How many days in Munich is enough to get a good flavour for this city?
Well that’s a good question!
After all, if you want to allow enough time to see and do everything you have on your list for this great German destination (including potentially some day trips), but don’t want to be kicking around and wasting a day of your trip – you need to plan ahead.
Which is exactly why I’ve written this article about exactly how many days for Munich is enough, plus the perfect itinerary to match.
It’s the only guide you’ll need to have the best time in this city, so let’s get stuck in…
Related Posts
- 21 Best Things to Do in Munich
- Top 3 Germany Itineraries
- How Best to Catch the Train from Munich to Amsterdam
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
How Many Days in Munich?
Well, the first point to make is that the number of days you’ll want or need for Munich really depends on what you’re going to do there, as well as the point in the day you’ll get to / need to leave this city on your days of arrival and departure.
You’ll also want to consider your travel style – do you prefer relaxed or jampacked?! – as well as how far your accommodation is from the places you want to visit and how you plan to move around the city.
Walking or public transport are the main 2 options here and the latter can make things much quicker.
If you’re visiting for Oktoberfest for example, I’d say 4 days is probably enough for most people in Munich before they hit a wall!
But who knows, maybe the lederhosen and Maß is just really your thing and you feel you need a week!
Be my guest!
But for most of you, who are perhaps visiting Munich as part of a longer German itinerary, or on a weekend city break, then it’s likely you’ll want to enjoy some time sightseeing, eating and drinking in the city, before heading out to explore some of the great day trips around.
This is a great way to mix some city time, with exploring some of the gorgeous Bavarian countryside around Munich.
In this instance, I’d suggest 3 full days is a good length of time for your visit to Munich.
Depending on when you arrive and depart – this could mean either 3 or 4 nights in the city (i.e. if you’re arriving late on day 1 of your visit, I’d stay 4 nights to ensure to get 4 full days in Munich).
With any less than this, you’re either going to have to rush around like a lunatic, or skip a day trip out of the city, which would be a real shame, because there are some gems here, trust me!
Don’t forget to factor in the time it takes to get around Munich itself, as well as how far out your accommodation is from the centre or how many places you want to visit.
Thankfully, the city centre is pretty compact here, but for any attractions or parks that lie further out, then buses, trams (Straßenbahn), the metro (U-Bahn) or even trains (S-Bahn) are the best way to get around in this city.
Thankfully all these public transport networks are really well organised in this city.
Buying a Munich CityTourCard to get around can be a great idea if you plan to use a lot of public transport, as well as sightsee at numerous attractions.
The other option to consider for getting around the city centre at least, is a hop on hop off bus tour. Learn more and grab your tickets here.
If you’d prefer to rent a car to access areas outside of Munich, check out these great deals on rental vehicles.
Another key way to save time and cram as much into your days in Munich as possible, is to book any tours, entrance tickets or day trips you wish to make in advance.
I’ll list my recommended options as we go through this article, but it’s worth bearing in mind that tickets to some of the key attractions do sell out, especially in the key summer months between May and September.
As such, it’s buying any entrance tickets ahead of your trip can be a key way to ensure you don’t miss out, as well as a great time-saver!
And with the intro now out of the way, the rest of this post will show you have to make the most of your 3 days in Munich, including where to visit and a handy itinerary to make sure you maximise your time there.
If you only have 2 days in this city, then you’ll need to combine days 1 and 2, or skip the trip on day 3 completely, so I’ll leave that choice up to you!
Munich in 3 Days
Here’s a rough outline of my 3 day Munich itinerary, to give you an overview of how I advise spending your time.
Day 1: Arrive in Munich, check-in at your accommodation and explore the city centre around Marienplatz
Day 2: Dive more deeply into the city, including checking out parts off the main track, such as parks and non-central districts
Day 3: Day trip out of Munich to explore the fabulous countryside and castles of Bavaria
If you want more details on any of these days, just skip down to the relevant sections below.
Otherwise, it’s time to get stuck into my 3 day Munich itinerary – which I think is the perfect amount of time you need for this city.
Munich Itinerary: Day 1
So on day 1, it’s time to arrive into Munich and settle into your accommodation.
If you’re coming from a nearby area – perhaps another part of Germany, or a nearby country like Austria, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, then getting the train to Munich is a great idea.
The city’s main station is very centrally located, making it easy to access, and travelling by train is such a relaxed way to journey here… not to mention better for the environment too.
If you’re looking to book train tickets to Munich from across Europe, including France, the UK, the Netherlands, Czechia and many more, then my go-to website is Trainline.
I love how they make it super easy to compare a huge range of train journeys based on price and duration and how easy it is to pay using international currencies (GBP, USD or EUR).
Once you’ve bought tickets, you can then simply store them in the Trainline app and use the digital QR codes to get on and off trains in Germany – couldn’t be easier!
Otherwise, if you’re coming from further afield, it pays to know that Munich also has a large international airport.
As always, I use Skyscanner to find the best-priced flights, because they include budget airlines in their searches.
Booking your airport transfer ahead of your arrival, will also help you save time when you arrive.
So once you’ve arrived in Munich, it’s then time to check in (or drop your bags at your accommodation and head out to explore the city.
Check out this great list of Munich accommodation options, which includes hotels, apartments and guesthouses, otherwise, if you’re a backpacker adventuring on a shoestring, then check out these top hostels.
Start your first day in Munich in the city centre.
If you’re looking for a snack and a Bavarian cultural blast straight off the bat, then make a beeline for Victuals Market.
It’s filled with local produce, cafes, beer gardens and you’ll definitely see some people in traditional dress whizzing past on bikes!
