5+ DAY TRIPS WORTH YOUR TIME FROM MUNICH

Bavaria is much more than Munich. Once you’ve visited the capital, its surroundings are full of unexpected treasures, ideal for day trips or weekend getaways. Imagine fairytale villages nestled in the heart of the mountains, majestic Renaissance towns that are sure to amaze you, or charming lakeside towns bustling with life, where you can enjoy a pleasant day in summer. Bavaria offers an incredible variety of landscapes, and in this guide, I invite you to discover some of the most beautiful places to explore within two hours of Munich.

[Note that they are all reachable by public transport, whether by train or metro — make use of that Deutschlandticket !]

AMMERSEE

Located at an altitude of 533 metres, this glacial lake is nestled in the heart of wooded hills at the foot of the Bavarian Alps — perfect for exploring by bike or by boat. In summer, this is where Munich locals come to cool off: swim in the lake, enjoy a drink in one of the many outdoor bars and restaurants, listen to live music in a traditional biergarten, or try sailing, paddleboarding, or renting a boat. The lake is bordered by several towns, with Dießen and Herrsching well connected by train (& by steamers). In Dießen, don’t miss the Marienmünster, one of the most magnificent Baroque churches in Germany with its ceiling, known as the ‘Dießen Sky’.

By bike or train, stop for an hour or two at Kloster Andechs, home to a beautiful Gothic-rooted church and one of Europe’s largest and most impressive monasteries. You can even take home fresh milk and other products grown by the monks in their gardens.

Getting to Ammersee : From Munich Main Station or Marienplatz, take the S-Bahn S8 to Herrsching (about 50 minutes, with trains every 20–40 minutes). To reach Dießen, take a Regional train from Munich Main Station — the journey takes around 1 hour, with departures every 1–2 hours.

AUGSBURG

Augsburg is one of Germany’s oldest & most beautiful cities. Located on the trade route to Italy, it became a centre of high finance in the 15th century thanks to two influential families who, it is said, shared the world between them. Its churches, palaces, streets and town hall reflect Augsburg’s golden age and make the city an ideal day trip or weekend trip from Munich. I wrote a full post about what to do, see & eat in Augsburg.

Getting to Augsburg : 30 minutes to 1 hour by train, with departures every hour from Munich main station.

MITTENWALD

Located on the ancient trade route connecting Augsburg to Bolzano in Italy, this charming Alpine village has been a stopping point since ancient times. Even today, Mittenwald will charm you with its peaceful atmosphere, colourful houses and enchanting mountain setting. It is an excellent starting point for family-friendly excursions to the Lautersee and Ferchensee lakes, or for more challenging hikes, such as the ascent of the Karwendel.

But above all, take the time to stroll through the narrow streets of the town centre and admire the painted houses lining the main streets. These traditional murals, known as Lüftlmalerei, depict religious scenes or everyday life and give the town a unique atmosphere, which earned it the name, given by the famous German poet Goethe, of ‘city of images’. Mittenwald is also famous for its tradition of violin making: it is said that Mozart played on a violin made here. The Violin Making Museum (Geigenbaumuseum), housed in the oldest house in the village, traces the history of this craft, which brought international renown to the village.

Getting to Mittenwald : it takes about 2 hours to reach Mittenwald from Munich with hourly departure.

HERRENCHIEMSEE

You are probably familiar with the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, but it is not the only masterpiece to have sprung from the imagination of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. An unconditional admirer of Louis XIV, the king had a Bavarian replica of the Palace of Versailles built on Herreninsel. On this  peaceful island, surrounded by the waters of Lake Chiemsee, stands a sumptuous palace, the Herrenchiemsee. Opulence is evident in every detail—tapestries, majestic columns, marble, sparkling chandeliers & gilded ceilings —culminating in the Hall of Mirrors, the highlight of the visit. A stroll through the French gardens, dotted with fountains and sculptures, will prolongs the magic.

Getting to Herrenchiemsee : From Munich, take a 1 hour train to Prien am Chiemsee. From Prien station, follow the signs or take the small Chiemsee-Bahn, a charming steam train that brings you to Prien-Stock — the harbor. From there, hop on a boat to Herreninsel (Herrenchiemsee Island) for a 15-minute crossing.

LANDSHUT

Landshut is undoubtedly one of Bavaria’s best-kept secrets. Little known outside the region, it nevertheless boasts one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval centres. With over eight centuries of history, the city preserves the memory of the Wittelsbach dukes through the fortified Trausnitz Castle, perched on a hill offering breathtaking views of the city. Every four years, Landshut relives its past during the Landshuter Fürstenhochzeit, a spectacular historical re-enactment of a medieval royal wedding. The historic centre, which is almost entirely pedestrianised, will charm you with its main street lined with colourful houses & filled with cafés and restaurants, and St. Martin’s Church, whose 131-metre spire makes it the tallest brick building in the world. Nearby, the Stadtresidenz, Germany’s first Renaissance palace, is also worth a visit for its frescoes and period wallpaper (closed actually).

Getting to Landshut : Less than 1 hour from Munich by train, with departures every hour from Munich main station.