Munich is a fantastic base for day trips to some incredible destinations.

Looking for quick tips for the best day trips from Munich? You've come to the right place!

We've 'been' to Munich a few times already, but it was mostly fleeting experiences like driving to the airport or stopping at an Autobahn gas station on our skiing trips to Zermatt. Well, at least until now, when we finally took some time off and spent three amazing days in Munich, which was basically the conclusion to our two-week Bavaria road trip.

While exploring the Bavarian capital was a blast, right now, we're thrilled to share our favorite spots that are just a short drive or train ride away. It took us some time to realize how uniquely positioned Munich truly is. No matter how embarrassing it might sound, we never fully put too much thought into how many incredible places you can visit on day trips from Munich. It was so obvious and laid just in front of us, but it took us a while to make this 'discovery.'

Our favorite part is that the list we've compiled is practically for everyone, no matter whether you're into WW2 history, medieval castles, picturesque old towns, or if you just want to spend a fun day out with your kids. So, let's get into it!

Essential Tips: Transportation and Accommodation

So, if you've clicked on this post, we have a feeling you're wondering how to pull this whole adventure off. That's a pretty valid concern. Luckily, we wanted to make this list as practical as possible, not just mindlessly spit out a list of some destinations that are beautiful but pretty much impossible to reach on a single day (and return back to Munich).

We presume you want to base yourself in Munich for a few days, so we'll share a few tips about accommodation/transportation here first. So, the two most important questions are: how do you actually reach those places, and what areas/neighborhoods would we recommend for you to stay in Munich? We'll start with the transportation.

Rent a Car, Opt for Public Transport, or Take Tours?

Rental cars, trains, or organized trips are all valid options when it comes to venturing beyond Munich. Since we've already been a few times in Bavaria (our departure points like Prague, Tabor, or Ceske Budejovice are just across the border, after all) and brought our car for every trip, we had a slight advantage here, though.

Don't worry. We'll briefly walk you through every option as public transport might sometimes be a better option.

Train

When we say that you should use public transport for Munich day trips, we mean trains. Munich is one of the largest cities in Germany, so it's not surprising that it's well-connected with other German cities (and also smaller towns and villages). And the railway plays a huge role in that.

The best part is that you can get to pretty much every single place on this list by train, and most of the time, without any complicated transfers. We saved the best for last. Getting around Germany by train is surprisingly affordable (though the super-saver Deutschland Ticket is a bit harder to obtain for non-Germans).

The only problem could arise if you want to combine some of the places - like Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. For tickets and timetables, see the Deutsche Bahn website.

Rental Car

Since Bavaria borders Czechia, we opted to travel with our own car. If you're flying into Germany from overseas, you'll likely need to rent one in Munich. We always look forward to driving in Germany. It's very easy, you drive on the right side of the road (and much more stress-free compared to places like Ireland), and the extensive Autobahn network makes every longer journey fast and convenient.

Our tip: Most German towns and cities have a good network of parking lots and underground garages, so that's one thing less to worry about. It's true that parking isn't cheap, especially close to the city center, but we've found that the rates in other parts of Europe (we can compare Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, etc.) are roughly the same.

Guided Tours

The number of tours available from Munich is overwhelming, so it's really up to you if you want to take this route (convenience, no planning, less stress, knowledgeable guides, etc.). We created all these Germany-related guides to help you visit each place on your own, but we know from our own experience that taking an organized trip is sometimes a more convenient option.

You can visit each place by taking a tour, well, probably except for Legoland, but who would need a guide to the Kingdom of Bricks anyway, right?

The main advantage we see in organized trips from Munich is that some areas combine multiple attractions that are hard to explore by public transport: the Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Tour is the best example.

Where to Base Yourself in Munich?

Plain and simple, the best neighborhood in Munich for daytrippers depends on how they plan to get around. We've already figured that one out above, so now we highlight you to some convenient locations with good hotels.

