10 Must-Visit Small Towns in Bavaria
Embark on a Road Trip to the Towns of Bavaria
Small towns in Bavaria are absolutely worth visiting, especially if you want to experience alpine views, glittering lakes, and vibrant countryside. Though tourists will enjoy the massive state’s headline cities of Munich and Nuremberg, its small towns seem to have come out from the pages of a fairytale.
Medieval half-timbered houses line cobbled streets, which open out into pretty squares. In summer, colorful flowers spill out of window boxes, while winter brings a pretty dusting of snow and plenty of atmospheric Christmas markets. The surrounding countryside is an ideal playground for summer hikers and winter sports enthusiasts alike. Read on for our favorite small towns in Bavaria.
10 must-visit small towns in Bavaria
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Oberammergau
- Füssen
- Bamberg
- Dinkelsbühl
- Nördlingen
- Lindau
- Bad Kissingen
- Berchtesgaden
- Hohenschwangau
1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
A pretty walled town known for its towers
Categoría: Historia, Foto
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a medieval town in northern Bavaria, around 149 km northeast of Stuttgart. A stone wall with a covered walkway partially encloses the old town, offering views of the forested countryside. Numerous towers grace the wall, and visitors are permitted to climb Röderturm, accessed via the Rödertor gate.
Many of the town’s medieval buildings line the Plönlein, where two more historic gates flank a yellow half-timbered house. A short stroll along cobbled lanes takes you to the Marktplatz, where the town hall’s Renaissance façade garners admiring glances. Call in at the Medieval Crime Museum and the German Christmas Museum before you leave Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
2. Oberammergau
Home of the Passion Play
Categoría: Parejas, Historia
Oberammergau is an attractive town in the Bavarian Alps. It is best known for staging the Passion Play, a traditional Lent tradition that takes place every ten years. The festival dates back to a time when the plague devastated the area. In desperation, villagers vowed to perform a re-enactment of Christ’s death and resurrection in the hope that God would spare them.
Learn more about the play and see some of the props, staging, and costumes in the town’s fascinating museum. Nearby, you’ll find a cobbled square flanked by traditional chalets. In summer, admire their window boxes overflowing with red geraniums.
Oberammergau
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3. Füssen
A scenic spot on the Germany’s Romantic Road
Categoría: De aventura, Familias, Historia
Nestled in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, Füssen in the Allgäu is a charming resort town that attracts visitors year-round. In winter, people come here to ski and snowboard on Tegelberg, a mountain in the Ammergau Alps. With its proximity to the Austrian border, Füssen lies along the historic Via Claudia Augusta, a 2,000-year-old Roman road, and boasts a long history of welcoming travelers.
Dominating the town’s skyline, the gothic Hohes Schloss offers breathtaking views over the Lech River. This majestic castle is home to an impressive collection of regional art. Just a short stroll away, visit St Mang’s Abbey that invites you to explore the history of violin and lute craftsmanship, a tradition deeply rooted in Füssen’s heritage.
Füssen
4. Bamberg
An UNESCO-listed town that sprawls over seven hills
Categoría: Parejas, Historia
Bamberg, a captivating town in northern Bavaria, is situated approximately 62 km north of Nuremberg. It prospered in the 12th century, with ornate architecture serving as a testament to the wealth generated during medieval times. Thanks to its many ecclesiastical and secular buildings, the town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of Bamberg’s most iconic attractions is the frescoed town hall, dramatically positioned in the middle of the River Regnitz and accessible via two historic bridges. Another highlight is the Bamberg Cathedral, founded in the 11th century by Emperor Heinrich II. While exploring Bamberg, be sure to visit the renowned Schlenkerla brewery, where you can delve into the local tradition of smoked beer production.
Bamberg
5. Dinkelsbühl
A former free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire
Categoría: Historia, Foto
Dinkelsbühl, a picturesque Bavarian town, is perfectly nestled midway between Stuttgart and Nuremberg. Much like the more famous Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl is a charming walled settlement that attracts travelers journeying along the Romantic Road.
