Exploring Bavaria: Flying Into Germany's Fairy-Tale Region

Bavaria is a region in Germany that is known for its picturesque landscapes, castles, and traditional culture. The best way to explore the region is by taking a road trip on the many popular tourist routes such as the Romantic Road, the Castle Road, and the German Alpine Road.

Bavaria is home to many charming villages, medieval castles, and royal palaces. Some of the most popular attractions include the Neuschwanstein Castle, the Wieskirche Pilgrimage Church, the Linderhof Palace, and the Residenz in Munich. The region also offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and water sports.

When planning a trip to Bavaria, it is important to keep in mind that many restaurants and businesses only accept cash and are closed on Sundays. It is also customary to tip, usually around 10%. The dining culture is quite laid-back, and reservations are typically not needed.

Bavaria has a rich culinary tradition, with dishes such as Spätzle, Maultaschen, and Schweinshaxe. However, vegetarian options can be limited, so it is recommended to ask about the ingredients before ordering.

The best time to visit Bavaria is during the summer months, as the weather is mild and there are many festivals and events taking place. However, it is important to book accommodations in advance, as the region can get quite crowded during this time.

Munich

The airport is named after Franz Josef Strauss, a prominent figure in West German politics and a long-time Minister-President (Governor) of the state of Bavaria. Strauss played a key role in the development of the new airport, which is located on the territory of four different municipalities: Oberding, Hallbergmoos, Freising, and Marzling in the district of Freising.

The airport is easily accessible by road, with nearby Motorway A92 connecting to Motorway A9 and Munich's ring road, A99. There are two railway stations on the grounds of the airport: Munich Airport Terminal station, located in a tunnel beneath the central area between the two terminals, and Besucherpark station, located in the cargo and maintenance area. The airport is connected to Munich city centre by suburban railway (S-Bahn) lines S1 and S8, with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes.

In addition to its excellent transport links, Munich Airport has been recognised for its sustainability efforts, ranking among the world's top 10 airports for climate protection. The airport has a certified environmental management system and follows a "four-pillar strategy" to improve environmental protection, including the reduction of CO2 emissions and the optimisation of soil processes.

Memmingen

The airport is a low-cost alternative to Munich Airport and serves as a base for Ryanair, offering flights to European leisure and some metropolitan destinations. It handled over 2.8 million passengers in 2023.

The airport is located close to the A96 motorway and its intersection with the A7 motorway. Taxis and car-hire companies are available at counters in the terminal building. There are dedicated coach services from Memmingen Airport directly to Munich, as well as long-distance coaches to several cities within Germany and neighbouring countries. Local bus lines also connect the airport to Memmingen town centre, including Memmingen railway station, from where frequent Deutsche Bahn services depart for Munich and Augsburg.

Dachau Concentration Camp

The Dachau Concentration Camp is located on the grounds of an abandoned munitions factory about 16 km (10 mi) northwest of Munich in the state of Bavaria, in southern Germany. It was one of the first concentration camps built by Nazi Germany and the longest-running one, opening on 22 March 1933. The camp was initially intended to intern Hitler's political opponents, which consisted of communists, social democrats, and other dissidents.

The Dachau camp system grew to include nearly 100 sub-camps, which were mostly work camps or Arbeitskommandos, and were located throughout southern Germany and Austria. The Dachau complex included the prisoners' camp which occupied approximately 5 acres, and the much larger area of SS training school including barracks, factories plus other facilities of around 20 acres. The camp was about 300 m × 600 m (1,000 ft × 2,000 ft) in rectangular shape. The prisoners' entrance was secured by an iron gate with the motto "Arbeit macht frei" ("Work makes free").

The Dachau concentration camp was liberated by U.S. forces on 29 April 1945. There were about 30,000 starving prisoners in the camp at the time. There are several religious memorials within the Memorial Site, which is open to the public.

Fussen and Neuschenwenstein castle

When flying into Bavaria, Germany, you have two options: Munich or Memmingen. If you opt for a flight on a European budget airline, chances are your flight will land at Memmingen airport, 100 kms away from Munich.

