7 Days to Explore Germany! This Route Is Really Not Tiring
🗓️ Itinerary Overview (Arrive in Berlin, Depart from Munich)
- Day 1: Berlin (Historical landmarks + Museums)
- Day 2: Berlin → Munich (City transfer + Old town stroll)
- Day 3: Munich → Neuschwanstein Castle (Fairy tale castle + Alpine lake views)
- Day 4: Munich → Heidelberg (Romantic old town + Castle overlook)
- Day 5: Heidelberg → Cologne (Gothic cathedral + Rhine riverside)
- Day 6: Cologne → Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Medieval town + Walk along city walls)
- Day 7: Rothenburg ob der Tauber → Munich (Market shopping + Return)
📅 Detailed Daily Itinerary
- Day 1 Berlin: First Experience of History and Art
- Morning: Brandenburg Gate (Symbol of German unity) → East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall graffiti art)
- Afternoon: Museum Island (Must-see Pergamon Museum) → Berlin Cathedral (Climb to the top for panoramic views)
- Evening: Stroll Unter den Linden, enjoy currywurst with beer
- Accommodation: Mitte district, close to subway and attractions
- Transportation: Subway + walking, buy a Berlin day pass to save time and money
- Day 2 Berlin → Munich: Bavaria’s Vibrant Start
- Morning: Take DB high-speed train about 4 hours to Munich, check in near Marienplatz
- Afternoon: Marienplatz (Watch the Rathaus Glockenspiel show) → Frauenkirche (Onion dome landmark)
- Evening: Hofbräuhaus, enjoy Bavarian roast pork knuckle and potato dumplings
- Tip: Book high-speed train tickets in advance for better prices
- Day 3 Munich → Neuschwanstein Castle: Fairy Tale Day Trip
- Morning: Take FlixBus/train about 2 hours to Füssen, transfer to bus to Neuschwanstein Castle, 15-minute hike to Marienbrücke for classic views
- Noon: Eat sausages with bread at a mountain foot restaurant, buy handcrafted cuckoo clocks
- Afternoon: Visit inside Neuschwanstein Castle (book tickets on official website in advance to skip lines), return to Munich by evening
- Transportation: About 4 hours round trip, allow enough time
- Day 4 Munich → Heidelberg: Romantic Old Town Leisure
- Morning: Take high-speed train about 2.5 hours to Heidelberg, visit Heidelberg Castle (overlooking old town and Neckar River)
- Afternoon: Walk Old Bridge → Philosopher’s Walk (overlooking old town) → Heidelberg University
- Evening: Eat Heidelberg sausages with local wine in old town
- Accommodation: Old town, immersive medieval atmosphere
- Day 5 Heidelberg → Cologne: Gothic and Fireworks Blend
- Morning: Take high-speed train about 2 hours to Cologne, head straight to Cologne Cathedral (climb 509 steps to the bell tower)
- Afternoon: Walk Hohenzollern Bridge (lock love padlocks), visit old market
- Evening: Dine at century-old Früh restaurant, enjoy roast pork knuckle and black pudding with Cologne Kölsch beer
- Accommodation: Near the cathedral, convenient for travel
- Day 6 Cologne → Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Medieval Living Fossil Exploration
- Morning: Take train about 2 hours to Rothenburg, stroll along ancient city walls (overlooking red rooftops)
- Afternoon: Visit Town Hall → St. Jacob’s Church, buy Schneeball sugar balls
- Evening: Eat traditional German food at old town restaurant, enjoy the town’s tranquility
- Accommodation: Inside old town, experience medieval charm
- Day 7 Rothenburg ob der Tauber → Munich: Wrap-up and Return
- Morning: Take train about 2.5 hours back to Munich, shop around Marienplatz for souvenirs like Zwilling knives and Sybelle face masks
- Noon: Eat Bavarian white sausage with sweet mustard, say goodbye to German cuisine
- Afternoon: Head to the airport, end of trip
- Tip: Most shops close on Sundays, avoid shopping on Sundays
🚆 Core Tips for Transportation and Accommodation
- Intercity: Mainly use DB high-speed trains, buy tickets early for discounts; FlixBus is more cost-effective for short trips like Neuschwanstein and Rothenburg; group travelers can buy regional day tickets (e.g., Bavaria day ticket)
- Within cities: Use subway/light rail day passes in Berlin and Munich; small towns rely on walking + buses
- Accommodation: Prioritize locations near attractions or subway stations; top choices are Berlin Mitte, Munich Marienplatz, Heidelberg old town, and Cologne cathedral area
🍻 Food and Shopping Highlights
- Must-eat: Bavarian roast pork knuckle, currywurst, white sausage, Black Forest cake, smoked trout
- Must-buy: Black Forest ham, cuckoo clocks, Berlin Bear souvenirs, Zwilling knives, Sybelle face masks
- Tax refund: Single purchases over €25 are eligible for tax refund; keep receipts and claim at the airport