Bavaria is one of those rare places that somehow tricks you into coming back, and then refuses to disappoint. I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice now, and honestly, it still hasn’t run out of magic (or pretzels).
If you followed my first Bavarian adventure, you already know I didn’t hold back, I covered the big names like Munich and my beloved home base, Nuremberg, also Bamberg, Regensburg, Wurzburg, and more. And if you didn’t catch that one, just click here to jump back and see my favorite day trips from Nuremberg before diving into this chapter. Because here’s the thing: Nuremberg is dangerously convenient. The kind of place that makes you feel like a very organized traveler, while doing minimal effort. Trains, charm, history, everything just works. So of course, I went back. I had unfinished business with Bavaria.
Fürth:
When you arrive in Bavaria around December 26th, you quickly learn that the region settles into a quiet, post-Christmas hibernation. With the major cities taking a breath, we decided to hop on a quick 15-minute train from Nuremberg to explore Fürth. Honestly, I’m still wondering how I managed to overlook this place on my first trip! The moment we stepped out of the station, we were greeted by the Centaur Fountain, a magnificent sculpture of a half-man, half-horse that commemorates Germany’s first railway line, which actually ran right between here and Nuremberg.
Altstadt in Fürth felt like a secret I had somehow been invited into, one of those places that makes you wonder how it stayed off your radar for so long. We wandered down the famous Gustavstraße, an incredibly old, storybook street lined with historic pubs and cafés, very charming, but what really caught my eye was the architecture, houses dressed in dark, shimmering slate tiles, a local specialty that gives the entire street this elegant, silvery glow. It felt refined without trying too hard, very Bavarian, if you ask me.
Not far from there, we stepped into St. Michael Church, a beautiful historic church dating back to the 1000s, quietly standing as a witness to centuries of stories. And then, in a moment, we noticed pencils near a nearby school, which somehow led us to realize we were just a stone’s throw from the legendary Faber-Castell factory and its famous “pencil palace.” Sadly, time wasn’t on our side, so that little detour will have to wait for another trip, because clearly, I’m coming back.
We eventually found ourselves in a grand square, which is Gruner Market square where a towering Christmas tree stood glowing against the winter sky, next to the beautiful fountain of Gauklerbrunnen, decorated with intricate bronze sculptures ( Circus Fountaine). And honestly, that’s the thing with Fürth, you don’t need a checklist. You just walk, look around, and suddenly you’re in love with another corner, another building, another tiny detail.
Even beyond the holiday season, there’s more to explore, like the Stadtmuseum Fürth or the lively Fürther Freiheit. Just nearby, the elegant Hornschuchpromenade and Königswarterstraße stretch along what was once Germany’s first railway, the historic Ludwig Railway, a detail that somehow makes the whole walk feel even more special.
Despite the post-holiday quiet, a few cozy cafés were open, so we took a break before we ended our day in Stadtpark Fürth, watching local families enjoy the crisp December air.
And just like that, it clicked, while I was busy chasing Bavaria’s “must-sees,” I had completely overlooked something this charming just 15 minutes away. Turns out, the best travel moments aren’t always the faraway ones… sometimes, they’re quietly waiting just a few train stops down the line.
Quick Tips for Visiting Fürth
• Start here on arrival day
Just landed in Germany and feeling tired? Fürth is the perfect soft start, only 10–15 minutes from Nuremberg, easy, calm, and no heavy planning needed.
• Keep it spontaneous
Head straight to the old town’s most charming street Gustavstraße, Wander, explore, get a little lost, that’s where the charm is. Extend your walk toward the main square or a nearby park for a more complete feel of the city.
• A few hours is enough
Fürth is best enjoyed slowly, but it doesn’t need a full day. Keep it light and relaxed.
• Final tip
Don’t underestimate it, this “quick stop” might end up being one of your favorite surprises.
Dinkelsbühl
When I was searching for beautiful places near Nuremberg, I didn’t just rely on lists, I opened the map and started scanning, city by city, until Dinkelsbühl quietly caught my attention.
My sister, tried to convince me to go to Frankfurt or Stuttgart, because no one even talks about that place.
But that’s exactly what made me want to go even more.
I’ve learned by now that the places no one talks about are usually the ones that surprise you the most. So I insisted.
How we got there? We took the train to Dombühl, then hopped on the 813 bus, a smooth 30-minute ride that slowly eased us into the countryside, building that quiet kind of excitement you get when you feel something special is coming.
