We came to southern Germany expecting castles, beer gardens and medieval towns. We left remembering everything in between.
What we keep telling people about isn’t the two-Michelin-star dinner, though we’ll get to that. It’s cooling our feet in the river in Munich’s English Garden while families splashed around us. Eating a kilo of cherries by the water in Nuremberg. Stumbling into a traditional dance performance at the Viktualienmarkt on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. A picnic looking out over a lake in the Franconian hills, and getting thoroughly lost in Rothenburg’s alleyways after the day-trippers had gone home.
We built this southern Germany itinerary over ten days in June 2026: Munich, then Nuremberg, then two days in the countryside around Wirsberg, then Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Almost all of it by train, with one short road trip through the hills. It turned out to be an easy region to travel well, and easier than we’d expected for two people who speak no German at all.
Below is the exact route we followed. Where we stayed, where we ate, how we got around, and the practical things we learned on the way. That includes the one thing no other itinerary warned us about, which affected our trip more than any missed connection could.
Key Takeaways
- 10 days is enough to see southern Germany without rushing it. 3 days in Munich, 3 in Nuremberg, 2 in the Franconian countryside and 2 in Rothenburg offered plenty of time to relax in between.
- The route works almost entirely by train. Munich, Nuremberg and Rothenburg are all connected by rail, and we found the trains comfortable, frequent and far less stressful than driving.
- The countryside is the exception, and worth renting a car for. Once you leave the main rail lines, reaching many Franconian villages is easiest by car, and Germany’s extensive charging network makes an electric rental a practical choice.
- Summer is hotter than most visitors expect, and many hotels have no air conditioning. Be mindful of temperatures, this may impact what hotels you book and where you travel in the summer.
- Speaking German is optional. We always recommend learning a few basic phrases before travelling, but for this itinerary, we found English was more than enough in the cities, and we never had trouble communicating.
Southern Germany Itinerary at a Glance
| Duration | 10 days, 9 nights |
| Route | Munich → Nuremberg → Wirsberg (Franconia) → Rothenburg ob der Tauber |
| Start and end | Munich Airport (MUC), returning by train on the final day |
| Getting around | Trains for the whole route, plus a rental car for the Franconian countryside |
| Best months | May to June, and September to early October |
| Busiest | Late September to early October for Oktoberfest, and December for the Christmas markets |
| Best for | First-time visitors who want cities, small towns and culinary adventures in the countryside – all in one trip |
| Skip it if | You have your heart set on the Alps or Neuschwanstein, which sit well south of this route |
| Typical budget | From about €180 per day for two, mid-range, excluding flights |
Starting and finishing in Munich keeps this southern Germany itinerary simple to book. You fly in and out of one airport, and you can leave a bag at your first hotel if you want to pack light through the middle of the trip. If you have an extra day, spend it in Rothenburg.
The Southern Germany Itinerary Route
How to Get There
We flew into Munich Airport (MUC), which is well served by flights from North America and across Europe. From the airport, it’s an easy train ride into the city centre, making it a convenient starting point for this itinerary.
The S1 and S8 suburban trains both connect Munich Airport with Munich Hauptbahnhof in about 40–45 minutes and run every 10 minutes or so throughout the day. A one-way ticket costs around €15. We used a Munich City Pass, which includes airport transfers, and activated it as soon as we arrived so we could use it straight away.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is another international gateway with extensive long-haul connections. From the airport, high-speed ICE trains reach Munich in around 3.5 hours or Nuremberg in about 2 hours, making it a practical alternative if flights into Munich are limited or significantly more expensive.
Our Tip: German departure boards list a train’s final destination rather than every stop along the route, so your destination may not appear. We learned this the hard way when we couldn’t find Nuremberg on the board in Munich. Check your train number in advance using the Deutsche Bahn app or your ticket to find the correct departure.
Trains or a Car? Getting Around
Southern Germany has an excellent public transportation network, making it easy to explore most of this itinerary without a car. On our trip we used a combination of trains and one short road trip through the Franconian countryside, and found it to be the best balance of convenience and flexibility.
By Train
Germany’s rail network is fast, reliable, and well connected. We traveled between Munich, Nuremberg and the surrounding regions entirely by train. The trains had frequent departures throughout the day making the journeys easy to add to our schedule. High-speed ICE trains connect the major cities, while regional services make it easy to reach smaller towns.
