Best Day Trips from Munich

With its location in the heart of Bavaria, Munich makes the perfect home base for exploring southern Germany and nearby Austria.

You may be surprised by just how much there is so much to explore in day trips from Munich. Whether you’re looking for towns rich with history, adventures in the mountains, and beautiful nature, or visiting castles, there is something to appeal to everyone! With great transportation connections and lots of interesting sites within an hour to three hours by train, it’s a no-brainer. Here are my picks of the best day trips from Munich!

Day Trips from Munich Reachable in About an Hour or Less

Oberschleißheim

Any visitor to Munich who has ever taken the S1 S-Bahn train to or from the airport has already passed through Oberschleißheim. But you probably haven’t seen the town’s jewel: Schloss Schleißheim, a grouping of palaces that once served as a summer residence for the House of Wittelsbach.

The palace property is wrapped in lush baroque gardens and canal systems, not unlike those at Nymphenburgh Palace. The palace is a popular filming location, too. You may have seen it in Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory or Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers.

If palaces don’t interest you, Oberschleißheim is also home to the aircraft museum arm of the Deutsches Museum.

With its location along the S-Bahn line, this is one of the easier and quicker day trips from Munich on the list. It is just a short walk through town from the train station to the palace. In fact, you could easily visit on the way into the city from the airport.

Rosenheim

Roughly 30 miles southeast of Munich is the town of Rosenheim. While the town is a sort of midway spot between Munich and Salzburg, there’s plenty to see and explore in Rosenheim. The town’s Altstadt features historic architecture, like a centuries-old market gate, and dozens of buildings painted in pretty pastel colors. There are also a number of museums in the town, including a wood technology museum.

Tegernsee

Just south of Munich is the Tegernsee, a resort town. It is a popular destination any time of the year: in the cold weather months, the nearby mountains offer skiing, while the warm weather months provide an excuse to get out on the lake or enjoy nearby hiking. But any time of the year, you can soak in the atmosphere at any of the numerous boutiques, cafes, or the local brewery and pub Herzoglich Bayerisches Brauhaus Tegernsee.

The nearby Wallberg mountain peak looms over the lakefront town. But with a quick and scenic cable car ride to the top, you can take in the view firsthand. If you’re feeling more energetic, you can hike to the top.

Ammersee

Ferries carry passengers back and forth along the Ammersee, yet another of Bavaria’s many lakes. But visitors can explore the beautiful lakefront along Germany’s longest lake promenade. Boats dot the water and plenty of cafes line the shore.

For centuries, pilgrims have walked miles to Kloster Andechs. The monastery has a rich history of brewing that continues to this day. And you can make the pilgrimage yourself with the hike from Herrsching and pass along Ammersee. The walk takes a while but isn’t too difficult and the scenery along the way — through woods and across meadows — is simply unparalleled.

Starnberger See

Visitors to the Starnberger See can find no shortage of lakefront activities, like water sports and cafes. But there are some unexpected finds, too, like the Buchheim Museum of Imagination in Bernried.

The Starnberger See is also home to the Roseninsel or Rose Island. It is there that King Maximilian II had a royal villa, the Casino, built. His son, King Ludwig II, entertained a number of high-profile guests at the villa, which has a remarkable rose garden that typically blooms in August. There are also prehistoric pile dwellings on the site, too.

Dachau

Dachau is not far from Munich and can be reached relatively quickly just by using Munich’s public transportation (just take the S2 line of the S-Bahn). The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial is a well-known site for visitors to learn about the horrors of the Nazi regime and pay their respects to the victims. But the city also has several churches worth seeing as well as a palace and gardens.

Aying

If you’re looking to experience small-town Bavarian life, you don’t have to go far. Along the S7 S-Bahn line lies Aying. Most will know the town for the Ayinger beer its brewery produces but there’s so much more to this community.

Surrounded by flat fields and meadows, the town is easily walkable with historic buildings, like a 19th century Kegelbahn. In the heart of Aying, you’ll find the sky-high Maypole and the Bräustüberl (essentially the town pub), a modest and pretty church, and the brewery’s hotel.

The Brauereigasthof Hotel Aying offers 4-star luxury with a Bavarian twist and makes it awfully tempting to turn your day trip into a sleepover. Around the corner and down the street you’ll find the town’s namesake brewery. They do run special brewery seminars and tours so book ahead if that’s of interest. But it’s fun just to walk by and visit the gift shop. You may just hear the clinking of glass bottles inside the factory passing by on a conveyor belt. But be sure to head to the Bräustüberl to get a taste! Without a doubt, Aying is one of the easier day trips from Munich.

Augsburg

The third oldest German city and the third-largest city in Bavaria, Augsburg is a university town that sits just west of Munich. As its early founding suggests, Augsburg is rich in history such as the Fuggerei, the world’s oldest social settlement.

The city also played an important role in the 16th century during the Reformation. A day trip from Munich to Augsburg lets you escape “the big city” for a different experience.

And it can take as little as a half-hour to reach via the Munich to Augsburg train!

