Exploring Bavaria: Best Times To Visit Germany's Gem

Bavaria is a beautiful region in Germany, known for its pristine countryside, clean air, and wealth of culture. The best time to visit depends on what you're looking for. If you're after warm weather and long days, the months between May and September are ideal. June, July, and August are the hottest months, with temperatures reaching the high 80s in cities like Berlin and Frankfurt. However, if you're interested in winter sports and activities, the cold months of December to February might be more suitable. Bavaria is a popular destination for skiing and sledding, and the Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Dresden, and Berlin are also worth experiencing. For those who want to avoid the crowds and high prices of peak season, the months of April, May, and October offer milder weather and fewer tourists. Ultimately, the best time to visit Bavaria depends on your preferences and the activities you plan to engage in during your trip.

Bavaria in winter

Where to Stay

Bavaria is a large region, and you can choose to stay in either the eastern or western part, centred around Berchtesgaden or Garmisch-Partenkirchen, respectively. Both towns make great bases for exploring the area. Alternatively, if you prefer a more urban setting, you can stay in Munich and take day trips to the surrounding areas.

Things to Do

Neuschwanstein Castle

This fairy-tale castle, which inspired Disney's Cinderella, is a must-visit during winter. Covered in snow, it looks even more enchanting and romantic. You can reach it by public transit or a guided tour from Munich. The nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, often overlooked, is also worth a visit and offers a beautiful winter view.

Zugspitze

Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain, is a popular skiing and sledding spot. You can take a cable car up to the top to enjoy breathtaking views of the Alpine landscape. The ski area usually has plenty of snow, and there are also restaurants where you can warm up and enjoy the scenery.

Königssee

This picturesque lake, surrounded by mountains, offers several breathtaking hikes. You can take a boat ride to St. Bartholomew's guesthouse on the opposite shore or hike to viewpoints like Malerwinkel and Archenkanzel for stunning photos.

Christmas Markets

Bavaria's Christmas markets are a highlight of the winter season. You'll find everything from traditional bratwurst and mulled wine to unique local crafts. The markets in Füssen, Munich, and Berchtesgaden are particularly charming.

Winter Hiking

Bavaria offers numerous winter hiking trails, ranging from relaxed walks to challenging treks. Hike around the snow-covered Alpine lake near Neuschwanstein Castle, or explore the Partnach Gorge, where you'll find a natural spectacle of icicles and frozen waterfalls.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

This resort town is a great base for exploring Bavaria. It hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics, and you can still see the stadium and monumental sculptures of athletes. The town also offers excellent dining options, such as Husar, where you can indulge in delicious veal schnitzel and confit of quail.

Linderhof Palace

Linderhof Palace, a favourite home of King Ludwig II, is a beautiful Rococo palace in the Bavarian Alps. The extensive formal gardens and the unique Venus Grotto, a man-made stalactite cave, are definitely worth exploring.

Füssen

Füssen is a charming town that becomes even more attractive in winter. Stroll through the snowy alleys of the old town, admire the illuminated old town houses, and warm up in one of the taverns. Don't miss the Christmas market if you're visiting during the holiday season.

Practical Tips

When visiting Bavaria in winter, make sure to pack warm clothes, including a hat, scarf, winter coat, wool socks, and waterproof boots. Crampons or spikes for your shoes are also recommended for hiking on icy trails. Remember that it gets dark early in winter, so plan your activities accordingly to make the most of the daylight hours.

Bavaria in spring

For skiers, the slopes are still perfectly groomed, and the cross-country tracks are still open in the Allgäu, Ammergau, Berchtesgaden and Chiemgau Alps, and on the Arber in the Bavarian Forest. The ski season lasts until April, and snow fans can enjoy the contrast of the powerful spring sun. Once the coldest part of the year is over, snowshoeing and sleigh riding can be more enjoyable in milder temperatures.

