Many tourists, traveling in Bavaria for the first time, wonder where to go from Munich for a day or two to see the cozy Bavarian gingerbread towns and amazing Alpine countryside. In fact, it is not so difficult to travel from Munich as Bavaria has a developed network of railway and road routes, so anyone can easily go wherever they want. For a more extended trip, check out our Southern Germany: A 5-Day Road Trip Itinerary.
In Bavaria you can use a special Bavarian train ticket, which allows you to travel as many times as you want during the day, on as many trains as you like. It is very convenient for short distances.
Idea #1 Nuremberg
Why to visit
Nuremberg is the second largest city in Bavaria. It can boast unique architectural features and the vibes of medieval Franconian towns. No surprise, that Nuremberg is one of the most visited tourist centers in Bavaria and Germany.
When in Nuremberg, do not miss such “pearls” of the city as the local Fortress (built in the 15th century), Burgviertel (or Castle quarter), and Market Square with its beautiful churches.
By the way, during the pre-Christmas period, the Market Square becomes a fairytale place with its decorations and illumination. The Christmas market in Nuremberg is one of the most picturesque markets in the whole of Germany.
If you have enough time, visiting local museums, for example, the German National Museum with pieces of art by German artists or the Transport Museum with its unique collection of trains is recommended. The Toy Museum is one more fascinating place to visit, especially when traveling with kids.
How to get there
Nuremberg is situated approximately 165 km from Munich. Tourists can get there either by rail or by car. There are direct trains between the cities all day round, starting at about 4 a.m. The duration of the trip is just 1 hour and that means you can get there and back in one day.
Another option is to use a bus, but the duration of the trip will be a bit longer. Buses depart from Munich Central Bus Station during the day. If you rent a car, you can use highway #A9 to reach your travel destination in 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Idea #2 Bamberg
Why to visit
Bamberg is one of the most picturesque towns in the Upper Saxony area. You will be amazed by its charming tiny houses, bridges, and massive cathedrals, castles, and residences. The most-known attraction of Bamberg is the Old Town Hall. It is a tiny building hanging over the river between two sections of the medieval bridge.
Everyone comes to Bamberg to take a photo of this unique place! Besides Old Town Hall, it is also recommended to visit Bamberg Cathedral (built in the 13th century), the New Residence with an Art Gallery inside out, Villa Dessauer, where a Gallery of Modern Art is located, and, of course, the 10th-century benedictine monastery of Michaelsberg. Among museums, it is worth seeing the Beer Museum, Historical Museum, and local art galleries.
There are so many sights in Bamberg so it is quite difficult to choose what to visit for a one-day trip. You will probably want to return to the town again and again.
How to get there
Bamberg is located 230 km from Munich. There are several options to get there. Firstly, you can use a train. There are direct trains and trains with a change in Nuremberg available from Munich. In total, the duration of the trip can take from 1 hour 50 minutes to 2,5 hours.
Bamberg is also easily reachable for a one-day trip from Munich and it is worth it. Travelers can also use a bus to reach their travel destination, but the duration of the trip takes about 3,5 hours one way.
As an option, you can rent a car and reach Bamberg with highway #A9 within 2,5 hours. Some travelers combine visits to Nuremberg and Bamberg for one trip.
Idea #3 Wurzburg
Why to visit
If you like the lush baroque architectural style and long-distance strolling around the town, then choose Wurzburg for a one-day trip from Munich. It is located in the Lower Franconia area which is also known as a wine area in Bavaria.
The most popular building in Wurzburg is its Palace. It has typical baroque features and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Interior views are no less interesting than facades. Inside the palace, you can see more than 400 rooms decorated with frescoes, Gobelins, glass, and marble. A landscaped garden waits for you after visiting the interiors.
Besides the palace, it is also recommended to visit Marienberg Fortress, where the Museum of Local History operates. The fortress is situated on a hill and that means you can find here a great natural observation deck in the whole town! Wurzburg Cathedral and the Chapel of the Virgin Mary are also worth visiting.
How to get there
Wurzburg is located 280 km from Munich. When traveling by car, you need to use road #A9 until you reach Nuremberg and then go along road #A3 directly to Wurzburg. Direct trains are also suitable means of transport for reaching Wurzburg.