Within Munich and Nuremberg, public transportation is excellent. The Munich City Pass includes unlimited travel on buses, trams, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, along with admission to more than 45 attractions. The hop-on-hop-off bus, included in the City Pass, offered a great way to get our bearings on the first day.
In Nuremberg, the Nürnberg Card includes 48 hours of unlimited public transport as well as admission to many of the city’s top museums and attractions. On our trip, it paid for itself after visiting the Imperial Castle and one museum.
By Car
A rental car isn’t necessary for Munich or Nuremberg, but it becomes much more useful once you venture into the Franconian countryside. Many of the smaller villages, wineries and rural attractions are located far away from the nearest train station, making a car the easiest way to explore at your own pace.
If you’re planning to drive, consider renting an electric vehicle. Germany has one of Europe’s best charging networks, with chargers widely available at motorway service areas and in most towns. We explored Franconia in an all-electric Porsche Macan and never had any concerns about finding a place to recharge.
It compares the local Franconian rental desks against the big international names in one search, which is where the price gap on a short countryside hire usually shows up.
You can filter for electric, most bookings are free to cancel, and you can pick up and drop off in Nuremberg
Best Time to Visit Southern Germany
Late spring and early fall generally offer the best balance of pleasant weather, longer opening hours and smaller crowds. Here’s what you can expect throughout the year.
| Season | Typical highs | Known for | Crowds and prices | Our take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | 13–20°C (55–68°F) | Beer gardens reopening, castle gardens in bloom, Tauber Valley walks | Low to moderate | The best value on this list |
| Early summer (Jun) | 20–25°C (68–77°F), higher in a heatwave | Long evenings, outdoor dining, full opening hours | Moderate | When we went, and we loved it apart from the heat |
| High summer (Jul–Aug) | 24–30°C+ (75–86°F+) | Festivals, lakes, peak daylight | High, and hotels price accordingly | Summer temperatures are often hotter than visitors expect, and many hotels still don’t have air conditioning |
| Early fall (Sep–early Oct) | 16–22°C (61–72°F) | Oktoberfest in Munich, harvest season in Franconia | Very high in Munich during Oktoberfest | Ideal weather, but book Munich months ahead |
| Late fall (late Oct–Nov) | 7–13°C (45–55°F) | Quiet towns, fall colour in the Tauber Valley | Low | Underrated if you don’t mind grey days |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | 0–6°C (32–43°F) | Christmas markets, especially Nuremberg and Rothenburg | Very high in December, low January to March | December is beautiful and expensive. January is quiet and cheap |
Days 1 to 3: Munich
Munich is the perfect place to begin this Southern Germany itinerary. The city is compact, easy to navigate and well connected by public transportation, making it an ideal place to recover from a long flight before continuing your journey.
We spent 3 days here, which gave us enough time to explore the major sights while also discovering the parks, beer gardens and neighbourhoods that make Munich feel like more than just a gateway to Bavaria.
Things to Do in Munich
Time your arrival at Marienplatz for the Glockenspiel. Marienplatz has been the heart of Munich for centuries and is where most visitors, us included, begin exploring the city. Arrive at 11:00 am or 12:00 pm to watch the famous Glockenspiel perform its daily show from the tower of the New Town Hall. The performance lasts around 15 minutes and is free to watch.
Climb the New Town Hall tower. Once the Glockenspiel finishes, head up the New Town Hall tower before the crowds disperse. A lift takes visitors most of the way to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views across Munich’s red rooftops and, on a clear day, the distant Alps. It is one of the best ways to get your bearings early in your visit.
Step inside the Frauenkirche. Just a short walk from Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche is one of Munich’s most recognizable landmarks. Its twin onion domes have become an icon of the city skyline – it’s another great place to get a panoramic view of the city.
Wander the gardens at Nymphenburg Palace. Once the summer residence of Bavaria’s royal family, Nymphenburg Palace is one of Munich’s most impressive historic attractions. While the palace interiors are worth visiting, we found ourselves spending most of our visit in the extensive gardens, which are free to explore. We ended up sitting beside one of the fountains watching ducks paddle through the water, enjoying a simple moment that became one of our favourite memories of Munich.
Skip the taxis. Munich is genuinely walkable and the trams and U-Bahn go everywhere else, so we never took one all week. A city pass, a tram map and comfortable shoes cover everything above, and the pass pays for itself in a day.
