You can take great day trips from Munich to some of the most spectacular places in Germany. Here are seven terrific day trips you can take during your stay in Munich.
Note: We may earn a small commission from the affiliate links below.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle
When you think of a castle, it’s highly likely the vision you imagine in your head looks something like Neuschwanstein Castle. This is the castle that inspired King Stefan’s castle in the Walt Disney animated film Sleeping Beauty. It also is the model for the castles found in many of the Disney parks around the world. This is why it is #1 on our list of best day trips from Munich!
Neuschwanstein Castle is located in the town of Hohenschwangue. It was designed by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Construction began in 1869 but ceased in 1886 when the king died. The castle exterior is stunning, but the interior was never completed. It’s worth going inside if you have time, but you aren’t missing much if you don’t.
The castle complex has two other sites to visit. Hohenschwangau Castle is built on the site of a older castle first found in records of the 12th century. The current structure was built using the historical plans of the older castle in 1832 by King Maximillian II, the father of King Ludwig II. The family used it as a summer and hunting residence. You can also visit the Museum of the Bavarian Kings. It showcases the history of the Wittelsbach Dynasty through interactive exhibits and displays of royal artifacts and personal belongings of the royal family. The museum particularly focuses on King Ludwig II who is known interchangeably as the “Fairy Tale King” for building amazing castles and the “Mad King” due to his extravagance and romanticism.
Other highlights of the castle complex include shops, restaurants, food stands, and beer gartens. Horse carriage rides are available. You can also walk around or take a paddleboat ride on Alpsee Lake.
Logistics
Hohenschwangau is about 2-2.5 hours away from Munich by car or train. If you are taking the train, you will need to buy tickets to the nearby town of Füssen and then take a 10 minute bus ride to the castle. If you have a rental car, you can enjoy some extra stops on the way:
- Linderholf Palace – castle inspired by Versailles, built by King Ludwig III with lavish interiors and beautiful gardens.
- Oberammergau – charming town famous for a Passion play dating back to 1634 that occurs every 10 years; the town is also famous for it’s traditional Bavarian architecture featuring painted frescos.
Another option is to book a group tour from Munich. Most group tours include a stop at Linderholf Palace and perhaps an hour of free time in Oberammergau. But they don’t allow time to see all of the sites in the Neuschwanstein castle complex. If you want to see everything there, it’s better to take the train or a rental car.
Castle Complex Logistics
Only timed tickets are available for the castles, so make sure you buy them in advance to know how to schedule your day. Once you arrive, you will understand why you need a lot of time. Simply getting to either castle requires a significant hike uphill! It only takes about 15 minutes to hike up to Hohenschwangau Castle, or you can take a horse carriage there. A guided tour takes about 45 minutes.
It can take 45 minutes or more to hike up to Neuschwanstein Castle. You can pay a few Euro to take a bus or horse carriage to the top which will save some time. However, there’s often a long queue to buy bus tickets. And then there’s often a long line to get on the bridge to take the famous photo of the castle. Because the interior is largely unfinished, it only takes about 30 minutes for the guided tour. Then you can hike down or take the bus or horse carriage.
The Museum of Bavarian Kings and Queens tickets are not timed, so you will need to fit your visit there between your timed castle tickets. Allow 2-3 hours to tour the museum.
Accessibility of Neuschwanstein Castle
Unfortunately, Neuschwanstein Castle is not very accessible to those with limited mobility. While you can take a bus or carriage for most of the uphill journey, there’s still 15 minutes of walking up a steep hill to reach the castle. And during my visit, the guards took a cane away from an elderly woman during our guided tour. The tour wasn’t lengthy but required multiple staircases and some uneven flooring. Because the castle is only really impressive from the outside, people with limited mobility should take a bus to Mary’s Bridge and view the castle from the bridge rather than going all the way there.
2. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of Germany’s most picturesque medieval towns. You feel like you are walking in a fairy tale along the cobblestone streets while admiring the half-timbered houses. It’s by far worthy of second place on our list of great day trips from Munich!
Start your visit by walking along the preserved medieval walls that encircle the old town. Enjoy the panoramic views as you get a lay of the land and start prioritizing things you want to see at eye level! Then make your way to the heart of the city, Marktplatz (Market Square). Here you see historic buildings including the Rathaus (Town Hall). A small admission fee will allow you to climb its impressive tower for a birds-eye view of the city. Then make you way to the Plönlein (translates to “small place by the fountain”) to see one of the most photographed spots in Germany.