Now, onto the fairytale-like town of Fussen and the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle.

Fussen and Neuschwanstein Castle

Fussen is a gorgeous town surrounded by the Alps and is just 5 km away from the Austrian border. The town is straight out of a fairytale and is a great base for exploring the legendary Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle is said to have inspired Walt Disney, and one glance at it and you can see why. The castle is surrounded by lush mountains and gorges, and its spires reach for the sky. You almost expect a Rapunzel or Cinderella to peek out of one of the ornamental windows.

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular castles in Germany, so it's best to get there early to avoid the crowds. Most guidebooks suggest walking to the Marienbrucke Bridge for a good view of the entire castle, but if you want a truly breathtaking view, continue walking past the bridge until you reach the highest vantage point in the area.

The castle was built from 1869 to 1886 and is unique in the world – it is an attraction for millions of visitors. The building was intended as a medieval knight's castle in the 12th/13th-century style. The outer facade of the gateway was completed in 1873, and the main building and the adjoining buildings were faced with Schwangau marble from the quarry at Schwansee (Swan Lake). It was modelled largely on the Wartburg in Thuringia. The castle was to consist of five buildings: the gatehouse, the Knight's Building (the main residential tract), and the keep. The original construction work lasted 17 years and had to be discontinued because of Ludwig's early death.

By the time of Ludwig's death, only a few rooms in the main residential tract had been completed: the ground floor (kitchen and adjacent rooms), the third floor (the king's apartments and the Throne Room), and the fourth floor (Singers' Hall). These rooms are richly decorated with works of art and crafts, with portrayals from the Tannhäuser saga, Lohegrin, Tristan and Isolde, the Nibelungenlied, Parzival, and the life of Walter von der Vogelweide, a medieval German lyric poet.

The castle can only be visited by a guided tour, and tickets can be purchased online or at the Ticket Center Hohenschwangau. From the ticket centre, you can reach the castle by walking, taking a shuttle bus, or riding in a horse-drawn carriage.

Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle from Fussen

Upon arrival at Fussen train station, there is a 10-minute bus ride to the bottom of Neuschwanstein Castle. Once you arrive, there is a 40-minute walk uphill to the castle, depending on your pace. Please note that the walk up can be challenging for those with walking issues, and it is best to attempt it in good weather conditions as the path is paved.

You must take a guided tour to enter the castle, and these must be booked in advance online. The tour itself is roughly 35 minutes long and is quite interesting, but some visitors have complained that it feels rushed. If you have more time, you can walk up different hills to get more panoramic views of the castle.

Tips for Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle

• It is recommended to get to the castle early to avoid the crowds and secure tickets, as they can sell out.
• The walk up to the castle can be challenging for those with walking issues, and it is best to check the weather conditions before attempting it, as the path is paved.
• You must take a guided tour to enter the castle, and these must be booked in advance online.
• If you have more time, you can walk up different hills to get more panoramic views of the castle.
• There are long queues for the castle, and it can get very crowded inside with large tour groups. If you are short on time or prefer less touristy attractions, you may want to skip this castle.
• There are strict bag policies at the castle, and you may need to leave your bag in a locker, which costs €1-2.
• There are several options for getting to the castle from Fussen, including walking, taking a bus, or riding in a horse-drawn carriage.

Ettal

In addition to the abbey, Ettal offers a variety of other attractions. The village of Oberammergau, known for its fairy-tale-like houses painted with scenes from the Brothers Grimm, is a short distance away and is a popular destination for visitors. The Partnach Gorge, a 260-foot-deep gorge with water everywhere, is also nearby and offers a unique natural wonder.

When visiting Ettal, it is important to note that many restaurants and businesses only accept cash, so it is advisable to carry cash. The dining culture is laid-back, and reservations are typically not needed. However, water and bread are not usually free in restaurants, and it is common to pay for sparkling water. For vegetarians, it may be challenging to find suitable options, as Bavarian cuisine is often heavy on meat.

Frequently asked questions