Day Trips From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle & Dachau Memorial Site

One of the best things about Munich is how easy it is to explore beyond the city itself.

During our time in Munich, we took two very different day trips: Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks, and Dachau Memorial Site, one of the most important historical sites in the country.

While they couldn’t have been more different, both ended up being worthwhile additions to our time in Munich.

Day Trip #1: Neuschwanstein Castle

If you’ve ever seen photos of a fairytale castle sitting high above the Bavarian countryside, chances are you’ve seen Neuschwanstein Castle.

Located near Füssen in southern Bavaria, Neuschwanstein is one of Germany’s most famous landmarks and is often associated with the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Whether that’s the reason you’re visiting or not, it’s easy to understand why people make the comparison.

Getting There

Rather than renting a car, we booked a day trip through Viator.

The tour departed from downtown Munich and included transportation to and from the castle. Having everything handled for us made the experience much easier since we didn’t need to worry about driving, parking, or navigating public transportation.

The ride is fairly long, but the Bavarian scenery along the way helps make the journey part of the experience.

Getting Up to the Castle

One thing that surprised us was that getting to Neuschwanstein Castle isn’t as simple as stepping off the bus and walking through the entrance.

The castle sits high above the village, so you’ll need to decide how you want to get there.

You have three main options:

• Walk the entire way up
• Take a horse and buggy part of the way
• Take a shuttle bus near the top and walk down toward the castle

We chose the horse and buggy. During our visit, it cost €7 per person each way and took us about halfway up the hill.

Even with the buggy, there’s still some walking involved before reaching the castle, so comfortable shoes are definitely recommended.

If you’d rather avoid most of the climb, the shuttle bus takes visitors close to the famous viewpoint above the castle.

No matter which option you choose, be prepared for more walking than you might expect. The castle’s dramatic setting is part of what makes it so spectacular.

Don’t Skip the Bridge

If you’re visiting Neuschwanstein, make sure you walk to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge).

This is where you’ll get the famous postcard view of the castle that you’ve probably seen online.

Honestly, we’d go as far as saying this viewpoint is a must-do. While the castle is impressive up close, the bridge is where you really appreciate its fairytale setting among the mountains and forests.

Some of our favorite photos from the entire trip were taken here.

If you’re only going to take one photo at Neuschwanstein Castle, this is the spot.

Is the Castle Tour Worth It?

Our tour included admission inside the castle, so we did take the guided interior tour.

We’re glad we did it, especially since it was our first visit, but honestly, the inside wasn’t the highlight for us.

The rooms are interesting, and the story of King Ludwig II adds some context, but if we ever return, we probably wouldn’t feel the need to go inside again.

For us, the scenery, the castle exterior, and the views from Marienbrücke were the real highlights.

We’re happy we toured the interior once, but the outside is what makes Neuschwanstein special.

Would We Recommend It?

Absolutely.

Even if you’re not a huge castle enthusiast, the scenery alone makes this one of the most memorable day trips from Munich.

The travel time is significant, but between the fairytale castle, the Bavarian countryside, and the incredible views, we thought it was well worth it.

Day Trip #2: Dachau Memorial Site

Our second day trip from Munich was a completely different experience.

While Neuschwanstein was about scenery and architecture, Dachau was about history, education, and remembrance.

Dachau was the first permanent Nazi concentration camp and today serves as a memorial site dedicated to preserving the history of those who suffered there.

Getting There

For Dachau, we booked a guided tour through Viator.

We met our guide in Munich and walked with the group to the train station. From there, we took a train to Dachau and then transferred to a public bus that brought us directly to the memorial site.

The process was surprisingly straightforward, and having a guide with us made everything very easy.

Why We Chose a Guided Tour

One thing we really appreciated was having a guide throughout the day.

Before we even arrived, our guide was already providing historical context and helping us better understand the site’s significance.

Throughout the visit, they shared stories and details that we likely would have missed on our own.

While you can absolutely visit independently, we felt the guided experience added a lot of value.

Visiting Dachau

This isn’t a place you visit for entertainment.

It’s a place to learn, reflect, and better understand one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Walking through the grounds, seeing the barracks, and visiting the exhibits made the history feel far more real than anything we’d read in a textbook.

The memorial does an excellent job presenting the history in a respectful and educational manner.

Our Experience

Dachau ended up being one of the most impactful experiences of our trip.

It’s not a fun day trip in the traditional sense, but it is an important one.

Parts of the visit were difficult and emotional, which is exactly why we think it’s worth experiencing. Standing in a place where so much history occurred provides a perspective that’s difficult to gain elsewhere.

Would We Recommend It?

Yes.

Dachau isn’t an easy place to visit emotionally, but we believe it’s an important one.

The memorial provides valuable historical perspective, encourages reflection, and serves as a powerful reminder of why these events should never be forgotten.

Which Day Trip Should You Choose?

If you only have time for one day trip from Munich, the answer depends entirely on your interests.

Choose Neuschwanstein Castle if you want:

• Incredible scenery
• Bavarian countryside views
• A fairytale castle
• Great photo opportunities

Choose Dachau Memorial Site if you’re interested in:

• History
• Education
• World War II history
• Meaningful cultural experiences

For us, the two experiences complemented each other perfectly because they showed completely different sides of Germany.

Other Munich Day Trips

While Neuschwanstein Castle and Dachau were the two major day trips we took from Munich, they weren’t the only excursions we enjoyed during our time in the area.

We also spent a day at Therme Erding, a massive thermal spa and water park located just outside Munich. It was a completely different experience from either Neuschwanstein or Dachau and ended up being one of the most fun and relaxing days of our trip.

Between the water slides, thermal pools, and tropical atmosphere, it offered a completely different side of Bavaria than the castles and historical sites we visited elsewhere.

We’ll be sharing our full Therme Erding experience in a separate post, but if you’re looking for a unique day trip from Munich that’s a little less traditional, it’s definitely worth putting on your radar.

Final Thoughts

One of Munich’s greatest strengths is how easy it is to use as a base for exploring beyond the city itself.

Neuschwanstein Castle gave us some of the most beautiful scenery we saw during our trip, while Dachau provided one of the most meaningful and thought-provoking experiences.

If you have the time, we’d recommend both. Together, they offer two very different but equally memorable perspectives on Germany’s history, culture, and landscape.