It usually takes about 2,5 hours to get to the town which is why Wurzburg is also a nice travel destination for a one-day trip. Besides trains, tourists can use a bus, but the duration of the trip will last for 4,5 hours one way.
Idea #4 Lindau
Why to visit
Lindau is a resort town on the shores of Lake Constance. Generally, Lindau is worth visiting when looking for a place for the summer holiday. Here you can swim, sunbathe, and stroll around among picturesque natural landscapes.
It is a good idea to take a boat trip to travel around the lake. Lake Constance is situated in the middle of 3 countries. Besides Germany, there are also Austria and Switzerland. In the center of the town, you can see such attractions as the Lighthouse and Mangturm Tower.
They are the “gate” to the lake. Local Town Hall, the church of St. Peter, and the park of Lindenhof are also great for observing. At the end of the day, you can also visit the flower island of Mainau, which is located near the neighboring town of Konstanz.
How to get there
Lindau is located 180 km southwest of Munich. Technically, you can visit Lindau for one day, but it is best to stay here longer, especially in case you are going to swim and sunbathe on the lake. By car, you can reach the resort in 2-2.5 hours, following the road #A96.
By train, you can get to Lindau in 2.5-3 hours, depending on the type of train. The other option is to take a bus and depart from the Munich Central Bus Station.
Idea #5 Landshut
Why to visit
Landshut is not a well-known town in Bavaria for tourist visits, but its history began 800 years ago and it means a lot. The historical part of the town has preserved a lot of Late-Gothic monuments which date back 14-15 centuries.
It includes the Cathedral of St. Martin, which is made in “brick” Gothic style. Its tower can be observed at any place in the town because it is 130 m tall.
The Trausnitz fortress is also definitely worth visiting. Its classic Gothic facades look inspiring and majestic. There is a Museum of Fine Arts inside of the fortress right now. Take a chance to view the Duke`s Residence. The interior as well as the courtyard are lovely and full of history in every detail.
The Residence is also open to tourists and you can even combine visits to the Residence and Trausnitz Fortress.
How to get there
Landshut is located just 70 km away from Munich and it is a nice travel destination for one day trip. You can use regional trains which run twice an hour during the day or you can use a car and take road #A92 to get to your desired place of visit.
The duration of the trip is less than 1 hour in both cases, be it a train or a car.
Idea #6 Bad Reichenhall
Why to visit
One-day trips from Munich can be quite diverse. It is not only about architecture but about natural attractions too. For instance, Bad Reichenhall is a climatic thermal resort with a lot of recreational opportunities.
You can try the healing properties of local mineral water in various thermal complexes. Plus, you can visit other interesting sights such as the Salt Museum, and Inhalation Park or take a lift to climb up one of the mountains located in the nearest countryside.
If you have one more day, we recommend exploring the natural attractions of Bad Reichenhall, for example, observing Thumsee Lake which has truly inspiring views.
How to get there
You can get to Bad Reichenhall by train via Freilassing town. In total, your journey takes about 2 hours. Trains depart from Munich quite often during the day.
Another option is to rent a car. It lets you not only discover the resort but also its stunning surroundings.
The distance between Munich and Bad Reichenhall is about 130 km. You need to follow Highway #A8 to reach your travel destination. The duration of your car trip is approximately 1.5-2 hours.
Idea #7 Bayreuth
Why to visit
Bayreuth is called the “town of Wagner”, because festivals of classical music take place right here every year. If you are a true lover of music fests, why not visit Bayreuth?
The Wagner festival usually lasts for several days, so it is recommended to choose an interesting one in advance. The festival is held in Festival Theater which is great to see anyway. Besides music, Bayreuth is also well-known for its architectural monuments. It is definitely worth seeing such sites as the Margravial Opera House which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is open for excursions.
The New Palace of Bayreuth or Villa Wanfried are also great architectural complexes to see. They were built in the 18-19 centuries and look gorgeous.
