This two day guide to Bavaria’s best walks you through our two day adventure of palaces, castles, country-side, and more!
We arrived in Munich, picked up the rental car, and were ready to head out into the countryside of Germany to check out some of the most pristine castles, palaces, and geographic beauties Bavaria has to offer. Follow our two-day guide to have an amazing quick trip to explore Bavaria, Germany from Munich (traveling by car)! Our trip took place in late July!
For a little bit of background on the area, all the palaces/castles we visited were either built or taken over by the Ludwig family (mostly King Ludwig II himself) – his story is quite fascinating. He sure knew how to spend Bavaria’s money!!
Bavaria’s Best Day 1
First Stop: Herrenchiemsee
We began an hour drive to reach Lake Chiemsee where the palace is located. It is a little hard to find (we drove around this giant lake aimlessly trying to find the ferry to take us to the island with the Palace)! Thanks to some friendly folk at this very cute boutique hotel, we found our way!
Check out this link for more information on Herrenchiemsee including hours and ticket info.
The ferry ride over to the island is brief but gorgeous. This was our first stop during our time in Germany and it really set the bar high! Once we got to the island we were even more impressed by the Palace and land, it didn’t feel like we were on an island!
Background of Herrenchiemsee: Construction began in 1878 and stopped when King Ludwig II died ten years later. He idolized King Louis XIV from France and this palace is a direct replica of the Palace of Versailles just outside of Paris, France.
Next Stop: Overnight Stay in Garmisch Partenkirchen
We spent quite a while enjoying the island Palace, when leaving the Palace we began our drive to our overnight stay in Garmish-Partenkirchen! It is about an hour and 40 minute drive and the views on the way are fabulous. Be sure to stop at random rivers and lakes and enjoy the scenery on the way!
We loved our stay in this quaint little city! It is a top destination for skiing in the winter and even hosted the Winter Olympics in 1936. We stayed at H+ Hotel Alpina. Fair warning- this hotel did not have air conditioning and was very hot during our July stay! But the people at the hotel were beyond friendly and it really felt like a true German experience! Another side note – not many people speak English here!
Bavaria’s Best Day 2
First Stop: Partnach Gorge
The Gorge was an incredible experience – It is a little chilly inside so bring a jacket! The Gorge was a roaring river flowing between the mountains – the noise and power rolling through was unlike anything I had ever seen. There was a small path cut into the mountain to allow visitors to get an upfront experience.
Inside the Gorge
On the other side of the Gorge, it opens up to an amazing river surrounded by mountains. You have a choice of several trials you can take up the mountain (to get to the cable car that will take you back down), so take advantage of the amazing views and spend as much time as you can! It gets hot again once you get out of the Gorge (about a 20 degree Fahrenheit difference)! Make sure you have a tank top under your jacket!
View from the cable car ride on the way down!
Next Stop: Linderhof Palace
From the gorge, it is a 40 minute drive to the next destination – the Linderhof Palace. The views surrounding Linderhof Palace are almost better than the Palace itself!!
Background of Linderhof: This Palace was originally a hunting cabin and is the smallest of Ludwig’s projects. The most impressive part of the palace is the fountain that shoots up like a geiser, 82 feet (25 meters)!! The Palace has a dumb-waiter (a table that lowered from the dining room to the kitchen below) to allow staff below to set his table and raise it back up, which was quite ahead of it’s time!
Check out this link for more information on Linderhof Palace including hours and ticket info.
Next Stop: Füssen
Leaving Linderhof, time for another 45 minute drive heading to the town of Füssen. In Füssen, there are two castles worth touring: Hohenschwangau Castle and the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. The latter is the very famous castle from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty that ultimately everyone has seen a picture of at some point. It is the definition of fairy tale and princesses and I was quite excited to see it!
The drive to Füssen is unbelievable. In fact, you drive through Austria (we didn’t even know we had left Germany), so you can mark off another country from your list! You drive right along the gorgeous lake of Plansee (if you have the time- stop and swim!).
Day 2 Cont… OR Day 3
We have Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein remaining before heading back to Munich. Depending on your schedule, you may want to spend the evening in Füssen after visiting these final palaces OR save them for the next morning and allow yourself more time in Garmisch, the Gorge, and Linderhof. It’s entirely possible to complete it all in two days (that’s what we did) but if you have the extra time – it would be worth it to allow yourself and extra day!
Here’s the link for info on tickets to both Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.
First Stop: Hohenschwangau Castle
Background of Hohenschwangau Castle: This castle was built by the father of King Ludwig II, Maximillian II. This is where King Ludwig II spent his childhood. This castle was first mentioned in 1397!! In 1549, Maximillian I (Ludwig’s great-grandfather) acquired the Castle.
View from Hohenschwangau Castle terrace overlooking Lake Alpsee.
View of Neuschwanstein from Hohenschwangau – yes they were built that close due to some family rivalry and greed!
Next stop: Neuschwanstein Castle
There is a bus that will take you up to the top where this Castle is located. You can walk it if you want but it is quite a hike! We walked back down but were glad we took the bus up. However – the bus ride is quite terrifying!!! They drive up the mountain like a race course and we were being thrown back and forth – if you are scared of heights and the feeling that you are going to fall of the mountain – walk up!
The bus will take you to a bridge (Mary’s Bridge) a little bit away from the castle so you can get the famous picture and view of the castle – like our pic below!
Background of Neuschwanstein Castle: King Ludwig started construction on Neuschwanstein in 1869. He began building after Bavaria and Austria lost a war against Prussia. He no longer was a sovereign ruler so he retreated to his own fortress! This was one of his most costly projects and was set back from a lack of funds. Out of ego – he decided to build this above his family “home” so they would look up and see his immaculate castle.
After spending as much time as you like on the bridge, you walk from the bridge to the actual entrance of the castle.
Exploring Bavaria is one of our favorite excursions we have ever done. We could have spent a week at the various lakes, palaces, and quaint towns. If you are interested in more information in regards to the country side of Bavaria – contact us through our Travel Planning page and we would be happy to answer any questions or assist planning your trip!
Back to Munich
Whether it’s late on Day 2 or afternoon of Day 3 – from Füssen, it takes about an hour and a half to get back to Munich. Our city guide for Munich will be coming soon! Here’s one of our favorite pics of the city as a sneak peak!
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~Brooke Hartman