Top 10 By Car
Some of Bavaria's best spots genuinely need a car. Remote alpine lakes, scenic drives, and hidden valleys where the bus comes twice a day (if you're lucky).
Here are the 10 attractions that justify a rental car—with parking tips, scenic route options, and the flexibility you simply can't get on public transport.
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10Best For
Remote & Scenic
Main Risk
Parking Chaos
Strategy
Arrive Before 9 AM
Genuine Car-Required Destinations
The Top 10
Geroldsee→
The Instagram-famous reflection lake with Karwendel Alps backdrop. There's no visitor parking in Gerold village, the nearest station is 35-45 minutes walk away, and you need flexibility to catch the right light. This is peak car-required territory.
The Real Deal
No Village Parking: Gerold village has zero visitor parking. Park on the main road and walk in. Enforcement is real.
Meadow Ban: April to September, you can't walk through the meadows to the viewpoint—crop protection. Designated paths only.
Walchensee Scenic Loop→
The "Bavarian Caribbean" has multiple swimming spots around the lake. By train, you're stuck at one location. By car, you can hit Zwergern Peninsula, Einsiedl Bay, and the Herzogstand cable car parking in one day.
The Real Deal
Herzogstandbahn Parking: Fills by 9:30 AM on weekends. Arrive early or park at Kochel and bus up instead.
Two Lakes View: Drive the scenic B11 between Walchensee and Kochelsee for the classic "two lakes" view from road level.
Linderhof Palace→
King Ludwig II's only completed palace is in a remote valley with limited bus service. The bus from Oberammergau runs irregularly, and you can't combine it with other attractions easily. A car lets you do Linderhof + Ettal Monastery in one smooth day.
The Real Deal
Venus Grotto 2025: The legendary grotto reopens April 2025 after 10 years of restoration. Expect crowds initially—car gives you flexibility to arrive early or late.
Ettal Monastery: Just 15 minutes away by car. The baroque church and monastery brewery make a perfect combo. Impossible to do both efficiently by bus.
Weltenburg Abbey→
The world's oldest monastic brewery (since 1050) sits in a dramatic Danube gorge. The tourist boats are overpriced and scheduled. By car, you can take the secret €2 Stausacker rope ferry and drink as much monastery beer as you want without watching the clock.
The Real Deal
Insider's Backdoor: Park at Stausacker (free), take the €2 rope ferry across, and walk 15 minutes to the abbey. Bypasses the expensive boat cartel from Kelheim.
Combine with Regensburg: Just 30 minutes to UNESCO Regensburg. Do Weltenburg morning (beer garden opens 10 AM), Regensburg afternoon.
Romantic Road Tour→
Germany's most famous scenic route connects Würzburg to Füssen through medieval walled towns, castles, and Alpine foothills. The "Romantic Road Bus" exists but runs once daily. A car lets you stop wherever, whenever—the entire point of a scenic drive.
The Real Deal
Skip the Coach: The Romantic Road bus is designed for tourists without cars. It stops at every town for 15 minutes. Driving yourself lets you spend 3 hours in Rothenburg and skip places that don't interest you.
Essential Stops: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Nördlingen (meteorite crater), and Harburg Castle. Everything else is optional.
Skyline Park→
Bavaria's family theme park is 20 minutes walk from Rammingen station across exposed terrain. With kids, bags, and possibly a stroller, that walk is brutal in summer heat. By car, you park for €2 right at the entrance.
The Real Deal
Free Camper Parking: The park allows free overnight camper parking in the lot. Arrive evening, sleep, hit the park at opening.
Pool Included: Unlike most German theme parks, entry includes the "Spaßbad" swimming pool. Bring swimsuits—the car trunk is your changing room.
Skywalk Allgäu→
The treetop adventure park is 30-45 minutes hike from Scheidegg town—no shuttle for individuals. With 70+ stations and a 3-4 hour visit, you don't want to add an hour of hiking each way. Drive, park, and save energy for the actual adventure.
The Real Deal
Picnic in Trunk: Pack lunch in the car—the on-site restaurant charges €60+ for a family meal. Designated picnic areas are available.
Dog Kennels: Dogs are allowed on grounds but banned from the treetop walk. Kennels at entrance—your car is a backup if the weather turns.
Königssee Early Morning→
Yes, you can reach Königssee by train + bus. But catching the first boat (8:00 AM) to beat crowds requires overnight in Berchtesgaden or a very early Munich departure. By car, leave Munich at 5:30 AM, park by 7:30, catch the 8:00 boat with empty Obersee to yourself.
The Real Deal
Sunrise Strategy: For photographers wanting Obersee at sunrise, driving is the only realistic option. First train from Munich arrives too late.
Salt Mine Combo: On the way back, stop at the Salzbergwerk salt mine (25 min by car). Impossible by public transport in one day.
Walhalla Memorial→
The Parthenon-style monument overlooking the Danube is accessible by boat or bus, but the bus runs infrequently and the boat is expensive. By car, park at the top (€3, cash only) and skip the 358-step climb entirely.
The Real Deal
Cash Only: The parking machine only takes coins. Bring €3 in change or you'll be scrambling.
Scenic Alternative: If you want the dramatic approach (boat + steps), take the scenic river cruise from Regensburg. But by car, you get flexibility and the same monument.
Burghausen Castle→
The world's longest castle (1,051m) has free underground parking inside the complex. The train station is walkable, but the castle is huge—you'll spend 2-3 hours covering six courtyards. Having a car means you can also cross into Austria (5 min away) or hit the old town below.
The Real Deal
Free Parking Inside: Unlike most castles, Burghausen has free parking within the castle complex itself. Drive through the gates and park underground.
Photo from Below: The money shot of the castle is from the old town along the Salzach River. Drive down, snap the photo, then drive back up to explore.