Munich is the Bavarian capital (technically an unofficial capital) and an absolute cultural hotspot. The metropolis’s historical past is subsequent to none, with harrowing tales of World War II and the catastrophic rise of the Nazi Party. However, there are extra lighthearted issues to do in Munich, like attending the world-famous annual Oktoberfest or visiting the well-known outdated city corridor. Munich is well one of the vital well-known cities in Germany and an absolute pocket rocket for actions and points of interest – so why on Earth would you need to guide day journeys from Munich?
As thrilling and various as the town middle, Munich is about amidst beautiful surroundings you’ll completely adore experiencing on day journeys. And with its prepare station and glorious public transport system, it will be a criminal offense to chorus from indulging in a day journey or two. With a great deal of automotive leases, you’ll be able to simply manage a romantic highway journey too, and there are a few of Germany’s finest castles inside two hours of the town middle.
Top Day Trips From Munich
When you go to Munich, you positively must allocate a day or two to day tripping your approach round its surrounding areas. Day journeys from Munich are important, even in case you simply need to higher perceive the town. Here are our high suggestions for Munich day journeys – from Dachau Concentration Camp to Eagle’s Nest.
Planning Your Trip To Munich Right Now?
Below are a number of the high day journey excursions from Munich. Don’t overlook to plan forward when visiting Germany!
Top Day Trip Activities and Tours from Munich:
The finest technique to get round Bavaria from Munich is by rental automotive. You can evaluate costs right here. If you don’t need to drive, we’ve included day excursions from Munich at a lot of the locations listed.
For transfers from the airport to downtown Munich, guide this Private Transfer to take the effort out of discovering a taxi when touchdown. Your driver could have your title plate ready for you upon arrival.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is a fairytale fort and an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you assume you don’t acknowledge the title, you’ll acknowledge its image. The beautiful fort sits amidst the snow-capped Bavarian Alps and is featured in the cult traditional movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The shiny white partitions and turrets (dramatic sufficient to make Walt Disney jealous) reduce a fantastic image towards the mountainous backdrop. And, not even contemplating its historical past, it’s no marvel that Neuschwanstein Castle is without doubt one of the world’s most well-known castles.
This Full Day Trip takes you on a guided tour from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle after which you’ll proceed on to Linderhof, Hohenschwangau, and Oberammergau giving a superb spotlight tour of Bavaria’s high points of interest.
Neuschwanstein Castle was constructed by King Ludwig II as a bolt-hole after his – somewhat embarrassing – loss in the Anglo-Prussian struggle, and plenty of say that he used it as a kind of imaginary kingdom. King Ludwig II met a twisted finish, declared insane by the federal government and finally discovered in a suicide-suspected-assassinations alongside his psychiatrist.
You can uncover extra about Neuschwanstein Castle and King Ludwig II on a guided tour of the attraction. It is 2 hours away from Munich by automotive, which is the easiest way of reaching the fort in addition to a guided tour. Between the fort’s magnificence and Ludwig’s complicated story, it’s simply the most effective Munich day journeys. The Premium tour consists of skip the road tickets to Neuschwanstein and Linderhoff
2. Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is without doubt one of the most tragic tales and darkish day journeys from Munich. Dachau was one of many most important focus camps utilized by the Nazi Party in World War II, and it was a Nazi occasion rally grounds in addition to a jail (and infrequently loss of life sentence) for political prisoners. To study extra concerning the World War II historical past round Munich, it is without doubt one of the most important ‘attractions’ in the world. While you don’t get an official tour information, guests get an audio information main them via the focus camp complicated and a collection of displays. You’ll study those that misplaced their lives and get an extremely unhappy however insightful training on the rise and fall of the Nazi’s energy.
You can guide a guided tour to Dachau with an expert information, skilled and approved by the Memorial web site. They will manage journey preparations and provide you with a complete tour of the memorial web site.
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is lower than one hour from Munich metropolis middle. You can drive there in half-hour, however we’d recommend catching the 20-minute prepare to Dachau earlier than catching the ten minutes bus to the camp. Or you’ll be able to take a guided tour. As far as day journeys from Munich go, it’s the best possibility. The memorial web site can be probably the most instructional in World War II historical past.