Mittlerer Ring is Great for Daytrippers

Since we brought a car for this trip, we're going to start with this option. So, if you choose to rent a car in Munich, we do recommend staying somewhere along the Mittlerer Ring - a major ring road within the city - rather than in Altstadt.

We stayed in a contemporary Moxy Hotel that fit this criteria, plus it had a large underground garage, and we could still walk to the Old Town in about 20-30 minutes. Obviously, you have more options in this regard: Motel One Munchen-Haidhausen and Wombat's City Hostel would also be great options.

And if you change your mind about the car/train option during the trip, this area is home to Munich Ostbahnhof (yes, the U-bahn goes to the main train station from here).

Munich Hauptbahnhof is Perfect for Public Transport Crowd

So, when we talked above about how you can reach almost every place on our list from Munich by train, you've probably been wondering since then where the central train station is and if there are any solid hotels near it.

Munich Hauptbahnhof is practically in the city center, about a kilometer west of the Marienplatz. Since the Marienplatz, the heart of Altstadt, and Munich Hauptbahnhof are about a 10-minute walk from each other, don't overthink it. Any hotel within this area will do, whether it's 5-star Sofitel Munich Bayerpost or budget-friendly Euro Youth Hotel Munich.

Altstadt-Lehel is Ideal for Tour-Goers

Munich's Altstadt is home to many must-see attractions, so it's not surprising that the majority of tourists want to stay right there (or within walking distance). If you're going to stay as close as possible to places like Munich Residence, Frauenkirche, or the New Town Hall, then Altstadt, with hotels like Hotel MIO and Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, is the right choice.

Is there any other reason? I'm glad you asked. For instance, this extremely popular Neuschwanstein Tour departs from Karlsplatz, a large square on the way from Marienplatz to Munich Hauptbahnhof. I checked the departure points of some other tours, like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Salzburg Tour , and they also have Karlspaltz as a meeting point. It's not a rule, though. Always double-check the departure details of the tour you book! And don't forget that private tours often do allow you to choose your own pickup point.

Dachau Concentration Camp: The Holocaust Memorial

The first place you absolutely must visit on a day trip from Munich is the infamous Dachau Concentration Camp. The former place of death and horror was the first camp the Nazi regime designed to detain and murder people that didn't fit their ideology. It was in operation from 1933 to 1945 and held about 200.000 prisoners, about whom 30.000 died there.

Dachau Concentration Camp offers a somber experience of what we humans can become if unchecked power prevails.

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial is a sombering reminder of history.

Central Europe used to have a vast network of these facilities, and since we live here, we've already been to a few of them. Most recently, Mauthausen (Austria), but also Terezin (that's the one in Czechia) or Auschwitz-Birkenau (Poland). And every visit hit us hard emotionally. Dachau is in the same pool, though it's slightly different as this was the place where it all started.

Getting to Dachau

Take either RB 16 or S-Bahn S2 from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Dachau Bahnhof (10-20 minute ride). Dachau train station is located about three kilometers from the concentration camp. From here, take a bus or walk the Path of Remembrance (we think this is a much better option).

There's no point in driving to Dachau KZ from Munich (about 30 minutes) unless you want to continue further, but you could take a Dachau Tour to see the memorial with a licensed guide.

Augsburg: Romans, Water Management, and Social Housing

Sitting on a Lech River, Augsburg is often skipped by international travelers. We believe it's a bit of a shame since the city is full of surprises: so what's there to see and do in Augsburg, a city founded by the Roman Emperor Augustus around 14 BC?

For starters, the unique social housing project at Fuggerei. We bet you didn't expect to find a residential area with social houses to be among the city's top attractions, and neither did we. But here we are. The Fuggerei family founded this neighborhood in 1521 to provide accommodation for those who couldn't afford it. The most interesting fact we learned here was that the rent of €0.88 hasn't changed in 500 years (well, apart from the currencies, right?).

The Fuggerei is the world's oldest existing social housing complex.

