Exploring Bavaria: A Guide To The Region's Best Attractions

Bavaria is a mountainous region in the southeast of Germany, known for its history and culture. The area is famous for its annual festival, Oktoberfest, which draws in millions of visitors from around the world to celebrate with beer, sausage, and lederhosen. Beyond the festival, there is much to see and do in Bavaria, from the walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber to the island castle of Herrenchiemsee.

The Bavarian capital, Munich, is a great place to start. The city boasts some of the finest architecture in Europe, including Marienplatz, the city's main square, and the Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady (Frauenkirche). Munich is also home to the world's oldest science and technology museum, the Deutsche Museum.

Outside of Munich, there is plenty to explore. The Bavarian Alps offer year-round attractions, from skiing on Germany's highest peak, Zugspitze, to the historic Eagle's Nest, a mountaintop chalet and former headquarters of the Nazi party. The area is also known for its castles, including the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle.

For those looking to escape the crowds, there are many rural villages to explore, where you can experience the down-to-earth Gemütlichkeit Bavaria is famous for. Stop in a town you've never heard of, enjoy a Bavarian meal at a Gasthaus, or go for a hike in the beautiful mountains and forests.

Visit Marienplatz, Munich's main square

Marienplatz has been Munich's main square since 1158, when the city was founded. It's a great place to start your tour of the city, with many of Munich's top attractions within walking distance.

The square is named after the Mariensäule, a Marian column erected in its centre in 1638 to celebrate the end of Swedish occupation. The column is topped by a golden statue of the Virgin Mary, who is revered here as the Patrona Bavariae (Protector of Bavaria).

Today, the square is dominated by the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall). The Neues Rathaus features a stunning Neo-Gothic facade and the famous glockenspiel, which draws millions of tourists each year. The glockenspiel's 43 bells and 32 figures re-enact a historical tournament and the Schäfflertanz (cooper's dance) daily at 11 am and 12 pm, and also at 5 pm in the summer.

The Altes Rathaus, with its Medieval look, is a former government building with over 500 years of history.

Marienplatz is also a great place to sit and enjoy a coffee while watching the world go by. It's a popular meeting place and the start of the pedestrian zone, with many shops and restaurants nearby. It's also a hub for public transport, with U-Bahn and S-Bahn access.

If you're looking to do some shopping, popular streets include Kaufingerstrasse, Neuhauser Strasse, Sendlinger Strasse and Theatinerstrasse. The Fünf Höfe shopping arcades and districts are also just around the corner.

Within walking distance of Marienplatz, you'll find Maximilianstrasse, the Nationaltheater, the Münchner Kammerspiele, the Residenztheater, the Frauenkirche and the Hofbräuhaus, Munich's largest beer hall.

One of the most popular events at Marienplatz is the Christkindlmarkt, a Christmas market that opens three weeks before Christmas.

Explore the English Garden, one of Europe's biggest city parks

The Englischer Garten (or English Garden) is one of the world's largest urban public parks, even bigger than New York's Central Park. It's Munich's largest park, covering 375 hectares and stretching from the city centre to the north-eastern limits along the west bank of the Isar River.

The park was commissioned in 1789 by Elector Karl Theodor, who had inherited the throne of Bavaria reluctantly and wanted to improve the city of Munich. It was designed by Sir Benjamin Thompson (later Count Rumford) and the court gardener Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell. The name refers to its English garden form of informal landscape, a style popular in England from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century.

The park is divided into two sections: the southern part, which attracts a large number of visitors, and the northern area, the Hirschau, which is usually more peaceful. There are over 45 miles (75 km) of paths through forests, meadows and gardens.

• Monopteros: A small, temple-like Greek structure offering panoramic views over Munich.
• Chinese Tower: A 25-metre-high wooden pagoda in the style of a Chinese imperial building, designed in 1789. There's also a beer garden here, the second-largest in Munich, with 7,000 seats.
• Japanese Tea House: Built in 1972 for the Olympics, this hosts regular traditional tea ceremonies.
• Kleinhesseloher See: A lake in the middle of the park where you can take boat rides or rent a rowing or pedal boat. There's also a restaurant here, the Seehaus, which has a terrace overlooking the lake.
• Surfing waves: At the southern end of the Eisbach canal, you'll find surfing waves where expert surfers can be seen showing off their tricks.

The English Garden is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the Bavarian countryside, especially during the summer months.

