A trip to the snowy winter landscape of Bavaria is simply part of winter for us. Here you can find charming fairy tale castles, the highest mountain peaks, dreamy villages and crystal clear lakes. All garnished with a fairy tale hood of snow. Wonderful destinations in Bavaria in winter, if that is not the perfect starting point for a great winter motif.
We give you tips on the best winter activities in Bavaria from winter hiking, great ski resorts to the perfect views. All tips are suitable both for your longer winter vacation or for exciting day trips in the winter wonderland of Bavaria.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Welcome to the fairy tale castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is especially enchanting in winter. The light-colored stones and white snow make it even more romantic. This was already noticed by Walt Disney, who took the castle as a model for his logo. With a short winter hike, you can reach the fairy tale castle in about 20 minutes on foot.
But be careful: the well-maintained path leads very steeply uphill, so that even in winter you will break a sweat. Alternatively, you can take a romantic winter ride in a horse-drawn carriage. With more than 1 million visitors per year, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited sights in Germany. We recommend a guided tour, but depending on the time of day, you have to expect waiting times. We can especially recommend this winter trip.
Hohenschwangau Castle
The sister castle of Neuschwanstein
Within sight of Neuschwanstein Castle lies the less famous Hohenschwangau Castle. Yet, it is definitely worth a visit. A romantic path winds its way to the top. You need about 10 minutes. On the way and at the top you will find benches to rest, here you have an enchanting winter view. From here you can see the Villa Jägerhaus at the foot of the mountain and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings. To the right is the idyllic Alpine lake. King Ludwig II spent his childhood in this castle. A guided tour is also possible here.
Alpine lake
Winter hiking in Bavaria with a beautiful view
A winter hike around the snow-covered Alpine lake is a special experience. For the approximately 4 km you need at a comfortable pace, just under 1.5 hours. You always have a good, changing view of the Alpine lake and most of the time you can see the two royal castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau on the mountains. It is practical to combine the lake walk with a tour of the two castles.
Tip
Leave your car in the same parking lot near the royal castles and the Alpine lake, you can easily reach everything on foot from here.
Füssen in the Allgäu
Snowy alleys and starting point for all winter activities
Füssen is always attractive, but in winter the flair of the little town is especially great. When the snow-lined old town paths shimmer in the light of the streetlamps, everything feels quite homey. Admire the old town houses on a winter walk. You’re cold and hungry? Warm up in one of the many taverns. If you are there at Christmastime, don’t miss the Christmas market. Explore the winter destinations in Bavaria from Füssen and stay for a day or two.
Füssen High Castle
The High Castle in Füssen is centrally located above the old town and is easily accessible on foot when strolling through Füssen. It is highly visible and gives the town a special backdrop. The castle, which is kept white, looks particularly attractive in winter. Fancy some art? Visit a branch gallery of the Bavarian State Painting Collections here. From the gate tower you have a view of Füssen and its surroundings that is well worth seeing.
Tip
Use Füssen as a starting point for your winter vacation. This gives you the opportunity to visit several beautiful places in the Bavarian winter wonderland. We recommend the following destinations as particularly worth seeing in winter: the royal castles, the old town of Füssen with the High Castle, Lake Alpine and Lake Hopfen, Chapel St. Colomann and Lech falls.
Lech falls
Beautiful winter hike to the weir
The Lech falls is only 5 minutes away from Füssen. It offers a special natural spectacle. Over several steps, the water of the river Leche falls into the depth. If you stand on the bridge above, you have a wonderful view. If you turn and look in the other direction, you will see the green-blue water of the Lech in the Lech Gorge.
Chapel Saint Coloman
The perfect photo motif in winter
The baroque chapel Saint Coloman is also in the immediate vicinity of Füssen. You can see it standing on the plain from a distance. Due to its typical shape, it is a very popular photo motif. For a perfect photo, winter is the better season. As a background of your photo, you choose the white snow-covered mountains. If you crop the picture skillfully, the “onion” of the baroque church will reach exactly to the top of the mountains. In the other direction, the Neuschwanstein castle is in the background.
Lake Hopfensee
Enchanting views of the Allgäu mountains
The Lake Hopfensee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the East Allgäu. The view from the shore to the mountain scenery of the Alps is particularly picturesque. The lake is located only 4 km north of Füssen and has a circumference of 6.8 km.
Tip: We recommend that you park on the side of the small village of Hopfen am See. There are plenty of parking spaces here.
The village is very picturesquely situated on the lake opposite the Alpine scenery. Enjoy a winter walk along the lake. Benches around the lake invite you to linger. You can stop in at the numerous restaurants and cafés on the promenade.
Mountain peak Zugspitze
High up with the cable car directly to the skiing area
The highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze is worth a trip, especially in winter. You want to ski on the Zugspitze? Then the 2,000 m to 2,700 m high Zugspitze plateau welcomes you with a mostly snow-sure ski area and a fantastic winter backdrop. Of course, you can also enjoy the mountain scenery with more than 400 peaks when you are not skiing. Already the ride with the cable car is an experience. At 1,945 m, it bridges the world’s largest total height difference and, at 3,213 m from the support to the summit station, has the world’s longest free span.
Lake Eibsee
Natural spectacle below the Zugspitze
On the cable car ride to the top of the Zugspitze, you already have an enchanting view of the Lake Eibsee. The lake is one of the most idyllic, popular and photogenic lakes in Germany. Especially in winter, depending on the weather, it offers a magical atmosphere. We are not sure if bright blue sky, blue-green water and snowy white mountain peaks of Zugspitze massif are more beautiful or the enchanted atmosphere where fog turns everything into a blurry, morbid mood.
Partnach Gorge
Dreamlike winter sculptures
One of the most beautiful sights in Bavaria in winter is the deep gorge of Partnach Gorge a true spectacle of nature. The torrent digs up to 80 meters deep through the rocks. You can hike along the more than 700 meters long gorge. Especially in the cold season, it is recommended to wear sturdy shoes and rainproof clothing because of the splashing water. In winter, when it is cold, the splashing water drops form lots of icicles and create a fascinating ice phenomenon.
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