4 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

      Allow 45 minutes (free). Arrive ten minutes early and stand towards the back of the square near the Fischbrunnen fountain, where the view up to the tower is clearer than from under it.

   2. Late morning

      Frauenkirche

      Inside, look for the 'Devil's Footstep' imprint near the entrance and the tomb of Emperor Ludwig IV.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: White sausage

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

   4. Afternoon

      Viktualienmarkt

      Allow 1 hour (free). Build a picnic from the stalls and eat it in the beer garden, where bringing your own food is allowed.

   5. Evening

      Hofbräuhaus

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

2. Day 2: Munich Residenz and Asamkirche

   Munich Residenz, Asamkirche and St. Peter's Church tower, then Allianz Arena in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Munich Residenz

      The Treasury displays crowns and jewels, and the rococo Cuvilliés Theatre can be visited separately.

   2. Late morning

      Asamkirche

      Allow 20 minutes (free). It is easy to walk past; look for the rocky facade between the shopfronts on Sendlinger Straße.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pretzel

      Bakeries across the city, beer gardens and beer halls.

   4. Afternoon

      St. Peter's Church tower

      The platform looks straight down on Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche, and on clear, dry days with a föhn wind the Alps appear on the horizon.

   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: Odeonsplatz, Theatinerkirche and Hofgarten and Englischer Garten

   Odeonsplatz, Theatinerkirche and Hofgarten, Englischer Garten and Nymphenburg Palace, then Glockenbachviertel and Gärtnerplatz in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Odeonsplatz, Theatinerkirche and Hofgarten

      Allow 45 minutes (free). Walk from here up Ludwigstraße to the Siegestor and on into Schwabing.

   2. Late morning

      Englischer Garten

      Highlights include the Monopteros temple viewpoint, the Chinesischer Turm beer garden under a wooden pagoda and the Kleinhesseloher See lake with rowing boats. Locals sunbathe, cycle and swim in its streams in summer.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Roast pork knuckle

      Beer halls such as the Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner taverns.

   4. Afternoon

      Nymphenburg Palace

      Allow 3 hours (mid-priced). Take tram 17 from the Hauptbahnhof and walk along the canal to the palace for the classic approach.

   5. Evening

      Glockenbachviertel and Gärtnerplatz

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

   About 2–2.5 hours by train and bus each way. Getting there: Regional train to Füssen, then bus to Hohenschwangau.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Neuschwanstein Castle

      About 2–2.5 hours by train and bus (Regional train to Füssen, then bus to Hohenschwangau); about 120 km.

   2. Day

      Neuschwanstein Castle

      King Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle stands on a crag above the Pöllat gorge, with Hohenschwangau Castle below. Tours of the interior are short and timed; the view from the Marienbrücke footbridge is the classic photograph.

   3. Evening

      Back in Munich

      Dinner: try Roast pork with dumplings.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Allianz Arena before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 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 14–18 hours of visiting over 4 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
• 3 days in Munich
• 5 days in Munich
• 7 days in Munich

Questions travellers ask