Bavaria is located in the southeastern region of Germany, bordering Austria and parts of the Czech Republic. From learning all about the history of the BMW auto manufacturer at the BMW Museum to taking a breathtaking boat tour along the shimmering Alpsee Lake, visitors will have the opportunity to maximize their fun in Bavaria with this detailed list of things to do.
Alpsee
Alpsee is a beautiful, shimmering lake located in southern Germany, in Bavaria’s Ostallgau District. The lake is approximately one square kilometer in size and provides about five kilometers of pristine shoreline. Nestled between heavily-wooded slopes in a region with unspoiled natural beauty, the lake offers an idyllic setting for a day of outdoor recreation. There are boat rental services available, giving visitors the unique opportunity to paddle around the lake, taking in views of wild swans, lushly forested landscape, and historic castles off in the distance. Visitors will also have the chance to hike along plenty of picturesque trails that surround the lake, providing marvelous views of the surrounding Bavarian Alps.
Alpsee, Landsberger Strabe 81, Inning/Stegen, Germany, Phone: +49-08-14-39-30-40
BMW Museum
The BMW Museum is a large automobile museum that is dedicated to the history of the auto-manufacturer, BMW. The museum is situated near the Munich Olympic Stadium, Olympiapark, and Olympiaturm, in Munich, Germany. From the very beginning, BMW had developed an awareness for its own history. From as far back as 1922, the company began displaying souvenirs that were not-for-sale within a room located inside of its Munich plant. Over time this collection has evolved into the grand museum that can be explored today, including a historical exhibition that was added in 1966. Some of the permanent exhibitions visitors can expect to see include the House of Design, House of Technology, and House of the Series.
BMW Museum, AM Olympiapark 2, Munich, Germany, Phone: +49-08-91-25-01-60-01
Chiemsee
Chiemsee, also known as the “Bavarian Sea,” is the largest lake located within the German state of Bavaria. The lake is home to three main islands – Herreninsel (the largest island), Frauenchiemsee, and the uninhabited Krautinsel, sometimes referred to as the “Cabbage Island.” On the island of Herreninsel sits an incomplete palace that was intended to be an exact replica of the Palace of Versailles, built in 1878 by King Ludwig II. Visitors can enjoy tours of this historic palace during the summer months. There are also several picturesque hiking trails all around the island of Herreninsel for visitors to explore. The lake offers the perfect setting for water activities that include boat tours, sailing, kayaking, and fishing.
Chiemsee, Bernauer Strabe 5, Prien, Germany, Phone: +49-0-80-51-96-65-80
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is a marvelous 19th-century palace that embodies Romanesque Revival architecture. The palace is located high up on a hill overlooking the village of Hohenschwangau, Germany. This incredible architectural masterpiece was originally designed and constructed to be the private hideaway of the shy King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It is now one of Germany’s main tourist attractions and receives over million visitors each year. The palace offers magnificent views over Alpsee lake and the surrounding lush green forest. The Pollat River also runs by the palace, offering stunning views of waterfalls and shallow pools. Visitors will have much to explore and photograph during their time at Neuschwanstein Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Neuschwansteinstrabe 20, Schwangau, Germany, Phone: +49-0-83-62-93-08-30
Englischer Garten
The Englischer Garten is a beautiful public park that is situated along the winding Isar River in Munich, Germany. Englischer Garten got its start in the year of 1789, after Elector Carl Theodor ordered there be a public park established along the river. The project was overseen by a Briton named Benjamin Thompson; and the park was given its name because of the similarities to English country parks. Today the park offers a wonderful setting for numerous leisure and recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy cycling, walking, and jogging along the park’s 48.5-mile network of paths. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take in breathtaking views of Munich on a hill near the park’s Monopteros.
Englischer Garten, Marienplatz 8, Munich, Germany, Phone: +49-89-23-39-65-00
Herrenchiemsee, Bavaria
Herrenchiemsee is a large complex of royal structures on the island of Herreninsel in Chiemsee Lake, Bavaria, Germany. Herrenchiemsee Abbey, also known as the Old Palace, was originally a Benedictine monastery. Over time the monastery was eventually converted into the private residence of King Ludwig II, and is where he resided as her overlooked the construction of the New Palace. The New Palace was meant to resemble the likings of the Palace of Versailles, although the construction never finished. Visitors can now take tours of these marvelous structures, learning all about their incredible history and enjoying their impressive architectural displays. They can even enjoy horse-carriage rides between the Royal Palace and boat pier for a little added fun.
Herrenchiemsee, Chiemsee, Germany, Phone: +49-80-51-68-87-99
Hofbrauhaus am Platzl
Hofbrauhaus am Platzl is a three-story beer hall with a history that dates back to the early 16th Century in the heart of Munich, Germany. The beer hall is equipped with a plethora of historical rooms that all provide their own unique charm, as well as a Bavarian restaurant that seems to always be full of life. The vibe around the beer hall is very upbeat, people from all over the world come here to eat and drink in a historical and unforgettable setting. Some of the rooms that are ideal for conferences and festivities include the Braustuberl room, Festsaal room, Erkerzimmer room, and Wappensaal room.
Hofbrauhaus am Platzl, Platzl 9, Munich, Germany, Phone: +49-8-92-90-13-61-00
Hohenschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle, otherwise known as Schloss Hohenschwangau is a palace from the 19th century that is located in southern Germany. The palace was the residence of King Ludwig II during his childhood upbringing and was constructed by his father, King Maximillian II, both of Bavaria, Germany. There are a number of tours and attractions for visitors to both explore and enjoy, including the Neuschwanstein Castle, Museum of the Bavarian Kings, and the Hohenschwangau Castle. Both of the castles can only be toured via a guide at set admission times. The complex also features a souvenir and gift shop so visitors can purchase postcards, books and biographies relating to the royal families, nostalgic children’s books, coffee mugs, and more.
Hohenschwangau Castle, Alpseestrasse 12, Hohenshwangau, Germany, Phone: +49-0-83-62-93-08-30
Kehlsteinhaus
Kehlsteinhaus is a structure that sits on top of the Kehlstein summit, a rocky outcrop that’s situated just above the Obersalzberg, near the small town of Berchtesgaden, Germany. The building itself is from the Third Reich era, and was used exclusively for members of Hitler’s Nazi Party for social and government meetings. There are 14 documented instances of when Adolf Hitler visited this structure high up on the mountain, which he apparently didn’t like because of his complete fear of heights. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the structure and learn all about the history during those times of war, as well as how the Nazi Party operated.
Kehlsteinhaus, Oberschonauer Strasse 62, Berchtesgaden, Germany, Phone: +49-86-52-29-69
Konigssee
Konigssee is a crystal-clear, natural alpine lake that is situated within the Berchtesgaden National Park in southeast Bavaria, Germany. This beautiful lake is located just inside of the national park and is fairly easy to reach. It’s a short, 10-minute bus ride from the town to the lake’s parking lot; then about a 10-minute walk down to the lake and boat dock. Visitors can take a boat tour along the shimmering lake, enjoying breathtaking views of the tall, vertical mountain walls, and the often-photographed church of Sankt Bartholoma. Visitors will have plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation, including hiking, swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and boating.
Konigssee, Berchtesgadener Strasse 91, Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden, Germany, Phone: +49-8-65-29-68-60
