10 Day Munich and Prague Tour: Castles, Culture, and Beer Tasting Adventures

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Another of the eccentric (some say mad) King Ludwig II's creations is Linderhof Palace, which with its fantastic grotto and Moorish pavilion testifies to the king's vision. The smallest of his three palaces that he built, it is the only one that he lived to see completed. The palace is in between Munich and Neuschwanstein, meaning many tours stop there along the way.

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

You definitely won't want to miss taking in the best views and photographs of Neuschwanstein from Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) over the dramatic Pöllat Gorge. The minibus terminal is very close at just 5 min walk away, while it's a steepish 10-15min climb on a wide and well-groomed path to get there from behind the castle. As noted above, Mary's Bridge can get a little crowded, so you might have to wait for a gap before you can fit on.

Stop by King Ludwig II's smallest palace on your way to Neuschwanstein and explore its delightful gardens.

Another of the eccentric (some say mad) King Ludwig II's creations is Linderhof Palace, which with its fantastic grotto and Moorish pavilion testifies to the king's vision. The smallest of his three palaces that he built, it is the only one that he lived to see completed. The palace is in between Munich and Neuschwanstein, meaning many tours stop there along the way.

Enjoy a stunning view of the castle while suspended over a mountainous gorge.

You definitely won't want to miss taking in the best views and photographs of Neuschwanstein from Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) over the dramatic Pöllat Gorge. The minibus terminal is very close at just 5 min walk away, while it's a steepish 10-15min climb on a wide and well-groomed path to get there from behind the castle. As noted above, Mary's Bridge can get a little crowded, so you might have to wait for a gap before you can fit on.

Stare into the eyes of King Ludwig I's mistresses.

One of the high points of the magnificent palace is the Schönheitengalerie, or the Gallery of Beauties, featuring 38 portraits of attractive females admired by King Ludwig I, including some of his mistresses, many with fascinating stories of their own related via the audio guide. Be sure to check out the story of Ludwig's longstanding infamous mistress, the Irish dancer Lola Montez, over whom Ludwig lost his crown.

Escape to the favorite natural retreat of locals.

The sprawling park behind Nymphenburg Palace is a favorite spot with Munich residents and visitors alike. It started out as an Italian garden and was later redesigned in the French style, but in the 19th century most of the park was transformed into the more natural English style. It is embellished with a number of water features, including a large lake, a cascade and a 1.5 mile-long canal - a great venue for ice skating and ice curling when it freezes over in winter.

Stare up close at the splendid and ostentatious carriages built for Bavaria's rulers.

Also housed in the main building is the Marstallmuseum, displaying royal coaches and riding gear dripping with gild and golden ornamentation, including King Ludwig II's outrageously fairy tale–like rococo sleigh, ingeniously fitted with oil lamps for his impromptu nocturnal outings. Upstairs is the world's largest collection of porcelain made by the famous Nymphenburger Manufaktur. Also known as the Sammlung Bäuml, it presents the entire product palette from the company's founding in 1747 until 1930.

Visit M unich's large Botanical Gardens just north of the Nymphenburg Palace.

There are over 52 acres in the gardens, included greenhouses, a lake, a fountain, and houses dedicated to Africa and Madagascar, Mexico, palms and cactuses, and other themes.

Count the spires on the Church of Our Lady Týn before discovering the hidden courtyard behind it.

The 14th-century, Gothic church is a stunning structure with asymmetrical towers (note that the one on the right is slightly larger than the one on the left). It is the dominant feature of Old Town square and serves as an extensive gallery of Gothic, Renaissance and Early Baroque works. The church is the final resting place for the great astronomer Tycho Brahe.

Discover a large historical complex of buildings and courtyards "hidden in plain sight" within the Old Town.

Founded as an abbey in the 11th century and later transformed into a Jesuit university, it is the second largest complex of buildings in Prague after the castle and contains four separate churches. Guided tours begin at 10am, and include an awe-inspiring Baroque library hall and the Astronomical Tower, from which you have a beautiful view of the Old Town.

Make sure to visit one of Europe's most important, historic, and stunning city squares.

The square is filled with rich history and surrounded by many beautiful old buildings, such as the gothic church of Our Lady before Týn and the baroque church of St. Nicholas. At the center of the square is a large statue of Jan Hus, a church reformer burnt at the stake in 1415, and a lovely and recently-restored column topped by the Virgin Mary. Today the square is filled with street performers, food stalls, and horse-drawn carriages. 

See Prague's most photographed moment when the late medieval timepiece constructed on the side of the Old Town Hall Tower comes to life at the top of the hour.

Apostles proceed from the tower’s 1410 astronomical clock hourly, flanked by figures representing vanity, greed, death, and pleasure. You can also take an elevator to the top of the Old Town Hall tower for a great view of the Old Town Square and rooftops. Tours of the town hall and its gothic cellars are also offered. 

Tour a closely-guarded and jewel-encrusted chapel decorated with amazing medieval art.

The most important and impressive part of the castle, the Chapel of the Holy Rood, is open only to special guided tours due to the fact that its walls are literally covered in precious jewels.

Tour a closely-guarded and jewel-encrusted chapel decorated with amazing medieval art.

