So, you’re planning a trip to Munich? Welcome to one of my favorite cities. With 3 days in Munich, you have enough time to marvel at the Neues Rathaus, climb up the tower of Old Peter’s Church, spot the outlandish concept vehicles at BMW Museum, and visit the amazing Neue Pinakothek. I put together this 3-day Munich itinerary to help you have the best experience.

Munich is the third-largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg filled with delicious food, incredible architectural and cultural heritage. Trust me, you won’t be short of things to do in Munich while you’re there. 3 days in Munich is a perfect amount of time to spend in one of my favorite European cities, giving you the chance to see many of the top sights and attractions and really get a feel for this iconic Bavarian city.

Of course, if you have longer, that’s even better. But three days in Munich is certainly enough to see a lot and works well either as a long weekend or as part of a longer Europe trip itinerary. To avoid museum fatigue, I didn’t put too many museums in one day. Yes, the art museums in Munich are amazing, but most people can’t handle more than two museums per day. I know I can’t!

To help you with your planning, as well as ignite your wanderlust, I’m going to share with you everything I think you need to know to spend 3 days in Munich. I’m also going to give you some tips for getting around, advice on where to stay in Munich, my thoughts on when is best to visit Munich.

Let’s dive right in!

3 Day Munich Itinerary. What To Do in Munich

This three day Munich itinerary has you hitting all the major sites and attractions in the city. Naturally, I suggest you use this as a guide, and add to or remove from it as necessary. I also suggest you check the opening times and days for each attraction.

3-Day Munich Itinerary: Day 1

1. Wander Around Marienplatz and the Old Centre

When arriving in a new place (city or country), I have a checklist of things I immediately do. One of these things is wandering the neighborhood around my hotel, soaking up the atmosphere and seeing some of the centrally located sights. I’ve developed a habit of exploring over the years of traveling. But it becomes even more pleasant when it comes to wandering around Marienplatz.

I love Marienplatz. This is the main tourist hotspot, the heart of the old town and arguably the best spot for people-watching in Munich. There are plenty of historical buildings you can admire here.

The Mariensäule is a large column that towers over the square to celebrate the end of the Swedish invasion. There’s also the Fischbrunnen, one of the oldest fountains in Munich. It is believed to have once been a place where fishmongers once stored their still living goods.

Besides the Marienplatz square, there are also courtyards you can wander through, cafes you can visit, and unique events you can view. For example, Rathaus-Glockenspiel that rings out from the imposing Gothic Neue Rathaus every day at 11 AM and 12 PM. Lasting 12-15 minutes, it is a fascinating show of old-time entertainment and a depiction of a royal wedding.

The performance attracts a lot of people, so be mindful of your belongings as it’s prime time for the pickpockets.

2. Take A Free Walking Tour of Munich

Munich is a wonderful city to explore on foot, and a free walking tour is an excellent way to do that.

Grab yourself a hearty breakfast at your hotel before venturing into Munich’s Old Town. This is where groups usually gather before going on a free walking tour. The tours offer a unique insight into the city’s turbulent past, allow to get to grip with Munich and find out where everything is.

While you can explore the area by yourself, a knowledgeable and cheery guide will let you know about the history, show the best spots in Munich, such as where to eat and where to get a coffee.

Walking tours usually last 2-2.5 hours and take you to the most popular areas of the city. It’s up to you whether to tip your tour guide or not. However, if it was a longer tour and the guide was exceptional, you should tip your guide. I usually tip around €10 to €15 depending on how well the tour went.

I have found this is the single best way to acquaint yourself with Munich on your first day. It is also a good idea to look into the free walking tours in other German cities.

3. Deutsches Museum

Set on an island in the middle of the Isar River, the Deutsches Museum contains a warehouse full of interactive displays to keep kids and adults busy for hours. From experimental airplanes and ships to musical instruments and chemistry, the Deutsches Museum has something for everyone.

The thing I loved the most about Deutsches Museum is it features interactive exhibits and live demonstrations throughout the day. You can learn the basics of astronomy or see the museum staff standing inside a Faraday cage while intense and sparking voltages are emitted.

Eat at Hofbräuhaus. The Traditional Beer Hall in Munich

If you’re a first-time Munich visitor and wondering where to eat traditional German food in Munich, the popular choice is Hofbräuhaus. Serving typical German food and liter-sized beer mugs of their own brew, this huge beer hall is all about the jolly atmosphere.

