Last Updated: September 14, 2022
One Day In Munich: The Perfect Itinerary
Is one day in Munich enough? Yes, absolutely, so long as you’re efficient with your time and have a game plan, which I am about to lay out for you.
In all honesty though, after your 24 hours in Munich, you are going to wish you spent more than one day there, but you can always go back.
Munich is starting to rival Berlin when it comes to being Germany’s capital of culture. There is so much to see and do in this incredible city, between some of the top museums and palaces in Europe, buckets full of art galleries, and beer gardens, there is something for everyone.
But, where do you start? That is what I am here to help with! Join me as I run through everything you need to know about spending one day in Munich along with an awesome one-day in Munich itinerary.
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Getting Around Munich
Considering you only have 24 hours in Munich, the last thing you need is to waste valuable time traveling from one place to the next.
I have done my best to ensure that your one-day in Munich itinerary is as walkable as possible but there might be moments you will need to look to public transport, and here are your best options.
The Metro
The metro system in Munich is incredibly easy to navigate and super efficient too. It is also incredibly affordable and you can buy a 24-hour ticket called a Metro Day Pass that lets you use the entire metro system for just 7.50 euros.
The Metro Day Pass is available at all ticket machines at all metro stations so it is easy to get and it will give you access to the entire city for close to nothing.
While the itinerary is quite walkable, I would recommend the metro over all the other public transport options.
Public Bus
The public bus network in Munich is also excellent and it is a great alternative to the metro if you don’t want to go underground, or if your next stop isn’t too far away.
Since you are only spending one day in Munich and will be walking or using the metro most of the time, it is best to just buy a ticket for the few journeys you will end up using it for.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
The hop-on hop-off bus is a sightseeing bus that is designed to make seeing Munich as easy as possible for tourists.
This bus follows a route around Munich that includes all the major sights such as the historic Old Town, Nymphenburg Palace, Odeonsplatz, Olympic Park, the English Garden, and more.
It makes seeing the major attractions in Munich very easy as you can hop on and off the bus at your pleasure.
I would highly recommend using Google Maps to navigate your way around as it will make your one day in Munich a lot more relaxed and pleasurable.
The map will guide you from one place to the next on foot, by bus or metro, so you won’t get lost and will always take the most efficient route.
Best Time to Visit Munich
The best time to visit Munich is in the spring between April and June. This is when the flight and accommodation costs are more affordable and you will miss the crowds of summer and Oktoberfest.
The weather during these months is also excellent and is on average around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit with lots of sunshine. But, still bring an extra layer plus a rain jacket just in case.
If your plan is to experience Oktoberfest, then you will want to be there during autumn but be warned this is both the most expensive time to be in Munich and the busiest.
It is not a bad idea to visit Munich in December either as it comes alive with Christmas Markets, lights, and lots more. This is also a very affordable time to be in Munich too but it will be very cold.
How to Spend Your Day in Munich
You will find your awesome Munich itinerary below and the majority of this one-day itinerary is walkable. There are three moments when you will need to use the metro during the itinerary though and I have given you the details of each journey to follow.
Take In The Town Hall At Marienplatz
Your first port of call on your 1 day in Munich is the iconic Marienplatz. Make your way there from your accommodation and take in what has been the main meeting point in Munich since the 1100s.
This incredible square is home to the Old Town Hall and the New Town Hall called Neues Rathaus, both of which are stunning to see.
The new town hall is the highlight of the square and its Gothic facade is a marvel of architecture. Hop inside the new town hall and grab the elevator to the top where you will have amazing views of the city from 85 meters up.
If you are in need of coffee and a bite to eat, head to Cafe Glockenspiel in the square and enjoy some people watching from there and admire the town hall from afar.
See The Devil’s Foot At Frauenkirche Cathedral
Once you are done at Marienplatz it is just a short 4-minute walk to your next stop in the city center, Frauenkirche.
Frauenkirche cathedral is one of the most famous churches in Munich and its stunning green domes are a symbol of the city. It was partly destroyed in World War II but has been restored to its former glory in the years since.
A very unique thing about Frauenkirche cathedral is that it is said that the Devil paid for it to be built as long as the church was an ode to darkness. Once complete, it is said he came in and stamped his foot on a tile and you can see the “Devil’s Footprint” inside.
It is up to whether you go inside but it certainly is worth admiring it from the outside.
Take In The Amazing Views At St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche)
From Frauenkirche cathedral, it is a quick five-minute walk to St. Peter’s Church, the next stop on your day trip.
