Things to do & places to visit in Bavaria, Germany

Known for its beer, sausages, Oktoberfest and lederhosen, Bavaria is Germany’s largest federal state and one of its most popular tourist destinations. It's also one of the most independent-minded regions. Home to cities like Munich (the capital) and Nuremberg, Bavaria is also cherished for its hilly countryside, where such gorgeous sites as Hohenschwangau Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle (the model for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland) and Linderhof and HerrenChiemsee Palaces can be found.

Bavaria #2 destination in Germany 2023. The average rating score is 4.50 based on 257.0k traveler reviews, of 238 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Berlin, current date and time: Tuesday, May 07, 2024, 21:00.

Bavaria Weather Statistics view more »

Top things to do (33)

• Historic Sites
• Churches & Cathedrals
• History Museums
• Government Buildings
• Amusement & Theme Parks
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• City Tours
• Religious Sites
• Mines
• Flea & Street Markets
• Speciality Museums
• Cultural Tours
• Art Museums
• Gardens
• Ski & Snowboard Areas
• Architectural Buildings
• Private Tours
• Bridges
• Bodies of Water
• Mountains
• Science Museums
• Parks
• Castles
• Food & Drink Festivals
• Night Tours
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Zoos
• Historic Walking Areas
• Nature & Wildlife Areas
• Neighborhoods
• Arenas & Stadiums
• Day Trips
• Walking Tours

Top destinations in Bavaria 34

• Erharting
• Beuerbach
• Schirmitz
• Amerdingen
• Malgersdorf
• Roegling
• Weissdorf
• Fremdingen
• Nennslingen
• Unteregg
• Sulzthal
• Eichendorf
• Schwarzhofen
• Kirchendemenreuth
• Gablingen
• Speinshart
• Hofheim in Unterfranken
• Luhe-Wildenau
• Vachendorf
• Bastheim
• Harthofen
• Klosterlechfeld
• Untrasried
• Bavarian Forest
• Bavarian Alps
• Dinkelscherben
• Langenried
• Weidenberg
• Upper Bavaria
• Lower Bavaria
• Weissach
• Franconia
• Upper Palatinate
• Swabia

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

1. 5.0 Altstadt (3.427 reviews)
   - Well-preserved medieval old town
   Tuesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Rothenburg has made a concerted effort to preserve its medieval heritage, and Old Town reflects the historic fruits of this labor. See more..
   
2. 5.0 Hallo Nuremberg! (1.699 reviews)
   - Nürnberg history and Altsdadt points of interest - overview in 2h30
   Tuesday: 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM City Tours • Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Walking Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips
   
   
   Our guide Claudio led us through multiple points of interest in Nürnberg Altstadt, from the major monuments to less well known locations. The tour and stories narrated were captivating; Claudio also gave good recommendations of places worth visiting with more time (restaurants and biergartens included). Very rewarding. I recommend! See more..
   
3. 5.0 Hans Georg Baumgartner (1.301 reviews)
   - NIght Watchman Tour is a Must Do Local Institution
   Night Tours
   
   
   This tour is an institution and a must do when in Rothenburg in the evening. The whole family enjoyed it, including my college kids. The English tour starts at 8pm in the main square, you can't miss it. Just join the crowd gathering and look for the night watchman who walks up in period costume. It's not the most in depth tour, but it's a charming and humorous introduction to the town of Rothenburg and its history. Following the tour is not strenuous but more of a leisurely walk with plenty of stops. Tour takes about an hour. Happens nightly, no reservations necessary, you pay in cash at the end. The requested fee was 9 Euro in summer of 2022. Crowds tend to be large, so I would recommend you make an effort to stay in front of the pack, close to the watchman to hear better. See more..
   
4. 4.5 Marienplatz (25.5k reviews)
   - A Great Place to Start Your Visit of Munich
   Tuesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   This prominent public square, the largest in Munich, still stands as the center of social activity in the city, much as it has throughout history. See more..
   
5. 4.5 English Garden (18.0k reviews)
   - A park that you cannot miss if you like parks
   Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Parks • Gardens
   
   
   Very popular scenic park, more internaitonal than its name would suggest, it contains a Greek temple, Chinese pagoda and Japanese tea house. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Schloss Neuschwanstein (17.8k reviews) from $41.75
   - Nice view, nice castle but rushed tour
   Spent More than 3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Castles
   
   
   Yet another of the eccentric King Ludwig II's magnificently odd architectural creations. See more..
   
7. 4.5 BMW Museum (9.953 reviews)
   - BMW Museum ~ Munich, Germany
   Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums
   
   
   Hundreds of thousands of people visit BMW's four-cilinder BMW tower and the bowl-shaped museum next to it each year. The museum showcases the technical development of cars and motorcycles and also has some exhibits about the history of the company. Many old cars and motorcycles are on display along a spiral ramp that curls along the inside of the bowl-shaped building. See more..
   
