Blog

Frankfurt is best known for its skyline, its banks and one of the busiest airports in Europe, but it is also an ideal starting point for some of the most beautiful drives in Germany. Within two hours you can follow the Rhine past medieval castles, wind through the vineyards of the Moselle, climb into the Black Forest or explore the half-timbered towns of Franconia. Each region has its own character, from romantic river valleys and wine villages to elegant spa towns and one of the most famous racetracks in the world. These are trips that deserve more than a day, and a weekend gives you time to slow down, stay somewhere special and enjoy the road as much as the destination. Many travelers who come to Frankfurt on business extend their stay by a few days, turning a work trip into a short escape. Choosing the right car is part of the plan. A convertible makes the most of river valleys and vineyards, a sports car is made for mountain curves and legendary racetracks, and a luxury SUV keeps longer journeys relaxed for families and groups. Here are the weekend getaways we love most.

Along the Rhine and Moselle

The closest and perhaps most iconic escape is the Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that begins around Rüdesheim, about an hour west of Frankfurt. From there, the road follows the river north toward Koblenz, past hilltop castles, steep vineyards and the famous Loreley rock. There are no bridges along this stretch, so small car ferries carry you from one bank to the other, adding to the sense of adventure. Along the way, towns such as Bacharach and St. Goar invite you to stop for a stroll through their old streets. With the top down in a Bentley Continental GTC, it’s one of the most elegant drives in Germany. Spend the night in a riverside hotel and taste the region’s Riesling before continuing the next morning.

Continue west from Koblenz, or drive about two hours directly from Frankfurt, and you reach the Moselle, a quieter river that loops dramatically through slate hillsides covered in vines. Cochem makes a perfect base, with its riverside promenade and the Reichsburg castle overlooking the town. Nearby, the fairytale Eltz Castle hides in a forest valley and is well worth a detour, while the Calmont near Bremm is often called the steepest vineyard in Europe. The winding road along the river suits the Mercedes-AMG SL63, whether you’re heading to a winery for a tasting or simply following the curves from one village to the next.

The Black Forest and Baden-Baden

Head south for about two hours and the landscape changes completely. The Schwarzwaldhochstraße, part of the B500, runs about 60 km along the ridge of the northern Black Forest from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt. It is one of Germany’s oldest and best-known scenic routes, passing dense pine forests, the dark waters of the Mummelsee and viewpoints across the Rhine plain toward France. On clear days, the views from the Hornisgrinde, the highest point along the route at 1,164 meters, stretch far into the distance. The sweeping bends and steady climbs make it a favorite with drivers, and a sharp, responsive car like the Porsche 911 GT3 brings out the best in every section.

At the start of the route, Baden-Baden is the ideal place to spend the weekend. This elegant spa town has welcomed royalty and celebrities for centuries, and its thermal baths, grand casino and tree-lined Lichtentaler Allee still carry an air of Belle Époque glamour. The town is also part of the UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe. Arrive in an Aston Martin DB12 Volante, check into one of its historic hotels and spend the evening at the casino or in a fine-dining restaurant. The next morning, the Black Forest High Road is waiting right on your doorstep.

Racetracks and Medieval Towns

For car enthusiasts, the Nürburgring needs no introduction. About two hours northwest of Frankfurt, in the rolling hills of the Eifel, the legendary circuit has hosted Formula 1 races and remains one of the most famous racetracks in the world. Spend a day watching cars lap the Nordschleife from one of the viewing points, and enjoy the quiet country roads that wind through the surrounding hills. Nearby villages such as Adenau have a strong motorsport culture, with cafés and shops dedicated to the circuit. The Nissan GT-R, a car closely linked with the Nürburgring through its development, feels perfectly at home here.

If history appeals more than horsepower, follow the A3 east to Würzburg, about an hour and a quarter from Frankfurt and the starting point of the Romantic Road. Its baroque Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for Tiepolo’s ceiling frescoes. Don’t miss the Marienberg Fortress above the river and the Old Main Bridge, where locals gather with a glass of Franconian wine on summer evenings. From there, the route continues south through the Tauber Valley to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a perfectly preserved medieval town of half-timbered houses, towers and cobbled streets. For a relaxed family weekend, the Range Rover Vogue Autobiography offers space and comfort for the whole journey.

A weekend away from Frankfurt is easy to plan with a few simple tips. Book hotels early for summer and the autumn wine harvest, especially along the Rhine and Moselle. Leave early on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, since traffic around the Frankfurt interchange can be heavy, and pack for changing weather, as the Black Forest and the Eifel can be noticeably cooler than the city. It’s also worth combining destinations: the Rhine and Moselle work well together, as do Baden-Baden and the Black Forest High Road. Whichever route you choose, the right car will make the journey as memorable as the places you visit. Visit our luxury car rental Weiterstadt page to find the perfect car for your next weekend away.