Munich In 2 Days – A Super Easy Munich Itinerary + Map!

Planning to spend 2 days in Munich but not sure what to do? We have the perfect Munich itinerary that will allow you to see the best of the city in less than 48 hours.

Munich is a beautiful German city filled with history, culture, food, and green open spaces.

From wandering through the historic square of Marienplatz and checking out beautiful German churches to exploring stunning palaces like the Munich Residenz and Nymphenburg Palace and relaxing in the Englischer Garden, here are the best things you can do in Munich in 2 days.

Is two days enough for Munich?

Maybe not. There are so many beautiful places to visit in Munich that it is impossible to see all of them in a couple of days. But it is an excellent place to get a feel of this historic city and return for more later.

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Day 1 of Munich 2-day Itinerary: Marienplatz + Munich Residenz

Before you begin your first day in Munich, let me point out that you may want to buy a CityTourCard for Munich for free public transport.

However the card is worthwhile only if you are staying far away from Marienplatz. If you are staying within Marienplatz or close to it, you can easily explore everything on foot.

Begin at Marienplatz

Marienplatz, or Mary Square, has been Munich’s central square for nearly 1000 years.

A Marian column erected in 1638 to celebrate the ousting of the Swedish stands in the middle of the square and lends its name to the plaza. Several historic churches and town halls surround the place. A sprawling 200-year-old market lies to the south.

If you visit Munich in winter, you will find a beautiful Christmas market at Marienplatz.

Marienplatz in Munich is where all the action is. Even if you only visit Munich for a day, I highly recommend spending it in and around Marienplatz.

Start the day with a delicious breakfast at Café Glockenspiel, a lovely rooftop café with a view of the square. They serve nice bread, eggs, and fresh fruit.

📖 Read Next: Best Things to Do in Marienplatz Munich

Visit the Old and New Town Halls

Right across from Cafe Glockenspiel is the impressive New Town Hall or Neues Rathus. It is the seat of the city mayor as well as the celebratory venue of FC Bayern Munich.

You can enter the New Town Hall during weekdays and explore some of its historic rooms. But make sure you take the elevator to get to the viewing gallery in the City Hall tower for some stunning views of the city center. Check out admission charges and opening hours here.

Not very far away is the Old Town Hall or Alte Rathaus on the eastern edge of Marienplatz. This was the city council’s seat until 1847, when it ran out of space. The Old Town Hall was completely destroyed during World War II and restored only in the 1950s.

Today, Alte Rathaus has a historic toy museum filled with model trains, doll houses, and stuffed toys—a great place to visit in Munich with kids.

📖 Read Next: 25 Best Places to Visit in Munich Germany

Stop for the Miniature Knight Show at Glockenspiel

When you are visiting the town halls, be sure to catch a miniature knight show right outside the New Town Hall.

One of Munich’s top attractions is a two-tiered carillon called Glockenspiel, located on the central tower of Neues Rathaus.

Every day, at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., the carillon comes to life with miniature depictions of a duke’s wedding, a jousting match, and a traditional Bavarian dance.

Hundreds of people gather on Marienplatz to watch this delightful performance. If you are in the area during that time, be sure to stop by.

Head to Peterskirche

St. Peter’s Church, or Peterskirche, is the oldest Catholic church in Munich. Originally built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century, it is an architectural delight with bits of Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo styles incorporated into it over time.

The 300ft tower of St. Peter’s Church, commonly known as Alter Peter or Old Pete, is a symbol of historic Munich.

For a small admission fee, you can climb the 306 steps of this tower to reach the viewing platform, from which you can enjoy stunning views of the historic downtown.

✦ Pro Tip: Love churches and cathedrals? Be sure to check out our article on the 11 Best Churches to Visit in Munich.

Have Lunch at Viktualienmarkt

Located very close to Peterskirche, Viktualienmarkt is a historic old market in the heart of Munich.

Apart from housing some of the best restaurants in town, Viktualienmarkt also hosts traditional events and festivals such as the opening of the asparagus season, brewer’s day, gardener’s day, and the summer festival.

Here are some wonderful restaurants to have lunch at.

• Caspar Plautz: For lovely potato dishes and they feature great vegan options on their menu.
• Sababa: For good Lebanese and Mediterranean food. I simply love their falafels and shawarma.
• The Munich Soup Kitchen: For hearty soups and stews made from local ingredients. [NOW CLOSED]

Visit the Beautiful Frauenkirche

Munich Cathedral, or Frauenkirche, is the biggest church in Munich. It is also one of the prettiest.

Frauenkirche, or The Church of Our Dear Lady, was built in the late 15th century over the remains of a medieval Romanesque Church.

