Munich has been on our list for a long time, and this year we’re finally spending two and a half days exploring the city before flying home. We’re arriving from Heidelberg by train and staying at the Hilton Munich City Center, which gives us excellent access to the Old Town, the museums, and the S-Bahn for day trips. With only one full day in Munich, we wanted a schedule that was efficient, logical, and included the most important sights. This is the itinerary we put together to make the most of our time, we will see how it goes and what we re able to actually see once we get there.

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Day 1: Arrival from Heidelberg + Old Town Walk

We arrive in Munich around midday, check into our hotel, and head straight into the Old Town. This afternoon walk gives us an excellent overview of the historic center and lets us see many of Munich’s most iconic sites with very little backtracking.

Marienplatz

The central square of Munich and the heart of the Old Town. It’s been the city’s gathering place since the 12th century.

New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)

A grand neo-Gothic masterpiece that dominates Marienplatz with its ornate façade and towers.

Glockenspiel

The famous chiming clock on the New Town Hall. It tells stories from Munich’s history with moving figures.
Winter showtimes: 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM daily.

Münchner Kindl

The small monk figure symbolizing Munich, visible throughout the Old Town.

Old Town Hall

A restored medieval building marking the eastern edge of Marienplatz.

St. Peter’s Church (Alter Peter)

Munich’s oldest church. Visitors can climb the tower for wonderful views of the city.

Viktualienmarkt

An open-air market filled with produce, cheese, bakeries, and Bavarian specialties. It has a lively, classic Munich atmosphere.

The Maypole

The large blue and white pole in Viktualienmarkt decorated with depictions of traditional Bavarian trades.

Schrannenhalle

A modern indoor market hall with food counters and specialty shops.

Asam Church

A small Baroque church with an exquisite, ornate interior one of the gems of Old Town.

Kaufingerstraße

Munich’s busiest pedestrian street with shops, cafés, and historic buildings.

St. Michael’s Church

A Renaissance church known for its grand barrel vaulted ceiling.

Frauenkirche

Munich’s iconic twin domed cathedral and one of Bavaria’s most recognizable landmarks.

Dallmayr Delicatessen

A historic gourmet food shop offering chocolates, pastries, and regional specialties.

Platzl Square

A charming cobblestone square lined with traditional Bavarian restaurants.

Hofbräuhaus

Munich’s legendary 16th century beer hall, known for music, beer, and hearty Bavarian dishes.

Evening:
We’ll choose between Hofbräuhaus or Augustiner Bräustuben for dinner and enjoy a stroll around the Old Town as the buildings light up at dusk.

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Day 2: Dachau, the Residenz, and Munich’s Royal Quarter

This is our one full day in Munich, and we’re dividing it between history and royal architecture.

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

Founded in 1933, Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp. Today it serves as a memorial and museum with extensive exhibits, original structures, and preserved grounds. It’s a powerful and important visit, and we’re planning about three and a half hours including transportation.

Lunch

We’ll return to the city and grab lunch at Viktualienmarkt, Dallmayr, or a nearby brewery.

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Afternoon: The Munich Residenz and Surrounding Sights

Munich Residenz

The former palace of the Bavarian kings and one of the largest urban palaces in Europe. Room after room displays frescoes, gilded decoration, and centuries of history.

Residenz Treasury

A collection of crowns, jewels, and sacred objects from the royal family.

Hofgarten

A peaceful Baroque garden behind the Residenz with a central pavilion and shaded pathways.

Odeonsplatz

One of Munich’s most beautiful squares, surrounded by Italian inspired architecture and historic monuments.

Theatinerkirche

A bright yellow Baroque church with a beautiful white interior.

Fünf Höfe

A set of modern courtyards with art installations, cafés, and upscale shops a nice contrast to the historic buildings around it.

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Late Afternoon: Nazi Documentation Center

Located at Munich’s former Nazi Party headquarters, this museum explains how National Socialism rose to power and the role Munich played in its early years. It pairs meaningfully with the morning visit to Dachau.

Evening:
Dinner at Paulaner Brewery, Augustiner-Keller (if open), or back in the Old Town.

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Day 3: Light Sightseeing + Departure

Our flight leaves at 5:00 PM, so we have the morning free for relaxed sightseeing and anything we didn’t have time for earlier.

Pinakothek Museums

A group of three large art museums ranging from Old Masters to modern design.

The Deutsches Museum

A huge science and technology museum easy to enjoy even with a short visit.

English Garden

A beautiful, expansive city park with walking paths and the famous Eisbach surfing wave.

Justice Palace

A quick and often overlooked stop with a stunning glass domed interior.

Viktualienmarkt

Perfect for snacks or a few gifts before heading to the airport.

Read More about Photo Spots we want to visit in Munich and our Munich Checklist