3 days in Munich

Day by day

1. Day 1: Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus and Frauenkirche

   Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus, Frauenkirche and Viktualienmarkt, then Hofbräuhaus in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus

      Munich's central square has been the heart of the city since the Middle Ages.

   2. Late morning

      Frauenkirche

      Stand on the Devil's Footstep at the entrance; from that spot, the side windows are hidden by the pillars, as the legend describes.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: White sausage

      Traditional taverns and beer halls in the Altstadt, usually only in the morning.

   4. Afternoon

      Viktualienmarkt

      Munich's main open-air food market has been trading next to Marienplatz since 1807, with stalls of produce, cheese, sausages, flowers and honey around a tall painted maypole.

   5. Evening

      Hofbräuhaus

      Look for the regulars' tables (Stammtisch) marked with signs; don't sit there unless invited.

2. Day 2: Englischer Garten and Munich Residenz

   Englischer Garten, Munich Residenz and Nymphenburg Palace, then Allianz Arena in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Englischer Garten

      Rent a bike to cover the length of the park, stopping at the Chinesischer Turm for a beer and pretzel.

   2. Late morning

      Munich Residenz

      The former royal palace of the Wittelsbach rulers is one of Germany's largest palaces, with more than 100 rooms open to visitors, including the Renaissance Antiquarium hall.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pretzel

      Bakeries across the city, beer gardens and beer halls.

   4. Afternoon

      Nymphenburg Palace

      Take tram 17 from the Hauptbahnhof and walk along the canal to the palace for the classic approach.

   5. Evening

      Allianz Arena

      Book a tour on a non-match day, or watch the arena light up from the U6 station after dark.

3. Day 3: Deutsches Museum and BMW Welt and BMW Museum

   Deutsches Museum, BMW Welt and BMW Museum and Olympiapark, then Glockenbachviertel and Gärtnerplatz in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Deutsches Museum

      On an island in the Isar, this is one of the world's largest museums of science and technology, with aircraft, ships, mining tunnels, early computers and hands-on exhibits for children.

   2. Late morning

      BMW Welt and BMW Museum

      Visit BMW Welt for free, then decide whether the museum interests you; combine with the Olympiapark next door.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Roast pork knuckle

      Beer halls such as the Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner taverns.

   4. Afternoon

      Olympiapark

      Built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, the park is known for its sweeping tent-like acrylic roofs over the stadium and arenas.

   5. Evening

      Glockenbachviertel and Gärtnerplatz

      Cocktail bars, wine bars and the centre of the city's LGBTQ+ nightlife.

Before you go

• Allianz Arena: Tours and match tickets sell out; book through the official club site well in advance.

If it rains

• Swap in Alte Pinakothek (Maxvorstadt): Visit on a Sunday, when Bavarian state galleries charge a symbolic entry fee, but expect more visitors.
• Swap in Pinakothek der Moderne (Maxvorstadt): Start with the design collection in the basement, especially if you are visiting with teenagers.
• Swap in Lenbachhaus (Maxvorstadt): Head straight for the Blue Rider rooms, then enjoy the villa's garden and café.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Altstadt keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Maxvorstadt ($$$) suits culture, solo travellers, budget and food lovers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 19–25 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.4 hours in December to 16 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Munich
• 2 days in Munich
• 4 days in Munich
• 5 days in Munich
• 7 days in Munich

Questions travellers ask