10 Top Day Trips from Munich: Discover Nature, Culture, and Fairy-Tale Castles

It's no surprise that the people of Munich are happy with their lives. This vibrant city not only offers an exceptional living experience but also serves as a perfect launching point for exploring nearby mountains, lakes, and even other cities and countries. After enjoying the art, parks, and lively beer halls, venture a bit further for exciting cultural experiences and outdoor fun.

Just an hour from the Bavarian capital, the Alps await, featuring hiking trails and cable cars that ascend breathtaking peaks, with winter snowfall drawing skiers. You can also visit the historically rich cities of Augsburg or Ulm, or one of the opulent palaces of 'Mad' King Ludwig. Austria is also easily accessible, with the stunning city of Salzburg just a short train ride away. Here are ten of the best day trips from Munich.

1. Experience the stunning beauty of Chiemsee, the largest lake in the region

Travel time: 1 hour

This mirror-like lake boasts breathtaking mountain vistas—on warm summer days, it's hard to resist lounging at the lakeside lido beaches, renting a boat, or paddling along the shoreline, but there are also notable attractions to explore.

The highlight of the lake is the extravagantly romantic Schloss Herrenchiemsee, which Ludwig II grandly designed to emulate Versailles in 1878. The opulently frescoed, gilded, and chandelier-lit Grosse Spiegelgalerie stretches 98 meters (321 feet), even longer than its counterpart in Versailles, leaving visitors in awe.

Getting to Chiemsee from Munich: The easiest access point is Prien am Chiemsee, located an hour’s drive southeast of Munich via the A8. Trains frequently depart from Munich’s Hauptbahnhof, completing the journey in about an hour. To reach the palace, take a ferry from Prien-Stock to Herreninsel, followed by a 20-minute walk through charming gardens.

2. Enjoy a fun-filled day with the kids at Wildpark Poing

Travel time: 30 minutes

Established in 1959, this wildlife park is home to deer, raccoons, wolves, wild boar, and even a family of brown bears. A circular path winds through the enclosures, transitioning from dense woods to open meadows, with various animals often seen along the trail. Don’t forget to bring a few 50 cent coins to use at the animal-feed vending machines scattered throughout the park.

If you're visiting with children, be sure to set aside plenty of time to enjoy the expansive play area located about halfway through. It features rope courses, steep slides, water fountains, pirate ships, and toddler-friendly zones, along with picnic tables scattered around—keep an eye out for a peacock that might wander by while you’re eating.

Getting to Wildpark Poing from Munich: Public transport options are limited unless you're willing to walk approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) from the nearest S-Bahn station (Poing). Driving takes about 30 minutes.

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3. Take a leisurely walk through Augsburg, one of Germany's ancient cities

Travel time: 30 minutes/1 hour (by train or car)

If you're looking for a break from Munich but still want to immerse yourself in culture and history, Augsburg is the perfect choice. This city, founded by the stepchildren of Emperor Augustus nearly 2000 years ago, is steeped in history and was once a hub for the medieval textile trade.

With its charming spires and picturesque gables, Augsburg is a visual delight along the Romantic Road, which stretches from the vineyards of Würzburg to the foothills of the Alps. The Old Town centers around Rathausplatz, featuring a fountain dedicated to the Roman emperor and the stunning 17th-century Rathaus with its twin onion domes and a nearly 4m-tall (13ft) pinecone as its emblem. Please note that much of the building will be undergoing renovations until 2026.

Don’t miss a visit to the enchanting Fuggerei, Augsburg's historic Catholic welfare community, where the annual rent is astonishingly fixed at just 1 Rhenish guilder (€0.88). You can also reserve tickets in advance for the Augsburger Puppenkiste, one of the world’s most renowned puppet theaters that brings beloved fairy tales to life.

Getting to Augsburg from Munich: Augsburg is about an hour's drive northwest of Munich via the A8 motorway. Additionally, there are regular express trains (ICE, EC) departing from the Hauptbahnhof, with a travel time of approximately 30 minutes.

4. Visit Schloss Neuschwanstein, the fairy-tale castle that inspired Walt Disney

Travel time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

One of the delights is attempting to pronounce the name of this charming turreted castle from the 19th century, set against a stunning backdrop of forests and the Alps. King Ludwig II truly let his imagination soar here at Schloss Neuschwanstein. This fairy-tale castle even inspired Walt Disney and featured in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The castle’s interior resembles that of a stage set rather than a traditional fortress, showcasing an extravagant style with its flamboyant grotto, Byzantine-style Thronsaal (Throne Room), and Sängersaal (Minstrels’ Hall), all adorned with frescoes inspired by Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser. In 2024, one of the most significant restoration efforts in its history will conclude, revamping several rooms.

Make sure to set aside time for the brief walk to Marienbrücke, a bridge that spans the breathtaking, waterfall-laden Pöllat Gorge, offering stunning views of the castle perched majestically on its forested cliff.

Getting to Schloss Neuschwanstein from Munich: Plan for an early departure to enjoy a day trip from Munich. The drive to the castle takes about an hour and forty-five minutes to the southwest. Alternatively, you can take a train to Füssen, followed by an eight-minute bus ride to the castle.

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5. Savor delicious meals by Lake Tegernsee

Travel time: One hour

Located just south of Munich, Tegernsee is a favored getaway for locals. Here, you can enjoy boat rides, various water sports, and a public sauna with stunning lake views, alongside some excellent dining options.

Visit the lakeside brewery, officially named Herzoglich Bayerisches Brauhaus Tegernsee, for refreshing beers, warm hospitality, and traditional dishes, complete with locals dressed in festive attire, including feathered felt hats. For a modern twist, check out the chic restaurant at the newly opened hotel blyb, helmed by the team behind Munich’s Michelin-starred eatery Mural.

