One Day in Munich: How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Munich

Packed with fantastic museums, fine buildings, friendly locals, and an almost Mediterranean outlook, it’s hardly surprising that Munich is one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations. If you’ve got only one day in Munich, we’ve got you well covered with our itinerary. Read on to discover how to see the must-see sights of Munich in one day.

Getting To Munich

Munich Airport (Flughafen München) is located 28.5 km (17.7 mi) northeast of Munich. The quickest and most reliable way to get from Munich Airport to the city center is by taking the suburban train.

The S1 (direction Ostbahnhof) and S8 (direction Herrsching) S-Bahn lines connect the airport to Munich city center at 10-minute intervals from about 04:00 to 01:00. The trip from Munich Airport to Munich Central Station (Munich Hauptbahnhof) takes approximately 40 minutes.

The station for the commuter rail service is situated beneath the airport. The single fare between Munich Airport and the city center costs 13 EUR. 

If you plan on using public transport later in the day in Munich, you should buy the day ticket for 14.80 EUR. Tickets can be purchased with cash or card from one of the automated ticket machines. 

The cheapest way to get from Munich Airport to Munich city center is by taking the Lufthansa Express Bus. The journey from Munich Airport to Munich North/Schwabing takes approximately 25 minutes while the journey from Munich Airport to Munich Central Station takes about 45 minutes.

Buses operate seven days a week at 15-minute intervals from 06:30 to 22:30. Tickets cost 11.50 EUR (single trip) and 18.50 EUR (roundtrip). 

• Click here to book your bus transfer to or from Munich Airport.

Taxi fares between Munich Airport and the city center are high – around 60–70 EUR.

Is One Day in Munich Enough?

One day in Munich is certainly not enough time to fully experience the myriad wonders of the city. However, if 24 hours in Munich is all you have, you can cover the top attractions, indulge in some local delicacies, and get a decent overview of the city.

How To Get Around During Your One Day in Munich

Munich is a splendidly walkable city and wandering on foot remains the best way to explore Munich and discover its many treasures.

However, since Munich is a large city and some of its attractions are quite spread out, it’s probably not feasible to just walk everywhere when you just have one day in Munich. The best way to get around Munich is by the efficient public transportation system.

Munich’s easy-to-use public transport includes the U-Bahn (subway), the S-Bahn (trains), buses as well as trams. It’s also worth knowing that all major attractions in Munich are easily reached by public transport, and with one ticket you can seamlessly switch from one form of transport to another.

A single ticket in Munich costs 3.70 EUR. You can also opt for a Munich day ticket (valid until 06:00 the following day) which costs 8.80 EUR.

Children under 6 years of age travel for free while kids from 6 to 14 years of age get a concession on their tickets.

Public transport tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines found in all U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations, as well as from the onboard machines on buses and trams. You can also purchase tickets online or via the “MVV” app.

You can use the very useful intermodal Journey Planner for getting around Munich with public transport.

If you are visiting Munich in the warmer months, getting around on a bicycle is also a good alternative and a fun way to see the city. With its flat terrain, Munich is tailor-made for cyclists and many streets have dedicated bike lanes. 

The easiest way to rent a bicycle in Munich is by signing up for MVG Rad, the city’s bike-sharing system which has service points all over the city. Bike rental with MVG Rad costs 9 cents per minute or 12 EUR per day.  

For more information click here (only in German) or download the MVGO app.

In case you’re interested in seeing the highlights of Munich on bike, check out this excellent Munich Bicycle Tour.

If you’re not up for a long walk or cycle around Munich, you could also get around on a segway, which can cover a larger area than a walk-around.

In case you’re interested in seeing the highlights of Munich on a segway, check out this highly-rated Munich Segway Tour.

For those craving an audio guide and extra comfort, you can also get around the city with Munich Hop-On Hop-Off Tour.

You probably won’t need to use taxis during your 24 hours in Munich as the city is so well served by public transport. 

However, should you want to use a taxi, you can hail a taxi on the street, order one online or by telephone, or pick up one at one of the numerous taxi ranks located strategically across Munich. Taxi-München eG is one of the companies you can check out if you want to call a taxi.

Is the Munich Card/Munich City Pass Worth It For One Day?

For sightseeing in Munich, the two most common travel passes that allow you to access the most important attractions/museums for free or at a discounted rate, as well as free access to public transportation are the Munich Card and the Munich City Pass. 

