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Munich is a distinctly Bavarian city, with grand palaces, leafy gardens, and, of course, legendary beer halls.

Living in Frankfurt means that Munich is only a three-hour train ride away for me.

It’s an easy getaway when I'm craving a change of scenery — and what a change it is.

PERSONALLY, I LOVE MUNICH’S SOPHISTICATED CHARM AND OUTSTANDING SHOPPING.

Spending just two days in Munich gives you enough time to experience the historic heart of the city, enjoy its world-class museums, and embrace Bavarian traditions.

Here’s how to plan the perfect Munich 2 days itinerary.

2 Days in Munich, The Beautiful Bavarian Capital

Top Experiences in Munich

Planning your trip to Munich? Here are my FAVORITE experiences for a memorable visit to Munich.

🔍 Discovery | Learn more about your destination

🤝 Connection | Meet locals, learn a craft, and trade stories

🎭 Performance | Immerse yourself in the local art and culture

Opera at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz

🚌 Excursion | Explore nearby places of interest

🚀 Adventure | Seek thrill and excitement in the great outdoors

Zugspitze, Germany's Highest Mountain, Day Tour from Munich

Curious how to find the best experiences no matter what destination you visit?
Download my Europe Experience Planner now!

When to Visit Munich

The best times to visit Munich are spring, from April to June, and autumn, in September and October.

In spring, flowers bloom across the city’s parks, while fall brings Oktoberfest, the world’s most famous beer festival.

Summer can be lovely too, but it often comes with high tourist numbers.

IF YOU DON’T MIND THE COLD, DECEMBER IS MAGICAL THANKS TO MUNICH’S CHRISTMAS MARKETS.

The quietest (and cheapest) time to visit is January and February, when the city is chilly but uncrowded.

How to Get Around Munich

Munich is a highly walkable city, especially the compact Old Town.

But when you want to cover more ground, the U-Bahn (subway) and S-Bahn (commuter trains) are fast and efficient.

A day ticket, or Tageskarte, gives you unlimited rides on public transportation, which makes hopping between museums, neighborhoods, and beer gardens simple.

TAXIS AND RIDESHARES ARE AVAILABLE, BUT YOU’LL RARELY NEED THEM.

Where to Stay in Munich

The Bavarian capital has no shortage of places to stay, but here are three standout options depending on your budget:

Rosewood Munich – The new luxury entry in the city, with elegant interiors and a prime location near the Residenz.
25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian – A playful, design-forward hotel right by the main train station. Great for a fun, central base.
wombat’s City Hostel – A social, budget-friendly option with clean dorms and private rooms available.

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Day 1 – Munich’s Historic Core and Bavarian Beer Halls

Morning: Marienplatz and Old Town Churches

Start your Munich adventure at Marienplatz, the city’s central square since 1158.

This is where civic life has unfolded for centuries, and today it’s framed by Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

If you time it right, you’ll catch the Glockenspiel at the New Town Hall, a whimsical mechanical show with jousting knights and dancing figures that tells stories from Munich’s past.

FROM THERE, DISCOVER THE CITY’S RELIGIOUS PAST THROUGH ITS MAIN CHURCHES.

Munich has a long history as a stronghold of Catholicism in Bavaria, and it still shapes the city’s traditions and festivals today.

START AT FRAUENKIRCHE, MUNICH’S ICONIC TWIN-DOMED CATHEDRAL.

Built in the 15th century, it’s a defining landmark of the skyline and the seat of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising.

Detour to the tiny yet dramatic Asamkirche, a jewel of Baroque design built by the Asam brothers as their private chapel.

For sweeping views of the city, climb the tower at St. Peter’s Church, the oldest parish church in Munich.

Afternoon: Viktualienmarkt, Munich Residenz, and Museums

Stop by Munich’s open-air food market, Viktualienmarkt, for lunch.

Dating to 1807, the Viktualienmarkt has more than 100 stalls selling everything from Bavarian cheeses to seasonal flowers.

