Bavaria blends storybook scenery with living tradition: onion-domed churches, half-timbered villages, and Alps that rise like a painted backdrop. Munich anchors this world with world-class museums, the vast Englischer Garten, and beer gardens where pretzels are bigger than your hand. Head south and the landscape turns alpine fast—emerald lakes, gorge walks, and cable cars to snow-capped viewpoints.

On this 7-day, family-friendly self-drive itinerary, you’ll savor Munich for two days before looping through the German Alps: Garmisch-Partenkirchen for Zugspitze and Partnachklamm, Füssen for Neuschwanstein, and Berchtesgaden for Königssee and (seasonally) the Eagle’s Nest. It’s paced to keep kids happy—short drives, outdoor time daily, and plenty of playground-friendly beer gardens.

Practical notes: Germany’s autobahns are toll-free; Austria requires a vignette if you cross the border. In the mountains, weather shifts quickly—pack layers, sun protection, and grippy shoes. Card payments are common, but keep some cash for small parking lots and kiosks. Many shops close Sundays; restaurants and major attractions remain open.

Munich

The Bavarian capital mixes royal grandeur with easygoing green spaces. Start in Marienplatz beneath the Glockenspiel, then duck into the food-lover’s Viktualienmarkt. Kids love river surfers at the Eisbach wave and pedal-boating in the Englischer Garten.

• Top sights: Marienplatz, Residenz, Deutsches Museum (hands-on science), BMW Welt & Museum, Englischer Garten, Nymphenburg Palace, Viktualienmarkt.
• Eat & drink: Try Schweinshaxe at Augustiner-Keller’s leafy beer garden (great for families), fresh doughnuts at Café Frischhut, and modern Bavarian plates at Wirtshaus in der Au.
• Stay (mid-range family picks): Novotel München City (pool, family rooms), Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre (direct S-Bahn), and Motel One München-Sendlinger Tor. Budget-friendly: Euro Youth Hotel Munich. Splurge: Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Also browse: VRBO Munich and Hotels.com Munich.
• Getting there: Fly into MUC. For flights within Europe, compare on Omio. For intercontinental deals, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com. Trains around Europe: Omio Trains.

Optional guided tours from Munich (great if you’d rather not drive one day):

Premium Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof VIP Tour from Munich

Munich Private Tour with a Local – Highlights & Hidden Gems

Salzburg Sightseeing Day Trip from Munich by Rail

Berchtesgaden and Eagle's Nest Day Trip from Munich

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Your alpine base for Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze. Between lake loops at Eibsee, the dramatic Partnachklamm gorge, and a nostalgic pedestrian old town, it’s an easy win with kids.

• Top sights: Zugspitze cable car, Eibsee lake path and rowboats, Partnachklamm gorge walk, AlpspiX viewing platform, summer alpine coasters in nearby Oberammergau.
• Eat: Gasthof Fraundorfer (traditional fare, folk music nights), Zum Wildschütz (hearty Bavarian), Café Krönner (cakes), Mohrenplatz Eiscafé (ice cream stop).
• Stay: Browse family apartments and hotels: VRBO Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Hotels.com Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Füssen (Schwangau)

At the foot of the Alps, pastel Füssen is the gateway to King Ludwig II’s castles. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau rise above Alpsee—a perfect day of turrets, forests, and easy lakeside paths.

• Eat: Madame Plüsch (Old-World interiors, kid-pleasing schnitzel), Il Pescatore (pizzas, pastas), Schloss Bräuhaus Schwangau (classic beer garden, castle views).
• Stay: Family hotels and chalets around Schwangau: VRBO Füssen and Hotels.com Füssen.

Berchtesgaden

Dramatic limestone peaks cradle the crystal-clear Königssee, where quiet electric boats glide to an onion-domed chapel. The area offers gorge walks, salt-mine slides, and high viewpoints—fun for all ages.

• Top sights: Königssee boat to St. Bartholomä (year-round) and Salet/Oberssee (seasonal), Wimbachklamm gorge, Jennerbahn cable car, Salzbergwerk (salt mine, year-round), Eagle’s Nest (mid-May–Oct, weather dependent).
• Eat: Gasthof Neuhaus (Bavarian staples), Hofbräuhaus Berchtesgaden (hearty classics), Echostüberl at Königssee (lake views), Berggasthof Lockstein (panoramas).
• Stay: Alpine hotels and apartments: VRBO Berchtesgaden and Hotels.com Berchtesgaden.

Day 1: Arrive in Munich, Old Town stroll, and easy Bavarian dinner

Morning: Fly into Munich (MUC). Compare fares within Europe on Omio, or long-haul on Kiwi.com / Trip.com. Aim for an early afternoon arrival.

Afternoon: Check into your Munich hotel. Grab a sweet start at Café Frischhut (try a warm Schmalznudel) or coffee at Man Versus Machine. Wander Marienplatz to watch the Glockenspiel, then pop through the Residenz courtyard and the Viktualienmarkt fruit and snack stalls—great for picky eaters.

Evening: Family-friendly feast at Augustiner-Keller’s beer garden—rotisserie chicken, pretzels, and a playground vibe in summer. If it’s cool out, head downstairs to the historic cellar. Early night to reset.

Day 2: Munich highlights—parks, museums, and kid-approved bites

Morning: Consider a private orientation with a local: Munich Private Tour with a Local – Highlights & Hidden Gems (custom pacing for families). Otherwise, start at the Deutsches Museum Kids’ Kingdom, then walk or tram to the Englischer Garten to see the Eisbach surfers.

Afternoon: Picnic at the Chinesischer Turm beer garden (giant playground nearby), or head to BMW Welt where kids can climb inside concept cars. Sweet stop: True & 12 Handmade Ice Cream near Gärtnerplatz.

