Explore 20 Exciting Day Trip Options within 200 km from Darmstadt, Germany
Darmstadt is a lovely city in Hesse, Germany. With a population of around 150,000, it is not as crowded as other major cities in Germany. Despite its small size and population, it has quite a few things to be proud of. Darmstadt is known for its Football team SV Darmstadt 98, University ( TU Darmstadt), and many important companies like Deutsche Telecom, Software AG, Merck, etc.
Darmstadt also holds an important place in the history of Hessen and Germany. From the Middle Ages until the 20th century, it was the state capital and the residence of the landgraves, which explains the presence of many historical structures and monuments in the city.
Today, my post is about 20 day trips you can easily make from Darmstadt. All these places are within 200 km of Darmstadt.
I recommend making these trips during spring, summer, or autumn because most involve being outdoors. Also, plenty of sunlight and long days can help you make the most of your day trip. Though all these places look lovely in winter, too, some of the experiences (such as ship tours, museums, etc.) in the places I have recommended may be closed during that time. So, read the articles in detail, check the relevant websites ( mentioned in my articles), and plan your trip.
Please note that this list is based on my personal experiences. I have visited all these places with my family; hence, I recommend them.
Before I get to the list, let me inform you about my travel recommendations:
Reaching each of these cities:
The best and fastest way to reach these cities is by car. If you don’t own a car, please read my articles below. I am sure you will find them useful:
10 reasons to get a driving license in Germany
How to get a driving license in Germany- Step-by-Step guide
My Experience with renting a car in Germany
If you don’t own a car, you can rent one. We have rented vehicles from SIXT multiple times and found their cars to be top-notch.
The next option is to travel to these cities using Deutsche Bahn (Germany’s train service provider). Alternatively, you can compare ticket prices and travel options on Omio.
The Deutsche Bahn ticket links to each of these places are given in the respective articles about each of these places.
Travel within the city:
Please click on the links shared below. You will find the relevant information there.
Now, let us start with the list of 20 Day Trips from Darmstadt, Germany:
20 Day Trips from Darmstadt, Germany:
1. Frankfurt:
When people think about Frankfurt, they rarely think about tourism. The financial hub of Germany is a work destination for many and is often thought of as a city with offices, commercial complexes, etc. But a tourist can visit many lovely places in Frankfurt—some historical and some modern. Located just 35 km north of Darmstadt, Frankfurt can be easily reached, and its important tourist sites can be visited in a day. Read A Day Trip to Frankfurt to know more.
2. Rüdesheim
Located 73 km northwest of Darmstadt in the same state is the lovely town of Rüdesheim am Rhein. As the name says, this town is located along the Rhine River and is known for its lovely castles, vineyards and beautiful narrow streets. Cable car rides, river cruises, sightseeing, wine tasting and hikes are some of the experiences in this town. I have written two articles: A Detailed Guide to Visiting Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany and 7 Best Experiences in Rüdesheim in a Day. Check them out. Also, check the photo gallery of this place here.
3. Bingen
While Rüdesheim lies on one bank of the river Rhine, the lovely town of Bingen lies on the other. Located about 65 km northwest of Darmstadt, in Rheinland Palatinate, this town is at par with Rüdesheim in natural beauty, historical structures and wine experiences. This place is a must-visit for nature, history, and adventure lovers. Read my article: A day trip to Bingen, in which I have shared detailed information that will help you plan your visit to Bingen. Also, read 5 Best Places to see and Things to do in Bingen. Also, check out the photo gallery of Bingen here.
4. Heidelberg
The historical town of Heidelberg is located 60 km south of Darmstadt in Baden Württemberg. Most famous for its University, this town, located along the Neckar River, is one of Germany’s most loved tourist destinations. Heidelberg Castle, the castle gardens, the river cruise and visiting the famous Heidelberg Zoo are some of the experiences in this city. Read my article: Top 10 Places to Visit and Things to Do in Heidelberg. This article discusses the top 10 experiences and explains planning your visit to Heidelberg. Check out the photo gallery of Heidelberg here.
5. Aschaffenburg
Located 47 km northeast of Darmstadt in Bavaria lies the lovely city of Aschaffenburg. This picturesque city, located along the Main River, is best known for Schloss Johannisburg, a 15th-century castle. Apart from the castle, visiting the city centre (called Altstadt), a Roman Villa Replica (Pompejanum) and a boat ride on the calm waters are some of the not-to-miss experiences in Aschaffenburg. Read my article: A day trip to Aschaffenburg, where I have shared information about travel, places to visit, etc. You can also check the photo gallery of Aschaffenburg here.
6. Wiesbaden
Located 43 km northwest of Darmstadt is the capital of Hesse, Wiesbaden. This spa city is known for its lovely parks, a beautiful city church and a climb to the hill called Neoberg. You can either hike up or take the funicular. There are many experiences, such as walking in the forest, climbing activities, visiting a church, and enjoying local food after climbing Neoberg. Read my article about Top 5 Places to see in Wiesbaden, in which I have shared detailed information about travel, accommodation, places to visit, etc. Check out the photo gallery of Wiesbaden here.
7. Koblenz
Located 130 km northwest of Darmstadt in Rhineland Palatinate, Koblenz is a lovely town located on the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers. The Deutsches Eck ( an artificial headland at the confluence of the two rivers) is the most prominent landmark. You can add visiting the city centre, walking along the river, visiting Fort Ehrenbreitstein using the cable, and a river cruise to your experiences in Koblenz. Read my articles: A day trip to Koblenz – My experience, Useful Information for planning a day trip to Koblenz, Top 5 Places to See and Things to do in Koblenz in a day to plan your day trip to Koblenz.
