Excursions to the Munich region in winter

You've probably already visited Lake Kochelsee - whether in summer to cool off or because you looked down on it while hiking up the Herzogstand. What you may not have had on your radar, however, is a visit to the Franz Marc Museum at Kochelsee. In addition to works by the expressionist painter, you can also see works by his contemporaries and other important artists of the 20th century - currently by Horst Antes, for example. Admission for adults regularly costs €9.50. If you want to take a boat trip across the lake afterwards, you can purchase a combined ticket: For €16, this includes a round trip across Lake Kochel in addition to admission to the museum.

This recommendation really comes from the bottom of my heart: my family is originally from Wasserburg am Inn, which is why I spent a lot of time there as a child. The small town to the east of Munich is just under an hour's drive away and is located on a peninsula surrounded by the River Inn. The beautiful old town is lined with houses with colorful facades and exudes a southern flair. And there is plenty to discover: you can either visit one of the historic sights, such as the town hall, or take a stroll and enjoy a selection of small stores and cafés. What you should definitely not miss: The so-called "beautiful view" above Wasserburg's old town, where you can see everything at once and also learn a lot about the town on a display board.

Always a good idea: a trip to the Bavarian sea! With the BRB you can get to Prien quickly and easily. Once there, there are numerous ways to spend the day. You can either opt for a long walk by the water, swim in the Prienavera adventure pool or take the steamer to one of the two islands. On the Herreninsel with Herrenchiemsee Castle, you can follow in the footsteps of King Ludwig, while on the Fraueninsel you can enjoy a delicious meal at the Klosterwirt. The boat trip on Lake Chiemsee also runs in winter, you can find the timetable here.

Poing Wildlife Park is the right place for you if you fancy a long walk and want to go on a little discovery tour at the same time. More precisely, in terms of wildlife, because deer, raccoons, goats and peacocks, for example, are at home here. Deer & co. run around freely and can also be fed. Other animals, such as brown bears, can be seen from a safe distance. There are guided tours of birds of prey and a large playground if you are traveling with kids. Conveniently, you can also get to Poing Wildlife Park without a car: take the S2 in the direction of Markt Schwaben / Erding to Poing; then it's a 20-minute walk to the wildlife park.

Sauna always works! At least with us. If you fancy a relaxing break, you should check out the Wellnessgarten Waging. Admittedly, it's not directly near Munich, but it's definitely worth the 1.5-hour drive. Firstly, because the facility is absolutely beautiful: there are small saunas, relaxation rooms, a large swimming pond and - the absolute highlight in winter - heated beds where you can snuggle up and read or doze off after a sauna session. The price-performance ratio is unbeatable, especially when you compare the entrance fee with many other day spas in and around Munich: a day ticket costs 38 euros. We recommend booking a package with a massage: From 58 euros, admission is already included.

For most Munich residents, going out at the weekend often means the lake, mountains or some kind of program that really feels like activity. Unfortunately, it's easy to forget that you can also take a short trip just for a coffee and some really good cake. We recommend the Klostercafé Weyarn between Holzkirchen and Miesbach, for example. You'll find a modern and beautifully furnished café within very old walls: the former monastery brewery in Weyarn dating back to 1706 has been transformed into a friendly and bright place where you can enjoy homemade cakes and regionally roasted coffee from Miesbach - along with many other culinary highlights, of course.

Who says it always has to be Munich's local mountains for a good view? On the Perlacher Mugl in Perlacher Forst, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding area and the mountain panorama on a clear day. The small hill in the middle of the forest is the perfect place to end a long walk with a bit of a view. It towers a proud 26 meters above the treetops of the Perlacher Forest. It's easy to get there: take public transport either to Mangfallplatz (U1), Theodolindenplatz (Tram 25) or the S-Bahn (Fasanenpark).

Depending on the connection, the train will take you to Augsburg in around 30 minutes. That literally screams day trip - if you haven't really had this on your radar yet, then you should definitely make up for your visit to Augsburg now. Because there's so much to see: for example the Fuggerei, the oldest social housing estate in the world, or of course the Augsburger Puppenkiste, which accompanied so many of us with Urmel aus dem Eis & Co in our childhood. Or you can simply stroll around and pass the time with food and coffee.

Sure, we've all been to Nymphenburg Palace Park what feels like hundreds of times, but Schleißheim? If you haven't paid a visit to the large park yet, then it's high time you did. Because with the New Palace, the Old Palace and Lustheim Palace, there's a lot to discover here. The three palaces are connected by a landscaped park, which is perfect for a stroll. Opening times and admission prices vary (depending on which castle you decide to visit or whether you want to take it all in), so it's best to check here before your visit!