What to Do in Munich: 1- and 2-Day Itinerary

1-day Munich itinerary

Morning: Marienplatz, churches, and local markets

• Marienplatz: Start your day at Munich's main square. This is where you will find the famous Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Do not miss the Glockenspiel, the famous clock with moving figures that takes place every day at 11 AM and 12 PM. During summer, there is also an additional performance at 5 PM.
• Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church): Munich's oldest church offers one of the best views of the city. The climb to the tower has around 300 steps, but it is absolutely worth it: on clear days, you can even see the Alps in the distance. The entrance ticket costs approximately €5 and can be purchased directly at the church.
• Viktualienmarkt: Located right next to Marienplatz, this traditional market is a great place to experience Bavarian food and local products. You will find cheeses, sausages, fruits, breads, sweets, and traditional dishes. It is a perfect stop to try some German cuisine.
• Hofbräuhaus: For lunch, one of Munich's most traditional experiences is visiting this historic beer hall founded in 1589. It is a tourist attraction, but it still keeps the typical Bavarian atmosphere, with live music, shared tables, and dishes such as pork knuckle, sausages, and giant pretzels.

Afternoon: Palace, park, and dinner

• Residenz: The former royal residence of the Bavarian kings is one of Munich's most impressive historical attractions. The complex includes luxurious rooms, galleries, gardens, and a museum displaying treasures from the royal family. Plan at least 2 hours to explore it properly. Tickets start at approximately €10 and can be purchased through the official website . You can also visit through a guided tour on GetYourGuide .
• Englischer Garten: One of the largest urban parks in the world and one of Munich locals' favorite places. Walk to the famous Eisbachwelle, where surfers ride an artificial wave on the Eisbach River. Then continue to the Chinese Tower, where you will find one of the city's most traditional beer gardens.
• Dinner: Finish your day at a traditional beer garden or discover some of Munich's best restaurants. Our recommendation is the Italian restaurant 60 secondi to Napoli, but we have gathered several options for different tastes in our guide: Where to eat in Munich.

2-day Munich itinerary

Morning: Nymphenburg Palace or museums

• Option 1 - Nymphenburg Palace: One of the best ways to start your second day. This Baroque palace was the summer residence of the Bavarian royal family and impresses visitors with its historic rooms, huge gardens, and small pavilions spread throughout the park. It is an attraction that combines history, architecture, and nature, making it a great choice for anyone who enjoys European palaces. You can book your ticket through GetYourGuide .
• Option 2 - Pinakotheken: For those who prefer art and culture, the Maxvorstadt district is home to some of Munich's most important museums. The Alte Pinakothek is perfect for lovers of classical art, while the Pinakothek der Moderne features modern art, architecture, and design. A great tip: on Sundays, several public museums in Munich have reduced admission, usually only €1. You can check tickets on the official Pinakotheken website .

Afternoon: BMW Welt and Olympic Park

• BMW Welt and BMW Museum: A must-visit for anyone interested in cars, technology, and design. BMW Welt has free admission and showcases current BMW models, as well as temporary exhibitions. The BMW Museum tells the story of the company, from its first vehicles to its latest innovations. Both attractions are located next to Olympic Park. More information can be found on the official BMW Welt website .
• Olympiapark: Built for the 1972 Olympic Games, the park is one of the most interesting areas in Munich. Besides its unique architecture, you will find lakes, green spaces, and great places to walk. The famous Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower), standing 291 meters tall, is currently undergoing renovations, but the park remains a great place to visit.

Best tours and experiences in Munich

Besides exploring Munich on your own, some tours can make your experience even more complete. We selected some of the best experiences to discover the city and its surroundings.