3. Zugspitze Cable Car
Zugspitze cable automotive is without doubt one of the high day journeys from Munich. Zugspitze is 2,962 meters above sea stage and is the best mountain in Germany. As Germany’s highest peak, it attracts tons of tourists desirous to benefit from the beautiful views and tick it off their bucket lists. The neatest thing is you could experience the cable automotive to the highest.
You can guide a guided full day tour to Zugzpitze from Munich to experience the cable automotive up Germany’s highest peak. Enjoy the breathtaking views earlier than you descend on the historic cogwheel prepare.
The Zugspitze cable automotive is just a little costly (practically $90). However, the 10-minute journey is ridiculously scenic and holds a world report for the ‘longest free span in a cable car.’ Really, $90 is kind of affordable, contemplating you’ll be getting a round-trip tour to the highest of Germany’s highest mountain. And Zugspitze cable automotive is without doubt one of the most fun Munich day journeys. You can view the borders of 4 nations from the summit – Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. There’s a summit station, too, with eating places and an indoor viewing space.
The finest technique to attain the bottom of the Zugspitz cable automotive is by driving, and you may attain this attraction in lower than two hours by automotive. You additionally undergo some stunning areas, skirting the sting of Ettaler Forst and Murnauer Moos.
4. Linderhof Palace
King Ludwig II was not in need of stunning castles; we are able to inform you that without cost. Linderhof Castle is simply one other of his magnificent builds and one of many high Munich day journeys. The Nineteenth-century palace is the final word image of grandeur. If Neuschwanstein Castle was a fairytale picture, Linderhof Palace is a royal picture. The stately fort has a fantastic expanse of gardens and water options.
Book the final word Royal Fairytale Castle Tour with skip-the-line tickets to Linderhof Castle and Neuschwanstein that features guided excursions and leisure time to discover a few of Bavaria’s finest highlights.
And guests can take guided excursions across the grounds between April and October. Need assist to decide on between the 2 of Ludwig’s castles? In an excellent world, select each. But what differentiates them is measurement; Linderhof Palace is far more intimate and completely furnished inside. Whereas Neuschwanstein Castle is healthier recognized for its dramatic backdrop and locale.
Linderhof Palace is finest reached by automotive or organized tour. By automotive, it’s only a 1.5-hour journey. While by public transport it takes over 2.5 hours. Consider reserving a guided tour, together with transportation, for this one in case you want a driving license.
5. Take a River Altmühl Boat Tour
The River Altmühl lies between Nuremberg and Munich. When you consider rivers close to Munich, your thoughts in all probability jumps to the Danube – no disgrace in that – which, whereas stunning with beautiful views, is without doubt one of the busiest locations to take a ship tour or cruise. Regarding avoiding crowds, the River Altmühl is the higher possibility. It has an idyllic setting looping between little cities and villages. To expertise the German countryside from the water, the River Altmühl is without doubt one of the space’s best-hidden gems.
You can rent a kayak or canoe. Or guide a extra conventional guided tour on a small boat with different vacationers. Zimmern to Solnhofen is a well-liked boat tour route on the Altmühl. Still, canoe and kayak leases dotted all alongside the river. An Altmühl boat tour is without doubt one of the high day journey selections and effectively price wiggling into your Munich itinerary, particularly since Solhofen is simply 1 hour and 40 minutes by automotive from Munich’s metropolis middle.
6. Vaduz
Vaduz is without doubt one of the most uncommon Munich day journeys – finest for these with a driving license and a agency sense of journey. Why not enterprise into Liechtenstein so as to add one other nation to your passport when you have the prospect? Vaduz is Liechtenstein’s capital and is situated alongside the Swiss border. You’ll get a special perception into the surroundings and panorama. The drive takes you just about 3 hours southwest of Munich (no small enterprise, so we’d recommend having drivers rotate driving shifts) and previous Obersee Lake. If you fancy a midway stopping level, Memmingen is a fantastic city with brightly painted buildings and loads of aesthetic, conventional cafes.
In Vaduz itself, there may be the gorgeous Vaduz Castle, Old Rhine Bridge, and Werdenberg Castle. Vaduz is a perfect spot to museum-hop and sightsee historic castles and prior royal residences. For historical past buffs with a style for highway journeys, there’s nowhere higher than day-tripping from Munich. We needed to recommend it as an additional afield, lesser-known day journey possibility. Especially as it’s so good for beating the crowds.
