Basing yourself at one of Munich’s many surrounding campsites, a visit to Dachau is an important pilgrimage, although a solemn one. Established in 1933, Dachau was one of the first Nazi concentration camps.
Today, the site has been transformed into an incredibly moving museum and memorial. Though once a place of unspeakable horror, Dachau now serves as a sobering reminder of the past, to help ensure history does not repeat itself.
Give yourself a few hours of your Bavarian itinerary to explore the site unrushed and let its stories sink in. When you’re ready, leave your campervan at the campsite, hop on public transport, and treat yourself to a more light-hearted evening back in Munich.
The city’s many lively beer gardens beckon! One of our favourites is Augustiner-Keller, a buzzing Biergarten within easy walking distance of Munich Central station.
Plan to arrive in Schwangau early, as its most popular attraction draws huge crowds of visitors all year round. The enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle is worth it, though.
Perched on a hilltop high above the Bavarian Alps, it looks like something straight out of a fairy-tale, because, well, it is! The iconic limestone façade and deep-blue turrets served as Walt Disney’s inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland.
Make sure you have at least a full day to see the castle, then use the next day to add some interesting detours to your Bavarian itinerary. If time allows on your way to Salzburg, visit Linderhof Palace, another rather ostentatious residence of King Ludwig II.
Otherwise, park your campervan in the charming village of Ettal and explore the Benedictine monastery with its elaborate, frescoed dome. Strangely enough, the monks who lived here brewed their own beer, which you can still sample responsibly in the abbey’s liqueur distillery.
Driving east along the famous Autobahn, you’ll reach Austria in no time. The attractive city of Salzburg is just twenty minutes' drive from the border, with the Alps to the south and the River Salzach running through its centre.
The left bank contains Salzburg’s medieval Old Town, watched over by the imposing hilltop fortress Hohensalzburg. On the right bank, you’ll find the captivating Mirabell Palace and its opulent gardens, one of many Salzburg filming locations for The Sound of Music.
Pick up a Salzburg Card from the tourist information centre and skip the queues at most major museums and attractions. There’s plenty to explore here, so plan to stay put for a few days to get your fill of baroque architecture, classical concerts and stunning Alpine views.
Zipping back towards Munich, the final stop on this Bavaria travel itinerary is the stunning Lake Chiemsee. Nicknamed the “Bavarian Sea” because of its vast size, Chiemsee is a popular overnight trip from Munich with a charming nearby town centre and multiple lakeside campsites.
On the largest of the lake’s three islands, you’ll find the extravagant Herrenchiemsee Palace, built by the famously vain King Ludwig II. Modelled on Versailles, the palace was never completed and has since been turned into a museum and gallery.
All accessible by a quick ferry ride, the lake’s islands also contain a Benedictine monastery, beer gardens and several scenic nature trails. After an adventure-packed road trip, you’ll enjoy relaxing and admiring the stunning views of the shimmering Lake Chiemsee.
Rest up and in the morning, stop in the nearby town of Prien for a hearty breakfast before you bid Auf Wiedersehen to Bavaria and head back to Munich.