The Munich Card offers unlimited travel on all public transport in Munich and offers discounts at more than 80 tours, attractions, restaurants, and theaters. 

On the other hand, the Munich City Pass is more of an all-inclusive pass that not only offers unlimited travel on all public transport but also offers free admission to the most popular museums and sights in Munich.

The Munich City Pass is really good value for money but probably not worth buying if you’re only spending one day in Munich. You would be better off buying the Munich Card for 24 hours.

Ultimately, whether the Munich Card/Munich City Pass is worth buying and truly cost-effective depends on your needs and interests and the range of sightseeing activities you have planned.

Your One Day in Munich Itinerary

For this ‘one day in Munich’ itinerary, I have included some of the major attractions and sights in the city. It, of course, isn’t feasible to check out all of Munich’s major sights in just one day. 

This is a pretty packed itinerary that will eat up most of your day. Of course, everyone travels at a different pace so feel free to choose the destinations according to your own pace. The earlier you start your day the more time you’ll have to see the attractions. 

Below I have compiled a list of the best things to see in Munich over the course of one day:

1. Traditional Bavarian Breakfast

Kick off your 24 hours in Munich as any self-respecting Münchner would – by treating yourself to a traditional Bavarian breakfast. 

More commonly known as “Weißwurst Frühstück,” the traditional Bavarian breakfast consists of weißwurst (a parboiled grey-white sausage made of a mixture of finely minced veal, back bacon, and spices stuffed into pork casing), a fresh pretzel, and a good dollop of sweet whole-grain mustard.

And since you’re in Munich, a city so closely associated with beer, a Weißwurst Frühstück is only complete with a freshly tapped Hefeweizen, a gentle, unfiltered wheat beer to wash it down. 

The Weißwurst is a Munich staple and is as synonymous with the city as Currywurst is with Berlin and Rostbratwurst is with Nuremberg.  

Weißwurst is served in a bowl of hot water. Keep in mind that before being consumed, the sausage must be peeled to remove the thin outer casing.

Some Münchners prefer sucking the meat out of the Weißwurst casing (a technique known as auszuzeln) while others use a knife to make an incision along the length of the sausage and peel the skin off. I most certainly prefer the latter.

There are several great places to enjoy a proper Bavarian breakfast in Munich, one of which is Schneider Bräuhaus. Known for its rustic interior, this age-old restaurant is a local favorite and is well-known for its wide variety of wheat beer (try the TAP05 or TAP06).

2.  Max-Joseph-Platz

Max-Joseph-Platz is one of my favorite and most elegant squares in Munich. This Neoclassical square is ringed by some of the most prominent buildings in the city on three sides and a row of colorful townhouses on the fourth.

The most notable buildings surrounding the square are the arcaded Töerring-Jettenbach, the Munich Residenz, and the National Theater. The building of the National Theater is modeled on a classical Greek temple and impresses with its eight Corinthian columns and double triangular gables.

The National Theater doubles as the  Bavarian State Opera and is one of the most renowned opera houses in the world. It is famous for its performances of Wagnerian operas like Tristan und Isolde (1865), The Mastersingers of Nuremberg (1868), Rheingold (1869), and The Valkyrie (1870).

The centerpiece of the square is a grand statue of Maximilian I—a.k.a. Max Joseph, who drew up the Bavarian constitution, the first in Germany, in 1818. Surrounded by four stone lions at its base, the monument shows the seated king holding the scepter of Bavaria in one hand.

3. Residenz

Easily up there with the best of Europe’s great palaces, the Residenz is the shiny jewel in Munich’s majestic crown. The Residenz dates back to the late 14th century and was used by Bavaria’s Wittelsbach dynasty as a seat of government and a personal residence up until 1918.

The Residenz was restored after its almost total destruction in World War II and now houses the Residenz Museum, a concert hall, the Cuvilliés Theater, and the Residenz Treasury. 

While a thorough examination of this enormous palace complex requires about half a day, taking a quick tour (1.5-2hrs) of the Residenz Museum is totally worth putting on your list of things to do in Munich in one day. 

Take a walk through the palace’s spectacular banquet and reception halls, and the Wittelsbachs’ lavish private apartments.

Many of these halls and rooms provide a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Bavaria’s royal family and are gloriously furnished with paintings, tapestries, furniture, and porcelain dating back to the Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical eras. are housed in various rooms and halls.

