Germany, Netherlands & Belgium Road Trip: A Tri-State Route

Difficulty

192 miles/310 km

Distance

7

Recom. Days

Culture

Trip type

Image of Indie Campers freelance travel writer Jenn Zajac, outside a cafe.
Jenn Zajac

Ice coffee-addicted, pun-loving, Oxford comma-embracing writer. Currently based in beautiful Bali after too many winters in Boston and London. Specializes in crafting content for hotels and travel.

Germany, Netherlands & Belgium Road Trip Itinerary

Germany, Netherlands and Belgium Road Trip map itinerary

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One of the best things about exploring Europe by campervan is just how much you can see in a short span of time, like on this Germany, Netherlands & Belgium road trip!

Three countries in one week might sound rushed, but this tri-state road trip is anything but. Grab your campervan rental in Cologne and kick off this one-week itinerary with a quick taste of the city’s vibrant fashion and nightlife.

An unusual underground experience awaits just across the Dutch border in Maastricht, while a fluffy Liège waffle alone is worth a quick stop in Belgium. 

Back in Germany, relax like a king in Charlemagne’s old haunt, the spa city of Aachen. Just like that, you’ve hit three countries on one road trip!

Maastricht is a city in the Netherlands near Belgium on a road trip
Pick-up in
Cologne Pick-Up Center
1

Pub crawls and more in fashionable Düsseldorf

Located along the northern end of the Rhine River, Düsseldorf is one of Germany’s largest and most fashionable cities. Altstadt (Old Town) is a hub of activity on the river’s east bank while a modern commercial district has sprung up to the west.

Park your campervan and head to the Rhine Tower, where sweeping city views give you a lay of the land. We suggest skipping the revolving restaurant and touristy observation deck in favour of the chic cocktail lounge M 168.

Park in dusseldorf

Düsseldorf attracts a fun, vibrant crowd, particularly in the evenings. As the sun sets, make a beeline for Old Town and partake in the beloved local pastime of pub-hopping. 

Pair a late start the next morning with a lazy stroll along Königsallee, a pretty boulevard bursting with stylish boutiques and fashion showrooms. As you depart the city and make for the Netherlands and Belgium on this road trip,  head southwest to add an afternoon stop at Castle Dyck, an important moated fortress dating back over a millennium.

Visiting

Düsseldorf

1 - 2

Recom. Days

Main route

28 miles

from Cologne

50 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Rhine Tower

240m observation tower with city views

Königsallee

Posh shopping boulevard alongside canal

Hotel Schloss Dyck

Canary yellow castle with moat, 20 km from city

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Eat at

Bob & Mary

$$

Juicy burger joint with a creative flair

Brewery Schumacher

$$

Independent brewery with German food

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Parking

Ringelsweide

Free parking at 30 min walk from Altstadt

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Stay at

Rheincamping Meerbusch

$$

On the Rhine, 30 minutes from center

2

Mixing cultures, caves, and cuisine in Maastricht

Tucked away in the southernmost part of The Netherlands, the city of Maastricht is barely an hour’s drive, making it an easy addition to your otherwise only Germany & Belgium road trip itinerary.

Due to its tri-state location, the culture and cuisine of Maastricht have evolved into a surprising blend of Dutch, Belgian, and German influences.

Maastricht lies in the Netherlands but is close to Belgium on this road trip

Even more fascinating is what lies beneath the surface. Kazematten (Casemates) is an 18th-century fortress and large network of tunnels, bunkers, and caves dating as far back as 1575.

When you do return to the light of day, take a stroll through the lively Vrijthof square on your way to the Bonnefantenmuseum. Distinguished by its modern, domed tower, the art museum is home to a rotating collection of contemporary and medieval art.

Visiting

Maastricht

1 - 2

Recom. Days

Main route

59 miles

from Düsseldorf

1h15m

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Kazematten

Underground netword of caves and tunnels

Bonnefantenmuseum

Art museum with recognizable domed tower

Signal

Eat at

Pieke Potloed

$$$

Cosy & traditional, try the tasting menu

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Parking

Garage Maestricht

$$$$

Central parking lot, 84 spaces

Signal

Stay at

Camping Oriental

$$

Great facilities, including heated pool

3

Belgian waffles worth travelling for in Liège

The next stop on this border-hopping, Germany, Netherlands & Belgium road trip: Belgium’s French-speaking Wallonia region.

The little city of Liège is dissected by the Meuse River and dotted with medieval landmarks like the Collegiate Church of Saint Bartholomew. The church is well known for its distinctive red facade and surreal Dali-esque inner courtyard.

Lìege is also known as Luik in the Flamish part of this Belgium road trip

Ten minutes away by foot is a different sort of local landmark, the so-called “Mountain” of Bueren. It’s actually not a mountain at all, but rather, a steep stone staircase ascending 374 steps uphill from the old town and boasting fantastic views at the top. 

If you manage the climb, you’ll have earned yourself a Belgian waffle or three! The Liège waffle is characterized by its thicker dough, untrimmed edges, and melt-in-your-mouth sugar crystals. Join the queue at famous Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette bakery (open Wednesday through Sunday only) to indulge in home-made gaufres liégeoises.

Visiting

Liège

2

Recom. Days

Main route

22 miles

from Maastricht

35 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Collégiale Saint-Barthélemy

11th-century church with pretty courtyard

Montagne de Bueren

Great views if you can handle 374 steps

La Boverie

Peaceful, grassy park with renowned art museum

Signal

Eat at

Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette

$$

Belgian waffles, à la Liege

La Frite

$

Cheap and cheerful fries of all flavours

RV icon

Parking

Rue Henri de Dinant

$

Car park, max 3 hrs, 54 spaces

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Stay at

Camping Les Murets

$$

9 miles south of center, in the countryside

4

Rest and renew in the German spa city of Aachen

The historic spa city of Aachen was the preferred residence of Charlemagne, one of Europe’s most powerful kings. As an easy ending to your Germany, Netherlands & Belgium road trip, you’ll quickly see the appeal.

While roaming Aachen’s cobblestone streets, it’s hard to miss the Aachen Cathedral, considered the oldest cathedral in northern Europe. A whopping 30 German kings were crowned here; it’s also the final resting place of Charlemagne himself. You can walk in his footsteps at the Centre Charlemagne, a local history museum nearby.

Arrive in Aachen for the end of this Netherlands Germany and Belgium road trip

Sharing a border with Belgium and The Netherlands, the area’s hot springs and thermal baths have long attracted visitors seeking its rejuvenating mineral waters. The Carolus Thermen spa is the perfect place to spend your final full day, exploring indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms, or choosing from a range of healing spa treatments.

Feeling refreshed? Make your way back to Düsseldorf in just about an hour’s drive.

Visiting

Aachen

2

Recom. Days

Main route

34 miles

from Liège

50 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Aachen Cathedral

Landmark cathedral & burial place of Charlemagne

Carolus Thermen

Modern day spa inspired by Roman thermal baths

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Eat at

Am Knipp

$$

Popular for rural, regional German food

LivingRoom

$$

Stylish spot with new menu every week

Justus K

$$$

Ultra-hip vegetarian eatery (book ahead)

RV icon

Parking

Vaalser Straße

$

Car park with 27 spaces

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Stay at

Stellplatz Bad Aachen

$$

Campervan campsite at 1.5 km from center, 46 places

Drop-off in
Cologne Pick-Up Center

56 miles

from Aachen

1h15m

drive