MUNICH and The BAVARIAN REGION, GERMANY 9 Days  

This itinerary visits Munich, Dachau concentration camp, Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bamberg and Nuremberg.

Munich - home of Oktoberfest, is the perfect base for exploring southern Germany. It is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg. With its mix of historical landmarks, cultural treasures, and natural beauty, Munich captivates visitors with its unique blend of tradition and modernity.

Bavaria, a region in Germany, features an abundance of picturesque villages. These charming settlements, such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nördlingen, and Dinkelsbühl, are renowned for their architectural beauty. Lavishly decorated churches, public buildings, and homes adorn these villages, creating a visually stunning environment for visitors to explore. In addition, Bavaria is renowned for its vibrant music and theater scene, adding cultural richness to the region.

DAY 1

• Arrive at Munich airport and transfer to your hotel.

• Use the S-Bahn trains or Uber between the airport and Munich city center.

  • The S1 and S8 train run every 10 minutes from the airport.

• Best way to get around Munich: Use S-Bahn and U-Bahn train network.

• Overnight: Munich (4 nights).

  • <Where to stay>

  • City center recommended. This is where you'll find most landmarks of Munich, including Marienplatz (the central square of the city) and tons of great restaurants and pubs.

DAYS 2 - 4

• Munich is home to centuries-old buildings, numerous museums and is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration (described below) and its beer halls.

• Its cultural scene is second to none in Germany, with the museums even considered by some to outrank Berlin in quality.

• Marienplatz-is the heart of Munich where pedestrians and street performers gather to enjoy the atmosphere.

• Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)-everyone stops to watch the Glockenspiel, as its mechanical figures dine, joust and dance.

  • Performs daily at 11 am & noon, and at 5 pm from March to October.

• Frauenkirche-is a church and landmark. It is considered a symbol of the Bavarian capital city. 

• Viktualienmarkt-is a food market and a square. The Viktualienmarkt has developed from an original farmers' market to a popular market for gourmets. <Located near the Marienplatz>

• English Beer Garden-accommodates up to 7,000 people.

  • The food stalls offer traditional beer garden food such as Schweinshaxn (roasted pork knuckle) and  Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick).

  • Getting there: take U-Bahn train to Münchner Freiheit station, then it’s a 15-minute walk to the beer garden.

• Residenz-is the former residence of Bavarian Kings. Highlights include its architecture, Cuvillies theatre, and treasures displayed from the former royal collections. It is a 10-minute walk north of Marienplatz.

• Hofbräuhaus-located in the center of Munich and is one of Munich's oldest beer halls.  <reserve a table>

• Dachau Concentration Camp-journey to the notorious site - one of the earliest camps developed after Hitler's rise to power. Explore the barracks, cells and the unimaginable gas chambers.

  • Getting there: Take S2 train to Dachau Bahnhof, then by bus (#726) to Dachau Ratiborer Straße. (1 hr. each way)

• Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival and traveling fun fair.

  • Held annually. It is a 2-week folk festival running from mid or late-September to the first weekend in October, with more than six (6) million people attending each year.

• Overnight: Munich.

DAY 5

• Embark to Neuschwanstein Castle, built for King Ludwig II in 1869-86 on a rugged cliff against a scenic mountain backdrop.

  • It is considered the prettiest castle near Munich and perhaps all of Germany.

  • The castle inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.

  • Fun facts about the castle.

• Guided Tours run 30 minutes.

• Getting there from Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle is situated near Füssen in southwest Bavaria.

  • If planning a day trip from Munich, hop on a direct train from Munich to Füssen (2 hrs.) and then take Bus 73 or 78 directly to the Castle’s ticket office. —The same trip by car takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.

  • Overnight: Füssen <where to stay>

DAY 6

• Depart for Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

  • It is one most historic and prettiest of the medieval towns along the Romantic Road.

• At street level, the Schmiedgasse is one of Rothenburg's most famous stretches, where you'll find some of its best shops and restaurants.

• Exploring Old Town Rothenburg is like stepping 400 years into the past. It is packed with colorful half-timber homes, old-world sights, cobblestone lanes, and is surrounded by a Medieval city wall.

• A walking tour is “a must do”.

  • One of the most popular is the Night Watchman tour.

• Visit the German Christmas Museum.

• Overnight: Rothenburg <where to stay>

• Driving time:

  • Fussen —> Rothenburg, 2.5 hrs.

DAY 7

• Embark to Bamberg, a Unesco World Heritage town.

• The Old Town with its cobblestone streets, arched bridges that span the Regnitz river, and the town hall known for its exterior murals and traditional fachwerk—comprises some of the most well-preserved medieval architecture in Germany.

• The town boasts numerous walking paths, including the popular Bamberg River Path. <route>

• Things to do in Bamberg.

• In late afternoon continue to Nuremberg.

• Overnight: Nuremberg.

• Driving time:

  • Rothenburg —> Bamberg, 1.5 hrs.

  • Bamberg —> Nuremberg, 1 hr.

DAY 8

• Explore Nuremberg. The best way is on foot. <map>

• Nuremberg is popular with history buffs. Here, you can uncover the history of WWII, including the Nuremberg Palace of Justice – the place where the 1945 Nuremberg trials were held.  <Learn more>

• Things to do.

• Nuremberg is dotted with restaurants serving the local Franconian specialties and beer. You must try the sausages called Nürnberger Bratwürste; they are a classic.

• Tour the Rock-Cut Cellars - an extensive labyrinth – the partly more than 600 year-old rock-cut cellars. This is where the traditional Nuremberg Rotbier (red ale) used to mature.

  • Guided tours start at Albrecht-Dürer-Platz, where a stairway leads into Nuremberg's underworld.

• Later in the day, drive to Munich.

• Overnight: Munich (airport hotel) for your flight the following day.

  • The Hilton Munich Airport is situated between Terminals 1 and 2 of the airport.

• Driving time:

  • Nuremberg —> Munich. 2 hrs.

DAY 9

• Depart Munich to return home or choose another European destination.

  • Switzerland, Austria and Czech Republic Itineraries make for a great add-on.

• Historical Weather data.

• During the months of June, July and August is when you’re likely to experience pleasant weather.

• The warmest months are May through September.

• The coldest months are December, January and February.

• Each month gets an average of 13-15 rainy days.

• Snow is common December through early-March.

• Sunrise/Sunset times.