Winter day trips in Germany: 13 ideas for 2026/27

A good winter day trip needs either snow or warmth, ideally both on the same day. In Germany the two are often close together: in the morning a train up to a snowy summit, in the afternoon a thermal bath. Then there are places that look completely different in winter, such as the frozen Breitachklamm gorge, a silent Königssee or the Spreewald with mulled wine in a punt.

We have put together 13 winter destinations from our collection: mountains with lifts and slopes, nature spots, a castle, a salt mine and thermal baths for cold days. Seasons and prices were checked on the official websites in October 2026. Many winter seasons only start in late November and some lifts close for maintenance in November, so each entry tells you what to look out for.

Click a point on the map to open the page for that place.

At a glance: 13 winter destinations

Place	Region	Best for	Time
Zugspitze	Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria	summit views, skiing	1 day
Brocken	Harz, Saxony-Anhalt	steam train, winter walks	½–1 day
Fichtelberg	Ore Mountains, Saxony	skiing, sledging	½–1 day
Feldberg	Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg	skiing, snowshoeing	1 day
Kahler Asten and Winterberg	Sauerland, NRW	skiing, sledging, floodlit slopes	½–1 day
Königssee	Berchtesgaden Land	peace, winter scenery	3–5 hrs
Neuschwanstein	Allgäu, Bavaria	a castle in the snow	2–4 hrs
Breitachklamm	Oberstdorf, Allgäu	icicles, photography	1.5–2 hrs
Berchtesgaden Salt Mine	Berchtesgaden	families, bad weather	1.5–2 hrs
Therme Erding	near Munich	pool day, slides	½–1 day
Caracalla Spa	Baden-Baden	wellness, sauna	3 hrs–1 day
Tropical Islands	south of Berlin	families, tropical warmth	1 day
Spreewald	Lübbenau, Brandenburg	punt ride with mulled wine	½ day

1. Zugspitze (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria)

At 2,962 metres the Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain, and in winter the Zugspitzplatt plateau often has snow while the valley is still green. You get up by cable car from Lake Eibsee or by cog railway from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. At the top you will find the summit terrace, the glacier cable car and the Zugspitze ski area.

Practical: the Zugspitze ski season is planned to run from 27 November 2026 to 2 May 2027. Some lifts close for maintenance from 9 November until the season starts. From 27 November 2026 the round trip costs €70.50 online or €78 at the ticket office, and children aged 6 to 15 pay €35.50 online. Children under 6 travel free with their parents, and dogs cost a one-off €8. From November to February the lifts usually run from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

2. Brocken (Harz, Saxony-Anhalt)

The Brocken is northern Germany's highest mountain and often deep in snow in winter. The most atmospheric way up is the Brocken Railway: a steam locomotive pulls the carriages from Wernigerode or Schierke through the Harz National Park to the summit. At the top you can walk across the snowy plateau and visit the exhibition in the Brockenhaus.

Practical: the Harz narrow-gauge railways' winter timetable runs from 27 November 2026 to 4 April 2027. A return ticket to the Brocken costs €65, or €39 for children aged 6 to 14. Dogs travel for €20 return. If you want to hike up, take the forest path from Schierke and ride the train back; a single ticket costs €43.

3. Fichtelberg (Oberwiesenthal, Ore Mountains)

At 1,215 metres the Fichtelberg is Saxony's highest mountain and the winter sports centre of the Ore Mountains. The Fichtelberg cable car runs up from Oberwiesenthal, and on the summit you will find the Fichtelberghaus and the weather station. Besides the slopes there are cross-country trails and places to sledge, and on clear days the view stretches far across the Ore Mountains into the Czech Republic.

Practical: the cable car and ski area price list for the 2026/27 winter season is on the Fichtelberg Schwebebahn website. Ski passes carry a €2 deposit for the keycard. Allow extra time for the drive after fresh snow, as Oberwiesenthal lies above 900 metres.

4. Feldberg (Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg)

The Feldberg is Baden-Württemberg's highest mountain, surrounded by a large ski area with lifts on several sides of the mountain. Non-skiers ride the Feldbergbahn, walk across the snowy summit plateau to the viewing tower and, on clear days, see the Alps.

Practical: online sales of day and multi-day tickets for 2026/27 start on 2 November 2026. Prices are calculated dynamically, so booking early and avoiding school holidays pays off. After fresh snow the Feldberg gets very busy at weekends; on weekdays you have far more space on the slopes and in the car parks.

5. Kahler Asten and Winterberg (Sauerland, NRW)

Winterberg is the classic winter destination in North Rhine-Westphalia. Around the 841.9-metre Kahler Asten you will find the Skiliftkarussell ski area, sledging hills and cross-country trails, with the Astenturm tower on top. Many slopes are floodlit, so you can ski after work too.

Practical: in the current price list, a day pass at the Skiliftkarussell from 9am costs €53, €30 for children up to 15, and children up to 5 ski free with a paying adult. An evening pass from 6.30pm costs €32. Sledgers have their own ticket: a full day costs €31, €23 for children.

6. Königssee (Berchtesgaden Land, Bavaria)

In summer there are long queues for the boats on the Königssee; in winter it is quiet. The electric boats run in the cold season too, crossing the dark lake to the St. Bartholomä peninsula and its pilgrimage church. On snowy days the mountains are reflected in the water, and with luck you will see red deer on the shore.

Practical: boats to St. Bartholomä run all year except 24 December. A return ticket from Seelände costs €23.40. Salet at the southern end is no longer served. The current winter timetable is on the lake shipping company's website.

7. Neuschwanstein Castle (Allgäu, Bavaria)

Neuschwanstein in the snow looks like a Christmas card, and it is much quieter in winter than in summer. The tour of Ludwig II's rooms takes about half an hour; afterwards it is worth walking to the Marienbrücke if it is open.

