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Munich, the largest city in southern Germany, is home to a beautiful historic old town, stunning parks and gardens, impressive palaces and museums, and of course, plenty of opportunities to enjoy Bavarian food and drink!
After visiting Munich ourselves, I’ve put together this three-day itinerary covering a mix of must-dos and lesser-known activities. And, I’ll admit it right now, more beer gardens than is medically advised.
Three Days in Munich: Itinerary Overview
A quick note: Opening days and times of attractions are always subject to change, so double-check before your visit.
Day One
Sights of Munich’s old town / Altstadt
Lunch at Viktualienmarkt
University
Augustiner-Keller and / or Servus Heidi
Day Two
Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens
Hirschgarten
Olympiapark and BMW Museum
Wirtshaus in der Au
Werksviertel-Mitte
Day Three
Traditional breakfast
Munich Residence & Hofgarten
English Garden
Old town at night
You can Also Watch Our Munich Video Itinerary
Munich Three-Day Itinerary Map
>>> Grab our free map of things to do in Munich in 3 days <<<
Where to Stay in Munich
Accommodation (Where We Stayed)
Design- und Kunsthotel München // A clean and modern hotel just a few minutes walk from Central Station and Munich’s Old Town. Rated 9/10 on Booking.com.
3 Days in Munich Itinerary
Day One in Munich
Munich’s Old town
St Peter’s Tower
Spend your first full day exploring Munich’s Old Town (Altstadt).
I’d recommend starting with St Peter’s Tower. The 300 steps to the top are a bit of a slog, but totally worth it for the panoramic views over Munich. When we arrived, not long after 9 am, there weren’t many people there, but I can imagine the stairs wouldn’t be much fun if it gets crowded.
Tip // An easier viewpoint to access in this area is the tower at the New Town Hall on Marienplatz, where you can take a lift up to the viewing platform.
Marienplatz and the Glockenspeil Show
Marienplatz is the centuries-old main square in Munich and home to landmarks like the New Town Hall, the Old Town Hall (which now houses a toy museum), Mary’s Column, and the Fish Fountain.
It’s also where you can watch the Glockenspiel show at 11 AM or 12 PM, with an extra 5 PM performance from March to October. The mechanical clock comes to life with moving figurines, re-enacting scenes from Munich’s history. Nothing mind-blowing, but worth a watch while you’re there.
Pretty much everyone and their mum stops in the square to see it, so once you’ve watched it yourself, you might want to steer clear when the show is on, unless you fancy squeezing through the crowds.
Right by Marienplatz is the Juliet statue from Munich’s partner city, Verona, which supposedly will bring you good luck if you touch it — no prizes for guessing where!
Viktualienmarkt
If you enjoy food markets, there’s a great one right in the heart of the old town! With a history spanning over 200 years and more than 100 stalls, the Viktualienmarkt offers a variety of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and local delicacies.
At the market there’s a beer garden shaded by chestnut trees. Grab something from one of the stalls, pick up a beer and find a seat. Or, if you prefer table service, look for a table with a cloth. We enjoyed a pretzel with a couple of refreshing beers. If you fancy drinking from a giant stein but want something lighter you could order a radler, which is half beer, half lemonade.
Heilig-Geist-Kirche
At the edge of the market is the beautifully airy Gothic hall church, originally belonging to the Hospice of the Holy Ghost in the 1300s.
It’s not the only church worth seeing in the old town, and I’ll point out a couple more that are well worth a look next.
Asamkirche
Asamkirche is a tiny 18th-century church that’s easy to miss, but its interior is incredibly detailed and ornate. It was built as a private chapel by the Asam brothers, and they really went all out!
Frauenkirche
Of course, there’s also the Frauenkirche. This is one of Munich’s most famous landmarks, with its 99-metre-high twin domes making it the tallest building in the city centre. It’s free to go inside, but you can also head up the south tower for a small fee. You’ll probably see people staring at a footprint on the floor, which is said to have been left by the Devil stamping his foot in anger.
Orlando di Lasso Statue turned Michael Jackson Shrine!
