Munich in 2 Days: What to See and Do

Two days in Munich is enough to see the city's essentials without rushing: spend the first day on the old town — Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, Viktualienmarkt and the Residenz — finishing in the English Garden, and the second day on a palace or a major museum plus the city's twentieth-century history. Munich's centre is compact and walkable, and public transport covers everything else.

Munich rewards a slower pace than Berlin. Much of its charm is in the rhythm of the day: a late breakfast of white sausages, a long walk through the park, an evening in a beer hall. This plan leaves room for that, while still covering the sights most visitors come for.

Before you start

• Where to stay: the old town (Altstadt), Lehel or Maxvorstadt keep you within walking distance of most sights. The area around the main station is convenient for trains but less pleasant at night.
• Getting around: the U-Bahn, S-Bahn and trams are efficient. A day ticket or group day ticket for the inner zone usually pays off if you take more than two or three rides.
• Opening days: as of 2026, several major museums close on Mondays. Check before fixing your days.
• Sundays: most shops are closed, but museums, beer gardens and churches are open.

Day 1: the old town and the English Garden

Morning: Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche

Start at Marienplatz, the main square since the Middle Ages, dominated by the neo-Gothic New Town Hall. Its Glockenspiel plays at 11:00 daily, and at further times in summer, with mechanical figures re-enacting a royal wedding and a coopers' dance. It draws a crowd, so arrive a few minutes early or watch from the edge of the square.

For a view, climb the tower of St Peter's Church ("Alter Peter") just off the square; the stairs are narrow but the panorama over the rooftops to the Alps on a clear day is the best in the centre. Then walk to the Frauenkirche, whose twin onion-domed towers are the city's symbol. Inside, look for the "Devil's Footstep" in the entrance hall, the subject of one of Munich's favourite legends.

Late morning: Viktualienmarkt

Munich's food market has been on this spot since the early nineteenth century. Stalls sell cheese, fruit, sausages, flowers and spices, and there is a beer garden in the middle. It is the best place for an early lunch: buy something from the stalls and eat standing up, or take a seat in the beer garden.

Afternoon: the Residenz

The Residenz was the palace of the Wittelsbach dynasty, who ruled Bavaria for more than 700 years. The museum covers dozens of rooms, from the Renaissance Antiquarium to rococo apartments, and the Treasury holds crowns and jewels. Allow two hours; if time is short, choose the museum and skip the Treasury. Afterwards walk through the Hofgarten, the formal garden behind the palace.

Late afternoon: the English Garden

From the Hofgarten it is a few minutes to the English Garden, one of the largest city parks in Europe. Stop at the Eisbach, where surfers ride a standing wave at the park's southern edge, then walk to the Chinese Tower beer garden. In good weather this is the classic end to a first day in Munich.

If you would like a local to tie the day together, our Munich old town walking tour with the English Garden follows much of this route with a guide, and the private Munich old town walking tour can be adjusted to your interests and pace.

Evening

Dinner in a beer hall or a traditional Wirtshaus. The Hofbräuhaus is worth seeing once; the Augustiner halls are where more locals go.

Day 2: palace, museums or history

The second day depends on your interests. Choose one main option for the morning and one for the afternoon.

Nymphenburg Palace

The summer residence of the Bavarian rulers lies west of the centre and is easy to reach by tram. The baroque palace is long and symmetrical, with the Gallery of Beauties commissioned by King Ludwig I, and the park behind it contains smaller pavilions and canals. In summer it is one of the best half-days in the city.

Deutsches Museum

On an island in the Isar, this is one of the largest science and technology museums in the world. It is very large: pick a few sections rather than trying to see everything. It works particularly well with children and on rainy days.

Munich's twentieth century

Munich was where the Nazi Party was founded and grew, and many sites in the centre are linked to that history: the Feldherrnhalle, the former party headquarters, and the places of resistance. Our Munich Third Reich and Second World War walking tour explains them on foot in the centre. For a deeper visit, the NS Documentation Centre is free to enter as of 2026, and the Dachau Memorial is within an hour by public transport, though it needs at least half a day.

If it rains

• Swap the English Garden for the Residenz Treasury or the Deutsches Museum.
• The covered Fünf Höfe arcades between Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz are good for a dry walk.
• Beer halls are as good on a wet evening as beer gardens are on a dry one.

With children

Munich is easy with children. The Glockenspiel, the Eisbach surfers, the Deutsches Museum's hands-on areas, the Olympic Park and Hellabrunn Zoo all work well. Beer gardens often have playgrounds and children are welcome in them.

A third day?

If you have a third day, take a day trip. Neuschwanstein, the Bavarian lakes, Salzburg and the Romantic Road are all within reach, but each needs a full day. Do not try to squeeze one into a two-day stay.

FAQ

Is two days enough for Munich?

Yes, for the main sights in the centre plus one palace or museum. With three or four days you can add a day trip.

What is the best area to stay in for a short visit?

The old town, Lehel or Maxvorstadt, which keep most sights within walking distance.

When does the Glockenspiel play?

Daily at 11:00, with additional performances in the warmer months. Check current times locally, as they can change.

Do I need public transport in Munich?

For the old town, no — it is walkable. For Nymphenburg, the Olympic Park and the Deutsches Museum, trams and the U-Bahn save time.

Which day of the week is best?

Avoid Monday for museum-heavy days, as several museums close. Saturday is busiest in the old town; Sunday is quiet but shops are closed.