The most important and impressive part of the castle, the Chapel of the Holy Rood, is open only to special guided tours due to the fact that its walls are literally covered in precious jewels.

Tour a closely-guarded and jewel-encrusted chapel decorated with amazing medieval art.

The most important and impressive part of the castle, the Chapel of the Holy Rood, is open only to special guided tours due to the fact that its walls are literally covered in precious jewels.

Tour a closely-guarded and jewel-encrusted chapel decorated with amazing medieval art.

The most important and impressive part of the castle, the Chapel of the Holy Rood, is open only to special guided tours due to the fact that its walls are literally covered in precious jewels.

See Europe's second largest synagogue, which was built to reflect a variety of different historical architecture styles.

The Grand Synagogue is the largest surviving synagogue in the Czech Republic and claims to be the second largest in Europe. When it was built in 1888, it could just about seat the city's entire Jewish population of 5,500. The still ornate interior contains an exhibition on the history of the local Jewish inhabitants.

Discover a small military history museum which explores Pilsen's liberation during WWII.

The Liberation Monument serves as a reminder of General Patton's liberation of Pilsen at the end of the World War II before he was forced to halt his advance on Prague in order to comply with the post-war agreement made at Yalta. The museum includes period equipment and photos.

Tour the first brewery to produce pale lager, which gave the pilsner beer its name.

The brewery was founded in 1842, and the popularity of its pale lager resulted in it being copied all over the world. Now more than two-thirds of the beer produced in the world today is pale lager, sometimes named pils, pilsner and pilsener after Pilsner Urquell. 

See Europe's second largest synagogue, which was built to reflect a variety of different historical architecture styles.

The Grand Synagogue is the largest surviving synagogue in the Czech Republic and claims to be the second largest in Europe. When it was built in 1888, it could just about seat the city's entire Jewish population of 5,500. The still ornate interior contains an exhibition on the history of the local Jewish inhabitants.

Discover the synagogue considered by many to be Prague's most beautiful.

Completed in 1868, the Spanish Synagogue is the newest synagogue in Prague's Jewish Quarter, but happens to be built on the site of the former Oldest Synagogue in Prague. It is built in a stunning Spanish Moorish style as a symbol of the flowering of the Jewish culture which occurred under Muslim rule on the Iberian Peninsula.

See the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe and also one of Prague's earliest Gothic buildings.

When built it was Prague’s newest synagogue, but over time became its oldest – hence the “Old-New”. A beautiful ark holds the Torah and legend says its attic is the hiding place of the legendary clay Golem.

Take an unforgettable visit to one of Europe's largest medieval Jewish cemeteries.

As the Jewish Ghetto was quite cramped, there was no room to expand the cemetery. Unable to acquire further land, and not wishing to dishonor ancestors through the demolition of existing graves, Prague's Jews buried their loved ones in multiple levels. Gravestones are packed in tightly and in some areas the burials reach 12 layers!

Discover the synagogue considered by many to be Prague's most beautiful.

Completed in 1868, the Spanish Synagogue is the newest synagogue in Prague's Jewish Quarter, but happens to be built on the site of the former Oldest Synagogue in Prague. It is built in a stunning Spanish Moorish style as a symbol of the flowering of the Jewish culture which occurred under Muslim rule on the Iberian Peninsula.

Hang with the locals enjoying a beer and an exquisite view over the river and city.

This is paradise for anyone who appreciates quaffing an ale or two in the shade of a tree on a hot day or on a balmy spring or summer evening when the lamps give the whole garden a romantic edge. And you’ve got some of the most impressive views of Prague and the bridges across the Vltava to soak in as well.The beer garden is open till 11 PM in the spring and summer. The booths dotted around the tables and benches sell beer in plastic half-liter cups, as well as the traditional fare of sausages and pickled camembert. Don’t be afraid to share a bench with someone if it looks like there are no empty ones – this is normal and expected.

See vintage vehicles, old astronomical instruments, a coal mining exhibition, and much more.

Prague is generally not renowned for its museums, but this one is definitely worth visiting. They’ve done a great job of making it as interactive as possible and the descriptions in English are adequate. If you’re into anything mechanical, and particularly how all types of vehicles look and work, then you’ll love this museum.

Stroll a l ush English-style park with fountains and shaded pathways which create a tranquil atmosphere.

Originally the site of a vineyard, the Royal Garden is an Italian Renaissance garden, situated next to the castle entrance. It was created around 1540 by the orders of Emperor Ferdinand I of Habsburg. It contains many very old and rare trees.

Hang with the locals enjoying a beer and an exquisite view over the river and city.

This is paradise for anyone who appreciates quaffing an ale or two in the shade of a tree on a hot day or on a balmy spring or summer evening when the lamps give the whole garden a romantic edge. And you’ve got some of the most impressive views of Prague and the bridges across the Vltava to soak in as well.The beer garden is open till 11 PM in the spring and summer. The booths dotted around the tables and benches sell beer in plastic half-liter cups, as well as the traditional fare of sausages and pickled camembert. Don’t be afraid to share a bench with someone if it looks like there are no empty ones – this is normal and expected.