Free Epic Germany Itinerary: 2 weeks plus Austria Switzerland France!

Explore Fussen (Neuschwanstein Castle, Lakes and more!)

Fussen Germany is located in Bavaria, If you are looking for quintessential Germany, you’ll find it in Bavaria, my absolute favorite region of Germany. 

Think Bavaria and think of dirndl the traditional dress for women and lederhosen the knee length pants for the gents held up with suspenders. 

Beautiful Bavaria is dotted with medieval castles, fairytale villages, opulent palaces, beer halls and polka music!

Fussen, population 14,000, is overrun by tourists in summer but few venture to back streets, which is where you’ll find the real charm. 

These are some of the best options for filling the rest of day 8:

Alpsee Lake Walk

There’s a picturesque little lake, surrounded by mountains, at the base of the castles. Alpsee lake has a path that circles the lake and can be done in 1.5 hours (clockwise is less strenuous.)

Fussen Museum

The Fussen heritage museum is located in a former baroque-style Benedictine Abbey. The monastery dates back to 750 and is one of the oldest north of the Alps. The building, containing various art and artifacts, is quite stunning both inside and out. 

The treetop walkway

High above the treetops is the baumkronenweg (treetop walkway) wooden walkway with views of the surrounding mountains and the Lech River. The suspension bridge-like walkway is 480 meters long (almost approx ⅓ mile) and 21 meters high (almost 70 feet.) 

Tegelberg Luge. 

At the foot of the Tegelberg Mountain is a fun summer toboggan run. You can also take the Tegelberg Cable Car lift up for paragliding and views of Neuschwanstein castle. There are also Roman archaeological sites around the Tegelberg Mountain. 

Lake Forggensee Cruise

Take a cruise on Bavaria’s 5th largest lake with panoramic views of the Allgäu mountains as well as Neuschwanstein and Honhenschwangau castles. 1 or 2 hour round trip cruise, early June through mid October. Forggensee Shipping  

Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein are stunningly situated high upon neighboring hills and conveniently located just a stone’s throw from each other in the Bavarian Alps. 

Neuschwanstein is one of the most recognizable sights and one of the most famous places in all of Germany. As you might imagine, it becomes very crowded so an early morning or late afternoon is advisable to avoid crowds.

First up, Hohenschwangau

This lovely little castle sits atop the hill looking cheery in a bright shade of yellow. If you plan to tour both castles you’ll get a timed ticket for Hohenschwangau first.

After touring Hohenschwangau, jumped on the shuttle bus waiting outside and headed up the hill to:

Neuschwanstein Castle.

Is one of the most popular destinations in Germany, if not all of Europe. It is visited by 1.4 million people per year. Neuschwanstein Castle is the stunning fairy-tale castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella castles.  

Planning a trip to Germany can be a tiny bit complicated when visiting these castles. I’ve published article to help navigate your way through it:

Hohenschwangau Castle and King Lugwig II’s fairy tale castle, Neuschwanstein

Your castle tour probably won’t take all day so fill in the rest of the day with some fun things that you didn’t get to yesterday! 

(Drive to Eibsee Lake. The fastest route takes you through Austria so make sure you get your vignette sticker when entering Austria, it’s only 8 euro, and lasts for 10 days.) Zugspitze Mountain, Eibsee Lake, and Austria

Eibsee Lake, Zugspitze Mountain

Eibsee is a beautiful lake at the base of Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany. There’s a 4.7 mile walking trail that circles the lake, where you’ll be treated to views of the surrounding mountains. Or take a trip up Zugspitze Mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding alps. 

Want all of the details for visiting Zugspitze and Eibsee? See my Eibsee Lake and Zugspitze Mountain in Germany article. 

(an afternoon in Austria? Drive to Ehrenberg Castle/ Highline 179 suspension bridge.)

After leaving Zugspitze and Eibsee our drive back to Fussen takes us through Austria, and right past a couple of worthwhile stops.

Austria

Ehrenberg Castle and Highline 179 Suspension Bridge
One stop, two attractions! The castle and the suspension bridge are both located on the same mountain. Head to the ticket booth to buy your tickets.

Ehrenberg Castle

Ehrenberg Castle, one of Austria’s famous landmarks, was built in 1295. Its ruins are situated high up on a mountain in the Austrian Alps. Aren’t castle ruins dreamy?! There is just something so alluring about them.

Suspension Bridge

For an extra cost, adventure and thrill seekers get access to Highline 179 Suspension Bridge, the longest Tibetan style pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. I hung back, feet firmly planted on solid ground, while my husband enjoyed his time on the bridge.

(drive back to Fussen Germany)

The Romantic Road

(Drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany)

Why not take the scenic route? As you make your way to Rothenburg choose one of the incredibly cute little villages along the romantic road. 

The Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) is a picturesque 350 km route through forests and mountains that winds from Fussen all the way to Wurzburg. 

Get a handy Romantic Road map and further details at the Schwangau website. 

Dinkelsbühl, made for strolling and exploring, is a very popular choice but you have all day so pick as many of the Romantic Road villages as you like to fill your day or leave yourself more time to start exploring Rothenburg. The choice is yours. 

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der tauber, Germany is a medieval village where you can still walk the wall that has fortified the town hundreds of years ago. It’s the quintessential, too-adorable-for-words, little German village and was the inspiration for Disney’s Pinocchio. 

Rothenburg is an old town and is teaming with German History; most of the existing buildings here were in place before 1400. 