Top attractions in Munich

Museums

• Deutsches Museum: One of the largest science and technology museums in the world.
• Pinakotheken: A museum complex featuring classical, modern, and contemporary art collections.
• Lenbachhaus: A museum famous for German expressionism and the artistic group Der Blaue Reiter.
• BMW Museum: Discover the history of the BMW brand and the evolution of German automotive engineering.
• Museum Fünf Kontinente: A museum dedicated to cultures from Africa, Asia, America, and Oceania.
• NS Documentation Center: A documentation center about the Nazi period in Munich and Bavaria.
• Munich City Museum: A museum dedicated to the history and culture of the city.

Historic churches

• Frauenkirche: Munich's famous cathedral with its two towers, one of the city's main symbols.
• Asamkirche: A small Baroque church hidden in the historic center, but one of Munich's most impressive interiors.
• Peterskirche: The oldest church in Munich and one of the best viewpoints in the city.
• Theatinerkirche: A beautiful yellow Baroque church located at Odeonsplatz.
• Heilig-Geist-Kirche: A church near Viktualienmarkt with a beautiful Rococo interior.

Parks and nature

• Englischer Garten: One of the largest urban parks in the world and one of Munich locals' favorite places. Perfect for walking, having a picnic, enjoying a beer at a biergarten, or simply relaxing.
• Olympiapark: The Olympic complex featuring unique architecture, green areas, and views over the city.
• Hofgarten: A historic garden located behind the Residenz Palace. A great place to relax while exploring the city center.
• Westpark: A park less known by tourists but loved by locals. It features Asian gardens, lakes, and peaceful walking areas.
• Botanical Garden Munich: A botanical garden near Nymphenburg Palace with tropical greenhouses, lakes, and thousands of plant species.

Squares and markets

• Marienplatz: The heart of Munich, home to the New Town Hall and the famous Glockenspiel.
• Viktualienmarkt: Traditional open-air market with local products, Bavarian food, and a beer garden.
• Odeonsplatz: One of the most beautiful squares in Munich, surrounded by historic buildings such as Feldherrnhalle and Theatinerkirche.
• Karlsplatz (Stachus): One of Munich's busiest areas and one of the main entrances to the historic center.
• Wiener Platz: A charming square in the Haidhausen neighborhood, offering a more local and less touristy atmosphere.

Day trips from Munich

• Neuschwanstein Castle: One of the most famous castles in the world and one of the most popular day trips from Munich. The castle looks like something from a fairy tale and is located near the Bavarian Alps. It is one of the experiences we recommend the most for anyone visiting the region. Check out our complete guide: How to visit Neuschwanstein Castle
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• Eibsee and Bavarian Lakes: The Bavarian Alps are home to some of the most beautiful lakes in Germany. Eibsee, located at the foot of the Zugspitze, is one of our favorites because of its crystal-clear water and incredible mountain views. We also prepared a complete guide with the best lakes near Munich: 5 beautiful lakes near Munich
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen: An alpine town near the Zugspitze, perfect for hiking, winter activities and breathtaking mountain landscapes.
• Dachau: The first Nazi concentration camp in Germany. It is an important historical visit and a very reflective experience.
• Salzburg (Austria): The birthplace of Mozart and the filming location of "The Sound of Music". One of the best international day trips from Munich.
• Regensburg: A UNESCO World Heritage medieval city with a beautifully preserved historic center and charming architecture.
• Nuremberg: One of the most interesting historic cities in Germany, with a well-preserved medieval center, castle, old streets and museums related to the country's history. If you want to explore the city further, check out our complete guide: Things to do in Nuremberg
• Andechs: A famous Benedictine monastery known for the beer brewed by the monks. A true Bavarian experience combining hiking, local food and tradition.

Munich is a city that combines tradition and modernity in a unique way. You can spend the morning visiting a historic church, have lunch at a centuries-old beer hall, relax in a huge park in the afternoon and finish the day with an incredible view of the city.

Even living here, we are always discovering new places. The city completely changes with each season, and that is one of the things that makes Munich so special.

With good planning, you can enjoy the Bavarian capital in just a few days, but we guarantee: after your first visit, you will probably want to come back.