Fairytale castles; sprawling forests; breathtaking views of the Alps. If these are on your travel bucket list, it might be time for a trip to Bavaria.
Spanning the southeast of Germany, Bavaria is the largest state in the country by land area. This is good news for intrepid travellers, as it means there’s much to explore. And believe me, your first Bavarian experience will leave you coming back for more.
There’s a distinct identity to Bavaria that sets it apart from the rest of Germany. Fuelled by a carefree lust for life, Bavarians welcome both tradition and innovation. Munich, the capital, was heavily bombed during World War II, but is now a thriving tech hub looking to the future, home to both startups and established companies.
In contrast, Franconia, the state’s northern region, is renowned for its medieval towns and wine-growing culture that dates back to Roman times. Then there’s the southern section, which extends into the German Alps and is bordered by Austria, where you’ll find the stereotypical vision of Bavaria you have in your mind: Lederhosen, Bierzelt, and Biergarten.
Boasting a unique melting pot of history and culture – at a price that won’t break the bank – it’s easy to see why Bavaria made it onto Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 list.
How to get to Bavaria
Travelling to Bavaria from the UK is easy. Having made the trip many times, I’ve hopped on flights from Manchester, Leeds, Gatwick, and Stansted to major cities including Munich and Nuremberg, with fares starting from £25.
Germany’s train system, Deutsche Bahn, is as easy to navigate and efficient as they come. There’s even a handy ‘Bayern Ticket’ if you’re based in one place but want to visit areas further afield. A one-time purchase, it gives you unlimited trips across Bavaria for 24 hours and can be bought as a single or group ticket.
But once you’ve landed, I’d recommend exploring the city you’re in for a couple of days first. Then, by all means, enjoy the speedy ICE trains to your next location. For example, there’s much more to Munich than just the international airport!
This includes Olympiapark, which was constructed for the 1972 Olympics. The park is free to roam, but some attractions within – like the stadium that recently hosted 74,000 Swifties (and then some) for the German leg of the Eras Tour – have their own fees and hours. But for the majority, the 850,000 square metres of green space is a hangout spot perfect for summer picnics. Think of it as the German Hyde Park!
Finally, you can’t forget about the Marienplatz, which is known as the ‘heart of the city’. It’s been Munich’s main square since 1158 and it is surrounded by many cafés and bars where you can watch the world go by with a Bavarian beer. But more on that later…
Where to go in Bavaria
Bavaria is big, covering around 70,550 square kilometres. So how do you know where to start – especially if it’s just a weekend break?
It depends what you’re looking for. Metro has rounded up some of the best places in Bavaria so you don’t have to.
For history: Nuremberg
Nuremberg is considered one of the most historical cities in Germany – notably during and after World War II. Due to its position in the centre of the country, and because of its significance to the Holy Roman Empire, the Nazi Party chose the city as its base to hold huge conventions, known as the Nuremberg rallies. Annually held from 1923 to 1938, these propaganda events were designed to encourage German people to support the war.
After the Nazi era came the Nuremberg trials. Now synonymous with the city, from 1945 to 1946 the criminal proceedings aimed to prosecute Nazi leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Today, people can visit and reflect on this part of history in museums across the city. These include the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, which has a permanent exhibition called ‘Fascination and Terror’. According to the website, it ‘offers a comprehensive sense of the area’s history and the Nazi Party Rallies’.
There’s also the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, an exhibition that provides ‘insights on the defendants and their crimes’, and the impact the trials had on the world and international law. Each museum has an admission fee of €6 (£4.90).
For tourists: The Fuggerei
In London, the average rent is £983 per month. But what if we told you there’s a place in Bavaria where rent hasn’t changed for 500 years?
Augsburg – one of Germany’s oldest cities – is home to a medieval walled enclave called the ‘Fuggerei’. Founded in 1516 by Jakob Fugger the Younger (known as Jakob Fugger the Rich), the community was designed for poor citizens who needed a place to stay.
Today, Fuggerei residents pay only 77p per month for apartments between 45 and 65 square metres. While it is a steal, there’s a catch…
Prospective tenants will need to have lived in Augsburg for two years, be Catholic, say three prayers a day, and be suffering from poverty without being in debt. Yes, really. Residents are also required to earn their keep by working part-time to maintain the complex. This could include working in the museum, tourist shop, or gardening.
Can you visit The Fuggerei?
Fancy checking out this unique community? The Fuggerei offers a variety of guided tours that can be booked online.
As per the website, it’s €80 (£65) for group tours in German or €100 (£82) for tours in foreign languages. The entrance fee without a tour is €8 (£6.50) for adults and €4 (£3.30) for children.
For wine: Würzburg
Despite Bavaria’s world famous beer culture, in Franconia you’re more likely to find locals sipping on wine than steins. Winemaking here dates back to the 8th century, so you’ll see vineyards for days when driving around the area.
Würzburg is one of the best places to immerse yourself in Germany’s unique wine culture and drink it in with incredible views.
A trip to the Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge) on the River Main is a popular activity for both locals and visitors – especially in summer. Bavaria is lucky enough to get great weather during the warmer months, with average temperatures reaching a comfortable 25°C.
It’s on this iconic bridge that you’ll partake in the traditional Brückenschoppen (bridge drinking), which involves buying a glass of Franconian red, white, or rose from one of the surrounding wine bars, while gazing up at the vineyards and Festung Marienburg, a Renaissance Baroque-style fortress.
