The 6 Best Day Trips Out Of Munich, Germany

You want to explore more than just the beautiful city of Munich during your stay in Bavaria? Munich is actually the perfect starting point for amazing getaways into nature! From fairytale castles over enchanting lakes to medieval cities, this blogpost covers the most beautiful attractions all over Bavaria - and beyond! 

Top One Day Trips From Munich 

Neuschwanstein Castle

Visit the world famous and most visited sight of Germany - Neuschwanstein. It was built in the late 1860s by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and is located in the small town of Hohenschwangau.

Neuschwanstein is visited by over one million people every year because of its breathtaking location, its interior and its history! If you want to visit the castle from the inside you have to book a guided tour. 

Otherwise you can enjoy the perfect view of the castle from Marienbrücke which is located on the opposite site in the forest.

Tip: Walk straight over the bridge to the end leading into a forest. Follow the path until you reach another viewing platform. It's an even more adorable spot and quite unique as everyone tries to get the perfect photo from the Marienbrücke not knowing about this hidden gem.

How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle From Munich

The best way to get to Neuschwanstein from Munich is by car. The journey from Munich takes about 1 hour 45 minutes for a distance of about 115 km.

You will find a number of parking spaces around the small center of Hohenschwangau. It is not possible to drive up to the castle so you have to walk up there or take a shuttle bus, which only runs in high season.

Eibsee

Eibsee is probably the most famous lake in Germany. It's also known as the Caribbean of Bavaria. The most beautiful blue water, small islands and a dreamlike scenery await you at Lake Eibsee in Grainau, Bavaria. Enjoy the magical panoramic views at the foot of the Zugspitze. 

I highly recommend to go there for sunrise! In my opinion it's the most beautiful time of the day to visit. Go there early in the morning to find the perfect spot while waiting for the sun to kiss the tip of the Zugspitze. Plus in the morning the water is silent. The smooth water surface works like a mirror, the mountain and trees standing on the bank are reflected in the water. 

HOW TO GET TO Lake Eibsee FROM MUNICH

Lake Eibsee is located 95km from Munich and it will take you about an 1-1.5 hours drive by car. There are public parking lots directly at the lake with daily opening hours from 5am to 10pm.

Königssee

Berchtesgaden is a beautiful area in the Southeast of Germany what makes it the ultimate destination for a day trip from Munich. The Königssee is a mountain lake in the municipality of Schönau am Königssee in the district of Berchtesgadener Land.

The most beautiful places around the Königssee can only be reached by boat. This includes the famous pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä and Lake Obersee. 

Note: During the winter months it is not possible to go to Lake Obersee!

How to get to Königssee from Munich

The Munich to Königssee day trip takes you about 2 hours, but it is worth the relatively long drive as it is really nice - especially when you approach the mountains.

Zugspitze - Tirol 

Starting in Ehrwald (Tirol) - this is my all time favorite hike in the Zugspitzarena! The easiest ascent to the hut "Coburger Hütte" is to take the Ehrwalder Almbahn from Ehrwald. From the top station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn an easy way leads over the Seebenalm to the dreamlike situated Seebensee, in which the surrounding mountains are reflected. In the last section, the path becomes a little more challenging and leads in serpentines up to the Coburger Hütte.

Definitely walk all the way up to Coburger Hütte! You do not want to miss out on the most magnificent view. A few meters below the hut, the blue-green Drachensee in a small basin. The mountains around it are reflected in the completely calm water.

How to get to Ehrwald from Munich

The easiest and most comfortable way to get to Ehrwald from Munich is by car. It takes around 1.5 hours and numerous parking spaces are available at the station of the Ehrwalder Almbahn.

Note: You need to buy a vignet to drive on the highway in Austria!

Nuremberg 

My hometown Nuremberg is located north of Munich - in Frankonia. It is the second largest city of Bavaria and has a lot to offer! A beautiful castle from where you enjoy a great view of the city and beautiful historic old town - just to name a few! You can also learn a lot about the history of the Second World War if you are interested in it. 

If you plan a visit in Winter, make sure to visit one the most famous and largest christmas markets in Germany - with over two million visitors. It takes place annually during Advent in the Old Town on the Main Market Square.

How to get to Nuremberg from Munich

Nuremberg is only 1 hour from Munich by train (ICE)! This will not only save you the tiresome search for a parking space, but also expensive parking fees in the city. From Nuremberg main station you walk about ten minutes to the old town.

There is no need for a car. In the center you can easily reach the most important sights on foot and even if you want to go a bit further outside the subway, train and bus service is very well developed!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

How to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich

More or less the only way to get from Munich to Rothenburg for a day trip is by car. Everything else would take way too long.  The journey takes about 2.5 hours and once you arrive in the city, you will find plenty of parking spaces outside the old city walls.

Conclusion

Munich is the perfect city for the most beautiful day trips to the Bavarian Alps or even Austria! You can visit every destination in one day but if you have more time a weekend trip is definitely the more comfortable option for Königsee/ Berchtesgaden or Nuremberg. This way you can explore even more.

All these beautiful places - except hiking in Tirol - are also perfect destinations for the best day trips from Munich in winter! In the cities you'll have the famous christmas markets and the landscape will be covered in snow. 

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write them in the comment section below. ⇣

xx

Nina

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