Practical: from 16 October to 27 March the castle is open 10am to 4pm, closed on 1 January and 24, 25 and 31 December. Admission costs €21, and children and teenagers under 18 go free. Online bookings carry a €2.50 fee, and children also need a free ticket. In winter the Ticket Center in Hohenschwangau sells same-day tickets from 8am to 3.30pm.

8. Breitachklamm Gorge (Oberstdorf, Allgäu)

The Breitachklamm is up to 150 metres deep and turns into a world of icicles, ice curtains and frozen waterfalls in winter. A secured path leads through the gorge, and on evening torchlight walks the ice sparkles in the firelight.

Practical: the gorge stays open in winter; during the winter season from December to February or March it is open 9am to 4.30pm, last entry 4pm. It closes for repairs in November, December and spring, and may close at short notice when icy, so check the status page before you go. Adults pay €9, children aged 5 to 15 €2.50. In winter tickets can only be booked online one or two days in advance. Sturdy shoes with good grip are essential.

9. Berchtesgaden Salt Mine (Bavaria)

In sleet, the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine is the perfect alternative, especially with children. Dressed in miners' clothing, you ride the mine train into the mountain, slide down the miners' slides and cross an underground salt lake by raft. The tour takes about an hour, and underground it is a constant 12 degrees.

Practical: from 9 November to 29 March it is open daily from 11am to 3pm (start of the last tour), closed on 1 January and 24, 25 and 31 December. Adults pay €26.50, children aged 4 to 16 €13.50, and a family ticket for two adults and one child costs €59. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours including changing and buying tickets.

10. Therme Erding (near Munich)

Palm trees, warm thermal water and a big slide world: Therme Erding is a popular winter outing for families from Munich. Besides the thermal baths there is a wave pool, the Galaxy slide world, the VitalTherme and a large sauna area for over-16s.

Practical: open Monday to Friday 10am to 11pm and Saturday 9am to midnight. A day ticket for the thermal baths, wave pool and Galaxy costs €52 on weekdays and €59 at weekends, during school holidays and on public holidays. With saunas it is €62 or €69. Children up to 3 go free. Online booking is recommended for weekends and holidays.

11. Caracalla Spa (Baden-Baden)

The Caracalla Therme in Baden-Baden's spa quarter is quieter and focused on relaxation: a domed hall, warm outdoor pools that steam in winter and a sauna area. Next door is the historic Friedrichsbad with its Roman-Irish bath.

Practical: open daily from 8am to 10pm, closed on 24 and 25 December. A day ticket for the pools costs €35, with the sauna area €40, and two hours of bathing €21. Entry is from age 7, and children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

12. Tropical Islands (Brandenburg)

South of Berlin, Tropical Islands fills a former airship hangar with a South Sea beach, a lagoon, a rainforest and slides at tropical temperatures while snow lies outside. It is the winter go-to for families from Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony.

Practical: the resort is open 365 days a year, and day tickets are valid from 8am to 11.30pm. Adults pay from €34.90 to €69 online depending on the day, children aged 4 to 12 from €29.90, and children up to 3 go free. From 23 to 31 December peak-season prices apply. An evening ticket from 6pm starts at €31.90.

13. Spreewald (Lübbenau, Brandenburg)

In winter the Spreewald shows its quiet side: hoarfrost on the alders, mist over the channels and hardly any boats. From the Großer Spreewaldhafen in Lübbenau, winter punt rides set off with blankets and mulled wine or tea, and at weekends the "Hafenwinter" adds music and goulash from the kettle.

Practical: winter punt rides run daily at 11am and 1pm from November to March. Regular punt tours in 2026 start at €17 for two hours, with reduced prices for children. Lübbenau is about an hour from Berlin by regional train.

How to plan your winter trip

• Check the season start: many lifts and ski areas open in late November or December, and some close for maintenance beforehand.
• Short days: in December it gets dark around 4.30pm. Start early so you reach the summit in daylight.
• Book online: for Neuschwanstein, the Zugspitze and Tropical Islands, online tickets are more convenient and often cheaper.
• Combine: Zugspitze and Therme Erding, Breitachklamm and Neuschwanstein, or Königssee and the salt mine pair well over a weekend.
• Getting there: winter tyres are compulsory in Germany in snowy conditions. The Brocken Railway, the Zugspitze trains and regional trains to the Spreewald are a relaxed alternative.
• Clothing: in the Breitachklamm and on the summits you need non-slip shoes and warm layers; in the salt mine it is 12 degrees even in winter.

Frequently asked questions

Where is snow most reliable in Germany in winter?

On the Zugspitze, whose ski area lies above 2,000 metres. In the low mountain ranges, such as the Feldberg, Fichtelberg, Brocken and Winterberg, snow depends heavily on the weather, although many slopes use snowmaking.

What can I do with children in winter?

The Berchtesgaden Salt Mine with its slides and raft ride, the steam-hauled Brocken Railway, sledging in Winterberg and a pool day at Tropical Islands or Therme Erding. At Neuschwanstein and the salt mine children pay little or nothing.

Which places work in bad weather?

Thermal baths such as Erding, Caracalla and Tropical Islands, the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine and the tour of Neuschwanstein Castle.

Is Neuschwanstein open in winter?

Yes, from 16 October to 27 March daily from 10am to 4pm, except 1 January and 24, 25 and 31 December.

How much is the Zugspitze in winter?

From 27 November 2026 the round trip costs €70.50 online and €78 at the ticket office, and €35.50 online for children aged 6 to 15.

Which winter destination is close to Berlin?

Tropical Islands south of the city and the Spreewald with winter punt rides from Lübbenau. Both are about an hour away.

A summit, a castle and a spa in one winter? Keep all your stops together on a poster of your route.