17 Best Day Trips from Munich in 2023

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 previous city corridor. Munich is well one of the crucial well-known cities in Germany and an absolute pocket rocket for actions and sights – so why on Earth would you need to ebook day journeys from Munich?

As thrilling and numerous as town heart, Munich is about amidst beautiful surroundings you’ll completely adore experiencing on day journeys. And with its practice station and wonderful public transport system, it will be against the law to chorus from indulging in a day journey or two. With a great deal of automobile leases, you may simply manage a romantic highway journey too, and there are a few of Germany’s greatest castles inside two hours of town heart.

Top Day Trips From Munich

When you go to Munich, you undoubtedly have to allocate a day or two to day tripping your means round its surrounding areas. Day journeys from Munich are important, even in the event you simply need to higher perceive town. Here are our prime suggestions for Munich day journeys – from Dachau Concentration Camp to Eagle’s Nest.

The greatest approach to get round Bavaria from Munich is by rental automobile. You can examine costs right here. If you don’t need to drive, we now have included day excursions from Munich at many of the locations listed.

For transfers from the airport to downtown Munich, ebook this Private Transfer to take the trouble out of discovering a taxi when touchdown. Your driver may have your title plate ready for you upon arrival.

1. Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is a fairytale fortress and an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you suppose you don’t acknowledge the title, you’ll acknowledge its image. The beautiful fortress sits amidst the snow-capped Bavarian Alps and is featured in the cult traditional movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The vibrant white partitions and turrets (dramatic sufficient to make Walt Disney jealous) minimize a lovely image towards the mountainous backdrop. And, not even contemplating its historical past, it’s no surprise 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 an excellent spotlight tour of Bavaria’s prime sights.

Neuschwanstein Castle was constructed by King Ludwig II as a bolt-hole after his – moderately embarrassing – loss in the Anglo-Prussian warfare, and plenty of say that he used it as a type 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 automobile, which is one of the best ways of reaching the fortress moreover a guided tour. Between the fortress’s magnificence and Ludwig’s advanced story, it’s simply probably the greatest 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 predominant focus camps utilized by the Nazi Party in World War II, and it was a Nazi social gathering rally grounds in addition to a jail (and sometimes loss of life sentence) for political prisoners. To study extra in regards to the World War II historical past round Munich, it is without doubt one of the predominant ‘attractions’ in the world. While you don’t get an official tour information, guests get an audio information main them by means of the focus camp advanced and a collection of displays. You’ll find out about those that misplaced their lives and get an extremely unhappy however insightful schooling on the rise and fall of the Nazi’s energy.

You can ebook a guided tour to Dachau with an expert information, educated 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 heart. You can drive there in half-hour, however we’d counsel catching the 20-minute practice to Dachau earlier than catching the ten minutes bus to the camp. Or you may take a guided tour. As far as day journeys from Munich go, it’s the best choice. The memorial web site can also be probably the most academic in World War II historical past.

3. Zugspitze Cable Car

Zugspitze cable automobile is without doubt one of the prime day journeys from Munich. Zugspitze is 2,962 meters above sea degree and is the best mountain in Germany. As Germany’s highest peak, it attracts tons of holiday makers eager to benefit from the beautiful views and tick it off their bucket lists. The smartest thing is which you could trip the cable automobile to the highest.

You can ebook a guided full day tour to Zugzpitze from Munich to trip the cable automobile up Germany’s highest peak. Enjoy the breathtaking views earlier than you descend on the historic cogwheel practice.

The Zugspitze cable automobile is slightly costly (practically $90). However, the 10-minute journey is ridiculously scenic and holds a world document for the ‘longest free span in a cable car.’ Really, $90 is sort of affordable, contemplating you’ll be getting a round-trip tour to the highest of Germany’s highest mountain. And Zugspitze cable automobile is without doubt one of the most enjoyable Munich day journeys. You can view the borders of 4 international locations from the summit – Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. There’s a summit station, too, with eating places and an indoor viewing space.