You have 2 full days to explore Rothenburg. Most of Rothenburg’s sites are in the city centre contained within its city walls. There is so much to do it won’t be enough time so choose from the list of options here and plan to come back again! 

museums:

1-Medieval Crime and Justice Museum

One of the highlights of my trip was the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum, where nearly everything is an actual medieval artifact. The torture masks were a favorite of mine, and they have a real Iron Maiden!

2-The Historical Vault – Museum above Rothenburg’s dungeon

Rothenburg Museum is located in the former jail and has a dungeon.

3-Imperial City Museum

is located in a former 13th century Dominican convent which was in use from 1258 to 1554 , The monastery kitchen from 1260 is one of the oldest of its kind in Germany.  Rothenburg Museum website

Käthe Wohlfahrt

Rothenburg has one of the best Christmas markets in Germany but at the Käthe Wohlfahrt store in Rothenburg it’s Christmas all year long! There are two main locations across the street from one another. In addition to the retail stores there’s a Christmas museum upstairs in the main store. (there’s a small charge for the museum but not the store.)

Rothenburg wall walk

The wall is about a mile and a half long. Construction of the wall around the old town started in 950. Rick has a very good map of the wall in his Germany travel guide.

Magical after dark

Rothenburg is magical and romantic after dark. Explore on your own, or take the Night Watchman’s highly informative guided tour. The tour meets outside of the Rathaus (Town Hall) each night.

Where to stay

Gotisches Haus (the Gothic House) where you’ll find yourself bedding down in a 700-year-old building that has accommodated emperors and crown princes. A stay in this gem will transport you to a time long ago. Bonus: It’s right in the middle of everything!

where to eat

At Zur Holl (To Hell) you can dine in a 1,000-year-old building! The pork steaks with a creamy chanterelle mushroom sauce are delicious!  For the first time in my life the waitress came and asked if we wanted more food!

Baumeisterhaus was built in 1596. Dine while surrounded by beautiful wall murals in a multi-story courtyard.

strawberry torte and apple strudel with cream AND ice cream at Baumeisterhaus:

Altfrankische Weinstube

At Altfrankische Weinstube you can dine in a cozy 650-year-old-building that’s tucked away from the crowds of the main square. This adorable oh so cozy little place looks like it was made for gnomes. 

Rothenburg deserves at least two days! Go ahead and fill day two with your top picks that you didn’t get to yesterday! (looking for more options? Germany has some of the best medieval towns in the world!)

Wurzburg Palace, Germany

(Drive to Wurzburg Germany)

As you head back to the airport be sure to make Wurzburg in Northern Bavaria your last stop.

The Baroque style Residenz Palace in Wurzburg , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is right on your way to the airport and a must see!

The Wurzburg Palace was built in the 18th century and is one of the largest palaces in Germany. Extensive damage was inflicted on this beautiful palace during WWII, but it has been lovingly restored. 

The Monuments Men saved some of the precious art from destruction. 

Photos were not permitted inside, but it is stunning and extravagant, and worth the cost of admission. 

Looking for more things to do in Wurzburg? Read more about What to Do, See, and Eat in Wurzburg here!

(Drive to Frankfurt airport. From the palace, it’s just a quick 75 miles down the autobahn to the Frankfurt International Airport! If you happen to be flying home from Frankfurt Hahn instead it’s another 75 miles.) 

When is the best time to visit Germany?

Summer is high season, winter is off season (outside of the December Christmas market frenzy,) shoulder season is a great time to visit Deutschland! keep reading for details!

High season: Summer is high season when you will find sunny beer gardens and lots of crowds. Crowds also come in late September for Oktoberfest. 

Off season: Christmas Markets are totally worth fighting the crowds but if you come during winter a lot of attractions may be closed, especially those in the Rhine and Moselle River Valleys. 

Shoulder season when the temperatures are mild, prices are reasonable and it’s not as crowded is a great time to travel to Germany. Shoulder season in Germany is March and April and October and November and a very good time to visit. 

However, we visited in September and although not technically shoulder season, I think it was the best time! Flowers were still in bloom, the landscape was still a beautiful shade of green, grape vines were loaded down with grapes, and every day we had the opportunity for al fresco dining! 

Travel Insurance

Any time you make travel plans, you may want to consider purchasing “cancel for any reason” travel insurance. My favorite place to shop for travel insurance is Travelinsurance.com. They have a “cancel for any reason” selection. 

Final Thoughts: Germany itinerary 2 weeks

And there you have it, our two week highlight packed whirlwind vacation.

Whew! That was a lot! Yes you can see all of this in 2 weeks but how much time you spend is really up to you. You can easily abbreviate this or slow it down and make it a longer trip…or go full speed and see it all! it’s up to you.

Food

Is this your first time in Germany and wondering what to eat? Click here to find out what the Best German food is! or maybe you need to know what to buy in Germany? I’ve got your German Souvenir guide!

Planning your Germany dream trip? You may find these articles helpful: 

add some of Germany’s Most Famous Landmarks! explore them at 50 plus Famous Landmarks in Germany you NEED to see NOW  (with maps and photos!) Ultimate Guide to traveling Germany on a Budget!

Tips for planning travel and traveling in a country where they speak another language.

Planning a trip to Europe? Get these books! they are a MUST to plan your BEST trip!

Bavaria USA!

Can’t make it to Germany yet? Check out the ridiculously cute Bavarian town surrounded by mountains in Leavenworth Washington USA!

Are you wondering “how can I fund my dream trip?” here are my travel tips

Germany obsessed? Want to hear more about my travels around Germany and the rest of our amazing planet? You may be interested in my Germany page and be sure to submit your email address to my subscriber sign up at the end of the page to be the first to know when a new blog publishes!