8. 4.5 Deutsches Museum (7.871 reviews) from $98.18
   - One of the Best Museums in the World
   Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Science Museums
   
   
   One of the world's largest science museums, visitors can to this famous institution can easily get lost among the endless floors of interesting exhibits, including a fascinating exhibit on mining. See more..
   
9. 4.5 Allianz Arena (7.428 reviews)
   - An excellent stadium
   Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Arenas & Stadiums
   
   
   Our tour guide was Bernhard who was incredibly informative and helpful on our tour. The Arena is a must visit for the kombiticket which allows visits to the club museum and a guided tour for just 19 euros. The stadium is stunning both inside and out, and the access on the tour is excellent. The arena's lower tier can be visited, as well as Bayern's dressing room and backstage areas. One of the highlights of my stay in Munich! See more..
   
10. 4.5 Nymphenburg Palace (7.374 reviews)
    - Lovely
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites
    
    
    Lovely day, gardens were pretty, I think we were a little early as yet we’re planting up so I imagine they will look even more stunning once that’s done. Unfortunately the cafe wasn’t open which was annoying because it said it was open online and it was a really nice sunny warm day so would have been good for them to open. Place was stunning inside, museum was also great, I’ve never seen a big carriage uo close like that never mind 10+ of them. Easy to get to on tram and we were lucky the weather was so good. Imagine it to be less appealing on a rainy day . See more..
    
11. 4.5 BMW Welt (6.728 reviews)
    - Factory tour is definitely worth it!
    Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
    
    
    BMW Welt is the company's experience and automobile collection centre. It features fascinating, futuristic architecture and hosts a wide range of exhibitions and events. One unique area is the section dedicated to the personalised handover of models of the BMW brand. As of the fifth anniversary of BMW Welt in October 2012 you can discover not just the BMW brand and BMW Motorrad but also the subbrands BMW i and BMW M as well as the BMW Group and its other brands MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, each with their own world of experience. See more..
    
12. 4.5 Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site (6.305 reviews)
    - View the grey area of humanity and what we are capable of, and why.
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites
    
    
    Harrowing insight into the fine line we are treading as humans and what we are capable of doing to each other. I would highly recommend paying the tiny sum of €4 for a guided tour, the knowledge and history we got from Anje was excellent. Otherwise you can make your own way around the site but we were really glad we had a guide, with such an overwhelming place it was helpful to have a beginning and an end! Absolutely fascinating, especially as the “prototype” concentration camp. We made our own way easily from Munich center by train and then the short bus ride, and if you buy a two zone ticket (happens automatically at the train ticket machines if you select Dachau as the destination) then this is valid for the bus also. The cafe was great, we had lunch while we waited for the 1pm Sunday tour, the pumpkin soup was excellent! A must do trip to learn and reflect when visiting somewhere with as much history as Germany. See more..
    
13. 4.5 Residenz (5.600 reviews) from $59.95
    - Schatzkammer
    Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
    
    
    The "Residenz" is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. Today it is open to visitors for its architecture, room decorations, and displays from the former royal collections. There are several separate museums inside the Residenz. You can buy a cumulative ticket, or separate tickets for each museum: I only visited the Schatzkammer (the Treasury): this review is related to this part only. Entrance to the Schatzkammer is from Max-Joseph-Platz 3. The Schatzkammer is a sequence of 10 halls, housing the jewels of the Wittelsbach dynasty. The collection spans 1000 years from the early Middle Ages to Neo-classicism. Royal insignia, crowns, swords, goblets, goldsmith works, rock crystal, ivory work, icons and numerous other treasures like precious tableware and toiletries are visible here. See more..
    
14. 4.5 Olympiapark (4.840 reviews)
    - Saturday, May 14th visit.
    Tuesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 2-3 hours Arenas & Stadiums
    
    
    See Olympiapark, home of the 1972 Olympics. Tours include a roof climb, with ropes & carbiners and bungee jumping into the stadium. See more..
    
15. 4.5 New Town Hall (Neus Rathaus) (4.519 reviews)
    - Explore the Building and Pay to See the Observation Tower
    Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings
    
    
    Standing next to the old government building, the current home of Munich's city government is located on the Marienplatz. See more..
    
16. 4.5 Zugspitze (4.175 reviews)
    - A must do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen!
    Spent 1-2 hours Mountains • Ski & Snowboard Areas
    
    
    At nearly 10,000 feet, Germany's highest peak is a popular ski area during the winter and a challenging hiking trail during the rest of the year. See more..
    
17. 4.5 Kaiserburg Nurnberg (3.709 reviews)
    - Interesting castle - fabulous view of the citu
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Castles
    
    
    It is a bit of a hike to get to the castle, so if you are having mobility issues this may not be for you. Interesting history as it was the seat of power for the Hapsburg dynasty. I suggest a good guide if you want to understand the history and how it influenced Hitler's decision to use Nuremberg as a focal point of so many activities, Near the top there is a fabulous panorama if the city. Fr that alone it is worth the climb, but if you want the history too - get a guide See more..
    