While exploring the old town, you might come across a statue of composer Orlando de Lasso, which, for some reason, has been turned into a shrine to Michael Jackson. (I know, I was confused too!)
Odeonsplatz & Viscardigasse
Odeonsplatz is a large square bordered by the Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshalls’ Hall), where people were once forced to give a Nazi salute as they passed. However, locals who opposed the Nazis resisted by quietly avoiding the site, taking a nearby alley known as Viscardigasse instead. This alley is now marked with golden cobblestones to honour their silent act of defiance.
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Wunden der Erinnerung (Wounds of Memory)
Leaving the old town, the university is about a 10-minute walk away. As you pass the library, you’ll notice visible damage on the wall from World War II, preserved as a reminder of the past.
White Rose Leaflets and Exhibition
Just outside the university, look down and you’ll spot pamphlets embedded in the ground, paying tribute to the White Rose movement, a brave group of student rebels who stood up against the Nazis.
Inside, there’s a small free exhibition where you can learn more about them: how they protested, what happened to those who were caught, and how the world reacted.
A Third Reich & WWII walking tour is available if you would like to learn more about this dark chapter in Munich’s history.
Dinner Suggestion
Munich has no shortage of great places to eat. For your first day, I’d suggest Servus Heidi, which offers a modern twist on Bavarian cuisine.
It’s also not too far from Augustiner-Keller, a traditional beer garden that’s highly praised for its beautiful setting and excellent beer. You could stop by before or after dinner for a stein or two. And if you arrive and don’t feel like leaving, they serve food as well.
Day Two in Munich
Nymphenburg Palace & Gardens
For today I would suggest buying a day ticket that covers travel within Zone M. For one person, buy a single day ticket, or for 2-5 people, buy a group day ticket.
Tickets are available at ticket machines in U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, and bus stations, as well as via the MVV mobile app .
Take a tram ride from Hauptbahnhof (Central Station, or wherever is most convenient for you) to Schloss Nymphenburg.
This Baroque palace was the Bavarian monarchy’s luxurious summer retreat. Commissioned in the 17th century, it was expanded and embellished over time, evolving into the grand estate it is today.
You can pay to visit the palace and museums, or, do what we did and just wander the fairytale gardens for free. If you want to do everything, set aside at least half a day, but even just a walk through the vast gardens can take a couple of hours! There are plenty of benches along the way, so pack a brunch picnic and make the most of it.
Hirschgarten
For lunch visit Hirschgarten, the largest beer garden in Munich. In fact, supposedly they are the largest in the world, seating over 8,000 people! It’s set in a lovely park where you’ll spot fallow deer, and the menu’s full of proper Bavarian classics.
You can either take the tram or go by foot. Either way, you’ll be there in around 20 minutes.
Olympiapark & BMW Welt
Use your day ticket again to travel to Olympiapark.
Olympiapark was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics. We had planned to visit but changed our minds and later regretted it. Here are some things you could do at Olympiapark:
- Head up the Olympic Tower for panoramic views over the city. Supposedly you can even see the Alps on a clear day!
- Wander around the park’s green spaces, lakes and walking trails
- Take a look at the Olympic Stadium, known for its distinctive tent-like roof.
- Visit SEA Life Munich
- Pop into the free BMW Welt to check out some cars and displays, or head next door to the BMW Museum (ticketed) for a deeper dive into the brand’s history, complete with vintage models and classic designs.
Dinner suggestion
For dinner I’m going to suggest my favourite restaurant of the trip —Wirtshaus in der Au. This Bavarian restaurant is known for its dumplings. Try the dumpling trio!
If, for some unfathomable reason, you don’t like dumplings, Andy’s Krablergarten has solid reviews. Diners praise its extensive menu of massive, plate-filling schnitzels, all served at good value.
Werksviertel-Mitte
If you’re after a fun spot for a drink, head to Werksviertel-Mitte. This former industrial area has been transformed into a vibrant hub full of street art, bars, and creative spaces. Have a wander, check out the murals, and stop for a cocktail or something to eat. You can even hop on the Hi-Sky Ferris wheel if that’s your thing!