The approach alone felt magical. We walked toward a bridge leading straight to the massive city walls, then crossed another small bridge over the moat to reach the old gate. And the moment we stepped inside, it just unfolded.
Dinkelsbühl doesn’t just feel old, it feels preserved. Like nothing was rushed, nothing was changed too much. It reminded me of a beautiful vintage piece, carefully maintained over time, where every detail still matters.
Every house seemed perfectly in place, same heights, beautifully decorated, colorful facades, charming rooftops. There’s a harmony to the whole town that’s hard to explain, but impossible not to notice. You don’t even need to look for beauty here, it’s just everywhere.
I actually did a little digging afterward, and it turns out my gut feeling wasn’t just travel intuition, it was history. Dinkelsbühl was once a Free Imperial City, answering directly to the Emperor, which honestly explains a lot, because everything here feels just a little bit high-end for a medieval town.
Outside the walls, there’s this peaceful path that circles the entire town, overlooking a quiet lake and a large green space, Stadtpark Dinkelsbühl, wrapping gently around the fortifications and watchtowers like Segringer Tor and Rothenburger Tor. It’s calm, almost too calm, that you slow down without even realizing it.
Right in the heart of the town stands the beautiful St. George’s Minster, and from there, the Altstadt just unfolds in the most effortless way. (Fun fact: those iconic walls and the church date mostly back to the 14th and 15th centuries, which makes it even more impressive how perfectly everything has been preserved.)
From that point, it’s almost like the town gives you options. To the right, a lively stretch of restaurants and cafés along the Weinmarkt leads toward one of the tower gates. To the left, and straight ahead, you’ll find the City Hall and rows of stunning houses that honestly made me feel like I had accidentally wandered into a billionaire’s medieval neighborhood. Everything is just too perfect.
And yet, despite all that beauty, it remains quiet, relaxed, and incredibly charming. I remember thinking how grateful I was that I didn’t listen and skip it, sometimes being stubborn really pays off.
If you have more time, there’s even more to explore, like the 3D Museum Dinkelsbühl or the Haus der Geschichte Dinkelsbühl. But honestly, even just wandering these streets felt like more than enough.
Quick Tips for Visiting Dinkelsbühl
• Go early or stay late
If you want to see Dinkelsbühl at its absolute best, arrive early morning or stay into the evening. Once the day visitors leave, the town becomes unbelievably quiet, almost like you have the whole place to yourself.
• Walk the walls
One of the highlights here is that you can actually walk along parts of the old city walls. It gives you a completely different perspective of the town, and some beautiful views.
• Climb St. George’s Minster tower (if open)
For one of the best views over the rooftops, check if the tower is open. It was closed when we visited.
• Stay one night if you can
I can only imagine that Dinkelsbühl after dark is something else, totally different from the daytime feel.
• Visit during Kinderzeche (if timing works)
If you’re lucky to be there during this traditional festival, you’ll see the town come alive with historical costumes and celebrations, but book early, it gets busy.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber:
After the sheer “luxury” of Dinkelsbühl, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. Everyone keeps raving about Rothenburg ob der Tauber, even though all I seemed to see were influencers posting that exact same photo of the famous yellow timber-frame house. Was it genuinely magical or just very well marketed?
Determined to find out, we made our way there.
How to get there: we took the train from Nuremberg, then hopped on the 807 bus from Dombühl. And I have to say, the journey itself was unexpectedly beautiful, rolling through tiny, sleepy Bavarian villages and soft countryside, like the region was slowly setting the mood before the big reveal.
The second we stepped through those massive stone gates into the Old Town, my skepticism didn’t just fade, it vanished. Just like that, we were transported. It genuinely felt like walking onto a movie set from the 1600s.
The city is still wrapped in its original 14th-century walls, and yes, you can actually walk along them. The Rothenburg Town Walls (Stadtmauer) offer a covered passage above the streets.
We made our way to the heart of it all, the Marktplatz Rothenburg, a lively square surrounded by colorful facades, cozy cafés, and just enough buzz to keep things alive without feeling overwhelming. The impressive Rothenburg Town Hall dominates the square, and its clock performs the famous “Master Draught” (Meistertrunk) every hour, a quirky little historical show that people actually stop to watch.
Now, if you’re feeling brave and slightly athletic, I highly recommend climbing the Town Hall Tower. The staircase is narrow, steep, but still, much kinder than Alter Peter in Munich, at least here, there’s an elevator that does most of the work. The real challenge is just those final steps to the top. And once you’re there, standing on that tiny balcony overlooking a sea of red rooftops, it’s completely worth it.