If you love Christmas, take time to browse the many shops bursting with charming wooden decorations and ornaments. The Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village store must be on your list. It even features a German Christmas Museum that you can enter for small fee.
Another interesting thing to do in Rothenburg is the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum featuring exhibits about medieval law and punishment. You can also visit St. Jacob’s Church. Completed in 1484, this gothic masterpiece features the famous Holy Blood Altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider. There’s another alter called 12 Messengers that has the oldest existing image of the Rothenburg market square.
Logistics
Rothenburg isn’t particularly close to Munich, but it’s definitely worth the time it takes to get there! The train takes about 3 hours and usually has 1-2 transfers. If you have a car, you can drive there in about 2.5 hours and park in a lot just outside the town walls. You can also get there via a group tour. These tours often include a stop at the 11th century Harburg Castle designed for defense rather than opulent living. It’s a great contrast to some of the opulent castles seen elsewhere in Germany.
Hungry? Gasthof Goldener Greifen serves traditional Franconian dishes. Or just pick up a sausage on a roll just about anywhere and eat it while you walk along and admire the quaint town. And make sure to try Schneeballen (snowballs), deep-fried shortcrust pastry often covered in powdered sugar.
3. Garmisch-Partenkirchen & Zugspitze
If you love alpine scenery and outdoor activities, one of the must-do day trips from Munich is Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Zugspitze. Start your visit exploring the old town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and admiring the traditional Bavarian houses decorated with ornate frescoes. Then walk or take a shuttle to the Partnach Gorge and explore for an hour or so.
Make your way to Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. Take the 90-year old cogwheel train. It departs from Zugspitzbahn station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and stops at the Zugspitze plateau at 2,600 metres above sea level. Take advantage of several trails in this area, or sign up for a glacier tour. You can also visit the Maria Heimsuchung chapel.
From the plateau you can reach the summit on the Gletscherbahn cable car in just a few minutes. Once at the top, you can admire the view of four countries (Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland) from the terrace. You won’t want to miss seeing the golden summit cross located a few feet from the summit station. Enjoy a meal at one of the summit’s restaurants, then spend the rest of the day skiing or sledding in winter or hiking in summer.
To descend the mountain, take the Zugspitze cable car to Eibsee valley station. This cable car system holds three world records as the highest steel support system, the largest difference in altitude between stations, and longest freely suspended section of rope. At the bottom, enjoy the beautiful alpine Eibsee Lake.
Logistics
A train journey to the region takes about 1.5 hours, and trains run frequently. Just take a direct regional train (Bayerische Regiobahn) from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. If you prefer to drive, it’s also a 1.5 hour journey. You can also visit the region via group tour.
4. Nuremberg
Nuremberg is one of Germany’s most iconic cities featuring rich history, medieval architecture, and vibrant culture. One must-see place is the Nuremberg Castle. From 1050 to 1571 it served as the home of the Holy Roman Empire. Today you can tour its rooms, grounds, and gardens. There’s also a museum featuring medieval armor and weapons. And don’t miss the demonstration showing you exactly how deep the Deep Well really is!
Wander through the streets of Weißgerbergasse to enjoy the largest collection of half-timbered historical artisan houses. Here you will find diversions such as cafes, bars, and shops. Then explore the Hauptmarkt central square where you will find the Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) and the gothic Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). During December, this is also the home of the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market). If you are traveling at Christmas time, the Christmas market alone might move Nuremburg the top of our list of day trips of Munich!
If you are interested in World War II history, visit the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds. This is where the National Socialists held party rallies from 1933-38. Exhibits tell the story of Nuremberg’s role during the Nazi era. Another must for history buffs is the Nuremberg Trials Memorium located in the courthouse where the trials took place. Stop by Courtroom 600 to see exhibits.
Logistics
Take a high-speed ICE train to reach Nuremburg in less than 1.5 hours. Trains run frequently. You can also drive 1.5-2 hours to get there on the A9 highway. Group tours are also available
Nuremberg is a great place to try Franconian cuisine like Nuremberg bratwurst (a skinny pork sausage) with sauerkraut and pretzels. If you aren’t driving yourself, wash them down with local beer.
