Day Trips & Excursions in Germany

Visit the cities of Mainz and Wiesbaden on this guided, full-day sightseeing adventure from Frankfurt. First, explore luxurious Wiesbaden, the capital of the German state of Hessen. See the collection of hot springs, elegant villas and historical houses in this sophisticated spa town and take a train ride to the top of Neroberg Mountain. Then visit Mainz, exploring the city on a walking tour past its churches, half-timbered houses, cobblestone alleyways and most popular attractions. Round-trip transportation from Frankfurt and a Neroberg Mountain train ticket are included.

Travel from Munich to Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle on this day trip that includes round-trip transportation by train. Often known as Germany's "Cinderella castle," Neuschwanstein was actually the inspiration for a different Disney story, the "˜Sleeping Beauty' castle at Disneyland. Take a guided tour of the castle, and hear stories about the "Mad" King Ludwig II, who commissioned it. The entrance fee is not included, but skip-the-line access is, so you won't wait in the main admission queue.

Discover medieval history in Bavaria on this 10-hour small-group day tour to Herrenchiemsee Palace and Park from Munich. Visit the Church of St Marinus and Anianus and the historic town of Wasserburg am Inn with a guide. Admire the pastel-colored houses, pretty bay windows and imposing battlements for which the town is famous, and gain insight into its medieval heritage. Then, cruise over Lake Chiemsee to Herrenchiemsee Palace and Park to explore by horse-drawn carriage. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to eight people.

Lose yourself in the fairy-tale world of Neuschwanstein Castle, the real-life inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, on this full-day tour from Munich, led by a Spanish-speaking guide. Soak up the scenery on a 2-hour train ride through the Bavarian Alps; admire views of Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle and Lake Alpsee; then, set out on 20-minute hike or horse-drawn carriage ride (own expense) to the mountaintop castle. Finally, enjoy skip-the-line entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle and learn more about Ludwig II, the ‘Mad King’ as you visit the Throne Room and royal quarters.

Enjoy some of Bavaria's best scenery and royal sites, including Neuschwanstein Castle, on this day trip from Munich. You'll visit Neuschwanstein, where you have skip-the-line admission, as well as Hohenschwangau Castle, Linderhof Castle and the village of Oberammergau, plus catch sight of Lake Plansee and the Alps as you dip across the Austria border. The train tickets for the round-trip journey from Munich to Füssen are not included.

Visit Herrenchiemsee Palace, modeled after the Palace of Versailles by King Ludwig II, on this guided, full-day tour from Munich. Escape to an island in Lake Chiemsee, Bavaria's largest lake, for a tour of the king's final and most expensive castle (entrance fee not included). Then continue by boat to the Benedictine abbey of Frauenwörth, located in the beautiful, unspoiled landscape at the edge of the Bavarian Alps on Fraueninsel Island.

Witness the fairy tale castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, created by Germany's 19th-century King Ludwig II, on a day trip from Munich. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, admire Bavaria's magnificent scenery as you journey to Linderhof, Ludwig's rococo-style hunting lodge and last home. Join an optional interior tour and then continue to Neuschwanstein, a picture book clutch of turrets and chambers that inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. Enjoy free time in nearby Hohenschwangau village for lunch and to explore Neuschwanstein's grounds, and take an optional castle tour. Entrance fees not included.

Discover tradition and culture in Germany's Northern Bavaria on this full-day Würzburg tour from Frankfurt. Travel through the Spessart Mountains to Würzburg. On arrival, pick up your guidebook in the market square and begin exploring. Visit the 18th-century Würzburg Residence and admire the palace's baroque architecture. Marvel at the beautiful staircase, salon and chapel, and learn of life here over the centuries. After lunch in a local restaurant, spend the rest of your day at your leisure. Perhaps enjoy a Main River cruise or visit any of the town's wineries.  

Escape to the islands of Herreninsel and Fraueninsel in the Chiemsee, Bavaria's largest lake, on this full-day rail trip from Munich. Enjoy a guided tour of the stunning Herrenchiemsee Palace, modeled after the Palace of Versailles and one of King Ludwig II's homes on Herreninsel Island. Then explore the historic Fraueninsel Island, whose origins date back 1,300 years, at leisure. Round-trip train ticket included. Castle admission and boat rides additional.

Discover Sachsenhausen, one of the first concentration camps established by Nazi Germany's Third Reich, on this guided, 6-hour trip from Berlin. Listen as an expert historian details the facts surrounding the camp's creation, as well as a timeline of the atrocities that took place there. Today, the site serves as a national memorial to the prisoners who lived and died here, and on your visit you'll explore the various locations inside the camp, like the command headquarters and execution trench, and learn about Germany during the rule of the Third Reich.

Add a bit of legend and enchantment to your German vacation with a full-day trip to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof from Munich. Relax for the scenic coach ride through the Bavarian Alps, then spend hours exploring the former royal residences, sources of inspiration for modern fairy tales like Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty. In your small group, tour the castle's opulent halls, unique spaces and the incredible kitchens. Conclude with free time in the charming village of Oberammergau.

Visit the famous Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, on this guided, full-day trip with road transfers from Munich. Take a cable car to the summit of Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain at 2,962 meters (9,718 feet) above sea level, for breathtaking views of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, then ride the cogwheel train back down.

Admire the countryside, castles and villages of Germany's Romantic Road on a day trip from Munich. Enjoy a coach drive along the iconic Road, a famously picturesque route through Bavaria's mountains and forests. Stop at 11th-century Harburg Castle, one of Germany's oldest fortifications, and continue to Rothenburg, a beautifully preserved medieval town of cobbled lanes, squares, and half-timbered houses. See top attractions such as the Renaissance-era Town Hall and St Jakob's Church, enjoy free time to wander, have lunch (own expense), and browse the famous year-round Christmas shop.

Experience two natural highlights of the Elbe River region outside of Dresden on this day trip to Bohemian Switzerland National Park and Saxon Switzerland National Park. Don't be fooled by the names"”you're not heading into Switzerland. You'll actually cross the border into the Czech Republic to visit Bohemian Switzerland, which lies adjacent to Saxon Switzerland, on the German side. See sites like the Bastei Bridge, and take a short hike to Pravcicka Gate. 

Discover the long history and natural highlights of Germany's Saxony region on this day trip from Dresden to Saxon Switzerland National Park. Drive through the Elbe River Canyon, flanked by towering sandstone, and walk across the Bastei Bridge for stunning views of the park. You'll also admire the unique architecture of the Königstein Fortress, steeped in more than 750 years of history, and enjoy lunch on this scenic getaway among ancient landmarks.

Visit Germany's oldest city of Trier for a guided, full-day, small-group sightseeing tour from Frankfurt. This ancient town along the Moselle River boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Learn about Trier's history and architecture, using narrated tours and free time to explore popular attractions. See the Cathedral of Trier, the oldest cathedral in Germany; the Church of Our Lady, the oldest Gothic church in Germany; the Porta Nigra, the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps and much more. Entrance fee to Trier Amphitheater and Trier Imperial Baths included.

When your cruise ship drops anchor in Germany, tick off the historic highlights of east and west Berlin on a 5.5-hour shore excursion from Rostock or Warnemünde port, ideal for travelers short on time. Following port pickup, take a whistle-stop tour of top west Berlin attractions including Tiergarten Park, Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor), the Berlin Wall, and the Holocaust Memorial. Then, tick off east Berlin gems including Postdamer Platz, Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), and Museumsinsel. Port drop-off is also included.