Relax in the English Garden. Larger than New York City’s Central Park, the English Garden is where locals gather to picnic, swim and unwind on warm afternoons. Bring a picnic, stroll along the river or simply find a shady spot beneath the trees. We hadn’t planned to spend much time here, but it turned into one of our favourite afternoons of the trip. We sat by the river with our feet in the water, watching families splash about and people drift downstream on the current. That afternoon we felt like more like locals than visitors in Munich.
Experience Viktualienmarkt. Munich’s famous open-air food market is a great place to sample local produce, browse specialty food stalls or enjoy a traditional Bavarian lunch in the beer garden.
During our visit, we unexpectedly stumbled across a traditional dance performance in the middle of the market. At first we assumed it was part of the everyday atmosphere, but later learned it was a special event. Seeing so many locals dressed in traditional clothing offered a small glimpse into Bavarian culture outside Oktoberfest.
Spend Time at Odeonsplatz. Located at the northern end of Ludwigstrasse, Odeonsplatz is one of Munich’s most elegant squares. Surrounded by historic buildings and cafés, it’s the perfect place to slow down with a coffee before continuing your walk through the city.
Where We Ate in Munich
- Haxnbauer – One of Munich’s best-known restaurants for traditional Bavarian cuisine, famous for its charcoal-roasted pork knuckle cooked over an open fire. If you’re only trying one classic Bavarian dish during your visit, this is an excellent place to do it.
- Augustiner Klosterwirt – A traditional Bavarian beer hall in the heart of the Old Town serving hearty regional favourites alongside Augustiner beer. It’s a great place to experience Munich’s beer hall culture in a historic setting.
- Emmi’s Brunch Club – Located near the English Garden, this popular café serves creative breakfast and brunch dishes with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. It ended up being one of our favourite meals of the trip, and we’d happily return just for breakfast.
Where We Stayed
We spent our first nights at 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, located directly opposite the Hauptbahnhof. Housed inside the former Royal Bavarian Post Office, the hotel gives new life to a historic building while making low-impact travel easy thanks to its unbeatable access to public transportation. We loved being able to step off the airport train and walk straight to the hotel, then do the same when it was time to catch our train to Nuremberg.
We also spent 2 nights at The Dean Munich over in the Westend, a quieter residential neighbourhood about 15 minutes from the centre by tram. The Dean embraces thoughtful design and is also conveniently located just steps away from public transport. If you have a few extra nights in Munich, it’s a good choice for experiencing a different side of the city away from the busiest tourist areas.
Days 4 to 6: Nuremberg
Nuremberg became one of our favourite stops on this Southern Germany itinerary. While many visitors only spend a day here, we recommend staying at least 3 days to appreciate the city’s medieval architecture, fascinating history and excellent Franconian food scene.
Compared to Munich, Nuremberg feels more relaxed, with fewer crowds and an Old Town that’s easy to explore on foot.
Getting There
The ICE from Munich Hauptbahnhof takes a little over an hour and runs regularly through the day. We took the 10:48 and were checking in before 1pm. Book a reserved seat for this leg.
Things to Do in Nuremberg
Climb to the Imperial Castle at sunset. Perched high above the Old Town, the Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg) (see map) is one of Nuremberg’s most important historic landmarks and offers some of the best views in the city. Allow a couple of hours to explore the castle grounds, museum and gardens before walking along the adjacent city walls.sits on the rock above the old town and was one of the most important fortified palaces of the Holy Roman Empire. Entry is free with the Nurnberg Card.
We walked up after a big dinner mostly to walk off the food, and got there just in time to catch the warm glow of sunset rays over the city. It ended up being one of our favourite viewpoints of the entire trip.
Linger in the Craftsmen’s Courtyard. A walled village of workshops just inside the city gate, where pewterers, potters and gingerbread bakers work in front of you. Located just inside the city walls near the main train station, the Craftsmen’s Courtyard (Handwerkerhof) recreates a traditional Franconian village filled with artisan workshops, cafés and local food vendors. Watch craftspeople at work, browse handmade souvenirs or stop for a beer and a pretzel before continuing into the Old Town.
We expected it to feel touristy but were surprised to find plenty of locals enjoying lunch there alongside visitors.
Join a Walking Tour. One of the best ways to understand Nuremberg’s history is by exploring with a local guide. We joined a tour with Claudia from CityFair – a tour that combined the city’s medieval past with its modern sustainability initiatives, introducing us to community gardens, independent shops and neighbourhoods we would never have discovered on our own.