St. Peter’s Church is the oldest church in the city but it isn’t particularly mind-blowing historically or architecturally but it is worth going for the views.
If you hike to the top of the tower of St Peter’s Church you will see incredible 360-degree views of the city that include both Marienplatz and Rathaus. There is no better way of starting your one day in Munich than by getting a big-picture view of the city.
The views are worth it but the climb is no picnic and if you have issues with mobility you may want to skip it. It is very steep and cramped.
Play With Toys At The Spielzeugmuseum
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Your next stop is a fun one as the Spielzeugmuseum is a toy museum and it is only a 2-minute walk away sitting inside the Old Town Hall.
You might think this site is only for kids but it’s pretty great for adults too. Before you go in, admire the amazing building as it is very pretty, although you will remember it from your first stop at the Marienplatz.
Inside, you will find a toy collection that goes all the way back to the 1800s and you will find everything from vintage Disney toys and teddy bears and lots more too. Walking around the museum is cool too as you will have to wander through narrow corridors and little staircases
Admire The Palace Of Munich Residenz
After the toy museum, enjoy the 7-minute walk to the Munich Residenz, the next stop on your itinerary.
Set in the old town, the Munich Residenz is the palace of the Wittelsbach dynasty and it is an astounding sight to see. A lot of the palace was destroyed in World War II but has since been restored to what it once was.
I would recommend walking around the outside of the palace to admire each of the stunning facades and if you have time, you can enter the palace for a quick tour of the inside.
The palace is huge so be warned, don’t spend too much time inside as you will sacrifice some of the other amazing stops on the itinerary.
Take In Loggia dei Lanzi At Odeonsplatz
Once you are ready to leave the palace, take a stroll around the corner to Odeonsplatz, just a 3-minute walk away.
Odeonsplatz is another historic square of Munich and it has barely changed since its creation in the 18th century. You will find some wonderful buildings to admire in the square and the best of them is the Feldherrnhalle.
Feldherrnhalle is an exterior gallery that is a bit of a copy of Loggia Dei Lanzi, an exterior gallery in Florence. It is quite a stunning sight to see and has a wealth of history around it. The 1923 Beer Hall Putsch was held at the loggia when Hitler attempted a coup but was caught and put in prison.
He then wrote Mein Kampf and the Nazi party rose to power and used the Loggia Dei Lanzi for his rallies.
Relax For A Moment In Hofgarten
Right next to Odeonsplatz are the stunning gardens of Hofgarten which are worth a stroll around before your next stop.
Hofgarten is free to enter and it is a great place to take a load off and sit on the grass for a bit. There are some great things to see too including the Dianatempel (Diana Pavilion) which you will find in the center.
The Dianatempel is a huge 12-sided gazebo and you will probably get to see a musician playing inside it. Take some time to enjoy the music and then be sure to see the Bavarian State Chancellery building on the eastern side of the park.
Enjoy Some Art At Haus der Kunst
From the lovely Hofgarten, it is less than a 10-minute walk to Haus der Kunst, your next stop.
Haus der Kunst is recognized as one of the first examples of Nazi architecture and was constructed as a museum in the 1930s and today is an art gallery.
This art gallery is home to permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions and if you are an art lover you might want to dive inside and take a peek at what it is on.
If you’re not an art lover then simply take in the architecture and move on to your next stop on your itinerary.
Enjoy The Beer House Of Hofbräuhaus
By this point in time, you are probably ready for some traditional Bavarian food and a chance to drink some excellent beer. The Hofbrauhaus beer hall is one of the most famous in Munich and is just a 10-minute walk from Haus der Kunst.
The Hofbrauhaus beer hall dates back to 1589 and it is probably one of the world’s most famous beer halls. It has served the likes of Mozart, JFK, and Louis Armstrong so be sure to remember that when you sit down and order your first jug of Bavarian beer.
This famous beer hall is designed to be traditional with waitresses dressed in lederhosen and serving beer to polka music.
Take in the traditional scenes, enjoy a beer, and some food, and get fuelled up for the rest of your day in Munich.
Be Marveled In Engineering At Deutsches Museum
Image courtesy of H. Raab
Once you are full of beer and Bavarian food, head to the Deutsches Museum, just a 12-minute walk away.
The Deutsches Museum is the biggest technology and science museum in the world. It sits on an island in the Isar River and is home to more than 16,000 pieces that take up a huge 13 acres.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see the whole museum as it would take a whole day so only spend an hour or two inside here. Enjoy looking at all the amazing aircraft, machinery, trains, and other vehicles on display.
