Best Day Trips from Munich Germany: 12 Munich Day Trips you’ll adore!

When it comes to day trips from Munich you have plenty of options as there are so many amazing places to visit. From nature lovers to those interested in history basing a trip out of Munich is perfect for those who enjoy staying in one place and doing day trips.

Best Day Trips from Munich

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is probably one of the most famous places in the Alps and certainly one of the most beautiful places in Austria. Only 200 kilometers from Munich, this magical place can be reached optimally via a day trip! Located in a breathtaking setting on the shores of the black Hallstatt Lake and with the imposing high mountains in the background, this village of 800 inhabitants is a real magnet for visitors. Tourists from all over the world come here to experience this one in your lifetime scenery, which is normally only known from Instagram pictures.

Strolling through the village, you will discover many lovely highlights. One of the most important attractions in Hallstatt is the historic market square, where a wonderful Christmas market takes place in winter and which is decorated with countless colorful flowers in summer. Also interesting is a visit to the Bone House, up by the cemetery, which houses a collection of 600 brightly painted skull bones. If you love photography, you should definitely also visit the Hallstatt Viewpoint where the best pictures are taken. Also worth seeing are the Salzwelten, an interactive museum on the mountain with breathtaking views over the lake and down to Hallstatt.

On a day trip you should also plan to explore the surroundings of Hallstatt. A hike from the Dachstein-Krippenstein towards the 5-Finger-Skywalk is considered to be a real highlight. You’ll enjoy incredible views of Lake Hallstatt. A visit to the nearby town of Gosau with its beautiful lake and picturesque mountains is also recommended.

Read More: Best Places to Visit in Germany

Dachau Concentration Camp.

A Munich day trip to Dachau Concentration Camp is a reflective, sober day, but it’s so important for any visitor to Germany to see a concentration camp.

Dachau is just a 45 minutes by train/short bus ride from Munich. The trains are easy to navigate and you’ll catch the bus to the Memorial just ourside the train station.

Visitors can find guided tours that leave directly from Munich or can so a DIY tour and solo visit. I break down my full visit to Dachau Concentration Camp which gives you a full run down of my day and which type of visit you should have.

Of all the day trips from Munich to choose from make it a point to go to Dachau. The Holocaust is one of the most horrific moments in history that we should never forget. A visit to this, or any concentration camp, allows us all to remember those who where lost as a result of the Holocaust.

Day Trips from Munich: Linderhof & Oberammergau

A day trip to southern Bavaria and the Ammergau mountains near the Austrian border offers the chance to visit two of the most popular tourist destinations in the state.

The Ammergau region is home to both Linderhof Castle. It is one of King Ludwig’s famous flights of architectural fantasy and to the renowned Passion Play village of Oberammergau.

The area is easily reached by both car on the motorway in the direction of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Or by using public transport by changing regional trains at Murnau for Oberammergau.

Linderhof Castle is arguably the more interesting of King Ludwig’s royal residences. Set in the mountain countryside, this palace was one that he used as a home. Ludwig equipped Linderhof with stunning furnishings, as well as surrounding it with formal gardens, fairy-tale grottos, and other follies.

munich day trips

Oberammergau, a few kilometers away, has become known for its regular Passion Play, held every decade to commemorate the sparing of the village from the Black Death in the Middle Ages. The play, acted by locals, now attracts more than half a million spectators from around the world during its summer run.

In non-Passion Play years, the theater acts as a museum displaying the history and costumes of the performances over the centuries. Oberammergau is also well-known for its tradition of decorating the houses with fresco paintings of traditional children’s stories, such as Hansl and Gretl.

Visitors may also like to check out the nearby Ettal abbey which, like many Bavarian religious centers, brews its own beer and distills its own liqueurs.

The Ammergau mountains are worth a winter day trip from Munich even if culture is of no interest at all. Oberammergau is one of the ski areas within easy reach of the city, while the Graswang valley to Linderhof offers cross-country ski trails with spectacular mountain views.

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When it comes to day trips from Munich you have plenty of options as there are so many amazing places to visit that are 2-3 hours away.

Day Trips from Munich: Nuremberg

Nuremberg is just over an hour away from Munich by train, this is a great option for one of the many day trips from Munich. It is a city steeped in history with lots of things to see or do. Visitors will be in awe of the imperial castle that overlooks the old town area.

The Holy Roman Emperors of the ninth and tenth centuries originally built the castle. The castle and the city walls form a perimeter of the old town, which is a great place for a walk. These are 4.5 miles long with turrets, gates and looks rather impressive.

Nuremberg has many nice churches, most of which are open to visitors to have a look around. The gothic Frauenkirche is the backdrop of the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt, a Christmas market that takes place in the city each year. The city embraces the Christmas season and is one of the most Christmassy cities in the world, making December a fantastic time to visit.

For those interested in more recent history, The city was the venue of to the Nuremberg War Trials after the Second World War. You can see the courtrooms or visit the Reichsparteigelande, home of the notorious nazi party rally. The best way to get the most out of a brief visit is to join in with one of the many walking tours.