18. 4.5 St. Peter's Church (3.685 reviews)
    - Good views, slight crowded around 11am.
    Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
    
    
    This 11th-century cathedral, the city's oldest remaining church, is best known for its beautiful golden interior. See more..
    
19. 4.5 Viktualienmarkt (3.541 reviews)
    - This is what market dreams are made of.
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Flea & Street Markets
    
    
    The city's largest and most famous outdoor marketplace. See more..
    
20. 4.5 Schloss Hohenschwangau (3.498 reviews)
    - Nice castle - worth the tour inside
    Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Castles
    
    
    The yellow Gothic castle in which King Ludwig II spend his childhood. See more..
    
21. 4.5 Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds (3.398 reviews)
    - Go with a Good guide to understand what you are looking at
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums
    
    
    The Nazis chose Nuremberg to be the site of the Nazi Party Rallies. The still unfinished Congress Hall on the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds now houses the Documentation Center. The 1,300 square meter "Fascination and Terror" exhibition examines the causes, context and consequences of Nazi tyranny. The museum focuses on the history of the Nazi party rallies, which served as powerful mass events to promote Nazi propaganda and set the stage for the "people's community". The educational forum offers numerous programs for all age groups on a variety of topics. Information boards on the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, which cover 4 square kilometers, explain the history of the site. See more..
    
22. 4.5 Königssee (2.913 reviews)
    - Königsee
    Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water
    
    
    The emerald-green Königssee near Berchtesgaden is surrounded by steep walls of rock, with the 1800-metre east wall of the Watzmann towering above its west shore. See more..
    
23. 4.5 Asamkirche (2.798 reviews)
    - A must see in Munich!
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
    
    
    We took a side trip to see this church, and thank goodness we did! This is probably the most stunning church I have been in for a long time (Venice has the most amazing church in my opinion). It is overwhelming the amount of details, artwork, sculptures and attention to details in this church. Read the history behind it online. It is an interesting story! The best surprise in Munich! See more..
    
24. 4.5 The Residenz (2.706 reviews)
    - Amazing Palace in Wurzburg
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Castles
    
    
    This palace served as the home for Würzburg's powerful prince-bishops during the Enlightenment and is known for its extravagant artistic design and Baroque architecture. See more..
    
25. 4.5 Alte Pinakothek (2.691 reviews)
    - Breath taking collection of art masterpieces!
    Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Art Museums
    
    
    Housing much of the city's most famous artwork, this museum's collection includes renowned international works from the 14th through the 18th centuries. See more..
    
26. 4.5 Schloss Linderhof (2.595 reviews)
    - If you are fascinated by King Ludwig II and his Schloss Neuschwanstein, this site is a must see
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Castles
    
    
    A bizarre, yet glamorous, castle built by King Ludwig II. See more..
    
27. 4.5 Partnachklamm (2.515 reviews)
    - Wild Nature
    Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
    
    
    Situated jut outside Garmisch, it is a must-visit place. Advisable to go early as car parking space is limited and visitors throng the place in the summer. Walk starts from the base where the Olympics 1936 ski slope is still maintained. Going past alpine meadows with beautiful flowers and fields was very enjoyable. The ticket was 6 Euros per person but we got a discount of 1 Euro each due to our GaPa Guest card. The gorge itself was a great experience and very safe despite some tunnels being very dark. It was more than 2000 feet long and very picturesque. There was an exit on the other side too but we tuned back as we did not know where it would lead to. There were no phone signals there hence no access to Google maps for guidance. Bumped my head once against the low mountain rocks on the way back so be careful. Had a lovely lunch on the way back at Klammhouse restaurant with added enjoyment of a live local band playing good music. See more..
    
28. 4.5 Town Walls (2.410 reviews)
    - Great historic place!
    Historic Sites
    
    
    Beautiful city to walk around, lots of historic buildings and of course a city wall you can walk on. Around the city numerous information panels with informatief about the different buildings and locations. Inside the city walls it's a real city, people live there and there are businesses. Mostly for tourist love souvenirs shops and restaurants. Works recommend visiting this place when nearby. See more..
    
29. 4.5 Munchener Tierpark Hellabrunn (2.360 reviews)
    - Incredible Zoo!
    Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Zoos • Parks
    
    
    Huge complex of buildings makes this one of the most enjoyable museums you will ever visit. Plan to spend a great portion of the day there since there are so many exhibits and rooms to see. See more..
    
30. 4.5 Rathaus-Glockenspiel (2.182 reviews)
    - Join the Crowd in Marveling at this Amazing Mechanical Performance
    Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    The sound emanating from this collection of 43 bells can be heard throughout downtown Munich. See more..