Germany and France are cultural powerhouses—one famed for precision and gemütlichkeit, the other for art de vivre and haute cuisine. In six days, you’ll sample both: Gothic spires and Baroque palaces, Impressionist canvases and steel-and-glass modernity, beer gardens and bistros.

Your route starts in Munich, capital of Bavaria since the 1500s and a city that balances royal grandeur with riverside parks and laid-back taverns. Then you’ll glide to Paris on a high-speed train, where medieval islands meet Haussmann boulevards and the Seine stitches together the City of Light.

Practical notes: trains between cities are fast and comfortable; card payments are widely accepted; tipping is modest (round up in Germany; 5–10% in France if service excels). Pack comfortable shoes, prebook headline sights, and bring an appetite—this itinerary is rich in food markets, brews, and bakeries.

Munich

Munich marries royal Bavaria with creative cool. From the Glockenspiel chiming over Marienplatz to surfers riding the Eisbach wave in the English Garden, this is a city of rituals and surprises. Museums are stellar (the Pinakotheks, the Residenz), beer gardens are social institutions, and day trips reach storybook Alps.

• Don’t miss: Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, the Residenz, English Garden, and a classic beer hall.
• Fun fact: The Hofbräuhaus once printed beer tokens on leather when coins were scarce.
• Where to eat: rustic “Schweinsbraten” at Wirtshaus in der Au; seasonal Bavarian plates at Der Pschorr; market bites at Viktualienmarkt.

Where to stay (Munich):

• Luxury: Hotel Bayerischer Hof (historic grand dame with spa and rooftop pool)
• Upper-mid: Novotel München City (walkable to museums and the Isar)
• Design-budget: Motel One München-Sendlinger Tor
• Hostel with character: Euro Youth Hotel Munich
• Browse apartments: VRBO Munich or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

How to arrive for the first city (Munich): For flights to Europe, compare on Omio (flights). From Munich Airport, S‑Bahn S1/S8 runs to the center about every 10 minutes (roughly 40 minutes; around €13–15). Taxis take ~35 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1 — Arrive in Munich, Old Town and Market Snacks

Morning: Travel to Munich. If you land early, grab a pick‑me‑up at Man vs Machine Coffee Roasters (house-roasted beans, minimalist vibe).

Afternoon: Drop bags and stretch your legs around Marienplatz. Watch the Glockenspiel (11:00 or 12:00 most days), then wander to the Viktualienmarkt for a grazing lunch: Leberkässemmel from Metzgerei Bauch, crispy roast pork at Schlemmermeyer, or seasonal potato specialties from Caspar Plautz.

Evening: Classic Bavarian dinner at Wirtshaus in der Au (giant dumplings, roast duck) or Augustiner‑Keller (shady chestnut garden; Munich’s oldest brewery). Nightcap at Zephyr Bar (inventive cocktails) or a liter at Hofbräuhaus if you want oompah energy.

Day 2 — Royal Munich, Parks, and a Local-Led Walk

Morning: Coffee and a still‑warm “Schmalznudel” (fried pastry) at Café Frischhut, then tour the Munich Residenz—treasure rooms, the gilded Antiquarium, and courtly pomp. Stroll to Frauenkirche’s twin domes and scenic views.

Afternoon: Meet a local for a tailored city walk—hidden courtyards, WWII scars, artists’ lanes—great context early in your trip.

Munich Walking Tour: Private Highlights & Hidden Gems by a Local typically covers Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, Viktualienmarkt, and tucked‑away gems customized to your interests.

Evening: Picnic in the English Garden (stop at Rewe City for cheeses and pretzels) and watch river surfers on the Eisbach. Dinner at Der Pschorr (farm‑to‑table meats, house‑tapped Augustiner) or Spatenhaus an der Oper (excel at schnitzel and venison). Gelato at Der Verrückte Eismacher for playful flavors.

Day 3 — Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Fairytale Day Trip

Make today your Alpine postcard. This full‑day excursion pairs King Ludwig II’s castles with mountain scenery and Bavarian villages.

Premium Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof VIP Tour from Munich runs ~10–11 hours with priority access, guided commentary, and scenic stops (expect roughly €90–150 depending on inclusions). Lunch options near Hohenschwangau include hearty plates at Alpenrose am See or the Schlossrestaurant. You’ll return to Munich in the evening—keep it light with a soup and salad at Andy’s Krablergarten or a casual beer garden bite.

Paris

Paris needs no introduction, yet it always finds a new way to astonish—sunlight glancing off the Seine, stained glass igniting at Sainte‑Chapelle, a perfect baguette snapped at noon. The city is a tapestry of neighborhoods: aristocratic Right Bank, artistic Left Bank, and village‑like Montmartre.

• Don’t miss: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Île de la Cité, Montmartre’s lanes, and a Seine cruise at twilight.
• Fun fact: Paris’s first cafés appeared in the 1600s; Voltaire reputedly drank up to 40 cups a day.
• Where to eat: Breizh Café for buckwheat galettes and cider; Bistrot Paul Bert for old‑school bistro flair; Bouillon Pigalle for fast, affordable classics.

