Munich is a city filled to the brim with culture and Bavarian flare. With its incredible architecture, delicious food and no short supply of beer, there’s a reason Munich is a must-visit spot for most people. If you’re searching for traditional Germany you’ll find it here.
Table of contents
I have so many incredible memories from Munich and can’t wait to go back and visit again. Discover Munich beyond Oktoberfest and beer gardens with my one-day itinerary to explore Germany’s third-largest city.
One day in Munich: What to do, see and visit
What you need to know
- Is one day in Munich enough? You can certainly see many of the city’s well-known attractions during one day in Munich, but you’re only really scratching the surface. If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Munich, I recommend staying for at least a couple of days.
- Is Munich easy to walk around? I found Munich to be very pedestrian-friendly once you orient yourself. Many major attractions are centrally located, including those in this itinerary.
Public transportation in Munich
A lot of Munich’s main attractions are situated in the heart of the city and are within walking distance for those able to. Munich also has a great public transportation system, the four main ways to get around are:
- U-Bahn (underground subway)
- S-Bahn (overground subway)
- Buses
- Trams
I prefer to take the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, you can purchase tickets online and on the MVV/MVG app. Furthermore, tickets can also be purchased at any of the stations. Unless you’re heading out of the city, a ticket in zone M will cover everywhere you want to go. Children under 6 travel free and these tickets are also valid on buses and trams making travel simple and easy. Before travelling you must validate your ticket, this is done via a machine at the station.
The Munich card and CityTourCard are also worth considering as they provide a day ticket for public transport. Additionally, they give discounts at many major attractions.
Map of attractions in Munich
How to use this map: Click on the markers for more information about each destination. The blue line shows the fastest walking route between each point. To save this map to your Google Maps, click the star in the top left corner.
When choosing my one day in Munich itinerary I wanted to help keep travel around the city simple. Most of the places you’ll be stopping by are located within earshot of each other in the city centre.
The Residenz is really easy to get to and the late afternoon will take you over to the Englischer Garten. Finally, you’ll visit Hofbrauhaus for the perfect way to spend an evening in Munich.
A morning in Munich
Neues Rathaus – New town hall
One day in Munich isn’t complete without visiting the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). Its impressive architecture and central location in Marienplatz draw huge crowds of tourists throughout the day. Be sure to time your visit to see the glockenspiel show (11 am & noon daily as well as 5 pm from March to October) which plays out key scenes from Munich’s history. Not only can you take a tour through the town hall but you can climb the central tower for great views of the city.
Getting there: S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, U3 and U6 to Marienplatz
Altes Rathaus – Old town hall
If you’ve made it to the Neues Rathaus, turn right and you’ll be greeted by the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall). Don’t be fooled by its more modern appearance, this definitely is the older of the two buildings. The Neues Rathaus now features the Toy Museum, a popular draw for adults and children alike.
Getting there: S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, U3 and U6 to Marienplatz
Peterskirche – St Peter’s church
One day in Munich isn’t complete without visiting one of its incredible churches. Just around the corner from Marienplatz, St. Peters Church is one of the best-known in the city. You can climb to the top of the church to experience incredible panoramic views of the city. So long as the weather is clear, you can even be treated to a great view of the Alps. If heights aren’t your thing take time instead to view the incredible treasures housed within the church.
Getting there: S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, U3 and U6 to Marienplatz
Viktualienmarkt
If you only have one day in Munich, Viktualienmarkt has to be on your list of places to see. A market of epic proportions, there’s no shortage of fresh produce, souvenirs and flowers for sale. Plenty of stalls selling traditional German dishes are available, as well as the always popular beer garden. Keep an eye out for the six fountains located throughout the stalls, each depicting infamous figures from Munich’s past, as well as the impressive maypole situated in the centre of the market.
Getting there: S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, U3 and U6 to Marienplatz
Frauenkirche – Church of Our Lady
At nearly 99m high the Frauenkirche is an impressive and unmissable landmark in Munich’s skyline. Head on up the south tower for unforgettable views of the city or go inside to see the Wittelsbach Monument at the back of the church. Don’t miss out on the devil’s footprint, located just inside the entrance hall. It is said that the devil inspected the church and was overjoyed to find no windows, leaving his footprint behind as he jumped in excitement at its supposed stupidity.
