Germany Road Trip: Best Things to Do in South Germany in 6 Days
South Germany, with its moody winter weather, hanging bridges and endless mountain peaks, it is one of the most picturesque regions of Germany. If you are a fan of fairytale castles and scenic hikes you will love it! Drive along the curvy mountain roads in a 6-day road trip and discover some of the best things to do in South Germany.
Travel Guide Germany
PLACES TO VISIT IN GERMANY: 6-DAY ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
CHAPTERS
Day 1 – Visit the Fairytale-like Burg Eltz
Leave from the Netherlands, Belgium or rent a car at Frankfurt Airport, depending on what fits in your Germany route guide. Be ready to start your adventure and drive towards the insta famous Burg Eltz. We visited the castle during sunset because we were too excited to wait until the next morning. If you want the place all to yourself, we recommend going there at sunset or sunrise when it is nice and quiet and you’ll have the best light for photos.
Day 2 – Go for A Stroll on Geierlay Hanging Bridge
Geierlay hanging bridge, otherwise known as Hängeseilbrucke Geierlay, is one of the longest suspension bridges of Central Germany. No doubt, it is a worthy stopover once you’re nearby. From one of the parking places in the city center it’s a 20-minute walk to the bridge. Make sure to bring cash, since the parking machines here don’t accept cards. If you enjoy hiking, there are several other trails in the area as well. After seeing the bridge, the journey continuous to Schwangau, where you will find the beautiful Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Day 3 – Marvel at the Beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle
After a long drive and a good night sleep, wake up early to visit Neuschwanstein castle at 9am as soon as it opens. For the less mobile or non-hike fans like us, there are busses that take you all the way up to the castle for around three euros a person. Be prepared that it will be very crowded, since Neuschwanstein castle is one of the most popular attractions in this area. Trust us, the views up there and just the entire area around, will be worth it!
End the Perfect Day at Eibsee For Sunset
Once you have taken in these stunning the views, it is time to escape this buzzing attraction and head over to Grainau. Here you will witness the crystal-clear reflections of the forest and mountains on the Eibsee. Now just wait until the sunset turns the sky all pink and blue.
Day 4 – Walk the Partnachklamm Trail in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Like most places in Germany, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is home to many beautiful trails and hike or biking possibilities. This place is without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip in Germany!
The Partnachklamm trail is one we can definitely recommend. It’s a breathtaking gorge, tucked away in the mountains after a 30-minute walk from the carpark. This place can get busy in the afternoon, so we suggest to go when it opens at 8am. The entrance fee is around 6 euros a person and its cash only. Also, the gorge stays cool all year round and in winter it can be very wet! So make sure to bring a coat and bag to protect your camera gear. If you’re always cold like I am, just go in full winter mode: gloves, hat and everything! No worries, you can warm up during the three-hour drive to Berchtesgaden.
The Mountains of Berchtesgaden are Calling
Berchtesgaden National Park is right on the border of Austria, so if you have more days available add stops like Mittenwald and Innsbruck.
Day 5 – Take A Boatride And Hike in Berchtesgaden National Park
Berchtesgaden National Park is filled with stunning mountains, greenery and loads of gorgeous lakes. To get to the port where the boats leave you will have to walk around 5 minutes from the carpark. We suggest getting on the first boat in the morning to escape most of the crowds.
Out of the Wild into Munich City
All that walking and adventuring for a few days must make you crave a nice beer and good food. In Munich you will find loads of nice restaurants and plenty of options for a well-deserved night out! When visiting all the highlights, don’t skip the 306 steps up the tower for the perfect city view. In December it gets very busy in the city, so we just enjoyed the buzz with some glühwein at the Christmasmarket.
Day 6 – Last minute shopping in Munich
Munich is perfect for shopping with enough options for everyone! If you have another day to spare, we suggest spending more time in Munich. If not, it’s time for some last-minute shopping for food and drinks for the long way back so you are good to go! From Munich it will take around 7 ½ hours on the highway to get back to the Netherlands. Plenty of time to enjoy the last mountain views and coffee breaks.