Medieval towns around Munich

What most people call "medieval" usually dates from no earlier than the 17th century in Germany, BTW... the only buildings that are usually older are churches, monasteries and castles (which have usually undergone heavy refurbishment through the ages).

But anyway... the type of architecture you're talking about (Fachwerk) is pretty rare in southern (Upper) Bavaria. Fachwerk is mostly found in central and SW Germany. More native to Upper Bavaria are brightly painted buildings with thick stone walls... like this, for example. If you wanted to substitute the latter example, you could check out Erding, Freising, Landshut, Passau, Burghausen, Rosenheim or Memmingen. Of these examples, though, only Memmingen maintains remnants of it's defensive wall. I'm not aware of any other walled towns in southern Bavaria.

Or, if you're looking for cheery chalet-style houses covered in folk art frescos, head toward the Alps Oberammergau, Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald or Berchtesgaden.

Perhaps head over to Regensburg? Only an hour by train from Munich, it is a lovely, ancient city with quite a bit of fachwerk, as well as Roman walls.

Thanks Tom, that's helpful even if it has me confused even more now! Can't figure which of the two to let go - the Fachwerk architecture or the folksy colourful kind, though I am still sort of pulled towards the former.

If you had to pick one place for me to head to see some of it and maybe even spend a night, which one would it be? Regensburg looks quite pretty too! This is what's crazy about Europe I suppose, one needs a lifetime to figure which parts of it are your favourites and you'll still come away uncertain :)

Nördlingen, on the Romantic Road south of Rothenburg, has an almost complete wall with a Wehrgang you can walk on, and many Fachwerk buildings. It's accessible in about an hour north by rail from Augsburg.

Kaufbeuren and Füssen also have remnants of their medieval walls.

If you rent a car, an hour north of Munich is the town of Greding. It was always a favorite lunch stop of mine. The town has over 1km of its town wall still standing with several towers and a gatehouse. Alternatively, Wasserburg am Inn east of Munich is a quaint little town built on a sharp bend on the Inn River and has many medieval buildings

If you are traveling by train I would suggest Regenburg.

DJ

Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval buildings. It has become a favorite of ours for the Cathedral and the old town layout. It is a university town with a wealth of services not a village. We like it for its variety and importance to the history of Bavaria.

Another vote for Regensburg. Easy train trip from Munich and I loved walking around there. The cathedral there is really nice, if you like church buildings.

The state of Bavaria has perhaps the best rail network in Europe, if not the world. There are 5400 rail stations in Germany, about one for every 10 sq miles. If you are reasonably healthy, there is absolutely no reason to rent a car. I've spent about 2 months total traveling in Bavaria, getting to everywhere of interest, without ever needing a car.

Use the German Rail schedule website to find connections.

Thanks much folks! Have been on the road and therefore haven't had time to reply :)

I've decided to go ahead and spend a night at Regensburg, especially given the convenience of time it affords me from Munich. Europe is too pretty to pick one place over the other, but one has to tell oneself to be practical :)

That said - happy for any of you to share any particular places I could check out in Regensburg (I'm a photographer, and would be grateful for any specific spots you recommend).

Cheers!

For good photos so much depends on your tastes.

If you want elevated views of the river, try the UNESCO museum from which you can climb the Steinerne bridge tower.

https://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Other-3/Regensburg/i-ZL5Pb2H/0/M/IMG_5160-M.jpg

The cathedral (Dom) might be the most photogenic sight but luck plays a big role.

https://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Other-3/Regensburg/i-KN9GfrM/0/M/IMG_5189-M.jpg

I am the typical poorly-prepared smart phone photographer. Just walking around Regensburg with its many churches and alleys usually gives me plenty pictures to bring home and show. It is a beautiful town.

https://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Germany2012-1/Regensburg-2012/22324724_Jmq3LT

My best photos of Regensburg are just from wandering around from one little square to another and photographing the people enjoying them and the wonderful buildings surrounding them. And the cathedral of course.