Fuggerei is open to the public (there's a small fee) and has several museums, a WW2 bunker, and the houses where locals still live.

You can walk around this neighborhood on your own, but if you want to learn more, take a Augsburg Walking Tour with Fuggerei.

The second (and arguably the main) reason why you should visit Augsburg is the water management system, which is quite frankly pretty unique. The people from UNESCO also noticed that - that's why it has had the World Heritage Status since 2019. We loved the Lech Canals (77 kilometers, 500 bridges), which are easily seen right in the city. There were also plenty of sites outside the city, like Hochablass, aka Lech Weir, or Eiskanal, used as the world's first white water canoe course for the 1972 Summer Olympics.

And then there's the Altstadt (that one you would probably expect we've mentioned first), which has the traditional set of buildings like the 11th-century cathedral, Renaissance-styled Rathaus, plus some extra like Leopold Mozart House (yes, father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born here) and Brecht House (The Threepenny Opera, Life of Galileo, etc.).

Getting to Augsburg

ICE trains leave Munich for Augsburg roughly every hour, and the ride takes about 30 minutes (there are also slower regional trains available). Since driving via the A8 takes about an hour, we would prefer to take the train.

Legoland Deutschland: The World of Lego

I played with Lego during my childhood (and bought a few sets with Lucie), so a trip to Legoland was always on my bucket list. Even though Legoland is mostly for families with kids, we'd say it's also a fun place to explore for adults, especially if they like Lego bricks and don't have too much experience with amusement parks.

Our favorite attractions were Miniland, a huge Lego city with tons of landmarks and cool features; the Factory, where we learned about the Lego-making process; and the Mythica Maximus roller coaster. Those are just a few examples for you; there are tons of other rides and activities for all ages.

Legoland is an amusement park for all ages.

Our tip: Try to visit Legoland outside the main season, preferably during a weekday, to avoid the crowds and limit the waiting times for rides.

A few months later, we road-tripped Denmark, and while exploring the stunning Jutland, our journey brought us to Billund, the cradle of Lego. We didn't go to Legoland this time; instead, we visited the Lego House, which isn't in Germany.

Getting to Legoland

Legoland is located in Gunzburg and is easily accessible by both car and train. ICE trains run roughly every hour between Gunzburg and Munich Hauptbahnhof, and the journey takes about 60 minutes. Gunzburg Bahnhof is about five kilometers from the park's entrance.

Our tip when purchasing a ticket is to set your final destination as LEGOLAND Park, which will include a short bus ride between the train station and the park.

Nuremberg: Holy Roman Empire + WW2 History

If we had to pick one place for you to visit from this list, we'd most likely choose Nuremberg. There are tons of reasons to visit Nuremberg, but since we don't have that much space here, we'll keep it short. But to understand Nuremberg, a brief look into history is inevitable.

It reveals that a visit to the city that was once a seat of Holy Roman Emperors, the site of numerous Imperial Diets, retained its status of importance even after the Napoleonic wars and eventually became one of the symbols of the Nazi regime, would be bursting with things to do.

We'll start with the Altstadt, which is among Nuremberg's top attractions. The combination of the Pegnitz River and traditional Bavarian architecture was incredibly picturesque. The maze of streets was fun to explore, with Weissgerbergasse being a great photo spot. Touring the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg was also really cool.

Nuremberg Castle was an important fortress during the Holy Roman Empire period.

If WW2 is your thing, Memorium Nuremberg Trials and Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds are two must-see museums. The city is also home to numerous traditional museums like DB Museum, Fembo House, Albrecht Durer's House, and more. We spent a couple of hours in the Germanisches National Museum, which houses the world's oldest globe (Behaim Globe) and tons of other exhibitions.

The only downside is that you might need to stay in Nuremberg overnight to explore everything this city has to offer.

