Welcome to Bavaria

Bavaria is a region where life is enjoyable, with fairy-tale scenery, churches, castles and towns rising up in the middle of lush green landscapes, lakes and mountains.

Inspiration and joy of living, hospitality and traditions

Small medieval towns with strong traditions and a backdrop of mysterious forests and snow-capped peaks set the scene for discovering the Bavarian region. UNESCO world heritage sites will easily complete your experience. The bustling metropolises offer inspiration and joy of living, with a wide range of cultural activities. A region that is particularly suited to authentic culture and nature tourism.

How to discover the Bavarian region


Towns and villages 

The region is full of towns and villages that reflect their history. The inhabitants are proud of this heritage and passionately maintain local traditions and provide these towns with a strong authenticity.


The fairytale castles 

Among Germany's most popular tourist attractions, they attract huge numbers of visitors from all over the world. Their natural setting, between lakes and mountains, perched on a rocky peak, is what makes travelers dream.  


Big events 

A country of traditions, Bavaria has many festivals or major events that are organized throughout the year such as beer festivals, carnivals, marathons, traditional and folk festivals, music, Christmas markets. 


Alpine lakes 

Many lakes, among the most beautiful in Germany, whose purity of water has made them famous throughout the country. It is a stopover not to be forgotten during your stay, one of the best ways to take advantage of the relaxed lifestyle of the region. 


A region of mountains 

At the origin of many traditions, the mountain is the heart of Bavarian culture. The art of living is strongly impregnated with these landscapes and the inns offer the framework to relax while savoring local specialities.  


Interesting activities 

The big cities of the region are teeming with cultural places and activities of all kinds, but thanks to the natural setting of the region, the lakes, castles and mountains also offer very significant places to relax. 


Where to start ? not so easy...

7 regions full of wealth  

Lower Bavaria (Niederbayern) - Upper Bavaria (Oberbayern) - Lower Franconia (Unterfranken) - Upper Franconia (Oberfranken) - Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken) - Upper Palatinate (Oberpfalz) - Swabia (Schwaben)

17 fairy tale castles

16 of the most beautiful lakes in Bavaria

The 7 districts of the Bavarian region

Lower Bavaria Lower 
Bavaria is a country full of culture and history which, with its varied landscape, has not only a lot of nature to offer, but also rich cultural treasures. The pillars of Lower Bavaria are the four cities of Passau, Deggendorf, Landshut and Regensburg. Whether you are looking for a summer or winter vacation, the region offers many options to vary your stay. The thermal springs were already known to the Romans, who used them for their health. 

Upper Bavaria 
Beer mugs, lederhosen (short leather pants) and maypole (traditional dance) shape the image of Bavaria and Germany around the world. A region where tradition and modernity meet, with rustic village inns, tasty cuisine, all mixed with old customs, craft beer makers and works of art by old masters. The images of the region are dominated by mountains and lakes, but Upper Bavaria offers much more, small charming historical centers, active urban centers, but also a rich environment of landscapes, river valleys and other biotopes.

Franconia (Lower, Middle and Upper) 
The 3 districts of Franconia represent 2/3 of Bavaria, which they integrated in 1815. Almost half of this region is made up of nature parks, and there are also 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Bad Kissingen, a spa in the Rhön, the old town of Bamberg, the residence of Würzburg, the Margraves' Opera House in Bayreuth and the Upper Germanic Limes. The routes to Franconia leave an unforgettable impression, thanks to the diversity and variety of the landscape, the romantic villages and the historic towns, all elegantly integrated into the natural environment of this area.

Upper Palatinate 
Situated in the very east of Germany, it is a peripheral region, not very industrially favored, it is nevertheless classified as romantic, which makes it an ideal place for a quiet stay with the family and close to nature, the region is waiting for your visit to reveal its secrets. Unlimited vineyards make it Germany's largest wine-growing region, and countless hiking and biking trails make it an ideal place for a trip to a more than just a natural region.

Swabia 
This is an historical region in southern Germany, straddling western Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The geography of Swabia is characterised by 2 low mountain chains, the Swabian Jura and the Black Forest, although the Alps extend into Swabia. There are also some beautiful valleys like the Neckar, surrounded by vineyards. Numerous leisure and recreation options are available to visitors, such as the Altmühl river valley with the fossil quarries, the Ries geological park, the largest meteorite crater in Europe, or the idyllic Kessel valley... 

12 of the most beautiful cities in Bavaria

Munich
Munich is the most interesting city in Germany, along with Berlin, the capital. Munich It has many first-class tourist sites that attract millions of visitors every year to admire the old town, the museums and the castles. In addition to numerous festivals, parks and beer gardens (bistro where you can take a snack), there are more than a dozen interesting sites and events, including St. Mary's Square (Marienplatz), the Old Town and the English Garden, the Biergarten (open-air breweries), Nymphenburg park and palace, the food market (viktualienmarkt), the Olympic park, the beer festival, the BMW site, the museums and art galleries, the Bavarian kings' residence...

Augsburg
Founded by Emperor Augustus in the 1st century and is now the 3rd biggest Bavarian city. The old town and the splendid renaissance legacy from the past are a great pleasure for travelers. Augsburg is one of the highlights of the Romantic Road. Among the highlights are the city hall, the Cathedral, the city center, the Maximilenstraße, the Fuggerei and the lower town. 