Photograph Weissgerbergasse and the Weinmarkt. Lined with beautifully preserved half-timbered houses, Weissgerbergasse is one of the most photographed streets in Nuremberg. Visit early in the morning if you’d like to enjoy it before the crowds arrive.
Explore the Old Town Neighbourhoods with a web app. Rather than rushing between attractions, spend some time wandering through Nuremberg’s different neighbourhoods. The city’s free neighbourhood web app divides the Old Town into six distinct quarters, each highlighting local history, architecture and lesser-known points of interest. We found it added much more context to our afternoon walks through the city.
Relax Along the Pegnitz River. The banks of the Pegnitz River offer plenty of peaceful spots to sit and take a break from sightseeing. One afternoon we picked up fresh cherries from a local market stall and spent an hour by the water watching the city go by, a simple experience that became one of our favourite memories of Nuremberg.
Where We Ate in Nuremberg
- Restaurant Tisane. One of the best dining experiences we had in Germany. The open kitchen creates an intimate atmosphere where the chefs regularly interact with guests, making every table feel like the chef’s table. Expect a creative tasting menu inspired by seasonal ingredients and flavours from around the world.
- Das Steichele – A historic Franconian restaurant serving traditional regional dishes in a charming timber-framed dining room. Pair your meal with one of the excellent local Franconian wines.
- globo – A small neighbourhood restaurant offering an ever-changing seasonal menu – the dishes are colourful and full of flavours.
- Brezen Kolb – You’ll find locations throughout the city serving freshly baked Bavarian pretzels. Grab one with butter for an easy breakfast or afternoon snack.
- Frank’ness – A modern take on Franconian cuisine created by Michelin-starred chef Alexander Herrmann, featuring regional ingredients presented with contemporary flair and a great wine selection.
Where We Stayed
Located just a short walk from Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof and inside the Old Town walls, Melter Hotel & Apartments made an excellent base for exploring the city on foot. The spacious apartment-style rooms include kitchenettes, making it a comfortable choice for longer stays.
Days 7 and 8: Wirsberg and the Franconian Countryside
Upper Franconia was the biggest surprise of our Southern Germany itinerary and the stop we’d be most reluctant to skip. Located about 90 minutes north of Nuremberg, this rural region offers a completely different side of Bavaria, where rolling hills, small villages and exceptional food replace the busy streets of the larger cities.
It’s also home to one of Germany’s most exciting culinary destinations, making it well worth spending at least two days exploring.
Getting There
Upper Franconia is best explored by car, as many of the region’s villages and attractions are not easily reached by public transportation. We traveled from Nuremberg by shuttle in about 90 minutes organized by the Posthotel. If you’re following this itinerary, this is the point where we’d recommend renting a car.
Where We Stayed
Family-owned for generations, Posthotel Alexander Herrmann was our base for this leg of the trip and a highlight of our stay in this region. The hotel transformed the small town of Wirsberg into one of Germany’s leading culinary destinations. What began as a traditional country hotel has evolved into a place where hospitality, sustainability and regional identity come together in a way we’ve rarely experienced elsewhere.
Rather than relying on imported luxury ingredients, the hotel’s philosophy is built around showcasing Franconia’s own producers. Through ANIMA, its on-site culinary research and development lab, the team works closely with local farmers, foragers, brewers and artisans to rediscover forgotten ingredients, reduce waste and create new ways of using everything the region has to offer. Many of those collaborations directly shape the menus at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, AURA, creating a dining experience that’s deeply rooted in place rather than global luxury.
Beyond the food, Posthotel Alexander Herrmann offered an experience that strikes a balance between relaxed countryside hospitality and world-class service. We knew we were somewhere special within an hour of arriving, when a welcome snack of truffle fries topped with caviar arrived alongside a glass of sparkling wine. It was an unforgettable introduction and lingered throughout our stay.
Best Things to Do in Upper Franconia
Take a Scenic Road Trip. The best way to experience Upper Franconia is by car. Quiet country roads connect charming villages, forests and scenic viewpoints, making the drive just as enjoyable as the destinations themselves.
We explored the region in an all-electric Porsche Macan, through the Porsche Experience organized by Posthotel. Of course, we couldn’t resist experiencing one of Germany’s famous unrestricted stretches of Autobahn. Seeing the speedometer climb past 200 km/h (124 mph) was as exhilarating as it was nerve-wracking – one of the most memorable moments of the trip.
