Bavaria is one of the most beautiful regions in Germany, known for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, small towns, and beautiful castles. In this post, you’ll find our carefully planned 7-day Bavaria road trip itinerary, featuring charming towns, fairy-tale castles, scenic drives, nature spots, and even a stop at Legoland – perfect for families and first-time visitors alike.
We travelled through Bavaria in late spring a few years ago in Munich. From there, we headed south to explore Linderhof Palace, the Pilgrimage Church of Weis, and the town of Fussen. Next, we visited the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, Alpsee Lake and Hohenschwangau castle. On the way to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we made a stop at Legoland – always a hit with the kids. We finished our trip with two days in Nuremberg, taking time to explore its rich history and vibrant city centre.
Days 1 and 2 – Munich and Nymphenburg Palace
Munich
Start your trip in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Whether you arrive by plane or car, it’s worth spending a couple of days exploring the city’s historic architecture, its many museums, lively old town, and traditional Bavarian cuisine.
We stayed at a hotel not far from the center and explored most of Munich on foot. Here are some of the highlights you can see in Munich in one day.
Munich’s Old Town
Marienplatz – Munich’s central square since 1158. It’s home to the neo-Gothic New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), whose ornate facade dominates the square. Be sure to catch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel – a charming clock with bells and mechanical dancing figures that perform twice daily.
Just a couple of minutes’ walk from the New Town Hall is the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), a 14th century building with a clock tower.
Nearby, you’ll find St Peter’s Church (Peterskirche), the oldest recorded parish church in Munich. This Roman Catholic church with its 91-metre tower offers panoramic views over the city.
Munich Residenz – the former royal palace. Visit it for its architecture, inner decorations, and impressive displays from the former royal collections.
Frauenkirche – a striking Gothic church with iconic twin domed towers. Also known as Münchner Dom, it’s considered a symbol of the city. Frauenkirche features on many Munich’s postcards and souvenirs.
Just a 10-minute walk from Marienplatz, Karlsplatz is another lively square in the city centre. It’s a popular meeting spot, known for its large central fountain and surrounding shops and cafés.
Theatine Church – a 17th century Baroque church with a bright yellow facade.
St Michael’s Church – a Renaissance-style church and one of Munich’s most important historical landmarks. It’s the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps and houses the tombs of several members of the Wittelsbach dynasty.
We spent the day exploring Munich on foot, enjoying its atmosphere and many sights. To reach some of the attractions further from the city centre, we used public transport – an easy and convenient option to get around Munich.
For more details, read our dedicated post: How to Spend 2 Days in Munich.
Nymphenburg Palace and Park
On Day 2 of our Bavarian trip, we visited Nymphenburg Palace and Park on the western edge of Munich. The 17th century royal complex is surrounded by large park, landscaped gardens, several smaller historic buildings, and a carriage museum. It’s well worth setting aside a full day to explore, especially if you enjoy history, architecture, or peaceful green spaces.
We were lucky with the weather during our visit – warm and sunny, perfect for walking through the park and palace gardens. In summer, you can even enjoy a gondola ride along the central canal.
We opted for the combo tickets, which gave us access to the palace, the park, and four smaller pavillions – Amalienburg, Badenburg, Pagodenburg, and Magdalenenklause.
Finally, don’t miss the Museum of Carriages and Sleighs (Marstallmuseum) within the Nymphenburg Palace complex. It houses an impressive collection of royal carriages, coaches, and sleighs.
We spent the first half of the Day 2 exploring Nymphenburg Palace and Park. In the late afternoon, we wrapped up our sightseeing in Munich and took time to admire the city by night – its historic buildings beautifully lit and the atmosphere lively yet relaxed.
The next morning, we picked up our rental car and set off for the next stop on our 7-day Bavaria road trip – the elegant Linderhof Palace.
Day 3 – Linderhof Palace, Church of Weis, and Füssen
Linderhof Palace
Linderhof Palace lies about 1.5 hours drive south of Munich, nestled in a scenic landscape of Bavarian forests and mountains. Built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II, this Rococo-style palace was inspired by French Versailles.
