How to Spend 9 Days in Southern Germany
Southern Germany is a prosperous, culturally rich region known for its Catholic heritage, Alpine scenery, and strong economy. This area covers a third of Germany, and it features many cities popular among tourists. Southern Germany is known to be more traditional, conservative, and often a slower pace of life compared to northern Germany. The region’s cultures include Swabians, Bavarians, and Franks as it has close ties (both geographically and culturally) to Austria and Switzerland. With smaller more walkable cities, travelers can enjoy immersing themselves into local life with a stroll through the historic streets, shopping the local markets, having the best bites from hidden gems, and – if the timing is right – enjoying one of the many local beer and wine festivals.
Discover Historic Ulm
On Gate 1’s 9 Day Tastes of Southern Germany tour, travelers will start their journey in the city of Ulm. Ulm lies on the left bank of the Danube River at its junction with the Iller and the Blau, opposite the Bavarian town of Neu Ulm. The city was first mentioned as a royal domain in 854 and was chartered in the 12th century by the Hohenstaufen emperors. Dating back centuries, the city was always a prominent location for important trade and manufacturing routes. This continued well past its founding era, as by the mid-20th century, Ulm had expanded industrially and commercially to become the economic hub of the area.
On Gate 1’s tour, take a walking tour of Ulm. View the Gothic Ulm Minster and the Town Hall with an astronomical clock and painted façade. Stroll through the historic Fishermen’s and Tanners’ Quarter and view the Schiefes Haus, a leaning timber-framed building dating back to the 15th century. Next, journey to the medieval town of Blaubeuren, nestled in the Swabian Jura region of southern Germany. Here, visit the 11th century Blaubeuren Monastery, a well-preserved former Benedictine monastery. View the late Gothic, double-winged high altar, the intricately detailed choir stall, the vaulted cloister, and fountain chapel. Afterward, sample Maultaschen, a traditional Swabian dish.
Heidelberg Castle
After touring Ulm, travelers will then visit Heidelberg. This city is home to Germany’s oldest university (University of Heidelberg), it was founded by Rupert I and chartered by Pope Urban VI in 1386. Heidelberg lies on the canalized Neckar River where it emerges from the forested hills of Odenwald into the Rhine plain. It was first mentioned in 1196 and was the capital of the Rhenish Palatinate and residence of the electoral counts palatine until 1720.
A must-see attraction for travelers to visit in this area is the iconic Heidelberg Castle. Several million people visit the castle every year. Although devastated by the French in 1689 and 1693 and then struck by lightning in 1764, this magnificent red sandstone structure, 330 feet above the river still dominates the city. Construction began on the castle in the 13th century, but the most notable work done was in the Renaissance and includes the Otto-Heinrichsbau and Friedrichsbau. In the cellar of the Friedrichsbau is the Heidelberg Tun (1751), an enormous wine cask with a capacity of 49,000 gallons (185,500 liters). The castle can be reached from the lower city by a cable railway, which continues to the summit of the Königsstuhl (massif).
On Gate 1’s 9 Day Tastes of Southern Germany tour, travelers will get to see the castle up close and personal. You’ll explore the castle’s ruins while also admiring the views of Heidelberg and the Neckar River below. After seeing the castle, continue to the town and explore the rest of Heidelberg’s cobblestone alleys and historic buildings, University of Heidelberg, the Baroque Jesuit Church, and the Market Square.
Bavarian Traditions: Linderhof & Oberammergau
On the fifth day of Gate 1’s 9 Day Tastes of Southern Germany tour, travelers can participate in the optional Linderhof & Oberammergau tour. This consists of a visit to the Linderhof Palace and the storybook village of Oberammergau.