Nuremberg
One of the most interesting cities in the region, Nuremberg is also the second biggest city in Bavaria and the capital of Franconia. Today, it is a very dynamic and flourishing city with a beautiful and picturesque medieval city center with many medieval buildings and well-preserved city ramparts. The Christmas market and the great Toy Fair is famous in the country, making it a popular winter destination. When visiting the city, don't miss the Church of Notre Dame, the medieval center, the Albrecht Dürer House, the fortifications, the imperial castle, the Reichsparteigelände, and the Court Memorial (if the hall is open).

Würzburg
Rich in architecture, Würzburg's Residence, the churches and the old town will charm the most discerning of the culture fans. The city center, a reminder of its past glory, is full of beautiful churches and palaces. The old town was even chosen for the film "The Three Musketeers", a movie that came out in 2011, in which the fortress, the old bridge and the residence can be viewed in several scenes of the film and are now part of the tourist pilgrimage. In addition to the film sights, the old town and harbor, the Neumünster collegiate church, St. Mary's chapel and St. Kilian's cathedral are all worth seeing. 

Regensburg
The town of Regensburg, which is often overlooked in favor of large cities such as Munich or Nuremberg, was the first capital of Bavaria, when Munich was only a village. Spared during the Second World War, it has preserved a complete authenticity and historic monuments, which are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A visit to the old town, the old town hall, the church of St. Peter, the museum of the castle of Thurn and Taxis as well as the historical museum are not to be skipped. 

Passau
Nicknamed the Germanic Venice, this city, on the border of 3 countries (Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic), is located at the confluence of 3 rivers (Danube, Ilz and Inn). Steeped in history and romance, Passau is a young and dynamic city which, thanks to its strategic position, played a key role in European trade in the past. From its glorious past it has inherited beautiful monuments that Napoleon classified as the most beautiful of German cities. During a visit or a stay in Passau, don't hesitate to make a short boat trip on the Danube and discover St. Stephen's Cathedral, the old town hall, the old quarters, the Oberhaus fortress and take a walk along the banks to the Dreiflusseck, the meeting point of the three rivers. 

Rothenburg ob der Tauber
A village that has preserved its medieval character and takes you back through its cobbled streets and ramparts to the time of the knights in a postcard landscape. Rothenburg ob der Tauber has become the symbol of a medieval town which attracts a lot of tourists who come to admire this emblematic landscape that, from the top of a cliff, overlooks a meander of the Tauber. Everything in the town leaves you in awe, but you should not miss the town hall, the small Plönlein square, the ramparts and the park, the imperial museum and the old craftsmen's house. You can also enjoy the delicious Schneeballen (more than 30 different types of pastry) and during the Christmas season you should visit the Christmas market and the Käthe Wohlfahrt store with its museum, the pride of Rothenburg.

Bamberg
A charming city from the past, with half timbered houses crossed by the river and the canals that give it a typical charm. The city center is architecturally very rich and Bamberg preserves more than 2,000 buildings of the time, which is why it has been listed as a historical monument by UNESCO as part of the world cultural patrimony. The city hall with its frescos on the facades is stunning, the walk on the banks of Regnitz and the Main canal is of an exceptional romanticism. The St. Peter's Cathedral and the Benedictine Abbey are also worth a visit, as are the old and new houses. 

Bavarian Folklor
Bavarian Lake
Rothenburg
Traditional dress
Munich

Oberammergau
As if lost in the Bavarian countryside, on the border with Austria, time seems to stand still in this small German village, surrounded by mountains. Oberammergau is located in a picturesque and relaxing setting, the painted facades of its chalets, the church with its bulbous bell tower and the rustic inns, all immerse us in the typical Bavarian atmosphere. The village is famous throughout Germany and beyond for its traditions in the production of wooden nativity scenes and Christmas figures. Located on one of the main tourist routes in Bavaria, near the castles of Linderhof and Neuschwanstein, the village is a relaxing stopover between two visits. 

Garmisch Partenkirchen
Garmisch Partenkirchen is a small Bavarian mountain town, and thanks to its location opposite the Zugspitze, the country's highest peak, it attracts many lovers of outdoor mountain activities. This makes Garmisch the most famous ski resort in Germany. The resort has all the stereotypes of a Bavarian village with its churches, painted chalets and roaring breweries. The funicular takes you up to the top of Germany, from where you can enjoy the view from the terrace restaurants. There are several beautiful hikes from the village, in particular the Partnach Gorge and the Eibsee. 

Berchtesgaden
In the middle of a natural park, surrounded by six large Alpine ranges, the region of Berchtesgaden offers the picturesque scenery of Bavarian mountain villages. Inhabited for more than 2,500 years, it has a rich history, but it owes its growth especially to the Augustinian monks' priory, who traded in salt. Its notoriety was then enriched by the royal family who installed their summer residence there, and it was also the holiday resort of the infamous Adolf Hitler who had built his eagle's nest there. The Marktplatz (market square) is the historic heart of the town and the castle square is full of buildings such as granaries and a beautiful row of 16th century arcades. The large nature parc and the wonderful lake Königssee offer you pleasant walks with a guaranteed natural immersion. 

Burghausen
Located on the Austrian border, the world's largest citadel stretches for more than a kilometer. Its walls, consisting of towers, machicolations and chapels, are the best example of medieval architecture. With no less than five inner courtyards and three drawbridges, it was built on a rocky spur between the Salzach River and the Wöhrsee Lake. Built by the Dukes of Bavaria in the 12th century, it had an exceptional strategic position which made it almost impregnable. The old medieval quarters of the city are also worth a visit. 

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