Swim at Fichtelsee. Surrounded by forest in the Fichtel Mountains, Fichtelsee is a beautiful lake with walking trails, picnic areas and a small beach that’s popular with locals during the summer months. Assuming it was simply a scenic stop, we arrived on a 30°C (86°F) afternoon to find the lake packed with locals swimming in the lake while we sat on the shore eating our picnic. If you’re visiting in summer, pack a swimsuit!
Explore Pottenstein, a charming Franconian town surrounded by forests, caves and hiking trails, with a castle overlooking the village from above. It’s an ideal place to stop for lunch while exploring the region and a great base for discovering more of Franconian Switzerland.
Visit Tüchersfeld. Built beneath dramatic limestone rock formations in Franconian Switzerland, Tüchersfeld is one of the region’s most photographed villages.
Visit a Traditional Franconian Brewery. Franconia has the highest density of breweries anywhere in the world, making it one of Germany’s best regions for beer lovers. We stopped at Brauerei und Gaststätte Mager, a traditional family-run brewery serving regional dishes alongside its own beers, and it was the perfect place to end a day exploring the countryside.
Discover Franconian Wine. While Franconia is best known for its beer, the region also produces some of Germany’s most distinctive wines. We didn’t make it to the vineyards around Würzburg, but many of the area’s best restaurants feature excellent local wines on their menus. By the end of the trip, we’d worked our way through a surprising number of Franconian reds and the Silvaner wines the region is particularly famous for.
The Best Meal We Had in Germany
AURA by Alexander Herrmann and Tobias Baetz holds two Michelin stars and sits inside the Posthotel. We’ve eaten in a lot of good restaurants, and this was by far one of the best meals we’ve ever had. The dining room is warm and welcoming rather than overly formal, and the service strikes the perfect balance between attentive and approachable.
We toured ANIMA, the kitchen’s development lab, beforehand, and watched how much work goes into a single component of a single course. When the team told us the vegetarian menu is every bit as good as the standard one, we ordered one of each to test it. They were right. At the end of the evening, we decided that the vegetarian menu was perhaps the more interesting and creative of the two.
The drinks were the other surprise. We’d braced ourselves for the usual non-alcoholic pairing of over-sweet grape juice, and got a different kombucha with every course instead, each brewed with its own ingredients to match the dish. It made the whole tasting more interesting, not less. If you book one special meal on this trip, book this one, and book it early.
Getting from Munich to Rothenburg by Train
Despite being one of Germany’s most popular destinations, Rothenburg ob der Tauber doesn’t have a direct train connection from either Munich or Nuremberg. It sounds more complicated than it is, and the entire journey can be booked as a single ticket through Deutsche Bahn.
If you’re travelling from Nuremberg, this is the route you’ll take:
- Nuremberg to Ansbach – IC 2162, about 35 minutes on a mainline service.
- Ansbach to Steinach (bei Rothenburg ob der Tauber) – RE80 regional train, roughly 20 minutes.
- Steinach to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – RB82, a 15-minute branch line into the town itself.
If you’re travelling from Munich, simply add a high-speed ICE train from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Nuremberg before following the same route above. The total journey takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on your connections.
One thing worth noting: the transfer at Steinach is often only four or five minutes, but don’t let that worry you. The branch-line train is scheduled to meet the arriving regional service, making the connection much easier than it appears on paper.
Days 9 and 10: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the medieval town most people picture when they think of Germany, with its timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and remarkably well-preserved town walls. While it’s one of Bavaria’s most popular day-trip destinations, we highly recommend spending at least one night here. Once the tour buses leave in the late afternoon, the atmosphere changes completely. The streets become noticeably quieter, making it the perfect time to wander the lanes, explore the town walls and experience Rothenburg at its most magical.
We visited during a summer heatwave and were surprised by how comfortable the town remained to explore. The covered town walls provided welcome shade, while the Tauber Valley below the town was noticeably cooler than the busy streets above.
Where We Stayed
Burg-Hotel on Klostergasse is built into the town wall itself, with rooms looking out over the Tauber Valley. It’s a small property, upper mid-range, and waking up to that view is worth planning the trip around. Ask for a valley-facing room when you book, because not all of them are.
Things to Do in Rothenburg
Walk the town wall. One of Rothenburg’s greatest attractions is its remarkably preserved medieval town wall. A covered walkway runs along much of the fortifications, offering views across the rooftops, gardens and surrounding countryside.
