The perfect Munich 3 day itinerary for visitors

Searching for the perfect Munich 3 day itinerary to take in all of those magnificent sights?

Wondering how to best plan out your days in the Bavarian capital amidst endless cathedrals and Baroque palaces?

I’ve broken down the massive list of what to see in this vibrant city into three delightful days.

Stick around to find out how to fill your 3 days in the third largest city in Germany!

The salmon pink façade of the Bürgersaalkirche stands out in the shopping precinct of Neuhauserstraβe, ascend to the magnificent upper hall to take in glorious frescoes and gold accented details.

Entry is free to this former citizen’s hall, now stately church. Once you’ve explored here, keep walking into Munich’s Old Town, there’s plenty more to see!

Next, the enormous Michaelskirche, you’ll know it by the grand entrance dotted with white statues in their maroon niches and preserved statue of Archangel Michael dispatching a devil out front.

So large that it’s only outdone for size by St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, it also holds the royal crypt of the Wittelsbach family, including “mad” King Ludwig II.

Entry to the crypt costs 3€ but double check for service times first!

Opulent and decadent Asamkirche awaits you next, nestled in a shopping strip of all places and it has by far and away the most lavish chapel interior I’ve ever laid eyes on.

An absolute must see when you’re in Munich and I promise your camera will adore every inch of this tiny chapel.

Built by two brothers keen to make a name for themselves, they were the toast of Europe once the doors opened on the golden splendour inside.

Don’t miss the statue of Death by the door with a golden thread symbolising life held precariously between golden shears, another fascinating detail of the space already overflowing with symbolism.

The Sendlinger Tor, framed by two staunch red-brick towers on either side and draped in greenery, dates from 1318.

Once surrounded by a moat and accompanied by a drawbridge, these days it’s a reminder of Munich’s power over the centuries.

You can only imagine what it must have been like for simple village folk to enter through these imposing gates back in the Middle Ages, they’re still impressive now in the 21st century.

Time for a stop for lunch to rest and recharge before an afternoon of sightseeing, head over to Hackerhaus for a delicious, hearty look at Bavarian classics.

The historic pub serves up beer varieties from Hacker-Pschorr, one of Munich’s most famous brewing families.

They also run a celebrated Oktoberfest tent so if you’re not here in time for the biggest beer festival in the world, this is the perfect spot to stop by and sample some of their brews.

Nothing like settling into a cosy booth with a stein of beer and fresh Obatzda, a mix of fresh cheese, spices and a splash of beer, best served with crispy Brezen!

After lunch, a gentle stroll will find you at the interesting Münchner Stadtmuseum, covering the history of the city from its beginnings as a monastery through to the modern era.

The building it occupies is a former armoury with its green copper turrets on each corner.

Entry is 7€ and includes an audioguide in English, most signage is in German though so keep that in mind.

You’ll also find the modern Jüdisches Museum München nearby, if you would like to learn more about the history of the Jewish community in Munich.

Our next stop within walking distance is the irregularly shaped Rindermarkt square, which used to house the cattle markets of Munich, you’ll find the large fountain surrounded by sculptures paying homage to their bovine roots.

The Ruffini House, covered in decorative frescoes, is a grand reconstruction of a rich merchant’s home which used to stand on the square. It’s also a pleasant spot to sit and catch your breath for a moment, or go say hi to the cows.

Alter Peterskirche, or Old St. Peter’s, is just around the corner and marks the original site of the Benedictine monastery that gave Munich its name, it’s also the oldest church in Munich.

The church you see today dates from 1327 and you can’t miss the breathtaking view from climbing the bell tower over the town hall, Frauenkirche and Marienplatz of the old town (entry cost is 5€ for the tower). You might even be able to spot the Bavarian Alps on a clear day.

While you’re inside the cathedral itself, don’t miss the gilded altar and jewel studded skeletal remains of St. Munditia, one of the stranger sights you might see in Munich.

After marvelling at the ancient majesty of Alter Peter and getting your breath back after the 308 steps to the top, the Viktualienmarkt is your final bustling stop for the day.

Over 100 fresh produce stalls, a shaded beer garden and multiple restaurants await your patronage, as they’ve done for centuries in this same square.

Whether you’ve got your eye on a piping hot bratwurst or coffee and cake at the Lea Zapf Marktpatisserie, there’s something here for everyone and is highly worth visiting for a bite to eat.

Don’t miss the maypole located right at the centre of the market, decorated in blue and white – the Oktoberfest colours.

Welcome to the second day of your Munich 3 day itinerary in the Bavarian capital, we’re starting off our full day with a bang.

You admired the view of this, frankly enormous, cathedral with its twin onion domes yesterday, the Frauenkirche is first up.

Constructed mostly in the 14th century, the cathedral holds up to 20,000 people at a time, more than the population of Munich when it was built strangely enough.

Restored after damage in World War II, don’t miss the legendary “Devil’s Footprint” as you wander through the sturdy columns, you’ll spy the bronzed plate with said footprint in the centre of the space.

Wander to the magnificent Marienplatz, named for the Marian column (Mariensäule) topped with a golden figure of the Lady Mary in the centre of the square.

Dominated by quintessential sights such as the Neues Rathaus with its Glockenspiel and the Altes Rathaus at the far end, this is the beating heart of Munich with its historic buildings.

The many spired, fairytale Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) hosts the most famous show in Munich – the glockenspiel high on the clock tower starts up twice a day (11am, 12pm), both knights and dancers emerge, twirling and jousting. And bringing the bustling square below to a standstill.

They tell the story of the history of Munich and the figures are all life-size, though they don’t look it from the ground.

