The Finest things to do in Bavaria

When telling individuals we had been touring to Germany this summer season, we did not precisely get the “wow” reception we normally do with locations like France or Italy.

Germany does not have that romanticized fame that different European locations have. Even our financial institution supervisor talked about how Germany appears chilly and uninviting.

The great thing about the Bavarian Alps

However after spending 10 days exploring the jaw-dropping area of Bavaria, we will assure journey to Germany will rival any European trip you could have ever fantasized about.

These are essentially the most stunning, adventurous, and historic issues to do in Bavaria that can change your thoughts about visiting Germany.

Discover Munich

We solely had at some point in Munich and it positively wasn’t sufficient. However the easiest way to benefit from it’s to take a biking tour with Radius Excursions.

Our information Tim was born in Germany and grew up in each the US and Kenya. He shared superior information concerning the historical past of Munich, confirmed us all the highest points of interest and historic websites in addition to the downtown space and previous city.

And biking was a incredible and leisurely strategy to get across the metropolis.

We extremely suggest this tour as we managed to see many of the issues to do in Munich that you just see on all of the lists and we solely had 24 hours within the metropolis!

If you happen to do not’ take a tour, not less than make your strategy to Marienplatz to see the magnificent major sq. and have a beer at Hofbrau home for a beer. It is Munich’s largest beer corridor and whereas it’s touristy, it is a should cease for first-time guests.

Take a look at our video for extra issues to do in Munich.

The place to Keep in Munich

We stayed on the Hilton Backyard Inn at Munich Metropolis West. It’s near the metro and is simply two stops from the principle sq..

Neuschwanstein Citadel

It is the fairytale fortress you have at all times dreamed about. Situated an hour and forty-five minutes from Munich, it may be seen on a day journey.

However we propose staying in a single day within the space to get an early begin. We arrived for dawn and had the place all to ourselves. That is fairly uncommon for one of the standard vacationer points of interest within the space.

We drove proper as much as the restaurant on the high of the mountain and had a brief stroll to the fortress.

As soon as all the pieces opens, automobiles usually are not allowed to drive up there and also you both must hike or take a horse carriage to the fortress.

We had been on our manner down by the point the primary excursions got here up.

Now, if you wish to go contained in the fortress, you’ll have to hike, however we had been pleased to see Neuschwanstein from the Marian Bridge and different viewpoints.

We managed to get a incredible drone shot, however needed to go off the property and fly from a subject. No drones are allowed on the premises of Neuschwanstein Citadel.

After ending up on the fortress, we received out of dodge. The city on the base of the fortress was overrun with tour buses and group excursions. It isn’t a spot we needed to be, so we hopped in our rental automotive and drove on to discover the encompassing space.

Hopfensee

The close by village of Hopfensee was a wonderful and peaceable cease after the chaos of Neuschwanstein.

Hopfensee is a stunning place for lunch overlooking the warmest lake within the higher Bavarian Alps.

There’s a boardwalk alongside the waterfront and you may hike across the lake with the beautiful views of the Bavarian Alps within the background.

The place to remain for Citadel Touring

We did not keep on this space, however we want we did. I may have spent one other full day exploring, climbing and testing the castles.

I feel the Hohenschwangau, the village beneath the castles of Neuschwanstein Citadel and Hohenschwangau Citadel would make for an excellent base.

Chill Out in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

After our time at Hopfensee, we drove on to Garmisch Partenkirchen the place we made our base for a few days.

There are such a lot of issues to do right here that it warrants its personal publish, however listed here are a few of the easiest highlights from our time there.

The city was residence to the 1936 Winter Olympics and there are nonetheless relics of the Olympic village together with the renovated ski soar middle.

However individuals come to this city for climbing or snowboarding and with good cause, the Alps listed here are beautiful.

Marvel on the Alpspix

There are various gondolas that can take you into the mountains, however the Alpspix has all of them beat.

The viewing platform consists of two dizzying curved walkways main out over a 1000 meter drop (3000 toes).

It affords staggering views of the encompassing mountains and an overhead view of Garmisch.

Make sure to take the primary gondola as much as beat the tour buses. Like most of our journey in Bavaria, we had the place to ourselves as a result of we had been prepared to stand up on the first light to beat the crowds.

If you happen to purchase a ticket for the Garmisch Basic, you may determine the way you need to get again down.

There are various climbing trails to discover, so you may make a day of it and go climbing excessive within the Alps. There’s even a café on the Alpspix, so you may fill your bellies with food and drinks earlier than you day of climbing.

You may also take one other gondola to Hochalmbahn on a special a part of the mountain to take pleasure in a leisurely downhill stroll for 30 minutes earlier than you hop on the final gondola that takes you again to the car parking zone.