Evening: Dinner at Wirtshaus in der Au (dumplings to share) or Schneider Bräuhaus (sausages, salads, kids menu). If energy remains, catch sunset from the Olympiaberg hill.

Day 3: Pick up your car—Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1.5 hours)

Morning: Collect your rental car in central Munich. Drive ~90 km to Garmisch (about 1 hr 20 min; fuel ~€18–22). If traveling by rail instead, Munich–Garmisch regional trains take ~1 hr 25 min; compare times on Omio Trains (about €24–30 adult).

Afternoon: Stretch your legs on the Partnachklamm gorge walk (easy 1–1.5 hours; entrance ~€7.50 adult; bring a light rain jacket—the spray is real). Alternative on hot days: an Eibsee lakeside loop with a dip or paddleboat rental.

Evening: Bavarian dinner at Zum Wildschütz (friendly service, generous portions) or Gasthof Fraundorfer (folk music nights; check schedule). Dessert at Café Krönner—try the Prinzregententorte.

Day 4: Summit day—Zugspitze and Eibsee play

Morning: Ride the Eibsee-Seilbahn to Zugspitze (return ~€65–75 adult; child discounts). On top: glacier views, an easy snow play area most of the year, and a quick cross-border step into Austria.

Afternoon: Back at lake level, rent a rowboat or take the flat 7.5 km loop around Eibsee (strollers manageable in sections). Alternative for thrill-seekers: the AlpspiX platform for dramatic valley views, or the Kolbensattel Alpine Coaster in Oberammergau (seasonal).

Evening: Casual bites around Garmisch’s Ludwigstraße—burger night at Local Cure or a classic Käsespätzle at Werdenfelser Hof. If you need a wind-down, the family-friendly Zugspitzbad Grainau pool is a treat.

Day 5: Garmisch to Füssen/Schwangau (1–1.25 hours)—Neuschwanstein & Alpsee

Morning: Drive ~60–75 minutes to Hohenschwangau. Park (about €8–10) and pick up your timed-entry tickets. Start with Hohenschwangau (shorter lines), then walk or shuttle to Neuschwanstein. Note: Marienbrücke viewpoint can close in winter for ice; check on arrival. Children under 18 typically require free but timed tickets—book in advance.

Afternoon: Picnics by Alpsee, easy stroller-friendly lakeside paths, or paddleboats in summer. If you’d prefer a no-driving day from Munich on another trip, consider the Premium Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof VIP Tour from Munich.

Evening: Check in around Füssen/Schwangau. Dinner at Madame Plüsch (old-timey dining room, comforting classics) or Il Pescatore for family-pleasing pastas and pizzas. Sunset stroll through Füssen’s pastel old town.

Day 6: Füssen to Berchtesgaden (3 hours)—Königssee magic

Morning: Drive ~230 km (about 3 hours; fuel ~€35–45). For a scenic break, stop at Chiemsee (Herreninsel ferries run year-round; palace interiors are ornate). Continue to Berchtesgaden and park near Königssee (paid lots fill by late morning in summer).

Afternoon: Board the silent electric boats on Königssee to St. Bartholomä (return ~€22–24 adult) for an easy chapel walk and lakeside snacks. In summer, continue to Salet for a 15–20 minute stroll to Obersee’s mirror-calm waters—postcard perfect.

Evening: Check in, then hearty plates at Gasthof Neuhaus or Hofbräuhaus Berchtesgaden. If legs allow, an after-dinner wander around the Market Square’s murals is atmospheric.

Day 7: Berchtesgaden views or salt mine, then back to Munich (1.75–2.5 hours)

Morning: In season (mid-May–Oct), ride the special bus to the Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) for big panoramas (ticket ~€30–33 adult; weather dependent). Off-season or with younger kids, choose the Salzbergwerk (salt mine) with miner’s overalls and wooden slides—educational and fun.

Afternoon: Drive back to Munich Airport (~2 hours; fuel ~€25–30). If your flight is late, a quick Jennerbahn cable-car ride offers one last vista. Return your car and depart.

Evening: If you’re staying one more night in Munich, celebrate with roast chicken and potato salad at the Viktualienmarkt beer garden, or try Wirtshaus zum Straubinger for regional dishes in a cozy setting.

Getting around & costs at a glance:

• Munich → Garmisch: ~1 hr 20 min (90 km); fuel ~€18–22; train ~1 hr 25 min via Omio.
• Garmisch → Füssen (Hohenschwangau): ~1–1.25 hrs (60–75 km); fuel ~€12–18; castle parking €8–10.
• Füssen → Berchtesgaden: ~3 hrs (230 km); fuel ~€35–45.
• Berchtesgaden → Munich Airport: ~2 hrs (170 km); fuel ~€25–30.
• Mountain lifts and boats (typical): Zugspitze €65–75 adult RT; Königssee €22–27 RT; Eagle’s Nest bus/elevator ~€30–33; Salt Mine ~€24 adult.

Where to book your stays (quick links): Munich: Novotel München City, Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre, Motel One München-Sendlinger Tor, Euro Youth Hotel Munich, Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Citywide searches: VRBO Munich, Hotels.com Munich; Garmisch: VRBO / Hotels.com; Füssen: VRBO / Hotels.com; Berchtesgaden: VRBO / Hotels.com.

Optional no-drive day ideas from Munich if you extend: Salzburg by rail for Mozart, baroque streets, and fortress views; or, seasonally, Berchtesgaden & Eagle’s Nest for Alpine drama.

This week blends Munich’s culture with an easy-driving loop through the Bavarian Alps—short hops, big views, castles, and boat rides. Whether you’re sharing dumplings in a beer garden or watching clouds drift across Zugspitze, it’s a family trip kids will remember and parents will actually relax on.