Top 5 Bavaria Full-Day Tours: Reviews & Recommendations

Bavaria, that slice of southern Germany, it’s almost like stepping into a storybook. With these dramatic mountains, storybook villages, and some seriously impressive castles, it’s no surprise folks want to explore it. So, if you are thinking about heading to this part of the globe and you just happen to want to experience as much as possible in a single day, a guided tour, well that could be a brilliant shout. Here, we’re taking a look at five full-day Bavarian tours, ones that provide a great look at some of the main attractions while making things trouble-free.

1. Neuschwanstein Castle Tour: A Fairytale Escape

Right, Neuschwanstein, or the “new swan stone castle” really, it is very possibly Bavaria’s most well-known spot, is that correct? So, the castle itself looks like something straight out of a fairy tale, that kind of vision of King Ludwig II. He, too, was quite the character, actually. A tour that hits up Neuschwanstein, that’s more or less going to be the top pick for many. As I was saying, most tours, at the end of the day, they’ll bus you down there, maybe include the entry ticket, and of course have someone along to provide the backstories. Expect crowds here, honestly. However, it’s totally worth it to see that inside of the castle. You get the lavish rooms and it’s all nestled on this hill looking out.

As a matter of fact, lots of tours might pair Neuschwanstein with other things nearby, maybe like Hohenschwangau Castle, where Ludwig grew up, okay? It all makes for a complete royal family sort of thing, which some folk seriously like.

What’s included: Okay, Transportation there and back, tour guide person, entry tickets. Some might have extra perks or stuff too, you know, like lunch, possibly.

Why go?: Neuschwanstein it kind of has to be seen to be believed, okay? Honestly, that’s Bavaria’s most iconic spot.

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2. Linderhof Palace and Oberammergau: Culture and Craft

Want a bit of culture with your scenery? Is that a thing you are after? Tours linking Linderhof Palace and Oberammergau often, more or less, tick all the boxes, basically. Linderhof, also one of Ludwig II’s projects but a bit, well slightly, different to Neuschwanstein, maybe. More of a, in a way, personal hideaway. The gardens there, just beautiful really. Oberammergau, right, it’s this village known for its Passion Play, the one they do every ten years. Its also got some seriously pretty painted houses, honestly.

These tours often add in Ettal Abbey too, yet another spot with tons of history. I mean, it is interesting seeing that contrast between royal glitz and then seeing, you know, the old-world village vibes.

What’s included: Transportation to and from, a guide person, and entry to the palace. Check if lunch stops are kind of factored in, you might need cash. A lot of the time.

Why go?: When all is said and done, it provides that mix of fancy palaces and charming villages, sort of.

Read our full review: Linderhof Palace Tour Full Review and Details

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3. Salzburg Day Trip: Sound of Music Country

Salzburg’s just over the border in Austria, but it makes a cracking day trip from Bavaria, actually. The “Sound of Music,” very well, like, if you like the movie, you might already know it’s all there, okay? But even without all that, it’s quite the handsome city, I mean, like you get these baroque buildings, it’s a good vibe. What a large amount of tours do is usually, well normally, provide transport and that walking tour to cover the important landmarks. Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s birthplace, that kind of stuff. Getting whisked over the border, it certainly adds an extra layer to your holiday.

As a matter of fact, bear in mind some tours may focus only, just only, on the Sound of Music locations if, you know, that’s very much your thing.

What’s included: Well usually transportation costs, guided city thingy. Sound of Music-themed add-ons here and there.

Why go?: It could be described as something slightly different to do with the blend of Austrian culture and gorgeous scenery, I mean what’s not to love about it?

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4. Romantic Road Tour: Villages and Vineyards

The Romantic Road, which is Germany’s oldest tourist route, more or less, stretches right through Bavaria, actually. Characterful villages with the cobbled streets? Tick. Pretty half-timbered houses? Oh yeah. Views from vineyards stretching way out? Indeed. Tours along this route usually visit places, such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, very famously the totally picture-postcard medieval town. As I was saying, depending on the tour thingy, at the end of the day you might get wine tastings and chances to get local crafts or gifts.

You get an easy chilled experience from point to point without having to worry over a thing about all that driving and also those directions stuff that really matters at times, that kind of thing?

What’s included: Comfortable vehicle to be in, that tour leader kind of human, stops on the main spots.

Why go?: You get a slower look at Bavaria, so you do, by stopping in spots you would probably skip normally and it’s very often less busy.

Read our full review: Romantic Road Full Review and Details

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5. Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest: History with a View

A bit darker, but still completely absorbing, tours around Berchtesgaden and the Eagle’s Nest will touch upon some 20th-century history, actually. Berchtesgaden’s that handsome Bavarian town surrounded with stunning views. The Eagle’s Nest, the Kehlsteinhaus as I was saying, was once that Third Reich bigwig pad way up top a mountain. That view from the summit really? Seriously quite amazing.

Some of the tours bring in a stop at the Documentation Center there, really. It gives lots of context to the area’s tough background and history.

What’s included: Bus, experienced talky people, often that elevator ticket that climbs the mount for those insane vistas up high!

Why go?: If history’s very much up your street, very well that trip adds depth to the experience that can give, so too it’s almost educational as it is good for memories and fun. In a good way.

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Read our full review: Eagle’s Nest Full Review and Details Bavaria Full Day Tours