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 points of interest – so why on Earth would you wish to e book day journeys from Munich?
As thrilling and various as the town middle, Munich is about amidst gorgeous surroundings you’ll completely adore experiencing on day journeys. And with its prepare station and wonderful public transport system, it could be against the law to chorus from indulging in a day journey or two. With a great deal of automotive leases, you’ll be able to simply arrange a romantic highway journey too, and there are a few of Germany’s greatest castles inside two hours of the town middle.
Top Day Trips From Munich
When you go to Munich, you undoubtedly must allocate a day or two to day tripping your method round its surrounding areas. Day journeys from Munich are important, even when you simply wish to higher perceive the town. Here are our prime 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 prime day journey excursions from Munich. Don’t overlook to plan forward when visiting Germany!
Top Day Trip Activities and Tours from Munich:
The greatest approach to get round Bavaria from Munich is by rental automotive. You can evaluate costs right here. If you don’t wish to drive, now we have included day excursions from Munich at a lot of the locations listed.
For transfers from the airport to downtown Munich, e book this Private Transfer to take the trouble out of discovering a taxi when touchdown. Your driver can have your identify plate ready for you upon arrival.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is a fairytale citadel and an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you suppose you don’t acknowledge the identify, you’ll acknowledge its image. The gorgeous citadel sits amidst the snow-capped Bavarian Alps and is featured in the cult basic movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The vibrant white partitions and turrets (dramatic sufficient to make Walt Disney jealous) minimize a fantastic 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 a superb spotlight tour of Bavaria’s prime points of interest.
Neuschwanstein Castle was constructed by King Ludwig II as a bolt-hole after his – relatively embarrassing – loss in the Anglo-Prussian warfare, and lots 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 automotive, which is the easiest way of reaching the citadel in addition to a guided tour. Between the citadel’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 foremost 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 sometimes loss of life sentence) for political prisoners. To be taught extra concerning the World War II historical past round Munich, it is without doubt one of the foremost ‘attractions’ in the world. While you don’t get an official tour information, guests get an audio information main them by the focus camp advanced and a collection of displays. You’ll study 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 e book a guided tour to Dachau with knowledgeable information, educated and licensed by the Memorial website. They will arrange journey preparations and offer you a complete tour of the memorial website.
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 choice. The memorial website can be essentially the most instructional in World War II historical past.
3. Zugspitze Cable Car
Zugspitze cable automotive is without doubt one of the prime day journeys from Munich. Zugspitze is 2,962 meters above sea degree and is the very best mountain in Germany. As Germany’s highest peak, it attracts tons of tourists desirous to benefit from the gorgeous views and tick it off their bucket lists. The smartest thing is that you could experience the cable automotive to the highest.
You can e book 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 sort 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 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 automotive is by driving, and you may attain this attraction in lower than two hours by automotive. You additionally undergo some lovely areas, skirting the sting of Ettaler Forst and Murnauer Moos.
4. Linderhof Palace
King Ludwig II was not in need of lovely castles; we are able to inform you that at no cost. Linderhof Castle is simply one other of his magnificent builds and one of many prime Munich day journeys. The Nineteenth-century palace is the last word image of grandeur. If Neuschwanstein Castle was a fairytale picture, Linderhof Palace is a royal picture. The stately citadel has a fantastic expanse of gardens and water options.
Book the last 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 super world, select each. But what differentiates them is dimension; Linderhof Palace is rather more intimate and totally furnished inside. Whereas Neuschwanstein Castle is best identified for its dramatic backdrop and locale.
Linderhof Palace is greatest 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 when 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 lovely with gorgeous 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 e book 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 properly 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 – 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 possibility? 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 extra afield, lesser-known day journey choice. 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 in case you are brave. The complete factor is relatively scenic and has lovely 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 vital cities. While he by no means acquired to make use of it as regularly as meant, it was, by design, a spot for Hitler to privately get pleasure from.
Eagle’s Nest is a spot for darkish tourism and critical historical past lovers. Most individuals go to due to the historic perception into the warfare and the private ingredient to the location – Hitler is a terrifying determine, and other people grapple with the sense of him truly 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 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 traces. If you’ll be able to’t drive, e book a guided tour from Munich.
8. Stuttgart
If you fancy a prepare experience with breathtaking surroundings, think about Stuttgart. Stuttgart is Germany’s car-obsessed sixth largest metropolis, famously dwelling 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 greatest excursions for automotive lovers.