Hofbräuhaus features many rooms and areas where waiters dressed in Lederhosen sling beer mugs across tables and the Bavarian band plays traditional folk songs. Don’t miss out on trying roast pork, German beef soup, pork sausage with sauerkraut and, of course, Münchner Weisse.

3-Day Munich Itinerary: Day 2

Our second day in Munich takes in some more iconic sites including some of Munich’s most famous museums and churches. It’s quite a full day, so do feel free to edit the itinerary to suit your particular interests, pace, and needs!

4. Climb St Peter’s Church Tower for Panoramic View of Munich

For the best view in Munich, you need to visit St. Peter’s Church, or Alter Peter, just a stone’s throw away from Marienplatz. Part of city’s aesthetic charm and allure is its low skyline. In most of the city, especially the Altstadt, no building is permitted to be taller than the Frauenkirche. The city’s iconic twin-domed cathedral.

But with no dedicated observation tower situated in the city center, how to get a peek at Munich from above and catch a glimpse of the Alps in the distance? Around Marienplatz, there are a few options, including an observation deck within the city hall (Neues Rathaus). But Alter Peter’s tower offers magnificent unobstructed views.

Although it’s a steep climb and the stairway is narrow in places, it’s not as cramped as some towers I’ve climbed. There are regular landings where you can pass those coming up or down. Once at the top, you can walk all around the platform. Although keep in mind that it does get busy at times as the crowd meanders around the perimeter waiting turns to get the best photo.

5. Museum Quarter

Munich is a great city for art enthusiasts with its own art museum district. Kunstareal is home to five museums each of which focuses on a specific art period. The Alte Pinakothek details art from the 14 to the 17th century.

The Neue Pinakothek has pieces from the Impressionist period and has a number of Van Gogh paintings too! The Pinakothek der Moderne is about modern art as the name suggests.

The two remaining museums are the Glyptothek and State Collection of Antiquities that cover Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art. Depending on your interests, you can buy a combined ticket to get into all the museums at once. You can also buy a separate ticket to visit the one that you’re most interested in.

6. Visit the Englischer Garten

Munich’s English Garden is an epitome of nature’s beauty. This sprawling park is right in the city center and there are quite a few things to do here. You can do the normal thing when visiting Englischer Garten, which is to hike the trails, take in your surroundings and spend an hour or two relaxing in serene garden settings.

However, you can do more than that in the Englischer Garten. There is an artificial stream flowing through the garden. You can go surfing along a bank by the Eisbach river, or just watch other folks catching waves. The bridge over the top is a great vantage point to watch their tricks and some terrifying wipeouts.

There are also several beer gardens scattered around the park – you just need to choose. Beer gardens are popular in Germany and these ones are among the best in Munich, not to mention quintessentially Bavarian!

7. Olympiapark

Whether or not you are a serious sports fan, no trip to Munich is complete without a visit to the former home of the 1972 Summer Olympics and the FC Bayern Munich. Located in the Oberwiesenfeld neighborhood, Olympiapark serves as a concert venue and is a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors due to its numerous paths and trails.

You can stroll through the park, explore its breathtaking landscapes, boat on the lake or visit one of the summer concerts, film screenings, and events. The Olympic Tower is the highlight of Olympiapark. Climb up a tower that features a rotating restaurant inside it. The tower has an observation platform on the exterior you can stand on to get panoramic views of Munich below.

8. Church of Our Lady Munich

Munich Frauenkirche is located slightly off Marienplatz and has an interesting story behind its construction. Back in the day, building a church of this size would take many years. Think, 80 years or more, so you can imagine the surprise of the people when this particular church was completed in just 20 years.

Legend has it that the devil himself provided funds for the cathedral, giving the reason as to why it was completed so fast. He ordered the building to be built with no windows so that he could enter the house of God and celebrate the darkness while being obstructed from the light of day.

The builders and the chief architect were clever enough to design the nave with columns that blocked the side windows from view, and a large central alter piece covered the stained glass windows at the far end of Frauenkirche.

Much to his surprise, the day the church was finished he decided to survey the outcome. He took a walk to the front of the church where he discovered massive windows letting in the light.

