Visit Dachau Germany
Dachau Germany is a beautiful city located just northwest of Munich. While most people make the journey to the area solely to see the Dachau Concentration Camps, they are surprised to find such a beautiful and charming Bavarian city. With a population of over 40,000, Dachau is a good-sized, country town only a short drive from the big city.
Located in upper Bavaria, the city has been around for over 1200 years and has a rich and detailed history. It served as a retreat for Bavarian kings and nobility because of its quaint and quiet location out of the city. Not to mention that it has some of the best and most breathtaking views of the Alps around. Even in modern times, it is great place to start exploring the countryside surrounding Munich.
Historical Center Dachau Germany
The historical center of Dachau is a charming and lively downtown area. Colorful buildings line narrow, winding streets.
Sidewalk cafes are a perfect midday stop for a cup of coffee and people watching. It is a picture perfect old town that makes for a wonderful day of sight seeing.
Stop in at one of the traditional beer gardens for a cold brew on a hot summer's day. Check out the Drei Rosen or Zieglerbräu, both located in town, for an authentic Bavarian experience.
Dachau castle (Schloss Dachau) is another popular site in the city. Built in the mid 1500s, the palace was constructed as a medieval castle for the Counts of Dachau.
Make sure to not only see the outside of the structure, but also the inside. The beautifully preserved wooden ceilings are majestically decorated in Renaissance flair.
The Court Garden surrounding the castle boasts a scenic view matched by few others. Enjoy the beautiful landscape and the view of Munich and the magnificent Alps in the distance. It is a great place to end a day of touring the city.
Dachau Germany - important artist colony
Dachau Painting Gallery is home to an impressive permanent gallery of notable German artists. The collection focuses on typical landscape and genre paintings that were popular in the area in the late 19th century.
Dachau was an important German artist colony and styles from the area influenced modern 20th century works. Look for famous painters such as Max Liebermann, Carl Spitzweg, Lovis Corinth, Christian Morgenstern, and Adolf Hölzel.
Various festivals and events also take place in the charming town. The City Festival, the Dachau Fair (or Volksfest) and a fun Christmas Market can all be found in the city throughout the year. Especially the Dachau Fair is considered a true alternative to the Oktoberfest for everyone who wants less bustle and more authenticity.
Dachau Germany often holds performances by local musicians and well-known artists during the summer, and features a fresh produce markets every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the Old Town.
A few travel companies that service the city offer day tours of the town, as well as the Concentration Camp Memorial. If you want a local's insight to the beautiful, rural town, then choose a day tour to learn the in and outs of Dachau.
From Munich, take the S2 train, which runs from the city center to Dachau. Purchase a Bayernticket, a daily multi-use ticket for up to 5 people, for an affordable ride. Various regional trains also run from the Munich Hauptbahnhof (main train station) to Dachau.
For more information, you can visit the City of Dachau Tourist Information center, located at Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 1 in Dachau.