The one week North Bavaria itinerary you must try
Last Updated on October 13, 2025 by Ingrid & Alex
Whenever we talk about Bavaria, everyone automatically thinks of its southern part. Of course, Munich is ideally located for visiting the mountains, lakes, and castles further south. But as you travel further north, you will discover Bavaria’s “other face”.
And I’m not joking when I say people often overlook many of the places we’ve included on this list. Even more so, I know people who’ve lived for many years in the region, without ever visiting some of these places.
That’s why we’re skipping Munich and its surrounding area to focus on the north of Bavaria. Don’t worry, this itinerary will take you to discover impressive towns, beautiful castles, and taste some of the best wine of your life.
If you want even more places to explore, I’ve saved over 250 spots on my map here.
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Table of Contents
The one-week North Bavaria itinerary you never thought you needed
The map above is just indicative, because we created this itinerary with Nuremberg as your base. Nuremberg offers plenty of activities and is perfectly connected to many places in the north of Bavaria.
Moreover, by staying in Nuremberg, you can easily travel by train – all the itinerary’s destinations are reached in less than 2 hours. Check out train prices here!
However, if you would like to explore more of the surrounding areas, we suggest you rent a car. In Germany, you don’t have to worry about paying for the highway. And you can always find the best car deals on Discover Cars. We always use the aggregator whenever we travel around Europe or the world. See quotations here!
Another reason we chose Nuremberg as a base is that it is served by one of the most important airports in Bavaria.
Where to stay in Nuremberg
We were lucky to spend a month just an hour away from Nuremberg, so we ended up returning to the city on many occasions. It has one of the most important Christmas Markets in Bavaria, and the best gingerbread I’ve ever had.
Have I convinced you yet?
For the best experience in the city and to plan your itinerary, here’s where we suggest you stay.
The rooms here are comfortable and just a 5-minute walk from Nuremberg Central Station. The hotel also offers a gym, restaurant, bar, and fabulous breakfast.
Check prices and availability!
Melter Hotel & Apartments – a Neighborhood Hotel
This centrally located hotel is extremely nice and modern, and right next door to our favorite ramen place in Nuremberg, Monki. So, if you feel like trying something else after one week in Germany, we strongly suggest having a ramen here.
In addition, staying here puts you within walking distance of all the main attractions in town.
See more about this hotel here!
Day 1 and 2 – Explore Nuremberg
Spend your first two days in Bavaria exploring the beautiful city of Nuremberg. It is easy to fill up two full days in the city.
Nuremberg went through a dark period in the first half of the 20th century. It was the center for Hitler’s Nazi rallies, and after it was ruined by Allied bombardment, it hosted the Nuremberg trials for Nazi war criminals.
Thus, history lovers will be happy to explore.
Here’s an idea for a 2-day itinerary.
Day 1
Documentation Centre and Nazi Party rally grounds – a challenging but necessary trip that needs to be made when visiting the city
Nürnberg Zoo (Tiergarten Nürnberg) – a mandatory stop if you are traveling with kids.
Come back to the old town city center, explore its many squares, visit the Museumsbrücke or the Toy Museum, and end your day with dinner at the Alex Restaurant.
Check out the 48-Hour CityCard with Free Public Transportation – it offers free admission to several museums and attractions, free public transportation, and a 50% discount on activities from partners.
With only 38 EUR you get admission to the Imperial Castle Nuremberg, the Zoo, Toy Museum, Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds Interim Exhibit, Memorium Nuremberg Trials, and more. Check it out here!
Day 2
Start your second day with a Castle and Old Town Tour with a taste of the famous red beer.
Sitting high above the city, Nuremberg Castle isn’t just a pretty landmark; it was once one of the most important imperial castles of the Holy Roman Empire.
From the 11th to the 16th century, emperors stayed here during their travels, holding court and overseeing the empire’s affairs. The fortress survived wars, rebuilds, and centuries of change.
Once the tour is finished, you can have lunch at one of the many restaurants around the old town.
In the afternoon, you should walk the city walls – that’s the best way to enjoy the views and the city.
We also loved exploring the Pegnitz River Canals. This area offers some of the most romantic viewpoints, allowing you to admire beautiful architecture. But it is also a great way to discover cafes or restaurants you will want to try later.
Day 3 – Bamberg and Schloss Gleisenau
We loved Bamberg with its laid-back vibe, beautiful canals, and hidden castle. That’s why we think anyone should visit it, at least for a day.
Getting from Nuremberg to Bamberg is easy, whether you are traveling by car or train. Also, traveling further to Schloss Gleisenau is possible by train.
We have a great guide for spending one day in Bamberg that covers all of our favorite places around town. The guide will also take you to see the Altemburg Bamberg Castle, often overlooked by many people visiting the region.
In short, any day trip to Bamberg should include a visit to the Altes Rathaus, a stroll through the streets of the old town, and a stop at the Bamberg Cathedral. Also, you should not skip the Neue Residenz Bamberg, which has a magical Rose Garden.
When you have enough time, stop by the beautiful Schloss Gleisenau just outside of Bamberg. You can explore the chapel and the gardens of this history-filled castle.
Day 4 – Würzburg
This Bavarian city is such an underrated destination, despite its ideal location between Nuremberg and Frankfurt. Wurzburg blends history, wine, and baroque beauty in one unforgettable stop.
Set along the Main River, it’s famous for its stunning Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the hilltop Marienberg Fortress with sweeping city views.
As soon as we arrived for our one day in Wurzburg, we stopped to have a coffee on a boat that offered sweeping views of the fortress and surrounding hills.
Later, we strolled the Alte Mainbrücke, glass of local Franconian wine in hand, and enjoyed lively cafés.
It’s the perfect mix of culture, scenery, and that relaxed Franconian spirit, and you can plan your day with this guide.
Day 5 – Coburg
We loved this place so much that we even considered moving there. At first glance, Coburg is just another Bavarian town. A lively old center, a market where there’s always something going on, a castle on top of the hill (Veste Coburg).
But this place was once home to the dukes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the dynasty that married into Europe’s royal families. And it still carries that stately elegance today.
With one day at hand, you should not miss the Ehrenburg Palace and the Veste Coburg Castle. In between visiting those, stop at one of our favorite cafes, Queens Coffeehouse.
Day 6 – Bayreuth
Another easy day trip from Nuremberg, Bayreuth is famous for the Richard Wagner Museum in the composer’s former home.
Every summer, music lovers from around the world come for the famous Bayreuth Festival, held in the historic Festspielhaus.
But there’s much more to see, and places such as the Margravial Opera House (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) or the Neues Schloss Bayreuth should not be skipped.
Stop for a coffee at the Caffe Bar Rossi Italian cafe, and have lunch at Oskar – Das Wirtshaus am Markt.
If you have more time, we suggest you visit the beautiful Hermitage, with its Neues Schloss and Altes Schloss.
Of course, by visiting these cities, you will be only scratching the surface, and we strongly encourage you to spend as much time as possible exploring. But, after this trip, you will surely leave wanting even more!