Some of the best things to see in the Residenz Museum are the Ancestral Gallery (Ahnengalerie) with its lavish stuccowork, the Green Gallery (Grüne Galerie) – an example of Rococo interiors at their finest, the sumptuous Miniatures Cabinet, and the Rich Chapel (Reiche Kapelle) – a masterpiece of encrusted ornamentation.

Top billing, however, rightfully goes to the Antiquarium. Built in 1569–71, this great hall measuring 66 meters (217 feet) is the largest Renaissance ceremonial hall north of the Alps.

The Antiquarium is embellished with busts of Roman emperors, allegorical frescoes, grotesque paintings, and Bavarian landscapes. It’s hardly a surprise that it is one of the most popular Munich Instagram spots.

Practical Information For Visiting the Residenz

The Munich Residence is open daily throughout the year except for January 1st, Shrove Tuesday, December 24th, 25th, and 31st.

From 1 April-16 October, the Residenz Museum is open from 09:00- 18:00 (last entry at 17:00), and from 17 October-31 March the Residence Museum is open from 10:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:00). The entrance costs 9 EUR. No tour is required for your visit and you’re free to explore on your own.

It’s easy to lose track of time while touring the grand rooms of the Residenz Museum, so keep your visit brief as you only have one day in Munich.  

4. Odeonsplatz

If ever proof was needed why Munich seems like it belongs south of the Alps, a stroll through Odeonsplatz would provide the solution. This square, which marks the northern border of the Old Town, is one of the several places throughout Munich that underscore its love for Italy.

Odeonsplatz was laid out by the Wittelsbach kings in the 1800s. The western end of the magnificent square is hemmed by the mustard-yellow Theatine Church of St. Cajetan (Theatinerkirche). 

This copper-domed church is High Baroque and Rococo in style and was designed after the Sant’Andrea della Valle Basilica in Rome. Interestingly, the spiral volutes on its two towers are inspired by those of the famous Basilica of Saint Mary of Health in Venice.

Admire the church from outside before casting your gaze on the majestic Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshals’ Hall). The blueprint for this dramatic open-air loggia was copied almost brick for brick from the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence.

The Feldherrnhalle stands as a tribute to the Bavarian army and is guarded by a pair of marble lions. Standing beside the lions are the statues of Count Johann Tserclaes Tilly, who led Catholic forces in the Thirty Years’ War, and Karl Philipp von Wrede, a hero of the 19th-century Napoleonic Wars. 

Odeonsplatz is also historically very significant is it played host to the final act of the infamous Beer Hall Putsch, a failed coup d’état by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler. On 9 November 1923, a mob of about 2,000 of Hitler’s supporters marched down to the square to be met by a force of 100 policemen. 

The two groups exchanged fire resulting in the deaths of four policemen and 16 Nazis. Hitler was consequently arrested and imprisoned in Landsberg Prison where he wrote his infamous autobiographical manifesto, Mein Kampf.

When he came into power in 1933, Hitler turned the Feldherrnhalle into a memorial weighed down by swastikas and red-and-black banners to honor the (so-called) martyrs slain during the failed putsch. During the Third Reich, all who passed it were compelled to give the Nazi salute.

If you’re into history, consider taking a Third Reich & WWII Tour Walking Tour in Munich.

5. Church of Our Lady

The Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) is Munich’s landmark cathedral. If there’s one church you should visit in Munich, it’s this one.

The Church of Our Lady was constructed in the German Gothic style in the late 15th century and is composed primarily of red brick. The church’s two 98.5-meter-high towers are so much a part of Munich’s image that they’ve become the symbol of the city.

In fact, no building is allowed to be built higher than 98.5 meters in Munich for fear of sullying the city skyline. The two towers are topped by lovely onion domes which were inspired by the Dome of the Rock shrine in Jerusalem.

The thing that hits you from the very moment you step through the door of the church is its colossal size, it can accommodate up to 4,000 worshippers. 

The interior is rather restrained for a Catholic Church though I did enjoy its elegant simplicity, emphasized by slender, white octagonal pillars that sweep up through the nave to the tracery ceiling.

Highlights of the church interior include the beautiful stained glass window behind the Memminger Alter, the carved Statue of St. Christopher, and the tomb of Emperor Ludwig IV of Bavaria.

Don’t forget to check out the infamous Devil’s Footprint (Teufelstritt) near the entrance. This footprint, complete with a spur at the heel, is said to be the work of the Devil himself, with some claiming the Church of Our Lady’s architect made a pact with the Devil to finance its construction. 

