Hello! Welcome back to my blog! Are you ready for an adventure on wheels? Prepare your favorite driving playlist and fasten your seatbelts because we will go on an unforgettable Bavaria Road Trip this week! Located in the southern part of Germany, Bavaria is a picturesque region that promises enchanting landscapes, charming towns, and a rich cultural heritage. From fairytale castles perched on hilltops to beautiful mountain lakes, this road trip will take you through some of the most breathtaking scenery you’ve ever laid eyes on.
My Bavaria Road Trip will lead you to iconic destinations like Munich, the region’s vibrant capital, where you’ll indulge in hearty Bavarian cuisine and clink steins of frothy beer at lively beer gardens. You’ll also venture into the Bavarian Alps, where majestic peaks tower above idyllic alpine lakes providing the perfect backdrop for hikes and outdoor activities. And of course, you will also go through charming towns and villages that seem straight out of a storybook. So, buckle up and, get ready to immerse yourself in this epic road trip!
pLAN yOUR ROAD tRIP TO bAVARIA, GERMANY
- Book your flights with Skyscanner.com
- Book your car with Rentalcars.com
- Find the best places to stay with Booking.com
- Get reliable travel insurance.
- Find the best activities to do like this full-day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots, a rain jacket, and a power bank.
- Read Munich and the Bavarian Alps as a preparation for your trip and Walking in the Bavarian Alps to choose the best hikes.
Bavaria Road Trip: A Perfect 10-Day Itinerary
Let’s just dive into it! Here’s my itinerary for a 10-day Bavaria Road Trip.
Map with Itinerary
Here you can find the map with all the places I visited during my Bavaria Road Trip. Each day is marked with a different color to help group the activities by day.
DAY 1: Arrive In Munich
Route: From Brussels to Munich (Distance: 781 km; Driving time: 8 hours 13 minutes)
Hotel: Ibis Styles Muenchen Perlach
The first day of the trip is a traveling day. Depending on where you’re coming from, you might be arriving there by plane, train, or car. Unless you’re driving to Munich with your own car, once you’re there you’ll have to rent a car. Unfortunately, for this trip, you will need a car. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a real road trip!
Actually, you will not really need the car until Day 3 when we leave Munich, so if you want to save some money, you can wait to pick up your rental car until then.
In our case, we drove directly from Belgium to Munich so we didn’t need to worry about car rentals.
DAY 2: Explore Munich
Walking: 12 km
Hotel: Ibis Styles Muenchen Perlach
Today it will be all about exploring Munich! There are a lot of things to do in this city so make sure to include at least these highlights!
Stop 1: Marienplatz
Every visit to Munich should begin in Marienplatz. Marienplatz has been the heart and soul of Munich since the city’s foundation. Originally, this square was called Schrannenplatz but was renamed to Marienplatz to ask the Virgin Mary to protect the city against cholera.
Walking through this square you will find the following highlights:
- Mariensäule or Column of St. Mary. This is a column erected in the middle of the square as a celebration of the end of the Swedish occupation. The column is topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by 4 cupids.
- Neues Rathaus or the New Town Hall. A Neo-Gothic building that houses the city government since 1874.
- Rathaus Glockenspiel. The Town Hall tower has a “cuckoo clock” with 43 bells and 32 figures that re-enact the city story every day at 11 am, 12 pm, and 5 pm.
- Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall. Former government building.
Stop 2: St Peter's Church
Right next to Marienplatz, you will find St Peter’s Chruch. This a Roman Catholic church famous for its 91 m high tower, known as “Alter Peter” (Old Peter), that offers some of the best views over Munich.
Good to know: There is no elevator to go up Alter Peter. You will have to climb 306 steps. If you have mobility issues, I recommend going up to the Neues Rathaus tower where you can do so by using an elevator. The views from both towers are quite similar.
Stop 3: Frauenkirche
The Cathedral Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) is Munich’s most famous church and its two towers (just under 100 m high) are an unmistakable landmark of the city. The church is built in the late Gothic architecture style from the 15th century.
