Summary
- Bavaria offers a deep-rooted culture and stunning beauty that will make you feel right at home in the Alps region.
- Plan your Bavarian road trip during the shoulder seasons to avoid large crowds and snowstorms for the best experience.
- From Oberammergau to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, explore charming towns, alpine lakes, and iconic castles on this memorable road trip in Germany's Bavaria region.
Before moving to Germany almost two years ago, I always had my heart set on visiting the country's castles and fairytale villages that dotted the map. The historical and beautiful Bavaria is a place with such spots, many of which are great day trips from Munich and other popular German cities. Last year, when I first stepped foot in Bavaria, nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming feeling of being "at home" and the immense beauty of the Alps region.
Driving through the state of Bavaria, you can immediately sense the deep-rooted culture and the agrarian lifestyle in this region. In every direction I looked from the car window, I could see the green rolling countryside and jagged, snow-capped mountains incomparable to anything I've seen in the United States.
There is simply so much to see and experience here in Bavaria (plus enjoying many of Germany's festivals and Christmas markets during the holidays) that it's impossible to see everything in a few days, so I can't wait to go back this year for more! If you're visiting Germany in the near future and have a few days open, be sure to add Bavaria to your bucket list! If you fly to Munich or Frankfurt, you can easily rent a car and start your road trip through Bavaria.
Here are the highlights in Bavaria to see on a road trip that I recommend visiting while you're here (plus an extra trip to Austria)! In addition, before I dive into the Bavaria road trip stops, I've included a couple of useful things to know before actually embarking on the journey, such as the best time to do the road trip and how long is needed for the adventure.
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There is a benefit to visiting Bavaria during each season, so it's up to you!
Everyone has a preference for the best time to visit when traveling abroad. In Germany, I can firmly argue that every season has pros and cons.
During the spring and summer, you'll have mild temperatures and beautiful blooms, but larger crowds of tourists. In the autumn and winter, Bavaria's fall foliage and crisp air are mesmerizing and there are fewer crowds and fun festivals, but this is when heavy snowfall is forecast, and you'll most likely experience severe snowstorms and road closures.
From my experience visiting Bavaria in early November, I suggest picking one of the shoulder seasons to visit, March through May or October through mid-November. This is a good way to avoid large summer crowds and the risk of being snowed in.
6 How Much Time Should You Spend In Bavaria?
Bavaria can be explored anywhere from 3 to an average of 10 days
Bavaria is the largest state in Germany, so there's definitely a lot of ground to cover if you want to experience everything Bavaria has to offer. However, if you only have a few days to spare or want to explore one or two regions of Bavaria, you can absolutely do a road trip in three to five days.
Also, if you have the time, I recommend staying in these locations around Bavaria for at least a night or two to ensure enough time to see and experience everything. Some Bavarian towns are small and only need an hour to see, but there are plenty of hiking trails, observation points, and gorges that are accessible via small towns.
- Best Way To Get Around: Car or train
- Average Daily Budget: $153-300 per day
5 Munich To Oberammergau
Start your road trip by heading to this charming town nestled in the Alps, which captures the tradition and spirit of Bavaria
Starting from Bavaria's capital city, Munich, we're traveling south into the Alps region of Bavaria to a small town called Oberammergau.
This overly charming and beautiful town is a must-see for its traditional Bavarian chalets, lush landscape, and scenic hiking trails.
If you stay here for a night, I highly recommend checking out the town's multiple bakeries and Weinstubes, or wine bars.
All the restaurants in the area are highly decorated and serve traditional Bavarian dishes and beers, which add even more to the cozy setting here.
- Distance: 56.3 miles
- Road Trip Length: 1 hour 9 minutes
- Major Stops: Rottenbuch, Sindelsdorf, Murnauer Moos
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A small town on the Lech River that sits in the middle of 5 alpine lakes and 2 castles
If you've read any of my previous articles about Germany, you'll know that I am practically in love with Füssen. This small Bavarian town sits about five minutes away from the Austrian border and is filled to the brim with hidden gems.
Füssen is also located in the center of five beautiful alpine lakes- Hopfensee, Weißensee, Alpsee, Banwaldsee, and Forggensee, which are absolute must-sees while you're here.
I recommend spending a few hours walking around the city streets and admiring the beautiful shops and views of the Lech River.
Feeling adventurous? The best way to experience the Bavarian Alps in Füssen is to embark on the Baumkronenweg Treetop Trail. The Treetop Trail is suspended above the forest and the Lech River and crosses the border between Germany and Austria, giving you 360° views of the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps.
- Distance: 29.4 miles
- Road Trip Length: 42 minutes
- Major Stops: Bad Bayersoien, Forggensee