Others say it’s an expression of the Devil’s glee when he was tricked into thinking that the church didn’t have any windows (which obviously it does).

The Church of Our Lady is open from 08:00-20:00 (Monday-Saturday) and from 08:30-20:00 (Sunday and public holidays). The entrance to the church is free.

6. Marienplatz

Marienplatz has been Munich’s focal point and primary square since its founding in 1158. For centuries the square was the town’s marketplace and public forum.

Today, Marienplatz is an important place for various city celebrations such as Munich Christmas Market (Münchner Christkindlmarkt). Throughout the day, the square is a constant hive of activity usually crammed with people coming and going.

The square gets its name from the Marian column (Mariensäule) standing in its center. It was erected in 1638 as an act of thanksgiving for the city’s survival during the savage Thirty Years War. 

The most remarkable and most certainly my favorite sight on Marienplatz is the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus). Although the elaborate edifice looks as though it was plucked straight from the Middle Ages it was actually built between 1867 & 1909. 

It was modeled on the town hall of Brussels and is a paragon of Neo-Gothic architecture. I love how the façade features intricate carvings, gargoyles, allegorical pictures, and legendary Bavarian figures.

Your eyes will inevitably be drawn to the New Town Hall’s famous glockenspiel (a chiming clock with mechanical figures). Twice a day at 11:00 and 12:00 (from March to October additionally at 17:00) 32 figurines enact events from Munich’s past as the 43 bells on the tower play four different melodies in succession.

On the eastern side of the square sits the delightful Fish Fountain (Fischbrunnen). It’s Munich’s most famous and oldest fountain – some believe it goes back as early as the 1300s.

Beyond the Fish Fountain at the far eastern end of the square stands the Old Town Hall (Alte Rathaus) of Munich. While it is less ostentatious than its successor, the building is still a delight to photograph due to its distinctive fairytale-like appearance.

With so much going on there, it is no exaggeration to describe Marienplatz as one of the must-see attractions in Munich.

7. St. Peter’s Church

The St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche) is the oldest recorded church in all of Munich tracing its origins to the 12th century. The church has endured a tumultuous history and its Gothic façade stems from the late 14th century. 

Over the years, the church has been restored in various architectural styles, including Baroque, and Rococo. The rich baroque interior features a magnificent high altar and aisle pillars decorated with sumptuous 18th-century figures of the apostles.

However, the main reason why St. Peter’s Church is worth visiting is to take in the spectacular panoramic view it offers from its bell tower—known locally as Alter Peter, or “Old Peter,” which towers 91 meters over the church.

The climb to the top of the tower is an exhausting one (over 300 narrow wooden steps) and one which I wouldn’t recommend to anyone who’s claustrophobic. But, the spectacular views from the top totally make up for it, and on a clear day, you can even see the Alps.

St. Peter’s Church is open daily from 07:30-19:00. The tower is usually open from 09:00-18:30. The entrance to the church is free while admission to the tower viewing platform costs 5 EUR.

8. Viktualienmarkt

Nestled in the heart of the Munich Old Town (Altstadt) is the bustling Viktualienmarkt, one of the major attractions in Munich. The largest food market in Munich, it is home to a colorful array of around 140 stalls that sell fruit, vegetables, dairy products, fish, meat and sausages, bread and baked goods, and spirits. 

You will also see exotic spices, gourmet chocolate, and handmade specialties such as honey, chutneys, and mustard creations. It’s a great place to grab a quick lunch and pick up some Munich souvenirs.

Don’t forget to check out the stately maypole (maibaum) in the center of the Viktualienmarkt. Maypoles are as much a fixture in Bavarian towns as churches.

The Viktualienmarkt maypole is characteristically painted in the Bavarian national colors of white and blue and decorated with various motifs of local handicrafts and village life.

The bottom of the maypole celebrates the Munich Purity Law of 1487  which stipulated that Munich beer could consist only of three ingredients: barley, hops, and water (it was only later found out that a fourth ingredient, yeast, is always present in fermentation).

The Munich Purity Law of 1487 was later adopted across Bavaria in 1516. Known as the Reinheitsgebot, the purity law has governed beer brewing in all of Germany since 1906. 

Most of the market stalls at the Munich Viktualienmarkt are open Monday-Saturday from 08:00-20:00.

