This guide shares all you need to know to see Munich in one day, from what to do, where to eat, and how to get around.
Munich is best known for its Bavarian tradition, World War II history and many interesting landmarks. It’s also home to a pretty impressive beer culture and one of the world’s most epic festivals: Oktoberfest.
That and the city’s beauty makes it one of the best places to visit in Germany, if not Europe. Although significantly smaller, I personally find it much more beautiful than Berlin.
And although there’s lots to see, Munich’s walkability and excellent public transportation makes it more than possible to soak up the best of Germany’s Bavarian capital in just 24 hours.
So without further ado, here’s how to spend one perfect day in Munich, if I do say so myself!
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Best Time to Visit Munich
After living in Germany for 3.5 years, I’ve found the weather consistently mild year-round. The summers can be sunny and warm but usually aren’t sweltering. Spring and autumn can be chilly but pleasant for walking, although rainy.
The fall also brings Oktoberfest prices and crowds, held annually at the end of September. If you wish to visit but have no interest in the beer fest, I highly recommend avoiding Munich like the plague during this time.
Winter in Munich brings cold weather and sometimes snow. But, it also means endless Christmas cheer as market stalls serve Gluhwein and goodies.
How to Get Around Munich
Although Munich is a fairly big city, it’s very walkable and easy to get between the city center attractions. Public transportation and taxis are also a convenient way to reach the popular things to do in Munich outside downtown.
Here’s how to get around Munich:
- Munich Metro (U-Bahn) & Tram: Munich has 8 underground metro lines and 13 tram lines across the city.
- Above Ground Train (S-Bahn): German S-Bahn trains operate above ground that passengers can ride in conjunction with the metro.
- Munich City Bus: Not my preferred way to get around, but another option with extensive routes.
- Taxis: Uber works in Munich but FreeNow is more widely used in Germany.
- Munich Hop-on Hop-off Bus: Another convenient option for a one day visit with routes to Munich’s major attractions and audio guides along the way.
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Public Transportation Tickets in Munich
You can look up the routes for all public transportation in Munich’s MVV-App.
Tickets must be purchased and then validated by using a stamp machine located on the metro platforms before getting on. They can be purchased online or at ticket machines. Online tickets usually don’t need to be validated.
You can buy single-journey or day tickets for unlimited travel around the city. Single tickets allow for transfer to multiple modes of transportation, usually within an hour’s timeframe.
The CityTourCard Munich is another option, which offers unlimited travel on supported public transportation plus discounts to participating Munich museums, shops, and attractions. You can order it online and pick up it up from the S-Bahn Customer Service Centers at the airport or central station.
When coming from the Munich airport, lines S1 and S8 on the S-Bahn take you to the city center.
Where to Stay in Munich
If you decide to spend one night in Munich too, here are some of the best places to stay! But be warned, Munich ain’t cheap.
$ Hotel MIO by AMANO is a reasonably priced, modern hotel in the heart of Munich, making it perfect for a one day visit.
$$ Unsöld’s Factory Hotel features attractive industrial design elements in a quiet corner of the city about a 10-minute walk from the Munich Residenz.
$$$ 25hours Hotel München The Royal Bavarian offers upscale accommodation within walking distance of Munich’s central train station and has an onsite fitness center and a bar.
$$$$ Sofitel Munich Bayerpost is a five-star hotel in a palatial building conveniently located to the central train station and downtown.
Hostel Wombat’s City Hostel Munich Hauptbahnhof is often considered one of Munich’s best hostels thanks to its central location, social atmosphere (hello onsite bar), and cozy community areas that make it easy to make friends.
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Best Things to Do with One Day in Munich
This may be an unpopular opinion, but after visiting Munich three times, you really only need one or two days to see the best of Munich. The city isn’t as big as you may think, and the very best can be seen in a day if desired.
Here’s how I recommend spending one day in Munich, ordered as an itinerary.
Stop 1: Nymphenburg Palace or Munich Residenz
There are two noteworthy palaces in Munich to consider visiting: Nymphenburg Palace and Munich Residenz. I recommend choosing just one to visit so you have time to see the city’s other main attractions and beat the crowds.
Nymphenburg Palace
The Nymphenburg Palace is the more popular of the two, and is located about 35 minutes from downtown via tram or metro, plus a short walk from the stop.
It was once the residence of Bavarian royalty and features green gardens and beautiful baroque architecture. It’s often considered one of the best palaces in Germany.
Entry to Nymphenburg is €15 in the summer and €12 during the off-season.
Munich Residenz
The Munich Residenz is the largest city palace in the nation and is also exceptionally beautiful. Dating back to 1385, the grounds have undergone much change, reflected in the mix of Renaissance, rococo, and other architectural styles.
It’s an excellent option for those wanting a quicker and more low-key palace experience. There are multiple ticket options to access different exhibits, but the combo ticket for the treasury and the main interior costs €14.
Stop 2: Marvel at the Marienplatz
The Marienplatz is the main city square in Munich and likely what you envision or see when you Google Munich.
From the square, you can see iconic landmarks that include the Frauenkirche (cathedral), the Mariensäul (column statue), and the Neues Rathaus (new town hall). There is a main metro stop here plus shops and restaurants.
Stop 3: Climb the Tower of St. Peter’s Church
A few yards away from the Marienplatz is St. Peter’s Church, the oldest church in Munich. The church features an observation deck, which, in my opinion, offers the best view of Marienplatz compared to the lookout tower at the Neues Rathaus (because from St. Peter’s, you can actually see the Neues Rathaus!)
