We have been road tripping throughout Bavaria for a few years now, and we have identified the most stunning towns that you should add to your list of places to see.
Each town is special in its own right, but the most captivating ones are at the bottom.
I recommend picking the cities that interest you the most if you are short on time.
I didn't include Munich in this list because you are bound to visit Munich anyway.
Note, that the term “town” in this post is used to describe a larger settlement than a village, which can be a market town or a city in this case.
That said, towns have a different meaning in this region. Read my guide to understand the difference between a village, town, and city in Southern Germany.
12. Passau
A town like no-other, Passau was founded at the intersection of three major European rivers, the Danube, the Ilz and the Inn River, and it's situated right next to the Austrian border.
The colorful Venetian style old town hall and the tower are the main attractions. Twice a day, at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, you can watch and listen to the carillon.
Head to the top of the Veste Oberhaus fort for a 360-degree panoramic, unforgettable view of Passau. Here you can overlook the colorful buildings with their orange-red and turquoise roofs.
The best thing is, that Passau is near Salzburg, which is a simple day trip from the Austrian city.
11. Füssen
Füssen is a town right at the border of Austria, and it's most famously known for Germany's fairytale castle.
The Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles are situated just 3 minutes from the main city center.
Füssen itself is a colorful town, in the typical fashion of the southern German architectural style. It's perfect for a relaxed stroll.
Turn Füssen into your base if hiking and nature are your thing. Besides the fairytale castle, you can plan a visit across the border to the stunning Plansee lake.
10. Nördlingen
I count Nördlingen as an underrated destination in Southern Germany.
It is one of the few towns in Germany that is surrounded by a medieval wall, and, as a visitor, you can even walk at the top along the wall. You get the crossbow defense's view.
We loved the aesthetics of the town and the authenticity that it radiates. Tourists are rare in Nördlingen, although the town is located along the famed Romantic road.
What not many know Nördlingen is located in an area known as the Nördlinger Ries. Interestingly, medieval Bavarians literally built the settlement in an impact meteorite crater.
9. Berchtesgaden
Berchtesgaden is a district and a city, half surrounded by Austria. The area is most widely known for the stunning Berchtesgaden national park.
Visitors typically come to visit the Königssee lake, the Painter's Corner village, the gorges, and the Eagle's Nest, which was Hitler's mountaintop hideout.
Nonetheless, the city of Berchtesgaden is underrated and is well worth a visit. Here you will spot unique regional house paintings, and you can visit the castle as well.
The area has been mining salt since antiquity, and I recommend a visit to the salt mine nearby or a relaxing day at the thermal hot water springs.
8. Nuremberg
The city of Nuremberg was an important trading city during the medieval ages, but unfortunately, just like Munich, the city was razed to the ground during WWII.
Yet, the old town is still a charming place to visit, with half-timbered houses and paved bridges adding to the timeless atmosphere.
Germany's most famous Renaissance painter, Albrecht Dürrer was born and lived in Nuremberg. His house was turned into a museum dedicated to the painter.
Nuremberg is also known for the classic Christmas market, which is held every year, starting at the end of November up to the 24th of December.
On a darker note, the vast unfinished Nazi Party rally ground building with the Documentation Center is a visit worth taking to understand the history of the city.
Tip: More things to do in Nuremberg.
7. Würzburg
Würzburg's beauty is only topped by the Baroque residence palace and the wine culture of the region.
Here you have a true gem that you should visit as soon as possible if you love green vineyard views, German wine, and Baroque/ Rococo era art.
Our highlight was sipping on first class wine, enjoying the sunset while we stood on the old bridge
We loved the car-free, pedestrian-only zone and the swift, well-connected tram network. This is probably one of the best maintained cities in Bavaria, and it's not all that frequented by tourist groups.
Planning a visit? Here are more delightful attractions in Würzburg.
6. Augsburg
Augsburg has been outshined by Munich in the last few centuries, due to its proximity, but that wasn't always the case. I think it's one of the finest cities in Southern Bavaria.
Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire, is the name giver to the city, which had been created as a Roman defense settlement.
The city of Augsburg used to rule areas that surpassed today's German borders. The richest man alive, Jakob Fugger, lived in Augsburg and initiated the first-ever social housing project, which is still in place and can be visited.
Since medieval times, the city has had a brilliant water management system in place, and one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world has been taking place on the picturesque town square.
5. Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a mouthful, and that's because the town used to be two cities that were merged by Hitler just before the Winter Olympics of 1936.
Therefore, you will encounter two town centers, and both are just breathtakingly beautiful and unique.
A regional mural art form, known as Lüftlmalerei, decorated most house facades, and the details will amaze you.
Fans of this unique art form should also plan a visit to the nearby Mittenwald and Oberammergau towns.
But nature lovers won't fall short in attractions, either. Germany's highest mountain peak, the Zugspitze, and one of the most beautiful lakes, lake Eibsee, are located a few minutes from the city center.
4. Dinkelbühel
When we first visited Dinkelbühel we thought we had entered a Grimm fairytale town.
The entire town is surrounded by a medieval wall, and the colorful houses set along the paved streets all follow a recurring theme.
Here, aesthetics are on another level. Shops are not allowed to set up signboards, but instead they paint the name of the business on the house in the old German Fraktur script.
It's balm for the eyes, and that makes Dinkelbühel a unique town and a must-see for everyone looking for a town minus the tourist crowds.
3. Bamberg
I believe Bamberg is one of the last travel gems in Germany, that hasn't been discovered yet. You won't encounter mass tourism in this picture-perfect town.
The prime attraction is the old townhouse that literally was left to hang on the bridge that crosses an arm of the Regnitz river. It's definitely an iconic view to remember!
In Bamberg, mural art forms of the 18th century are juxtaposed with pure baroque and medieval architecture.
Walk across the residence hill and take in the rose gardens or go on a discovery tour in the adjoining neighborhoods where you will encounter cute pastel-colored rows of residential buildings.
Bamberg is sure to leave you impressed!
2. Regensburg
Regensburg is located to the northeast of Munich, along the Danube River.
The town is known for its well-preserved medieval core, and that makes it a must-see, especially since most medieval cities in Bavaria were destroyed during WWII.
Picture yourself walking over the old paved bridge, through the gates of the city tower towards the old town. Mural paintings and the architecture of the region will leave you in awe.
Combine a trip to Regensburg with a visit to Walhalla, a neoclassical hall of fame built by the late Bavarian king Ludwig I. The temple-like structure overlooks the Danube, and a visit there early in the morning is just priceless.
1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The most stunning town in Bavaria is, hands down, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We visited the town once in fall and in winter, and I bet it's as beautiful in spring and in the summer.
What makes it special? The well-preserved colorful half-timbered houses, the accessible medieval walls, the cobbled streets, and the overall ambiance of a true fairytale place.
But with great beauty and fame comes mass tourism, and Rothenburg hasn't been spared. We asked locals when the city was the least visited, and the consensus was January and February.
That said, the Rothenburg Christmas market is a tale in itself, and to experience it, head there on the first weekend of the Christmas market season.
Honorable Mentions
If you find yourself near any of the following towns in Bavaria, head there to visit them because they are very much underrated, lovely, and worth a trip.
- Deggendorf — Known for beer.
- Bad Tölz — A popular German serial was based on the town.
- Murnau am Staffelsee — A colorful lake market town.
- Rosenheim — You get the best local designer Trachten Dirndl and Lederhosen pants there.
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