Three days in Munich: Ultimate Travel Guide

If you have an express trip to Munich, for work or for a stopover before your next flight, you can take advantage of this complete travel itinerary to get to know this wonderful city. In this guide we leave you the most iconic places that you should know in the city, from parks, museums, breweries, and restaurants. To learn about local culture in the most important places near to the best hotels in Munich. So, don't worry if you only have three days in Munich, with this detailed itinerary you will discover the best of the city in a short time.

Table of contents:

Travel itinerary in Munich by day

Day 1: Exploring through the center of the city

On your first day in Munich, we recommend exploring the old town and visiting some of the most famous spots in the center of the city. You can go to Marienplatz and visit the most famous square in the city. Finding interesting details in the architecture like the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), an imposing neo-Gothic building, and the famous Glockenspiel (a mechanical clock with life‑size moving figures) with a very imposing presence.

If you want to get there by subway from Hauptbahnhof central station, you can take line U5 (direction Neuperlach Süd) or line U2 (direction Messestadt Ost). Both lines will take you directly to Marienplatz station, just below the square.

Viktualienmarkt Market

This is an open-air market that offers a wide variety of foods typical of Bavarian culture in a lively atmosphere. There you can try delicacies such as pretzel or weisswurst (white sausage), accompanied by a fresh beer or local soda. Surrounded by a historical place where farmers offered fresh products and cereals to citizens. Currently, it is 22,000 square meters, and more than 140 vendors sell fruits, flowers, cheese, and other colorful products. To get there you can do it from the Marienplatz metro station (lines U3 and U6).

The Frauenkirche church

This is one of the main tourist attractions in the city because it is a Gothic style temple built between 1468 and 1488. There you can see the city from the towers, and on clear days you can see the mountainous area of the Alps called Alpenvorland. Keep in mind that the journey is a little demanding, but we assure you that the view is worth it, especially if you only have three days in Munich. Another interesting fact about this church is that there is a mark on the ground known as Teufelstritt or the devil's footprint. But it is an ideal place to appreciate the calm and aura of reflection that attracts so many tourists.

To get there you must stand on Marienplatz, walk east along Weißgerberstraße, just after crossing the Viktualienmarkt.

Traditional Bavarian dishes to try in this day trip 1

There are many dishes that you should try on your trip to Munich. Especially when you’re in a hurry and just need something to eat faster, or want to have a snack while you’re planning other things to do in Munich. So, write down this list in your itinerary, and get ready to try these popular street foods in Munich for a weekend:

• Pretzel (Brezn): Delicious salty bread in the shape of a bow, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Weisswurst: White sausages made of beef and pork, seasoned with parsley and lemon.
• Schweinshaxe: Roasted pork knuckle, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served with potatoes.
• Käsespätzle: Bavarian pasta with melted cheese, crispy onion and accompanied by salad.
• Kartoffelsalat: Potato salad, typical of Bavaria, based on vinegar, onion, and oil.

Nightlife in Munich

To enjoy Munich for a weekend you have to go out and know their nightlife. There you can find an active cultural circuit from bars and beer gardens such as the Hofbräuhaus, to techno clubs and cocktail bars in the SchwabenQuellen neighborhood. If you are a music lover you can enjoy live concerts and DJ sets in legendary places like P1 Club or Backstage. But if you're looking for a more relaxed experience, wine bars and biergarten (beer gardens) may be your ideal option to enjoy three days in Munich.

Day 2: Discovering the cultural proposals of Munich

If you are a lover of culture and local artistic expressions, we invite you to visit the different museums in the city, such as:

Alte Pinakothek: This museum located near the Königsplatz metro station (line U2), has an extensive collection of European art from the Middle Ages to Rococo. If you would like to visit the oldest art collections in Europe, you are going to be surprised by works of artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Pinakothek der Moderne: But, if you are passionate about contemporary art, you definitely won't want to miss this museum on Barer Str. 40. It’s part of the Pinakothek Triangle in Munich, so you can organize your morning to visit all these museums. The best way to get there is by metro line U2 (direction Dürrenpark or Sendlinger Tor) to Königsplatz station.

However, if you would like to visit historic landmarks for a weekend, we recommend visiting the Nymphenburg Palace the most important palace in Germany built between 1664 and 1679. Its ornamental gardens are an oasis for locals, and the palace and internal castles feature architecture that invites you to enjoy nature even from inside.

To get there you can take tram 17 from central Munich at Hauptbahnhof train station to the Schloss Nymphenburg stop. The trip takes about 20-30 minutes. Or you can go using the subway line U1 to Gern station.

