmer Bremen is another top-rated bar in the city. This place enjoys an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,177 customers.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Germany with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Germany!

Your budget road trip vacation in Germany is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Bremen.

Optimize your last day in Germany and go on a shopping spree in Bremen’s shopping center. This bustling commercial district is conveniently located near your lodging, granting you leisure time to roam and explore its assortment of establishments.

If you love the adrenaline rush of hunting for the best offers and deals in Germany, you’re in for a treat. A variety of goods and gifts await your discovery.

Before you conclude your road trip in Germany, drop by another restaurant for a last chance at a memorable dining experience in Bremen.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Bremen, consider a top-rated restaurant like FISHERMAN'S Seafood. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,101 customers.

Cafe Piano is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,255 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Vengo die Gemüseküche. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 803 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Germany and your fun memories in Bremen.

You’ll then say farewell to Bremen. Drive to the airport, return your car, and take the opportunity to get some last-minute souvenirs before you board your flight home. We wish you a pleasant journey and hope you leave with many wonderful memories of your road trip in Germany!