Munich Things to Do

A short hop across the border from Munich, the picturesque Austrian city of Salzburg makes a popular day trip from the Bavarian capital, tucked beneath the snow-capped Bavarian Alps. The hometown of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg is famed for its old-world sophistication, with grand concert halls and elegant shopping arcades tucked down cobblestone avenues and the glittering Salzach River running through its heart.

Once you’ve finished admiring Munich’s medieval architecture, exploring its many museums and indulging in a pint (or three) in the city’s famous beer gardens, there are plenty of options for venturing further affield. From grand palaces to Mozart’s birthplace, these are some of the best day trips from Munich.

Germany’s biggest Baroque palace and one of Munich’s most impressive tourist attractions, the Schloss Nymphenburg, or Nymphenburg Palace, is reachable by tram from the city center and makes a spectacular addition to any Munich tour itinerary.

The town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Bavaria’s deep south, is about 1.5 hours from Munich. Its unwieldy name was the result of two towns amalgamating so Germany could qualify as host of the 1936 Winter Olympics (the same year of the infamous Nazi propaganda exercise that was the Summer Olympics in Berlin). The resulting town remains an important winter sports center, as well as the gateway to Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze.

At two hours from Munich by road or rail, Amberg pushes the day-trip envelope and in truth you’re probably better off combining it with nearby Nuremberg in an overnight stay. But however you do it, this beautiful quirky town is well worth seeking out.