The greatest approach to attain the bottom of the Zugspitz cable automobile is by driving, and you may attain this attraction in lower than two hours by automobile. 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 will let you know that without spending a dime. Linderhof Castle is simply one other of his magnificent builds and one of many prime 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 fortress has a lovely 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 greatest 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 a really perfect world, select each. But what differentiates them is dimension; 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 greatest reached by automobile or organized tour. By automobile, 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 the event 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 most likely 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 choice. 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 ebook 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 prime day journey selections and effectively price wiggling into your Munich itinerary, particularly since Solhofen is simply 1 hour and 40 minutes by automobile from Munich’s metropolis heart.

6. Vaduz

Vaduz is without doubt one of the most uncommon Munich day journeys – greatest 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 positioned alongside the Swiss border. You’ll get a special perception into the surroundings and panorama. The drive takes you almost 3 hours southwest of Munich (no small endeavor, so we’d counsel having drivers rotate driving shifts) and previous Obersee Lake. If you fancy a midway stopping level, Memmingen is a lovely 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 counsel it as an additional afield, lesser-known day journey choice. Especially as it’s so good for beating the crowds.

While in Liechtenstein, take this 35-minute practice 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 army base on a mountain summit that’s reachable to guests by elevator – or climbing if you’re brave. The complete factor is moderately scenic and has stunning views over the encompassing panorama. However, the true kicker is that this base belonged personally to Adolf Hitler.

The dictator obtained Eagle’s Nest as a fiftieth birthday current and used it as a bolt-hole to flee the general public eye and important cities. While he by no means received to make use of it as regularly as supposed, it was, by design, a spot for Hitler to privately get pleasure from.

Eagle’s Nest is a spot for darkish tourism and severe historical past lovers. Most folks go to due to the historic perception into the warfare and the non-public component to the location – Hitler is a terrifying determine, and other people grapple with the sense of him really being a ‘real’ particular person. Eagle’s Nest is eerie proof of Hitler’s on a regular basis actions.

This day journey is greatest accessed by automobile, which takes just 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 traces. If you may’t drive, ebook a guided tour from Munich.

8. Stuttgart

If you fancy a practice trip with breathtaking surroundings, take into account Stuttgart. Stuttgart is Germany’s car-obsessed sixth largest metropolis, famously residence to automobile factories together with Mercedes-Benz and Porsche automobiles. 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 among the greatest excursions for automobile lovers.

The practice station in Stuttgart is smack bang in town heart, so it’s a breeze to get to Munich. The direct practice 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 the perfect 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 stress-free methods of happening a day journey. Bring an excellent ebook and benefit from the countryside views.

9. Beer Halls and Brewery Tours

Local beer is a big 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 heart, 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 usually supply the perfect 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 understood for Audi vehicles and its medieval previous city. Strange mixture, proper? But it makes for an enchanting day trip. A 14th-century gate marks the doorway to the previous medieval city the place Ingolstadt would have been one in every of Germany’s greatest small cities. You can simply discover this area on foot as the whole lot is inside strolling distance. Ingolstadt stays probably the greatest excursions for early German historical past. Skipping centuries totally, visiting the Audi Forum – a large museum with a formidable classic automobile assortment is price visiting. The metropolis is diverse as you journey by means of its ages and is a superb vacation spot on a day trip from Munich.

Ingolstadt is greatest reached by practice – a pleasant contact for certain in making this present day journey from Munich one of the crucial 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 footage 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 automobile or shuttle. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is famed for its medieval structure, together with the ‘money shot’ of a curved road 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 change 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 personalized 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 underneath any illusions that you simply’ll be jostling elbows with different vacationers when snapping pictures. Be ready to purchase into the cheesiness of all of it – even slightly bit. However, it is without doubt one of the most aesthetic spots to go to when day-tripping from Munich. We’d counsel forking out on a day tour for this journey, as reaching Rothenburg ob der Tauber by practice is difficult, requiring a number of practice modifications and taking up 3 hours.

12. Partnach Gorge

If you need climbing trails, nowhere itches the spot like Partnach Gorge. The vibrant blue water is a superb mild coloration – nearly child blue – and runs like a crystal towards the darkish grey rocks. Visitors hike alongside the water by means of slender gorges and underneath waterfalls, protected by the cliffs above. It is well probably the most scenic place to move and luxuriate in climbing trails on a day trip 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 counsel hiring a automobile and driving, because it takes an hour and 20 minutes to achieve by automobile from Munich.