This perfect way to while away an afternoon is cheap, too – a 250ml glass will set you back just €4 (£3.30). A €5 (£4) deposit is required for the glass, but as long as you return it, you get your money back.
For architecture: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Thought to be Germany’s best-preserved walled medieval town, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is like something out of a fairytale. Films like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Harry Potter were partially filmed here.
Once you enter the walls, you’re met with half-timbered houses still intact from the Middle Ages, fountains, gates, and cobblestone streets.
Christmas is by far the best time to visit, as Rothenburg is home to Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village, the largest Christmas shop in Europe (But if you can’t make it in December, the shop is open all year round!).
Plus, there’s the Christmas market located in the market square, which I can safely say is the best one I’ve ever visited. Glühwein and Bratwurst anyone?
Where to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Depending on what you want from a hotel, Rothenburg can be done with or without a budget. For example, those looking for an authentic but luxurious experience, Booking.com recommends the Hotel Reichsküchenmeister, a historic 4-star stay in the heart of the medieval Old Town at £112 per night.
Or there’s the Tilman Riemenschneider, a traditional 16th-century hotel offering Franconian food and country-style rooms for around £123 per night. And for the budget travellers amongst us, there’s a slew of accommodations (in buildings just as medieval) available for half the price.
For food: It depends on your taste!
Unfortunately, it’s quite difficult to be vegetarian or gluten-free in Bavaria because meat and wheat play such important roles in the cuisine. (As much as my partner loves this part of the world, he’s always found it difficult to just pitch up at a restaurant being gluten-free – unless he’s eating fish. Prior research is always needed).
Aside from this, it’s similarly hard to summarise where to find the best food because each region has its own personality.
But to generalise: certain areas in southern Bavaria, especially around Munich, serve traditional pork roast and dumplings with beer. Schnitzel is also very popular, and it can often be as big as your head.
Augustiner-Keller in Munich is a great place for an authentic experience at an affordable price. A schnitzel – either in a bacon and cheese breading with potato salad, or cooked in a red wine sauce with veg and potato dippers – is only €9.90 (£8).
Around Nuremberg, sausages and smoked beer are traditional. However, in the southwest region of Schwaben it’s all about spätzle, a Central European egg noodle usually served as a side for meat dishes with sauce. For fish lovers, Franconia is where it’s at, as karpfen – a traditional carp paired with wine – is a staple meal.
What our readers think of Bavaria
Jonny Taylor: ‘Bavaria is all about the beer, mountains and cleanliness. There’s nothing like sipping on a cold, crisp pilsner after a day of hiking.’
Mark Roden: ‘It reminded me of scenes from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang… fairy-tale castles, tree-lined mountains, very clean and laid-back. Also pretty classy and up-market – home to BMW and Audi cars (which sets the style a bit!)’
Nick Foster: ‘Had my 21st while working in Bavaria for 10 weeks. The place is full of small breweries with their own restaurants/bars, which Bavarians make a night of. It’s like Oktoberfest every night.’
For beer: Munich
Munich is the place to go for iconic German beer. The city is renowned for its beer culture and is home to six major breweries: Hofbräu, Spaten-Franziskaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner, and Löwenbräu. The great thing about Munich’s relationship with the beverage (and Bavaria as a whole), is that drinking beer isn’t about getting ‘drunk’. Rather, it’s a social activity that brings people together.
So whether you’re after a Weissbier (wheat beer), a Helles (pale lager beer), or a Dunkel (a lager beer dark in colour with a smooth, malty flavour), you can count on Munich to provide the best of the best.
Personal favourite haunts, which all provide the classic Bavarian atmosphere, include Zum Franziskaner, where a 0.5l of Löwenbräu costs €6 (4.95). Plus, Hackerhaus, a cosy traditional Bavarian restaurant of the historic brewery that dates back to the 15th century. The Weissbier here is delicious, and it’s only €5.90 (£4.80) for the privilege.
And last but not least, if you’re in the market for a few steins (that’s one litre of beer to us) Oktoberfest is calling your name. Despite being incredibly touristy, the world’s largest Volksfest has managed to keep its prices pretty low, with the official stein price ranging between €17 and €14 (£14 and £11).
In 2025, Oktoberfest will take place from September 20 to October 5, and admission is free. However, depending on how much you plan on eating and drinking, you’ll likely have to budget for it!
For UNESCO World Heritage: The Old Town of Bamberg
Otherwise known as ‘Franconian Rome’ because it’s built on seven hills similar to the Italian capital, Bamberg’s Old Town is a must-see when visiting Bavaria.
Having been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, it boasts 1,200 monuments dating from the 11th to 18th centuries. From medieval buildings to baroque-era architecture, the Old Town is nestled below the Romanesque St Peter and St George Imperial Cathedral.
As well as having links to Rome, the Old Town of Bamberg is also referred to as ‘Little Venice’. A quick Google of the place and you’ll see why – old bridges linking to other buildings, all looking down on the Alter Kanal (Old Canal).
You can experience this magic up close and personal, too, as companies offer boat excursions. For just €13 (£10.70), you’ll spend 80 minutes cruising along the water, starting in the Old Town and passing through Bamberg’s Harbour with complimentary snacks and refreshments to boot.
Bottom line? It doesn’t matter what time of the year you go, Bavaria will always welcome you with open arms.
From aimlessly ambling through fairytale medieval villages at Christmas to sipping wine in the sunshine on a hot summer’s day, it’s a truly special part of the world that deserves all the recognition it gets.