Don’t miss the Wurmeck on the west end of the building, where a dragon scales the building as a homage to the plagues that ravaged the city in the Middle Ages.

If the steps over at Alter Peter aren’t really your style, the Neues Rathaus also has its own observation deck which can be accessed via an elevator.

You can enjoy the stunning view out over the city, across the square to Old Peter and off to the Alps if the weather behaves! Adult tickets will set you back 6.50E and there are even extended opening hours when the Christmas markets are on, so you can enjoy the view until 9pm.

For lunch, I’m taking you to the most famous of Munich’s culinary institutions, the state-owned Hofbräuhaus beer hall.

Built in response to the poor quality of Bavarian beer in 1589 (I’m sure this fact makes Bavarians shudder in their boots) for royal consumption only, luckily, it’s been opened up for us common folk in the interceding centuries.

Infectiously rowdy inside, with live oompah music and serving staff in traditional dress, this is the next best thing to a taste of Oktoberfest.

Order a pork knuckle, a Maβ of beer and take in the atmosphere, the perfect place to enjoy Bavarian hospitality.

Over to the Alter Hof, this ancient palace was the first home of the Wittelsbach dynasty which reigned for more than 700 years.

Somewhat restored after destruction in WWII, the large courtyard used to be full of farm animals and small gardens, while the buildings housed government offices after the royals decamped to other estates.

We’re off next to the Wittlelsbach’s next palace, the Munich Residenz, a much grander neighbour.

Baroque splendour reigns across the stately rooms and gilded theatres, head to the glistening Antiquarium for an idea of the sheer wealth of Bavaria’s former royal family.

The treasury is filled to the brim with priceless jewellery and gems collected by kings over the centuries, the combo ticket for both the museum and treasury is 14€.

Give it at least 2 hours to admire the gloriously rebuilt surroundings and don’t forget to grab your free audio guide, you can book ahead for a guided tour if you’d prefer.

Today you have your own decision to make about what you feel like seeing.

If the weather isn’t so great, the Alte and Neue Pinakotheks might be calling your name with oodles of art to go admire.

If the weather’s good, I would highly recommend heading out to see the idyllic summer palace of the Wittelsbach royals.

But first, if you have time to spare, breakfast over in the trendy Schwanthalerhöhe district, a tad southwest of the main train station. Or brunch if you feel like it, you’ve earned a sleep in after the sightseeing of the last two days.

Formerly referred to as a neighbourhood of thieves, gentrification has made the area of Schwanthalerhöhe a bit of a hotspot, you’ll find quirky cafes serving up smashed avocado and oat milk lattes galore.

Try Notting Hill Café with their extensive menu of breakfast classics or Bean Batter for delicious waffles. And it goes without saying, good coffee to start your day right.

Once you’re done with breakfast, Schwanthalerhöhe adjoins the home of Oktoberfest, the Theresienweise.

This enormous meadow doesn’t look like much outside of the festival season but for two weeks from mid September through to early October, it’s transformed into an enormous beer guzzling party.

And with ferris wheels and carnival rides amongst the gigantic beer tents.

After seeing the home of Oktoberfest, you can easily catch public transport out to the palace, S-Bahn or tram line 17 towards Amalienburgstraße will take you straight there from in front of the main train station.

Originally a small summer palace, Nymphenburg was refurbished over the centuries to become the sprawling estate and summer escape out to the country for the Wittelsbach Royal Family, even if it’s now part of greater Munich.

Lavishly decorated inside in the Baroque and Roccoco styles, you can admire the main palace, the prettiest carriages you ever did see at the Marstallmuseum and there’s even a porcelain factory still producing dishes fit for royalty.

Outside in the sprawling palace grounds, you’ll find a huge bathing pavilion (Badenburg), oriental styled pagoda (Pagodenburg) and the stunning Amalienburg, considered the jewel of the palace.

Entry is 15€ in the summer for the full combo ticket, its only 8€ to just enter the palace itself.

Double check their official website for any closures for restoration works before you go!

Give yourself around 4 hours out here to stroll around the palace and glorious gardens, bonus points if you pack a picnic to enjoy on a shady bench out in the palace grounds. 

If you’re visiting in winter, instead of seeing Nymphenburg, try checking out the Alte Pinakothek gallery for classical works of art or the Pinakothek der Moderne for more modern collections.

The Alte Pinakothek refers to the age of the works of art held within, from the 1300s through to the 1700s and holds works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, van Eyck and Botticelli, among many others.

Admission is 7€ for adults and only 1€ on Sundays, I find myself wishing that I was in Munich on a Sunday! Children can go for free.

If you’re planning on also visiting the modern art Pinakothek, the day pass will allow entry into both museums for 12€, saving you 5€.

If you’re feeling more modern and not in the mood for the medieval masters, the Pinakothek der Moderne is just over the road, housing four separate museums within the colossal space.

The four collections cover 20th and 21st century art across paintings, sculpture, architecture and graphic design. You’ll need a few hours here to appreciate some of the 250,000 works held within the museum.

The famous sister museum, the Neue Pinakothek, is currently closed for substantial renovations and is due to reopen in 2029.

Some of its more famous works can be seen in a special exhibition in the Alte Pinakothek until the end of 2024.

That brings your wonderful three days in Munich to a close, we‘ve discovered some magical cathedrals, climbed bells towers and enjoyed Bavarian beer halls.

I hope that you’ve found this jam packed itinerary informative and it helps to guide you on the perfect trip to Bavaria’s capital when you go.

Plus I’m sure you’ll find your own hidden gems and favourite spots along the way, don’t forget to pin this post so you can find it later for your trip planning.