In a fit of fury, he stamped his foot on the ground, leaving a black footprint in the back of the church. Whether you believe the story or not, it’s worth a visit to place your foot in the Teufelstritt, or Devil’s footprint. Munich Frauenkirche is one of the largest and oldest churches in the city, which features a glorious interior. Climb to the top of the tower to experience a wide view across the rooftops of Munich and on to the Bavarian Alps.

Shop and Feast at Viktualienmarkt

This is a famous farmers’ market with an open-air environment, which is very close to Marienplatz. Viktualienmarkt is ideal for anyone who loves to collect fresh produce like fruits, vegetables, spices, various cheeses, fish, meat, etc. Aside from the open-air stalls providing every imaginable type of food, there are smaller shops around the perimeter. These sell meat and sausages, including the famous Bavarian white sausage.

The Biergarten area under the chestnut trees is a good place to eat what you’ve bought in the market as a picnic, as long as you buy a drink. I also recommend trying seasonal products. Get a general idea of what’s currently in season at Viktualienmarkt, that you should look out for on restaurant menus as the most delicious.

3-Day Munich Itinerary: Day 3

On the last day of our 3 day Munich itinerary we’re heading out of the city center to take in one of Munich’s most famous Royal Palaces. I’m also including some extra sights in the city at the end if you can tear yourself away.

9. Nymphenburg Palace

Try to start your last day in Munich early by getting to breakfast at your hotel right when it starts. Then head outside and hop on the local tram for a trip to the Schloss Nymphenburg that is just outside the city center. Nymphenburg Palace is a stunning place. It served as the main summer residence of the former rulers of Bavaria, the House of Wittelsbach. It takes up a gigantic area and you’ll need a ticket to get into the grounds.

If you really want to get a glimpse into what life was like back in the 1600-1800s for prominent German families, you can get a regular ticket for €11.50 (1 April-15 October). Otherwise, you can pay €4.50 to enter the grounds and walk around for a bit. Be sure to roam around the gardens a bit and see the small palaces built around Nymphenburg like the Badenburg and the Amalienburg.

10. The Munich Residenz

If you like museums, Munich has definitely gotten you covered. Our next stop is Munich’s Residenz that stuns with both its scale and its detail. The Munich Residence was the residence over the centuries for the Wittelsbach family, therefore, you can expect the imperial opulence, frescoes, statues and marble everywhere you look.

The weekend afternoon is a perfect time to explore the Munich Residence because most of the tour groups will have left and there will be very few people wandering inside the museum. I’m not lying when I tell you that you’ll have the Residence to yourself.

Take an audio tour to see some of the highlights of its 130 rooms. There’s the magnificent Antiquarium (hall of antiquities), the Grotto courtyard with statues, the elaborately decorated Reiche Zimmer (ornate rooms) and the Schatzkammer (treasure chamber) which houses the crown jewels, precious religious jewels, and some other royal artifacts.

11. Neuschwanstein Castle

On your last day in Munich, you can also do a day trip to the nearby Neuschwanstein Castle. However, you should set aside at least most of your day (one full day preferably) because the distance between Munich and Neuschwanstein Castle is about 120km (75 miles).

Chances are that the elegant silhouette of Neuschwanstein Castle looks familiar to you because it is said to have served as Walt Disney’s inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in California. It’s also one of the most popular tourist attractions to visit in Germany and (if not in Europe!) as well with approximately 1.3 million annual visitors.

Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the 19th century and was meant to be home of Ludwig II, as well as a relaxing getaway for him near the mysterious Black Forest. You’ll find many swan figurines and artwork scattered around the castle which was put in it by Ludwig II to show purity.

You can take tours through most of the castle, like the Throne Hall and Dining Room, but be aware that photography is sometimes forbidden in certain parts. It’s also a good idea to purchase online tickets for at least 2 days in advance. I don’t recommend you wait that long to book, particularly if you want a specific time slot. Neuschwanstein Castle is a very popular spot to visit and it can become crowded very quickly.

Keep in mind, there are no direct trains from Munich to Neuschwanstein. It usually takes about 3 hours total, including the train ride from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Füssen (2 hours). Then a short bus ride from Füssen to the base of the castles (10 minutes) and finally an ascent to the castle, which you can do by foot, horse carriage, or by shuttle bus when weather is nice. Remember, all of the options will involve at least 10 minutes of walking as the buses and carriages don’t go right to the castle entrance.

Dinner at Ratskeller, München

An incredibly idyllic place to rest your weary feet after a day of exploring Munich or when you return back from a magical day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. Located underneath the Marienplatz New Town Hall, in the old beer cellars, Ratskeller is a delightful traditional German beer house.

