12 nights in Bavaria Itinerary

Posted by shrinal.patel on 10/08/25 07:41 PM

I'm visiting Germany for 4 nights and wonder if the following timeline would be good. I am having trouble deciding what to change or cut out:

Fly into Munich and stay for 4 nights (day trip to Nuremberg one day). Pick up rental car and drive to Neuschwanstein/Fussen for 1 night. 2 nights Rothenberg ob der Tauber (arrive in afternoon or evening). 2 nights Heidelberg. 2 nights Black Forest (either Baden-Baden or Freiburg im Greisgau. Drive to Frankfurt, drop off rental car and stay for 1 night before flying out.

Really struggling on having a comprehensive trip without feeling too rushed/moving around a lot (but my travel companions want to see the Black Forest which I was debating removing from the itinerary). Thanks!

Posted by Bigtyke

Greeley, co, usa

10/08/25 07:51 PM

2867 posts

A little rushed but I have enjoyed more rushed trips.

I’d do Nuremberg from Rothenburg

Posted by phred

Los Angeles

10/08/25 09:17 PM

5383 posts

You could also consider a day trip to Salzburg via train from Munich, it's pretty common and you can find Youtube videos about it.

Posted by Russ

Paradise

10/09/25 10:57 AM

7741 posts

What does "comprehensive" mean?,

If you just want variety, then split the 8 days after Munich in the German Alps and the Black Forest.

Freiburg, Baden-Baden, and Heidelberg are NOT true Black Forest towns. They are cities that do not have much to do with the BF way of life. You should stay in smaller towns to experience the traditional ways of the Black Forest. Click on links at the left side of this page:

https://www.black-forest-travel.com/typical/

Links from "Bavaria Ben" (a BF travel guru) on Black Forest accommodations in smaller, more scenic towns... his site is not active now, but you can search the inns and town names to find booking options. Numerous BF towns have lots of options like those below:

https://web.archive.org/web/20171114024858/http://www.bensbauernhof.com/blumbauernhofgutach.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20170812231922/http://www.bensbauernhof.com/rotbauernhofgutach.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20170812231847/http://www.bensbauernhof.com/hansmichelhofsimonswald.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20170917174650/http://www.bensbauernhof.com/ffjul00hansenchristenhof.html

The BF Open-Air Museum in Gutach is very worthwhile.
https://www.vogtsbauernhof.de/en

Some other BF towns worth your consideration:

Posted by geovagriffith

10/09/25 11:46 AM

9314 posts

When in the Fussen/Garmish area, consider taking the cable car up to the top of the Zugspitze.
From Fussen, you could easily do The Romantic Road up to Rothenberg ob der Tauber.

Places to stop and see:
Oberammergau-site of the famous Passion Play started in the Middle Ages.
Augsburg-a city founded over 2000 years old and worth at least a half day visit. The Cathedral has the oldest stained glass in the World. The oldest mini village for the poor about 400 yeats old is there. Also, visit the amazing City Hall.
There are several walled medieval towns similar to Rothenburg. Dinkelsbuhl is one not to miss. It is Rothenburg without the crowds.
https://www.romanticroadgermany.com

It's not too hard to see the reason for the popularity - despite the modern roots of the idea, the tour combines the historic cities of Würzburg and Augsburg with the three medieval walled towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen, and then finishes off with the tourist highlights of Neuschwanstein Castle and the Alps.