detour
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to make a detour
To make a short detour from a main route or original plan in order to visit a particular place or meet someone.
Auf dem Rückweg vom Urlaub haben wir noch einen Abstecher zu unseren Freunden nach Nürnberg gemacht.
On the way back from vacation, we made a detour to visit our friends in Nuremberg.
'Der Abstecher' (detour) is almost always used in the fixed expression 'einen Abstecher machen' (to make a detour). It describes a planned, short detour.
Lass uns auf dem Heimweg einen Abstecher zum See machen.
Let's make a detour to the lake on the way home.
The word comes from the idea of 'abzustechen' (branching off), meaning to deviate from a straight line or main path. The prefix 'ab-' emphasizes movement away from the original route.
Der kleine Weg sticht hier vom Hauptweg ab.
The small path branches off from the main path here.
The destination of the detour is indicated with the prepositions 'nach' (for places like cities or countries) or 'zu' (for people, specific places, or activities).
Wir machen einen Abstecher nach Hamburg.
We're making a detour to Hamburg.
visit / visitor
'der Besuch' and 'der Abstecher' can both mean that you go to a place or to a person. 'der Besuch' is neutral and can be short or long. 'der Abstecher' emphasizes that you briefly deviate from your actual route or plan. You often make an 'Abstecher' spontaneously or on the side. The words can be confused because in both cases a place is visited. If the place is the actual destination, you would more likely say 'Besuch'. If it is only a short detour, 'Abstecher' fits better.
Auf dem Rückweg machen wir noch einen kurzen Abstecher zum See.
On the way back, we'll make a quick detour to the lake.
Am Wochenende planen wir einen Besuch bei meinen Eltern.
We're planning a visit to my parents this weekend.