While there are reasons aplenty to rave about Munich as a tourist destination, we also love the city because it lets you travel to other cities and towns in Europe, especially in Germany and Austria in a jiffy. The European Rail Network makes it possible to assume Munich as a base camp and explore some wonderful cities from here convenient and comfortable. We have listed down our bets for the best places near Munich if you want to take a weekend break from the city or are preparing your EuroTrip itinerary:
14 Beautiful Places Near Munich
There are quite a lot of places near Munich. While some of them are in the country, others are in neighboring countries like Austria and the Czech Republic. You can even find some of the tourist places near Munich airport. Choose the ones you would want to visit from the list below!
- Salzburg
- Rothenburg
- Nuremberg
- Zugspitze Mountain Peak
- Passau
- Innsbruck
- Neuschwanstein
- Vienna
- Prague
- Dachau
- Linderhof Palace
- Herrenchiemsee
- Berchtesgaden and Eagle’s Nest
- Schleissheim Palace Complex
1. Salzburg
Image Credit: Zairon for Wikimedia Commons
If you have worshipped the popular musical ‘Sound Of Music’, we don’t need to say anything more to convince you to make a stop at Salzburg during your time in the region. Salzburg is located in Austria and is one of the most popular places near Munich that people love to visit. There is no dearth of tourist attractions here and you will find everything from an ancient fortress and palace to a modern museum and cafes. It is one of the best places to go near Munich. Salzburg is popularly known for being the home of music maestro, Mozart. Make sure you visit the Augustiner Monks Brewery during your time in Salzburg.
Location: Austria
Distance from Munich: 144 km
Time Taken: 1 hour 40 minutes
Must Read: Day Trips From Munich
Europe Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
Explore the most beautiful places to visit in Europe, from Paris to the Venice canals and from the Greek islands to the Swiss alps. Book customized packages by expert agents on TravelTriangle. Inclusive of airport transfers, cab, resort, sightseeing and meals. Best holiday experience Guaranteed. Book Now
2. Rothenburg
Image Credit: Naturliebhaberin for Wikimedia Commons
You might not have heard of this quaint little German village of Rothenburg much but if you are looking for cities close to Munich by train, you should definitely consider stopping here during your travels. It seems like the time in this city stopped in the Medieval times and the authentic and traditional vibe of this city makes it an intriguing visit. This place is famous for day trips around Munich. One element that perfectly captures this vibe is the Old City Wall, which stands upright even today and offers stunning views of the magical city that Rothenberg is. There is a lot to do here such as visiting the Imperial City Museum or the Medieval Criminal Museum.
Location: Bavaria, Germany
Distance from Munich:250 km
Time Taken: 2 hours 40 minutes
3. Nuremberg
Image Credit: User:Kolossos for Wikimedia Commons
Hearing of the city of Nuremberg brings to the mind devastating tales of the Holocaust because of the famous Nuremberg trials. However, the city has a lot to be explored other than their trials and parade grounds. For a city that is a little over 1000 years old, Nuremberg manages to find the right balance between its traditions and modernity making it an excellent tourist destination. There is a huge magnetic castle in the city center, an art museum but most of all, the winding paths lined by half-timber houses in different shades are a delight to look at. It is one of the best places to visit near Munich in winter.
Location: Germany
Distance from Munich: 168 kilometres
Time Taken: 60 Minutes
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Munich
4. Zugspitze Mountain Peak
Image Credit: buzzard525 for Wikimedia Commons
One of the most touristy places near Munich Germany is the Zugspitze Mountain Peak, and is popular as the tallest peak of Germany! It is located at an altitude of 9717 feet and offers vistas so stunning you wouldn’t believe your eyes. According to facts, one can see for upto 155 miles along the horizon on a clear day. The peak is located on the borders of Austria and Germany and hence, you can be in two countries while on the peak. Another interesting peak nearby is the Alpspitze which is one of the best hiking places near Munich.
