7-Day Bavaria Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Bavaria tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaBavaria travel expert at TourRadar

• 5 Day Bavaria Itinerary, incl. Munich and Neuschwanstein Castle

  Rich Bavarian culture fills 5 days starting at Munich's Hofbräuhaus and Marienplatz. Fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle beckons, followed by choices between Zugspitze ascent or Königssee cruising, with Hotel Jedermann as home base.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arriving in Munich

    Plan for about an hour to get through baggage claim and customs at Munich Airport. A private transfer to central Munich takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. As one traveler said: "The hotel arrangements were smooth, and when complications arose (like train strikes), they kept in contact, updating us and offering alternatives."

    
  • Day 2

    Munich Walking Tour

    Start with a 2.5-hour walking tour of Munich's historic center. Meet at Marienplatz 10 minutes before the tour starts. You'll visit the Viktualienmarkt food market, Frauenkirche cathedral and the iconic Hofbräuhaus beer hall. Bring €5-10 cash per person to tip your guide. A past visitor noted: "It was an organized way to get to know Germany, though keep coins handy for public restrooms - our first adventure with paying for a WC was a bit dramatic!"

    
  • Day 3

    Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trip

    Take an early train from Munich's main station to Füssen. The ride takes 2 hours. From Füssen catch the local bus to Hohenschwangau village. Book your castle entry time ahead since afternoon slots usually have shorter lines. The walk up to the castle takes 30-40 minutes. Wear good walking shoes and bring water. If you need it there's a shuttle bus up for €3. The best photos are from Marienbrücke bridge but expect to wait in line during busy seasons.

    
  • Day 4

    Choose Your Alpine Adventure

    Option 1 - Zugspitze: Take an 80-minute train ride to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The cable car to Germany's highest peak costs about €60. Go early before afternoon clouds roll in. Option 2 - Königssee: Take a 2.5-hour train to Berchtesgaden then bus to the lake. The boat ride costs €25 and gives you amazing views of the Berchtesgaden Alps. Sit on the right side to get the best photos of St. Bartholomä Church. The boat guides do a traditional trumpet echo demonstration and the middle seats offer the best sound.

    
  • Day 5

    Departure

    Schedule your transfer pickup 3 hours before your flight. Add 30 minutes if you're traveling during rush hour (7-9 AM). Pack any heavy shopping in checked bags since carry-on rules are strict at Munich Airport.

    

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• 6 Day Germany Christmas Markets Itinerary, incl. Frankfurt and Nuremberg

  Sail the Main River aboard an Avalon Suite Ship for 6 days, visiting 4 historic German cities during their Christmas market season. See Würzburg's baroque Bishop's Residence with the world's largest ceiling fresco, then tour UNESCO-listed Bamberg's life-size nativity scenes and Nuremberg's famous Christkindlesmarkt.

  

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  • Day 1

    Frankfurt

    Get to Frankfurt before 3 PM to board your river ship and settle in. If you arrive early, visit the city's Christmas market at Römerberg square, which features over 200 stalls. If you have luggage, take a taxi from the airport to the dock instead of public transport - Frankfurt's stations can be tricky to navigate.

    
  • Day 2

    Main River Village

    Start your day with a guided walk through a traditional Main River village (usually Miltenberg). You'll see half-timbered houses decorated for the holidays. Wear shoes with good grip since the cobblestone streets can be slippery in winter. In the afternoon, find a good spot by the window in the lounge to watch festively decorated villages as you cruise by.

    
  • Day 3

    Würzburg

    Würzburg, the "Pearl of the Romantic Road," offers an excellent Christmas market experience. Visit the UNESCO-listed Residenz palace early in the morning to beat the crowds - you won't want to miss the stunning ceiling fresco in the staircase. The market runs from 10 AM to 8 PM. As one visitor shared: "Don't miss trying the local Franconian glühwein served in blue and white pottery mugs - it's spicier and more complex than regular mulled wine."

    
  • Day 4

    Bamberg

    Start with an onboard lecture about Christmas traditions before arriving in UNESCO-listed Bamberg. The town features a special nativity scene route with over 40 displays - get a map from the tourist office. While the Christmas market in Maxplatz square is smaller, it feels very authentic. Make sure to try the local smoked beer (Rauchbier). Note that market stalls begin closing around 7 PM, so plan your dinner timing carefully.

    
  • Day 5

    Nuremberg

    Nuremberg has Germany's most famous Christmas market. Spend your morning at the Nazi Rally Grounds or medieval castle, then head to the main market after 2 PM when crowds start thinning out. Look for traditional ornaments and toys in the authentic crafts section. For the famous Nuremberg bratwurst, check the stands on the market's edges to avoid long lines.

    
  • Day 6

    Nuremberg Departure

    The cruise ends after breakfast. If you have time before your flight, store your bags at the train station and enjoy a final morning at the market, which opens at 10 AM. Regular direct trains run to Frankfurt Airport (2.5 hours) or Munich Airport (2 hours).

    

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• Main River biketour | Self-guided | Würzburg to Frankfurt

  Rolling vineyards and medieval towns mark this 236km journey from Würzburg to Frankfurt over 7 days. UNESCO sites and historic Miltenberg highlight the route, with 3-4 star hotels providing comfortable accommodations.

  

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  • Wurzburg Germany

    21 mi

  • Lohr a. Main Germany

    16 mi

  • Wertheim Germany

    12 mi

  • Miltenberg Germany

    19 mi

  • Aschaffenburg Germany

    22 mi

  • Frankfurt-am-Main Germany

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