For those who prefer not to ski, hiking and biking are ideal in spring. The white-capped mountains can be enjoyed from the plains, and there are routes along the Bavarian Lakes, rivers, and valleys. By mid-May, the last of the snow has melted, and the alps are in full bloom.

Bavarian culture is also on full display in spring. There are many customs maintained during Easter, such as the washing of the feet in Catholic churches on Maundy Thursday, and the Good Friday Procession in Lohr on the River Main. There are also many pilgrimages on horseback, called 'Umritte' (Rides). The most well-known is the Georgiritt (George's Ride) in Traunstein, which ends with a sword dance by men dressed as historical lansquenets.

Bavaria's famous lakes are also a big draw in spring, with cruise lines resuming operation, and the first regattas of the year taking place from the end of April.

For foodies, spring is a great time to sample the regional produce. Restaurants and inns use local ingredients, such as asparagus from Abensberg and Schrobenhausen, wild garlic from the forests, fish from the lakes and rivers, and poultry from regional farms.

Spring is also a good time to visit the Bavarian cities. Munich, for example, shines during the spring months, with great weather and a packed calendar of festivals and concerts. The spring months are also a good time to visit the southern German state's capital, Munich, which is famous for its mix of traditional Bavarian culture and modern living. The city's unique contemporary architecture sits alongside grand avenues, first-class museums, and baroque palaces.

Bavaria in summer

Things to do

Bavaria is home to some of the most beautiful lakes in Germany, including Eibsee, which is known for its incredible colour. Here, you can rent a paddleboard or kayak and explore the lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and wildflowers. Another lake worth visiting is Schliersee, where you can try stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, or even horse riding at sunset.

For a bird's-eye view of the region, take the cable car up to Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. At 2,962 metres above sea level, make sure to bring warm clothes to enjoy the three glaciers and sun loungers at the top. If you're feeling adventurous, there are toboggans that will take you down to Germany's highest church.

No trip to Bavaria would be complete without a visit to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle. This 14th-century castle is set high on a hill near the town of Füssen. Go early to beat the crowds and get your tickets in the village of Hohenschwangau. After exploring the castle, head to the nearby village of Hopfensee for a peaceful lunch overlooking the warmest lake in the upper Bavarian Alps.

If you're looking for a challenge, try hiking through the Bavarian Alps. The trails offer lush green meadows, friendly cows, and stunning views. Just remember to bring cash, as many alpine huts only accept cash payments.

Where to stay

Karma Bavaria in Schliersee is a beautiful hotel where you can enjoy traditional Bavarian food while watching the sunset. It also offers a spa and a pool, making it perfect for families and couples.

Food and drink

Bavarian cuisine is hearty and meat-heavy, with dishes like Schweinshaxe (roasted pork hock) and Schwäbische Kasspatzle (cheesy pasta with crispy onions). For a true Bavarian experience, try the Schweineschnitzel (breaded pork cutlet) and don't forget to pair your meal with a glass of local beer.

Getting around

Hiring a car is the easiest way to get around Bavaria, but you can also use the reliable public transport. The 'Bavaria Ticket' offers unlimited train travel in the region at a discounted rate.

Bavaria in autumn

The best time to visit Bavaria for autumn colours is from early October to early November. In October, the larches are getting yellow, and the maple trees might be in a full yellow coat, depending on the temperatures and rain in the previous month. A good rule of thumb is that the trees get to be yellow earlier if it starts to snow or gets cold earlier.