Getting to Nuremberg

ICE trains leave from Munich Hauptbahnhof for Nuremberg every 5-20 minutes during the day; the journey takes about 60-70 minutes. Since driving between the two places takes two hours, we'd opt for the train.

Or you can book a Nuremberg Day Tour and explore the city with a knowledgeable guide.

Neuschwanstein Castle: The Disney Castle

About a 90-minute drive south of Munich, one of the most famous castles in the world, the iconic Neuschwanstein, can be found. The 19th-century castle built by the fairytale king Ludwig II, which you most likely know as the Disney castle, with the Bavarian Alps in the backdrop, is simply stunning.

We had a great time exploring Neuschwanstein Castle, but planning is essential here (guided tours only, crowds, etc.), so don't miss the guide we made specifically for this area. By the way, we initially wanted to name this section 'the Fussen area,' but we have a feeling you're hearing this name for the first time, so it would make things more confusing.

Neuschwanstein Castle is the most popular day trip from Munich.

Only a short walk from Neuschwanstein is Hohenschwangau Castle, another beautiful castle worth seeing (right here, Ludwig II spent his summers and a large part of his childhood). While you're here, you can also explore the Alpsee Lake (walking trails), Tegelberg Mountain (cable car + stunning views), and the charming town of Fussen (medieval Altstadt + Hohes Schloss). Thanks to its good hotels, restaurants, and train connections to Munich (here you'll find the train station if arriving by train), Fussen is often considered the gateway to the area.

While you're here, there are two more places worth seeing. The UNESCO-listed Pilgrimage Church of Wieskirche and Linderhof Palace. The former is, well, a pilgrimage church with Baroque architecture, a beautiful ceiling fresco, and one miracle story. The latter is a small palace built by Ludwig II, which has one of the most richly decorated interiors we've ever seen!

Getting to Neuschwanstein

A direct BRB RB68 train that runs about three times a day connects Fussen with Munich (there are more trains but a bit slower). From Fussen, you can take a bus to Hohenschwangau or just walk there (the 6-kilometer one-way Kalvarienberg hike is great). Or you could also rent a bike in Fussen to try a slightly different approach.

The Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Tour is your best bet if you don't drive or want to see more places on a single trip.

Regensburg: Romans, UNESCO, and Danube

We have a soft spot for Regensburg, a UNESCO-listed city in Bavaria's Upper Palatinate region. We happened to arrive there on a beautiful, hot, and sunny day, and the city was buzzing with life (it's a university city, after all). But the city offers much more than just nightlife on Friday night (if that sounds like fun, there are our picks of top hotels in Regensburg).

The city sitting on the Danube River was originally a military camp built by Romans in 179 CE. The most exciting part is that you can still see the remnants of the Roman presence (Porta Praetoria, Castra Regina Camp) even now, after almost 2000 years. That was pretty awesome.

Regensburg became a Free Imperial City (basically a very important city in the Holy Roman Empire) during the medieval era, a period that also shaped the appearance of its charming city center - some of Regensburg's most famous attractions, like the Old Stone Bridge or St. Peter Cathedral, were built then.

We also took a guided tour at Thurn and Taxis Palace, though it was only in German, and we had to use an audio guide (which provided only basic information). If you have extra time, you can also take a guided Regensburg City Walking Tour or scenic cruise, and we also recommend visiting the unique Stadtamhof neighborhood (this one is free).

Our tip: We've already established that Regensburg is an incredible city. But did you know there are some really cool places within a short drive from the city you can consider exploring? Weltenburg Abbey has beer and a stunning limestone gorge with Danube cruises, while the Hall of Liberation and Walhalla Memorial are must-sees for German history lovers. If any of these places caught your interest, you'll most likely need a car for this trip, though.