It’s both a place for locals to shop and a cultural landmark where you can taste Munich’s culinary traditions.

AFTER A SHORT BITE, TOUR THE MUNICH RESIDENZ, THE FORMER ROYAL PALACE OF THE WITTELSBACH DYNASTY.

Once the seat of Bavarian power, its gilded halls and courtyards illustrate how Bavaria’s rulers lived their lives and displayed their fortune.

Don’t miss nearby Odeonsplatz, a grand square modeled after Italian piazzas.

Here you’ll find the ornate Theatine Church and the Feldherrnhalle, built as a tribute to Bavarian generals.

IN THE AFTERNOON, CHOOSE ONE MUSEUM THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR INTERESTS:

Deutsches Museum – Founded in 1903, it’s the world’s largest museum of science and technology, with interactive exhibits that make innovation tangible.
Pinakothek museums – This trio of museums covers European art from the Old Masters (Alte Pinakothek) to modern works (Pinakothek der Moderne), perfect for art lovers.
BMW Museum & BMW Welt – Showcasing one of Germany’s most famous exports, this museum is part design showcase and part car enthusiast’s dream. The Museum, a paid attraction, is generally considered of a higher caliber than the free-entry BMW Welt.

Evening: Dinner and Beer at Hofbräuhaus

End your day at the Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s most famous beer hall.

Founded in 1589 by Duke Wilhelm V as a court brewery, it later opened to the public and became a gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

Order a traditional Weißwurst, a veal sausage with sweet mustard, a hearty Schweinshaxe, or pork knuckle, or Obatzda, a spiced cheese spread, alongside a Maß of beer.

IF YOU CAN, SIT IN THE MAIN HALL NEAR THE BAND.

The live “oompah” music adds to the atmosphere.

Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends.

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Day 2 – Palaces, Gardens, and Bavarian Leisure

Morning: Tour Nymphenburg Palace

Begin your second day at Nymphenburg Palace, the Baroque summer residence of Bavaria’s rulers.

Construction began in 1664 to celebrate the birth of an heir to the Wittelsbach dynasty, and successive generations expanded it into one of Europe’s grandest palaces.

INSIDE, FRESCOED HALLS AND MIRRORED GALLERIES SHOWCASE ROYAL TASTES.

Outside, the gardens, modeled first on Versailles, later adapted into an English landscape style, feature ornate fountains and smaller palaces like the rococo Amalienburg hunting lodge.

Afternoon: Explore the English Garden

AFTER THE PALACE, HEAD TO THE ENGLISH GARDEN, ONE OF THE LARGEST URBAN PARKS IN EUROPE.

Commissioned in 1789 by Prince Elector Karl Theodor, it was one of the first public parks designed for recreation rather than royal use.

Today it stretches more than 900 acres, blending wooded paths with sweeping lawns.

Stop by the Eisbachwelle, a unique standing wave where surfers ride year-round, then enjoy a beer at the Chinesischer Turm beer garden, named for its whimsical wooden pagoda built in 1790.

Evening: Optional Neighborhood Walk or Casual Dinner

For your final evening, keep it flexible.

RETURN TO THE OLD TOWN FOR A CASUAL DINNER, OR WANDER MUNICH’S SCHWABING NEIGHBORHOOD.

In the 19th century, Schwabing became the city’s bohemian quarter, attracting artists and intellectuals.

It’s a reputation still held today thanks to its cozy cafés, galleries, and nightlife.

If You Have an Extra Day: Take a Day Trip from Munich

If your schedule allows, Munich is perfectly placed for day trips:

Neuschwanstein Castle – Commissioned by King Ludwig II in the late 19th century, this “fairytale” castle in the Bavarian Alps inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Tickets should be booked well in advance.
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial – Opened in 1965, the memorial preserves the site of the first Nazi concentration camp, offering a sobering place for reflection.
Zugspitze – Germany’s highest mountain (2,962 meters), accessible by cogwheel train and cable car. On a clear day, you can see across four countries.