Bavaria attractions

The colorful, detailed facades of buildings lining Ludwigstrasse—some adorned with paintings—are a main draw to this quaint road in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Small shops, restaurants, and traditional Bavarian inns also attract visitors to this cobblestone street, a pleasant place to sit back, relax and soak up the charming atmosphere.

Located in the Bavarian town of Günzburg, LEGOLAND® Germany invites visitors to explore a colorful world divided into eight theme areas with more than 50 attractions, shows, and models constructed from over 50 million LEGO® bricks. Highlights of the theme park include LEGO MINILAND, populated by famous cityscapes in miniature, plus LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, the Hyundai LEGOLAND Driving School, the Jungle X-pedition flume ride, and Captain Nick's Splash Battle. Travelers will also find a LEGO factory, aquarium, and meet-and-greets with the park dragon Olli.

A fabulous nature spot just outside Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Lake Eibsee sits at the base of Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany. This scene—the glacial lake is famous for its clear, teal waters and superb mountain backdrop—is one for the camera roll. Visitors can (and should) hike, paddle, or take the Zugspitze cable car to experience this wild German wonder.

The picturesque Old Town of Regensburg dates back over 2,000 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled beside the Danube River. This medieval beauty is steeped in history, with more than 1,500 listed buildings. Sightseers flock to see the 12th-century Stone Bridge, the Gothic masterpiece of St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Old Town Hall.

If you’re looking to explore the mountainous landscapes of the Bavarian Alps, Nationalpark Berchtesgaden is a good place to start. Sprawling over more than 80 square miles (200 square kilometers), Germany’s only alpine national park is a natural paradise of dense forests, verdant valleys, and alpine lakes set against the snow-capped skyline of the Alps.

Situated in the picturesque setting of Munich’s Old Town Hall since 1983, the Munich Toy Museum has a vast collection of vintage treasures. From model trains to Barbie dolls, teddy bears to tin toys—some pieces date back to the 1800s. Adults come for a nostalgic journey, while kids can enjoy an educational experience on toys of the past.

This historic landmark in central Augsburg may seem like an unassuming civic center from the outside, but the building is defined by its Golden Hall masterpiece. Head inside and make your way up to the second floor where the double-height ceremonial room awaits, resplendent with its coffered ceiling, murals, and golden doors that befit a grand entrance.

Rothenburg Market Square is a historical and architectural hub in the heart of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Dominated by a photogenic town hall, this vibrant square hosts markets, events, and traditional festivals throughout the year. Visitors from around the world flock to admire Renaissance architecture, soak up the fairytale atmosphere, and people-watch from cafés.

The DB Museum (German Railway Museum) in Nuremberg draws in train enthusiasts and history buffs alike. As one of the oldest railway museums in the world, it takes visitors on a journey through the evolution of rail transport. Visitors can see Germany’s oldest surviving passenger coach, a vintage train platform, and interactive exhibits such as train simulators and model railways, too.

Castle views, a party atmosphere, and baroque saint statues are all features of Würzburg’s beloved main bridge. The pedestrianized crossing, best known as the Alte Mainbrücke, has linked the altstadt (old city) to the Marienberg Fortress hill for centuries, with its original 12th-century structure replaced in the 15th century. Today it’s a popular hangout to sip Franconian wine, against a River Main backdrop.

St. Anne’s Church is an interesting historical find: An Evangelical Lutheran place of worship that dates to medieval times, yet is known for its early Renaissance architecture. Navigate your way through the cloisters before heading inside where biblical art and frescoed chapels beckon, along with the on-site Museum Lutherstiege.

This baroque Schaezlerpalais boasts art collections and gardens, but it’s the rococo ballroom that really takes the crown. A glittering affair that features mirrors, gilding, and frescoes, it was created for a visit by Marie-Antionette before her wedding and harks back to Augsburg’s 18th-century heyday.

Movie buffs and film fanatics will be in their element at Bavaria Filmstadt, a theme park set within one of Europe’s largest and most renowned film studios. Founded in 1919, the Bavarian film studio has provided the backdrop to films such as The NeverEnding Story and Asterix and Obelix vs. Cesar, and remains a working studio today.

Three islands sit in Chiemsee, the largest lake in Germany’s Bavaria: Herreninsel, Krautinsel, and Frauenchiemsee. The latter, the second-largest, is home to a Benedictine church and convent with roots that go back 1300 years. Today, the island is a popular spot thanks to its views, rich history, and community of artists and craftspeople.

