5 Best Day Trips from Munich (From a Local)
If you’re visiting Munich soon, you might be wondering what else there is to see and do near the city. In particular, what are the best day trips from Munich? To help answer this question, I reached out to my fellow adventurer and Germany travel expert, Sophia, from The Always Wanderer.
Sophia is a Munich-based travel blogger who has lived in the city since 2018. She’s always looking for new places to discover and spends most of her free time exploring Bavaria, (including taking lots of day trips from Munich). So, by now, she has become quite an expert on Munich and Bavaria travel.
Some of Sophia’s favourite places to visit from Munich are Lake Königssee, which reminds her of the fjords in Norway, and Lake Eibsee, which has some of the most spectacular mountain views she’s ever seen. And these are only a couple of the amazing places Sophia has included in this guide to the best day trips from Munich.
So, to find out more, read on for the 5 best day trips from Munich, and everything you need to know about them!
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Why Visit Munich?
Munich is the capital of Bavaria and is most famous for being the birthplace of the world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest. The city’s famous Oktoberfest is held each year from mid-September to the first weekend in October. During this time, millions of people gather in Munich to join in the festivities and drink beer by the litre from beer steins.
While the main draw for international travellers might be Oktoberfest, Munich has a lot more to offer, including historic sites, beautiful architecture, endless museums, and world-class shopping. Plus, the city and its surrounding area is also a popular holiday destination among locals, and for good reason.
The Bavarian capital is within close proximity of the Alps, including some of the region’s most stunning mountain lakes and rivers. Plus, several UNESCO World Heritage sites and some of Germany’s most enchanting castles are only a short drive away!
So, to give you an idea of the amazing destinations you can easily reach from the city, we’ve put together this complete guide of the best day trips from Munich.
Below, you’ll find day trips from Munich to suit every type of traveller. These include medieval towns, spectacular landscapes, magical castles, pristine national parks, epic hiking trails, and more. So let’s get started!
Best Day Trips from Munich
1. Allgäu Alps
Distance from Munich: 2.5 hours by car
Best way to get there: By car (you can rent a car in Munich)
The Allgäu Alps region in Southwest Bavaria is known for its picturesque mountains and vibrant green landscape. Its highest peak is the Großer Krottenkopf which is 2656m high!
Hiking in the Allgäu is a must-do activity near Munich and is best done by visiting one of the region’s pristine mountain lakes.
One of the best things about these lakes is that they’re located high in the mountains, so you won’t find masses of people on the hiking trails. And taking a dip is a great way to cool down on hot summer days, so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit!
The best Mountain Lakes to visit in the Allgäu are:
- Schrecksee – Located in Bad Hindelang, this is a challenging hike covering 10 kilometres (6 miles) with around 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) elevation gain.
- Lower Gaisalpsee – This hike takes you to a remote mountain lake at 1508 metres altitude, gaining nearly 700 metres (2,300 feet) of elevation across 9 kilometres (5.5 miles).
- Forggensee – This is Bavaria’s 5th largest lake and can be reached by car. But there is a 33 kilometre (20 mile) trail around Forggensee and the neighbouring Bannwaldsee Lake, which can be done on foot, or by bike.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite from your hike, make sure to visit one of the local restaurants and try the Allgäuer Käsespätzle (also called Kässpatzen in the local dialect). Käsespätzle is a type of vegetarian dumpling/pasta dish, cooked with different kinds of cheese and sprinkled with crispy, fried onion.
This hearty meal is a specialty of the region and really hits the spot after a long day of hiking!
2. Königssee in Berchtesgaden
Distance from Munich: 2 hours by car
Best way to get there: By car, or by taking a guided day trip from Munich
The Königssee is a spectacular fjord-like alpine lake that belongs to the only national park in the German Alps: Berchtesgaden National Park. As such, it’s one of the best places to visit in Bavaria.
Explore Schönau Am Königsee
To best experience the Königssee, you should first head to the quaint village of Schönau Am Königsee. In Schönau, there are several boutique shops where you can buy hand-made crafts, as well as traditional restaurants to taste local specialties and indulge in a sweet treat. Our favourite restaurant is the Gaststätte Echostüberl, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch right on the lake.
Take the boat to St. Bartholomä/Salet
From Schönau, you can then take the boat to St. Bartholomä/Salet. The boat runs every 30 minutes from the port, from 8 am to 4 pm daily. In addition to the dramatic scenery, a highlight of the boat ride is getting to experience the famous Königssee Echo. A crew member will play a flugelhorn or trumpet, which echoes on the surrounding rock walls, reverberating several times. This is truly an unforgettable experience!
