Top 10 Activities to Enjoy in Bavaria

Almost a nation in its own right, Bavaria offers more than many independent states of similar size.

Imagine towering peaks over 2000m (6560ft) alongside vast plains. Medieval towns juxtaposed with modern museums. Roman ruins intermingled with Alpine lakes.

You could spend a lifetime discovering everything it has to offer. If you’re looking for a starting point, here are 10 experiences to immerse yourself in the delights of this unique part of Germany.

1. Journey to the Alpine Heights

While Germany’s southern region claims only a small part of the Alps, it truly maximizes its mountainous terrain, with many peaks just a short train ride from central Munich. The ski resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the ultimate destination for snowy fun, located beneath Germany’s highest summit, the Zugspitze, which can be accessed by a unique train. Enclosed by Austria on three sides, the Berchtesgadener Land in Bavaria’s southeast offers stunning Alpine experiences, complete with breathtaking mountain views, excellent hiking, and picturesque lake scenery.

Insider advice: Skiing is a major highlight in the German Alps, with numerous slopes catering to winter sports enthusiasts. The skiing season typically runs from mid-December to April, depending on the weather. When natural snowfall is scarce, artificial snow from specialized cannons ensures the fun continues.

2. Immerse yourself in extraordinary museums

Bavaria is home to exceptional museums that could easily occupy months of exploration, with many being among the finest in Europe. You could spend an entire week just visiting Munich’s art museums, including the renowned Pinakotheken (Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, and Pinakothek der Moderne). The Deutsches Museum offers a fascinating look at Germany’s rich technical heritage, while Nuremberg features the Deutsche Bahn Museum, the nation’s leading railway museum, and the Nationalmuseum, showcasing the most comprehensive collection of Germanic culture. Bavaria’s history also includes the troubling rise of the Nazis, and local sites provide an unvarnished account of this dark chapter. Notable places like Berchtesgaden’s Dokumentation Obersalzberg and Nuremberg’s Reichsparteitagsgelände—where the largest Nazi rallies occurred in the 1930s—offer powerful insights into this era.

Tip for your visit: Many of Munich’s museums and galleries only charge €1 on Sundays, which can significantly help your travel budget if you plan to visit multiple locations.

3. Experience Bavaria’s hop-filled heritage

Munich is often dubbed “the city of art and beer.” After a day of appreciating art, the evenings invite you to enjoy one-liter steins of frothy brews at iconic beer halls like the Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner Bräustuben, and Weisses Brauhaus. For true beer enthusiasts, the ultimate time to visit the Bavarian capital is during Oktoberfest (held annually from late September to the first weekend in October), when over 6 million liters of beer are consumed.

Outside Munich, the beer is equally excellent—and even better, according to the enthusiasts in Franconia (Bavaria’s northern region), where countless village breweries craft an incredible array of Landbier (local regional beers) not found elsewhere. The prime spot to sample these brews is the Kellerwald near Forchheim, a vast beer garden nestled in a forest.

Insider tip: Bavaria is known for its beer gardens, featuring tables and chairs beneath horse chestnut trees adorned with fairy lights. Some of the top options in Munich include the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm in the Englischer Garten; the expansive Hirschgarten, which can accommodate nearly 9000 guests; and the Hofbräukeller am Wiener Platz, reputed to be the original Munich beer garden.

4. Explore the castles of Ludwig II

Every Bavarian village and hilltop seems to boast at least one medieval structure, but it’s three 19th-century whimsies commissioned by King Ludwig II that draw the most visitors. Nestled in the Alpine forest near Füssen, Schloss Neuschwanstein is Germany’s most beloved tourist site, its enchanting towers and breathtaking setting having inspired Walt Disney. Ludwig’s other two fantastical creations are Herrenchiemsee, a palace reminiscent of Versailles located on an island in Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, and the compact Linderhof, situated in a secluded Alpine area near Oberammergau.

