Camper Champ

Germany is known for its grand palaces, delectable cuisine, festivals, and national parks offering striking landscapes. Hotels and in-country transport can add up to a lot during a vacation in Germany, but renting a campervan is a cheaper alternative offering a far more authentic adventure for tourists visiting the country.

Throughout Germany, you'll embark upon historical landmarks, museums, and exhibitions, detailing the country's history and allowing visitors to learn about Germany's turbulent past.

Frankfurt may not be as well known as Berlin for its arts scene—but it still has several well-renowned museums and galleries worth a visit and is a city with vibrant energy and impressive skyscrapers.

Our 14-day itinerary has been designed to take you on a circular tour of German cities and nature areas. Spending 14 days driving scenic roads with incredible views will leave you wanting to see even more of Germany!

Take the stress out of finding a rental RV in Frankfurt with Camper Champ.

The city of Frankfurt is situated along the Main River and is home to a wealth of history, culture, and attractions ideal for a German campervan adventure. With campsites throughout the city, finding somewhere to park your campervan is easy.

Römer

The medieval structure of Römer is one of the most significant buildings in Frankfurt and has been the location of Frankfurt’s city hall since the early 1400s. The buildings around the square are fine examples of traditional German architecture, and you can marvel at the Römer while relaxing in one of the nearby cafes.

Palmengarten

It’s hard to believe such an energetic city is home to such a tranquil garden space. Still, Palmengarten Botanic Gardens has over 50 acres of trees and flowers—a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city center. There’s a €7 admission fee for Palmengarten, and once inside, you can learn about the wildlife, landscape, and biodiversity across the gardens.

Directly south of Frankfurt is Heidelberg, recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in all of Germany. Much of the architecture was left unharmed during World War ll and can be seen by tourists today from all around the world.

Schloss Heidelberg

Taking a few hours to explore Schloss Heidelberg is wise, as the €9 entry fee includes a cable car journey to the castle and time at the courtyard and beautiful gardens. The palace is a spectacle and is intriguingly home to the world's largest wine barrel.

Altstadt

Altstadt is the old town of Heidelberg—a maze of narrow cobblestone streets that will transport you back into Germany's past. The lanes are dotted with half-timber houses, local stores, and cafes, and there's no better place to immerse yourself in German culture than to delve into some traditional cuisine while admiring the architectural diversity in the city.

Trier is considered Germany's oldest city and has a wealth of museums, churches, and ruins for travelers wanting to further their knowledge of German history. The city is often overlooked by tourists, so park up in one of the city's campsites, and explore a quieter side of Germany.

Porta Nigra

The Porta Nigra is a Roman city gate dating back to 170 CE and, astonishingly, is still standing strong today. The gate has now become a symbol for the city of Trier and seamlessly blends the old town with the new.

Trier Amphitheater

For just €4, you can travel back in time with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Trier Amphitheater, where Romans thrived many years ago. Trier Amphitheater is one of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters.

Germany is home to 16 glorious national parks spanning across the country, offering visitors a taste of raw, German landscape. The Eifel National Park is a hiker's paradise with hiking trails, forests, and lakes galore.

Urft Dam

In the heart of the Eifel National Park is the Urft Dam, rising nearly 60ft into the stunning park. The best way to the dam is by hiking one of the various trails, and once you reach the impressive structure, you can marvel at the scenery you'll be surrounded by.

Ordensburg Vogelsang

Germany has suffered through trying times, and the Ordensburg Vogelsang uncovers some of the darker sides of German history. For $8, tourists can enter Ordensburg Vogelsang and learn about the former Nazi site, and artifacts recovered from World War II.

Münster may be one of the smaller cities in Germany, but it still packs a punch with things to do. The youthful, radiant energy of Münster makes it a wonderful location to visit in a campervan, and you can even hop on a bike to explore the city and get a little exercise in too!

Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History

Boasting an array of exhibitions, from paintings and sculptures to stained glass and medieval artifacts, the Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History is a gem in Münster.

St. Paul's Cathedral

The grand church of St. Paul's Cathedral has free admission, and inside, visitors will feel at peace surrounded by delicately embellished walls. Although St. Paul's Cathedral is not a popular site for tourists, visitors still visit the church for its clock with hands following the sun.

A vacation to Germany wouldn't be complete without getting to the heart of the German wilderness and exploring the vast nature areas the country is home to. Harz National Park has peaks over 3,280 feet and a landscape bursting with various vegetation and ecological characteristics.

Oderteich

Harz National Park is a wonderland of trees, elevation, and breathtaking views. The hiking area of Oderteich is a must for anyone heading off into the park. If you've ever wanted to try nature photography, there's no better location!

Wolfswarte

The scenic point of Wolfswarte can only be reached by hiking on foot, and once you reach the peak, you'll be awestruck by expansive views of towering trees endlessly rising into the distance.

Nicknamed "Little Venice" for its extensive network of canals and rivers, Leipzig is one of the prettiest cities in Germany. It's also home to the oldest botanical garden in the country. With a strong musical tradition—and connections to composers the likes of Bach, Mendelssohn, and Wagner, it's no wonder one of the world's leading orchestras is based here. The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra hosts several music festivals annually, such as the Bachfest and the Leipzig Jazz Days.

Völkerschlachtdenkmal

Völkerschlachtdenkmal is one of Germany's largest war memorials, with an on-site museum detailing the historical events that led to the memorial's erection. There's a several-hundred-step climb to reach the viewing platform, offering a unique view of the land below.

Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig

The Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig is the ideal place to learn how the city was shaped into the lively location it is today. Admission to the museum is $5, and inside, visitors can discover stories from the city's past and present, along with exhibitions and various works of art.

Although the Saale-Unstrut-Triasland Nature Park is beautiful throughout the year, spring is a stunning time to visit when plants and trees are a rich green, and flowers are blossoming. Castles, vineyards, biking paths, and hiking trails will occupy you here with things to do.

Arche Nebra

The nature park has a unique visitor center displaying various exhibitions of bronze-age astronomy. The Arche Nebra also has a digital planetarium onsite, and tickets can be purchased for €7.

Garnbacher Rabenswald e.V.

The hiking area of Garnbacher Rabenswald e.V provides a great opportunity to make the most of the vast German scenery around the Saale-Unstrut-Triasland Nature Park. The forest is well-maintained, and hikers can find sculptures and signage along the trails.

Jena is recognized for its prestigious institutions of higher learning, notably Friedrich Schiller University, one of the oldest universities in Germany. Jena has since evolved into a hub for high-tech industries, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, photonics, and information technology, dubbed the impressive title of a 'Center of Science'.

Zeiss Planetarium

Learning about the stars and the solar system is always interesting, and the Zeiss Planetarium is the perfect place to delve deep into the history of our universe. Tickets are €9, and with a restaurant onsite, you can enjoy a traditional German meal after watching the show.

Botanical Garden

With a vast array of plant life, the Botanical Garden in the center of Jena is where nature thrives. Summer or spring is a great time to visit the gardens and enjoy a picnic with some schnitzel and rolls!

The drive from Jena to Naturpark Thüringer Schiefergebirge is less than an hour, and as you drive away from the city, you'll quickly start heading into the trees and vast German wilderness.

Museum Schloss Burgk

Forests surround this picturesque castle in a fairy-tale landscape. For a €9 admission fee, tourists can explore Museum Schloss Burgk and all the historical exhibitions on display.

Saaleturm

Saaleturm is an observation deck with what seems like a seemingly endless amount of steps to get to. However, once you reach it, you'll be rewarded with 360° views of German nature at its best.

Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria and the birthplace of the culinary delight Lebkuchen (gingerbread), which can be enjoyed in the endless choice of cafes and bakeries throughout the city.

On a somber note, one of the city's most famous historical events is the Nuremberg Trials, a series of military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute prominent leaders of Nazi Germany. The Nuremberg Trials significantly impacted international law and are commemorated at the Memorium Nürnberger Prozesse, a museum located within the Palace of Justice where the trials took place.

Imperial Castle of Nuremberg

The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg provided a residence for each emperor of the Holy Roman Empire between 1050 and 1571, making it a significant structure for the city. The architecture and complete aesthetic of the castle is unlike other palaces across Germany, and admission to the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg is only €5.50.

St. Lawrence Church

The detailed Gothic architecture of St. Lawrence Church is incredible. Even though the church suffered great damage in World War II, St. Lawrence Church has been restored to its former beauty. Tickets for the church are €9. Once inside, visitors will find a range of paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts of religious importance.

The city of Würzburg is just over an hour away from Frankfurt, so you can spend more time exploring and less time behind the wheel.

Alte Mainbrücke

The old main bridge, or Alte Mainbrücke in German, is a medieval bridge adorned with statues stretching over the River Main. The views of Würzburg and the city's castle are magnificent from the bridge. A famous nearby restaurant—Alte Mainmühle— is situated in a historic building that was once a mill, offering a cozy atmosphere and beautiful views of the Main River and the Old Main Bridge. Alte Mainmühle is known for its excellent selection of local Franconian wines, including the renowned Würzburger Stein.

Würzburg Market Square

The Market Square in Würzburg is a hub of life and energy, with vendors selling fresh, local goods you can purchase and enjoy back in your camper van. The Market Square is also home to Mariankapelle, a richly decorated gothic church with red detailing and stunning stained glass windows.

The town of Aschaffenburg neighbors Frankfurt but offers a quieter, slower-paced side to Germany than the big city. The town is known for the beautiful green landscape surrounding it, along with spectacular German palaces.

Schloss Johannisburg

The red sandstone of Schloss Johannisburg gives the grand palace a different aesthetic than many other castles across the country. With gardens and a restaurant on site, an experience at Schloss Johannisburg can last a few hours, and you can enjoy widespread views of the Main River while delving into some German cuisine.

Pompejanum

Pompejanum was built to replicate a Roman villa and is a stunning surprise in the heart of Aschaffenburg. Constructed in the 1840s, Pompejanum stands proudly today as one of Aschaffenburg's most visited sites, with ticket prices costing €6.

The drive from Aschaffenburg to Frankfurt is less than an hour, giving you plenty of time to complete a few more activities on your final day in Germany. With so many things to do in Frankfurt, the hardest part will be trying to fit everything in before heading back home!

Kleinmarkthalle

Germany is recognized worldwide for its delicious cuisine. For an authentic experience, there's no better way to enjoy some German produce than a visit to the Kleinmarkthalle in Frankfurt. You'll find everything at the market, from bakery items to meat, fruits, and vegetables—and get to hang out like one of the locals.

The Eiserner Steg

"Love is in the air…" Crossing over the Main River is the Eiserner Steg, an iron footbridge welcoming tourists from all over the world. Along each side of the bridge are locks that have been fastened to the bridge as declarations of love.