It may not be the nation’s capital, but Munich is always buzzing and a definite must-visit when venturing into Germany.
Whether it’s the cobbled streets in the old town, the famous town square, the vast English Garden, the BMW museum or any of the other attractions that have taken you to Munich, you can’t deny it’s a city of culture that’s also extremely rich in history.
However, Munich is also a good base if you’d like to discover different regions and experiences in Bavaria.
You could be just wanting to refresh your memory of the city then venture further, or you might be a first-time visitor who wants to see more than just the attractions in the city.
It’s also easily accessible from Singapore, with direct flights (approximately 13 hours) on Singapore Airlines, Scoot and Lufthansa.
So, decide how many day trips you want to take, then factor that into how much time you want to spend in Munich overall.
Getting a hotel in the centre of Munich is also the most convenient as the central train station and tour pick-up points are located there.
Here are five recommended day trips from Munich.
In 2024, Rothenburg ob der Tauber celebrates 750 years as an imperial city. You’ll certainly feel like you’ve stepped back in time here as it’s a largely preserved old town.
Gorgeous, colourful half-timbered houses might make you think you’ve walked into an old storybook and wandering down the narrow lanes are a sight to behold. Then, as you reach its centre, you’ll see the market square with the imposing town hall building.
Concerts are held in this square in summer, with a huge Christmas market in winter. The cafes in this area allow diners to sit outdoors and take in the atmosphere, an ideal way to experience the hustle and bustle of the town, weather permitting.
A city wall surrounds the old town and you can walk around it – give yourself at least two hours to complete the entire route. The various town gates are good spots for photos too.
Other attractions here include museums and churches, or you could try to spot all the 46 towers in the town.
Augsburg is the oldest city in Bavaria and there are several magnificent fountains which have stood for centuries – Augustus Fountain in the Town Hall Square, for example, was built in 1594.
One of the fascinating attractions in Augsburg is Fuggerei, a social settlement that has existed since 1521. This city-within-a-city has 140 flats that are still inhabited today.
The residents still pay a rent of 88 cents a year for their 60sqm accommodations – one of the rental requirements is that they have to pray three times a day for the founder and his family.
You’ll find a museum and a WWII bomb shelter here too, with lots of information on the settlement’s history.
Augsburg is also known for its puppet theatre and the Puppet Theater Museum is where you’ll find out about its most famous characters.
You don’t have to be a history buff to visit Dachau Concentration Camp.
It might not be a typical ‘touristy’ attraction but seeing the site of one of the most horrific atrocities in history is certainly sobering and a reminder of the ‘never again’ adage.
Munich was the birthplace of the Nazi party and Dachau began in 1933 as a camp for political prisoners but soon turned into the first Nazi concentration camp and a model for the ones that came after it. Over 200,000 prisoners were incarcerated at Dachau.
The concentration camp has been turned into a memorial site and among the spaces here are the shunt room (where new prisoners stripped naked and handed over their clothes and personal possessions), the prisoner baths (where they were shaved, showered and disinfected), the main SS guardhouse and the crematorium area.
There are various religious monuments and chapels too.
Exhibitions are held on the premises regularly.
Dachau concentration camp is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve. Admission is free but you’ll have to pay if you want an audio guide or tour.
Shopaholics will bask in the retail heaven that is Ingolstadt Village.
With over 110 designer boutiques as well as pop-up stores and restaurants, it’s an open-air shopping destination in the Bavarian countryside.
Stroll down pedestrianised streets and marvel at the boutiques that offer up to 60% off recommended retail prices.
International names such as Balenciaga, Gucci, Nike, Puma, Samsonite and Versace are some of the offerings here.
Make sure you have enough space in your suitcase for your new buys.
If you’ve seen photos of this castle and thought this attraction looked familiar, it might be because it served as inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle sits majestically atop a hill and is surrounded by forested mountains – a magical setting for an equally enchanting attraction.
Construction began in 1868 by order of King Ludwig II (often referred to as ‘Mad King Ludwig’ outside of Germany), who dedicated the castle to Richard Wagner, the German composer known for his operas. In fact, Wagner’s works inspired a lot of the decor in the castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle is the most-visited castle in Germany, not surprising, given its fairytale design and lavishly-decorated interior.
