Basing yourself at one of Munich’s many surrounding campsites, a visit to Dachau is an important pilgrimage — and a solemn one at that. 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. Once a place of unspeakable horror, Dachau now serves as a sobering reminder of the past, helping to ensure history doesn't repeat itself.
Allow a few hours in your Bavarian travel itinerary to explore the site unhurried 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 lighter evening back in Munich.
The city’s many lively beer gardens are calling! One of our favourites is Augustiner-Keller, a buzzing Biergarten a stone’s throw from Munich Central Station.
Plan to arrive in Schwangau early, as its most popular attraction attracts huge crowds throughout the year. The enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle is worth the visit, though.
Perched on a hilltop high above the Bavarian Alps, it looks like something straight out of a fairytale, 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 and set aside the next day for some interesting detours around Bavaria. If you can on your way to Salzburg, call in at Linderhof Palace, another rather ostentatious home of King Ludwig II.
Otherwise, park your campervan in the charming village of Ettal and explore the Benedictine monastery with its elaborate, frescoed dome. Oddly enough, the monks who lived here brewed their own beer, which you can still sample (responsibly) in the abbey’s liqueur distillery.
Driving east on the famous Autobahn, you'll reach Austria in no time. The attractive city of Salzburg is just twenty minutes from the border, with the Alps to the south and the Salzach River running through its centre.
The left bank is home to 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 lots to explore here, so plan on staying for a few days to soak up the baroque architecture, classical concerts and stunning views of the Alps.
Zipping back towards Munich, the final stop on this Bavarian travel itinerary is the stunning Lake Chiemsee. Nicknamed the “Bavarian Sea” on account of its enormous 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, another castle built by the vain King Ludwig II. Styled after Versailles, the palace remains unfinished and has since been transformed 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 stunning views of the shimmering Lake Chiemsee.
Rest well and in the morning, stop in the nearby town of Prien for a hearty breakfast before you say Auf Wiedersehen to Bavaria and head back to Munich.