Getting to Regensburg

A direct Regional Express (RE) and ICE trains run frequently between Regensburg and Munich (every 30 minutes). The journey takes less than 90 minutes. Domplatz is less than a 10-minute walk from Regensburg Hauptbahnhof. Traveling by car via A9/A93 takes about 90 minutes.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Zugspitze, Hiking, and Mountains

If you want to see the Alps, there's no better place in Germany to go than Bavaria. And the super popular resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a perfect starting point for this type of adventure. After all, it's home to Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany at 2,962 meters.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is mostly known as a skiing resort, but thanks to its mountainous scenery, it's a perfect place for all types of outdoor activities (hiking, walking, biking, etc.). While you can do a super-challenging hike to Zugspitze, it's not doable in one day, so you're left with the cable car option.

If you want to try something more adventurous, the Alpspitz Ferrata is considered one of the best climbing experiences in Garmisch. For everyone else, walking through the trio of gorges consisting of Partnach, Hallentalklamm, and Hallental should be more accessible.

Zugspitze is the only place we haven't visited yet, but it's on our list, and we have a feeling it's just a matter of time before we make it there.

Getting to Garmisch-Partenkirchen

RB and RE trains to Garmisch-Partenkirchen leave from Munich Hauptbahnhof every hour. It's about an 80-minute train ride compared to 90 minutes by car. Or you can just take a Zugspitze Tour from Munich.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Half-Timbered Houses and City Walls

Germany has many picturesque medieval towns, but we can confidently say that Rothenburg ob der Tauber might be the fairest of them all. We stopped at this lovely town, which is nestled among the hills in the Tauber Valley, on our way from Wurzburg, but it can also be reached from Munich (though it may appear that those places are too far away).

The historic part is truly stunning, but there's more than just the cute half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and the Plonlein square, which you might already seen on Instagram. We were thrilled that the town's intact city walls were walkable and free to enter. It took us several hours (with some detours) to tackle the 4-kilometer walk full of amazing views, towers, gates, and medieval architecture.

Plonlein is the most famous photo spot in Rothenburg.

If you decide to stay in Rothenburg overnight, you need to take the Night Watchman Tour, which departs after dark.

During the day, you can visit the Medieval Crime Museum or hike to Toppler Castle and Double Bridge. And don't forget to try the traditional Schneeball pastry. The list doesn't end here, so check our guide where we share more things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Getting to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Getting to Getting to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich by train is doable, but you need to be prepared for two things: the journey takes between two and a half and three hours and include usually two or three transfers.

If this option looks too complicated, take the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tour instead (it's also more convenient than driving, which takes about three hours).

Bamberg: The Franconian Rome

UNESCO status, half-timbered houses, water canals, medieval architecture, a long history of Prince-Bishops, Little Venice, locally brewed smoked beer, all that, and much more is there to see and do in Bamberg, aka the Franconian Rome (for its lovely hilly setting).

So it's not surprising to say we were really excited to visit Bamberg. And we absolutely loved it. We also self-toured the New Residence (it was still too early for the roses in the Rose Garden), visited the Bamberg Cathedral, saw the Little Venice, and admired the stunning facade of Altes Rathaus (unfortunately, Kloster Michelsberg was closed for renovations).

Little Venice was once a fishermen's district.

We eventually tried that famous rauchbier in a traditional Schlenkerla pub (it was not that great, though, and we would stick to more traditional lagers).

If you're deciding between Rothenburg and Bamberg, then we can only say that we loved Rothenburg for its charm and Bamberg for its grandeur. The choice is yours.

Getting to Bamberg

There are a few direct trains between Bamberg and Munich that can make the entire journey in 1 hour and 45 minutes (there are also more trains with a transfer in Nuremberg). The train station is about 1.5 kilometers from the Old Town.

If you're driving, you're looking at a journey of around two hours and 30 minutes.

Salzburg: Mozart, Music, and Alps

Surrounded by the Alps, Salzburg is one of our favorite 'secret' tips when it comes to day trips from Munich. The city is absolutely gorgeous! A visit to Salzburg might not be so obvious because it simply lies in a different country! But that doesn't matter as both Germany and Austria are members of the Schengen zone (if you're an American, etc., just remember the 90-day rule).