Bratwurst and Nürnberger Rostbratwurst that comes with mashed potato salad and kraut. Try some other Bavarian culinary specialties like leberknödel, potato fritters, obatzter, and Prinzregenten cake. They serve both hot and cold appetizers, but I love to start with a small beer – a great delicious appetizer before any meal! Yes, Ratskeller isn’t cheap, but it’s an absolute must on your 3 day Munich itinerary.

Essential Travel Tips for Visiting Munich

Getting to Munich From the Airport

There are a few options for getting from Munich Airport to the city center: train, bus, and taxi. It really depends on your budget, group size, specific needs, and preferences as to which option you choose. It’s also always worth checking whether your hotel offers the airport pick up as that will save you the hassle of taking any public transport!

For me, the most straightforward is by train. From the airport arrival terminal, you go straight down into the train station and take S-Bahn commuter trains (S1 and S8 lines) which stops at Munich Main Station (Hauptbahnhof), Marienplatz, Laim and Ostbahnhof. You can buy your ticket from the ticket machine on the station platform with cash or card – the cost for a single journey is €11.20.

If you are planning to make other journeys that day you may wish to buy an Airport-City-Day-Ticket for €13. The trains depart from the airport to downtown Munich every 10 minutes and the journey is around 40 mins.

Another option is the Lufthansa Airport Bus, which runs every 15 minutes and connects Terminals 1 and 2 with Munich Central Bus Station. You can use the bus no matter what airline you fly with. Single tickets €10.50 Return €17.

How to get around Munich

Munich has a walkable old town and has an excellent public transport network. Munich has an excellent public transport network, and in particular, the underground system is really good, getting you around all the major parts of the city at minimum cost. There’s also a good bus network, as well as local trains.

For public transport, you can purchase Munich City Pass. which allow you travel around Munich for free. It also provides a large selection of price reductions and discounts on entrance fees to museums, exhibitions, sights and other attractions. These are available at train and metro stations using the ticket machines, Munich tourism offices and some hotels. Some machines accept both credit cards and cash, and can be configured for English language.

Oh, just one more thing – I discourage you from getting a taxi from Munich airport to the downtown or vice versa. You will be looking at a hefty bill of around €70 if you do!

Where to Stay in Munich

As the third-largest city in Germany, there are plenty of places to stay in Munich. You have a wide range of choice from budget hostels to more upmarket hotels. There is something for everybody depending on your budget.

One decision you have to make is where you want to stay in the city. Do you want to be near the center? Or would you prefer to be further near the Hauptbahnhof for example? By staying further out you will need to use the underground more, but it will be quieter than in the center.

I stayed at the 4You Hostel Munich, which is located near Munich Main Station. It’s a nice hostel with comfortable rooms and a bar downstairs. It is slightly outside the center though and the kitchen isn’t the biggest.

I’ve included it and a number of hostels and hotels you should consider staying at during your trip to Munich in the table below.

Top Munich Hostels and Hotels I Recommend:

1. Hotel Splendid-Dollmann
2. Hotel Laimer Hof
3. The Charles Hotel
4. Mandarin Oriental
5. Euro Youth Hostel
6. The 4You Hostel Munich

Best Time to Visit Munich

I’m actually happy to visit Munich at pretty much any time of year, and this Munich itinerary would work at any time of year. Summer brings sunshine and warmth, although, the city is a lot busier at this time of year. Therefore, if crowds aren’t your thing, you might want to skip the summer months.

I also love Fall and Spring in Munich, when the temperatures are a bit cooler and the crowds less. In the run-up to Christmas, the city is beautifully decorated. Some of the stores, in particular, are worth visiting just to see the elaborate decorations they put up. After Christmas, Munich is a lot quieter, and temperatures plummet with the average hovering around zero.

The best time to travel to Munich comes down to personal preference. However, if you want to make the most out of your visit I would recommend visiting from April to October. Just decide how busy you can handle, and if you’d prefer it to be warm or cold, and go from there!

The Bottom Line

And that’s it for our guide to spending 3 days in Munich! 3 days in Munich is about the right time to see this Bavarian city. Have you been to Munich? Did you do all of the things on my 3-day Munich itinerary? Is there anything you’d like to add? As always if you have any feedback or questions, just let me know in the comments below.

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