Day Three in Munich
Breakfast, Bavaria-style!
Kick off your day with a traditional Bavarian breakfast of white sausage, pretzel, sweet mustard, and wheat beer. Just remember to peel off the sausage skin as it’s chewy and not meant to be eaten.
If that feels like a bit much first thing in the morning, don’t worry. You can order this breakfast anytime before noon.
We went to a popular spot in the old town called Weisses Bräuhaus im Tal. Even without a reservation, the place was big enough that we only waited a few minutes for a table.
Munich Residenz
At the edge of the old town is the Munich Residenz, a palace built for Bavarian royalty. This is the largest city palace in Germany and we thought it was well worth going inside, even if the outside didn’t look too exciting. Take your time exploring the grand halls and lavishly furnished rooms. For us the highlight was probably walking through the antiquarium, which used to be a dining hall and is now lined with antiques.
A few things to know about visiting Munich Residenz:
- You can visit just the Residenz Museum OR buy a combination ticket that also includes the Treasury and Cuvilliés Theatre.
- You can easily spend half a day there if you do buy the combination ticket.
- You can buy your tickets online or queue up to buy them in person.
- An audio guide is included with your ticket although there are also guided tours available if you prefer.
- You also can’t take a backpack or large bag into the Residenz but they do have a free cloakroom.
Average visit duration: 2-4 hours, depending on what ticket you purchase
Admission: Residenz Museum = €10, Combination ticket = €15-20
Hofgarten
After exploring Munich Residenz, take a walk around the flower-filled Hofgarten right next door. You might catch some live music in the pavilion, but even if not, it’s still a lovely spot for a short stroll or to sit on a bench and rest your legs.
English Garden
From Hofgarten walk just north of the old town to the English Garden, one of the largest city parks in the world.
Here are some things you could do:
- Take in the view from the Monopteros
- Stroll along the river
- Rent a pedal boat
- Watch the daring surfers take on Munich’s river wave.
- Unwind at the lively Chinese Tower Beer Garden or the peaceful lakeside Seehaus Beer Garden. Both are great spots for dinner or just a drink.
Remember, you can find all the sights mentioned in this itinerary on our free Munich map!
Enjoy the Old town at Night
The historic centre takes on a whole new charm after dark, with its beautiful buildings illuminated and the lively atmosphere of the squares. It’s a lovely time to wander through the streets, enjoy the evening lights, and maybe even stop at a café or bar for a nightcap.
On our final evening we visited Hofbräuhaus, probably the most well-known beer hall in Munich. We’d read very mixed opinions on whether to go: some saying it’s fun and others saying it’s too much of a tourist trap, but given how famous it is we decided we wanted to try it. This vibrant beer hall has live music and a buzzing atmosphere, and while it definitely is touristy, we were tourists and we did think it was a fun spot to enjoy a beer, listen to the music and chat with other visitors.
Other Things To Do In Munich
Three days isn’t enough to see and do everything in Munich, but here are a few other sights and attractions you may want to check out.
- Deutsches Museum // A massive museum dedicated to science and technology
- Pinakothek Art Museums // A trio of world-renowned art museums for culture lovers: Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, and Pinakothek der Modern
- Umschreibung // Stairway to heaven sculpture
- NS-Dokumentationszentrum // A museum covering the history of National Socialism, its impact, and the atrocities committed during the Nazi era.
Day Trips from Munich
If you have more than three days in Munich, then it does make a great base for day trips because of its location and transport options. Here are a few suggestions:
- Salzburg // A gorgeous Austrian city surrounded by the Alps and famous for Mozart and The Sound of Music.
- Neuschwanstein Castle // A fairy-tale castle nestled in the Bavarian Alps, said to have inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.
- Nuremberg // A historic city known for its medieval architecture, WWII history, and Christmas market.
- Dachau // A sobering but important visit to the site of the first Nazi concentration camp, just outside Munich.
- Eagle’s Nest // A dramatic mountain retreat perched high above Berchtesgaden, offering stunning views and WWII history.
- Tegernsee // A picturesque lake town surrounded by mountains, ideal for relaxing walks and boat rides.
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