From there, we wandered through more charming streets until we reached the peaceful Burggarten Rothenburg, a quiet garden at the edge of town. The views open up to the Tauber Valley, with soft hills stretching into the distance and nature wrapping around the city like a protective frame.
And I think that’s what truly makes Rothenburg special. It feels disconnected in the best possible way. The Old Town is so well preserved, so perfectly enclosed by walls and surrounded by nature, that stepping inside feels like stepping out of time. You’re not just visiting, you’re wandering, getting lost, noticing details, and forgetting what year it is.
If you have time, you can dive into places like the Medieval Crime Museum, the German Christmas Museum (which is basically Christmas all year round), or the RothenburgMuseum, which walks you through centuries of the town’s history. There’s even a Doll and Toy Museum and smaller themed museums scattered around.
The town has inspired the look of the village in Pinocchio movie, which probably explains why it feels so familiar, almost like you’ve seen it somewhere before.
I hate to admit it, but yes, the influencers were right.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is pure, unapologetic charm.
Quick Tips for Visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber
• Go early, very early
If you want that dreamy, empty-streets experience (yes, the one you see in photos), you have to beat the crowds. Early morning or late evening is when Rothenburg feels truly magical.
• Walk the city walls (Stadtmauer)
Don’t skip this. Walking along the medieval walls gives you beautiful views and a real sense of the town’s history.
• Climb the Town Hall Tower
Yes, the stairs are tight, yes, it’s a bit of a challenge, but the view over the red rooftops is 100% worth it. The cost is 4 Euros.
• Try the local Schneeballen
A traditional pastry you’ll see everywhere. Not everyone loves it, but you have to try it at least once.
• Final tip
I hate to admit it, but the influencers were right, never, ever miss this place.
Stuttgart: Mercedes Benz Museum
My last trip before my DB card expired, I really saved the hardest one for the end. I decided to visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, and let’s just say, it was not a casual day trip.
We’re talking about a solid 3-hour journey, slow trains, and then a final stretch by bus (take line 56 toward NeckarPark. By the time we arrived, tired but excited, we were not prepared for what we saw next, a massive line of people. The moment the bus doors opened, it turned into a quiet race. Everyone started running to secure a spot in line. I just stood there thinking… what is happening?
For a second, I almost gave up, but looking at my excited son I couldn’t, I even tried booking tickets online on the spot, no luck. So we did the only thing left to do, we waited. In the cold. For quite a while.
I wasn’t expecting that at all. My experience at the BMW Museum had been so smooth, so organized, this felt like a completely different level of chaos. Turns out the system was down. But then, we got inside.
And suddenly, everything was forgiven.
The design of the museum is something else entirely, a stunning spiral layout that gently pulls you through time, floor by floor, with cars beautifully displayed like pieces of art. Even the elevators deserve a mention, they’re not just elevators, they’re full-on spaceship capsules. You step in, the doors close, and for a second you’re not sure if you’re going up a few floors or heading into space.
It’s not just a museum, it’s a journey through history, innovation, and design, all wrapped into one continuous flow.
I had my favorites, of course. The iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, absolutely timeless, and the elegant Mercedes 75 PS Doppelphaeton, which felt like stepping into another era altogether.
Stuttgart, by the way, is basically a dream for car lovers. You also have the Porsche Museum, we simply didn’t have time for it, which was honestly a bit frustrating.
Quick Tips for Stuttgart & Mercedes-Benz Museum
• Book your Mercedes-Benz Museum ticket online in advance
Don’t gamble with the queue. The museum is extremely popular, and online tickets will save you time and stress. Book here
• Go early in the day (seriously)
Late mornings bring crowds fast. If you arrive early, you’ll enjoy the spiral layout in peace before it gets busy, and to avoid staying for the last train which gets very very crowded.
• Plan your route properly (it’s not a quick hop)
From Nuremberg, expect around 3 hours travel time with train connections, then local transport in Stuttgart. It’s a long but very doable day trip, just don’t underestimate it.
Explore Stuttgart beyond the museum if you can
If time allows, combine it with the Porsche Museum or at least a quick walk around the city.
• Final tip
Go in prepared for crowds, queues, and a long day, but don’t let that scare you. The moment you step inside, the architecture, design, and storytelling completely take over, and you forget everything outside.
For DB and Transport planning check here