Getting there: S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8, U3 and U6 to Marienplatz
An afternoon in Munich
Munich Residenz
Bursting at the seams with incredible treasures, the Residenz is a must-see if you only have one day in Munich. The only palace located within a German city, the Residenz has so many fascinating stories to tell including playing host to the notorious Mad King Ludwig. Grab an audio guide and spend a couple of hours wandering around this historic building. Afterwards, head outside to relax in the Hofgarten (Courtgarden).
Getting there: U3, U4, U5, U6 to Odeonsplatz.
Odeonsplatz
Just outside of the Residenz, you’ll find Odeonsplatz, home to many of Munich’s top sites. On the square’s southern side is The Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshal’s Hall) showcasing statues of military leaders. Next to that is the unmissable exterior of Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church). Its ornate white interior is absolutely incredible and shouldn’t be missed!
Getting there: U3, U4, U5, U6 to Odeonsplatz.
Hofgarten – Royal Garden
On the eastern side of Odeonsplatz and outside of the Residenz is a garden fit for royals, Hofgarten. At the heart of the park stands the Temple of Diana, enveloped by meticulously groomed flowerbeds and lawns. It often houses a musician, offering the perfect backing track to your stroll through the park. This is a great spot to relax in if you only have one day in Munich!
Getting there: U3, U4, U5, U6 to Odeonsplatz.
Englischer Garten – English Garden
One of the largest inner city parks in the world, the Englischer Garten is an ideal place to escape the busy city. This is one of my favourite spots in the city and is one of the best things to do in Munich in one day! Here are a few highlights:
Getting there: U3, U4, U5, U6 to Odeonsplatz.
Monopteros temple
Climb the hill and marvel at the fantastic panoramic views of Munich from the Monopteros. Erected in the English Garden between 1832 and 1837, this temple has become a beloved gathering spot for both tourists and locals.
Japanese Tea House
During the summer months, make your way to the Japanese Tea House to see authentic Japanese tea ceremonies. The traditional Japanese building, nestled amidst the water, provides an excellent backdrop for some great photos!
Chinese Tower
The Chinese Tower is home to the second-largest beer garden in Munich and is an excellent central meeting point within the park. If you’re a beer lover with only two days in Munich this has to be on your list of things to do!
The Eisbach Wave
Undoubtedly the English Garden’s hotspot, the Eisbach wave steals the spotlight. This man-made wave serves as a magnet for dedicated surfers throughout the year, attracting a constant audience along the riverbanks. I spent hours sitting here watching people surf on the waves, it’s such a fun atmosphere and was one of my favourite ways to spend an evening!
An evening in Munich
Hofbrauhaus
The most famous beer hall in Munich, Hofbrauhaus is a must-visit for any beer lover spending one day in Munich. Hofbrauhaus was founded way back in 1568 and has been supplying beer to the city ever since. If you’re not into drinking, don’t worry, the hall has an incredible food menu featuring lots of traditional Bavarian dishes. Bathed in history, and spread over three floors, the brewery is now a popular spot on many tourist lists.
Got more time?
If you have time to squeeze in some extra activities here are some recommendations for how to make the most of one day in Munich:
Alte Pinakothek
A must-see for art lovers, Alte Pinakothek features over 700 paintings including masterpieces from Da Vinci, Raphael and Rubens just to name a few. Focusing on work from the 14th-18th century, the collection at Alte Pinakothek is world-famous and well worth a visit.
Walking tours
If you only have one day in Munich and are keen on exploring some of the city’s history, a walking tour might be a great option for you! There will take you to see ll the best places to see in Munich in 1 day. Here are a few options:
- If you have a keen interest in history, check out the Third Reich and WWII walking tour
- Delve deeper into Munich’s Altstadt on this Old town walking tour
- Sample some traditional Bavarian food on this walking tour through Viktualienmarkt
The Deutsches Museum
One of the largest science museums in the world, the Deutsches Museum is a great choice for adults and children alike. With thousands of unique objects and exhibitions ranging from chemistry, robotics, health and even miniature railways there’s something here for everyone. This is a great way to spend one day in Munich if the weather isn’t in your favour, or if you just have some budding scientists in your party.
Summary
Whether you’re taking a day trip to Munich or it’s your first time in Munich, there’s no shortage of things to do. Whether you’re interested in history, a big foodie or just here to take in the sights, there’s something for everyone. 24 hours in Munich will give you a taste of what the city has to offer, but will definitely leave you wanting to stay longer!