Entry to the tower requires a stair climb and can be found outside the church. Tickets to the tower cost €5, the church is free.
Stop 4: See the Glockenspiel Gothic Town Hall
The famous Rathaus Glockenspiel was added to Munich’s New Town Hall in 1908. This large clock features life-sized moving figures (much like a cuckoo clock) that reenact historical moments in Bavaria.
The Glockenspiel plays every day at 11:00 am and noon no matter the season, plus 5:00 pm between the peak months of March and October. Crowds form in the Marienplatz to watch the Glockenspiel, so be prepared!
As mentioned above, the Neues Rathaus has an observation deck that costs €6 and has an elevator to the top.
Stop 5: Lunch at the English Garden
If your day is on schedule (and the weather is nice), I recommend having lunch at the English Garden after seeing the Glockenspiel.
The English Garden is a large, lush park on the outskirts of downtown. The park features the unique experience of witnessing year-round river surfing (Eisbachwell) on the Eisbach River. You can even jump in and try yourself if you’re a skilled surfer!
After your stroll, head to the epic Chinese Tower Biergarten, which has over 7,000 seats. Here you can enjoy a liter of beer (they serve light, dark, or radlers) and grab lunch from the multiple stalls serving classic German dishes.
I highly recommend trying käsespetlze (German “mac n cheese”) or dishes like currywurst, giant pretzels, potato salad, roast chicken, schnitzel, and more.
Stop 6: Odeonsplatz & Theatine Church
Odeonsplatz is a beautiful square in Munich lined with very regal buildings. The square hosts notable landmarks like the Feldherrnhalle (covered exterior gallery), Munich Residenz (city palace), and Hofgarten (gardens).
While there, it’s worth stepping into the Theatine Church right off the square. I think it’s prettier than the more famous Munich cathedral, the Frauenkirche.
If you see the Munich Residenz instead of the Nymphenburg Palace, move this to the morning after your visit.
Stop 7: Shop at Viktualienmarkt and Wander Downtown
One of my favorite ways to experience a new place is to wander around and visit some local stores! Munich has many excellent souvenir shops downtown where you can pick up nifty gifts from Germany, like steins, postcards, sweatshirts, etc.
But one particularly noteworthy spot to shop in Munich is the Viktualienmarkt. It’s a historic market where you’ll see various stalls selling fresh produce, souvenirs, hot food, beer, and more.
The Viktualienmarkt is usually open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, with some stalls closed all day Monday.
If you’re tired of walking around, this may be a great time to relax at a cafe or beer garden. Or if you’re up for more exploring, there’s plenty more to see in Munich, which I share below.
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Stop 8: Have Dinner at the Hofbrauhaus
If you’re not sick of German food, you must, must, must eat at the Hofbrauhaus, which is arguably one of the most famous things to do in Munich and even one of the world’s most famous pubs.
With its towering ceilings, old-school paintings, and live traditional music, it offers a classic German experience and pretty good food, too (I recommend the roasted chicken!).
If you’re not keen on eating German again, you should at least stop by for a beer or a quick walk-through to check the place out. There’s also a nice gift shop in the Hofbrauhaus selling Hofbräu brewery items.
More Things to Do in Munich
If you’re a quick mover and have more time or are curious about what else to do in Munich—I gotchu!
Here are even more noteworthy Munich attractions to consider:
- Karlsplatz: Another famous city square best known for the Karlstor, a medieval gate that once acted as an entry to the old city.
- Frauenkirche Cathedral: Munich’s iconic cathedral known for its two towers (one with an observation deck) and legendary Devil’s footprint preserved in marble.
- Toy Museum Munich: A fun museum dedicated to antique toys in Munich’s Gothic Old Town Hall that dates back to the 14th century.
- BMW Museum: Car lovers and those interested in our industrial past should consider checking out this museum, which has vintage models on display and exhibitions dedicated to the automobile industry.
- Allianz Arena: Soccer fans should make time for a tour of FC Bayern’s Allianz Arena or even a game if you’re visiting during soccer season.
- Olympiapark München: This massive park was the site of the 1972 Summer Olympics, and today, it is a sprawling place where you can tour the historic stadium, enjoy events and live music, and an aquarium.
- Guided WWII Tour: World War buffs should check out the various guided walking tours that share historical facts about Munich and Germany’s part in WWII.
- Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial: About an hour train ride from Munich is the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. Here you can learn about the atrocities committed by Germany upon Jewish people and other minorities during WWII. I honestly don’t recommend a visit here if you only have one day in Munich but thought I’d share for those interested in learning more.
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Best Places to Eat in Munich
If the above places to eat don’t interest you, Munich is home to plenty of other hot spots, especially when it comes to beer gardens and pubs!
- Augustiner Keller: A famous beer garden serving up Augistiner beer and Bavarian dishes.
- Löwenbräu Keller: Another famous Munich beer hall dedicated to Löwenbräu brews.
- Guido Al Duomo: A yummy Italian restaurant with terrace seating right next to the cathedral.
- DO & CO Bistro: Upscale dining serving a variety of classic European dishes.
- Cinnamood: A chain serving up unique cinnamon roll flavors that is popular with locals.
- La Burrita: A relaxed spot serving California-style Mexican.
- Madam Chutney: A hip and modern spot for Indian food.
There you have it – how to spend 1 day in Munich! Share any questions or comments below!
