Things to do in  Bavaria

Germany’s largest state is known for its southern mountain landscapes, fairy-tale lakes and castles, and alpine culture and cuisine. Bavaria’s most famous attractions include Neuschwanstein Castle and the Eagle’s Nest in the Bavarian Alps, the storybook medieval towns along the Romantic Road, and the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich.

Bavaria is the largest of the 16 federal states of Germany, encompassing a large portion of southeast Germany and bordering Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Bavaria is known as a free state because it maintained its independence through the Prussian Kingdom and only became a German state in 1948.

Bavarian food is known for its rich, hearty meat dishes, typically paired with knödel (dumplings), sauerkraut, and Bavarian beer. Traditional Bavarian specialties include schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle), spaetzle (egg noodles), and weisswurst (white sausages), served with pretzels, sweet mustard, and apple strudel.

Bavaria is huge—about a fifth the size of Germany—so allow a minimum of a week to take in the highlights. Spend a couple of days discovering Munich, visit Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps, and then follow the Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Nuremberg.

Unmissable attractions in Bavaria include the state capital of Munich, the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein, and Zugspitze—Germany’s highest peak. Don’t miss the medieval walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the storybook scenery along the Romantic Road, as well as the WWII sites of Nuremberg.

The walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is often called Bavaria’s most picturesque town, with its medieval ramparts, cobbled lanes, and colorful half-timbered buildings. The medieval villages of Bamberg and Dinkelsbühl, along the Romantic Road, and the alpine village of Oberammergau, known for its elaborate murals, are also pretty.