Day Trips from Munich Reachable in About One to Two Hours

Chiemsee

Nicknamed by locals as the Bavarian Sea, the Chiemsee is the largest lake in Bavaria. There, visitors can partake in all kinds of activities in the fresh air while enjoying nature and the cool, crystal-clear waters.

The lake is also home to two inhabited islands. On the Herreninsel, the larger island of the two, you will find a palace commissioned by King Ludwig I that was inspired by Versailles. Meanwhile, there is an active Benedictine monastery on the other island, the Frauenchiemsee.

Both islands are easily accessible for a visit after a short ferry ride. The towns that dot the perimeter of the lake are also charming spots to visit, too, during a Chiemsee day trip.

Salzburg

While the Austrian capital is a bit far to be considered in this list of day trips from Munich, Salzburg is just over the nearby border. The thoroughly European city charms with its quaintness: narrow cobblestone shopping streets hide all manner of adventures.

And don’t forget the cafes. Oh, the cafes! Austria may not have invented sitting in a cafe with a coffee, a pastry, and the newspaper but they sure have perfected it.

As though you need any excuse for an escape for a Munich to Salzburg day trip, the city is also a must-see for fans of The Sound of Music and Mozart, who called the city home during his early years. You can even visit his birth home. The nearby Hellbrunn Palace, a Lustschloss, is a fun visit with novelty water fountains.

With the Munich to Salzburg train, it’s an easy day trip that will have you eating Mozartkugeln and Sacher Torte in no time!

Nuremberg

Whether it be the impressive castle that overlooks the city, the part played in World War II (before, during, and after the war), or the home of artist and humanist Albrecht Dürer, Nuremberg is a city steeped in history.

Some of that history may be right under your feet. Literally. Beneath the streets of Nuremberg, there are miles of passages that were once used to hold beer and, later, hide priceless works of art. If you prefer to stay above ground, the Germanisches Nationalmuseum is a must-see museum of German art and history.

The city is well known for the Nuremberg Trials but it was also the site of the Nazi party rally grounds. Today, the space has been transformed into the Documentation Center, a moving and emotional museum that pays tribute by helping future generations understand what led to National Socialism and how we can stop it from happening again.

Be sure to try the city’s unique Rotbier (red beer) while you’re there, too.

As the second-largest city in Bavaria, a Nuremberg day trip from Munich is a bit of an obvious choice. Nuremberg is a bustling city with more to see and do than can easily fit into a single day.

Kloster Andechs

If you would like a day trip that combines beer with walking, consider Kloster Andechs. Hidden in the Bavarian countryside not far from the Ammersee is the pilgrimage church of Kloster Andechs, a Benedictine monastery with a well-known brewery.

And what would you do at a pilgrimage church but make a pilgrimage? With an S-Bahn train ride from Munich of less than an hour to the town of Herrsching, you can then spend your day trip hiking to Kloster Andechs to sample its famous beer. This is one of my favorite day trips from Munich, simply for the walk through the town, the woods, and finally the countryside. (If walking isn’t for you or time is limited, you can also drive and park at the foot of the monastery’s hill.)

Kelheim

Seated at the meeting of the Altmühl and Danube Rivers, Kelheim is a lovely Bavarian town with so much to offer. The town’s colorful Altstadt is wonderful to stroll through for some shopping or a bite to eat.

From the town’s center, you can easily reach on foot the Liberation Hall, or Befreiungshalle Kelheim, a remarkable and massive memorial that offers stunning views over the river valley.

With its location along the Danube, Kelheim also acts as a great spot for river cruising, whether it be to nearby locations like Weltenburg Abbey or Walhalla.

Regensburg

Just northeast along the Danube River from Kelheim is Regensburg, Bavaria‘s fourth-largest city. It is here in Regensburg that for nearly 200 years the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire sat. History is seemingly everywhere you turn in the city. Take, for example, the beautiful and functional 12th century stone bridge that leads into the city’s Altstadt. The city is also home to Thurn and Taxis Palace, Europe’s largest inhabited palace, and St. Peter’s Cathedral, Bavaria’s sole Gothic cathedral.

To the east of the city lies the Bavarian Forest, a German national park, and nearby is Walhalla, a striking Parthenon replica that houses a Hall of Fame with busts of important Germans.

The Munich to Regensburg train allows for easy transportation in under two hours — or faster depending on which train you take.

Weltenburg Abbey

A day trip to Weltenburg Abbey is a magical experience. The “right” way, if you ask me, is to take a river cruise to the world’s oldest monastic brewery by way of the dock at nearby Kelheim. The cruise takes you through the Danube Gorge (or Donaudurchbruch) and past spectacular scenery. And it is only at the end that you find the peaceful Kloster Weltenburg.

Since around 600 AD the abbey has been located at this scenic spot on the banks of the Danube. Today, visitors can make the pilgrimage to the monastery (by river cruise, bicycle, or car) to explore the historic buildings. And, of course, the monks run a wonderful restaurant where you can sample their famous beer!

Kufstein

Just over the German-Austrian border along the banks of the Inn River sits Kufstein. The Austrian town is home to Festung Kufstein, a massive fortress, that visitors can explore from top to bottom. The towers of the fortress offer lovely views over the town, the green-blue waters of the river, and the surrounding community. The fortress is also home to the largest free-standing organ in the world, which you can hear daily.