Local culture, festivals, and events in Munich

Another thing you can't miss on a Munich weekend trip is checking out the events and festivals that coincide with your visit. The good thing about German celebrations is that almost all festivities involve food and drink to not forget the medieval culture. You will find celebrations such as Oktoberfest (late September-early October), one of the largest beer events in the world, on Theresienwiese at the southwest of the city center. There you will enjoy typical Bavarian food, craft beers, and a very contagious festive atmosphere typical of this side of the world.

However, if you are a lover of good art you cannot miss the Munich Opera Festival in the summer. During this festival, the Bayerische Staatsoper theater offers presentations by the most important national and international performers of recent times. But if you visit the city in December, the Christmas season turns Marienplatz square into the Christkindlmarkt Christmas market. Where you can try specialties such as glühwein (mulled wine) and lebkuchen (gingerbread).

Day 3: Day trips and outdoor activities

Recommended excursions to do in one day in Munich

For the third day of this Munich weekend trip, we recommend walking through the parks, gardens, and green spaces of the city. Taking a day trip to enjoy the outdoor activities near Munich.

• Neuschwanstein Castle: This is one of the most famous in Europe, and it's just two hours by train from Munich. It’s believed that it inspired Disney's castle, because it’s surrounded by forests and mountains straight out of fairy tales. Also, you have panoramic views of the Hohenschwangau Valley, the Bavarian Alps and Lake Alpsee.

  To get there from the train at the main Munich Hauptbahnhof station, a two-hour trip to Füssen station. To finally take a bus in Füssen, and travel 15 minutes to Hohenschwangau.

• Dachau Memorial: This memorial is located in a former Nazi concentration camp, in conjunction with the Dachau Museum. These spaces contain exhibitions about the history of the concentration camp, the living conditions, and testimonies about the liberation of the camp in 1945. It is located north of Munich, and you can get there by taking the S Bahn train line S2 at the München station. Hauptbahnhof, to Dachau station in approximately 30 minutes.

Parks and recreation in Munich for a weekend

Englischer Garten: This is a very popular urban park with locals and takes up much of the city. It’s ideal for a picnic or renting a bicycle to explore it. Taking photographs in iconic places like the Chinesischer Turm and enjoying a drink in these novel landscapes. If you’re planning three days in Munich, the Englischer Garten is a must-see stop. For sports enthusiasts, you can watch the surfers on the Eisbach River that runs through the park, where a stream allows surfers to practice all year round.

The Englischer Garten is located between the city center and the Olympiapark. You can arrive by public transport U-Bahn using the metro line U5 or U6 and get off at the Universität station.

Practical Tips: Transportation options in Munich

In Munich, public transportation is very reliable, and you have several easy-to use options depending on your route. On the one hand, we have the U-Bahn metro, with 10 lines that connect the city from end to end from 4:00 AM to 01:00 AM. On the other hand, the suburban S-Bahn trains connect Munich with nearby cities and towns, which are useful for traveling to the airport or Nymphenburg Palace, Olympiapark, and Dachau.

There are also 13 tram lines in the center of Munich and 80 bus lines, but it is also a cyclist-friendly city. You can rent a bicycle from one of the many rental points and apps such as Lime, Nextbike, MVG Rad, and Donkey Republic.

Tips for planning a Munich weekend trip

There are several things you should consider when planning a visit to Munich for a weekend, like the climate. Remember that the city has cold winters and warm summers. So if you travel in winter, make sure you bring warm clothes; but we recommend visiting the city in spring and fall to enjoy the city without the summer crowds.

Another detail is that German is the official language, but many people speak English in tourist areas. If you don’t speak English, it shouldn’t be a major issue. However, outside the city, it’s helpful to use translator apps and bilingual dictionaries to understand your surroundings.

Conclusions

If you think that a Munich weekend trip is not enough to discover the best of this fascinating city, you are wrong. You can maximize your time by planning your routes around nearby historical monuments and museums. Whether you prefer to explore the local culture, enjoy its food or take excursions to the surrounding area, Munich has something for everyone. Don’t miss the opportunity to admire its beautiful parks and beer gardens and start planning your weekend trip. We hope this guide has helped you to plan your travel itinerary, writing down the points that you cannot miss in three days in Munich.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is three days in Munich too much?

A Munich weekend trip is ideal to see several iconic points of the city and even take a nearby excursion without rushing. So don't miss the opportunity to travel three days in Munich and earn beautiful memories.

Is Munich humid or dry?

Munich's climate depends a lot on the season: in summer the city is warm and humid, but in winter the weather is dry and very cold.

What is the best time to visit Munich?

Spring and fall are ideal to avoid crowds and enjoy pleasant weather. However, if you like the festive atmosphere, Oktoberfest (late September to early October) is a great option to enjoy Munich for a weekend.

Are there free attractions in Munich?

There are free attractions in Munich, such as some museums, churches, and gardens. The important thing is that you check the official websites in advance to confirm the schedules of your favorite attraction.