Insider tip: Linderhof sits in a stunning spot amid the Ammergau Alps. A delightful way to reach it is by taking a gentle 12km (7.5-mile) hike from Oberammergau, which is also a notable tourist destination.

5. Experience the thrill at BMW

Bavaria boasts two high-performance automotive giants: BMW in Munich and Audi in Ingolstadt. The futuristic BMW Welt (BMW World) is a paradise for car enthusiasts, offering a massive, free exhibit of the latest models, where visitors can sit, interact, and appreciate them from the driver's perspective. Adjacent to it is the fantastic BMW Museum, and fascinating tours of the nearby factory can be arranged with ease.

6. Appreciate Bavaria’s rich traditions

The iconic Oktoberfest and enchanting Christmas markets. The decade-long Passion Play in Oberammergau. The glass-blowing artistry of the Bavarian Forest, the beer-brewing monks of Andechs, festive gatherings in Alpine inns, and the celebration of Wagner in Bayreuth: Bavaria is a region where culture and traditions provide a vivid connection to a colorful, folk-inspired history. Unlike many Central European countries, these traditions are easily found, as nearly every local has lederhosen or a dirndl ready for weddings, church events, or local beer fests.

7. Shop for Bavarian treasures

Munich offers shopping options for every budget, from luxury boutiques to thrift stores. You'll find plenty of items unique to the Free State that will certainly fill your luggage for the journey home. Authentic Bavarian folk costumes make for memorable souvenirs. In central Munich, Loden-Frey offers the genuine article; budget shoppers should visit Holareidulijö for secondhand finds. Leading up to Oktoberfest, numerous pop-up shops spring up in central Munich selling affordable versions of traditional attire.

Nymphenburg porcelain is a popular souvenir, best found at the Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg factory shops. Other memorable keepsakes include glassware from the Bavarian Forest, Nuremberg gingerbread, and both new and antique beer steins. For a unique shopping experience, visit Käthe Wohlfahrt shops, where you can find Christmas decorations year-round—an odd experience in July when temperatures reach 30ºC (86°F).

8. Enjoy the splendor of Bavaria’s beautiful lakes

Nestled between Munich and the Alps, many charming foothill lakes reflect idyllic villages and onion-domed churches in their serene waters. Easily reachable by S-Bahn from Munich, the Fünfseenland (meaning 'Five Lakes Land') features five picturesque lakes. The beloved Starnberger See is a popular escape for urban dwellers and the site where King Ludwig II mysteriously drowned in 1886. Southeast of Munich, the Chiemsee offers delightful boating opportunities. However, the crown jewel is the Königssee, renowned as Germany’s most breathtaking lake, surrounded by Alpine slopes and granite cliffs. You can take an electric boat along its expanse or hike the towering peaks nearby.

9. Eat like a local

Bavaria’s hearty, meat-centric menus pair perfectly with its delicious beer. Dining out isn’t just about enjoying the lager, though. Munich boasts a vibrant culinary scene, featuring vegetarian, vegan, Asian, and Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants, as well as more Italian eateries than many Italian cities. In rural areas, traditional cuisine dominates, but there’s still plenty of variety, particularly in tourist hotspots.

A Bavarian specialty you must try is Weisswurst. These off-white sausages, made from minced veal and bacon and seasoned with herbs and spices, are typically served with sweet mustard, a pretzel, and a mug of wheat beer—often enjoyed for breakfast. You can find them in any city tavern until 11:59 am; after that, locals will push the plate away, claiming they’re stale.

10. Embark on the Romantic Road

The Romantic Road stretches along Bavaria’s western edge, making it Germany’s most popular tourist route, covering 350km (217 miles) from Würzburg in the north to the southern Alps. This charming path features beautifully preserved walled towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, and Nördlingen. You could easily spend a week exploring all the towns and villages along this scenic route—longer if you choose to travel by public transport.

Travel tip: The Romantic Road attracts millions of visitors in summer, so consider visiting in winter when a layer of snow enhances the romance of these lovely locations.