According to ehuacom, Bavaria is the largest federal state in Germany. This state occupies the southeastern part of Germany. The Free State of Bavaria – as its official name is – is one of the most attractive parts of Germany from a tourist perspective. You can spend your holiday here in so many different ways, that you can say that Bavaria actually has everything you could wish for. The relatively mild climate makes for quite warm summers, which is great for organizing all kinds of outdoor events and festivities. In winter you can enjoy winter sports in the mountain areas of Bavaria. Bavaria has more than 250 ski areas, some of which are fairly snow-sure.
Many consider Bavaria to be the country’s most German destination. A number of typical German dishes, drinks and customs originate from Bavaria. Think of the pretzels, the weißwurst, the Leberkäse and of course the delicious Bavarian Weizeners such as Paulaner come from this state. The Oktoberfest is the most famous event. This annual festival, which originated in Munich, is the largest folk festival in the world.
Versatile Bavaria has many fascinating sights and beautiful spots. We have put together a top 10 sights in Bavaria from the enormous range.
Top 10 Things to Do in Bavaria
#1. Romantic street
The Romantic Road is Germany’s most famous route. Since 1950, holidaymakers on the Romantic Road have discovered the most beautiful spots from Würzburg to Allgäu. There is a car route, a bicycle route and a walking route. Along the route of almost 400 kilometers you will discover beautiful buildings, impressive landscapes and quiet towns with cultural strongholds. Discover old castles or let yourself be carried away by the beauty of idyllic villages.
The highlight and end point of Germany’s oldest holiday route is Füssen with the adjacent fairytale castle Neuschwanstein. But also on the many other routes along the Romantic Road, many sights and cultural landscapes await travelers. The most popular town to visit along the Romantic Road is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The well-preserved medieval character is a real crowd pleaser.
#2. München
Munich is the largest city and capital of Bavaria. There is always something going on in Munich. The city is full of smaller and large events. The annual highlight is of course the famous Oktoberfest. Like many German cities, Munich was largely bombed during the Second World War. Most of Munich’s historic sites have been restored or rebuilt. The result may be there. Must-see sights in and around the city include Munich Residenz, the Neues Rathaus and Schloss Nymphenburg. For beer lovers, a visit to the oldest brewery in Munich is recommended. At Zum Augustiner you can enjoy traditional German food, accompanied by the authentic Augustiner beer.
See the top 10 sights of Munich
#3. Neuschwanstein Castle
There is no castle in Germany that captures the imagination as much as Neuschwanstein Castle. This nineteenth-century building is the source of inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. Whoever sees the lock on the rock will certainly have to see the similarities. Partly due to its location, Neuschwanstein Castle also has a fairytale appearance. You can visit Neuschwanstein Castle. Every year this is done by about one and a half million people. You can only visit the castle on a guided tour, where a guide shows you the highlights of the castle for half an hour. You can book the guided tours with both German and English-speaking guides. Due to limited availability, pre-arranging tickets is recommended.
#4. Koenigssee
The Königssee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Germany. The water is so clean and clear that you can easily spot the large schools of trout swimming in it with the naked eye. The Königssee is located in the extreme southeast of Bavaria and therefore also of Germany. With a depth of up to 190 meters, the Königssee is the deepest lake in the country. The combination of the clear icy water and the surrounding mountains provide an almost fairytale appearance. The best way to discover the Königssee is on the water. This can be done by means of a boat trip or with a rental boat. The area around the Königssee is popular with hikers. They enjoy fantastic panoramic views along the way.
#5. Zugspitze
The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. The 2962 meter high mountain is located partly in Bavaria and partly in Austria. Three of the five glaciers are located on the Zugspitz massif. The largest glacier – the Nördliche Schneeferner – is a popular ski area. Since 1955, five lifts have been built on the ice surface, forming the only German glacier ski area. In the past you could even go summer skiing here. This is no longer possible due to climate change. With more than 150 hiking trails, the Zugspitze Arena is a popular region for hiking. A popular walk is the Gatterl Tour. In addition, you combine three gondola rocks with an approximately six-hour walk in which you bridge more than 1000 meters of altitude. Finally, you end the tour at the top of the Zugspitze; the highest point in Germany.
