10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Bavaria

| © Mar Hernández / Culture Trip
Paula Akpan

Known as Germany’s fairytale state, Bavaria is far more than the sum of its resplendent castles and magnificent mountains.

For generations, locals have re-interpreted special Bavarian traditions by bridging the gap between the old or new – or simply, by being traditionally different. You only have to travel to destinations such as Bayreuth, Nuremberg, Munich, Füssen and Garmisch-Partenkirchen to experience this enchanting quality in Bavaria’s food scene, musical delights and authentic Bavarian stories.

The best bit? There’s a happily ever after no matter where your interests lie.

Bavarie, BMW Welt, Munich

The restaurants inside the BMW Welt are the peak of luxury

Surfing in the English Garden, Munich

It’s fair to say that surfing isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you mention Munich. Still, Germany’s third-largest city is becoming known for the daredevil surfers who tackle the fast-flowing Eisbach river whatever the weather. When spectating gets too much, grab a Stein in the park’s Biergarten or enjoy the city-wide views from the Grecian bandstand.

Visitors can ride the waves of the Eisbach – a man-made river in Munich’s English Garden

Bardentreffen, Nuremberg

There are music festivals and then there’s Bardentreffen – a grand, open-air affair that’s been held since 1976. Over 200,000 visitors descend upon the old town of Nuremberg each year to enjoy performances in front of Frauenkirche – from big names to up-and-coming musicians. The three-day programme covers all genres, so you’re guaranteed to find something to tickle your fancy.

Frauenkirche is a charming backdrop for the annual Bardentreffen festival

The Felsengange Escape Room, Nuremberg

Escape rooms are so 2019, but this one’s big on atmosphere: it’s in the Nuremberg’s medieval tunnels. The labyrinthine rock-cut cellars – originally used to store beer – provide the perfect backdrop for solving clues around the city to help you find the hidden treasure. If you’re successful, follow up with a victory Rotbier in the microbrewery on site.

Nuremberg’s medieval tunnels are great for exploring

Winter hiking, Füssen

A two-hour train hop from Munich, the so-beautiful-it-hurts Füssen is a nature lover’s dream. So grab your boots, bike or skis and take your pick from the many tree-studded mountain trails. A one-hour trek to the fairytale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau is a great way to take in the stunning views, and the satisfaction of conquering that killer gradient is unbeatable.

Consider heading outdoors in Füssen for a snowy, picture-perfect hike

Museum der Stadt Füssen, Füssen

If your legs are a bit wobbly from the mountains, stay in Füssen and wander around this little gem of a museum. Housed in a former monastery, the museum showcases the tiny town’s history as a European centre of violin and lute making. You’ll soon understand why Füssen gets dubbed the romantic soul of Bavaria when you see the lovingly restored baroque building and the fairytale library.

Pastel-coloured houses and shopfronts line the cobbled streets of Füssen

The Margravial Opera House, Bayreuth

This 1748 jewel in Bavaria’s musical crown is the most important and best-preserved example of a baroque court theatre. It reopened in 2018 after a six-year €30 million renovation restored it to its decadent former glory as one of many stunning buildings in Germany. The sheer extravagance of the OTT murals and trompe l’oeil details need to be seen to be believed.

The magnificent Margravial Opera House is Baroque architecture at its finest

Maisel’s Beer World, Bayreuth

No visit to Germany is complete without tasting the beer. At Maisel’s, possibly the world’s most diverse beer museum, you can take a tour, watch the brewing process and sample one of the 100 craft beers available in the original 1887 brewery building. If you’re here in May, check out the annual Weissbier (wheat beer) festival.

Visitors at Maisel’s Beer World can learn about 1,000 beers and over 200 breweries

‘Living Workshops’, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, can be found in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a ski town that is quickly getting an enviable reputation for its immersive ‘living workshops’. It’s full of traditional craft businesses, from bakers to ski makers, who open their doors to curious visitors, allowing them to peek behind the scenes and have a go themselves.

Coffee shop Wildkaffee Rösterei is one of the local businesses in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The panoramic views from the AlpspiX platform, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Nobody could ever accuse Garmisch-Partenkirchen of lacking spectacular views. But the AlpspiX lookout platform takes things to the next level. The 1,000-metre-high X-shaped structure extends from the cliff edge, showcasing the jaw-dropping panorama of the surrounding peaks. It’s an enjoyable experience if you can get past feeling like you’re walking on thin air.

Walking along Alpspix viewing platform isn’t for the faint-hearted – but the views make it all worthwhile

Culture, traditions, and extraordinary experiences are waiting to be discovered in Bavaria. Be inspired by visiting bavaria.by.

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