While in Liechtenstein, take this 35-minute prepare journey for panoramic views of the mountains and the Old Town of Vaduz.
7. Eagle’s Nest
The notorious Eagle’s Nest is without doubt one of the eeriest day journeys from Munich. Eagle’s Nest is a former navy base on a mountain summit that’s reachable to guests by elevator – or mountain climbing if you’re brave. The complete factor is somewhat scenic and has stunning views over the encircling panorama. However, the true kicker is that this base belonged personally to Adolf Hitler.
The dictator acquired Eagle’s Nest as a fiftieth birthday current and used it as a bolt-hole to flee the general public eye and vital cities. While he by no means obtained to make use of it as regularly as meant, it was, by design, a spot for Hitler to privately take pleasure in.
Eagle’s Nest is a spot for darkish tourism and severe historical past fans. Most individuals go to due to the historic perception into the struggle and the non-public factor to the positioning – Hitler is a terrifying determine, and other people grapple with the sense of him really being a ‘real’ individual. Eagle’s Nest is eerie proof of Hitler’s on a regular basis actions.
This day journey is finest accessed by automotive, which takes slightly below 2 hours and passes the character reserve of Mundung der Tiroler Achen. Public transport is a nightmare, taking 3 hours n a number of bus strains. If you’ll be able to’t drive, guide a guided tour from Munich.
8. Stuttgart
If you fancy a prepare experience with breathtaking surroundings, take into account Stuttgart. Stuttgart is Germany’s car-obsessed sixth largest metropolis, famously residence to automotive factories together with Mercedes-Benz and Porsche autos. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have headquarters and museums in Stuttgart – so for any petrolheads, it’s a fabulous metropolis to go to. These two big-name museums have a number of the finest excursions for automotive fans.
The prepare station in Stuttgart is smack bang in the town middle, so it’s a breeze to get to Munich. The direct prepare leaves from Munchen Hauptbahnhof and takes 2 hours and 17 minutes on common, passing simply three stops earlier than reaching Stuttgart. High-speed trains are one of the best when taking Munich day journeys, and regardless of being a barely longer journey, this public transport is without doubt one of the best and most enjoyable methods of occurring a day journey. Bring a superb guide and benefit from the countryside views.
9. Beer Halls and Brewery Tours
Local beer is a large promoting level when visiting Munich, so having some beer-themed day journeys from Munich additionally is smart. Once you’ve exhausted (or opted out of) the busy beer halls and breweries across the metropolis middle, set your sights additional and take into account going to breweries and venues on the outskirts of Munich. These spots are a lot quieter – that means fewer crowds and a extra genuine beer tradition. These outskirt venues typically provide one of the best excursions and a way more intimate expertise.
You might select CREW Republic (40 minutes away on public transportation) or Hops Hacker GmbH & Co (half-hour away on public transportation). There are tons of lesser-visited beer halls and breweries, so simply be ready to journey additional afield and watch the standard of your expertise triple.
10. Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is thought for Audi vehicles and its medieval outdated city. Strange mixture, proper? But it makes for an enchanting time out. A 14th-century gate marks the doorway to the outdated medieval city the place Ingolstadt would have been considered one of Germany’s finest small cities. You can simply discover this area on foot as all the things is inside strolling distance. Ingolstadt stays the most effective excursions for early German historical past. Skipping centuries solely, visiting the Audi Forum – a large museum with a formidable classic automotive assortment is price visiting. The metropolis is diversified as you journey via its ages and is a superb vacation spot on a time out from Munich.
Ingolstadt is finest reached by prepare – a pleasant contact for certain in making today journey from Munich one of the vital sustainable choices. It takes simply 40 minutes from Munich on a direct line.
11. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
If you stroll previous journey shops in Munich, you’ll see photos of Rothenburg ob der Tauber plastered in all places. It is without doubt one of the most traditional day journeys from Munich, whisking away camera-happy guests to a cobbled German city round 3 hours from Munich by automotive or shuttle. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is famed for its medieval structure, together with the ‘money shot’ of a curved avenue taking a pointy bend with conventional homes lining the highway. The half-timbered homes and dull-painted buildings are stunning, and it’s simple to see how tourism has develop into rife right here.