13. Schleissheim Palace Complex

A Seventeenth-century palace instantly conjures visions of complete grandeur. And with elaborate gardens, Prussian artwork displays, and manicured structure, it’s proof that first impressions rely. Schleissheim Palace Complex is grand by means of 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 fashionable as it’s. The reality which you could spend a complete day right here can also be constructive, and the combination of indoor and outside actions is ideal for a heat day.

Schleissheim Palace Complex is positioned simply north of Munich – round 40 minutes away by public transport and half-hour by automobile. It is without doubt one of the closest day journeys sights to town and one in every of its most stunning. For a singular expertise, ebook 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 may nonetheless see parts of medieval structure and historic buildings. You can even hint loads of the historical past of the world wars in Nuremberg, together with the trials after WWII. Memorium Nuremberg Trials was the place the Nazi social gathering and associates have been tried and convicted as warfare criminals. The museum is about above the unique court docket and has many displays and knowledge 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 just a few hours outdoors of Munich is a superb means.

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 less complicated to achieve by practice than by automobile, taking solely an hour as an alternative of two hours by automobile.

Book a non-public tour of Nuremberg from Munich. The full-day tour is led by a 5-star personal information to see all of the highlights and greatest sights of Nuremberg. Sights embody Imperial Castle Kaiserburg, Frauenkirche, St. Laurence, and St. Sebald, and extra. Plus, return tickets between Munich to Nuremberg.

15. Augsburg

Augsburg is a lovely metropolis. It takes the phrase historic heart to the subsequent degree with its ultra-traditional medieval metropolis heart, 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 barely half-hour away from Munich by practice. You trip two stops on a direct practice line, reaching town in what seems like no time in any respect. We love the smaller-city environment that Augsburg gives; it has a lot historical past to present folks.

While in Augsburg ebook 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 lovely day journey, and if it’s a sizzling day in Munich, take into account this your best choice. 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 choice on a sizzling day however doesn’t rule out boating too.

There are three islands on the lake, one in every of which homes a Benedictine nunnery. It’s nice enjoyable to discover by boat. So ebook a time slot, lease a ship, and let free on the water. Lake Chiemsee is absolutely fun-orientated, which makes it stand out from different extra sightseeing or history-focused sights.

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 practice or automobile. It is regularly visited by these dwelling in town. It is a dream to arrange as a day journey, which is totally simple logistically.

One of the principle sights at Chiemsee is Herrenchiemsee Palace. This day tour from Munich takes you on a ship trip alongside the lake to the Benedictine convent on Fraueninsel and the Palace constructed by ing Ludwig II.

17. Salzburg

Salzburg is a straightforward promote; we received’t lie. This is ten instances extra so in the event you love classical music, as 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 also be positioned alongside the Austrian border, that means you see a wholly completely different facet to this space of Germany. So whereas Mozart attracts folks in, there are many different sights to get pleasure from. Book a non-public day tour to Salzburg with your personal personal 5-star information to immerse in the filming places 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 way 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 fashionable for a lot of causes, as you may see. The smartest thing is that for lots of the day journeys we’ve featured, you may simply hop on a straightforward practice trip – 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 shortly cowl earlier than you head out day tripping? These are our prime FAQs to prep you to your day journeys from Munich.

What is an effective day journey from Munich?

Dachau Concentration Camp is a harrowing day journey from Munich in order for you 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 also 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 automobile.

How many days are sufficient to see Munich?

We counsel 4 days when visiting Munich. The metropolis itself might be appreciated in 2-3 days. However, permitting a 4-day itinerary means which 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 can 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 approach 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 trip up the cable automobile, or take a guided tour of Linderhof Palace.

Don’t cease at Munich both; in the event you get an opportunity, discover extra of Germany’s stunning cities and engaging historic sights. You might plan a romantic highway journey over just a few days or even weeks. Or take a look at our information on the greatest locations to go to when heading to Berlin. Enjoy your go to.