Location: Germany
Distance from Munich: 117 kilometres to Zugspitze
Time Taken: 80 Minutes by train and a cable car lift
5. Passau
Image Credit: C.Stadler/Bwag for Wikimedia Commons
Although Passau is no Dubai, it has received a lot of attention for its mesmerizing skyline. Passau looks (and feels) very similar to Venice because of the Italian architecture and houses that are built with views of the river Danube. This town is situated on the Austrian border and makes for a perfect getaway, especially for those who are looking for a townscape with water. No matter where you are in Passau, it always feels like you are very close to the water. Apart from the stunning cobbled lanes, there is a lot to explore in this town as well such as the Cathedral of St Stephen and the famous shopping street of Ludwigstrasse. It is one of the best options for places near Munich airport.
Location: Germany
Distance from Munich: 192 kilometres
Time Taken: 80 Minutes
Suggested Read: Tourist Places In Munich
6. Innsbruck
Image Credit: Mrkstvns for Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for undiscovered places to stay near Munich, Innsbruck is a lovely option that is located in the foothills of the Alps. The perennially pleasant weather makes it a great option during both summers and winters. It is the capital city of the Tyrol and is known for its unique architecture and culture. The people here have a distinctively different dialect so don’t get confused if you don’t understand a few things that the locals say. The food here is delicious and we don’t know why you need any more reasons to visit Innsbruck!
Location: Austria
Distance from Munich:162 kilometres
Time Taken: 120 Minutes
7. Neuschwanstein
Image Credit: Cezary Piwowarski for Wikimedia Commons
It is popularly referred to as Ludwig’s fairytale castle and is an absolute delight to visit. It is built on a hill above the village, Hohenschwangau and is one of the most popular as well as highly recommended castles in Europe. In fact, you would be excited to hear that this is the castle that Walt Disney used as the set for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in the popular Disneyland movie. Ludwig built the castle in an ode to Wagner and even named it after his opera, the Swan Knight. One must explore The Singer’s Hall which is built on the fourth floor and displays some of the most exquisite works by Wagner. If you are a castle lover, you will be delighted to know that there are two other very popular castles nearby making the town of Füssen a great tourist destination from Munich.
Location: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
Distance from Munich: 117 km
Time Taken: 2 hours
Suggested Read: Safaris In Germany
8. Vienna
Image Credit: tookapic for Pixabay
If you find a few of the places mentioned above not mainstream enough for you to visit, you could always plan a visit to Vienna. It is undoubtedly one of the most stunning cities in Europe and is replete with architecture, culture, music and great cuisine. The streets are lined with cafes and restaurants, each unique in its own way. There is no dearth of tourist attractions here, whether you want to visit museums and art galleries or stunning architecture and natural attractions. The capital city of Austria is definitely one of the most interesting cities close to Munich by train.
Location: Austria
Distance from Munich: 430 kilometres
Time Taken: 1 hour via air
9. Prague
Image Credit: Jorge Royan for Wikimedia Commons
Before being one of the best European cities near Munich, Prague is one of the most remarkable cities in the world. Yes, that is how acclaimed this city is as a tourist destination. Prague has everything that makes a vacation memorable from art, culture, and history to cafes, food, and beer. There is something in the cobblestoned streets here and the warmth of the locals that makes us want to visit this city again and again. It is also a great honeymoon destination because of the romantic riverside setting and beautiful bridges.
Location: Czech Republic
Distance from Munich: 380 kilometres
Time Taken: 4 hours
Suggested Read: Water Sports In Germany
10. Dachau
Image Credit: Schlaier for Wikimedia Commons
Dachau is a small town that is infamously known for the location of the barbaric and inhuman concentration camp. It is located hardly 17 kilometers northwest of Munich and has been converted into a memorial site today that honor lives of more than 40,000 people who passed away here. It is popular for its eighteenth century Schloss and you should definitely make a stop here during your time in Munich. There are many tours organized from Munich to the memorial site in Dachau and you could book one for a guided tour.
Location: Bavaria, Germany
Distance from Munich:30 kilometres
Time Taken: 30 minutes
11. Linderhof Palace
Image Credit: Diego Delso for Wikimedia Commons
This palace is located in the southwestern region of Munich, close to Ettal and border of Austria. Linderhof Palace was established in the year 1878 and was admired by King Ludwig ll. This palace once used to be a hunting lodge with Rococo theme and highly furnished rooms. This palace is sure one of the most scenic places near Munich. During the tour of this palace, visitors observe the awe-striking highlights like Hall of Mirrors, Eastern and Western Tapestry Chambers, Audience Chamber, and more.
Location: Linderhof 12, 82488 Ettal
Distance from Munich: 96.5 km
Time Taken: 1 hour 16 minutes
Suggested Read: Munich In Summer
12. Herrenchiemsee
Image Credit: Guido Radig for Wikimedia Commons
This is a palace complex that became functional in the year 1878. Located on Herreninsel island, this complex is known for the mesmerizing state staircas, hall of mirrors, state bedroom, and the small apartment with Rococo motif. As the complex became functional under King Ludwig ll, there are various artifacts based on his life that can be found here.
Location: 83209 Herrenchiemsee
Distance from Munich: 89.6 km
Time Taken: 1 hour
13. Berchtesgaden and Eagle's Nest
Image Credit: Cezary for Wikimedia Commons
This town is one of the most famous Bavarian Alps tourist destinations. Enveloped within the mountains, this town is known for its intriguing landmarks like palace of Wittelsbach dynasty. Tourists mainly visit this region to witness the Eagle’s Nest - a mountain refuge upon Mount Kehlstein established by Hitler. Undoubtedly, this spot can be considered to be one of the tourist places near Munich.
Location: Berchtesgaden, 83471, Germany
Distance from Munich: 154 km
Time Taken: 1 hour 40 minutes
Suggested Read: Munich Travel Guide
14. Schleissheim Palace Complex
Image Credit: Diego Delso for Wikimedia Commons
This is a complex that comprises three beautiful palaces - the Schleissheim Palace and park, The New Palace, and Schloss Lustheim. Located 19 kilometers from Munich City Centre, Schleissheim Palace is a sight that reflect the significance of early 18th century. The New Palace is 330 meter long and has Late Baroque and Rococo themed interior setting. The older palace, Schloss Lustheim was established in the year 1688 and depicts the style of Italian Garden Palace. This complex is definitely one of the places of interest near Munich.
Location: 85764 Oberschleißheim
Distance from Munich: 20.6 km
Time Taken: 23 minutes
Further Read: Munich Nightlife
The above 14 listicles are all exciting and intriguing places near Munich that you should consider visiting during your time in the region. Book your packages from TravelTriangle for a memorable experience. Thus, on your next trip to Munich, do not even consider skipping these places, as you will definitely miss out on a lot. So, why wait? Get packing, right away!
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Source: Shutterstock
Frequently Asked Questions About Places Near Munich
What is the best time to visit Munich?
Munich is a destination that can be visited all year long, the best time depends on what one wants to experience. For those who wish to visit open-air cafes, March to May is the best time. But for those who wish to be a part of the biggest beer fest in the world during Oktoberfest should plan to visit Munich from September to November.
What are some places to visit near Munich?
Some of the amazing places that one should not miss out near Munich are Innsbruck, Vienna, Prague, Dachau, Passau, Salzburg, Nuremberg, and Linderhof Palace.
How far is Prague from Munich?
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic that is located around 380 kilometers from Munich. It takes around 4 hours to cover the distance between Prague and Munich.
What are some things to do near Munich?
There is no dearth of things to do near Munich with the top experiences being devouring breakfast at the famous Schneider Brauhaus, surfing, driving a BMW, shopping, listening to live music, strolling around the Glockenbachviertel, and much more.
Where can I go to from Munich by train?
There are many places that one can travel to from Munich with Neuschwanstein Castle, Salzburg, Rothenburg, Berchtesgaden, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Zugspitze Peak, and Herrenchiemsee New Palace being a few of them.
What are some top shopping spots in Munich?
Some great spots for shopping in Munich are Edited, BoYco, Kaufingertor, Kripperlmarkt, Maximilianstrasse, Hoffstatt, Kauf Dich Glücklich, and Riem Arcaden amongst many.
What should one eat when in Munich?
Some of the must-eat dishes in Munich are Spätzle, Schweinshaxe, Weisswurst, Pretzels, Schmalz, Ethiopian, Schnitzel, and Germknödel.
Looking To Book An International Holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TravelTriangle with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
People Also Read:
Europe For Couples Trip To Europe In May Family Trip To Europe