After you arrive at St. Bartholomä, we recommend taking a walk along the river. I always remember the first time I visited this place. The crystal-clear turquoise water amidst the impressive mountain range is truly mesmerizing.
And, if you have the time, you can also go to Salet. From here, you can take a short walk to see the Obersee, which is another very picturesque lake, surrounded by little houses. This is also a great spot for photos!
To make sure you have enough time to spend on the other side of Königssee, it’s best to take the boat as early as possible in the day. Or, if you decide not to do the boat trip, you can instead go for a hike from Schönau, to see the lake from above.
The best Viewpoints of the Königssee from above are:
- Malerwinkel – Around a 20 minute walk from Schönau Am Königsee.
- Archenkanzel Viewpoint – A 3-hour long hike from Schönau Am Königssee, which is a real hidden gem, mostly visited by locals only.
3. Garmish-Partenkirchen
Distance from Munich: 1 hour by car
Best way to get there: By car, train or by taking a guided day trip from Munich
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the most popular alpine town in Bavaria and my favourite place to visit near Munich. It’s most famous for its mesmerizing landscapes, and for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1936. But what makes Garmisch-Partenkirchen so popular is the endless number of outdoor activities you can do here.
Visit the Eibsee
The best thing to do in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is to visit the Eibsee. The Eibsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Bavaria. It sits at the base of Germany’s highest mountain – Zugspitze, which stands at 2,962 metres (9,718 feet) high.
Visiting the Eibsee is hard to beat, as it’s truly beautiful in every season. You can walk around the lake to take in the views at any time of year. But, if you visit in the summertime, you can actually swim in the lake’s refreshing water.
Go up Zugspitze
And, if you love high mountains and want to experience the top of Germany, you can take the cable car up Zugspitze. At the highest place in Germany you will get to see breathtaking mountain scenery from several lookouts, as far as the eye can see. There is also a restaurant at the top, where you can warm up while enjoying the view.
Visit the Partnachklamm Gorge
Another great place to visit around Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the Partnachklamm Gorge. This is a 700 metre (2,297 feet) long gorge with light-blue water and impressive rock walls. The gorge can be visited year-round and entrance tickets cost 10 Euro per person.
From the Partnachklamm, you can also extend your adventure by taking one of the hiking trails up and through the gorge. There are also some mountain huts along the way, where you can grab a cold beer or snack.
Explore the old town
To end your day trip from Munich, we would also recommend strolling through the Garmisch-Partenkirchen old town, and dining at one of the local restaurants or cafés.
4. Neuschwanstein Castle, Füssen
Distance from Munich: 2.5 hours by car
Best way to get there: By car, train, or by taking a guided day trip from Munich
On a list of the best day trips from Munich, we can’t leave out Germany’s famous Disney-like castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Located near the town of Füssen, Neuschwanstein Castle is a magical place to visit all year round. This 19th-century palace located on the foothills of the Alps looks equally as spectacular in summer as it does in winter. Although, our favourite time to visit is in late October to early November, when the fall colours are at their peak, making the castle look even more enchanting.
Neuschwanstein Castle is open year-round and tickets cost 18 Euros at the door, or 20.50 Euros online. While it is a little more expensive to book online, since the castle is a popular attraction, we do recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
But, visiting Neuschwanstein isn’t the only thing to do on a day trip to Füssen! Here are some of the other best activities to do in the area:
Marienbrücke
For the best views of Neuschwanstein Castle, head up to the Marienbrücke (Queen Mary’s Bridge), which crosses a huge gorge behind the castle. Although, keep in mind that the bridge can become quite crowded, so try to get there as early as possible.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau is another impressive 19th-century castle worth visiting, which is only a few minutes walk from Neuschwanstein. Entry tickets for Hohenschwangau cost 21 Euros at the door, or 23.50 Euros online.
Alpsee
This small nearby lake is extremely scenic, surrounded by mountains and with the two castles in the background. There is a trail around the Alpsee which takes around 2 hours to walk. It’s a very enjoyable, easy trail, which has some great views of Neuschwanstein along the way. And, during the summer months, there are several spots where you can stop for a swim.
Tegelberg Hike
If you want to combine Neuschwanstein Castle with a beautiful, but challenging hiking trail, then this is the best option for you. You can leave your car at the Tegelbergbahn Parking Station, hike up to the Tegelberg Mountain, then head down towards Neuschwanstein. The whole hike is around 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) long and offers spectacular views.
