Pristine countryside, fairytale castles, and more beer than you could ever dream of – Bavaria is Germany’s crown jewel, and a destination that’s as entertaining as it is beautiful.
Though the country’s largest state is celebrated for its breathtaking scenery and rich culture, Bavaria often flies under the radar among luxury travellers. In this Bavaria travel guide, we uncover why this enchanting region deserves to top your German itinerary.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
Why visit Bavaria?
Nestled in southern Germany, bordering Austria and Czechia, Bavaria offers everything you could want from a luxury driving tour: breathtaking scenery, impeccable roads and a wealth of culinary delights.
Fairytale landscapes, ancient castles and stunning hotels
Driving through Bavaria is akin to diving into the pages of a fairytale, with rolling green hills, serene lakes and snow-capped mountains. While Switzerland garners much praise for its alpine beauty, the Bavarian alps certainly rival the Swiss, and with fewer tourists, there’s a greater sense of peace.
Bavaria also has its share of mysterious forests, while being well-positioned to explore the mystical Black Forest in the neighbouring state of Baden-Württemberg.
Of course, the Bavarian landscape is also dotted with quaint cobblestone villages and ancient castles, including the dramatic Neuschwanstein Castle – an unmissable UNESCO World Heritage site and the inspiration for Disneyland’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. Undoubtedly, it’s among the most photogenic places to visit in Bavaria.
Bavaria is also home to Schloss Elmau, an impossibly peaceful destination hotel and easily one of the finest in Germany. Hosting the G7 summit twice, this next-level Elmau Valley retreat boasts sublime beauty, opulence and entertainment, with four luxury spas, ten restaurants, two libraries, and its very own concert hall.
Bavaria isn’t as hectic as many European destinations
Away from the fun and chaos of Munich’s Oktoberfest celebrations, the rest of Bavaria often flies under the radar for many discerning travellers and, as such, is a little underrated.
Because of this, Bavaria benefits from fewer tourists compared to more popular areas such as Tuscany, Switzerland or the French Riviera. However, as more luxury travellers seek ‘off the beaten path’ experiences, the state is slowly catching up. This means there’s no better time to take a Bavaria tour – before everyone discovers it!
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Bavarian cuisine is fantastic and hugely underrated
Bavaria isn’t a prominent foodie capital of Europe, yet the state is surprisingly diverse in its culinary provision. While Italy and France typically favour their own cuisines, Germany tells a slightly different story – and nowhere is this more realised than in Bavaria.
Due to its alpine location, the Bavarian food scene naturally shows off traditional German, Italian, French and Austrian cuisines. However, it also fully embraces global cuisine, particularly in Munich. If you love punchy Asian dishes, you’ll be spoiled with the Vietnamese, Japanese and Thai eateries in the city.
World foods aside, traditional Bavarian cuisine is also prominent and a must for epicurean travellers. From pork knuckle and weisswurst to pretzels and dumplings, there’s always something in which to indulge. For the sweet tooth, try Kaiserschmarrn (emperor’s mess), which is a fun and fluffy shredded pancake dish served with apple sauce. Amusingly, it originated with the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I, who preferred to enjoy his pancake chopped up.
Of course, accompanying the food in Bavaria is arguably the best beer in the world. In Munich, beer is mandated by state law to include just four ingredients: water, hops, barley and yeast. This produces completely natural beer varieties that always hit the spot after a long day of exploring.
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Germany’s incredible driving roads
Germany is the proud home to motoring giants including Audi, Mercedes-AMG, BMW and Volkswagen – and Bavaria is at the heart of this legendary industry. With such a pedigree, it’s no surprise that German roads are so pleasurable to drive.
Germany may be famous for its ferocious Autobahn, yet the roads are just as exhilarating on the eastern side of Bavaria. Expect postcard-perfect alpine scenery in the areas around the Zugspitze (Germany’s tallest mountain), with lush rolling hills, rugged peaks and glassy lakes shimmering in the autumn sun.
Meanwhile, the country’s reputation for engineering, precision and efficiency is embodied in the quality of the roads, with substantial investment in infrastructure and regularly maintained surfaces.
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When is the best time to visit Bavaria?
Truth be told, there’s no bad time to visit Bavaria. If you want superior hiking or biking, then the late spring months (April to June) are best, while snowseekers should go from November until March.
However, we find that the very best time to visit Bavaria is in late September and October – which is exactly when we run our luxury German driving holiday. After the peak summer months (July to September), the crowds have dispersed and there’s more freedom to explore.
Of course, Oktoberfest celebrations naturally draw large crowds to the city of Munich, yet this works in our favour. We first enjoy quieter country roads and peaceful mountain retreats, before joining the city for the bustle of this famous folk festival.
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Experience Oktoberfest: the ultimate party
Oktoberfest is Bavaria’s world-famous 16-day celebration, running from the penultimate weekend of September to the first Sunday in October.
The festival is synonymous with beer, with around 6.5 million litres of Bavaria’s finest poured at the festival in 2023. Served in traditional steins, this natural beer is considered among the finest on the planet and typically served in two styles: a darker and maltier Märzen, and a lighter and hoppier Festbier, both surprisingly powerful.
While Oktoberfest has an understandably beery reputation, it’s more than a simple drinking festival. Millions of people descend on the beloved city of Munich for the celebration of traditional German folk music, culture and cuisine. You can admire the festival from above on a giant ferris wheel, take in a strongman show, ride a white-knuckle rollercoaster, and test your rhythm by dancing along to traditional Bavarian folk music.
As the world’s largest folk festival, a huge amount of planning goes into creating an unforgettable experience. From two months out, huge structures are built in a 100-acre open space called Theresienwiese, essentially creating an entire city in an urban park. By the time late September arrives, the festival can accommodate millions of visitors, each with a thirst for fun.
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Enjoy a Salzburg walking tour: the best way to kick off your Bavaria tour
Before our supercar journey and the indulgence of Oktoberfest, we begin our tour in the enchanting city of Salzburg.
You can join us a day early for an exclusive Salzburg walking tour, where you’ll experience the best of this Austrian gem along with an expert guide. Wandering through the cobblestone streets and past buzzing cafes, you’ll unveil a rich tapestry of history and culture as you encounter iconic landmarks such as the majestic Salzburg Cathedral, the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress, and even the childhood home of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Whether you’re captivated by history, fascinated by music, or drawn to the city’s timeless beauty, this city tour is an inspirational start to your German adventure.
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Visit Bavaria as part of a bucket-list luxury tour
If our Bavaria travel guide has whetted your appetite for exploration, exhilaration and a few steins of Festbier, then join us for our bucket-list German luxury supercar tour – the finest way to experience the best of Germany and Austria.
If you want to learn more about our bucket-list European experiences, speak with our friendly travel concierge team today.
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