Food and drink are excellent in the city, it has its own sausage, the Nuremberg sausage. These thin for German sausages served in threes in a bun with sauerkraut and delicious. The local beers are excellent, the most famous being brewed by Tucher, the local brewery that they formed in 1672.

Overall, Nuremberg is a great place to visit, especially with those who love architecture, history, food, or beer.

Neuschwanstein Castle

A visit to the Neuschwanstein Castle is a dream for many travelers and is one of the easiest day trips from Munich. Walt Disney’s children’s movies might be one of the reasons for this, as I practically grew up with its image.

Neuschwanstein is among the newest castles in Europe, as King Ludwig II only started to build it in 1869. The king grew up at Hohenschwangau castle, his father’s property, a short 10-15 minute walk away. When he became king, he wanted his own magnificent castle, bigger, more modern, and of greater beauty. This is what Neuschwanstein was supposed to be, a retreat place for this one man. Sadly for him, after just 172 nights spent there, he died under strange circumstances. The castle still sits unfinished but can be visited.

The best starting point for a trip to the Neuschwanstein Castle is Munich, located 120 km away. Getting to Neuschwanstein from Munich is easy both by car and public transport.

For the best view of the castle, go on the short, but very steep walk to Marienbrucke. Your efforts will be worth it. Arrive early to avoid the crowds of visitors especially in late September when Oktoberfest rolls around.

Just a 15 minutes walk from it stands Hohenschwangau castle mentioned before. This is a great opportunity to visit two magnificent castles in just one day. You can even buy combined tickets for both of them. In order to make sure you can enter at the desired time, book your spot in advance, as it’s one of the most visited spots in Germany. 

Day Trips from Munich: Poing Wildlife Park

If you are looking for one of the very best day trips from Munich then you absolutely can’t pass up a visit to Poing Wildlife park. At Poing, you can see Deer, Goats, Beavers, Bison, and Lynx.

In the summer you will find that the Wildlife park is much busier than if you visit in than winter. In the summer the crowds can be large but there is so much space around the park that you can easily be away from other visitors. The animals are also more likely to be out wandering than they may be in winter.

munich day trips

In the winter the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with the trees covered in snow and the crowds are a lot less. You will find that the animals in either season are more than happy to eat the food you are able to purchase when you enter.

There are also shows during the day where you can see some of the birds of prey and you can see some of the animals being fed as well. These are all noted down for you on an information sheet that you get when you pay to enter.

Read More: Cutest Small Towns in Germany

Day Trips from Munich: Zugspitze

Munich is an incredible city, but if you have time when visiting, you should take a day trip to Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. Sitting in the northern Alps in the Wetterstein Mountain range, the top of Germany is a whopping 2962m high. 

You can visit Zugspitze all year-round, thanks to the fantastic German engineering of the cog-wheeled train and cable cars. It will take you to the summit to view the very beautiful Zugspitzplatt; a glacier that sits to the south and east of the summit. 

You can take one of the organized day trips from Munich, or get the train on your own from Munich to Eibsee. The station on the lake of the same name and sits at the foot of the mighty mountain. It will take around 3 hours by train. From the station at Eibsee, you can get the quaint cog-wheel train or the modern cable car to the summit.

A great option is to get the train on the way up and stop at the Zugspitzplatt on the way up. From here take the short Gletscherbahn cable car to the top, before heading down in the main cable car, for spectacular views of the Eibsee.

Once at the summit, take in the views across the Alps to Switzerland, Austria and Italy, from the 360 degree viewing platforms. There is also a cafe serving traditional German food (think bratwurst and apple strudel), and a fine dining restaurant with wall to wall glass and amazing views. 

Wear warm clothing, it’s usually windy and pretty cold at the top, and there may well be snow on the ground, no matter the time of year you visit!

Day Trips from Munich: Liechtenstein

One of Europe’s most interesting and offbeat countries is also a perfect day trip from Munich; the tiny micronation of Liechtenstein. It can be tricky to visit from abroad because it’s doubly land-locked between Austria and Switzerland, but travelers who make the trip are rewarded with all the great things to do in Liechtenstein.

From Munich, a trip to Liechtenstein is less than three hours by car and the nation is small enough that you can visit most of its highlights in a one-day trip.

Most visitors begin in the Vaduz, the serene capital city along the mountain Rhine River. It’s a great place to begin and home to Vaduz Castle, the private palace and official residence of the prince. You can admire it from below or get a better view by hiking or driving to the overlook. As a private residence, it’s not open for tours. However, you can tour and do a tasting at the Wine Cellars of the Prince of Liechtenstein. It’s very close to the medieval town center and surrounded by the royal vineyards and open for tastings or a meal. Vaduz is also home to the National Museum and the Art Museum of Liechtenstein.

Munich day trips

The surrounding mountains are perfect for skiing, hiking, or biking depending on the season of your visit. Alpine skiing is a favorite activity for visitors. When there’s no snow, many opt for an electronic bike to climb and second the Alps. The popular Eschnerberg Trail is another great attraction. It’s one of the most trekked stretches of trail in the region. You could easily fit a short section into your day trip.

