3-Day Munich Itinerary

The beautiful thing about visiting cities like Munich is getting carried away by its energy and vitality. There are many attractions to see, and in three days, you inevitably have to make some sacrifices. However, it is perfectly suited for a weekend trip, and by optimizing your time, you can also visit the nearby Neuschwanstein Castle. Here are all our tips for organizing a 3-Day Munich Itinerary!

Consider purchasing a card: to save on the cost of individual attractions or transport, we recommend buying the Munich City Card. Prices start at €14.50. Learn more

First time in Munich? Let yourself be guided: for an initial approach to the city, we recommend a panoramic bus tour, to spot the landmarks and learn stories and anecdotes.

Start this first day at Marienplatz, the heart of the old town (Get directions). Completely surrounded by beautiful buildings and rich in numerous local spots, this square is also the centerpiece of festivities: during Christmas, it hosts famous markets, in summer there are numerous festivals and events.

Stop to admire the Neues Rathaus, or the new town hall in neo-Gothic style, with a tall central tower. It is one of the most beautiful attractions in Munich, and here, at 11:00, 12:00, and 17:00 (the latter only in summer), it reenacts with mechanical figures the traditional coopers' dance to ward off the plague and a wedding that took place exactly in the square in 1568.

Visiting time: 30 min

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Start your morning at Cafe Glockenspiel: located in Marienplatz with a view of the Neues Rathaus. Enjoy a coffee at the outdoor tables while admiring the Rathaus-Glockenspiel, the 1908 clock/carillon with moving figurines. But be careful, the carillon show is at 11:00 and 12:00 (from March to October also at 17:00). Get directions

To reach this stop: 1 min on foot (Get directions).

Right behind the square, in less than a minute on foot, you'll find Peterskirche, also known as St. Peter's Church.

It is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city and houses a wonderful Baroque fresco on the ceiling, painted by Johann Baptist Zimmermann. It definitely deserves a quick visit!

Visiting time: 30 min

To reach this stop: 5 min on foot (Get directions).

In addition to Peterskirche, just a few steps from Marienplatz, you can find Frauenkirche, or the Munich Cathedral.

This building, the most important in the city, dates back to the 1400s and is in Gothic style. Its history is tied to a legend, according to which the two builders bet with the devil that they could build a Church without windows. To testify to this, inside it is said that the "devil's footprint" (a distinct footprint on a tile) is imprinted. Try to find it!

Visiting time: 30 min

Find the brother of the Florence Piglet: Florence has its famous Piglet Fountain, here in Munich you will find Sitzender Keiler, a statue representing a wild boar very similar to the one in Florence, in the same position. Touch its snout for luck! Get directions

To reach this stop: 7 min on foot (Get directions).

After visiting the Cathedral, head to the Residenz München, or the Royal Palace of Munich. It is just a 7 min walk from Frauenkirche.

The Residenz München is one of the most beautiful and incredible places in the city. It is also one of the most loved places by tourists, and you will understand why once you enter. The palace was built in the 1400s and was the home of the Wittelsbach dynasty. Unfortunately, it was damaged during World War II. Dedicate the rest of the morning to it: the complex consists of 10 courtyards and 3 main buildings, but make sure not to miss the Ahnengalerie, one of the most photographed places in all of Munich!

Visiting time: 2 hours See also: Visit to the Munich Residence: hours, prices, and tips

Enjoy the beauty of Odeonsplatz: it is the square near the Residenz München, the site where the Nazi coup began. Also stop to admire the marvelous Feldherrnhalle, a small loggia inspired by the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence! Get directions

To reach this stop: 10 min on foot (Get directions).

After visiting the Residenz München, it will be around lunchtime. Then head into the Englisher Garten, the first public park in Germany, opened in the late 1700s. The park starts just behind the palace, and the southern entrance is just a few steps away.

Enjoy a walk along the park's paths, stop for lunch at one of the many outdoor beer gardens, and reach the so-called Japanische Teehaus, a Japanese-style structure donated by the Tokyo government to Munich for the 1972 Olympics. Then don't forget to visit the Monopteros im Englischen Garten, one of the most photographed monuments in Munich. It is a small building located on a hill that resembles a Greek temple, from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the surroundings. Finally, a must-stop at the monument honoring members of the anti-Nazi resistance, a black cubic statue with the inscription Zum Erinnern Zum Gedenken, meaning "to remember to commemorate."

Visiting time: 1.5 hours

Surf lovers come together: surfing is surely an activity you wouldn't expect to do in Munich, but it's possible here thanks to the Eisbach wave, located in the southern part of the park. Here, in summer, you can also swim and sunbathe. Get directions

To reach this stop: 20 min on foot (Get directions).

Finally, after exploring the southern part of the Englischer Garten, head to Kunstareal, or the museum district, full of culture and history. You can reach it from the park in about 20 minutes on foot. Once admired, also stop to enjoy Königsplatz, the beautiful square surrounded by neoclassical buildings.

Here, dedicate the rest of the afternoon to visiting a museum; we recommend choosing between the Alte Pinakothek, one of the oldest and most famous galleries in the world, dedicated to ancient art, with paintings from German, Italian, Dutch, and Flemish schools.

Visiting time: 2 hours

Spend the evening in the Schwabing district: the artists' neighborhood, first lit with electricity by Hermann Einstein, father of Nobel laureate Albert Einstein. Schwabing is known for its beer gardens and nightlife venues to spend the evening.

Start this second day at one of the most visited museums in Germany: the BMW Museum (Get directions). It is located in the northern part of the city and can be reached via U2 or U3 subway lines, with the reference stop being Olympiazentrum.

