5 Days in Bavaria Germany Itinerary

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.

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

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: Stops in Nuremburg & Ansbach

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 Nuremburg and Ansbach, which gives you the chance to visit both cities.

Nuremburg:

• Can be reached directly by train via Munich
• Nuremburg train station offers luggage storage which will allow you to leave your luggage and explore
• See Nuremburg Castle
• Visit Hauptmarkt

Ansbach

Ansbach is a small, charming Bavarian town that s a bit less touristy than Rothenburg and is a nice place to spend a few hours exploring

• Can be reached directly by train via Nuremburg (and is a stop on the way to Rothenberg)
• See the charming Old Town streets strung with colorful umbrellas

From Ansbach head to Rothenber ob der Tauber for the night, so you can have your entire 5th day to explore.

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!