The most particular characteristic of this church is its two towers. But did you know they are not exactly identical? The north tower is slightly higher than the south one. Another difference between them is the number of bells in each one. The south tower has a total of 7 bells whereas the north one only has 3 bells.
It is possible to go up the Frauenkirche South Tower to get beautiful views of the city as well. Admissions are between 10 am to 5 pm and it costs 7,5 euros.
Stop 4: The Residenz and Hofgarten
The Residenz is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. It began in 1385 as a castle in the northeastern corner of the city but was transformed by the rulers over the centuries into a magnificent palace, with its buildings and gardens extending further and further into the town.
Unfortunately, most of the Residenz was destroyed during the Second World War and was gradually reconstructed from 1945 onwards. Today it acts as a museum in which visitors can admire the rooms and displays from the former rulers of Bavaria.
Practical information: If you want to visit the Residenz, check the official website for opening hours and ticket fees. It is not possible to buy tickets online.
Alternatively, you can do a more special activity like attending a concert at Munich Residenz.
Right next to the Residenz, you can find Hofgarten, one of Munich’s most famous gardens. In fact, Hofgarten was initially an extension of the Residenz. These days, with its beautiful pavilion, gravel paths, flower beds, and benches it is the perfect place to relax during your day visiting Munich.
Stop 5: The English Garden
The English Garden is Munich’s largest park. It is actually one of the largest parks in the world and it’s one of the places you should include in your itinerary when visiting Munich. It will be the perfect way to end your visit to Munich. Among the highlights of this park you will find:
- Eisbaschwelle: A popular place where people like to surf in Munich.
- Monopteros: A temple-like round building from where you will get a beautiful panoramic view.
- Chinese Tower: A pagoda building that rises 25 m into the air. This is actually a Biergarten, so you can drink a beer while admiring the building
Stop 6: Bavarian Cuisine for dinner
After a whole day of exploring Munich, it is time to relax and enjoy some Bavarian cuisine. There are many restaurants that offer the specialties of this region in the city center of Munich.
DAY 3: Nymphenburg palace and hintersee
Route: From Munich to Konigssee (Distance: 202 km; Driving time: 3 hours)
Walking: 8 km
Hotel: Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden
It is time to leave Munich and properly start our road trip through the beautiful region of Bavaria. However, the first stop of the day will not be very far.
Stop 1: Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg Palace (or in German Schloss Nymphenburg) is a palace located in the outer part of Munich. It was the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria.
The palace is built in a baroque style and is open to visitors who want to see it inside. There are different options depending on what you want to visit. You can choose to just visit the palace itself or the park palaces as well.
I only visited the Nymphenburg Palace main building but found it really pretty. I recommend getting there at opening time to avoid the crowds.
Practical information: You can check opening hours and ticket prices on the official website. It is also possible to book the tickets online and skip the lines.
When buying your ticket you will get an audioguide. Alternatively, you can also book a guided tour of the palace to get more information about it.
Stop 2: Nymphenburg Palace Park
After visiting the palace, it is time to explore its beautiful gardens. Wander around them and discover all its little gems. There are different small lakes and ponds as well as some smaller palaces.
- Amelienburg
- Badenburg
- Pagodenburg
- Magdalenenklause
Stop 3: Hintersee
After lunch, we drove approximately for 2 hours until we reached Hintersee. This lake is among the most picturesque in the Bavarian Alps. Surrounded by gigantic peaks and located in Ramsau at the foot of the Reiter-Alm, Hintersee Lakes has fascinated many landscape artists and poets.
Walk along the lake, it only takes an hour to do so, and be impressed by the reflection of the mountains in the lake. Afterwards, make sure to get some coffee and cake in one of the local places.
Once you’re done admiring this beautiful lake, it is time to drive a little bit further until Schonau am Konigssee and rest. Tomorrow will be one of the most special days of the trip.
DAY 4: kONIGSSEE
Route: From Schonau am Konigssee to Konigssee (Distance: 3 km; Driving time: 6 min)
Walking: 15,5 km
Hotel: Explorer Hotel Berchtesgaden
Rise and shine! On the 4th day of this road trip, you’ll visit what is for me one of the most beautiful places in Bavaria, Konigssee lake.