The Alpspix was a spotlight of our time in Bavaria and gave us a few of the finest views.

Take a Stroll Alongside Partnach Gorge

We had seen many individuals suggest the Partnach Gorge when in Garmisch, however we did not understand how really magnificent it was till we noticed it with our personal eyes.

This gorge is a strong show of water crashing by deep caverns. The slender walkway is an journey alongside the dashing water with solely a few metallic cables between you and the gorge.

It’s loud, it’s moist, it’s a bit scary, however it’s really wonderful.

I’m so glad that we made the time to take this hike.

If you happen to solely have a short while, you may stroll out and again, however you probably have a day, proceed on and do a spherical journey to discover extra of the paths.

The place to Keep in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

View from our balcony at Gastehaus Maria

Gastehaus Maria is conveniently situated within the previous metropolis. It’s household run and has essentially the most extraordinary views.

We liked sitting on our balcony marveling at Germany’s highest peak whereas sipping a beer purchased from their honor bar for a really cheap 2 Euro.

Gastehaus Maria: Zoeppritzstrasse 20
82467 Garmisch Partenkirchen

Discover Citadel Herrenchiemsee

If you’re a fan of the Palace of Versailles, you will love Citadel Herrenchiemsee.

King Ludwig II was a fan of Versailles and modeled his dream fortress after it.

We caught the primary boat out at 6:40 am and explored the grounds in full privateness.

No one else was on that boat save for a number of employees. The fortress and grounds are enormous and it is stunning to discover.

However be warned, the mosquitoes are tyrants and we wished we introduced our bug spray with us.

Nothing opens till 9:00 am, so for those who do arrive early, you will not have something to do however marvel on the statues and fountains, take images and wander the paths.

Make a day of it and discover the close by islands

It is price making a day of it and taking the ferry over to the neighboring island of Fraueninsel to see the monastery that’s nonetheless inhabited by Benedictine nuns.

The place to Keep in Prien am Chiemsee

Resort Bayerischer was one of many extra stylish accommodations we stayed in throughout our time in Bavaria. It is situated proper downtown and has two fabulous eating places.

I want we had two nights there, however alas, there’s a lot of Bavaria to see!

Resort Bayerischer Hof Bernauer Straße three
83209 Prien am Chiemsee

Kuchlsbauer Brewery

Bavaria has roughly 1500 breweries, so selecting a brewery tour might be daunting. However in case you are searching for one thing distinctive, the Kuchlsbauer Brewery is a should!

This place reminded us of one thing Antonio Gaudi would have designed.

Our tour began in Kunst Haus, a show devoted to the works of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, one of the essential Austrian artists of his time.

Kunst Haus is a novel design by Peter Pelikan, a Viennese architect who labored with Hundertwasser and saved the buildings across the brewery within the vein of Hundertwasser’s fashion.

Kuchlbauer Tower

The opposite spotlight of the tour is the Kuchlbauer tower that was designed by Hundertwasser himself!

It was initially going to be 70-metres excessive however was not allowed to be larger than the church steeple.

Following the demise of Hundertwasser, Peter Pelikan cast on along with his needs and constructed the tower that immediately sits at about 35 meters excessive.

Whereas the brewery tour itself is fascinating, it is the gallery and the tower which can be really spectacular.

When you’re finished touring, you should definitely stick across the beer backyard for a bratwurst and beer. A real Bavarian custom.

Befreihungshalle

An odd cease on our Bavarian tour was Liberation Corridor.

This monument was commissioned by King Ludwig I to commemorate the victory over Napolean.

It’s a solitary monument sitting excessive on a hill stuffed with placing winged statues representing the Goddesses of victory.

Go to the World’s Oldest Monastery and Brewery

We continued on by our Bavaria tour to Weltenburg Abbey situated on the Danube River.

The monastery boasts the declare to fame of being the oldest monastery on the planet courting again to 620. It additionally homes the world’s oldest brewery.

It is busy in the course of the day and the principle draw is the boat excursions alongside the river to discover the Danube Gorge, a delegated nature reserve that’s thought-about one of the spectacular parts of the Danube River.

The place to Keep

If you’re searching for one thing distinctive, you may keep at Saint George’s monastery proper within the Weltenburg Abbey.

Every little thing closes at 7pm, so it should really feel a bit of unusual to be within the sq. with no person round. Even the employees of the lodge goes residence at night time.

However there’s an honor bar for food and drinks and you may stand up early to see the views free from crowds.

Benefit from the Medieval Metropolis of Volkach

Franconia is Bavaria’s wine nation situated simply a few hours exterior Nuremberg.

Situated in Northern Bavaria, it’s a picturesque vacation spot that promotes quiet and romantic getaways for trying to find scrumptious meals and peaceable retreats.

