There are indeed quite a few interesting attractions in Munich and a host of activities that can be combined while visiting it, but if you get there, it is highly recommended to go out of the city for one or two day trips and stop at the various sites, which are not far from it by car. Impressive palaces and castles, picturesque old villages and beautiful mountain views, all these and more are part of the state of Bavaria – the largest of the federal German states – of which Munich is the capital, and are an excellent opportunity to diversify the trip a little and make it even more special. You can make these trips in a rented car, use the excellent public transportation that is offered in this area or take an organized one-day trip from one of the tour companies that offer it.
Neuschwanstein Castle – the castle of crazy Ludwig (Neuschwanstein) – about an hour and a half drive (by car) reveals a beautiful castle, which is familiar to many of us from the famous Disney movies and is a source of inspiration for Walt Disney’s well-known amusement park castles. Neuschwanstein Castle was built under the direction and instruction of King Ludwig II of Bavaria at the end of the 19th century. He was called, among other things, the crazy Ludwig because of the very crazy instructions he had regarding the castle, its design as well as its construction, due to his grandeur complex and his different character. The castle was designed to fulfill his romantic dream with its tall and impressive turrets and its outer stone walls. Its location also plays a large and significant part in being very prominent, as it is on the side of the mountain above the lake and is very hard to miss. The castle can be reached as part of guided tours that are held there on a regular basis. This is an opportunity to see up close the stylish rooms in the castle, with the special designs and the wealth expressed in the various items.
Lindehof Palace – another site that can be reached from Munich in a relatively short drive of one and a half hours. The magnificent Liderhof Palace is located southwest of Munich, near the border with Austria and is considered a very prominent tourist attraction in the region. Like the Neuschwanstein Castle, this palace was also very loved by Ludwig II, which is also why it is so invested and so spectacular in its design. It was built in 1878, when its general design is in the Rococo style and it was intended to be used as a lodge for those going hunting. When visiting it, as part of guided tours, you can see King Ludwig’s reading room, the stylish event halls covered with large mirrors, the elements hanging on the walls and scattered throughout the house and in general – to be impressed by the great wealth. It is recommended not to miss the beautiful gardens, adjacent to the palace, which are invested as much as the palace itself.
Herrenchiemsee – about 60 km southeast of Munich is a small lake called Chiemsee on which is an even smaller island called Herreninsel. In 1878, according to the order of King Ludwig II, a magnificent palace was built on the island, designed to compete with the famous Palace of Versailles, in all related to its design and the opulence and wealth it brings. However, the construction of the palace was not completed, according to the king’s instructions, after Ludwig drowned at the age of 40. The highlight of the palace is the royal staircase in it and also the large banquet hall covered in mirrors. Ludwig’s own apartment inside the palace is also magnificent No less, and it is designed in the Rococo style. In the dozens of rooms of the palace, which are now used as a museum, various objects related to Ludwig’s life are displayed, including furniture and other elements. The gardens adjacent to the palace include statues and fountains and are well-kept and beautiful. The visit to the palace museum is only possible as part of a guided tour.
Nuremberg (Nuremberg) – the old city of Nuremberg is a little less than two hours’ drive from Munich and is definitely a highly recommended destination to visit. Since the Middle Ages, the city of Shemsha has been a center of art and culture and managed to jealously guard the old walls that surrounded it since the 14th and 15th centuries. When visiting the city, it is recommended not to miss the walk along its gates and towers. It is also possible to see the castle in it, which is in the center of the old city and also identify Gothic churches and unique architectural buildings. These were carefully restored after being almost completely destroyed during the bombings during World War II and today they attract many to the city. Nuremberg also has a difficult past related to Nazism – the city was also used as a meeting place for members of the Nazi Party and where Hitler held his propaganda meetings. Today it is possible to visit the documentation center that covers the subject, referring to the Nazi and Third Reich activities that took place in the city during that distant and dark period.
The Eagle’s Nest and the town of Berchtesgaden (Berchtesgaden & Kehlsteinhause) – The town of Berchtesgaden, which is south of Munich and about an hour and 40 minutes’ drive from it, is known as one of the most popular resorts in the Bavarian Alps, one that attracts many. It is surrounded by mountains, offers amazing views and also belongs to the area where the Berchtesgaden National Park is located, which in itself is an attraction that warrants a visit. However, despite all this, the town is best known for the Eagle’s Nest, the mountain refuge that Hitler built for himself during the war. A 6.5 kilometer long private road that was built especially for Hitler leads to the place and a special elevator takes its passengers to the top at a height of about 1,834 meters. Along with Hitler’s residence, when visiting the site, you can also see various original items related to him and, of course, the wonderful view that is revealed when you reach the top.
The Romantic Road & Ruthenburg (Romantic Road & Ruthenburg) – some choose to travel along the famous romantic road in Bavaria, the southern part of Germany, as part of a day trip departing directly from Munich, and some wish to spend a little more than one day in the area, and choose to stop for the night, midway, in one of the villages or towns the paintings. The romantic road connects charming towns and is surrounded by amazing landscapes. Along the journey you will discover three ancient cities from the Middle Ages, cities surrounded by a wall: Ruthenburg, Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen. Of the three, Rothenburg is the one that justifies a long stop and is also known as one of the best-preserved intermediate towns in Europe.
Salzburg, Austria (Salzburg) – in less than two hours’ drive from Munich you will arrive directly in Austria, to the beautiful city of Salzburg, which is also worth a stop. The mountains covered with snow in winter, the magnificent castle and the special architectural buildings, reminiscent of distant times, all these and more serve as a perfect setting for this charming city, the birthplace of the famous composer – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salzburg can be reached as part of a day trip from Munich and you can also stay there for a few days (highly recommended). It is visited by quite a few music lovers, who enjoy various concerts and music festivals, which are held there frequently, as well as those who wish to enjoy a pleasant atmosphere and a city with a long history. It is very worthwhile to take a walk in the old part of the city, where the impressive cathedral is located, and if there is time left, also take a cruise on the nearby Wolfgang lake to get an impression of the surrounding alpine landscape.
The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site – here is another Jewish site, which is worth a visit if you are near Munich. At a distance of only 17 km from the city itself, you reach one of the most chilling places in the region, a place that symbolizes a very dark period in Germany, one that is a very important and central part of the history of European Jewry, and in particular – German Jewry. The town of Dachau was founded in the 18th century, and is notorious for The concentration camp that was established there, a camp where about 41,000 people died during the Nazi rule, during World War II. The city has a memorial site with restored barracks and cells, as well as a museum that displays important finds and documents from that period. You can join organized tours in the English language, which are available daily and held there Between the months of July and September.
