A couple is hugging each other and smiling in front of Nymphenburg Palace in Munich.

Munich Guides: one day in Munich or longer

Itinerary suggestions

There is always something to discover in Munich, regardless of whether you’re staying for 4 or 24 hours, for a long weekend or even an entire week. Some suggestions.

Stopover: 4 hours

 

For visitors who only have a couple of hours, a guided tour through Munich's old town provides a glimpse into the city’s essence. The tour lasts around 90 minutes. With your official tour guide of the city of Munich you will visit the following sights, among other interesting places:

- Marienplatz (square)
- Frauenkirche (church)
- Hofbräuhaus
- Viktualienmarkt (food market)
- Residenz (palace)

Alternatively, you could visit a beer garden or café at Viktualienmarkt or in Hofgarten park. Afterwards, discover Munich's noble Maximilianstraße with its international luxury labels.

Short trip: 1 day

 

In the morning, take a guided tour through Munich's old town (90 minutes), covering various attractions including Marienplatz (square), Frauenkirche (church), Hofbräuhaus, Viktualienmarkt (market) and Residenz (palace). Afterwards, discover Munich's noble Maximilianstraße with its international luxury labels.

After that, you could visit Schloss Nymphenburg. The palace complex with its magnificent park ranks among the largest Baroque palaces in Germany. Several other sights can be visited around the main palace:

- park palaces Amalienburg, Pagodenburg and Badenburg
- Marstallmuseum
- Nmphenburg Porcelain Manufactory
- Botanical Gardens

Tip: When the weather is fine, a gondola ride down the Nymphenburg canal in an original Venetian gondola is an unforgettable experience.

 

Weekend: 2 days

 

Take a guided tour through Munich's old town (90 minutes). After that, take a peek behind the scenes of the Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) during a Backstagetour (75 min.). If the weather is fine we recommend to go for a walk in the Englischer Garten (English Garden), where you can watch the Eisbach surfers.

In the afternoon, you could visit Schloss Nymphenburg, the former summer residence of the Wittelsbacher family (duration including travel: around 3 hours). Alternatively, the Kunstareal with its world-renowned museums can be visited. Later on, attending a performance at the Bayerische Staatsoper (3 hours) would be a nice ending.

On the second day, pay a visit to the Allianz Arena (approx. 75 minutes). Follow this with a visit to BMW Welt (BMW World) or take a beer-themed tour, including a trip to a brewery (90 minutes).

Video: A bird's eye view of Munich

Experience Munich: 4 days    

 

Day 1: Take a bus tour to Munich’s highlights. Follow this up with a trip to the Olympic Park and take a breath-taking climbing tour over the canopy roof on the Olympic Stadium (120 min.). In case of bad weather, you could visit the BMW Welt and/or the BMW Museum. In the evening, enjoy Broadway feeling when attending a musical at the Deutsches Theater.

Day 2: Visit Schloss Nymphenburg with its famous Schönenheitengalerie (Gallery of Beauties) and porcelain manufactory. In the afternoon, take a tour of Allianz Arena, Munich’s football temple (approx. 75 minutes). Afterwards, join a beer-themed tour and follow it up with a beer tasting.

Day 3: Take a tour of the old town including a visit to Munich’s most important churches and the Glockenspiel on Marienplatz (square). For lunch, the Viktualienmarkt with its beer garden is an ideal place to enjoy a traditional Bavarian Brotzeit. In the afternoon, you could visit Munich’s Residenz palace or you book a backstage tour at the Bayerische Staatsoper. And if you have acquired a taste for it, why not attend a performance at the Bayerische Staatsoper in the evening.

Day 4: Start the day with a tour of the Kunstareal and discover internationally known museums. Everyone who is interested in technology and science visits the Deutsches Museum. After that, take a break at the Englischer Garten and enjoy beer gardens (Chinesischer Turm or Seehaus), the Eisbach wave, lakes and a well-tended lawn.
Alternatively, enjoy a day trip to Munich's surrounding area and discover Neuschwanstein, Linderhof or Herrenchiemsee, the castles of the fairy-tale king Ludwig II.

Enjoy Munich: 1 week

 

Day 1: Go on a cycling tour of Munich’s highlights (2.5 hours). In the afternoon, you could visit the Pinakothek der Moderne (Pinakothek Museum of Modern Art) which houses four big museums under one roof (2 hours). In the evening, enjoy Broadway feeling when attending a musical at the Deutsches Theater.

