My plan up until now has been Munich for 3 nights/3 full days and Salzburg for an evening, 2 nights/2 full days (leave next morning). Due to a special event occurring in Munich during May, we couldn’t find a good place within our budget for the 3rd night and just booked a place for the first 2 nights. I’m seeing our options as: we can book Wombats hostel (6 bed dorm room – within budget and well, it looks nice and fun) for the 3rd night since everything else has skyrocketed for that night OR go to Salzburg a day early. This would cut down Munich to 2 days (+ a morning), and up Salzburg to 3 ½. For Munich, we want to explore Marienplatz, maybe do a bike tour, visit Hofbräuhaus and Viktualienmarkt, the Deutsches Museum, and Dachau. For Salzburg, we’d like to see Augustiner Brewery, attend some concerts, maybe day trip to Salt Mines (?), explore via bike. No SOM please. We kind of have it in our heads that Salzburg will be a bit on the relaxing and scenery intaking side. Maybe we could do Dachau from Salzburg. Anyways, opinions? Either option will cost us the same as the hostel and B&B in Salzburg are the same price/night.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
You wouldn't do Dachau from Salzburg; it's about 90 miles further from Salzburg than it is from Munich.
I'd vote for the extra day in Salzburg. That way you could do a day trip to Hallstatt & go through the salt mine there. Plus you could go to the Augustiner beer garden twice (it's great).
Posted by
Winnipeg
590 posts
You could leave Munich in the evening for Salzburg so you could fit in more time. I stayed at Wombats in May and they will store your luggage for free plus they are so close to the train station. Munich is great and there is so much to do there. Wombats is great and I am sure you will like it there. It is very clean and comfortable and within walking distance of the Marienplatz area.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
You could easily spend a day or two in Berchtesgaden, which is only about an hour from Salzburg. There is a salt mine there, Hitler's Eagles' Nest, the Dokumentation Center, Königssee, plus a pretty town.
And, as mentioned, the Dachau memorial is in a western suburb of Munich, a little more than a half hour from downtown on the S-Bahn and bus.
Posted by
OP
CA
61 posts
Thank you for your comments! I feel much better about the situation now. I like the idea of leaving Munich late on the 3rd day – get a bit more time in Munich and whole extra day for Salzburg. Berchtesgaden sounds like a great addition – thanks Lee. Also, Kate, thanks for the info on Wombats. I was a little nervous at first but it seems like everyone really likes it.
Posted by
NYC area
2910 posts
Hi Jessica,
Salzburg is simply wonderful (been 3 times so far). I think you'll find that your correct in your thinking that Salzburg (and the area) will be a bit more relaxing and scenic. The Berchtesgaden area (incl. the Königssee) is beautiful, as is the old town of Berchtesgaden. Well worth a visit.
Paul
Posted by
Jericho, Vermont, USA
143 posts
I agree - leave Munich late in the day and spend an extra day in Salzburg. Trying to do Berchtesgaten also adds too much running around, to my way of thinking. I can never get enough of Salzburg! Julia
Posted by
Bloomington, USA
41 posts
I love Munich, there's so much to see & do there. We were there 4 days & still didn't have time to see everything. I was disappointed in Dachau, as it's pretty sterile. (If you do go, skip going with a tour and go on your own - you'll have more time to browse through the displays at your own pace.) I highly recommend going to Schloss Nymphemburg, the gorgeous royal summer residence. Be sure to check out their collection of carriages and sleighs. The Residenz, the palace of the dukes, is also worth the time to visit, especially the Treasury.
Posted by
Boston, MA, USA
115 posts
I personally fell in love with Salzburg. Went to both a few years ago, and I am bringing my 20 somethings with me in May. I feel the same way about the SOM myself by the way. I might want to see some of the places on that tour, but the music they say they will play will make me pull my hair out.(once every few years is enough)
There are many side trips arranged in Salzburg, they have quite a system there. I am thinking of going to a castle (can't think of the name just now) that is an hour or less father into Austria..for the falcon shows and countryside. I liked the Bertesgarden tour - some things are kind of "brushed over" quickly, but the bus ride and the tour guide were great. If it rains/bad weather one day I will go to the Salt mines. I loved staying inside the old city (or near it) and just walking around in the evening and just taking in the atmosphere/beauty of the city when less crowds were around.
Honestly Munish is lovely, but so much of it is rebuilt (and done immaculately) that I wanted to see more authentic older places. I will bring the "kids" on a bus tour around the city, pick one or two places they want to see, and you have to go to the hofbrauhaus just for the fun of it...tourists and locals seem to enjoy it. Dachau is a must I feel for my kids, but in a way I found it more sterile than I thought it would be. But one has to remember the past is not perfect, and it is good the people of Germany have kept this site. The hotel staff told me to go see it because THEY felt everyone should. Enjoy both cities...it is lovely there.