Munich is in the south-east of Germany, right in the heart of Bavaria, and is a gorgeous place to visit any time of the year.
A long weekend, or three nights/four days is the perfect amount of time to sample what Munich has to offer. There’s a lot to do and see in the city, and if you’re wondering what to do in Munich when you arrive, then check out my itinerary below!
Day 1 – Walk around the old town area
One of the must-sees in Munich is the old town area. You can easily spend all day wandering around and taking in all the sights!
Breakfast
- Grab a pretzal at any bakery for a traditional bavarian breakfast.
Morning Sightseeing
- Asamkirche – This incredible church is a Baroque masterpiece, and is definitely worth a visit. There is so much detail that you could spend a good hour drinking in everything around you!
- Marienplatz – The central square of Munich, here you can find the iconic Rathaus Glockspiel, St Peter’s Church, and more stunning architecture.
- Rathaus Glockspiel – The famous Glockenspiel at the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) puts on a show at 11am, 12pm, and 5pm every day, and it’s worth the effort to try and catch one.
- St Peter’s Church – You can head up to the top of St. Peter’s Church and take in a view of the city from the tower. It only costs €5, and the tower is open from 9am – 6:30pm November-March, and 9am-7:30pm April-October.
- Wolfsbrunnen – The beautiful ‘Wolf’s’ fountain sits in a small square with a couple of benches, so you can take a break while admiring the surroundings.
Afternoon Sightseeing
- Bavarian State Opera House – Even if you don’t have the time to watch an Opera performance, the Bavarian State Opera House is still an incredible building to take a tour through. For €10 you can take an english-speaking tour between 10am-6pm Monday to Friday and learn more about the architecture and history behind the 350-year old theatre.
- Frauenkirche – Another of Munich’s most famous landmarks, take a detour and check out the incredible Frauenkirche. For a panoramic view of the city, entrance to the south tower is €7.50, and the opening times are 10am-5pm Monday – Saturday, and 11:30am-5pm on Sundays.
- Michaelskirche – Michaelskirche is another beautiful church known for its Renaissance architecture, and should be added to your tour list!
Dinner
- For some hearty Bavarian food, head to the Augustiner am Dom, and dine on pork knuckle in beer gravy, a side of red cabbage, and potato salad. Treat yourself to Kaiserschmarrn à la Augustiner am Dom for dessert, served with almonds and applesauce. It’s very popular, so make a reservation before you go!
Evening Sightseeing
- Midnightbazar – For a unique shopping experience, try ending your day at the Midnightbazar, where vendors set up stalls after dark and sell everything vintage, second-hand and handmade. Grab a drink and hunt down a bargain!
Day 2 – Museum and gardens
Breakfast
- Try the Munich Weißwurst at Weisses Bräuhaus im Tal, or a “Sturdy Sepp”, a crisp pretzel-bread topped with browned slices of meatloaf and a fried egg. If you’re lucky, you can listen to an oom-pah band alongside your breakfast!
Morning Sightseeing
- Alte Pinakothek – This museum is home to a significant Old Master collection, and if you’re a fan of culture, simply can’t be missed. Tickets only cost €9 and the museum is open daily from 10am-6pm.
- The English Garden – Take a leisurely walk through beautiful surroundings and grab a beer at the Mini-Hofbräuhaus beer garden. Make sure not to miss the Monopteros and the Chinese Tower on your way through.
Afternoon Sightseeing
- Residenz Munchen & Hofgarten – The Residenz München is the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs, and therefore, not surprisingly, an incredibly beautiful place to explore. Tickets are €10, and the palace is open daily from 9am-6pm 23 March – 20 October, and 10am-5pm 21 October – 22 March. The adjoining Renaissance-style Hofgarten is just as impressive.
Dinner
- Enjoy even more Bavarian food at Augustiner Klosterwirt. Try the beef broth pancake soup with parsley, followed by the pork knuckle with two sausages, potato dumpling, sauerkraut, and red cabbage. Finish off with an apple strudel served with ice cream. Make sure to make a reservation!
Day 3 – Zoo
Breakfast
- Rustle up some breakfast at the Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s famous outdoor market. The stalls offer a variety of fresh produce, baked goods, and local delicacies, so it won’t be hard to fill up!
Morning/Afternoon Sightseeing
- Hellabrun Zoo – Spend the day at Hellabrun Zoo, one of the oldest in the world. The natural setting is beautiful, and it’s easy to spend the whole day here watching the animals.
Dinner
- Head to Andy’s Krablergarten for a BIG dinner. Their famous schnitzel is huge, and served with potato salad or fries. Try to sit out in the beer garden if you can.
Day 4 – Olympic Park
Breakfast
- For something a big lighter, grab a pastry and coffee at French Touch Pâtisserie. It’s seriously good.
Morning/Early Afternoon Sightseeing
- Olympic Park Tower – For amazing panoramic views over Munich (if you haven’t had your fill of them yet!) head to the Olympic Park and up the Olympic Park Tower. Tickets cost €13 and opening hours are between 9am-11pm.
- City Tour Bus – To make sure you don’t miss out on any of Munich’s top attractions and landmarks, hop on a city tour bus for a fun afternoon. There are three routes available, so make sure you get on the right bus. Tickets cost €29 if you buy on the bus, or €25.90 if you buy online beforehand.
Where to stay in Munich
We stayed in the Buddy Hotel, which was just on the outskirts of the old town of Munich. The room was a good size, with a modern shower and decor, and priced at around €125 a night.
How to get from Munich airport into town
The S1 and S8 S-Bahn lines connect the airport to the Munich city center at 10-minute intervals. The S1 travels via the west of the city and the S8 via the east. The trip to the main railway station at the city center takes approx. 40 minutes.
You can purchase an Airport-City-Day-Ticket at the airport which covers you from Zones M-5 (which includes the airport) from the moment you purchase it to 6am the next day. It costs €15.50, and is validated from the moment of purchase.
How to use public transport in Munich
Public transport tickets cover the four main modes of travel in Munich; the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, Tram, and Bus. They can be purchased at ticket machines in U-Bahn and S-Bahn stops, on buses and trams, and also online.
The easiest thing to do is purchase a Single Day Ticket, valid within zone M (which covers the entire Munich City area), and costing €9.20. It lasts until 6am the next day, and will need to be stamped on its first use.
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