Affordable 5-Day Relaxed Germany Road Trip Vacation in Cologne

Your slow-paced and relaxed road trip through Germany begins when you reach Cologne, where you’ll stay for a total of 4 nights.

Cologne is an outstanding hub for culture, comfort, and exploration. The city offers travelers plenty of experiences to look forward to, including the magnificent Old Market. Around 10,413 visitors have rated this fascinating top-tier point of interest and travel destination an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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. Take your pick and make it your home during your leisurely tour of the city.

In the city of Cologne, nothing beats the comfort the incredible Cologne Marriott Hotel provides. This 5-star hotel is one of the most luxurious places to stay in the area and is rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 2,947 guests.

The best 4-star hotel we recommend in Cologne is Mercure Hotel Severinshof Koeln City. This hotel offers many conveniences and is the perfect base for your relaxed road trip activities. Mercure Hotel Severinshof Koeln City has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 2,157 guests.

Budget travelers in Cologne can stay cozy at the 3-star the niu Mill. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 304 guests, this cheap hotel is the number one budget hotel option in the city.

These excellent hotels ensure guests a safe and relaxing stay in Cologne. If these popular options are not available for your time in the city, our system will automatically help you find the best alternatives.

Exploring the food culture in Cologne offers you an exciting chance to connect with locals and experience diversity along your relaxed road trip. When you’re ready to eat, we recommend you visit one of the best dining spots in the city.

An excellent example is Craftbeer Corner Coeln. This restaurant offers a menu of comforting meals and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,165 customers.

Gruber's serves great food and is a favorite among hungry travelers and locals. This popular restaurant in Cologne has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 625 reviews.

Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln is another one of the city’s best restaurants. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 6,484 customers, Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln is sure to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience.

If you’re curious about what Cologne looks like at night, a trip to some of the best bars near your accommodation is what you need next. Experience the local nightlife at Toddy Tapper, our top recommendation in the city. Customers have rated this bar an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars in 590 reviews.

ONA MOR Bar offers a variety of refreshing drinks and is one of the best places to relax in Cologne. This well-known city bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 548 customers.

Free your mind of worries and enjoy your first taste of relaxation in Germany! Expect more to come as you continue this laid-back and relaxed road trip in Germany!

On day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Germany, you'll explore the best attractions in Cologne at your own pace and immerse in the city's unique local culture. Today's laid-back tour features some of the best restaurants and bars in Cologne, where you can sample some delicious local food.

The accommodation you’ll be staying at for another 3 nights will be conveniently located close to several attractions, like the famous Cologne Cathedral. This incredible catholic cathedral has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 57,506 travelers, and is visited by 5,000,000 people every year.

Make the most of your slow-paced travel adventure in Germany by seeing another popular site in Cologne, the wonderful Cologne Chocolate Museum. This museum is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 57,506 travelers and gets around 5,000,000 annual visits.

Get a dose of thrill, excitement, and inspiration on day 2 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip in Germany. Check out the tours and tickets you can add to your Cologne itinerary and feel all the emotions in this wonderful city. Add a highly recommended tour to your vacation package now and make this refreshing new day of your self-drive through Germany extra special!

After a long day exploring the popular attractions in the city, it’s time to sample the different kinds of mouthwatering foods served at the best restaurants in Cologne. One of our top recommendations includes a selection of delicious meals on its menu, Gilden im Zims. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 5,823 customers.

You may also try the variety of dishes served at Gaststätte Lommerzheim, which is an excellent choice if you want a nice place to eat near your accommodation. Gaststätte Lommerzheim is rated 4.7 stars out of 5 by 3,487 customers.

You can also eat at the highly recommended Jameson Pub Cologne. This amazing restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,308 food lovers.

After finishing your meal, it’s time to experience the amazing nightlife in Cologne and unwind at the coolest bars in the city. Drink the night away and celebrate this day of your relaxed road trip at the popular Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln. This vibrant bar is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,484 customers.

Drink up and relax in this amazing bar that serves different kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktail drinks.

Enjoy the rest of day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Germany, and prepare for another day of unhurried adventure!

On day 3 of your relaxed road trip across Germany, you’ll explore the area around Cologne, where you’ll be staying for another 2 nights.

Around 20,431 visitors rated their experience at this well-known attraction an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

This local attraction is an amazing headland that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 28,757 visitors.

A stop at the outstanding Nürburgring will make your slow-paced and relaxed road trip in Germany more memorable. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 34,347 visitors, a stop at this local attraction during your leisurely self-drive through Germany is a chance to gain another experience worth sharing.

Gain a one-of-a-kind experience on your unhurried and relaxed road trip across Germany by joining a traveler-approved tour in Cologne. Tours offer an opportunity to get to know more about Cologne and the unique culture of the country.

There are so many fun and eye-opening activities to try out in Cologne that will make your self-drive tour in Germany more memorable.

After satisfying your wanderlust, you’ll head to your accommodation in the city of Cologne for some rest and relaxation. Immerse yourself in the local food culture of Germany by eating at one of the best restaurants in Cologne.

With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,757 customers, the dining experience Servus Colonia Alpina offers is the perfect complement to your relaxed road trip in Germany.

The Little Steakhouse is another pleasant place to eat in Cologne. This restaurant offers a menu of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,631 customers.

If you’re looking for a restaurant that locals enjoy, check out Max Stark and try their flavorful menu. This local favorite has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,193 customers.

When you’re in the mood for an after-dinner drink, visit one of the best bars in the city. At Jameson Pub Cologne, you can relax or make friends with locals and fellow travelers. This bar in Cologne is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,308 customers.

You can also unwind and enjoy a few drinks at Papa Joe's Jazz Bar, another well-known bar in Cologne. Customers have rated this city bar an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 1,431 reviews.

Get cozy and have fun because this is what your relaxed road trip in Germany is all about!

On day 4 of your relaxed road trip across Germany, you’ll explore the area around Cologne, where you’ll be staying for another 1 night.

Around 837 visitors rated their experience at this well-known attraction an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Gain a one-of-a-kind experience on your unhurried and relaxed road trip across Germany by joining a traveler-approved tour in Cologne. Tours offer an opportunity to get to know more about Cologne and the unique culture of the country.

There are so many fun and eye-opening activities to try out in Cologne that will make your self-drive tour in Germany more memorable.

After satisfying your wanderlust, you’ll head to your accommodation in the city of Cologne for some rest and relaxation. Immerse yourself in the local food culture of Germany by eating at one of the best restaurants in Cologne.

With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,421 customers, the dining experience The Corkonian Irish pub offers is the perfect complement to your relaxed road trip in Germany.

Barney Vallely's is another pleasant place to eat in Cologne. This restaurant offers a menu of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 956 customers.

If you’re looking for a restaurant that locals enjoy, check out Hänneschen und die Pfeffermühle and try their flavorful menu. This local favorite has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 901 customers.

When you’re in the mood for an after-dinner drink, visit one of the best bars in the city. At die kunstbar, you can relax or make friends with locals and fellow travelers. This bar in Cologne is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 598 customers.

Get cozy and have fun because this is what your relaxed road trip in Germany is all about!

Day 5 of your relaxed road trip in Germany is your departure day. If you have a flight to catch, you’ll drop off your rental car well in advance before your departure. Choose a late flight to enjoy a stress-free last day in Cologne.

Depending on when you need to leave, you might be able to fit in some sightseeing or shopping. Embrace the beauty of Cologne once more and find some souvenirs to help you remember your time in the city. To end your relaxing road trip in Germany on top, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Rheinpark is an extraordinary attraction that is perfect for your last day in Cologne. This top sight is a popular park, rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,438 visitors.

Unwind and look back at the past 5 days of your relaxed road trip over a bite to eat. This is your chance to enjoy one last traditional meal in Cologne or just grab something light to keep you going.

Check out the menu at Le Moissonnier. Dining at Le Moissonnier is one of the best food experiences you can have in Cologne. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 499 customers.

Another top recommendation in Cologne is Kaiser Konstantin - Kölsches Brauhaus. If you go to Kaiser Konstantin - Kölsches Brauhaus, you can expect delicious food, a nice ambiance, and great service. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 456 customers.

Alternatively, you could also go to a place like Restaurant Heumarkt. If you haven’t yet, a trip to Restaurant Heumarkt is your opportunity to have a lovely meal before leaving the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 633 customers.

Give yourself enough time to wave goodbye to Cologne and begin your journey home. The unforgettable experiences you’ve collected along your 5-day relaxed road trip in Germany is a story you will tell for the rest of your life.