This museum allows you to discover the evolution of one of the most famous industries in the world. The BMW Museum is definitely one of the must-see attractions in the city, even if you are not particularly interested in cars. Here, you can see how this brand expanded worldwide and admire exhibits of cars, airplanes, engines, turbos, and motorcycles. Dedicate a large part of the morning to it.

Visiting time: 2 hours

Don't miss the BMW World Shop: it is not just a store, but a true experience! Here, in addition to purchasing products, clothing, and BMW gadgets, you can also try some driving simulators and admire the new car models on the market. Get directions

To reach this stop: 5 min on foot (Get directions).

After visiting the BMW Museum, it will be late morning. So, head to the nearby Olympiapark, the park built for the 1972 Olympics. You can easily reach it on foot.

The Olympiapark is more than just a park; it's a true citadel, with stadiums, gyms, a lake, and countless outdoor activities. We definitely recommend going up the Olympiaturm, the Olympic tower, from whose top you can enjoy a spectacular view of Munich and the surrounding Alps.

Visiting time: 2 hours

Climb the Olympiastadion: if you love adrenaline and aren't afraid of heights, in summer, it's possible to climb the roof of the Olympiastadion! You will be provided with the right equipment and accompanied by a guide in a truly incredible experience. For all information, check the official website.

To reach this stop: 30 min by bus (Get directions).

If you haven't decided to spend the whole afternoon at Olympiapark, visit Nymphenburg Castle, one of the most beautiful royal complexes in Germany. From Olympiapark, you only need to reach the Olympiazentrum subway station, take line U3 to Moosach (6 min), and take bus line 51 to Schloss Nymphenburg (15 min).

The Nymphenburg Castle is definitely one of the must-sees in Munich. Initially it began as the summer residence of the Bavarian rulers, but over the centuries it became a true testament to the wealth of the royal family. The complex is divided into several parts: you can visit the Central Palace, the actual castle, and the Marstallmuseum with the most beautiful carriages of the Bavarian sovereigns and a collection of porcelain. If you want to visit the whole complex, you can purchase a combined ticket.

Visiting time: 3 hours See also: Visit to Nymphenburg Castle: how to get there, prices, and tips

Dive into Bavarian nightlife: and dine at Hofbräuhaus München, one of the seven historic breweries in the city and one of the oldest in Germany, which now also houses a restaurant serving traditional dishes. Given its popularity, we recommend making a reservation! You can also participate in a night tour with beer and local food, discovering the best breweries in the city. For an unconventional experience, you can also take part in a night round tour of Munich.

Last day in Munich, we recommend dedicating it to an excursion in the surroundings. But not just any destination, rather to one of the most famous castles in the world: the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle (Get directions). It is located about 120 km from Munich, about two hours by car, but we recommend joining a guided tour from Munich, with included transport that also includes a stop at Hohenschwangau Castle. This is one of the most popular activities, so make sure to book in advance to secure a spot, especially if you're visiting on the weekend.

If you move independently, once you leave the car in the designated parking lot, you will have various options to reach the castle. The first is to walk, following an uphill path that takes about 30 minutes. You can also take a horse-drawn carriage: the starting point is the Hotel Müller in Hohenschwangau, and the cost of the experience is €7.00. Lastly, there's the shuttle bus (€2.50), which will drop you about 10 min on foot from the castle.

Built at the behest of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, it is certainly one of the most beautiful castles in Germany, as well as being one of the most famous in the world. The castle sits at nearly 1,000 m above sea level, on a rocky outcrop overlooking the entire landscape. Truly a unique sight!

Visiting time: 3 hours See also: Visit to Neuschwanstein Castle: how to get there, prices, and tips

If you're going independently: and decide not to participate in the guided tour from Munich, we recommend including a visit to the Füssen Museum, located within the Abbey of St. Magnus (entrance €6.00). Here you can admire an ancient collection of musical instruments (Füssen is indeed the ancient city of luthiers), a sumptuous library, and the famous "Dance of Death" by painter Jacob Hiebeler.

To reach this stop: 2 min by car (Get directions).

Another stop of the guided tour is Hohenschwangau Castle, definitely less famous than Neuschwanstein Castle, but certainly one of the most beautiful in Bavaria. The two castles are just over 2 km apart.

Hohenschwangau Castle is also known as the Castle of Youth, because King Ludwig II of Bavaria spent many years of his youth here. Inside, you can't miss the Hall of Heroes, the most beautiful room in the palace. Moreover, the setting is truly unique as the castle sits on a hill overlooking the entire area!

Visiting time: 2 hours See also: Excursions from Munich

Conclude the trip with a special dinner: for this last evening, we recommend dining at Spatenhaus at the opera, one of Munich's most elegant restaurants, with paintings and frescoes, serving traditional Bavarian dishes. Book in advance and request a table by the window so you can admire the splendid city Opera House. Here, you'll be just steps away from numerous spots to spend the evening.

Munich is an expensive city, or rather, it is on par with major German cities that have a very high standard of living. If you are arriving from Northern Italy, you may also reach it by car; alternatively, there are numerous direct flights (compare flights).

Once you arrive, the Altstadt is the best neighborhood to stay, especially for a 3-day stay, but it is also the most expensive. To save money, you can look in the districts of Sendling-Westpark and Schwabing (map of the neighborhoods here). For visiting, you will need to move on foot or by public transport: mostly walking in the historic center, and by transport to reach the more distant attractions (daily ticket from €6.70). Alternatively, we recommend the panoramic bus. If you do not have a car, we recommend participating in guided tours from Munich, transport included.

Let's take a look at the costs of a weekend in Munich: