Can You See The Alps From Munich Airport?

Munich is surrounded by several beautiful regions filled with diverse trails, such as the Bavarian Alps, the Isar River Valley, and the Karwendel Mountains. On a clear day, the view from Munich stretches as far as the Alps, and the mountain peaks look almost close enough to touch. The Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, is only 90 kilometres away from the Bavarian state capital. Munich Airport is the perfect gateway for your easy and convenient journey to the nearby skiing areas in Bavaria and Austria.

The best spots to view the Alps in Munich

On a clear day in Munich, the view stretches far beyond the city, all the way to the Alps. Here are some of the best spots to take in this incredible view.

St. Peter's Church

St Peter's Church offers a breathtaking panorama of Munich's old town, including the distinctive onion domes of Frauenkirche. The church is located in the Englischer Garten, a sprawling 900-acre park known for river surfing and naked sunbathing!

Olympiaberg in Olympiapark

The Olympiapark, built for the 1972 Olympic Games, offers a unique view of the city. For a truly special experience, make a reservation at Restaurant 181. Located about two-thirds of the way up the park's 291-metre tower, the restaurant offers a gourmet menu and a full rotation takes 53 minutes—plenty of time to take in the view.

Glockenspiel Cafe

For a view of the famous Neues Rathaus cuckoo clock in Marienplatz, head to the Glockenspiel Cafe. It's located in the building directly opposite the clock, and from the top floor, you can see the clock up close. Time your visit for 11 am, 12 pm, or 5 pm when the dancing cuckoo clock figures make an appearance.

Alter Peter near Marienplatz

According to a comment on a Reddit thread, you can see the Alps from Alter Peter near Marienplatz.

On top of a hill in Ostpark

For those on the east side of the city, there's a small hill in Ostpark that offers a great view of the Alps on a clear day. Some of the views are obscured by the buildings in Neuperlach, but it's still worth the visit.

Bayerischerhof Hotel

The breakfast room at the Bayerischerhof Hotel offers a fantastic view of the Alps. You can enjoy the view even if you're not a guest at the hotel—just go for their buffet brunch!

Train ride to Tegernsee or Schliersee

For an opportunity to see more than a glimpse of the Alps in the far distance, take a train ride to Tegernsee or Schliersee. These are beautiful lakes surrounded by fairly high mountains, and the journey takes about an hour from Munich Hauptbahnhof.

Zugspitze

Last but not least, Germany's highest peak, Zugspitze, is located about 90 kilometres from Munich. It offers a breathtaking view of almost 400 summits in Austria, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. You can get there by train in about 2 hours from Munich.

The distance from Munich Airport to the Alps

The Bavarian Alps are visible from Munich on a clear day, and the distance from Munich Airport to the Alps varies depending on the specific location. Here is a detailed overview of the distances from Munich Airport to various destinations in the Bavarian Alps:

Tegernsee Holiday Region

The Tegernsee Holiday Region is known for its beautiful lake and surrounding mountains. The distance from Munich Airport to Tegernsee is approximately 90 kilometers, which takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes to drive. This region offers stunning views of the turquoise green lake, lush pastures, and mountain peaks.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a charming Alpine town nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, including the famous Zugspitze massif. It is located approximately 130 kilometers from Munich Airport, and the drive usually takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Garmisch-Partenkirchen has hosted the Winter Olympics and is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts.

Chiemsee Region

The Chiemsee Region, often referred to as the "Bavarian Sea," is a favorite vacation destination for many. It is located approximately 130 kilometers from Munich Airport, and the drive typically takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes. This region offers a breathtaking landscape of the Chiemgau and Upper Bavarian Alps, along with cultural attractions such as the palace of Herrenchiemsee.

Berchtesgadener Land

Berchtesgadener Land is renowned for its majestic Alpine peaks, lakes, and cultural attractions. It is situated a bit farther from Munich Airport, at a distance of about 175 kilometers. The drive usually takes around 2 hours. Here, you can explore Lake Königssee, the Eagle's Nest observation point, and the Salt Mines.