This personal tour from Munich takes you alongside the Romantic Road in a cushty van. The 10-hour tour might be custom-made and takes you thru the Bavarian countryside to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is certainly a busy vacationer vacation spot. Don’t be beneath any illusions that you just’ll be jostling elbows with different vacationers when snapping photographs. Be ready to purchase into the cheesiness of all of it – even just a little bit. However, it is without doubt one of the most aesthetic spots to go to when day-tripping from Munich. We’d recommend forking out on a day tour for this journey, as reaching Rothenburg ob der Tauber by prepare is difficult, requiring a number of prepare modifications and taking up 3 hours.
12. Partnach Gorge
If you need mountain climbing trails, nowhere itches the spot like Partnach Gorge. The shiny blue water is a superb gentle coloration – virtually child blue – and runs like a crystal towards the darkish grey rocks. Visitors hike alongside the water via slender gorges and beneath waterfalls, protected by the cliffs above. It is well probably the most scenic place to move and luxuriate in mountain climbing trails on a time out from Munich. And strolling alongside the slender railed paths carved out of the gorge’s cliffside is exhilarating. There isn’t a hike prefer it in this space of Germany.
Partnach Gorge is a horrible place to try to attain by public transport, demanding a number of buses and schedule juggling at stops. Instead, we’d recommend hiring a automotive and driving, because it takes an hour and 20 minutes to achieve by automotive from Munich.
13. Schleissheim Palace Complex
A Seventeenth-century palace instantly conjures visions of whole grandeur. And with elaborate gardens, Prussian artwork displays, and manicured structure, it’s proof that first impressions rely. Schleissheim Palace Complex is grand via and thru. You can simply spend half a day strolling previous water fountains and admiring the unique art work. Past guests have even gone so far as to check it to being in Alice and Wonderland. Its grandeur offers it a severe wow issue and makes it as well-liked as it’s. The truth you could spend a complete day right here can be optimistic, and the combination of indoor and out of doors actions is ideal for a heat day.
Schleissheim Palace Complex is situated simply north of Munich – round 40 minutes away by public transport and half-hour by automotive. It is without doubt one of the closest day journeys points of interest to the town and considered one of its most stunning. For a singular expertise, guide a night live performance at Schleissheim Palace carried out by members of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
14. Nuremberg
Nuremberg is Bavaria’s second-largest metropolis, solely simply smaller than Munich. Sadly, the Second World War destroyed a lot of its authentic structure. However, a lot of it has been restored over later years, so you’ll be able to nonetheless see components of medieval structure and historic buildings. You can even hint plenty of the historical past of the world wars in Nuremberg, together with the trials after WWII. Memorium Nuremberg Trials was the place the Nazi occasion and associates had been tried and convicted as struggle criminals. The museum is about above the unique courtroom and has many displays and data on enacting justice. Nuremberg is a hub of historical past and tradition – whether or not darkish or lighthearted. If you fancy one other ‘large city experience’, spending a couple of hours outdoors of Munich is a superb approach.
We have a whole information on issues to do in Nuremberg; test it out for extra inspiration. It’s additionally price noting that Nuremberg is simpler to achieve by prepare than by automotive, taking solely an hour as a substitute of two hours by automotive.
Book a personal tour of Nuremberg from Munich. The full-day tour is led by a 5-star personal information to see all of the highlights and finest points of interest of Nuremberg. Sights embrace Imperial Castle Kaiserburg, Frauenkirche, St. Laurence, and St. Sebald, and extra. Plus, return tickets between Munich to Nuremberg.
15. Augsburg
Augsburg is a fantastic metropolis. It takes the phrase historic middle to the following stage with its ultra-traditional medieval metropolis middle, full with metropolis partitions. And some components even date again to the Middle Ages; Augsburg is the oldest metropolis in Germany. If you’re into historical past or structure, that is your day journey. There are medieval guild buildings, cathedrals, and abbeys to go to. It seems like Augsburg has an historical constructing or story at each nook.
Ready for the true winner? Augsburg is simply half-hour away from Munich by prepare. You experience two stops on a direct prepare line, reaching the town in what seems like no time in any respect. We love the smaller-city ambiance that Augsburg provides; it has a lot historical past to present individuals.
While in Augsburg guide this scenic flight that features hovering over the likes of Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich, and Bavaria’s beautiful mountains, lakes, and forests.
