Start with two classics: the Zugspitze above and Neuschwanstein Castle below. It’s certainly no secret that both are among Bavaria’s most famous attractions – but they definitely had to be included in the ranking. The Zugspitze is Germany’s highest mountain and offers stunning panoramic views of the Bavarian landscape on clear days. Neuschwanstein Castle is pure postcard idyll, and it’s not world-famous for nothing. A true fairytale castle.
2/12 Schrecksee
Schrecksee (1813m) in the Allgäu Alps is one of the most beautiful lakes in Bavaria, but the hike there is quite difficult (17km, 7 hours of climbing time), making Schrecksee a recommended secret. It is situated in a valley of green meadows and is surrounded by steep mountains – the scenery is beautiful.
3/12 Weltenburger Enge Danube Gorge
The Danube Gorge "Weltenburger Enge" (English: Danube Gorge) is one of the most exciting landscapes in Bavaria. This is the confluence of the Danube Valley in the Bavarian region of Kelheim. It is considered a nature reserve and geological site. The scene even evokes the "Pillars of the Kings" from the Lord of the Rings universe, where the protagonists sail past the majestic statues of the kings (at the end of the first Lord of the Rings movie). It is recommended to admire the wonders of the Danube Gorge from the water – for example by boat or canoe.
4/12 Medieval houses on the rock (Tüchersfeld)
The village of Tüchersfeld is located in Franconian Switzerland, near Pottenstein. What's special: Impressive rock formations tower over medieval-style houses. It’s a sight worth seeing, and might as well have come from a fairy tale or fantasy novel.
5/12 Devil's Hole Pottensteiner Teufelshöhle
The Pottensteiner Teufelshöhle is a spectacular stalactite cave that, at three kilometres long, is the longest in Bavaria. Among other things, you can marvel at the impressive reconstruction of a bear skeleton and other bony remains. If you’re looking for spooky attractions in Bavaria, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth here.
6/12 Höllentalklamm Canyon
The Höllentalklamm gorge is equally exciting. Hiking through this stunning natural wonder is on everyone’s bucket list. The path leads through deep ravines, along the Hammerbach River, and over bridges that stretch from boulder to boulder. The Höllentalklamm in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is open from May to October – definitely worth a visit.
7/12 Würzburger Residenz
It is not without reason that the Würzburger Residenz has been compared to the Palace of Versailles near Paris. This breathtaking castle is like something out of a fairy tale, and the extensive castle park is free to visit. The Würzburg Residence should also be a World Heritage Site. The palace features elaborate Baroque ceiling frescoes, a hall of mirrors and polished chandeliers.
8/12 Röthbachfall
The Röthbachfall near Lake Königsee in the Berchtesgarden region is the largest waterfall in Germany. It is 470 meters high and is embedded in a beautiful valley. Features: Surprisingly, this natural wonder is virtually unknown and attracts nothing but tourists. Just the hike to Röthbachfall is not an easy one. After the boat ride across Lake Königssee, there is a three-kilometer hike.
9/12 The four major cities of Bavaria
These cities should not be left out in this ranking of Bavarian cities' attractions. Here we take the state capital Munich (upper left), the imperial city of Nuremberg (upper right), the World Heritage city of Regensburg (lower left) and the medieval wonder Rothenburg (lower right) as examples. Of course, there are many other cities in Bavaria that are worth seeing – but you really should visit these four.
10/12 Hohenbogen
The Hohenbogen is a mountain ridge near Cham in the Bavarian Forest. It offers several attractions at once: in addition to enjoying the breathtaking views from the ridge, you can also explore the mountain landscape by cable car. A particular highlight are the old NATO towers, which are located at the highest point of the ridge – the Schwarzriegel. A staircase is connected to the protected main tower, meaning you can climb up to the tower and enjoy stunning views of the surroundings.
11/12 Baumwipfelpfad Treetop Trail
The Baumwipfelpfad, the treetop trail in the Bavarian Forest, offers spectacular walking opportunities. As the name suggests, here one can explore the Bavarian Forest at treetop level. The tower is barrier-free and wheelchair users and parents with strollers are also welcome to explore.
12/12 Walhalla
Walhalla is located near Regensburg - one of the most important national monuments from the 19th century. Built in 1842 by King Ludwig I, it contains busts of generals, rulers, scientists and artists. From the temple you can also enjoy a magnificent view of the Oberpfälzische Upper Palatinate.
