This German Region is a Can’t-Miss for Autmn

Germany is an obvious choice if you want to visit the country’s world-famous Christmas markets. But if you haven’t considered it for a fall travel destination, you are missing out on some pretty amazing experiences to share with your family. The only problem is, how do you choose which region to visit? We’ll help narrow it down for you: Bavaria is a can’t-miss region.

Bavaria is known for so many things, like its fairytale castles, great food and, of course, its beer — it is, after all, the birthplace of Oktoberfest. But when it comes to delivering on a family fall vacation, this German state has plenty to offer. The region is draped in lush landscapes that are especially beautiful when fall colors are at their finest, which creates the perfect backdrop for exploring. And as the season begins to transition into winter, you’ve got comfortable weather that is neither too hot nor too cold.

Bavaria has great celebrations throughout the year, like Oktoberfest, and although that one isn’t exactly a family-friendly affair, there is still plenty to do. Bavaria is home to fun attractions like LEGOLAND Deutschland; Wildlife an den Eichen, a free nature park where you can view local wildlife in its natural habitat; and Deutsches Museum, an interactive museum of science and technology in Munich where the family can do some hands-on learning about the past, present and future.

Fall is also a great time to explore some of Bavaria’s cuisine, which celebrates the region’s rich culture through local ingredients. A great seasonal dish to try is apfelstrudel (apple strudel), which makes the most of the fall apple harvest, but you won’t want to miss other regional favorites like soft pretzels, obatzda (a creamy cheese spread), schweinshaxe (crispy pork knuckles) and weißwurst (a traditional white sausage that goes great with spicy mustard).

If you plan your visit toward the end of November, you also have a good chance of catching the beginning of the Christmas market season. Most markets will start around mid to late November, so you’ll get the chance to experience Bavaria in the fall and still share some of this incredible holiday magic with the family.