Getting to Tegernsee from Munich: Trains to Tegernsee run hourly from the main station. Alternatively, you can drive via the A8, but be cautious of traffic during pleasant weather.

6. Explore the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site

Travel time: 30 minutes

Dachau's concentration camp was one of the first, established by Heinrich Himmler in March 1933 to detain political prisoners. The stark figures reveal that over 200,000 individuals were imprisoned here, with at least 41,500 losing their lives. Today, it stands as a profound memorial, known as KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau, serving as a somber reminder of the horrors of the Third Reich.

Plan to spend at least a full morning or afternoon to fully appreciate the exhibits (be aware that some children may find the content too distressing). The memorial features disturbing displays, including original photographs of the camp, its guards, and its inmates.

The visitor center is a great place to begin your experience, featuring a tour desk where you can reserve an audio guide. English tours are available daily at 11am and 1pm, and it's advisable to buy tickets at least 30 minutes prior. Note: Groups should arrange their bookings well in advance.

Getting to Dachau from Munich: Dachau is located a half-hour drive (30km/19 miles) north of Munich via the A99. Just follow the signs to KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau. Alternatively, there are frequent regional trains (11 minutes) or S-Bahn trains (21 minutes) from Munich Hauptbahnhof. You can switch to bus 726 (heading to Saubachsiedlung) to reach the site.

7. Venture into the mountains near Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Travel time: 1 hour

Nestled near the Austrian border, this dual-town resort, Garmisch and Partenkirchen, invites you to explore the Bavarian Alps. Partenkirchen, with its pastel-colored buildings, exudes a charming old-world vibe, making it particularly delightful.

Surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas, whether you're skiing down slopes or hiking in picturesque Alpine meadows, your adventure begins with a trip to Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak at 2962m (9718ft). A cable car from nearby Eibsee offers stunning views spanning four countries: Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.

For a more exhilarating experience, trek through the 700m-long (2296ft) Partnachklamm gorge, characterized by steep cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and roaring rapids. The entrance is about a 30-minute walk from the parking area at the Olympia Skistadion in Partenkirchen.

Getting to Garmisch-Partenkirchen from Munich: Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located an hour's drive south of Munich along the A95. Alternatively, you can catch one of the hourly trains from Hauptbahnhof, taking approximately an hour and a half. From Garmisch, a cogwheel train will take you to Eibsee and the cable car station.

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8. You can easily spend more than a day in Berchtesgaden

Travel time: 2 hours

While a day trip is possible, the alpine paradise of Berchtesgaden is best enjoyed with a long weekend getaway from Munich. The scenery is breathtaking, featuring vibrant lakes and rugged limestone mountains, including Watzmann (2713m/8900ft), the second-highest peak in Germany.

The stunning Königssee, a fjord-like lake shimmering in emerald green and surrounded by steep mountain walls, adds a picturesque touch. Much of this region falls under the protection of Berchtesgaden National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve filled with some of Germany’s most thrilling hiking paths. However, the area also holds a darker history—Eagle’s Nest, a lodge constructed for Hitler’s 50th birthday, stands as a notable dark tourism site. Despite its controversial past, the winding road to its summit and the breathtaking Alpine vistas seldom disappoint.

If you have extra time, consider crossing into Austria from here and making your way to Salzburg—it’s just a half-hour drive to the north.

Getting to Berchtesgaden from Munich: The drive to Berchtesgaden takes about two hours southeast on the A8. Taking the train from Ostbahnhof will take longer, as regional services are available.

9. Explore the works of German expressionist artists at the Franz Marc Museum

Travel time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

One of the premier art venues in Munich, the Lenbachhaus, features a vast collection from the influential German expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter (the Blue Rider), which originated in the city in 1911. Additional works can be found in several museums nestled in the nearby alpine foothills that inspired their art.

Franz Marc spent many childhood vacations and a significant part of his creative career in the picturesque village of Kochel am See, where you'll find a museum dedicated to him. Housed in a charming turn-of-the-century villa alongside a modern extension, it showcases numerous works from artists like Paul Klee and August Macke, along with a varied collection of Marc’s drawings, watercolors, and sculptures. Be sure to check out the stunning views from the observation room on the second floor.

Getting to the Franz Marc Museum from Munich: Regional trains leave Munich Hauptbahnhof for Kochel approximately every hour, taking about 60 minutes. You can either walk to the museum from the station or catch the 9608 bus, which runs once an hour.

10. Discover the unique attractions in the city of Ulm

Travel time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Often overlooked, Ulm deserves more recognition, especially since this historic city, the birthplace of physicist Albert Einstein, boasts sights you won't find anywhere else—from the world’s most crooked house (according to the Guinness World Records) to the oldest known zoomorphic sculpture, which dates back 30,000 years.

The grand Münster rightfully takes center stage, featuring the tallest cathedral steeple in the world, towering over the Marktplatz. This magnificent structure took nearly 500 years to complete, starting from the laying of the first stone in 1377. From here, venture into the maze of streets leading to the Fischerviertel, the historic quarter of fishers and tanners, where charming half-timbered houses line the banks of the Blau River, a tributary of the Danube.

If you're on a quest to learn about Einstein, be sure to see the whimsical rocket-snail fountain that honors the iconic scientist, as well as the memorial marking his birthplace from 1879.

Getting to Ulm from Munich: Ulm is located about an hour and a half to the west of Munich via the A8 motorway. Trains run twice an hour, taking approximately 1¼ hours to reach your destination.