First, travelers will start at the Linderhof Palace, built by “mad” King Ludwig II. This was the only palace that Ludwig lived to see completed, though the origins of the structure were filled with lots of building and remodeling. The palace was originally a hunting lodge owned by Ludwig’s father, it was rebuilt in 1869, five years after his coronation. The Linderhof Palace was finally completed in the 1880s and has had little alterations since. The palace boasts elaborately decorated rooms, including a large bedroom, audience chamber, dining room, and the Hall of Mirrors that overlook the water parterre and fountain. The Linderhof Palace is now an exhibition of the finest Bavarian and German craftmanship of the late 19th century.
From the halls of the palace, travelers will make their way to the village of Oberammergau. In this quaint village nestled in the scenic Bavarian Alps you can admire fresco-painted houses, discover the tradition of intricate woodcarving, and learn about the world-famous Passion Play that has been performed here for centuries. The Oberammergau Passion Play has been performed nearly every ten years since 1634, making it over 390 years old. Originally initiated as a vow to God by the villagers to end the Bubonic plague in 1633, the tradition continued and typically occurs in the first year of each decade with over 2,000 residents performing.
Explore Würzburg’s Baroque Beauty
The next morning, depart Ulm and head north toward Würzburg. Würzburg lies along and is an inland port of the canalized Main River, about 60 miles southeast of Frankfurt. Originally the site of Celtic settlement, it was first mentioned in 704. The city was once the capital of Franconia and is now an administrative capital. It is a center of grape growing and a hub of rail and river traffic. Another important part of Würzburg is its wine trade and printing industry. Manufacturers include medical instruments, pollution abatement, measurement equipment, electrical goods, clothing, and foodstuffs. Much of the city was destroyed in World War II, but its postwar reconstruction has been thorough.
When travelers visit Würzburg on Gate 1’s 9 Day Tastes of Southern Germany tour, they will first embark on a city tour. Some of the highlights you’ll see are the grand Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its opulent palace and lush gardens, the Würzburg Cathedral, its bustling Market Square, and the Old Main Bridge lined with statues of saints.
Walk Through History in Nuremberg
Travelers who book Gate 1’s 9 Day Tastes of Southern Germany tour will get to spend multiple days getting to know Würzburg, but have the option to participate in a city tour of Nuremberg if they would like more variety. Nuremberg has been mentioned in official records dating back to 1050, but it has its origin in a castle built about 10 years earlier by the German king Henry III. A settlement developed around the castle, and in 1219 the city was granted its first charter. Soon, Nuremberg gained full independence, becoming a free imperial city. By the end of the 13th century, Nuremberg was no longer solely a fortified settlement. It had developed into a city of craftsmen and patricians, while manufacturing and commerce had become the city’s main source of income.
In the 1930s, Nuremberg became a center of the Nazi Party. During World War II, the city was severely damaged. It was captured by U.S. troops and was famously the scene of the Nuremberg trials, the Allied Powers’ trials of Nazi Germany’s war criminals. In the aftermath of World War II’s destruction, much of the city was significantly redeveloped. Today it is a major administrative and commercial center, with specialized services. It’s also a major producer of fine mechanical and optical goods and electrical apparatuses. If you visit by car you’re in luck as Nuremberg is a central point of convergence for major highways and is connected to the Munich-Berlin and Frankfurt-Cologne autobahns. But driving isn’t the only convenient way to get around. Nuremberg is also connected to the German high-speed passenger rail system.
On Gate 1’s tour, travelers can visit the historic Palace of Justice where the War Crimes Tribunal met in 1946 and the chilling Nazi Rally grounds, where mass events were held to fuel the party propaganda. End your day in the lively Market Square and then explore the city on your own before heading back to Würzburg that night.
A Perfect Blend of Culture and Scenery
Spending nine days in southern Germany allows travelers to experience the rich variety of landscapes, architecture, and traditions. From fairy tale castles and alpine villages to historic cities, each stop reveals a different side of the region. With its balance of culture, history, and scenic beauty, southern Germany offers a rewarding and memorable European journey. To book an extended trip featuring south Germany, click here to learn more about Gate 1’s 16 Day Tastes of Southern Germany & Switzerland tour. Click here to view Gate 1’s full German itinerary.