10 Best Road Trips near Hamburg

Sachsenwald near Hamburg is where you can swap the city for a relatively small forest that's packed with dense woodland and flowing streams. Roughly 60 sq km in size the forest is home to exquisite flora and fauna, particularly birds and butterflies. It’s reachable after a 30-minute drive from Hamburg.

Whether you're looking to hike, trail run or mountain bike, this beautiful spot has 6 unique trails that are well-marked and easy to follow. There are also several historical attractions here, such as Bismarck Tower, which was built as a water tower and a lookout, as well as a sculpture of General Paul von Lettow Vorbeck, who was a major general during World War I.

Serengeti Park Hodenhagen is an African safari and adventure park offering animal-inspired fun for all ages. Only an hour’s drive from Hamburg, the resort covers 220 hectares of land home to 1,500 free-roaming exotic animals as well as 40 fun rides. You'll be able to see giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers, rhinos, bison, antelopes, and bears, plus 200 monkey species and many other animals. 

Serengeti Park Hodenhagen is accredited by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). It’s a little over an hour south of Hamburg and it's possible to drive your car through the park or arrange a safari tour. Overnight stays are available and there are onsite restaurants as well.

Mecklenburg Elbe Valley Nature Park is a UNESCO biosphere reserve along the Elbe River. A little over an hour’s drive southeast of Hamburg, this vast park is 400 km in length and runs through 5 German states. 

The diverse landscape of the Mecklenburg Elbe Valley includes sandy dunes, woods, grasslands, and heaths. There are also observation towers offering panoramic views of the Elbe water meadows. To immerse yourself in this unique natural area, you can choose from cycling, hiking, or boating.

Altes Land is home to abundant orchards, preserved marshland and some of the best-preserved historical architecture in Northern Germany. It’s a popular place to visit on road trips outside of Hamburg, where you can split your time between villages and visiting apple, pear, and cherry orchards along the way. The area covers 10,000 hectares of fertile land and is also a great place for cycling adventures.

This idyllic escape in the German countryside is beautiful in the spring when fruit trees bloom as well as in the autumn harvest when fresh fruit is abundant. In any season, you'll find cafes and restaurants offering cakes using fruit from the orchards, and you can also explore half-timbered houses, lighthouses, churches, museums, and windmills.

Lüneburg is a charming town located 45 minutes south of Hamburg that is popular for its medieval centre and historical past. Surrounded by meadows and heathland, this pretty university town offers a pleasant atmosphere, attractive streets, and plenty to do. Having survived World War II unscathed, the city streets are abundant with cobblestone, old brick houses, ornate buildings, and historical landmarks.

Once a vibrant trade town, Lüneburg's historical importance is closely tied to salt production, making the German Salt Museum one of its top attractions. Aside from this, the cute streets, lively riverside pubs, and the surrounding landscape make Lüneburg one of Germany's most delightful towns to visit on a road trip.

Stade is a historical village in Lower Saxony and a lovely spot to explore. Most of its attractions relate to its Hanseatic past and Swedish occupation following the Thirty Years War. This small city is easily walkable – it’s considered an open-air museum thanks to all the timber-framed houses, beautiful buildings and moated old town. Stroll the charming streets to the harbour to find art galleries, museums, and riverfront restaurants.

Stade is located a little over an hour west of Hamburg, along the Elbe River. It's surrounded by the picturesque countryside of Altes Land, where fruit orchards, lakes and meadows abound.

Schaalsee is a lush biosphere reserve not accessible by train, making it a peaceful escape into nature. This UNESCO biosphere reserve spans 24 sq km and is an ideal spot for spotting wildlife such as eagles, cranes, otters, and kingfishers. 

Schaalsee Lake is at the heart of this tranquil reserve and is a wonderful place to engage in outdoor activities. Hiking trails circumnavigate the sparkling lake, and many waterfront sites and jetties provide easy access for anyone wishing to dip into the crystal-clear water. To venture further afield, cycle paths lead through pastures and into idyllic villages surrounding the reserve.

Schwerin Castle is considered one of Germany's most beautiful castles. It’s several hundred years old. Through the ages, this palatial home was rebuilt multiple times, and its ornate cupolas, grand tower, and pointed spires make it a prime example of the Romantic Historicism style.

Located an hour and 45 minutes north of Hamburg, the palace sits in the middle of a lake and now serves as the town of Schwerin's parliament house. Visitors are welcome to explore its main rooms, built-in museum, and sprawling gardens. Guided tours as well as audio guides in several different languages are available.

Glücksburg Castle is one of the most important Renaissance castles in northern Europe and is one of Northern Germany’s distinguished landmarks. Located near the Danish border, it has strong ties with the Scandinavian country, including temporarily serving as the primary residence of the Danish monarch. Its long history, impressive architecture, collection of Dutch tapestries, and Flemish wall coverings make it a popular and Instagrammable place to visit.

A 2-hour drive north of Hamburg takes you to Glücksburg, where you can check out the castle rooms, museum, gardens, and the children's fairytale exhibitions. You can also choose to stay in a holiday guesthouse on the grounds.

Fehmarn Island in the Baltic Sea is a great escape to consider for a road trip out of landlocked Hamburg. It can be reached within a 2-hour drive, crossing a bridge from the mainland. Known as the “sunshine isle”, this is Germany's 3^rd largest island and a much-loved holiday destination. 

If you enjoy watersports, this seaside location showcases windsurfing and kitesurfing along its shores. You can also go horseriding, play golf, swim, or sail to keep active. Countless miles of dunes, meadows, and grassland makes it a favoured spot for birdwatchers, who get the chance to spot 200 different bird species within the Wallnau Waterbird Reserve.