5 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

      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. (45 minutes, free).

   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. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: White sausage

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

   4. Afternoon

      Viktualienmarkt

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

   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. (2–4 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Munich Residenz

      Buy the combined ticket for the Residenz Museum and the Treasury, and allow a full afternoon. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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. (3 hours, mid-priced).

   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

      Pick two or three sections; it is impossible to see everything in one visit. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   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. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Roast pork knuckle

      Beer halls such as the Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner taverns.

   4. Afternoon

      Olympiapark

      Go up the Olympic Tower on a clear day for the Alpine panorama, or join a guided climb across the stadium roof. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   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. Best for first-timers, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Munich

      Dinner: try Roast pork with dumplings.

5. Day 5: Alte Pinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne

   Alte Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne and Lenbachhaus, then Maxvorstadt in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Alte Pinakothek

      Visit on a Sunday, when Bavarian state galleries charge a symbolic entry fee, but expect more visitors. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Pinakothek der Moderne

      Start with the design collection in the basement, especially if you are visiting with teenagers. (2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Roast pork with dumplings

      Traditional Wirtshäuser (taverns) throughout the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Lenbachhaus

      Head straight for the Blue Rider rooms, then enjoy the villa's garden and café. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Maxvorstadt

      Student bars and pubs around Amalienstraße and Türkenstraße near the university.

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 5 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 25–31 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 4 days in Munich
• 7 days in Munich

Questions travellers ask