We found ourselves returning to the wall several times during our stay. Not only did it offer some of the best viewpoints in town, but they were also one of the coolest places to escape the afternoon sun.
Follow the Tower Trail. The self-guided Tower Trail connects Rothenburg’s historic towers and city gates, offering an excellent introduction to the town’s medieval history. Start early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive and you’ll often have entire sections of the Old Town almost to yourself.
Walk down into the Tauber Valley. Most visitors never venture beyond the town walls, but the walking trails into the Tauber Valley are well worth the effort. We explored the area with a local guide from Rothenburg Tourism, descending into the peaceful valley below. It’s only about a 15-minute walk from Market Square, but it feels like a completely different world.
Climb the City Hall Tower. For one of the best views in Rothenburg, climb the City Hall Tower overlooking Market Square. The final staircase is narrow and steep, but the panoramic views across the rooftops are well worth the effort and make for some of the town’s best photographs.
Where We Ate
Villa Mittermeier: One of the best restaurants in Rothenburg for modern Franconian cuisine, offering beautifully presented seasonal dishes in an elegant yet relaxed setting. After our extraordinary dining experience in Wirsberg, we expected another formal Michelin-style evening, but instead found genuinely warm service and an atmosphere that encouraged you to settle in and enjoy the meal. It’s refined without ever feeling pretentious, making it our favourite dinner in Rothenburg.
Café Einzigartig: Part café, part furniture showroom, Café Einzigartig is one of Rothenburg’s most unique places to stop for coffee and dessert. Almost every piece of furniture has been rescued, restored and is available to purchase, so the space is constantly evolving as pieces find new homes. The concept feels authentic rather than gimmicky, and the homemade cakes are excellent.
Getting Back to Munich
On your final day you’ll take the same trains back in the other direction. Allow three and a half hours to reach Munich Airport. We left less time than that and spent the last leg watching the clock. If your flight is an early one, add a night back in Munich instead of starting the day in Rothenburg at dawn.
Where to Stay on This Southern Germany Itinerary
| Hotel | Area | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian | Munich, Bahnhofplatz | €€€ | Arriving and departing, two minutes from the platform |
| The Dean Munich | Munich, Westend | €€€ | A quieter neighbourhood for a more local feel |
| Melter Hotel & Apartments | Nuremberg, Konigstrasse | €€ | Apartment-style space for a three-night stay |
| Posthotel Alexander Herrmann | Wirsberg, Marktplatz | €€€ | A food-led stay in the Franconian countryside |
| Burg-Hotel | Rothenburg, Klostergasse | €€€ | Valley views from inside the town wall |
We stayed at each of these hotels during our trip and would happily recommend every one of them. If you’re planning one special splurge, make it Posthotel Alexander Herrmann in Wirsberg. Between the exceptional hospitality, world-class dining and beautiful countryside setting, it’s more than just a place to stay – it’s a destination in its own right.
What This Trip Costs
Budget roughly €180 a day for two on this southern Germany itinerary, travelling mid-range and eating well without going overboard, excluding flights. You’ll spend the most on Munich accommodation, and after that on how many fine-dining meals you book.
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel, double | €120–200 per night | Higher in Munich, lower in Wirsberg and Nuremberg |
| Munich City Pass | From around €25 per day | Transport, 45+ attractions and the hop-on-hop-off bus |
| Nurnberg Card (48h) | Around €33 | Transport plus almost every museum |
| ICE Munich–Nuremberg | €20–60 one way | Cheaper booked ahead, and reserve a seat |
| Regional legs to Rothenburg | €25–40 one way | Bookable as one through-ticket |
| Casual meal for two | €40–60 | Beer garden, Franconian tavern or market food |
| Fine dining, per person | €90–250+ | A two-star tasting menu sits at the top of this range |
| Car rental, 2 days | €70–130 | For the Franconian countryside section only |
What We’d Do Differently
Book Accommodation with Air Conditioning in Summer. If you’re visiting Southern Germany in summer, check whether your accommodation has air conditioning before you book. We travelled during the June 2026 European heatwave, and while we expected hot days, what surprised us most were the warm hotel rooms at night. Air conditioning isn’t standard in many Western European hotels because it simply hasn’t been necessary historically. Even some four-star properties rely on ceiling fans and open windows instead. If staying cool is important to you, don’t assume it’s included and filter your search accordingly.
