Munich's position at the foot of the Alps makes it an excellent base for day trips. The Bavarian countryside is packed with castles, lakes, and mountain scenery, most reachable within one to two hours by train or car.
Lake Starnberg is Munich's nearest lake, about 20 km long and 5 km wide, and a popular day excursion. Reachable by S-Bahn from the central station in 45 minutes.
Königsee, a 10 km emerald-green mountain lake in the Berchtesgadener Land, offers some of the most magnificent panorama views in Bavaria. Only electrically-powered boats have been allowed on the lake since 1909.
Blutenburg is a romantic moated castle with a late Gothic chapel from the 15th century. The main building houses the International Youth Library; the gate tower contains the Erich Kästner memorial site.
Glentleiten Open Air Museum displays traditional Bavarian farm buildings and handicrafts near Lake Kochelsee, about 90 minutes south of Munich by car.
River rafting on the Isar — a romantic trip on traditional wooden river rafts through the Isar valley, departing from Wolfratshausen, about 30 km south of Munich.