Stop 1: Konigssee Boat Ride
Konigsee or King’s Lake is a lake located in the southern part of Germany within Berchtesgaden National Park. The only way to visit this lake is by going on an electric boat ride, so this will be the day’s first activity. No other sort of transportation is allowed in this lake.
Even on a rainy day like the one we had, this lake will leave you breathless with its beauty. This lake is famous for its clear water and sharp mountains surrounding it. These mountains with their sheer rock walls create and very clear echo. It is very common that during the boat ride, they stop to play the trumpet so that you can hear the echo.
Tip: Due to its beauty, this lake has become very popular in recent years so I recommend that you book your boat tickets online in advance if you’re visiting during high season. You can book your tickets here. When buying your tickets you will have two different options, just making one stop at St. Bartholoma’s Church or making two stops both at St. Bartholoma’s Church and Salet. Make sure to get a ticket for both stops if you want to follow this complete itinerary.
Stop 2: Obersee and Rothbach Waterfall hike
Get off the boat at Salet and get ready to go on a little hike of 8,5km (out and back). This hike is not very demanding and it will be so worth it! You will walk along Obersee Lake with its clear waters and the mountains reflecting in them. You will want to stop every 100 meters to admire all the views and take plenty of photos.
At the end of the lake, you will find a small hut where you can buy some snacks and drinks (only cash is accepted) before you go a bit further until Rothbach waterfall.
Stop 3: St. Bartholoma's Church and Eiskapelle hike
Once you’ve completed the hike, it is time to get back on the boat and go back to St. Bartholoma’s Church stop. There you will be able to admire this orthodox church with the sharp mountains as a backdrop as well as the beautiful views of Konigsee Lake.
If you still have some energy left and feel like another adventure, then you can go on a second hike of 7km to an ice cave. This is a bit more demanding than the previous ones, but it is still quite easy if you’re in good shape.
Make sure to be back in time to catch the last boat ride back to Schonau am Konigssee at 5 pm. The rest of the day, you can just relax and enjoy a nice dinner.
DAY 5: Eibsee
Route: From Schonau am Konigssee to Garmisch Partenkirchen (Distance: 228 km; Driving time: 3h 5 min)
Walking: 6 km
Hotel: Biohotel Garmischer Hof
On day 5 we will leave Berchtesgaden National Park and drive to another very famous area of Bavaria, Garmisch Partenkirchen.
Stop 1: Eibsee
It is time for another hike around another beautiful lake, Eibsee. On a clear day, this lake is another must-see while in Bavaria, with Germany’s highest mountain as a backdrop, Zugspitze.
The hike is only 7km and can be easily done in a few hours. However, you might want to schedule a bit extra time since this lake is full of beautiful small beaches where you can stop and relax while you soak in all this beauty.
Tip: If you’re short on time and don’t have time to complete the complete loop of Eibsee, the north shore of the lake is prettier and you will get amazing views of the Zugspitze.
Our intention was to take a gondola ride all the way up to the Zugspitze in the afternoon. However, the weather had other ideas so we had to call it a day and adapt a little bit our itinerary.
DAY 6: Zugspitze and Partnachklamm Gorge
Route: From Garmisch Partenkirchen to Eibsee and Partnachklamm (Distance: 31,7 km; Driving time: 58 min)
Walking: 7 km
Hotel: Hotel: Biohotel Garmischer Hof
On the sixth day of our Bavaria road trip, we were planning on doing a long hike that included the Hollentalklamm and Kreuzeck, but due to the weather conditions, we had to adapt our itinerary a little bit. However, if you do visit Bavaria during the summer months and you want to include a more challenging hike, this one looks amazing.
Stop 1: Zugspitze
We began our day by taking a gondola ride all the way up to the highest point in Germany, Zugspitze with 2962m. From there, on a clear day, you will be able to see scenic views of 4 different countries and 400 surrounding peaks in Germany. It is a breathtaking view!
Tickets for the gondola ride can be bought either online or directly at the cable car entrance. If you’re not going during high season, there is a small discount if you show your parking ticket when buying your tickets.