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 happening a day journey. Bring a superb e book 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 sensible. Once you’ve exhausted (or opted out of) the busy beer halls and breweries across the metropolis middle, set your sights additional and think about 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 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 understood for Audi automobiles 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 certainly one of Germany’s greatest small cities. You can simply discover this area on foot as all the things is inside strolling distance. Ingolstadt stays probably the greatest excursions for early German historical past. Skipping centuries solely, visiting the Audi Forum – an enormous museum with a powerful classic automotive assortment is price visiting. The metropolis is various as you journey by its ages and is a superb vacation spot on a day trip from Munich.
Ingolstadt is greatest reached by prepare – a pleasant contact for certain in making at the present time 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 photos of Rothenburg ob der Tauber plastered in all places. It is without doubt one of the most basic 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 lovely, and it’s simple to see how tourism has change into rife right here.
This non-public tour from Munich takes you alongside the Romantic Road in a cushty van. The 10-hour tour may be custom-made and takes you thru the Bavarian countryside to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is unquestionably a busy vacationer vacation spot. Don’t be beneath any illusions that you just’ll be jostling elbows with different vacationers when snapping pictures. 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 adjustments and taking up 3 hours.
12. Partnach Gorge
If you need mountain climbing trails, nowhere itches the spot like Partnach Gorge. The vibrant blue water is a superb mild coloration – virtually child blue – and runs like a crystal towards the darkish grey rocks. Visitors hike alongside the water by slender gorges and beneath waterfalls, protected by the cliffs above. It is well essentially the most scenic place to move and luxuriate in mountain 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 recommend hiring a automotive and driving, because it takes an hour and 20 minutes to succeed in 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 depend. Schleissheim Palace Complex is grand by 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 match it to being in Alice and Wonderland. Its grandeur offers it a critical wow issue and makes it as fashionable as it’s. The truth that you could spend a whole day right here can be constructive, and the combination of indoor and outside 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 certainly one of its most lovely. For a novel expertise, e book 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 parts of medieval structure and historic buildings. You may hint lots 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 have been tried and convicted as warfare criminals. The museum is about above the unique courtroom 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 method.
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 succeed in by prepare than by automotive, taking solely an hour as an alternative of two hours by automotive.
Book a personal tour of Nuremberg from Munich. The full-day tour is led by a 5-star non-public information to see all of the highlights and greatest 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 subsequent degree 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 might be into historical past or structure, that is your day journey. There are medieval guild buildings, cathedrals, and abbeys to go to. It appears 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 appears like no time in any respect. We love the smaller-city ambiance that Augsburg affords; it has a lot historical past to present individuals.
While in Augsburg e book this scenic flight that features hovering over the likes of Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich, and Bavaria’s gorgeous mountains, lakes, and forests.
16. Lake Chiemsee
Lake Chiemsee is a fantastic day journey, and if it’s a sizzling day in Munich, think about 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 essentially the most tempting choice on a sizzling day however doesn’t rule out boating too.
There are three islands on the lake, certainly one of which homes a Benedictine nunnery. It’s nice enjoyable to discover by boat. So e book a time slot, lease a ship, and let free 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 gained’t lie. This is ten occasions extra so when you love classical music, as the town was dwelling to Mozart. The Old City has gorgeous 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 dwelling to the imposing Hohensalzburg Castle.
It can be situated alongside the Austrian border, that means you see a completely totally different aspect to this space of Germany. So whereas Mozart attracts individuals in, there are many different points of interest to get pleasure from. Book a personal day tour to Salzburg with your personal non-public 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 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 fashionable for a lot of causes, as you’ll be able to see. The smartest 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 rather 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 prime FAQs to prep you in 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 would like 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 lovely, and the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The metropolis is an interesting and visually hanging 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 may be appreciated in 2-3 days. However, permitting a 4-day itinerary means that 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 might go to, pat your self on the again for selecting Munich, as a result of it’s simply so wealthy in the way in which of day journeys. Day journeys from Munich are an excellent approach to increase 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 incredible 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; when you get an opportunity, discover extra of Germany’s lovely cities and interesting historic points of interest. You might plan a romantic highway journey over just a few days or perhaps weeks. Or take a look at our information on the greatest locations to go to when heading to Berlin. Enjoy your go to.