How to get there
Bayreuth is located quite away from Munich, 230 km from the administrative city of Bavaria. But you can use both trains and buses to reach your desired travel destination. There are high-speed trains between Munich and Bayreuth, but you need to change in Nuremberg.
Overall, the journey takes a little bit more than 2 hours one way. Buses depart from Munich Central Bus Stations and the journey takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. By car you can get to Bayreuth in 2,5 hours following the road #A9.
Idea #8 Chiemsee
Why to visit
One more option for swimming and sunbathing besides visiting Lake Constance is visiting Chiemsee Lake which is located just 90 km from Munich! Sandy beaches and warm water during the summertime are guaranteed.
Besides, relaxing on the beach, you can also try local amusement parks, especially if you travel with kids. Tourists can also go to the neighboring islands by boat.
Herrenchiemsee and Frauenchiemsee islands can boast various natural and architectural attractions. For example, you can find a Baroque Palace or Benedictine Abbey here!
Another good idea is to try local mineral baths in one of the thermal complexes located on the shores of the lake.
If you have one more day, it is recommended to visit the castle of Hohenashau, situated in the neighboring town of Aschau (about 6 km from the lake).
How to get there
Trains from Munich run during the day to various lake towns. It usually takes about 1.5 hours to get there.
You can also use a rented car. In this case, follow road #A8 to reach the western side of the lake or road # A94 or B304 to reach the eastern side. The distance varies from 80 to 90 km. The travel time is just a little over an hour.
Idea #9 Kelheim
Why to visit
Kelheim is a tiny town which is known for the Danube Gorge located near here. The Danube Gorge is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is worth seeing as it is the only inland fjord in Europe. The Danube Gorge can be visited by boat excursions. On both sides of the river, there are bizarre rock formations that look truly inspiring while the Danube River looks powerful.
The final spot of the boat trip is Weltenburg Monastery. It was a Benedictine abbey earlier, but now it is a brewery where tourists can relax after a boat trip. Another interesting monument located nearby is Liberation Hall. It is located on the shore of the Danube River and attracts a lot of tourists every year.
Kelheim is a very nice travel destination for one day from Munich if you want to see something different from popular tourist attractions in Bavaria.
How to get there
There is no direct train connection between Munich and Kelheim because there is no train station in the town.
But you can get to Saal an der Donau by train. It is located just 6 km from Kelheim. Then you need to take a bus to go directly to Kelheim. It usually takes 15 minutes; buses run very often during the day.
Another way to reach the Danube Gorge is to go by car and follow roads #A9 and A93. The distance is just 110 km; the travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Idea #10 Passau
Why to visit
Passau is one more tiny town in Bavaria, but also features a unique natural attraction. Passau is the town where three rivers – the Ilz, the Danube, and the Inn – meet together at one point. It is called the River Corner. Besides this unusual site, Passau boasts many architectural attractions such as the Upper and Lower Passau Castles. The first one has a nice observation deck on the Danube River.
You can also view Mariahilf Monastery, the old Town Hall with a 38-meter tower, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the New Residence in Passau when strolling around the town. Passau is also a “gate” to the Bavarian Forest National Park.
If you have one more day exploring the area, it is strongly recommended to visit the park. There are a lot of hiking trails with a great variety of natural attractions.
How to get there
There are direct regional trains between Munich and Passau. It usually takes about 2.5 hours to get to the town. The distance is only 170 km and you can go there by car too.
In this case, you need to follow the routes # A94 and B12. The duration of the car trip is also 2.5 hours.
Wrapping up: Best day trips from Munich
Whether you have a day or a week, these 10 day trips from Munich offer the perfect opportunity to experience the charming towns, rich history, and stunning natural beauty of Bavaria. With easy transportation options, you can pack a lot into a single-day trip from the city. Start planning your Bavarian adventure today with this comprehensive guide to exploring Bavaria: The Ultimate Bavaria Travel Guide.
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This article is written in collaboration with Julia from Badenguide. Julia first visited Germany in 2008 and since then Germany is always in Julia`s list of top travel destinations in Europe. She has also studied European Relations and Culture and speaks several languages, including German. Julia has been running a blog for helping people to plan their trips to Germany and other European countries since 2015.