5. Chiemsee & Herrenchiemsee Palace
Next on this list of day trips from Munich is Chiemsee, a picturesque lake known as the “Bavarian Sea.” Upon arrival, make your way to the Prien/Stock harbor. From there, board a boat to take you to the island of Herreninsel (Men’s Island). Once there, you will want to visit the stunning Herrenchiemsee Palace. Modeled after the Palace of Versailles in Paris and commissioned by King Ludwig II, the palace features French Baroque architecture. Don’t miss the State Rooms, Hall of Mirrors, formal gardens, and a museum telling the story of Ludwig II’s life.
Afterwards, enjoy a walk on the island, then take the short boat ride to Fraueninsel (Women’s Island). Here you can explore local shops, restaurants, and cafes as you wander through the island’s quaint paths. Then visit Frauenchiemsee Monastery. Here you will learn about the ancient monastery founded in 782. Today there’s still a small community of Benedictine nuns who maintain age-old traditions. They make and sell herbal liqueurs, marzipan, and spicy gingerbread on site. You can’t miss the 12th century Romanesque Bell Tower, and make sure to admire the elegance of the abbey church.
Logistics
A train from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Prien am Chiemsee will take about 1-1.5 hours. Then you can take the 30 minute walk to the Prien/Stock boat pier. In the summer, you also have the option of taking a special Chiemsee steam train to the pier. If you have a car, you will simply drive along A8 for about an hour.
Before you depart for Munich, take some time to have dinner in Prien. Local specialties are smoked Chiemsee Lake fish and Schnitzel with Bavarian beer.
6. Augsburg
Augsburg is one of Germany’s oldest cities. It is the largest city along the Romantic Road, a 220 mile route that winds through the part of Germany that resembles a fairy tale. Augsburg features Renaissance architecture, ancient Roman ruins, and quintessential German charm.
Make sure to visit Maximilianstrasse, known as Germany’s most beautiful street. Here you will see grand buildings featuring Renaissance and Baroque facades, magnificent fountains, and bustling cafes and shops. Rathaus (Town Hall) is also not to be missed. Go inside to see Golden Hall featuring a gilded ceiling and amazing ornamentation. And stop by the 1,000 year old Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary featuring 12th century stained glass windows.
Augsburg has the world’s oldest social housing complex which was organized in 1521 by the Fugger family. Learn more about the initiative and see the houses which are still in use at the Fuggerei. Another unique museum is the Staatliches Textil-und Industriemuseum which uses interactive exhibits and fashion displays to tell the history of Augsburg’s textile industry. Also stop by the Puppenkiste puppet theater museum to see marionettes and learn more about puppetry theater. If you are lucky, you will be able to see a puppet show during your visit.
Logistics
Augsburg is the easiest option on our list of day trips from Munich as it located only 40 minutes away by train or an hour away by car. You can book a private guided tour, but it’s much more cost effective to take the train. The city is easy to navigate on your own.
For good eats while you are in town, check out Ratskeller Augsburg for a traditional beer hall experience with hearty Bavarian cuisine and Cafe Dichtl for a slice of the city’s famous marzipan cake.
7. Regensburg
Last on our list of day trips from Munich is Regensburg. This UNESCO World Heritage city is known for having a well-preserved medieval Altstadt Old Town along the Danube River. Start your visit there to enjoy the narrow cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and colorful facades. Tour the medieval courtrooms and learn about the city’s history at Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall). Don’t miss Haidplatz, one of the most beautiful squares in the city.
You will want to tour some incredibly impressive historic buildings. There’s the gothic St. Peter’s Cathedral known for intricate spires and 13th/14th century stained glass windows. You can also visit the cathedral’s garden and treasury containing artifacts from the cathedral’s 1,000 year history. The St. Emmeram’s Abbey and adjacent Thurn and Taxis Palace. Visitors can see the monastery’s medieval cloister, the crypt chapel, the palace state rooms, stables, and the treasury.
What makes Regensburg so charming is its location on the Danube River, so make sure you spend some time enjoying the water. Take a Danube River boat tour for a look at the city from the water. And don’t miss walking over the 12th century Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge). And while you are by the water, check out the House of Bavarian History to learn about Bavarian culture, traditions, and history.
Logistics
Regensburg is only about 1.5 hours by train or car. You can book a private guided tour, but it’s much more cost effective to take the train. The city is easy to navigate on your own.
When you get hungry, you must go to Wurstkuchl, the world’s oldest sausage kitchen near the Stone Bridge. Brauerei Kneitinger is a great option for a local beer hall experience. And the cozy Café Prinzess is the place for coffee and German pastries.
What tops your list of day trips from Munich?
Tell us more below! You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post!
Pingback: One Marvelous Week in Munich - Extravelgance