Its architecture is Gothic and features two tall towers with green onion domes, several stained-glass windows, and an impressive collection of medieval artwork.

You can enter the church for free and appreciate its history and architecture.

Explore Munich Residenz

Head next to the fascinating Munich Residenz, the official residence of the royal Wittelsbach family for more than 400 years. It is the largest urban palace in Germany and exceedingly beautiful.

Can you believe the entire Residenz complex consists of 10 courtyards, 130 rooms, a church, and a theater?

It can take you a day to explore everything at the Residenz. However, if you are short on time and have only two days in Munich, I recommend checking out the following highlights.

• The Renaissance Antiquarium: The Hall of Antiquities, or the Antiquarium, is the oldest and prettiest part of Munich Residenz. Opulently decorated with grotesques, paintings, and gorgeous lunettes depicting towns and markets, it is the most lavish Renaissance hall north of the Alps.

• The Wittlesbach Treasury: The Treasury has a glittering display of jewels, porcelain, crystals, and ivory. The royal insignia and jeweled daggers are especially striking.

• Cuvilles Theater: Experience the splendor of the Cuvilles Theater draped in red and gold. This was where Mozart performed Idomeneo for the first time in 1781.

✦ Pro Tip: Discover the beauty of Munich Residenz on this 2.5 hour guided tour with an excellent local guide.

Enjoy a Classical Concert at the Residenz

Since you are already visiting the Residenz, I recommend ending the day with a classical concert at the Court Chapel (Hofkapelle).

The Residenz Serenade plays every Thursday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and lasts one hour.

You can also enjoy a gala concert at the Cuvilles Theater. However, these concerts are few and far between, so make sure you reserve a spot before you go.

Day 2 of Munich 2-day Itinerary: Soccer/Food/History Tour + Nymphenburg Palace

Start the day with your favorite guided tour

If you are a fan of guided tours like I am, then I am sure you will love to do one of these special tours during your two-day stay in Munich. Each tour is unique and shows a different side of Munich city.

• This Third Reich & WWII Walking Tour takes you through the historical sites associated with the Nazi Movement in Munich and into the life of one of the world’s most powerful dictators, Adolf Hitler. You have the option of reserving both private and non-private tours.

• On this two-hour gourmet food tour, you will taste regional delicacies and international cuisine at Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s oldest market.

• This soccer arena tour will take you to Allianz Arena, the temple of football and the most spectacular home of FC Bayern Munich. If you are a soccer fan, you cannot miss this one.

If you have some time before or after your tour, be sure to check out Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall, one of Munich’s oldest beer halls. It is more than 400 years old and was founded by the Duke of Bavaria, Wilhelm V. Come here to taste some of their original beers and enjoy authentic Bavarian cuisine. Munich Hofbrauhaus is open 365 days a year from 9 am to midnight.

Or Relax in Englischer Garden

If you are not keen on a guided tour, head to the Englischer Garten or English Garden – Munich’s largest urban park.

Did you know that the Englischer Garden is even larger than New York’s Central Park?

Here, you will find lots of green spaces and interesting monuments such as the Chinese Tower and a Japanese Tea House. You will get amazing views from Monopteros, a round temple-like structure.

Plus, there are four beer gardens inside the park, with The Seehaus at Kleinhesseloher See being the most popular one. In short, Englischer Garten is the perfect place to spend a relaxing day in Munich.

Visit the Beautiful Nymphenburg Palace

On the second day of your Munich trip, head to Nymphenburg Palace. This beautiful Bavarian palace is located on the western outskirts of the city and is easy to reach.

Hop on the S-Bahn to Laim and take a bus to Schloss Nymphenburg. Or take a U-Bahn to Roktreuzplatz and take a tram to the palace.

Nymphenburg Palace, beautiful Nymphenburg gardens, and several museums can easily take up a day of your time in Munich. But if you are short on time, I recommend exploring the Stone Hall and the Beauty Gallery of King Ludwig I inside the palace.

Nymphenburg museums are good, too. If you have kids with you, it is worthwhile to spend some time at the Natural History Museum in the north wing.

But most importantly, do not miss strolling through the beautiful parks, which are themselves works of art. They were inspired by the French gardens of Versailles and have huge fountains, canals, bridges, and lakes to discover.

The palace is open from 9am—6pm from April to mid-October and 10am—4pm from mid-October to March. So, if you are visiting in fall or winter, you might want to come here early to see it all. Check out updated hours on the official website before you go.

✦ Pro Tip: Discover Nymphenburg Palace with an official tour guide here.

Interactive Map for 2 Days in Munich

More than 2 Days in Munich?

• Find more attractions in our guide to the 25 most beautiful places to visit in Munich.

