3 Days in Munich Itinerary
If you have the chance to spend three days in Munich, I’ve got the perfect itinerary for you. While Germany was never high on my bucket list, I decided to make a pit stop here during my European summer and ended up falling in love with Munich.
You can easily base yourself here for three days to see the city’s highlights and take some day trips to some noteworthy destinations. Continue reading to uncover my recommended itinerary!
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Day One: Eat at Hofbräuhaus, See the Munich Cathedral and Explore Marienplatz and Old Town, Watch the River Surfers at the Englischer Garden, Grab Döner Kebabs
Your first day in Munich should be all about getting familiar with the city and experiencing German culture at its finest. And what better way to start out than with a hearty lunch at Hofbräuhaus?
Hofbräuhaus is a lively beer hall providing a unique Bavarian experience that is not easily replicated elsewhere in the world. If you want to dive headfirst into Munich’s beer culture, this is the place to go! Even if you’re not a beer drinker, like myself, you’ll still enjoy the atmosphere and giant pretzels that are served.
The menu serves traditional foods like bratwursts, hearty pretzels, and crispy pork knuckles. While dining, you’ll be entertained by a band performing traditional music about every 5-10 minutes. In my opinion, this is the perfect way to begin your three days in Munich, and must be on your itinerary!
After indulging in some Bavarian cuisine, walk in the direction of the Munich Cathedral in Marienplatz. Here in the heart of Munich, you’ll be stunned by the gothic architecture on display. Admiring this cathedral is a must-do during your trip. The cathedral is open daily, from 8 am to 8 pm, and is free to enter, outside of religious services.
Throughout Marienplatz, you’ll find restaurants, shops, and the New Town Hall. This is the perfect spot to begin your exploration of Munich on foot. As this is located in Munich’s Old Town, you’ll be able to walk up and down the streets and admire the historic architecture that many call home.
After getting some exploring in, make your way over to the Englischer Garden. Munich is known for being a green city, and the Englischer Garden stands out as a must-see during your visit.
While there is plenty of park space for you to explore, I recommend heading straight to the Eisbach River to watch the local river surfers. No matter the season, you’ll find skilled athletes taking on the powerful wave, along with plenty of onlookers perched on the riverbank.
After a day on your feet, you should finish it out with one of my favorite foods I had in Germany: a döner kebab. This popular street food has become a beloved staple around Germany. A döner kebab usually consists of sliced meat - lamb, chicken, or beef - served either in a warm pita, flatbread, or tortilla wrap. Other ingredients include lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and a creamy sauce on top. I couldn’t get enough of these during my trip, whether I was indulging in one for lunch or as a late-night snack.
You can end your evening early for your first day or check out Munich’s nightlife. European cities are always fun to explore on foot after dark, so I recommend dipping your toes into the social life. If you want to partake in the club scene, locals told me that clubs stay open until 5 am or 6 am. One even said he’s seen people out until 12 pm the next day! I don’t recommend staying out too late, as you’ll want to be awake for your next day of exploration, but it’s worth seeing how Munich comes alive after dark.
Day Two: Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is something you absolutely must include in your three days in Munich itinerary. This was actually the entire inspiration for me traveling to Munich in the first place. Located about two hours outside of Munich, this castle makes for an easy day trip. However, I do recommend booking a tour, as trying to reach the castle by public transportation could easily double the amount of time it takes to arrive. I have an entire blog with tips on how to get to the castle. Read it here!
I booked this tour through GetYourGuide and absolutely loved it! It included round-trip transportation from Munich, a notable guide, and a fun group of individuals to experience the castle with. Once arriving for your tour, you can choose to pay an additional 20€ to tour the inside of the castle, which I HIGHLY recommend if you’d like to see unique features such as the grand throne room, renaissance art, and cave-like hallway.
Neuschwanstein Castle is rumored to be the original inspiration for Cinderella’s castle. After taking close to two decades to build for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the king only lived in it for six months before passing away. He became so introverted by that period in his life that he never hosted any parties or many visitors to the grand palace into which he poured all of his life savings.