It really is quite an incredible place to walk around and you will also be able to see rockets, and hot air balloons plus see the interactive museum too.
Walk In The Royal Nymphenburg Palace
To get to the Nymphenburg Palace you will need to hop on the metro from Isartor station to Hirschgarten and then a bus to Schloss Nymphenburg. The journey is just 30 minutes and Google Maps will guide you to it seamlessly.
The Nymphenburg Palace is a baroque-style palace that was where the royals of Bavaria spent their summers with their family when not in the city residence.
It is an astounding palace and its size is quite daunting when you stand next to it. Since you don’t have all the time in the world, maybe just grab a ticket to visit the Palace and grounds and do a quick run around.
If you have time, somehow, or want to prioritize it then take a look around King Ludwig I’s Gallery of Beauties with its 36 portraits of women the King thought were beautiful, and across all classes to boot.
The Festival Room is the first one you will see in the palace and it is stunningly decorated. It was used for family celebrations including baptisms.
Olympiadorf
Now it is time to head to Olympiadorf via another 30-minute ride on public transport. Again, Google Maps will guide you to it with ease.
Olympiadorf is the old housing for athletes from the 1972 Olympics held in Munich which was converted into student halls. It is a remarkable place to stroll through as the students who lived or live in the little bungalows are allowed to paint the outside of the houses however they please.
This makes the area an open-air gallery and you will find a range of colorful and diverse facades on all the houses with cultures from many decades.
Olympiadorf is world-renowned as some of the best student accommodations in the world for those reasons and is unlike anything else you might ever see.
Olympiapark
From Olympiadorf it is just a 5-minute walk to the Olympiapark, one of the iconic sights of Munich.
Olympiapark was built for the 1927 Olympic Games and is home to magical architecture with a very different style from the rest of the city. It is still used for all kinds of sporting, cultural and musical events today.
There is a lot to see at the park from the ‘Walk of Fame’ to the Olympic tower, exhibitions at the Small Olympic Hall, and lots more.
Probably the most important sight to see here is the free Munich 1972 Massacre Memorial. It is an open-air installation that honors those that died in the massacre at the 1972 Munich Olympics and it does so very well.
Englischer Garten (English Garden)
To get to the Englischer Garten for the evening light jump on the metro from Olympiapark and you will be there in around 20 minutes.
The Englischer Garten is a magnificent park in the center of Munich and since it is en route to your last stop, enjoy a stroll through it.
This park is huge and you will find surfers surfing a wave on the river, nude bathing facilities, a Japanese tea house, and some great beer gardens where you are about to end your day.
Follow Google Maps to the Chinese Tower Beer Garden in the park.
Chinese Tower Beer Garden
After a long day, it is time to have a load of fun at the Chinese Tower Beer Garden. This is a very popular beer garden with both locals and tourists alike and it is a buzzing spot to hang out.
They serve up incredible beers, and great Bavarian food, and there is no better place to enjoy it than in the park. Pick up a beer, and some food and choose a table.
Where to Stay in Munich
Hotels in Munich are unfortunately quite expensive and finding an affordable hotel does take some digging, especially without compromising on its location.
I would recommend staying in the city center around the Old Town as this will make going from one excellent site to the next a lot easier. While the hotels in this area might be a little more expensive, they are worth it and why not treat yourself for one night?
Tips for Visiting Munich in One Day
- Use Google Maps to navigate your way around the city so you don’t lose any of your precious time getting lost or taking longer routes
- Be sure to use either the S-Bahn or the bus from Munich International Airport to your hotel as they are the most affordable and fastest options. I would personally recommend the S-Bahn as you won’t have to deal with any traffic jams
- Book tickets for attractions in advance that might have long queues as again, we don’t want you wasting a minute of your 24 hours in the city
- Buying a Munich Card is an excellent idea as it includes all public transportation and provides you with discounts to some of the best sights such as Nymphenburg Palace
- If you are in town on a Sunday, be aware that most shops will be closed so be prepared with everything you need to get around for the day
- Carry some cash in Euros when in Munich as a lot of places don’t take cards and you will get around the city much faster with it than without it
- Don’t take too much time at each stop on the itinerary as you have a lot to see in Munich in one day
- If you want to skip parts of the 1 day in Munich itinerary then please do so. It is your day trip and it should be your best one day in Munich
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