Where to stay (Paris):

• Iconic luxury: The Ritz Paris or Le Meurice
• Boutique: Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (arty quarters, Sacré‑Cœur nearby)
• Excellent value in the Latin Quarter: Hotel du College de France
• Stylish hostel: Generator Paris
• Browse apartments: VRBO Paris or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting from Munich to Paris (morning of Day 4): Take the direct TGV/ICE (~5h40–6h10). Book on Omio (trains); advance fares can start around €60–€120 in 2nd class. Budget buses (8–11 hours) appear on Omio (buses). Flights are ~1h35, but airport transfers can erase time savings; compare on Omio (flights).

Day 4 — Train to Paris, Left Bank Stroll, Eiffel Tower by Night

Morning: Depart Munich on an early TGV/ICE. Snack box idea: pretzels, Obatzda cheese, and apples for the ride. Arrive Paris early afternoon and check in.

Afternoon: Left Bank warm‑up: Luxembourg Gardens (palace, pond, statues), then Saint‑Germain’s literary lanes. Coffee at Coutume or KB Coffee Roasters; macarons at Pierre Hermé on Rue Bonaparte.

Evening: Head to the Iron Lady with timed access and a guide’s stories that make the latticework sing.

Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access: Top or 2nd Floor by Lift keeps lines minimal and the views maximal. Afterwards, classic brasserie comfort at Le Comptoir du Relais or oysters and steak‑frites at Bistrot Vivienne.

Day 5 — Louvre Masterpieces, Île de la Cité, Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Dive into the Louvre with an expert who beelines to icons and unveils overlooked gems.

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access covers the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and curated surprises in ~2.5 hours—ideal for first‑timers. Coffee and a pastry at Café Marly or Du Pain et des Idées before/after.

Afternoon: Cross to Île de la Cité for Notre‑Dame’s restored interior and façade details, then wander the flower market and along the Seine’s booksellers. For lunch, try Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes, Bordier butter) or L’As du Fallafel in the Marais for a fast, delicious pita.

Evening: Cap the day with a candlelit glide past the city’s icons. Choose a gourmet dinner cruise for the full “Paris by night” experience.

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise pairs multicourse dining with illuminated views of the Louvre, Orsay, and Eiffel Tower.

Day 6 — Montmartre Tastes and Departure

Morning: Savor a guided food walk in Paris’s most picturesque hilltop neighborhood—cheeses, charcuterie, pastries, and stories behind the artisans.

Secret Food Tours: Award‑Winning Paris Food Tour (7+ Tastings) typically includes a fromagerie stop, a warm baguette, pâtisserie treats, and a glass of wine—perfect last‑day indulgence. Alternatively, roll up your sleeves at a croissant‑baking class if you’d rather create than taste.

Paris Croissant Small‑Group Baking Class with a Chef is a hands‑on alternative. For a fast farewell lunch, Bouillon Pigalle serves brisk, classic French staples at friendly prices. Depart Paris in the afternoon—CDG is ~35–45 minutes by RER B; allow time for security and VAT refunds.

Coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites to bookmark:

• Munich breakfast/coffee: Café Frischhut (fried dough classics), Mahlefitz (third‑wave roastery), Man vs Machine.
• Munich lunch: Viktualienmarkt stalls; Münchner Suppenküche (soups); Dallmayr Delikatessenhaus (upscale deli counter).
• Munich dinner: Wirtshaus in der Au (dumplings, roast duck), Augustiner‑Keller (beer garden), Schneider Bräuhaus (wheat beer and pork knuckle).
• Paris breakfast/coffee: Du Pain et des Idées (escargot pastries), Holybelly (brunch), Coutume/KB Coffee.
• Paris lunch/dinner: Breizh Café (galettes), Bistrot Paul Bert (steak‑frites), Le Servan (modern French), Clamato (seafood), Bouillon Pigalle (fast, classic, affordable), Le Potager de Charlotte (plant‑based).

Optional add‑ons if you extend: In Munich, a sobering half‑day at Dachau Memorial or a scenic day to Salzburg by rail. In Paris, Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors or Giverny in bloom.

Versailles option: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris. Giverny option: Monet’s House & Gardens Half‑Day Tour.

Munich hotel quick‑links (extras): Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre, Novotel München City Arnulfpark, Meininger Hotel Munich City Center. Paris hotel quick‑links (extras): Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Hôtel du Temps.

Transport booking hub: Omio (trains) • Omio (buses) • Omio (flights).

Why this route works: Two heavyweight cities, minimal backtracking, one high‑speed rail hop, and enough structure to secure sought‑after tickets without crowding out serendipity.

Summary: In less than a week, you’ll toast in beer halls under chestnut trees, gaze from a fairytale castle, stand inches from the Mona Lisa, and watch Paris shimmer from the Seine. It’s a concentrated, memory‑rich circuit through Bavaria and the City of Light—efficient, delicious, and indelibly European.