Munich is a must-visit city in Central Europe, and it’s the perfect “home base” for exploring more of the region. So I’ve rounded up the top weekend trips from Munich.

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To plan the rest of your trip, check out my Munich city guide, the best Munich hotels, and the top vacation rentals in Munich.

Here are the best weekend trips from Munich!

Salzburg, Austria

Known For: music festivals, cathedrals, filming locations for The Sound of Music, and being the home of Mozart.

Distance From Munich: 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, 2 hours by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: do a walking tour of the Old Town, ride the Festungsbahn funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, visit The Sound of Music filming sites with Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tours, see Mozart’s residence and birthplace, and tour the Stiegel brewery.

Best Accommodations: Hotel Sacher Salzburg (historical), Schloss Monchstein Hotel (converted Palais), Hotel Goldener Hirsch (a luxury Marriott hotel), Hotel & Villa Auersperg (boutique).

Known For: its riverfront, colorful Gothic buildings, and being one of the oldest cities in Bavaria.

Distance From Munich: 1 hour 50 minutes by car, 1 hour 15 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: walk along the preserved walls of the city, explore the castle in the city center that gives you incredible panorama views, visit the Schöner Brunnen, have a drink at a beer hall, and do a walking tour of the Old Town.

Best Accommodations: Karl August (boutique, has an incredible pool), Hotel Deutscher Kaiser (historical), Sheraton Carlton Hotel Nuernberg (luxury), Leonardo Royal Hotel (mid-range).

Known For: being the capital of one of the smallest countries in the world, vineyards, castles, Alpine landscapes, and outdoor activities.

Distance From Munich: 2 hours and 45 minutes by car, 5 hours by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: visit the Gutenburg Castle and Vaduz Castle, stroll along the pedestrian street in the city center, walk across the Old Bridge, and have a wine tasting at The Prince of Liechtenstein Winery.

Best Accommodations: Residence Hotel (luxury), Parkhotel Sonnenhof (historic).

Known For: the most famous castle in the world, being a popular day trip (so you can have the castle and town practically to yourself in the mornings and evenings).

Distance From Munich: 1 hour 30 minutes by car, 3 hours by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: Walk across the Marienbrücke bridge (away from the castle) and hike the trail to at least the first viewpoint, walk up to Hohenschwangau Castle to escape some of the crowds and enjoy incredible views of Neuschwanstein Castle, take a paddle boat out on Lake Alpsee.

Best Accommodations: AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa (closest hotel to the castle), Hotel Hirsch (boutique), Hotel Schlosskrone (historic).

Known For: winter sports, Alpine activities, Imperial architecture, and iconic colorful buildings.

Distance From Munich: 2 hours by car, 2 hours by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: ride the Nordkette funicular, go hiking or skiing (depending on the season), cruise on the river, do a walking tour of the Old Town, visit Ambras Castle, see the Swarovski Kristallwelten, and shop on the Maria-Theresien Strasse.

Best Accommodations: The Penz (design hotel), Hotel Schwarzer Adler (historical), Hotel Nala (boutique), Stage 12 Hotel by Penz (mid-range).

Known For: its stunning medieval architecture, lakefront location, the famous Chapel Bridge, and the steepest cogwheel railway in the world.

Distance From Munich: 4 hours and 15 minutes by car, 4 hours and 45 minutes by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: do a walking tour of the historic City Center, take the gondola to the top of Mount Pilatus and take the Cogwheel train back down, go boating on the lake, have a traditional fondue meal, and walk across the Chapel Bridge.

Best Accommodations: Art Deco Hotel Montana (boutique), Chateau Guetsch (historic), Mandarin Oriental Palace (luxury).

Stuttgart, Germany

Known For: being Germany’s “car capitol city,” being more off-the-beaten-tourist-path, castles, palaces, and vineyards.

Distance From Munich: 2 hours and 45 minutes by car, 2 hours by train.

Top Activity Recommendations: go to the top of the Fernsehturm Stuttgart (television tower), visit the Public Library, tour the Porsche and/or Mercedes-Benz Museum, visit the Wilhelma zoo and botanical garden, explore the New Palace & Schlossplatz, visit a vineyard in one of the surrounding wine regions.

Best Accommodations: Aloft Stuttgart (modern), Park Inn By Radisson Stuttgart (budget-friendly), Le Méridien Stuttgart (luxury).

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