• Ahornboden: Located in a small and beautiful valley, just a 2-hour drive from Munich. There is a small toll road that leads from the village of Hinterriß along the valley to the Großer Ahornboden, where you will find hundreds of maple trees.
• Lake Sylvenstein: On your way to Ahornboden, you will pass Lake Sylvenstein. The best place to take photos is at the bridge crossing the lake, where you can capture the bridge, the turquoise lake, and the mountains in the background.
• Neuschwanstein Castle: The fairytale castle is probably the most famous place in Bavaria, and autumn, with its red and yellow coloured trees, makes it look even more magical.
• Seebensee and Ehrwalder Sonnenspitz: Lake Seebensee is located in Ehrwald and is easy to reach by cable car and a short hike or mountain bike ride. In late October, the larches around the lake turn yellow, and the mirroring of the Zugspitze and Ehrwalder Sonnenspitze in the lake is surrounded by yellow larch trees.
• Königssee: Lake Königssee is one of the most beautiful places in Bavaria, and in autumn, when the leaves turn yellow and red, you can catch a unique atmosphere. Often, there is fog moving around the lake in the morning, creating interesting photo opportunities.
• Church St. Sebastian, Ramsau: The autumn-coloured leaves add a certain beauty to the postcard view of St. Sebastian church in Ramsau. The best views are from a bridge over the little river, where you can capture the blue river, the church, and the Latemar mountains in the background.
• Lake Hintersee: This lake is famous for the mini stone island with two little trees and the Hochkalter mountain as a backdrop. It is a nice place to take photos in the morning when the autumn light turns the trees yellow.
• Church Maria Gern, Berchtesagaden: The Watzmann and Maria Gern Church look like the perfect idyllic postcard picture. The sunrise is the best time for photos, when the mountain top of Watzmann turns bright pink in the morning light.
• Kochelsee, Boat Houses: The boat houses at Lake Kochelsee are a perfect subject for autumn photography when the morning fog still lays upon the lake, and the first sunlight turns the boathouses into a misty magical scene.
• Lake Walchensee: Lake Walchensee is a bright turquoise mountain lake just a 1.5-hour drive from Munich. The trees around the lake turn bright red and yellow in autumn, creating beautiful reflections on the lake's shores.

In addition to these natural attractions, autumn is also a great time to visit museums in Bavaria. Munich's Pinakothek museums, for example, offer an extensive collection of paintings from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, as well as other disciplines such as graphics, architecture, and design. On grey autumn days, museums can provide a great indoor activity.

Bavaria's food and drink

Bavarian cuisine is typically hearty and homely, with meat and Knödel (dumplings) featuring heavily. Due to the Alpine climate, wheat, barley, potatoes, beets, carrots, onions, and cabbage are common ingredients.

• Weißwurst ('white sausage'): A breakfast speciality, Weißwurst is a veal, pork, and bacon sausage seasoned with ginger, parsley, cardamom, lemon, and onion. It is usually served with pretzels, sweet mustard, and a wheat beer.
• Leberkäse ('liver cheese'): Despite the name, this dish contains neither liver nor cheese. It is a type of meatloaf made with beef, pork, and bacon, and often served on bread.
• Obatzda: A thick, creamy spread made with soft cheese, butter, and spices, obatzda is typically served with pretzels.
• Flädlesuppe: A light and comforting soup made with strips of savoury pancake in a clear beef broth.
• Wurstsalat: A meat salad made with strips of ham sausage, marinated with onions, salt, pepper, oil, and vinegar.
• Leberknödelsuppe ('liver dumpling soup'): Liver dumplings made with beef liver, flour, and spices, served in a clear beef broth with a side of sauerkraut.
• Schweinshaxe: A pork knuckle, marinated and slow-roasted until the skin is crispy, served with a giant potato dumpling.
• Käsespätzle: A comforting, mac and cheese-style dish made with layers of egg noodles and grated cheese, topped with fried onions.
• Schweinebraten: A traditional pork roast braised with a dark beer sauce and served with potato dumplings and sauerkraut.
• Kaiserschmarrn: Scrambled, caramelized pancakes mixed with raisins, berries, and seasonal fruit, served with apple sauce.

Bavaria is also famous for its beer. According to tradition, you must clink glasses, make eye contact, and say "Prost" ("cheers") before taking a sip. Beer has been brewed in the region since the Bronze Age, and the ancient Germans were possibly the first Europeans to do so.

Frequently asked questions