After you’ve refuelled, head to Marienplatz, which is the centre of the tourist action, with tons of historic buildings, museums, fountains, statues and churches to see around here, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
Don’t miss The Old Town Hall, St Peter’s Church, the Juliet Capulet Statue, the Kunstarkaden Modern Art Museum or the New Town Hall with its 85m tall tower.
This 2 hour guided tour of the New Town Hall is a great option if you want to delve deeper.
And if all the sightseeing gets you a bit thirsty, then the iconic Hofbräuhaus München beer house is only a short walk away!
Dating back to the 16th century, there’s traditional Bavarian food on offer here too, which makes it a great spot for dinner as well.
Munich Itinerary: Day 2
On your second day time Munich, it’s time to see more of the key attractions and a great way to do this is via a Hop On Hop Off Bus tour.
There are 3 city routes to choose from in Munich – the City Tour, the Nymphenburg Olympic Park tour, and the Schwabing tour – and you can get on and off the bus at as many of the 16 stops and attractions you like within the timeframe designated by your ticket type.
Alternatively, you may want to take a walking tour of the city to learn more about Bavaria’s history and get a deeper understanding of what you’re seeing as you wander around, including the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.
The below are all top-rated tours that come highly recommended…
- Third Reich and World War II Private Guided Tour
- Exciting Night Watchman Walking Tour for Children
- 3.5 Hour Segway Tour
- Immersive Middle Ages Tour with Night Watchman
- Street Art Bike Tour
- 3 Hour Pedicab Tour of Old Town and English Garden
Afterwards, you’ll have the afternoon to explore further in Munich.
I really recommend the area around Max-Joseph-Platz, including the National Theatre and the lovely Hofgarten.
Don’t miss the crazy city surfers you can spot at nearby Eisbachwelle too.
The Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm, which is contained within the English Garden green space, is also worth stopping at if you’re feeling a bit parched!
Otherwise, in the other direction, the MUCA (Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art) is a must-see during your days in Munich, along with nearby Sendlinger Tor and its surrounding shopping streets, not to mention the lavish Baroque church known as Asamkirche.
Rindermarkt is also a nice square, with the beautiful Ruffinihaus building located here.
In the evening, why not head across the River Isar to east Munich – I loved this area!
Filled with amazing restaurants, independent shops and beautiful streets, not to mention super, traditional Bavarian food spots, such as Haidhauser Augustiner, it’s a winner that will get you away from the tourist crowds and into local life in this city.
If you want a local beer garden too in east Munich, then Hofbräukelle comes personally recommended!
Otherwise, if you’re visiting Munich in the summer, you can stay in the city centre instead and opt for an open air evening classical concert at Schleissheim Palace by resident soloists and members of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
Grab your tickets here.
Munich Itinerary: Day 3
And finally, on your third day in Munich, I suggest heading out of the city to take in some of the gorgeous countryside and castles that lie in the Bavarian region.
The top day trip to make from Munich is definitely to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle – said to be the inspiration behind the iconic Disney Castle, as well as the castle in the famous film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
In reality, this castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, but still has a pretty fascinating tale behind it!
Learn more about the man himself, and what inspired him to construct these fairytale-like structures, on your day trip – it’s fascinating!
Taking a guided day tour from Munich to this castle is the easiest option from the city that involves the least stress and planning. This one is a great option.
Otherwise, if you’d prefer a DIY day trip, which is possible, check out this post I wrote that gives all the details about how to enjoy this top budget choice.
Alternatively, if you’d rather not hit the castles, or you actually have 4 days to spend in Munich, then check out these great day trip alternatives from the city…
- Linderhof Palace Tour
- Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee Trip
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
- Tour to Germany’s Highest Peak: Zugspitze
- Guided Group Tour to Eagle’s Nest
- Königsee Tour by Van
Just enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!
Information will be sent to the email provided above
Mini Travel Guide to Munich
When to Visit?
I personally really recommend visiting Munich during the warmer months of the year when sightseeing and day tripping is a lot more pleasant.
June and September are great choices when it comes to balancing crowds and prices with sunshine.
The other key time of year to spend some days in Munich is during December when the Christmas markets are in full force and you might see some of beautiful Bavaria under snow.
How to Get to Munich?
If you’re travelling to Munich from elsewhere in Germany, or from a nearby country, then I highly recommend using the train to get to this city.
As always, I use Trainline, to compare journeys and my book tickets in English using GBP / USD.
Buses are also a great way to get to Munich for budget travellers. Flixbus offer unbeatable prices and operate across Europe.
You can also rent a car and drive to Munich.
Alternatively, if you’re arriving into Munich from further afield, then it pays to know there’s a large international airport on the outskirts of the city.
I recommend Skyscanner to find the best flight prices, as they include budget airlines in their search.
Where to Stay in Munich
When it comes to top Munich accommodation, check out these great options, which include hotels guesthouses, apartments and hostels.
Travel Insurance for Germany
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.
Travel Money for Germany
When it comes to paying for things in Germany, you want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise Card away with me wherever I visit Munich.
The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups, no sneaky transaction fees and a free Euros account, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card here… and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold!
Get yours here.
Where to Travel after Munich?
The beautiful Austrian city of Salzburg is not far from Munich and definitely makes a great next stop.
You can learn more about travelling there in this post I wrote.
Otherwise, Vienna and Venice are 2 other superb options.
If you want to keep things within Germany, then heading to Nuremberg, Cologne or Berlin are also good city options in this country, otherwise the beautiful Black Forest area is another great choice and can be combined with city visits to Heidelberg and Freiberg.
SAVE THIS PINTEREST!
So there you have it, my guide to how many days you should spend in Munich and what to do with them!
Have you visited this gorgeous Bavarian city before?
How many days do you recommend for visiting?
Do let me know if the comments box below…