Volkach is the city we based mostly ourselves in and it’s a beautiful place that escaped allied bombings. With

Go for a Canoe Journey on the Previous River Fundamental

Being Canadian, this was positively a spotlight of our time in Franconia. It was the simplest paddling we have ever finished with the canoe journey being downstream all the way in which!

Waterwalker Canoe middle affords leases you could take out for the day to drift down the River Fundamental.

One of the best half is, they provide common pickups alongside the route, so that you by no means must paddle upstream.

The journey takes you thru wine nation the place you will note vineyards, monasteries, and mansions lining the riverbanks.

Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and make a day of it on the water. It is one of the romantic issues you’ll do in Bavaria.

E book your tour immediately with Whitewalker Canoe

The place to Keep in Volkach

Romantikhotel Zur Schwane was an excellent historic lodge within the city centre that had a classy and trendy design. It felt precisely what issues ought to really feel like in wine nation.

They’ll organize excursions and there is a incredible restaurant hooked up to the lodge.

Romantikhotel Zur Schwane
Hauptstraße 12
97332 Volkach

Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is one other standard vacation spot in Bavaria that makes for an excellent residence base.

Situated alongside the Austrian border, it homes some very extraordinary peaks.

Hintersee

Hintersee is a picturesque lake situated simply 20 minutes from Berchtesgaden.

It is also one of the photographed locations in Bavaria. We had loads of early mornings within the area to

Eagle’s Nest – We Say Skip It

Eagle’s Nest is legendary as a result of it was the headquarters of Nazi conferences between Hitler and his high brass. It was designed to instill concern and present energy with a formidable copper elevator reduce by the mountain to take individuals to the highest.

Most of Eagle’s Nest was destroyed and even the stones from the fireside (a present from Mussolini to Hitler) had been taken by allied forces.

Individuals are intrigued to go as a result of it’s mentioned that Hitler spent loads of time there, however he prevented the place resulting from his concern of heights and he by no means did spend the night time there.

This can be a main cease on all of the tour bus routes and for those who do not arrive early, you can be caught ready as much as two hours to get a spot on the shuttle that takes you to the elevator.

If you get to the highest, you will be handled to panoramic views, however you may have these views wherever within the Alps of Germany.

It might have been a Nazi retreat however immediately it’s a restaurant and beer backyard and any relic that dates again to the times of Hitler had been both destroyed or looted.

The place to Keep in Berchtesgaden

We took a reprieve from our highway journey and loved our time right here on the Alpenhotel the place we took benefit of the spa and a tasty restaurant.

However there are some things to do within the space as nicely together with climbing, exploring the salt mines and lake cruises.

Alpenhotel Fischer
Königseer Straße 51
83471 Berchtesgaden

Nuremberg

We had solely seen fast articles about Nuremberg with posts like 24 hours in Nuremberg, or day journeys to Nuremberg, however we discovered town to be a spot that deserves not less than two days to go to.

This fascinating walled metropolis packs a punch and there are numerous issues to see and do.

A spotlight for us was taking the underground tour to discover the cellars of town. This underground maze of tunnels as soon as housed the cities beer protecting it cool and able to drink.

Throughout WWII the cellars had been used for security in the course of the air raids as Nuremberg was closely hit in the course of the battle.

Documentation Centre and Nazi Occasion Rally Grounds

Nuremberg was hit so closely as a result of it was right here that Nazi Rallies attracted as much as 1 million individuals at a time.

Town performed an enormous half in serving to Hitler rise to energy as he used it for his base of Nazi propaganda.

We did not suppose we might spend a lot time on the Documentation Centre nevertheless it ended up being a gripping show honoring these the place had been victimized and murdered by the Nazi regime.

It additionally demonstrates how Hitler rose to energy and discusses what occurred to the Nazis after the autumn of the social gathering.

It’s troublesome to expertise these kinds of museums, however it’s also essential to see to remind us all how fragile freedom is and to always remember how rapidly civilized societies can grow to be tyrants.

The place to remain in Nuremberg

The Adina Condominium Resort was an excellent location in Nuremberg situated proper beside Germanic Nationwide Museum, the Metropolis Wall and only a quick stroll to the previous city.

It was trendy, had a swimming pool, parking, and an excellent lounge.

If you wish to be taught extra about this a part of Germany’s historical past be sure to make a journey to the Dachau Focus Camp close to Munich if you end up touring Bavaria.

Bavaria is fascinating. It’s the oldest state in all of Germany making for an fascinating historic tour of the nation. It is also the biggest state housing the jaw-dropping German Alps, vineyards, forests, and numerous lakes.

If you’re searching for one thing completely different in your trip, this summer season in Bavaria is one thing you will always remember.

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