Tip: Before buying the gondola tickets, make sure to check the live webcams to find out what the weather conditions are up there. In our case, it was really clouded in Garmisch but the clouds were so low, that the peak was very sunny.
Stop 2: Eibsee
After the Zugspitze, since it was right next to it, we gave Eibsee Lake another try. It was still cloudy but we could see a bit more of the mountains surrounding it.
We walked along the southern bank of the lake (not the complete loop) and had a picnic for lunch at one of the many beaches along the lake. The lake is so pretty, it was a real pity that Zugspitze was hiding behind the clouds.
Stop 3: Partnach Gorge
In the afternoon, it was time to explore Partnach Gorge (Partnachklamm in German). This is a deep gorge that has been incised by a mountain stream, the Partnach, in the Reintal Valley near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The gorge is 702 meters long and, in several places, over 80 meters deep. In 1912, it was designated a natural monument.
The gorge is impressive and very pretty with many waterfalls along the way but it only takes approximately 30 minutes to visit it (including multiple stops for photos). After the gorge, you can either decide to return back Garmisch via Mount Graseck or continue to another hike.
Practical information: To enter the gorge, you will have to buy a 5 euro ticket that can be purchased either online or at the gorge directly.
DAY 7: Neuschwanstein Castle
Route: From Garmisch Partenkirchen to Fussen (Distance: 66,7 km; Driving time: 1 h 13 min)
Walking: 7 km
Hotel: House L.A. City Hostel
On the seventh day, it was time to visit Bavaria’s most famous site, Neuschwanstein Castle but first, we had to drive to Schwangau.
Stop 1: Neuschwanstein Castle
Begin your day by visiting Neuschwanstein Castle. This is a 19th-century castle located at the foothill of the Bavarian Alps. This castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the hopes of escaping the constraints of the court in Munich.
Did you know that Walt Disney was inspired by this castle for the Sleeping Beauty movie? Visiting this castle will make you feel like you’ve entered a fairytale! Especially if you visit it on a misty day like we did, the place felt like it was enchanted.
To reach the castle you will have to either walk uphill for 25 min or get the shuttle from Schwangau. However, this castle is visited by so many people each day that you will probably find a huge waiting line to take the shuttle. So unless you have walking difficulties, I recommend you walk.
Good to know: Tickets to visit the castle are sold next to the bus shuttle station. You can’t buy them at the castle so make sure to have your tickets before you start your little “hike”. Alternatively, you can buy tickets online in advance to guarantee you can visit it at your preferred time.
Stop 2: Hike to get impressive views of Neuschwanstein Castle
Once you’re done visiting the castle, don’t go back to Schwangau just yet. Instead, keep going along the road towards Marienbrucke to get so beautiful views of Neuschwanstein Castle and the valley behind it. It will only take you approximately 10-15 minutes to reach it, depending on your pace.
After Marienbrucke, the real hike begins. Keep following the trail all the way up to the top. Trust me, the views from up there are worth it! Plus, most people just turn around after the bridge so you will be almost alone up there.
Stop 3: Hohenschwangau
To finish the day, we visited Hohenschwangau Castle. This was the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was built by his father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria.
Personally, I found that this castle was prettier to visit its interior than Neuschwanstein Castle. Although the first one is just so beautiful from aside!
The process to visit this castle is the same as for Neuschwanstein, you have to buy your tickets either near the shuttle stop or online.
DAY 8: Lakes and Fussen
Route: From Fussen to Alpsee, Schwansee, Weissensee and return (Distance: 24 km; Driving time: 52 min)
Walking: 14 km
Hotel: House L.A. City Hostel
On Day 8 we explored the many lakes around the town of Fussen.
Stop 1: Alpsee
We began our day by visiting Alpsee, a lake located at the foothill of Hohenschwangau Castle. We got there early and we were able to complete the loop along the lake almost alone. It was so pretty and peaceful.
The trail along the lake is only 5,5 km and is quite easy to do. There are only a few moderate uphills. During the summer months, it is also possible to rent a boat and admire the lake from the water.
