5 Days in Bavaria: Fairytale Towns, Castles, History + All the Beer
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There are so many beautiful places to see in Germany. It can be hard to narrow down where to go on a trip. If you’re planning a short trip I recommend focusing on one region and seeing as much as you can. One of my favorite parts of Germany is the Bavarian region located around Munich. Keep reading below for my 5 days in Germany itinerary – Bavaria edition.
Itinerary Overview:
- Day 1: Explore Munich’s Old Town
- Day 2: Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich
- Day 3: Day Trip to Dachau Memorial & a Bike Tour of Munich
- Day 4: Nuremberg
- Day 5: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
Day 1: Explore Munich
I recommend starting your trip in Munich and using it as your homebase for the first three days or so of your trip. Munich has an international airport and a major train station that is super well connected to the rest of Germany (and other major cities in Europe)
You can see my full Munich Travel Guide here for details on getting there, where to stay, best things to do, best restaurants, best spots for drinks with views, and more.
Things to do in Munich Day 1:
Explore Old Town
- Visit Marienplatz – the main square of Old Town and is one of the main areas you’ll want to spend time exploring in Munich. It’s also where you’ll see the infamous Rathaus-Glockenspiel (clock)
- See Frauenkirche or the Church of Our Lady – The church known for its two unique shaped domes is located in the center of Old Town. You can admire from the outside or pay 7.50 Euro if you want to visit the inside.
- Visit the Residenz Royal Palace & Odeonsplatz – Two other major landmarks located in the Old Town area are Residenz & Odeonsplatz
Grab a Beer at Hofbräuhaus
Hofbräuhaus is the iconic Beer Hall located right in the heart of Old Town. Grab a seat at one of the large communal tables, order a beer, make friends & enjoy the atmosphere.
Have Dinner at a Traditional Restaurant
Munich has tons of great dining options. Some of my top recommendations for a traditional meal would be:
- Augustiner-Keller Biergarten
- Steinheil
- Salzkruste
Where to Stay in Munich
If you’re willing to splurge and want to be in the heart of the action I definitely recommend staying in the Old Town area of Munich, which is where you’re likely to spend most of your time anyways. There are tons of great hotel options near the city center. My favorites are DO & CO Hotel or Platzl Hotel
For a cheaper option you can stay closer to the train station. I stayed at Eurostars Book Hotel on my recent trip to Oktoberfest and it was super convenient to both the train station (less than 5 minute walk) and the Oktoberfest grounds (less than 15 minute walk)
This neighborhood is not as nice as the Old Town area and I didn’t feel 100% safe walking around at night. Luckily, there were so many people out and about because of Oktoberfest, but in general, I’d be a little more cautious in this area.
Day 2: Day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle
Munich is a great location for taking day trips. One of my absolute favorites is Neuschwanstein Castle, the iconic castle that inspired Sleeping Beauty’s Disney castle. It’s a bit of a long day trip, so I recommend planning using most of your day to see it.
It takes over two hours each way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle, but it’s so worth it! Full details on a day trip to Neuschwanstein from Munich can be found here.
- 90 minute by car Alpseestrasse or 2 hours and ten minutes by train + bus (Train to Fussen, 73 or 78 bus to Alpseestrasse)
- From Alpseestrasse 30 minute walk to castle or you can pay to take a carriage or shuttle (10 and 3 euro round trip, respectively)
- Viewing from the outside is free and does not require a ticket
- Tickets need to be purchased in advance online to go inside (I recommend skipping the inside, the outside is what you’re there for!)
Day 3: Day Trip to Dachau Memorial & A Bike Tour of Munich
Day Trip to Dachau Memorial
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is a short day trip from Munich. It’s a powerful, impactful day trip. The sobering memorial is a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. I recommend taking this day trip from Munich and dedicating about a half a day to it. Full details can be found here.
- Dachau is reachable by train from Munich in 20 minutes
- Admission to the Memorial Site is free of charge
- Guided tours are available daily
Bike Tour of Munich & a Visit to Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm
Exploring Munich by bike is one of my favorite ways to see Munich! You’ll learn a lot about the Old Town, but also get to see a lot of the stunning English Gardens, the unique Munich river surfers and grab a stein at the infamous Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm in the English Gardens!
Day 4: Nuremberg
For your last two days I recommend heading out of Munich and into the countryside. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a great place to spend your last two nights, but on your way from Munich to Rothenburg there are a few great Bavaria spots to stop and explore.
To get to Rothenburg you can take the train through Nuremberg and Ansbach, which gives you the chance to visit both cities.
Nuremberg:
- Can be reached directly by train via Munich
- Nuremberg train station offers luggage storage which will allow you to leave your luggage and explore
- See Nuremberg Castle
- Visit Hauptmarkt
Spend the night in Nuremberg, or head to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for the night, so you can have your entire 5th day to explore there. Nuremberg has more going on in terms of restaurants and nightlife, and Rothenburg is a bit more quiet so totally up to you!
Day 5: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of my absolute favorite Bavarian towns. It’s straight out of a fairy-tale and is said to have inspired several Disney movies. It’s filled with colorful gingerbread houses & cobblestone streets encased by Medieval town walls.
Things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Wander the dreamy cobblestone streets of the Old Town
- Climb and walk around the Medieval Wall that encase the city
- Head outside the walls to get the best countryside view
- Explore the quaint shops
- Check out one of the infamous local pubs
Feel free to check out my full Germany travel guide here for details on cost, tipping & restaurants, best time to visit, getting around, safety for solo female travel, more posts of travel in Germany and more!
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I’m planning a trip to Europe, from Australia in Sept 2026 – 10 countries in 6 weeks so only able to spend 4-5 days in each country. Your 5 day itinerary sounds and looks amazing. As I scrolled I was more and more excited about what I’m going to see and what I’ll be doing…it will be a dream come true and you’ve made it so much more achievable with your detailed itinerary and recommendations. Thank you so much.
This is so nice to hear! Thank you!