Linderhof Palace is open to visitors and offers several truly impressive rooms to explore. Highlights include the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s Bedchamber, both richly decorated with gold, intricate ornaments, and fine artwork.
Photography isn’t permitted inside, and all visits are by guided tour only. For up-to-date details on opening hours and ticket options, it’s best to check the official website before you go.
It’s not just the palace that impresses – Linderhof Park is quite remarkable too. The grounds feature elegant terraced gardens, classical sculptures, and a fountain with a 25-metre-high water jet. There are few smaller pavilionsin the park, so be sure to allow time to wander through the grounds. Check out Venus Grotto, Moorish Kiosk, water cascades and Neptune Fountain.
We spent a couple of hours exploring Linderhof Palace and Park before continuing on to Wieskirche. We made a few spontaneous stops along the way to enjoy scenic scenery of the Bavarian countryside and its charming little towns.
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) is an 18th century Rococo church. While its exterior may appear modest, the interior is quite extraordinary. It’s well worth a stop to step inside and marvel at its rich rococo design and decorations. Recognised as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in southern Germany, Wieskirche was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.
Füssen
Our final stop on Day 3 of the 7-day Bavarian road trip was the lovely town of Füssen, located in southern Germany near the Austrian border. (If you’re planning to cross into Austria, check out my post on Innsbruck!)
Füssen is a nice place to stay and explore, with its cobbled streets, alpine backdrop, and relaxed atmosphere. It also makes an ideal base for visiting the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, just a short drive away.
Take time to wander through Füssen’s charming streets, admiring its traditional Bavarian architecture and beautifully kept houses. Visit the impressive St. Mang Basilica and the High Castle (Hohes Schloss).
For a scenic walk, cross the Lech River via the Lech Bridge and follow the path to the Lech Falls (yes, it’s a lot of “Lech” in this sentence!) – for a nice views of water cascade and forested surroundings.
We spent the night in Füssen and set off the next morning for one of Bavaria’s most iconic landmarks: Neuschwanstein Castle.
Day 4 – Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, and Alpsee Lake
Neuschwanstein Castle
Just a short drive from Fussen lies Neuschwanstein Castle – one of the most famous castles in Europe. Built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II, it sits high on a forested hill with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Its fairy-tale appearance inspired the design of several castles in Disney movies.
We recommend walking through the forest to Marienbrücke – a bridge offering stunning views of Neuschwanstein Castle and the surrounding landscape. After enjoying the view, continue down the path to reach the castle itself for a closer look.
You can visit the interior of Neuschwanstein Castle as part of a guided tour, which offers insight into King Ludwig II’s vision and the castle’s ornate rooms. Alternatively, you might prefer to simply walk around the surrounding area and enjoy the views of the castle from various vantage points.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Just a short distance from Neuschwanstein lies Hohenschwangau Castle, built in the 19th century and known as the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Perched on a hilltop, it overlooks the serene Alpsee Lake and the village of Hohenschwangau.
If you’re visiting in summer and have time after exploring the castles, consider renting a boat and heading out onto Alpsee Lake. Surrounded by forested hills and overlooked by the royal residences, it’s a peaceful way to unwind and take in the scenery from the water.
At the end of Day 4, we returned to Fussenfor another overnight stay before continuing our Bavarian road trip towards Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Day 5 – Legoland
While planning our Bavarian road trip, we discovered there’s a Legoland – and of course, our boys insisted we include it in the itinerary. So, Day 5 was all about fun and play. We spent most of the day enjoying the rides, checking out impressive Lego-built structures, and simply relaxing in the middle of our otherwise busy schedule. It was a welcome change of pace and a definite highlight for the kids.
If Legoland isn’t on your list, you can either head straight to Rothenburg ob der Tauber or explore a few scenic stops along the way.
Partnachklamm and Kuhfluchtwasserfälle are both stunning natural spots, known for their dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and family-friendly hiking trails.
Another lovely option is Mittenwald – a picturesque Alpine village famous for its colourful frescoed houses and violin-making tradition. Any of these make for a nice detour through Bavaria’s scenic landscapes.
Another option is to visit Legoland as a day trip from Munich. It’s about 1.5 hour drive and easily doable in a single day. Tickets to Legoland can be booked online and they are not tied to a specific date. This add flexibility if your plans depend on weather or other travel arrangements.