8. Mainz
Located 45 km from Darmstadt in Rhineland Palatinate, Mainz is the capital and largest city of the state. This city, situated along the Rhine River, is most famous for its cathedral (Mainzer Dom) and the Gutenberg Museum, where you can find two copies of the Gutenberg Bible. Mainz has plenty of other lovely historic structures, including an archaeological site. It also offers a wonderful riverside experience. Read more about planning your day trip to Mainz here.
9. Heppenheim
Heppenheim is a quaint town located 35km south of Darmstadt in Hesse. If you wish to spend a day amidst nature, away from the crowds, Heppenheim is the place for you. Visit the castle ( either by car or hike), the old city centre, and the lovely Saint Peters Church. Add wine tasting experience to this visit, and you will surely have a memorable experience. Read my article about A day Trip To Heppenheim, Germany, in which I have shared information about travel to Heppenheim, travel within the city, places to visit, accommodation, etc. Check out the photo gallery of Heppenheim here.
10. Lorsch
Located 33 km south of Darmstadt in the state of Hesse is Lorsch. This is yet another quaint town in Germany that you can visit if you wish to spend a day away from the crowds and noise of a big city. Lorsch is famous for its World Heritage site, Lorsch Abbey (Kloster Lorsch ). Apart from that, museums, open-air laboratories, tobacco farms, etc. Read my article: 5 Best Experiences in Lorsch, and check out the photo gallery here.
11. Cochem
The lovely town of Cochem on the River Mosel is located 150 km northeast of Darmstadt. You can reach Cochem by road in about 2 hours. This picturesque town is well known for its local wine, lovely views of the river and valley, and Bundesbank Bunker, where about 15 Billion Deutsche Marks were safely kept during the Cold War. Read more about our day trip to Cochem here.
12. Rothenburg
Despite being 188 km from Darmstadt ( much more than other places on this list), I am adding Rothenburg. You can reach Rothenburg in about 2.5 hours from Darmstadt. Located in Bavaria, this medieval town is known for its medieval architecture, half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and medieval structures, including towers, churches, a market square and a fortification that encloses the town. If you choose a long summer day and reach the town early, you can experience most of the places in Rothenburg by the end of the day. Read my article: A short family holiday in Rothenburg, and also check out the photo gallery of Rothenburg here.
13. Ludwigsburg
Located 161 km south of Darmstadt in the state of Baden Württemberg is the lovely city of Ludwigsburg. Known for its royal palace, palatial gardens, and the biggest pumpkin festival in Germany, Ludwigsburg has plenty of sites to visit for a day tourist. It takes about 2 hours to reach Ludwigsburg from Frankfurt, so if you choose a long summer day and start early, you can easily visit all the attractions and return home by evening. Read my article about Ludwigsburg: Holiday in Ludwigsburg to learn more about this city.
14. Andernach
Located 138 km northwest of Darmstadt, the lovely little town of Andernach, located along the Rhine River, is most famous for the highest cold water geyser in the world. Apart from the geyser, the town is famous for its medieval architecture. The ancient fortifications and structures of historical importance can all be visited in a day. Read more about a visit to Andernach. If you have more time, you can combine it with a visit to the Eltz Castle, which is 31 km from Andernach and can be reached in about half an hour from Andernach.
15. Mörsdorf
Mörsdorf is located about 127 km northwest of Darmstadt. This small town is famous for its suspension bridge, the Geierlay Bridge. Apart from crossing the suspension bridge and getting lovely views of the river and valley, you can hike in the valley below and spend time amidst nature. Check out more about this location in my article.
16. Baden Baden
The lovely town of Baden Baden is situated 145 km south of Frankfurt. This spa town in the Black Forest region is famous for its scenic beauty, castles, forts, casinos, and, of course, spas. Read my article about a day spent in Baden Baden here.
17. Strasbourg
The picturesque city of Strasbourg in France is located 197 km south of Darmstadt, close to the German border. With a canal that flows through the city, modern and medieval structures and a unique cultural blend from Germany and France, this lovely city has many visitors. Read my article about a day spent in Strasbourg here.
18. Michelstadt
Located 47 km southeast of Darmstadt, Michelstadt is a lovely little town most famous for its Christmas Market in its old town. In addition, its pristine location in the Odenwald area makes a visit totally worthwhile. Read more about it here.
19. Mannheim
Located 58km south of Darmstadt in Baden Württemberg, Mannheim is a bustling city known for its culture and heritage. This university city is a great place for tourists too. Check out how you can spend a day in Mannheim here.
20. Nationales Auto Museum, Loh Collection in Dietzhölztal
Located 145 km north of Darmstadt in the town of Dietzhölztal, Nationales Auto Museum, Loh Collection is a large private car collection. The extensive collection comprises cars from the car makers Mercedes, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and many more. Read more about it here.
Let me finally put together a list of all the 20 places that you can visit on your day trip from Darmstadt:
- Frankfurt
- Rüdesheim
- Bingen
- Heidelberg
- Aschaffenburg
- Wiesbaden
- Koblenz
- Mainz
- Heppenheim
- Lorsch
- Cochem
- Rothenburg
- Ludwigsburg
- Andernach & Eltz Castle
- Mörsdorf
- Baden Baden
- Strasbourg
- Michelstadt
- Mannheim
- Nationales Auto Museum, Loh Collection in Dietzhölztal
Hope you found this article useful.
Read about other holiday destinations here.
To keep yourself updated with my latest posts, please subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on social media.
Leave a Reply