Your guide on how to see the best of Munich in a day

Wondering how to make the most of Munich in a day when you’re on a tight timeframe?

Second guessing if it’s even worth travelling to Munich if you’ve only got 24 hours to explore?

I’ve got the perfect day all planned out for you with the best things to do all squeezed in a short amount of time.

From elegant palaces home to Bavarian royalty through to the famous Olympic stadium out in the suburbs, I’ve collected the best places to enjoy from my trips to Munich and put them all into this guide.

So you can make the most of all the best spots in Munich during your one day itinerary, along with some helpful tips from someone who’s been before.

Saddle up for a speedy tour through München and don’t forget your camera!

I’ve got a jam-packed itinerary for you to follow, let’s assume that you’re arriving early in the morning and breakfast is already sorted out.

There are plenty of spots at the main station to grab a pastry or fresh pretzel for brekky, along with a coffee for necessary fuel. Though I make no promises for the quality of train station coffee.

Head on into the city centre by walking east, aim for the impressive city square of Karlsplatz.

Known as Stachus to the locals (whose ancestors intensely disliked the ruler that this square is named after), this was once one of the busiest intersections in Europe.

And it’ll likely still be busy when you visit, take care crossing all those roads and be mindful not to cross when the little man is red, lest you incur the wrath of a Bavarian Oma.

Jay-walking isn’t considered a laughing matter in Germany and you can be fined, as well as be told off in German by the nearest senior citizen.

You’ll pass through Karlstor, dwarfed by the enormous classical buildings on either side and go through into the pedestrianised centre of Munich.

Wandering along this promenade will take you past plenty of department stores and a few monumental buildings nestled in between shops.

St Michael’s München and Bürgersaalkirche are both found along this street, St Michael’s houses the Wittelsbach crypt (3€ entry per adult) and the resting place of King Ludwig II – builder of Neuschwanstein Castle up in the Bavarian Alps.

Said to be the inspiration for the famous Disney castle, the fairytale castle almost bankrupted the kingdom of Bavaria at the time, but now rakes in millions of Euros annually for the state.

Just note that visits to the crypt aren’t possible during services so plan ahead if you’d really like to visit Ludwig. Entry to the St Michael’s itself (excluding the crypt) is free.

Keep on trotting down until you reach Augustinerstraβe to your left and the towering Frauenkirche with its distinctive double spires, topped with copper green onion domes.

Maybe one of Munich’s most famous sights and a symbol of the city, there’s a fascinating optical illusion when you step into this huge cathedral initially as it seems totally closed in with columns but opens up dramatically as you continue walking in.

Capable of holding up to 20,000 people at a time, take your time wandering around the colossal space, there’s even a footprint stamped into a golden plate purported to be that of the Devil in the centre of the church.

The legend goes that he gave money to help build the church on the condition that it be built without any windows, then stamped his foot in anger when he realised that he’d been tricked.

It certainly makes for a good story!  

Keep moving on down to the very heart of Munich, we’re walking on to Marienplatz.

This square, surrounded by beautiful architecture, holds the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) with its famous glockenspiel and the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall). Plus other important city buildings.

The Neues Rathaus is a beautiful building, almost fairytale-esque with its many spires and even a dragon crawling up the wall at one end (Wurmeck).

The glockenspiel tells stories from Munich’s long history, every day at 11am and 12pm (plus one extra show in summer at 5pm).

The life sized carved figures slowly spin and twirl as the glockenspiel rings out a merry tune.

On the lower level, you have the cooper (barrel-makers) who were the first to emerge onto city streets after a terrible period of plague to cheer up the residents, dance and make merry.

On the higher level, you’ll find a noble couple at their wedding (Duke Wilhelm V and Renata of Lorraine) who look on as jesters dance and a joust between two noble knights on horseback take place. The Bavarian knight always triumphs, with a theatrical bump to the knight dressed in French colours.

Aim to be here in time for 11am to make sure that you can catch the show!  

Peeping over the buildings lining Marienplatz, the elegant white spire of Peterskirche has watched over the city for centuries.

Known affectionately as Alter Peter (Old Peter) to residents, this church stands in roughly the same position as the original monastery that founded the city.

The building itself dates back to the 12th century, heading inside, don’t miss the elaborate high altar with its Gothic details.

And stop by one of the side chapels to find perhaps the strangest site in Munich, the gem-covered statue of St Munditia.

She was a saint who died around 310AD and made her way to München in the 17th century from a Roman catacomb, now adorned in a golden wreath and lavish chestplate.

She’s the patron saint of spinsters and right above her is the skull of Saint Erasmus of Formiae – the patron saint of mariners and protection against intestinal illnesses, he doesn’t get the same lavish detail as his neighbour though.

Heading outside the church, you’ll find various ancient tombstones covering the exterior, remnants from the graveyard that once stood here and probably a small line to go up to the top of the bell tower to admire the prettiest view back over Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche, plus the rest of Munich’s rooftops.

If you’re going to do any viewpoints during your day trip to Munich, I highly recommend this one if the 306 stairs to the top won’t be too difficult.

Entry costs 5€ per adult and on a clear day, you’ll be able to see all the way to the Bavarian Alps off in the distance, find the little ticket office next to the stairs.  

The opulent little gem of Asamkirche is hidden in between bustling brand name shops, built by a pair of brothers who the church is named after.

The exterior gives you just the tiniest hint of what lies inside, heading through the doors will deliver you into an ecstatic mix of precious marble, glittering gold and beautiful sculptures.

This tiny chapel, built to hold only 12 pews, is still just as stunning these days as it was when it opened to the wonder of the citizens of Munich.

It was actually intended to only be a private chapel by the brothers who built it, luckily for us, this decision changed.

In my opinion, it’s the most beautiful church within the city and an absolute must see while you’re here.

Plus, since it’s only little, it won’t take you too long to sit and wonder at the incredible details that have gone into every inch of the chapel.

Feel free to sit down in the pews if you’re in need of a little break, entry here is free.

Don’t forget to bring your camera along here, you’ll want photos of this incredible interior. 

After Asamkirche, retrace your steps up to Marienplatz and head over to your next destination, it’s just a short walk to Munich’s most famous beer hall – the rowdy Hofbräuhaus.

Situated in the Platzl square, the brewery was actually started up as an answer to the low quality beer available in the 17th century.

Today, it’s still owned by the government and it serves up authentic food like pork knuckles and schnitzels alongside traditional oompah music from a live band.

For a tiny taste of Oktoberfest, stop in here instead, Hofbräuhaus run a giant beer tent at the big festival with much of the same food and similar beer.

Don’t forget to order a stein of Helles for the ultimate Oktoberfest experience and enjoy the music!

There are a few other beer halls scattered around the city centre, your ideal place might be one that’s a bit quieter than HB, it certainly enjoys plenty of visitors.

For a more low-key experience, try out Tegernseer Tal Bräuhaus or Augustiner am Platzl is just opposite the famous HB building with probably half the visitors.

Both boast menus filled with generous servings of housemade specialities, you could try out some Obatzda, a Bavarian cheese spread made with soft cheese and paprika.

Grab an extra fresh Breze (pretzel) to go with it and don’t forget to order your beer to go along with it, they are called beer halls for good reason!