The old town boasts a dense concentration of half-timbered medieval buildings. Be sure to check out the Rothenburg Gate, which once housed penitentiary cells and medieval torture chambers, as well as the even older Wörnitz Tor. Continue your exploration to the nearby Nördlingen Gate that leads you to a historic mill, now transformed into a fascinating museum.
Dinkelsbühl
6. Nördlingen
A walled town forming a trio with Rothenburg and Dinkelsbühl
Categoría: Historia, Exótico
Nördlingen is a unique Bavarian town, famously built within the remnants of a meteorite crater. Parts of the rock were even used in the construction of the tower of St. George’s Church. Known affectionately as the Daniel, visitors can climb its narrow staircase to enjoy a stellar view over the old town square and surrounding half-timbered properties.
Some of the town’s buildings have a rich history of varied uses. The Klösterie, for instance, was first a monastery and then a granary, while the cloth merchants would never have guessed their trading hall would be used to host visiting dignitaries before it became a bakery. If you are a train buff, don’t miss the Bavarian Railroad Museum.
Nördlingen
7. Lindau
A lakeshore town close to Austria and Switzerland
Categoría: Familias, Historia, Foto
Lindau sits on the shore of Lake Constance, known to its German residents as the Bodensee. The old town is confined to an island, making it one of the most unique landmarks in Bavaria. Wander through its cobbled streets and you’ll soon come to the gabled town hall, built in 1422 and covered in colorfully painted murals. Nearby, the cathedral of Notre Dame is renowned for its sumptuously lavish interiors.
At the edge of Lindau’s quaint harbor, you’ll encounter two of its most iconic landmarks: the majestic statue of a lion and a historic stone lighthouse. Be sure to check out the 12th-century waterfront watchtower called the Mangturm.
Lindau
8. Bad Kissingen
A delightful spa town in the Franconia region
Categoría: Historia, De lujo
Bad Kissingen is a charming Bavarian spa town known for its mineral-rich water, which comes from several natural springs. Drinking water from the Rakoczy, Pandur, Maxbrunnen, and Kissinger Bitterwasser springs is believed to aid in digestion and promote overall wellness.
The town’s main spa complex is KissSalis Therme, which has indoor and outdoor pools. Beyond its rejuvenating waters, Bad Kissingen offers a rich historical tapestry. Explore the intriguing 12th-century ruins of Botenlauben Castle, stroll through the elegant white and green halls of the Regent building, and admire the classic architecture of the Arkadenbau.
Bad Kissingen
9. Berchtesgaden
An alpine salt-mining town with a dark past
Categoría: De aventura, Historia
Nestled right on the Austrian border, Berchtesgaden is a picturesque southern Bavarian town renowned for its stunning landscapes and historical significance. One of its most famous landmarks is the Kehlsteinhaus, also known as Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, which occupies a commanding position on a ridge overlooking the Bavarian Alps.
Berchtesgaden boasts a rich 500-year history of salt mining, so be sure to visit the Berchtesgaden Salzbergwerk. Just outside the town, the Jennerbahn gondola provides breathtaking vistas over the serene Königssee. In the warmer months, the trails of Berchtesgaden National Park beckon hikers to explore its natural beauty. Visit in winter and see the town transform into a skier’s paradise, with elevators linking it to the slopes of Obersalzburg and Rossfeld.
Berchtesgaden
10. Hohenschwangau
A castle on the shores of the Alpsee
Categoría: Historia, Foto
Hohenschwangau is where the path starts for the hike up to Neuschwanstein. This fairytale castle is said to have inspired Walt Disney, and its turrets certainly bear some resemblance to its theme park counterpart.
Hohenschwangau has its own hilltop castle, which was once the summer residence of King Ludwig II. The ornate interiors of this neo-Gothic castle are awe-inspiring. Don’t miss the change to visit the town’s Museum of the Bavarian Kings, which overlooks the breathtaking Alpsee lake and provides a captivating insight into the history of the Bavarian monarchy.
Hohenschwangau
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