• Munich is a great place to base yourself in Bavaria and plan exciting day trips nearby. The Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle is closeby. Plan a full day tour to the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle or take a Dachau Memorial Site day tour.

• Head to the alpine town of Berchtesgaden and spend a day hiking around Lake Konigsee or visiting Hitler’s Eagles Nest.

Practical Information for Spending 2 Days in Munich

Best Time to Visit Munich

The best time to visit Munich is in spring when temperatures rise, flowers bloom, and the Bavarian asparagus season kicks off. White asparagus is a big thing in Bavaria and is super delicious.

Spring is also the best time to explore Munich on foot. Carry a light jacket for the evenings.

Summers are great weather-wise, but almost all Bavarian destinations are crowded during this time, and hotel prices soar sky-high. If you are on a budget, you may want to avoid summer.

September – October is yet another pricey time in Munich. But if you wish to attend the famous Oktoberfest, be sure to make your hotel reservations well before time. And do not forget to get some warm clothes.

Finally, winter is also a great time to visit Munich because of the pretty Christmas markets that dot almost every other Bavarian town.

Best places to stay in Munich

Since you will be in Munich for only two days, I suggest you stay close to the city center. Munich Alstadt or the Old Town are ideal. However, please keep in mind that accommodation in the city center is often expensive, especially if you book closer to your travel dates.

Here are some good places to stay in the Munich city center for all budgets.

• Hotel Eder: This family-run hotel is located very close to Munich Hauptbanhoff and Munich Old Town and will not burn a hole in your pocket. It has comfortable rooms, super nice staff, and traditional German breakfast. However, it tends to get filled up pretty fast, so be sure to reserve your stay before you arrive.

• Hotel Metropol by Maier Privathotels: Hotel Metropol is another good budget/mid-range option close to Munich Old Town. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and guests love the modern décor and helpful staff. Click here to book your stay at Hotel Metropol by Maier Privathotels.

• Unsöld’s Factory Hotel: Located very close to Hofbrauhaus and Viktualienmarkt, this hotel features new, modern rooms, good facilities, and friendly staff. It is a great mid-range accommodation option in Munich. Book your stay at Unsöld’s here.

• BEYOND by Geisel: If you wish to splurge when in Munich, try BEYOND by Geisel because this place truly goes beyond all expectations. This hotel is located right in front of Munich Town Hall and provides excellent views of the plaza. Its rooms and suites are luxuriously furnished, and the staff is super friendly. If budget is not a concern, I highly recommend you get a room at BEYOND by Geisel.

Getting to Munich

The closest airport to Munich is Franz Josef Strauss International Airport/Flughafen Munchen or simply Munich Airport. Here is the list of all airlines that fly into Munich Airport.

The easiest way to the city center from the airport is to take the S1 and S8 lines of S-Bahn Munich. Lufthansa Express Bus also takes you to the city center and back. Have a look at the schedule here.

If you are traveling with a lot of luggage, reserve your a private airport transfer to Munich.

Getting around Munich

We have designed this 2-day itinerary for Munich in a way that you do not have to travel a lot between places.

On day 1, you can walk to each and every attraction from Marienplatz. On day 2, you can use either the S-Bahn or the U-Bahn to get to Nymphenburg Palace and Englischer Garten.

Here are some important points to remember.

• Plan all your commutes on the MVV Journey Planner. MVV is the transit authority of Munich city. Fares on MVV are determined according to zones, with Munich City being Zone M and suburbs going up to Zone 6.

• Get a day ticket (single or group) if you are planning to make multiple trips within Munich and suburbs. It turns out to be much cheaper instead of getting single tickets for every ride.

• On Day 2, when you travel to Nymphenburg Palace (included in Zone M), getting single tickets is a bit cheaper than a day ticket (assuming you are only planning a return journey from Marienplatz to Nymphenburg Palace and no detours). Have a look at the MVV journey planner to decide.

• Children under 6 years of age travel freely everywhere in Germany.

Munich Germany Travel Essentials

• Use Get Your Guide to find great deals and discounts on tours, attractions, and more across the city. I use it all the time because of its helpful interface and competitive pricing. Plus, I can access my tickets when I am offline too.

• Munich’s public transport system is called MVV. If you are looking for inexpensive public transport within Munich and surrounding MVV districts, I highly recommend getting a single or group day ticket on MVV.

• If you plan to do one or more day trips from Munich, use a Bayern Ticket. Read my complete Bayern Ticket guide to learn how, why, and where.

• Find the best hotels in Munich, Germany, here.

• Get a CityTourCard for Munich if you want to see a lot while you’re here. It offers free public transport and discounts on several attractions.

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