Oberammergau in the Ammergau Alps

Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play, beautiful fresco paintings, and woodcarving traditions. It is located approximately 130 kilometers from Munich Airport, and the drive typically takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The nearby Linderhof Castle, nestled in the Ammergau Alps, is said to have been a favorite of King Ludwig II.

So, while the distances vary, the average travel time from Munich Airport to these destinations in the Bavarian Alps ranges from 1 hour and 10 minutes to 2 hours by car. These locations offer a range of Alpine experiences, from picturesque lakes to mountain peaks, charming towns, and cultural attractions.

The weather conditions required to view the Alps from Munich

The Alps are visible from Munich, but certain weather conditions are required to see them. On a clear day, the view from Munich stretches as far as the Alps, with the mountain peaks appearing almost close enough to touch. However, the Alps are not visible most days, and photographs that include them are usually taken with an extreme field of view, making the mountains appear closer than they are in reality.

To view the Alps from Munich, a weather condition called "Föhn" is required. "Föhn" is a warm wind from the south that can cause headaches for some people. This weather phenomenon creates the perfect conditions for viewing the Alps from various elevated points in the city. Here are some locations from where you can catch a glimpse of the Alps on a clear day:

• Olympiaberg in the Olympiapark
• Rooftop bar at the TU
• Alter Peter near Marienplatz
• Wind power plant near the Allianz Arena
• Ostpark (for those on the east side of the city)

Additionally, there are several great options for day trips or short excursions to the Alps from Munich. Here are some recommendations:

• Zugspitze: Germany's highest peak, located in Garmisch, is approximately a 2-hour drive from Munich.
• Tegernsee or Schliersee: Beautiful lakes surrounded by high mountains, accessible by a 1-hour train ride from Munich Hauptbahnhof.
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen: A town nestled amid breathtaking peaks with tremendous mountain panoramas and excellent skiing areas, located 130 kilometers from Munich.
• Neuschwanstein Castle: A fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II, situated 160 kilometers from Munich.

The Alps from elevated points in Munich

The Alps are visible from elevated points in Munich on clear days. The view of the mountain peaks is so close that they almost appear within touching distance. There are several spots from which you can see the Alps, including:

• The breakfast room at the Bayerischerhof Hotel
• The top of the Olympiaberg in Olympiapark
• The rooftop bar at the TU
• The wind power plant near the Allianz Arena
• The small hill in Ostpark, on the east side of the city
• The higher levels of the Sheraton Hotel
• The Alter Peter near Marienplatz
• The Frauenkirche
• The Town Hall Tower
• St. Peter's Church
• The Monopteros
• The Maximilianeum

Travel tips to the Bavarian Alps

Getting There

The Bavarian Alps are easily accessible by air, road, and train. The closest international airport is in Munich, and the journey from there is approximately 1.5 hours by train or 5 hours by car. Alternatively, you can take a direct train from Munich to the Garmisch-Classic ski resort.

Where to Stay

The Hotel Orphée in the medieval city of Regensburg offers 19th-century French glamour, while the Schloss Elmau hotel, set at the foot of the German Alps, combines nature with cultural events.

What to See

The Bavarian Alps are home to many beautiful castles, including the famous Neuschwanstein, which inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. Other castles include Schloss Linderhof, Schloss Herrenchiemsee, and Schloss Hohenschwangau, where King Ludwig II spent his summers.

For panoramic views, take a cable car up to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, or visit the Eagle's Nest, a mountaintop retreat built for Hitler. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you can enjoy views of four countries on a clear day.

What to Do

The Bavarian Alps offer a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. You can also take a boat ride on Lake Königssee, explore the Partnachklamm gorge, or visit the Ettal Abbey, a working Benedictine monastery with a brewery.

Where to Eat

Adlerkeller in Kaufbeuren is renowned for its delicious traditional cuisine and welcoming atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions