Hesse is often misunderstood as just a transit hub, but for the savvy road tripper, it is the beating heart of Germany. Located right in the center of the map, this region offers a stunning contrast between the futuristic skyline of Frankfurt and the deep mystical forests. The driving here is diverse. From the fast-paced Autobahn to winding routes through the Taunus mountains and the vineyards along the Rhine River.
This is a land where time travel feels possible. One hour you are navigating the concrete canyons of "Mainhattan" and the next you are strolling through medieval half-timbered villages that look exactly as they did centuries ago. The roads want you to explore the legends of the German Fairy Tale Route, passing ancient castles and river valleys that feel pulled straight from a storybook. It is a perfect mix of high finance and high romance.
No trip here is complete without slowing down to enjoy the local culture. Pull over at a traditional tavern to try the tart, refreshing Apfelwein (apple wine) or the famous Green Sauce.
Hesse highlights
- Frankfurt am Main A dynamic city with a striking skyline, historic Römer square, museums along the Museumsufer and great food scene.
- Wiesbaden One of Germany’s oldest spa towns, famous for thermal baths, elegant architecture and leafy promenades.
- Kassel Home to the unique Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. A World Heritage site with waterfalls, Hercules monument and stunning gardens.
- Taunus Mountains Forested hills and scenic trails perfect for hiking, cycling, and discovering small villages with traditional German charm.
- Rheingau Riesling Route Drive along the Rhine River through vineyards and villages like Eltville and Rüdesheim. Famous for world-class white wine (Riesling) and the Germania monument
- Marburg A picturesque university town with a medieval castle, narrow cobbled streets and historic old town charm.
- Fulda Baroque architecture at its finest. See the Fulda Cathedral and Schlossgarten gardens with their history and elegance.
The local Four
History of Hesse
Unlike many German states, it owes its origin to the division of the historic Landgraviate of Thuringia in 1247. Hesse quickly became a leading Protestant state under Landgrave Philip the Magnanimous. However, this unity was short-lived; upon Philip’s death in 1567, the land was split among his four sons, creating smaller entities like Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt.
This legacy of internal division shaped the region for centuries, leaving behind the wealth of separate historic capitals, universities and castles scattered across the modern region. The present-day state of Hesse was formally established in 1945 after the tumultuous end of World War II, finally merging its fragmented territories into a single entity.
The modern region immediately embraced its central location. It rapidly transformed the ruins of Frankfurt into a global financial and transportation hub. Hesse has simultaneously preserved its deep historical roots, carefully maintaining the half-timbered towns and mythical forests.