In the evening, we arrived at the next destination on out one-week Bavaria road trip: the beautiful town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Day 6 – Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of Bavaria’s most popular tourist destinations, renowned for its beautiful and well-preserved medieval old town. The name translates from German as “Red castle above the Tauber”, as the town overlooks the Tauber river and characterised by its charming red-roofed buildings. With its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and historic atmosphere, Rothenburg feels like stepping into a storybook.
We recommend spending a full day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – we stayed two nights ourselves and found it well worth the time. Take a walk through the town to admire its architecture, neat houses, and narrow cobbled streets. You can also stroll along the old town walls for elevated views, One of the towers even has cannons on display, which kids would find especially exciting.
Be sure to watch the astronomical clock on the Ratstrinkstube building come to life every hour. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store and museum, open all year round and filled with festive decorations all year round. For sweeping views of the town and its surviving castle gates, head to Burggarten park, a peaceful spot with beautifully landscaped gardens.
If you’re staying overnight in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, take an evening stroll through the old town. Illuminated by soft street lights, the medieval streets take on a magical glow that’s hard to forget.
Read full post about this charming town: Visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany’s Fairy Tale Gem.
Days 7 and 8 – Nuremberg
The final destination of our Bavarian road trip was Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city. It’s perhaps best known internationally for the post–World War II trials of Nazi leaders, but its story stretches far beyond that. Nuremberg offers a blend of medieval architecture, cultural landmarks, and vibrant city life.
We spent the final days of our trip in Nuremberg. It’s a very pleasant city with a well preserved old town. Its medieval charm is complemented by a hilltop castle offering panoramic views over the rooftops, and several picturesque bridges crossing the Pegnitz River. Nuremberg old town is a great place to explore on foot, with plenty of history and character packed into a compact area.
No visit to Nuremberg is complete without exploring Nuremberg Castle, located in the heart of the old town. While much of the city is relatively flat, the castle’s fortified complex rises above the rooftops. As you walk through its inner courtyards and historic buildings, you can also enjoy sweeping views across Nuremberg’s old town.
Walking through the city, be sure to visit Albrecht Dürer’s House – the former home of the renowned Renaissance artist, and Tiergärtnertor – a 13th-century city gate with a striking tower that marks the edge of the old town.
Head to the main market square (Hauptmarkt) to see the ornate 14th-century fountain – Schöner Brunnen – a Gothic masterpiece that’s one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks
Be sure to visit Nuremberg’s key historical landmarks, including the medieval churches of St. Lorenz and St. Sebaldus, the bustling Hauptmarkt, the Gothic Frauenkirche, and architectural gems like the Mauthalle and Pellerhaus.
Read our dedicated post – One Day in Nuremberg.
Wrapping Up
After spending our final night in Nuremberg, we made our way to Munich Airport the next morning to catch our flight home. It marked the end of our 7-day Bavaria road trip itinerary – a memorable experience filled with castles, cobbled streets, scenic landscapes, and plenty of family adventures.
Our whole family thoroughly enjoyed our week in Bavaria. One week felt just right to get a real taste of this beautiful region. We loved the mix of history, nature, and fun, and I couldn’t help thinking: if I ever lived in Germany, it would definitely be in Bavaria!
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Read next – Scenic Middle Rhine cruise from Bingen to Boppard.
Great itinery and fantastic photography. We simply have to visit Bavaria one day. Thanks for the info
Definitely do! It’s a beautiful part of the country.
What I’d do for a week in Bavaria over Spring or Summer! All those palatial castle gardens, the wild flowers, and the chocolate box towns – looks like a week well-spent.
Great itinerary one to keep hold of. My son would be in his element at Legoland. The castles look beautiful
What a fabulous road trip! I did much of this previously but never managed to go to Nuremberg. I always wanted to – I hear their Christmas market is great too!
I think Christmas markets are great in practically every city in Germany :))
I never heard of Bavaria. Seems like an adventurous place to vacation. Children will have a blast at lego land. Thanks for sharing your travel experiences. 😊 ❤.