#6. Nuremberg
The city of Nuremberg, centrally located in the state of Bavaria, is one that you should not just drive past. Its location along one of the busiest motorways in Europe makes Nuremberg an ideal place for a stopover. There is plenty to see and do to spend a whole day (or even longer) here. Most of Nuremberg’s attractions are located within the walled Old Town. Here you can enjoy the romantic atmosphere that die Nürnberg – as you write it in German – radiates. Nuremberg has several fascinating museums, such as the Germanisches Nationalmuseum and the Toy Museum. What you absolutely should not miss is a visit to the city’s castle: the Nürnberger Burg.
See Nuremberg’s Top 10 Attractions
#7. Schloss Linderhof
Schloss Linderhof was Ludwig II’s smallest but most luxurious palace, and the only one that he saw fully completed. The palace was completed in 1878. Linderhof Castle is situated on a steep slope in a fantasy landscape of French gardens, fountains and follies. The reclusive king used the palace as a retreat and rarely received visitors here. Linderhof is inspired by Versailles and dedicated to Louis XIV, the French ‘Sun King’. Linderhof’s bejeweled rooms are a monument to the king’s excesses that so disturbed the governors in Munich. You can visit this baroque castle near Ettal for a fee. In the winter season you can only visit the castle.
#8. BMW Museum
For car enthusiasts, and especially for fans of the popular German car brand BMW, a visit to the BMW Museum is an absolute must when in Bavaria. The BMW Museum, designed by Karl Schwanzer, is a sight to behold in terms of architecture alone. Unfortunately, you can’t just see the roof of the building. For that you have to be at a higher point. The roof of the museum is a huge BMW logo.
The magic starts as soon as you step inside. On an area of approximately 5000 square meters you can see the development of BMW as a car and motorcycle brand over the years. In total, more than 120 cars and other objects are on display. Enjoy classics such as the Isetta, the 2002 ti, the 328, the M1 and the 3.0 CSi. Discover the BMWs less known to the general public, such as the BMW 700 dating from 1964 or the BMW 507, which is very popular among classic car collectors, which is now worth millions of euros in good condition. Of course, the BMW Museum also devotes plenty of attention to the electrification that is also underway at BMW. Fans of sporty BMWs – the M-Sport models – can marvel at the fastest and most brutal sports cars that BMW has made.
Do not confuse the BMW Museum with the nearby BMW Welt. This sleek building mainly represents the BMW of today. You can see contemporary models and discover the very latest gadgets that are incorporated in the new BMWs. Furthermore, BMW Welt is used as a distribution center. You can pick up the BMW you ordered here by appointment.
#9. Schloss Herrenchiemsee
Herrenchiemsee is an island located in the Chiemsee. It is the largest of three islands in this Bavarian lake. The Neues Schloss Herrenchiemsee is centrally located on this island, also known as Herreninsel. This royal castle was built at the end of the nineteenth century by order of Louis II. Herrenchiemsee Castle is inspired by the famous Palace of Versailles. Due to money problems (the state treasury was empty at one point), construction work on Schloss Herrenchiemsee was halted. As a result, unfinished parts broke off at some point. Schloss Herrenchiemsee has now been completely restored to top condition. This is to offer paying visitors as much value for money as possible.
Visitors can marvel at the private rooms of the king, furnished in Rococo style, at the overwhelming stairwell and at the 75-metre-long Hall of Mirrors. Because Schloss Herrenchiemsee is located on an island, it can only be visited by boat. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or purchased on site at the cash register at the jetty.
#10. Kehlsteinhaus
The Kehlsteinhaus is a house built on top of the Kehlstein. This building, designed under the direction of Martin Ludwig Bormann, is also known as the Eagle’s Nest. The Kehlsteinhaus was built as the country residence of Adolf Hitler. In practice, this former Nazi leader barely stayed there. First of all, he couldn’t stand the thinner air that prevails here at 1,834 meters. He also feared an attempt on his life on the way to the Kehlsteinhaus.
Today the Kehlsteinhaus is a café/restaurant that offers a formidable view of the area. Everything related to the Nazi past has been removed. This was to prevent the Eagle’s Nest from becoming a pilgrimage or meeting place for neo-Nazis. Now it is a tourist attraction that is said to be worth a visit especially the road to it.