Reserve Seats on High-Speed Trains. Germany’s rail network is excellent, and we’d happily travel this itinerary by train again. One thing we’d do differently, however, is reserve seats on the longer ICE journeys. Seat reservations cost only a few euros and guarantee you’ll have a place to sit during busy travel periods. It’s a small expense that makes the journey much more relaxing, especially if you’re travelling with luggage.
Combine Trains with a Rental Car. You don’t have to choose between traveling by train or renting a car. We’d recommend using trains for Munich, Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, then picking up a rental car to explore Upper Franconia. It gives you the flexibility to visit lakes, villages and scenic roads that are difficult to reach by public transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for a southern Germany itinerary?
We found 10 days to be the ideal amount of time for this southern Germany itinerary. It gives you 3 days in Munich, 3 in Nuremberg, 2 in the countryside and 2 in Rothenburg, with travel time that doesn’t eat a day at either end. 7 days works if you cut the Franconian countryside, although that was our favourite part of the trip, so we’d advise against it.
With fewer than five days, we suggest picking one city and enjoying it at a slower pace.
Can you do southern Germany without a car?
Mostly yes. Munich, Nuremberg and Rothenburg all connect by train, and within each city a transport pass covers what you need. The exception is the Franconian countryside, which is much easier to explore by car, because the villages are located further away from the rail lines. We’d take the trains for the route and add a two-day rental for the countryside.
How do you get from Munich to Rothenburg by train?
There’s no direct service. The journey runs Munich to Nuremberg on an ICE, then a mainline train to Ansbach, a regional train to Steinach, and a short branch line into Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It takes roughly 3-3.5 hours and can be booked as a single ticket.
What is the best time to visit southern Germany?
Late spring and early fall give the best balance of weather and crowds. Midsummer is hot, and as we found in June 2026, most hotels have no air conditioning. December is beautiful for the Christmas markets in Nuremberg and Rothenburg, but it’s expensive and busy.
Is 10 days enough for Bavaria?
10 days covers Bavaria’s main cities and one rural region comfortably. What it won’t cover is Bavaria plus the Alps plus the full Romantic Road. Pick two of those three and the trip works.
Does this itinerary include Neuschwanstein Castle?
No, and that’s deliberate. We built this route around Franconia and northern Bavaria, and we’d have had to drive a long way south to add Neuschwanstein. If the castle is the reason you’re going to Germany, build a different route around Fussen and the Alps, because fitting it in here means dropping either Nuremberg or the countryside days.
Do you need to speak German to travel in southern Germany?
You don’t need to speak German, though we’d always recommend learning a few basic phrases before you go. We traveled this whole route speaking only English and never had a difficult interaction, whether in hotels, restaurants, stations or on tours. English is widely spoken, particularly by staff in tourism and hospitality.
Is the Munich City Pass or the Nurnberg Card worth it?
Both were worth it for us. The Munich City Pass covers public transport including the airport train, plus more than 45 attractions and the hop-on-hop-off bus. The Nurnberg Card covers 48 hours of transport and almost every museum in the city, so for a multi-day stop it breaks even after the Imperial Castle and one museum.
Final Thoughts
Before this trip, we thought we had a pretty good idea of what Southern Germany would offer with castles, beer halls and postcard-perfect medieval towns. While we found all of those things, it was the slower, less expected moments that stayed with us most. Watching locals cool off in Fichtelsee on a hot summer afternoon, stumbling across a traditional dance performance at Munich’s Viktualienmarkt, and wandering Rothenburg’s quiet streets all became highlights of the journey.
As much as we loved Munich and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, it was Franconia that surprised us the most. Spending two days exploring its villages, scenic roads and incredible food scene completely changed our perspective on the region. If we were planning this itinerary again, we wouldn’t shorten that part of the trip, in fact, we’d probably add another day.
What also impressed us was how easy it was to travel responsibly. We completed almost the entire itinerary by train, only renting a car to explore the Upper Franconian countryside, where an electric vehicle made perfect sense. Along the way, we found businesses that were embracing sustainable practices, from cafés furnished with restored vintage pieces to restaurants celebrating regional producers and hotels investing in renewable energy.
Extending the trip is easy from here. Three days in Berlin is the obvious addition at the other end of the country, and our guide to where to stay in Berlin pairs with a closer look at the Berlin Wall for the history.
Ten days, five stops, one very fast stretch of autobahn and a lot of pretzels. Which part would you give the extra day to?
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