16. Lake Chiemsee
Lake Chiemsee is a fantastic day journey, and if it’s a sizzling day in Munich, take into account this your only option. With pure seashores skimming alongside the lake’s shoreline, it’s no thriller why this is without doubt one of the hottest swimming spots outdoors of Munich. Swimming is probably the most tempting possibility on a sizzling day however doesn’t rule out boating too.
There are three islands on the lake, considered one of which homes a Benedictine nunnery. It’s nice enjoyable to discover by boat. So guide a time slot, lease a ship, and let unfastened on the water. Lake Chiemsee is de facto fun-orientated, which makes it stand out from different extra sightseeing or history-focused points of interest.
Lake Chiemsee is a very talked-about day journey from Munich. Depending on the whereabouts of the shoreline you propose to go to, it takes you round an hour to get to the lake from Munich – by prepare or automotive. It is regularly visited by these residing in the town. It is a dream to prepare as a day journey, which is totally simple logistically.
One of the primary points of interest at Chiemsee is Herrenchiemsee Palace. This day tour from Munich takes you on a ship experience alongside the lake to the Benedictine convent on Fraueninsel and the Palace constructed by ing Ludwig II.
17. Salzburg
Salzburg is a simple promote; we received’t lie. This is ten occasions extra so in case you love classical music, as the town was residence to Mozart. The Old City has beautiful medieval city buildings and homes, strongly influencing later baroque structure too. In the Old City, you’ll discover Mozart’s birthplace – now transformed right into a museum documenting his life. Aside from the Mozart museum, Salzburg is residence to the imposing Hohensalzburg Castle.
It can be situated alongside the Austrian border, that means you see a wholly completely different facet to this space of Germany. So whereas Mozart attracts individuals in, there are many different points of interest to take pleasure in. Book a personal day tour to Salzburg with your personal personal 5-star information to immerse in the filming areas of ‘The Sound of Music’, see the Old Town and Fortress Hohensalzburg, go to the fabulous Mirabell Gardens and extra.
Getting to Salzburg by public transport is a mission – taking a number of trains and buses in a 1.5-2-hour journey. Driving is far simpler, taking 1 hour and 45 minutes and passing Lake Chiemsee and different cute little cities to cease at.
Day Trips From Munich: FAQs
Munich day journeys are well-liked for a lot of causes, as you’ll be able to see. The neatest thing is that for most of the day journeys we’ve featured, you’ll be able to simply hop on a simple prepare experience – making a day journey from Munich non-reliant on a driver’s license and far more sustainable.
Now that you’re feeling impressed, what else is there to rapidly cowl earlier than you head out day tripping? These are our high FAQs to prep you on your day journeys from Munich.
What is an effective day journey from Munich?
Dachau Concentration Camp is a harrowing day journey from Munich if you need an perception into World War II and Nazi Party historical past. While Neuschwanstein Castle is ideal for these wanting the fairytale ‘German castle’ expertise.
Is Salzburg price a day journey from Munich?
Yes, Salzburg is a superb day journey from Munich due to its hyperlinks to Mozart and ridiculously cultural historical past. Salzburg can be stunning, and the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The metropolis is an interesting and visually putting day journey.
What different cities are close to Munich?
Augsburg, Nuremberg, and Salzburg are all inside a 2-hour radius of Munich. Larger cities in Northern Germany, like Frankfurt, are inside a 5-6 hour radius by public transport or automotive.
How many days are sufficient to see Munich?
We recommend 4 days when visiting Munich. The metropolis itself might be appreciated in 2-3 days. However, permitting a 4-day itinerary means you could incorporate a day journey to someplace like Neuschwanstein Castle, the Bavarian Alps, or Linderhof Palace.
To Conclude
Out of all of the German cities you would go to, pat your self on the again for selecting Munich, as a result of it’s simply so wealthy in the best way of day journeys. Day journeys from Munich are a superb technique to broaden your understanding of German historical past and Munich. And all of those Munich day journey choices will complement your go to completely. You’ll have a unbelievable time, whether or not you select a picturesque city like Ingolstadt or a experience up the cable automotive, or take a guided tour of Linderhof Palace.
Don’t cease at Munich both; in case you get an opportunity, discover extra of Germany’s stunning cities and interesting historic points of interest. You might plan a romantic highway journey over a couple of days or even weeks. Or try our information on the finest locations to go to when heading to Berlin. Enjoy your go to.