Day 2: Visit Schloss Nymphenburg with its famous Schönenheitengalerie (Gallery of Beauties) and porcelain manufactory. In the afternoon, take a tour of Allianz Arena, Munich’s football temple (approx. 75 minutes). Afterwards, join a beer-themed tour and follow it up with a beer tasting.

Day 3: Take a tour of the old town including a visit to Munich’s most important churches and the Glockenspiel on Marienplatz (square). For lunch, the Viktualienmarkt with its beer garden is an ideal place to enjoy a traditional Bavarian Brotzeit. In the afternoon, you could visit Munich’s Residenz palace or you book a backstage tour at the Bayerische Staatsoper. And if you have acquired a taste for it, why not attend a performance at the Bayerische Staatsoper in the evening.

Day 4: Enjoy a day trip to Munich's surrounding area and discover Neuschwanstein, Linderhof or Herrenchiemsee, the castles of the fairy-tale king Ludwig II.

Day 5: Spend the morning visiting Museum Brandhorst, an architectural masterpiece with a colourful façade made out of 36,000 ceramic rods. The collection focuses on classical modern art. Next up, visit the ancient sculptures in the nearby Staatliche Antikensammlung. Enjoy a snack at the café surrounded by Grecian-like ambience. In the afternoon, visit the Olympic Park and take a breath-taking climbing tour over the canopy roof at the Olympic Stadium (120 min.). In case of bad weather, you could visit the BMW Welt (BMW World) and/or the BMW Museum. Then attend an evening performance by the multi-award-winning Münchner Kammerspiele (theatre).

Day 6: Take a trip to Starnberger See (Lake Starnberg) with a boat tour to Buchheim Museum in Bernried, which boasts an impressive collection of German expressionist art.

Day 7: Spend the morning at the Alte Pinakothek museum, which is home to world-famous masterpieces by artists from Dürer to Rubens (duration: 2.5 hours). After that, take a break at the Englischer Garten and enjoy beer gardens (Chinesischer Turm or Seehaus), the Eisbach wave, lakes and a well-tended lawn. Everyone who is interested discovers the city park during a carriage ride.

 

 

Text: München Tourismus; Photo: Christian Kasper; Illustration: Julia Pfaller; Video: Redline Enterprises
A child points to a screen in an exhibition about bees at the Natural History Museum.

Munich Guides

Great activities for families

Munich is one of the most popular destinations with children. These are our suggestions for families at any time of year and in any weather!

Munich is one of the most popular destinations with children. These are our suggestions for families at any time of year and in any weather!

A young woman is smiling at English Garden in Munich.

Itinerary suggestions

Sustainable visit and more in Munich

Discover Munich consciously and mindfully and make a contribution to a sustainable future.

Discover Munich consciously and mindfully and make a contribution to a sustainable future. Our suggestions for a sustainable visit to Munich.

A couple is sitting on a picnic blanket at Nymphenburg Schlosspark in Munich on a sunny day in autumn.

Suggestions for your stay

Great activities for nature lovers

Numerous parks, beautiful lakes in the surrounding area, many excursions into the countryside. Our tips for nature lovers.

Numerous parks, beautiful lakes in the surrounding area, many excursions into the countryside - here are some great activities for nature lovers.

A couple is watching the sunset at the Olympiapark in Munich.

Romantic Places in Munich

Munich for lovers: 20 tips

Discover the most romantic places in Munich and have a lovely time together. 

Love is no solo; love is a duet! We’ve put together 20 tips for partners and budding lovers. Discover the most romantic places in Munich and have a lovely time together.

The Nymphenburg Palace Canal and Nymphenburg Palace against a cloudy sky

Munich in the rain

Good ideas for bad weather

Inclement weather lures visitors to museums and cafés. And it provides a nice opportunity to discover other thrilling places.

Inclement weather lures visitors to museums and cafés. And it provides a nice opportunity to discover other thrilling places. Some tips for rainy days in Munich.

A dog barks in a meadow on the Isar in Munich

Suggestions for your stay

Munich with your dog

Would you like to take your dog with you on your trip to Munich? The city is very dog-friendly with its extensive parks and many green spaces. All the important information and tips can be found here.

Would you like to take your dog with you on your trip to Munich? The city is very dog-friendly with its extensive parks and many green spaces. All the important information and tips can be found here.

A woman is pulling her suitcase at the airport in Munich.

Luggage Storage in Munich

Luggage Storage Tips

Munich is a popular destination for travellers from all over the world. Here, you can store your suitcases and bags safely.

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is a favourite travel destination for guests from all over the world. Here, you can store your suitcases and bags safely.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.