Nowadays, the castle attracts numerous visitors and is the perfect excursion from Munich. During your visit, make sure to get in line for the Marienbrücke, a bridge sandwiched between two mountains that offers the most stunning view of Neuschwanstein Castle.
During your tour, you’ll also be given time to explore the village at the foot of the mountain. Here, you’ll find the most delicious Bavarian-style hot dogs topped with crispy onions. Indulge in one (or two) before boarding the bus back to Munich.
Click here to book your day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle!
Day Three: Visit Augsburg or Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site; Explore Werksviertel-Mitte
On the final day of your three days in Munich, you can choose between two different day trip options: Augsburg or Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.
Located just an hour away from Munich by train, Augsburg is a quaint town filled with medieval architecture, Renaissance artistry, and a fun atmosphere without the crowds of a larger city. My reasoning for visiting Augsburg was a bit personal, as my Nana and Papa lived here for a few years while my Papa was serving. My uncle was actually born in this town as well.
When my Nana heard I’d be going to Munich, she mentioned the town to me, and I decided to make it a point to visit. Augsburg turned out to be a cute town! As you exit the train station, continue walking straight until you hit a main square. This will be a great launch point for exploring the streets to the left and right and straight ahead. Each time I thought I had explored all there was to Augsburg, I changed my direction and discovered there was still much more to be explored!
During my explorations, I found the cutest coffee shop called Café Kӓtchens (pictured below). Make sure to stop in here for a coffee or light snack during your explorations!
Alternatively, if you’d like to pay your respects to victims of the Holocaust, the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site can be found only 30 minutes outside of Munich. A visit to Dachau offers an opportunity to reflect on the past and honor the memories of the victims.
While I deeply acknowledge the historical significance of this site and the importance of remembering the horrors that occurred, I personally chose not to include this in my itinerary. I knew that the weight of what occurred there would leave me feeling unsettled for the remainder of the day, just as it always had when we learned about it in school.
For those who do decide to visit, it’s important to approach the experience with the respect and solemnity it deserves, as it is a place of profound reflection and mourning.
Click here to discover tour options to Dachau from Munich.
After spending your day outside of Munich, I recommend spending your evening in one of Munich’s up-and-coming districts: Werksviertel-Mitte. Seemingly out of nowhere, this area offers a mix of vibrant bars and quick-service restaurants, all clustered together in a lively strip.
The district is home to co-working spaces that transform into a social hotspot once the sun sets. In the summer months, an outdoor stage hosts a variety of performers, offering something new to see and a different vibe almost every night. It’s the perfect place to end your three days in Munich itinerary on a high note!
Can You Do Munich in Two Days?
Yes, you can definitely do Munich in two days, but you’ll need to plan your itinerary wisely and scale back on day trips. If you plan on visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle, I definitely recommend a total of three days, as that will take up a good chunk of your day. However, if your itinerary only allows for a total of two days, you can definitely squeeze it all in if you plan wisely and wake up early enough.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Munich?
The best month to visit Munich depends on what you’re looking for, but most people find September to be ideal. This is when the city comes alive for the annual Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival. With generally pleasant weather, this makes for a great time to travel to Munich. However, you may face larger crowds at this time of year, as Oktoberfest attracts flocks of tourists.
With that being said, if you’re not into beer or jacked-up prices, then you might be better off visiting over the summer months. The city is in full bloom during this time, and the weather is likely to be stunning. You can enjoy the city’s main attractions without the full-blown tourism that arrives in September.
If you’re visiting for the Christmas markets, however, then December is the perfect time to visit Munich. While it will be quite cold, this time of year brings a festive atmosphere, mulled wine, and delicious food.
With this itinerary for three days in Munich, you’ll be in for a treat! Allow the city to surprise you, as it did me, and experience the Bavarian charm it has to offer.
