6-Day Self-Drive Road Trip in the Netherlands and Germany With Itinerary from Amsterdam to Cologne

On day 2, you will wake up in Amsterdam with an entire day of wonders ahead of you! You still have 1 night left in Amsterdam before it’s time to get back on the road and continue your European tour across the Netherlands and Germany.

Don’t miss De Pijp in Amsterdam today, a must-see neighborhood that offers a glimpse into the city’s vibrant character. Take your time exploring its best features, and enjoy the convenience of nearby top-rated landmarks.

One place travelers keep coming back to in Amsterdam is the magnificent Anne Frank House. Each year, this popular place of interest welcomes over 1,195,456 travelers from across the world. Around 65,913 visitors have rated this excellent museum and travel destination an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Vondelpark on this leg of your adventure in the Netherlands. This attraction is a well-known park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from around 51,706 travelers.

The remarkable Van Gogh Museum is known to be one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam, and its average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 86,536 traveler reviews is proof. Attracting more than 2,161,160 visitors in a single year, it's clear that the wonderful Van Gogh Museum is a perfect add-on to your itinerary.

As the day unfolds, you’ll be delighted to find that the city of Amsterdam boasts an array of restaurants and bars catering to every budget. Take this opportunity to sample the distinctive flavors of the Netherlands.

Dive into a culinary adventure like no other in Amsterdam by booking a table at Flore. This popular restaurant holds 2 Michelin star and offers an exceptional menu of contemporary and creative french cuisine. For another culinary dining option, venture to Ciel Bleu, celebrated for its delectable creative menu. This acclaimed 2-star Michelin-recipient consistently leaves guests satisfied, ensuring an essential addition to your holiday itinerary. Seeking an alternative? Discover Restaurant 212, a top local restaurant known for its tantalizing creative menu. With a 2-star Michelin recognition, it promises an exceptional dining experience not to be missed.

Continue your lively evening at Café Oporto, a perfect place for winding down or revving up the night, depending on which mood you’re in. Lost In Amsterdam Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar is another excellent bar that offers a great selection of drinks to suit any mood. If you prefer to go somewhere else, 't Aepjen ensures a night out tailored to your taste.

Spend the evening looking over your itinerary for tomorrow and reminisce about what you’ve seen and done so far on your European road trip adventure. New experiences await!

Wake up and see what day 4 of your great European road trip in the Netherlands and Germany has in store for you! You will be staying in Cologne for 1 night before continuing your journey to the next destination.

A top thing to do today is to explore Schildergasse, a must-see street in Cologne. It's the perfect starting point for exploring the top attractions in the area.

Something that makes Cologne the perfect holiday destination is that the city offers easy access to many popular places of interest, like the outstanding church, Cologne Cathedral. This local gem has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 70,814 visitors and gets around 5,000,000 visits every year.

The famous Old Market is another remarkable sightseeing hotspot in the area. As one of Cologne's most remarkable sights, there's no wonder why around 12,935 travelers have rated this incredible public square and travel destination an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars in reviews.

Cologne is also home to the extraordinary Lindt Chocolate Museum, which boasts a 4.3 out of 5 star rating in 37,446 traveler reviews.

If you're eager to sample culinary delights during your multi-country road trip in the Netherlands and Germany, you'll be excited to head out for dinner and get a taste of the local cuisine in Cologne. After dinner, head out to a bar to reminisce about your day and raise a toast to this stop on your road trip.

Treat yourself to a wonderful meal at Mongo's Restaurant Köln, a top-rated dining spot in Cologne. If you're in the mood for something new, try Vietnamski restorant "Kuchi Mami", another premier location with a delectable menu. You might also want to book a table at RheinZeit. Known for its consistently satisfied patrons, it’s a perfect choice to elevate your evening in Cologne.

To truly maximize your evening out, consider visiting Soul Bar Cologne after dinner. This bar is known for offering some of the best drinks and vibes in the city. Alternatively, head to Dorint Hotel Am Heumarkt Köln, another bar with an inviting ambiance. Similarly, Die Wohngemeinschaft • Café • Bar • Hostel • Theater also offers a great atmosphere, ensuring a night filled with enjoyment and relaxation.

Celebrate day 4 of your multi-country road trip in Europe with a toast, and look forward to more memorable moments to come!

On day 5 of your multi-country road trip across the Netherlands and Germany, you will get a true taste of the freedom a self-drive vacation in Europe entails. Today’s travel plans include stops at the most scenic, wondrous, and interesting places to see in Essen in Germany. In the evening, you’ll end up in Amsterdam, where you will stay for 1 night.

Continue your road trip and head to your next destination, Essen. This car ride takes around 1 hour 10 min.

A favorite among locals and travelers alike in Essen is the fantastic Unesco-welterbe Zollverein. As an appreciated museum and local gem in the area, Unesco-welterbe Zollverein has earned an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 21,243 reviews.

Next up on your agenda, you will find the extraordinary Laserzone Lasertag Essen West - Borbeck. This attraction is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 8,211 visitors, so don't miss the opportunity to experience it for yourself!

Fasten your seatbelt and make your way to your next stop. Duisburg, home to many well-known sights in the region, is a lovely destination on today’s itinerary. Keep in mind that your travel time from Essen to Duisburg may take around 30 min without traffic disruptions. Upon arrival in Duisburg, we highly recommend checking out some of the top attractions.

You'll enjoy easy access to the most remarkable sights in Duisburg, including the outstanding Tiger & Turtle. Having an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars in 7,871 reviews, this fascinating art installation and attraction is one of the top travel destinations in the city.

Duisburg is also home to the captivating Landschaftspark Duisburg-nord, a local park considered one of the highlights of the city. About 27,144 visitors have rated this incredible site with 4.7 out of 5 stars, proving its popularity.

Relax your senses after a day of exhilarating activities and fun exploration. Retreat to one of the best accommodations in Amsterdam.

As the sun sets on day 5 of your multi-country road trip in Europe, prepare for a culinary journey. Navigate through Amsterdam's top restaurants and eateries, each offering a local taste of the Netherlands to remember your trip by. After a fulfilling dinner, dive into the city’s local nightlife. Whether you prefer the bustling energy of popular pubs or want to take in the ambiance of a quiet bar, Amsterdam has them.

Enjoy a delicious meal at Café Loetje, a top-rated dining destination in Amsterdam. If you're in the mood to try something new, consider Restaurant Moon, another top spot with a mouthwatering menu. You might also want to secure a reservation at d'Vijff Vlieghen. With a reputation for consistently satisfying customers, it’s a perfect choice to enhance your stay in Amsterdam this evening.

To truly maximize your evening out, consider visiting Bar Bitterbal after dinner. This bar is known for offering some of the best drinks and vibes in the city. Alternatively, head to Twenty Third Bar, another bar with an inviting ambiance. Similarly, Louis Bar also offers a great atmosphere, ensuring a night filled with enjoyment and relaxation.

Relax, recharge, and look forward to what tomorrow holds. The opportunities are endless with a European self-drive tour!