Germany’s Most Beautiful Region? 10 Amazing Places in Bavaria

Neuschwanstein Castle. The Bavarian Alps, Oktoberfest in Munich, Lake Königssee and Lake Chiemsee are just some of the most popular tourist attractions in Bavaria. Germany's largest federal state by area is also its most visited. We'll show you 10 Bavarian highlights from picturesque Bamberg to the Zugspitze. So, let's start in Bamberg in northern Bavaria. The old town is considered a unique masterpiece of urban architecture. It has a mix of architectural styles from the High Middle Ages to the Baroque period. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The old town is spread across seven hills, each crowned with a church earning Bamberg the nickname Franconian Rome. In Bamberg Cathedral, you'll find the Bamberg Rider, a statue dating back to the 13th century. Don't miss out on Bamberg's remarkable landmark, the old town hall, which stands right in the middle of the river. According to local legend, when the bishop refused to provide the citizens with land for the town hall, they simply built it on an artificial island. Our next stop is Nuremberg. Here, too, you'll find charming half-timbered houses, historic churches and bridges. And towering above it all is the Imperial Castle. It dates back to the 11th century and bears witness to the city's importance in the Middle Ages. For centuries, the city was a favoured residence of German kings and emperors and the site of numerous imperial diets. The clockwork figures at the Church of Our Lady depict the seven prince-electors paying homage to Emperor Charles IV. They commemorate a law that established rules for the election of the German king. And every year before Christmas, the square in front of the Church of Our Lady becomes the setting for a festive holiday event. The Christ Child appears on the balcony to officially open the Nuremberg Christkindlmarkt. And next to the Church of Our Lady, you'll find the Schöne Brunnen, or Beautiful Fountain, built in 1396. And while you're in Nuremberg, you can visit the former Nazi Party rally grounds on the outskirts of the city. The monumental Congress Hall, which was never completed, is a striking example of the Nazis' megalomania. Today, many areas of the site are in use by the city. There's also a documentation centre, where you can learn more about consequences of Nazi rule and its crimes. It also explores the special role Nuremberg played as the city of the Nazi Party rallies. The next stop on our tour of Bavaria is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a town that's popular with visitors from around the world. Rothenburg ob der Tauber has changed very little since the 13th century. With its towers, gables, gates, narrow streets and half-timbered houses, you'll hardly find a more beautiful example of typical Bavarian architecture. And by the way, the spirit of Christmas is alive here year-round at Käthe Wohlfahrts Christmas Shop. You'll find everything you could possibly need for the holiday season. Another remarkable feature of Rothenburg is its well-preserved city wall. It stretches four kilometres around the old town. For a great view, head up to the Tower of the Town Hall. From there, Rothenburg in all its splendour lies at your feet. The next stop on our tour of Bavaria is Regensburg. You can see its church long before you reach the city. It's one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in Germany. Another landmark is the Stone Bridge. It has spanned the Danube for around 900 years. For a great local snack, go to the Historische Wurstküche next to the Stone Bridge for a Bratwurst. It's fast food with a long tradition. Not far from Regensburg, you'll find one of Germany's most iconic national monuments, the Wallhalle. Since 1842, it has housed busts and memorials to honour prominent German-speaking figures, including Mozart, Beethoven, Rubens and Goethe. Bavaria's capital, Munich, should be on every trip through Bavaria. Among its many highlights are Marienplatz, the English Garden with surfers riding the waves on the Eisbach and Nymphenburg Palace. For almost 100 years, the sprawling complex served as the summer residence of the Bavarian electors and kings. Nymphenburg Palace is one of the largest palaces in Germany. For many travellers, visiting Munich during Oktoberfest is a must, although the city can definitely get crowded. Every year, around 6 million visitors flock to the Wiesn, as the world's largest folk festival is also known. Every year from mid-September to early October, you'll see plenty of Bavarian traditions, from traditional outfits to the beer tents. During Oktoberfest, you can party like a local. It doesn't get much more Bavarian than this. When in Bavaria, be sure to explore its spectacular nature, including Lake Chiemsee, southeast of Munich. The largest lake in the state is also known as the Bavarian Sea. From here, you can enjoy views of the Alps too. The so-called fairy tale king, Ludwig II, also appreciated this lake's beauty. He had one of his fantastical royal palaces built on Herren Chiemsee Island. The Herren Chiemsee Palace was inspired by the Palace of Versailles. The Hall of Mirrors, for example, is based on the one found in Versailles. The king used the palace as a residence for only a few days. He died before it was completed, and it then opened to the public as a museum. Now it's time to head into the Alps. The picturesque town of Berchtesgaden, at the foot of the Watzmann, is a good starting point. It has around 8,000 inhabitants. And you can't miss visiting Lake Hoenigsee, surrounded by steep rock faces and reaching depths of up to 190 meters. It's one of Germany's cleanest lakes. Only electric boats can operate on its waters. You can also learn more here about a dark chapter in German history. The landscape impressed Adolf Hitler too. Nearby, on the Obersalzberg, he had a mountain retreat called the Berghof built. The estate was later destroyed during the final days of the war. The Obersalzberg documentation center shows how Hitler planned prosecution, war and genocide here. Today, it serves as a place of learning and remembrance about the Nazi era. For the next scenic highlight, head to the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. On Richardstraße in the Partenkirchen district, you'll find postcard-perfect Bavarian scenery. And just outside of the town, you can hike through the Partnach Gorge. The deep, narrow gorge is one of the most impressive in Germany and is a designated natural monument. The highlight of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. A cable car takes you comfortably up to the 2,962-meter-high summit. And then at the top, you'll find Germany's only glacier ski area. In winter, the high-altitude slopes offer ideal conditions for skiing. A popular destination in Bavaria at any time of year is Neuschwanstein Castle. King Ludwig II's vision of a medieval knight's castle set against the backdrop of the Ammergau Alps. The village of Hornschwangau below attracts crowds of visitors all year round. King Ludwig II grew up not far from here. Even after becoming king, he preferred spending time in the mountains rather than at his residence in Munich. Shortly after he became king of Bavaria, he began building Neuschwanstein. But the castle was never finished. That's why the throne room still has no throne. Together with King Ludwig II's other palaces, Neuschwanstein is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The final stop on our tour of Bavaria's highlights is Oberstdorf in the Allgäu region. Germany's southernmost municipality lies at an altitude of around 800 meters. It's pure alpine bliss. In summer, you can go hiking in the Allgäu High Alps Nature Reserve. And in winter, it's time for winter sports. Here at the Schattenberg Ski Jump, the Four Hills Tournament kicks off every year. The highest ski area in the Allgäu is on the Nebelhorn Mountain at an altitude of 2,224 meters. And that brings us to the end of our tour of 10 highlights in southern Germany. Have you ever been to Bavaria? Let us know in the comments.