Lake Eibsee

Lake Eibsee, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and well-known lakes in Bavaria and entire Germany. It is located at the heart of Bavarian Alps directly  at the foot of Germany’s highest mountain Zugspitze at an altitude of 1,000 meters. That’s the main reason why Eibsee, with its crystal-clear green-blue waters, attracts so many visitors and makes it one of the best day trips from Munich.

One of the main things to do at Eibsee, is to take a short walk around the lake. It is an easy family-friendly walk on the well-paved path in the forest adjacent to the lake. The walking distance is only about 7 kilometers. While walking around the lake, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Zugspitze and small islands of the lake.  Another highlight of the walk around lake Eibsee, are the mini-lakes hidden in the forest very close to Eibsee. 

Lake Eibsee is located about 100 Kilometers southwest of Munich. You can get there easily either by car or by public transportation. You can take a train from Munich central train station ( Hauptbahnhof) to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The train leaves usually every hour but you should always check the time schedule. After you arrive at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, take a white-blue bus. It’s called EIBSEE-Bus and goes directly to Grainau where lake Eibsee is located. Here you can find the timetable.

If you want to spend the night, Eibsee hotel is one of the oldest lake-front hotels in Bavaria. This traditional Bavarian 4 star Hotel has a wellness oasis at the foot of Zugspitze overlooking beautiful Lake Eibsee. During your stay you will experience Bavarian coziness and traditional flair.

Day Trips from Munich: Tegernsee

A trip to the Tegernsee is one of the most amazing day trips from Munich. The beautiful lake is surrounded by mountains, and tourist and locals alike love to go there. Located south of Munich, it takes less than two hours to get there. Hereby, you can opt to drive yourself or take the BRB train which departs hourly and takes around 1.5 hours. Upon arrival in Tegernsee town or Gmund, you can take the bus to get around.

There are a lot of things you can do during a day trip to the Tegernsee. One of the most popular ones is to take a boat trip around the Tegernsee. It allows you to see everything this fantastic lake has to offer. Alternatively, you can rent a SUP or your own electric boat in most cities located at the lake. Prices vary, but it is well worth the expense.

Munich day trips

In summer, you should also go for a swim at one of the many designated swimming areas. Another great thing to do at the Tegernsee is hiking. With more than 650 kilometers of marked trails of different levels, you have a large selection. To get the best view of the lake, you should opt for one of the alpine hikes up the three surrounding mountains.

After a long day at the Tegernsee, the best thing to do is to enjoy a cold beer. Head to the Tegernsee Brӓuhӓus which happens to be one of the oldest breweries in Germany.

Ultimately, the Tegernsee offers something for everyone. Making it the perfect day trip destination if you are planning more than just a short weekend getaway in Munich.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

You must consider visiting the charming Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen for one of your day trips from Munich. Garmisch is located just 90 km south of Munich. It can take just over an hour drive or an hour and a quarter by train.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is actually two towns right next to each other, which many refer to as GAP. It is a popular ski destination in the winter as it is located close to the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze.

There is so much to do in this area of Germany. It is a wonderful location for hiking during the 4 seasons, enjoying Bavarian cuisine and checking out one of the coolest Gorges in Europe.

A day trip from Munich could start by taking a ride on the Alpspitzebahn to the top. Make sure to check out the incredible AlpspiX. It is a platform on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Alps and valleys below. Next, have lunch on the mountain enjoying the incredible panorama views.

Munich day trips

In the afternoon, don’t miss Partnachklamm aka the Partnach Gorge which is an impressive deep gorge inside the mountain and only 3 km from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is exciting to walk through the waterfalls and rushing water on the narrow paths.

Finally, after a day of hiking and exploring, check out one of the local Biergarten’s in the towns for a relaxing and enjoyable evening. Then it’s a short 1-hour ride back to Munich. Day trips like these can help inspire your next travels!

Day Trips from Munich: Königssee and Obersee

The lakes Königssee (can be translated as king’s lake) and Obersee (translated upper lake) are probably the most famous lakes in Bavaria. They’re also among the most picturesque lakes in Europe. You can find them around 2 hours by car or 3,5 hours by train and bus south-east of Munich. The lakes lie in the middle of the Berchtesgaden National park surrounded by mountains and green forests. Königssee is actually the deepest lake in Germany with stunning 190 meters depth.

When arriving at Königssee, you have to board a boat if you want to get to the other side of the lake and to Obersee. But the boat ride is really enjoyable. The views are stunning and a highlight is when the captain of the boat will stop next to the so called “Echo-Wall” and play his trumpet. Be prepared to hear a very strong and clear echo.

The first stop is at the St. Bartholomä church, a beautiful white church with specially shaped domes. The second stop is on the other side of Königssee called Salet. From there you’ll walk approximately 15 minutes to Obersee, which is as breathtaking as its big brother.

Munich day trips

You can walk even further to the highest waterfall in Germany called Röthbach. The hike from Obersee will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. As you can see, Königssee and Obersee are real gems, offering you some iconic and jaw-dropping views and a romantic boat ride. Which make them a bucket list trip from Munich. 

What do you think are the Best Day Trips form Munich? Let me know in the comments!

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