5. Passau
Distance from Munich: 2 hours by car
Best way to get there: By car, train or private transfer
Passau is such an underrated town for a day trip from Munich, yet it is so beautiful. It’s a university town full of bakeries, restaurants, and historic churches. And, it’s known for a unique natural phenomenon which occurs right in the centre of the old town, where three rivers of different colours all meet.
This three-river-confluence sees the Ilz, Inn, and Danube rivers all merging together. The Ilz is black, the Inn is green and the Danube is blue, creating a fascinating contrast of colours, as they whirl together in the old town of Passau.
The best way to see these different colours merge together is from above, from the Aussichtspunkt Veste Oberhaus – a former artillery platform which offers panoramic views of Passau and the three rivers meeting. You can even enjoy lunch with a view from up here at Das Oberhaus restaurant.
And, once you’ve taken in the unique views, some other top things to do on a day trip to Passau include indulging in a delicious cake from Confiserie Simon, visiting Dom St. Stephan (St. Stephen’s Cathedral), and taking a walk through the charming old town.
FAQs
What is the best month to visit Munich?
June to September is the best time of year to visit Munich, as this is when the weather is the warmest. Although, mid-September to early-October is also a great time, as you’ll get to experience the city’s famous Oktoberfest. And, in December Munich hosts several fantastic Christmas markets, which are also worth visiting.
How many days in Munich is enough?
2 days is usually enough time to spend in Munich. But, if you’re looking to take some day trips from Munich, we would recommend allowing yourself at least 3-4 days. This will give you time to explore the best parts of the city and the surrounding regions.
What is the best lake day trip from Munich?
Although there are several beautiful lakes which can be visited from Munich, the overall best one is the Königssee. The dramatic landscape and bright blue water is spectacular to see in all seasons. And taking a boat ride on the lake is an absolute must!
Are day trips from Munich accessible by public transport?
Yes, all of the above day trips from Munich are able to be done by using public transport. Some of the destinations are directly connected to Munich by train, whereas others will require you to take both trains and buses.
However, travelling by public transport typically takes a bit longer than driving. So, we would recommend factoring an extra hour into your anticipated travel time. Also, if you choose to use public transport, keep in mind that you may not be able to get to all the attractions at each destination as easily as you would with a car.
Another great alternative to driving yourself is to take a day tour from Munich. These tours usually include all your transport, activities, and an expert guide for the day.
Is Salzburg worth a day trip from Munich?
If you’re not planning to stay overnight in Salzburg, then it’s definitely worth visiting as a day trip from Munich!
Salzburg is only a 2 hour drive away, so it’s easy to get there. And, you can even combine it with a day trip to the Königssee (the most beautiful lake in the region), as it’s only a short detour on the way to Salzburg.
What is worth seeing in Munich?
There are tons of great things to see and do in Munich!
Car lovers should visit the BMW Welt and BMW Museum to see the brand’s latest models and learn about its history and innovation.
Marienplatz is Munich’s main city square, located in the heart of the old town. Here, you’ll find some of the city’s key attractions, historic buildings and fantastic shopping areas. And, nearby, you can try local delicacies and traditional Bavarian food at the Viktualienmarkt.
During the summertime, take a walk along the Isar River and visit one of the many beer gardens. Talking about beer, make sure to visit the Hofbräuhaus, which is the oldest beer hall in Munich and is one of the city’s most historic places (Hitler even held a speech there).
And, if you love beautiful architecture, Munich has several stunning castles and palaces which you can visit, including the sprawling Nymphenburg Palace.
Where can you get to easily from Munich?
Munich is close to several other European countries, including Austria, France and Switzerland. And it’s really well connected with roads and highways, so you can easily drive to neighbouring countries in just a few hours.
Munich is also well-connected to other major European and German cities by train – including Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt – and has an international airport, so it’s an easy city to travel to almost anywhere from!
Can you do a day trip from Munich to Switzerland?
Technically you could do a day trip from Munich to Switzerland, but it would be a long day! You can reach the Swiss border within around 3 hours, and Zurich in about 4 hours. Although the main points of interest in Switzerland, like the Matterhorn and Interlaken, are too far away for a day trip from Munich.
Final Thoughts on The Best Day Trips from Munich
So, there you have it, the 5 best day trips from Munich!
From picturesque lakes, impressive mountains, and fantastic hiking trails to enchanting castles and quaint old towns, there’s something for every type of traveller in and around Munich
We hope this guide has helped you plan your upcoming trip to Bavaria, or inspired you to explore the region in the future.
Prefer to leave the planning up to someone else? Browse all tours from Munich here
