Bavaria

Germany's largest state, home to Munich's Oktoberfest, Neuschwanstein Castle, the Alps and many medieval towns.

Bavaria lies in southeastern Germany, bordering Austria and the Czech Republic, with the Alps in the south. The capital, Munich, is known for its beer culture, palaces and museums; Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen is the most popular castle in the country; historic cities such as Nuremberg, Regensburg, Würzburg, Augsburg, Passau and Bayreuth each have their own character, and the Romantic Road runs through the state from north to south. The Alps are ideal for hiking and skiing. Summer is a good time for the mountains, Oktoberfest runs from late September to early October, and Christmas markets fill the state in winter. Munich Airport is the main gateway, and Nuremberg also has an airport.

Destinations

• Munich
• Nuremberg
• Regensburg
• Augsburg
• Würzburg
• Neuschwanstein & Füssen
• Bayreuth
• Passau
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber
• Bavarian Forest National Park
• Franconian Switzerland
• Salzburg & Hallstatt
• Konstanz & Lake Constance

Itineraries

• German Alpine Road: Lindau to Berchtesgaden – Drive east from Lake Constance to Lake Königssee along Germany's oldest scenic route.
• Romantic Road Self-Drive: Würzburg to Füssen – Head south from the wine towns on the Main River, past medieval walled towns, to castles at the foot of the Alps
• Munich, Zugspitze & Salzburg Rail Tour – Use Munich as a base to visit castles by train, stay in the mountains to ascend Zugspitze, and end in Salzburg.
• Southern Germany Grand Loop: Frankfurt to Munich – A grand self-drive route connecting Heidelberg, the Black Forest, Lake Constance, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Zugspitze.
• Franconian Old Towns and Caves Loop – From Nuremberg to Bamberg, Franconian Switzerland and Bayreuth, with old towns, caves and beer culture
• Danube Historic Towns & Bavarian Forest – Explore the historic Danube cities of Regensburg and Passau, then venture into Germany's oldest national park.
• Germany Grand Rail Loop – Starting and ending in Frankfurt, connect the Rhine, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Rothenburg, and Munich by train.
• Austria Classic Rail Itinerary – A scenic train journey from east to west connecting Vienna, Hallstatt, Salzburg, and Innsbruck
• Grand Austria Road Trip: Danube, Alps & Lakes – A grand loop from Vienna through the Danube, Grossglockner, Carinthian Lake District, and Graz
• Salzkammergut Lake District Loop from Salzburg – A road trip from Salzburg exploring Lake Wolfgang, Hallstatt, and Lake Gosau
• Lake Constance Boat Tour: Konstanz to Lindau – Explore the German shores of Lake Constance without a car, visiting World Heritage monastic islands, flower islands, an…
• Austria Christmas Markets Rail Itinerary – Explore the festive markets of Vienna, Salzburg, Lake Wolfgang, and Innsbruck by train in November and December