Sitting at the feet of the mighty Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles is a lake that’s a lovely surprise. The Alpseebad offers clear mountain water and a backdrop that screams Bavarian beauty. Here, castled-out sightseers can wander down to the southwest end of the lake, where the private beach of Alpseebad offers up summertime swimming and mountains all around.

Lindau’s most unique historic building, the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) is a visual feast. Intricate murals and frescoes adorn its colorful facade, alongside an antique clock and sundial, while the stepped gable roof matches the pièce de résistance—a grand covered staircase that runs up to the main entrance. Whatever your preferred architectural style, there’s nothing quite like it.

Pullman City Western Town (Westernstadt Pullman City), brings the spirit of the American Wild West to the wilderness of Bavaria. Fashioned to resemble a traditional 19th-century Western town, the park offers cowboys, Indians, horses, and good old-fashioned Western entertainment.

Secluded in a basement in Regensburg Old Town is the city’s Golf Museum, a treasure trove of golfing artifacts. Among its 1,200 artifacts from the sport’s long history are the world’s oldest golf club and golf ball, both centuries old. Traditional golfing outfits and golf-themed artwork help set the mood in this cellar museum.

With nearly 25 miles (40 kilometers) of runs across four valleys, the Garmisch-Classic Ski Area offers incredible access to the Bavarian Alps. Skiers and boarders of all skill levels will find themselves careening on the slopes of three peaks, stopping for drinks at various mountain stations, and taking in some of Germany’s highest views.

One of Germany’s oldest towns, Günzburg on the Danube River traces its roots back to Roman times. Its history is best seen in its handsome old town, aka the altstadt. If you visit this pedestrian area today, you’ll stumble upon colorful medieval architecture, history-steeped streets linked to the Habsburgs, and a lively cluster of cafés and restaurants.

With four seasons of horticultural displays and more than 3,100 plant species from all corners of the globe, Augsburg Botanical Garden is a serene spot to escape the crowds of the medieval center. Slip into the fragrant rose garden, stroll around the Yoshikuni Araki-designed Japanese garden, and uncover the secrets of the medicinal garden.

Most visitors know about Germany’s age-old fairy tales and toymaking legacy, but one of the country's best-kept local secrets is its homegrown history of marionette puppetry. The country’s most famous puppet theater is the Augsburger Puppenkiste or Augsburg Puppet Chest, which has entertained German children with its live performances and filmed TV shows since 1948.

Dominating Rothenburg's bustling Market Square, St. George’s Fountain is a Renaissance masterpiece. Built in 1608, the fountain offers grandeur and symbolism with its bronze statue of St. George defeating the dragon—and draws worldwide visitors. As Rothenburg's largest fountain, it's a great photo opportunity, and there’s a replica of it at EPCOT at the Walt Disney® World Resort in Orlando.

Little, low-key, and lovely, the Alatsee is a gem of a Bavarian lake that offers a tranquil respite for locals and castle-weary sightseers from nearby Füssen. You can walk around it on a leisurely half-hour stroll, stop for a summer cool-down dip near the shore, and take a twirl on one of the rope swings.

Located within Berchtesgaden National Park, Lake Hintersee is considered one of the most picturesque highlights of southern Germany’s Bavarian Alps. Boasting crystal-clear water offset by soaring mountain peaks, this glacier-fed beauty spot is an ideal day-trip destination from Munich and Salzburg. A range of recreational opportunities are available in the area, from walking and hiking trails to seasonal boat rentals.

Tucked away in the forest, the Dinosaurier Museum Altmühltal brings extinct animals vividly to life with life-size statues of dinosaurs, mammoths, and other creatures arranged along a walking trail. Learn about dinosaurs, see fossils and skeletons, and try your hand at fossil hunting through family-friendly exhibits and activities.

Hidden away in the western Bavarian town of Leipheim, Villa Ampere is part historic landmark, part renovation project. Dating back to 1954, this former electrical transformer tower was saved from demolition by a local family in the early 2010s. The villa underwent restoration in 2014 and has been operating as lodging, an event space, and a tourist attraction ever since.

Around 500 thought-provoking works by the late Augsburg artist Wolfgang Lettl await at this popular, not-for-profit gallery in the city’s historic center. You’ll also find pieces by his son Florian Lettl—who’s often present at the museum—plus rotating special exhibits from different countries.