Bayrischzell

While Kufstein sits just over the border in Austria, less than twenty miles away on the German side is Bayrischzell. If you’re looking for an active day trip in the outdoors, Bayrischzell is the place to be. No matter what time of year it is there are activities you can enjoy. In the warmer weather, you can partake in activities like hiking and mountain climbing. During the winter, there’s skiing, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, and more. And, of course, after all that activity you’ll need a place to rest, too. Fear not! You’ll find plenty of cozy places to get some hearty local cuisine.

Day Trips from Munich Reachable in Two or More Hours

Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is tucked deep in Bavaria: a puzzle-piece-shaped nook surrounded by Austria. The region is perfect for history buffs and active outdoor types.

For those looking to learn from the past, visit the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s one-time bunker.

But it is also home to the Watzmann mountain peak of the Alps and the Königssee, a lake of water so clear and blue it seems like it’s from a fairy tale. But, if you don’t enjoy hiking instead take the short electric ferry ride down the Königssee, a picturesque lake of blue-green waters. One of the stops is a former royal hunting lodge and the St. Bartholomew pilgrimage church.

Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau

Perhaps one of the most popular day trips from Munich is the one from Munich to Neuschwanstein. The fairy tale castle is world-famous, and construction on the castle has never even finished! Together with Hohenschwangau, which is right across the valley, the two palaces play an important part in the life and history of King Ludwig II.

Hohenschwangau was his childhood home while Neuschwanstein was his dream project. While the troubled and often eccentric king was found drowned before Neuschwanstein was completed, the castle is still an impressive draw for the curious. Because the castle is so world-famous, it tends to attract huge crowds and can be rather touristy. It simply can’t be avoided. But the sheer impressiveness and the views of the surrounding countryside made it worth the while. At least once.

Public transit connections from Munich to Neuschwanstein aren’t difficult but aren’t direct either. It takes some patience. Alternatively, there are options for taking a private bus for a Neuschwanstein Castle tour from Munich.

Zugspitze

About an hour southwest of Munich in the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. A series of cable cars and lift systems transport visitors way up and into the clouds. There you can ski, hike, rock climb, or simply enjoy unprecedented views from almost 3,000 meters above sea level. Visitors can also take tours of the Zugspitze glacier or find a moment of solace at the Maria Heimsuchung chapel. With the mountains being so close, a Zugspitze day trip from Munich is an easy option!

Bodensee

Lake Constance, or the Bodensee, is the third-largest lake in Europe. The lake serves as a meeting point where Germany meets with both Austria and Switzerland. Lake-side towns dot the perimeter of the pleasant lake. On the Bavarian side, the town of Lindau is the closest to Munich.

If you’ve got the time to go a little farther west, I recommend a visit to Friedrichshafen, the city of the Zeppelin. There you can learn all about zeppelins, the flying airships, and even go for a ride in one.

Ferries crisscross the lake allowing you to visit different spots. Or you can simply go for a sail or to indulge in some other watersports.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Franconian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is like a picture postcard. Its medieval Altstadt, or old town, is well preserved and tourists flock to experience it firsthand. The town is especially popular during the Christmas season when holiday decorations add character and a Christmas market welcomes shoppers.

Rothenburg is also home to Käthe Wohlfahrt, a company that is known the world over for its Christmas decorations. But don’t worry if you visit during the rest of the year: there’s a Christmas museum!

A day trip from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by train takes a bit of patience as there aren’t any direct trains. With connections, it can take two to three hours and making it one of the more challenging day trips from Munich on the list. But your patience will reward you with a visit to a charming Bavarian town unlike any other!

Bamberg

Anyone looking to experience the fairy tale Bavaria need look no further than a day trip to Bamberg. The historic city in the Franconia region is considered to be one of Germany’s most beautiful. Home to Europe’s largest intact city walls still in existence, Bamberg offers one stunning showstopper after another. Take, for example, the Altes Rathaus, which sits precariously on an island of rock dangling over the Regnitz River. Nearby the Michaelsberg Abbey offers stunning views over the area.

Bamberg is also home to Schlenkerla Rauchbier, the traditional delicacy of smoked beer.

Tips for Day Trips from Munich

• Most of these spots for day trips from Munich are easily accessible, especially using Deutsche Bahn. To save some money, consider a discount or regional ticket. For example, with the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket, you have unlimited travel on local transit services for a single weekend day. And, as of 2023, the new 49€ Deutschland-Ticket offers unlimited travel on local transit throughout the country for an entire calendar month.
• If you’re planning to visit several palaces that are maintained by the Bavarian Palace Department, consider buying a palace pass to gain admission to 40 properties without reaching for your wallet each time.
• While trains make direct connections with many larger cities and towns, they may not always make travel easy to other attractions and sites for your day trips from Munich. Consider renting a car or using a long-distance bus service like FlixBus (a Munich-based startup!).

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All opinions, as well as all photos, are my own. This post contains affiliate links.