Holidays to Bavaria

Neuschwanstein Castle rewards early risers with fewer crowds and misty panoramas over the emerald Alpsee. The Bavarian Alps aren’t just for hikers — explore Alpine villages like Oberammergau and enjoy views of towering Zugspitze Mountain from Eibsee Lake. In Munich’s central Marienplatz square, catch the historic glockenspiel show twice a day.

Despite its lack of coastline, Bavaria has some standout lakeside beaches. Swim in the turquoise waters of Walchensee, one of Germany’s largest and deepest Alpine lakes. And take your pick of sandy stretches around Lake Chiemsee. Looking to pair nature and culture? Spend a day windsurfing or sailing on Ammersee before visiting the hilltop Benedictine Andechs Monastery perched above the lake.

Hike past moors and crystal-clear streams in Bavarian Forest National Park. And take in the castles and palaces around the Altmühl Valley. But Zugspitze Mountain might be the most majestic of Bavaria’s natural wonders. Home to one of the country’s last glaciers, Germany’s highest mountain has incredible views from the summit, which is accessible by cable car or cogwheel train.

Make no mistake, the bratwurst and beer here are world class. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what you’ll find in Bavaria’s restaurants. Chow down on ‘Käsespätzle’ (cheese noodles), ‘Schweinshaxe’ (roasted pork knuckle) and ‘Semmelknödel’ (bread dumplings) whenever you can. To satisfy your sweet tooth, try ‘Kaiserschmarrn’ (scrambled pancakes) or ‘Prinzregententorte’ (layered chocolate torte).

You could spend weeks on end exploring the dozens of museums in Bavaria — and not just in Munich’s famous Kunstareal museum quarter. In Nuremberg, get an in-depth look at German culture at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum. And if you’re a train buff, steam through the exhibits at the Deutsche Bahn Museum. Dog lover? Say hello to Regensburg’s Dackelmuseum (Dachshund Museum).

If you’re thirsty for nightlife beyond the region’s legendary beer halls, Munich’s edgy Gärtnerplatz and Maxvorstadt boast trendy pubs, cocktail joints and dive bars. In Nuremberg, the arty Gostenhof district offers everything from laid-back lounges to lively music venues. For some of the best nightlife in Bavaria, head to Regensburg, home to Germany’s highest concentration of bars.

Buses: Affordable and reliable long-distance buses like FlixBus connect major Bavarian cities such as Munich, Nuremberg and Würzburg. For local travel, regional bus networks serve smaller towns, Alpine villages and national parks — often linking with train routes for easy transfers.

Trains: Deutsche Bahn provides speedy and efficient rail connections across Bavaria, including high-speed routes and slower, more scenic journeys like the Werdenfelsbahn with its breathtaking Alpine views. Travelling on a budget? Consider buying a Bayern Ticket rail pass for unlimited travel on Bavarian regional trains.

Boats: You’ll find passenger ferry services on lakes like Chiemsee, Königssee and Tegernsee connecting waterfront towns, islands and sights like Herrenchiemsee Palace. Many routes are year-round, but expect reduced schedules in winter.

Domestic flights are uncommon in Bavaria — this is train country, after all. Most travellers fly into Munich Airport and then use a train or car to reach other cities like Nuremberg or Augsburg.

Bavaria’s ‘autobahn’ (highway) network is famously fast and efficient, with some sections forgoing speed limits altogether. For a slower, scenic drive, try the Romantic Road, which winds through rolling vineyards and castle-studded valleys. Rural roads are generally well maintained, but take it slow on narrow lanes and around sharp bends.