Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria.
Germany’s largest state is also one of its most scenic – a fairytale landscape of towering mountains, sweeping valleys and pretty mountain villages, dotted with medieval castles and idyllic beer gardens. If you’re heading to Bavaria, here are a few musts for your itinerary.
1. Munich
The Bavarian capital of Munich is the obvious starting point for exploring the region, drawing millions to its streets for its famous annual Oktoberfest and providing a perfect base for day and multi-day tours of Bavaria. There are plenty of ways to spend one day in Munich, from exploring the world-class art museums and admiring the historic architecture of the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) or St Peter’s Church, to sipping beer in the Hofbräuhaus beer hall, the famous 19th-century Royal brewery. Even if you miss out on Oktoberfest, the city hosts a number of lively folk festivals and seasonal Christmas markets, where you’ll be able to see the locals dressed up in traditional Lederhosen and Dirndl, and tuck into some traditional Bavarian foods in Munich.
2. The Romantic Road
One of Germany’s most popular tourist trails, Bavaria’s Romantic Road is a breathtakingly scenic drive, taking in many of Ludwig II’s legendary castles and medieval villages lined with traditional timber-fronted houses. Running from Füssen in Southern Bavaria to Würzburg, the aptly named Romantic Road takes in highlights like the striking Neuschwanstein Castle, famously the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle; the medieval town of Rothenburg; the walled city of Augsburg and the Tauber Valley vineyards.
3. Bavarian Alps
You can’t come to Bavaria without taking a walk in the Bavarian Alps, the Bavarian Forest or the Black Forest, and once you’ve got your fill of beer gardens and medieval architecture, it’s time to explore Bavaria’s scenery on foot. Head to one of the alpine resorts like Oberstdorf, Füssen, Berchtesgaden or Garmisch-Partenkirchen where you can spend the winter months skiing and snowboarding, and the summer months mountain biking, horse riding and hiking. Another popular attraction in the alps is the dramatic mountaintop Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), a former abode of Hitler, notable for its phenomenal architectural achievements, including a vast underground bunker and a network of tunnels running through the mountain.