Best Day Trips from Munich, Germany

Munich is a first class city but sometimes, you just need to see something else. The surrounding area is filled with beauty, history, and culture and is well worth spending some time in. Whether you want to visit a historical concentration camp, take in the natural beauty of the German Alps or spend the day lazing by the lake - really is something for everyone.

Dacchau

This is a sobering experience. Stadt Dachau (The City of Dachau) was home to a World War 2 concentration camp and is now a museum. Though this era is difficult to think about, especially when confronted with the reality of an actual camp, it is worth seeing at least once. One tip: do this trip early in the day. Came lunch or dinner time, you most certainly will want a beer - and you'll need the rest of the day to unwind. Why not visit Munich's famous Hofbrauhaus afterwards?

Kloster Andechs

Kloster Andechs presents us with a glimpse of Bavaria at its most pure. Where else can you attend Sunday Mass then partake of traditional Bavarian food and beer right next door? The beer is brewed by the monks on site and has been part of the tradition of that Benedictine monastery since it was founded. Out tof Munich take the S5 to Herrsching. From there you can catch a bus to Andechs. It closes at 8 so pay attention to when the last bus leaves. Or, you can walk from Herrsching - it takes about 45 minutes. You can also drive.

Herrsching am Ammersee

Bavaria is filled with lakes and the area south of Munich, called the Fuenfseenland, has five of them. Villages and small cities hug the coastal areas of these lakes and Muencheners make the 40 minute drive there on warm summer days. Of those towns, Herrsching is amongst the nicest. Spend the day enjoying the lake. You can walk, bathe, or sit by the water in one of the beer gardens.

Schloss Neuschwanstein

When Walt Disney saw this iconic Bavarian Castle he knew he had to replicate it - it's now the Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World in Florida. However, you can see the real thing because it's an easy day trip from the city. You can go by car, bus, or train. You might want to visit one of the tourist information centers that are located throughout the city, such as at the Hauptbahnhof, to make the arrangements.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

No trip to Bavaria is complete without a trip to Garmisch which is located in the heart of the German Alps. It is worth it to make it to the top of the Zugspitz, Germany's highest peak, for a glimpse at the breathtaking views. If you don't want to hike it, you can always take the tram. There are plenty of other hikes and walks through the hills and mountains, and some of the trails do lead to beer gardens! This is an outdoor lover's paradise and there is something to do every season of the year. Out of Munich drive down the Autobahn 95 and follow the signs to Garmisch or you can take the train.

This is just a small sampling of all the things you can do in the Munich area. However, Bavaria is filled with charming villages that can also be fun. Just get in the car and drive around and you're sure to find something special!