A fairy tale road trip in Germany
Everyone knows Germany for its excellent sausages, giant beers, and mid-autumn festivals. But perhaps you wish to discover a Germany different from the clichés. A place where the lines between the old and the modern, the fairy tale and reality, are not so clear… On the road, in southern Germany, between the Alps, castles, lakes, and deep history, you can write your own story.
Munich, capital of Bavaria
Start in Munich, the capital of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany. If you rent a car from the airport, make sure to check out the important spots, including the famous Marienplatz, the city’s great central square. You can watch the Germans go about their daily lives there. In the center stands the Mariensäule, a column topped with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary. To the west is the Frauenkirche, the main cathedral and a symbol of the city.
But as beautiful as Munich is, the dream Germany you seek may not be found in its larger cities. You must go beyond.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
If you are looking for romance and fantasy, venture off the beaten path and discover towns and landscapes that have stood the test of time.
Buckle up, forget speed limits (after all, we are in Germany), and head south on the Autobahn 95 towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a mountain resort on the Austrian border offering breathtaking views of Germany’s highest mountain. The towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen were separate until 1935. You will notice the significant difference between the two halves of the town as you drive through: Garmisch has more modern attributes, while Partenkirchen, with its cobbled streets and faded frescoes, has retained its historical patina. There, you will find many trails to explore (on foot) in the Zugspitze area, known as Germany’s highest mountain. Enjoy a Bavarian breakfast of Weißwurst (white sausage) served with senf (sweet mustard) and soft pretzels before getting back in the driver’s seat and skirting the north face of the Ammergebirge. Follow it to its westernmost point, admiring the majestic mountains along the way, and soon you will arrive in Schwangau.
On the Romantic Road: Schwangau to Augsburg along the Lech River
Schwangau is the southern end of Germany’s picturesque “Romantic Road,” a rural route to the north. From there, the journey through the countryside begins: from the start, you will be treated to some of Germany’s most precious treasures, both natural and man-made.
The four lakes that line the mountain road (Bannwaldsee, Forggensee, Schwansee, and Alpsee) are breathtaking and will offer impressive visual spectacles along the way. You will undoubtedly have to stop at the sight of the Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles. These feats of human genius are as incredible as they are grand. Neuschwanstein Castle, certainly the most impressive of the two, stands on a hill overlooking the pristine alpine lakes and rugged foothills of Schwangau. This monument seems straight out of a dream and even inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. From Schwangau, head north on the Romantic Road towards Augsburg. This section of the route runs along the Lech River. Many medieval sites hidden in Bavarian Germany are scattered along this river. Augsburg is one of the oldest cities in Germany and boasts magnificent Renaissance architecture. The architecture of the town hall and the cathedral, which combine Romanesque and Gothic styles, are particularly interesting.
To the vineyards of Würzburg, through Harburg and Nördlingen
From Augsburg, the Romantic Road turns northwest towards its northern end, Würzburg. Known for its wine, you can celebrate in this city (in moderation) the end of your journey with some of the finest grapes from southern Germany.
Along the way, there will be much to see from the comfort of your rental car, and this is the beauty of the Romantic Road. Make sure to stop at the following two places before arriving in Würzburg. The first stop is Harburg (or more precisely Harburg Schwaben, to distinguish it from a namesake city in the Hamburg region). It is a small town that has never left the Middle Ages—or at least that’s the impression it gives. As you approach, a castle should appear atop a hill. Head towards it, admire the architecture, and enjoy a coffee in the hotel-restaurant there. From up there, you can see most of a town frozen in history. Spend an hour or two strolling along the rural roads in the peaceful countryside, then take the road north for half an hour towards Nördlingen. The most interesting thing about this destination is that the city was built in a crater left by a meteorite 15 million years ago. It is also one of the last three German cities with an intact city wall. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs here. The Rieskrater Museum is dedicated to meteorites and their collisions with Earth. The collection contains various moon rocks from NASA missions and will teach you all about the crater on which the city is built: curiously, many of the city’s walls contain diamonds that were formed in the city’s bedrock following the collision. Before returning to your car to hurry to your final destination, Würzburg, climb the church tower of St. George, affectionately called “Daniel” by the locals. It offers a wide and incredible view of the city and the opportunity for beautiful photos. For those who have watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the view from the glass elevator in the final scene is the one you will have before you. The drive to Würzburg should then take you barely two hours, and you will have completed your journey, full of memories of spectacular alpine views, fantastic castles, meteors, and brooding history.