Tour the Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is a fairy-tale-like castle in the village of Hohenschwangau in the Bavarian Alps. It is Germany's most popular tourist attraction, with more than 1.5 million visitors annually. The castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as the 'Fairytale King', as a personal refuge to escape public life. Ludwig was a shy king with a fascination for fairy-tale castles and a worshipper of myths. He commissioned designer Christian Jank to make a design, which was then executed by architect Eduard Riedel. The construction of the castle began in 1868 or 1869 and was opened to the public after Ludwig's death in 1886.

The castle's design was inspired by Wagner's operas, featuring images of love and guilt, repentance and redemption, and the swan as a symbol of purity and the tombs of Schwangau. The interior of the castle is lavishly decorated with a mix of medieval, Renaissance, and baroque elements. The most notable features include the Throne Room, decorated with murals depicting scenes from Wagner's operas; the Singers' Hall, adorned with paintings from German folktales; and the King's Bedroom, featuring a four-poster bed and a marble fireplace.

Neuschwanstein Castle is said to have inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. Disney visited the castle in 1935 and was so taken by it that he included a replica in the first Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 1955. The castle in Disneyland is based on the real-life Neuschwanstein Castle and is one of the park's most iconic structures.

When planning a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, it is important to note that it can only be visited through a guided tour. The tours last about 30 minutes and are available in English. Tickets for the tours can be purchased online or at the ticket centre in Hohenschwangau, but it is recommended to book in advance as there is limited availability and long waiting times during the high season. The castle is open from 9 am to 6 pm, but the last tour is at 5 pm, and it is closed on Tuesdays. It is also important to note that parking is not available near the castle, and backpacks, strollers, and baby carriers are not allowed inside.

A visit to Neuschwanstein Castle promises to be a magical experience, offering a glimpse into the world of King Ludwig II and inspiring the imagination of one of the most beloved fairy tales of all time.

Drink beer and eat sausage at Oktoberfest, the world's largest fair

Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest, a folk festival featuring a beer festival and a travelling carnival. It is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, from mid- or late September to the first Sunday in October. The festival attracts more than seven million international and national visitors at its peak.

The festival originated in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Citizens of Munich were invited to attend festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates, which were named "Theresienwiese" ("Theresa's Meadow") in honour of the Crown Princess. Horse races were held, in the tradition of the 15th-century Scharlachrennen ("Scarlet Race at Karlstor"). The decision to repeat the horse races, spectacle, and celebrations in 1811 launched what is now the annual Oktoberfest tradition.

During the event, large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed. In 2014, 7.7 million litres were served. Visitors also enjoy numerous attractions, such as amusement rides, side stalls, and games. There is also a wide variety of traditional foods available, including bratwurst, sauerkraut, apple strudel, spätzle, pretzels and German chocolate cake.

The festival is known for its beer tents, with each tent serving a different selection of beers. The Schottenhamel tent is particularly notable as no beer is allowed to be served until the Mayor of Munich taps the first keg at exactly noon on the first Saturday of the event.

If you're planning to visit Oktoberfest, make sure you book your accommodation in advance as the festival attracts millions of visitors each year. It's also worth noting that outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the festival grounds, and smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas.

Take a moment for remembrance at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is a place of remembrance, located in the Dachau East district, about 16 km (10 mi) northwest of Munich. It is open to visitors daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission is free.

The site was once the Nazis' first concentration camp, built by Heinrich Himmler in March 1933 to house political prisoners, including communists, social democrats, and dissidents. Over time, the camp's purpose expanded to include forced labour and the imprisonment of Jews, Romani, criminals, and foreign nationals from occupied countries. The camp was liberated by U.S. forces on April 29, 1945, and it is estimated that there were 32,000 documented deaths at the camp, with thousands more undocumented.

Today, the memorial site serves as a reminder of the horrors that took place during World War II. Visitors can walk through the buildings, view the crematorium and gas chamber, and learn about the camp's history through exhibits and artefacts. Audio guides are available in multiple languages, and guided tours are offered daily in English at 11 am and 1 pm.

The memorial is a solemn place that provides an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the tragic events that occurred there. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembrance and a tribute to those who lost their lives.

When visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, it is important to remember that this is a place of great tragedy and to behave respectfully. It is also essential to follow any guidelines and regulations put in place by the memorial site to ensure the preservation of this important historical site.

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