Stop 2: Schwansee
Schwansee or Swan Lake in English is a smaller lake located not very far from Alpsee. In fact, it only takes 20 minutes to hike from one lake to the other, although you will have to do part of the way uphill.
This smaller lake is also a pretty lake to walk around it with mountains as a backdrop. If you have the time and energy, you can do so. In our case, since we were going to see many lakes today, we just walked a little bit around its shore and didn’t complete the whole loop.
Stop 3: Mittersee and Obersee
After Schwansee, we drove to the other side of Fussen to visit two additional smaller lakes, Mittersee and Obersee.
In my opinion, these two lakes even though they were pretty, there are less impressive than the previous ones. However, they do make the perfect spot to have a picnic lunch near the water which is what we did.
In addition, during the summer months, it is possible to go for a swim in these lakes so if you’re doing this road trip during July or August, it can be interesting.
Stop 4: Alatsee and Weissensee
The last lakes of the day were Alatsee and Weissensee. Again, it is possible to do a complete loop along these two lakes.
Instead, to make it a bit different we chose to park near Alatsee and go for a short hike to Salober Alm. From here, we got some impressive views of the lakes from above. The hike is a moderate hike of 5km but the small effort will be worth it!
Stop 5: Fussen
To finish off the day, we went to explore the small town of Fussen. This is a small colorful town that is known for its convenient location next to Neuschwanstein Castle and for violin manufacturing.
The old part of the town is small but full of charm with many colorful traditional Bavarian houses. Make sure to include at least an hour of your itinerary to explore its streets, local shops, and restaurants.
DAY 9: Ulm
Route: From Fussen to Ulm (Distance: 133 km; Driving time: 1 h 25 min)
Walking: 6 km
Hotel: Hotel Garni Lerhertal
Although it is not located in Bavaria, on the last day of our road trip, we will visit the beautiful city of Ulm. Here are some of the highlights you should include when visiting this city.
Stop 1: Ulm Minster
A must-visit in Ulm is, of course, the Ulm Minster (Ulm Munster in German). This church is often wrongly called Ulm Cathedral but it is actually not a cathedral. It can’t be since it was never the episcopal see of a bishop.
The Ulm Minster is a Lutheran church with the highest tower in the world (162m). It is built in the Gothic architecture style in the 16th century but construction was not complete until the 19th century after a long hiatus.
The church can be visited for free and is open between 9 am to 6 pm (April to September) and 10 am and 5 pm (October to March).
Stop 2: Fishermen's Quarter
The Firsherman’s and Tanner’s Quarter is one of the most charming parts of the city. Narrow alleys, half-timbered houses, and small canals of the River Blau all make for picturesque views. Walking along these cobbled streets and crossing the many bridges is another must-do. Just get lost in these streets and discover the most beautiful spots.
Among the main things to discover in this area is the Crooked House (Schiefes Haus) or the Ulmer Spatz (Sparrow), the symbol of the city.
Stop 3: Relax next to the Danube
There is a long park that stretches along the Danube where on a sunny day many people come to relax and have a picnic, go for a walk, or even ride their bikes.
Along the park, you will find the Berblingen Turm, a small spiral viewpoint tower, where if you make the effort of going up a few steps you will get nice views of the city and the Danube.
DAY 10: RETURN HOME
Route: From Ulm to Brussels (Distance: 599 km; Driving time: 6 h 28 min)
Hotel: Hotel Garni Lerhertal
On the last day of our Bavarian Road Trip, it is time to go back home. In our case, we started driving toward Belgium.
If instead of driving with your car, you flew to Munich, then just drive back to Munich and return your rental car.
Other Activities to Do in Bavaria
The above itinerary is what I did during my trip to the Bavarian region in Germany, based on my personal preferences. We focused more on nature sites than towns.
However, since everyone has different tastes, here are some other places you can visit while in Bavaria.
- Linderhof Palace
- Ettal Abbey
- Salzburg
- Eagle’s Nest in Salzburg
- Augsburg
- Nuremberg
- Rothenburg
- Bamberg
- Wurzburg
And this is it for my Bavaria Road Trip Itinerary. I hope you liked it and made you want to discover this beautiful region in Germany. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if there is something else you would like to know.
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