Salzburg is mostly known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most famous music composers of all time (hence the City of Mozart nickname). Another nickname is the City of Music due to its strong music heritage (believe it or not, there's more to it than just Mozart).

You can easily even visit Salzburg, Austria, from Munich.

By the way, Salzburg is also known as the Rome of the North (wait until you see the Baroque architecture!). Who would have thought you could visit not just one but two Romes from Munich? If you're curious about European geography, the actual Rome is 1000 kilometers south of the Bavarian capital. Sorry, I guess I've got a bit carried away here; back to Salzburg.

Among the highlights of our trip to Salzburg was exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town, touring the huge DomQuartier and epic Hohensalzburg Fortress, and climbing a few surrounding hills for the views. It was a jam-packed day!

By the way, Innsbruck is another interesting idea for a day trip from Munich, but we believe Salzburg is a better choice for first-timers to this area.

Getting to Salzburg

Direct trains between Salzburg and Munich run frequently (we checked the weekday schedule, and there was a train every 30 minutes). The journey takes about 1:30 to 1:45 hours, depending on the train type. Railjet Xpress (RJX) is the fastest option, though it's a bit more expensive than BRB, IC, EC, and other trains. Salzburg Hauptbahnhof is about a 20-minute walk from the Altstadt.

Driving from Munich to Salzburg via A8 takes less than two hours.

Konigssee and Eagle's Nest: Lakes, Mountains, and WW2 History

The Berchtesgaden Alps are home to some of the most beautiful places in Bavaria, and even though the area is a bit further from Munich, we put them on our list. We happened to visit on a sunny weekend in mid-October, and we could see breathtaking views, fall foliage, thinner crowds, and thicker fog in the morning.

Eagle's Nest was built as a retreat for Adolf Hitler during the Nazi era.

On the first day, we hiked to Eagle's Nest (officially known as Kehlsteinhaus). It wasn't the easiest hike, but the views from the 1834-meter peak were totally worth it. The mountain is also home to a building built on a rocky outcrop by Nazis, which you probably know from WW2 documents featuring Adolf Hitler. We also recommend visiting the Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg by the parking area. It's a great museum with a bunker!

The next day, we took a boat trip around Konigssee (which we saw the day before from Kehlsteinhaus). Apart from the lake cruise, we did some hiking in the area, but you really don't need to put much effort here to get some incredible views. And believe us, with the fjord-like scenery of Konigssee and the mighty Watzmann Massif; there'll be plenty of them.

Getting to Berchtesgaden

Berchtesgaden is well-connected with Munich by train, but the journey takes either 2:30 or 3 hours (one way). And then, you would need to get to Konigssee or Eagle's Nest.

This is one of the few places where a Konigssee Tour or Eagle's Nest Tour makes more sense.

Don't Forget to Explore Munich's Outskirts

Munich's city center is fun to explore, but some attractions further from the city center are also worth seeing. We thoroughly enjoyed BMW Welt for its amazing futuristic architecture and the BMW Museum for all the history and cars made by this classic Bavarian car manufacturer.

Munich is home to BMW, one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers.

Both BMW attractions sit on the edge of the Munich Olympic Park, where you should head next. This huge complex, comprising a 291-tall tower, a 70,000-seat stadium, and tons of other sites, was used as the main venue for the 1972 Summer Olympics. It's huge, and it took us some time to just walk around it, a walk up to the Olympic Hill for the views (we didn't want to spend money on the tower).

If you prefer the architecture of the past time, namely the Baroque style, you must see Nymphenburg Palace with its extensive gardens (and nearby Botanic Garden). Later, you can stop at Schleissheim Palace, which also boasts Baroque architecture and lovely gardens.

Travel Insurance

We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.

Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.

SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.

Travel smarter and safer!

Travel Resources

Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.

Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.

Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.

We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.

Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.

Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.

Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.

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Our Favorite Day Trips from Munich