• Click here to book a Viktualienmarkt Gourmet Food Tour

9. Eisbach Wave

Sitting at the southern edge of the English Garden (Munich’s version of Central Park), the Eisbach Wave is one of the most peculiar Munich attractions. The man-made wave was created by strategically submerging concrete blocks in the artificial Eisbach Stream.

Riding the waist-high wave isn’t easy and many surfers have suffered dislocated shoulders or broken bones from hitting the concrete blocks. However, this doesn’t dissuade the intrepid professional and semi-professional athletes in wetsuits.

Not bad for a city that’s over 300 km (190 mi) from the nearest sea!

It’s so much fun to observe the talented Eisbach surfers whizz back and forth on the Eisbach in a confined space – the best views are from the bridge above.

10. Alte Pinakothek/Deutsches Museum

No day of Munich sightseeing would be complete without checking out at least one world-class museum in the city. Munich’s two leading museums are the Alte Pinakothek and the Deutsches Museum.

Both these museums are absolutely top-notch and worth visiting but given your limited time in the city, you’ll have to be content in seeing only one. You can choose which one to see depending on your personal interest.

a. Alte Pinakothek

The Alte Pinakothek is one of the most significant art museums in Europe and holds a splendid collection of artworks by the greatest European artists from the 14th to the 18th centuries. 

I really enjoyed this museum and If you’re a classical art aficionado, then the Alte Pinakothek should definitely be number one on your list of Munich museums to visit.

The collection is laid out on two floors and much of the 800 or so paintings on display (many thousands more are in storage) are drawn from the personal galleries of the Wittelsbach Royals. 

Diego Velázquez, Leonardo da Vinci, Tintoretto, Albrecht Altdorfer, Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Peter Paul Rubens, El Greco, and Pieter Breughel the Elder are only some of the great masters exhibited in this treasure trove of art. 

Some of the unmissable highlights of the Alte Pinakothek are: 

• Pieter Brueghel the Elder’s The Land of Cockaigne 

• El Greco’s The Disrobing of Christ

• Albrecht Altdorfer’s The Battle of Alexander at Issus

• Albrecht Dürer’s Self Portrait

An added bonus of visiting the Alte Pinakothek at the moment is that a selection of 18th- and 19th-century masterworks from the adjacent Neue Pinakothek are on display since the latter is currently closed for restoration.

The Alte Pinakothek is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00-18:00 (until 20:30 on Wednesday and Thursday). The entrance costs 7 EUR.

OR

b. Deutsches Museum

Established in 1903, the Deutsches Museum is one of the world’s oldest museums of science and technology, not to mention the largest. Exploring the Deutsches Museum was one of my favorite things to do in Munich.

The countless exhibited objects tell a story of innovation, stretching from the Stone Age to the present day. The hands-on exhibitions ensure that topics like chemistry, robotics, transport, astronautics, photography, energy, electronics, music, etc are accessible to everyone.

While there’s far too much to take in during one visit, it’s well worth making the trek to the Deutsches Museum. Whatever your interest in current or old technology, you’ll certainly find an exhibit to pique your curiosity.

Because of your limited time, I only recommend checking out exhibits from the topics that are most interesting to you.

The Deutsches Museum is open daily from 09:00-17:00. The entrance costs 15 EUR. To save time, you can also book your ticket online through the museum website. 

11. Hofbräuhaus

You can’t visit Munich without stopping by the Hofbräuhaus. It is by far the most hallowed beer hall in the world and has been an integral part of Munich’s history for more than 400 years.

The Hofbräuhaus was established in 1589 by Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V as a brewery that would produce refined beer exclusively for Munich’s elites. It took 239 years before the Hofbräuhaus was made available to the general public. 

There have been several incarnations of the Hofbräuhaus and the beer hall as we see it today was completed in 1897. Step inside and admire the Schwemme, the huge ground floor hall where beer was once brewed.

Here, people from all over the world now sit under the artistically frescoed ceiling at long wooden tables. It’s perennially loud and busy, the brass oompah band plays Bavarian folk music, staff wearing traditional Dirndl and Lederhosen bustle about between the rows, and the obligatory mugs containing a liter of beer are omnipresent.

The Hofbräuhaus is open daily from 11:00-24:00.

12. Dinner

Cap off your one day in Munich by treating yourself to a well-deserved dinner. If you’re in the mood for an authentic Munich food and beer hall experience, I suggest you check out Augustiner Klosterwirt or Ayinger am Platzl. 

The beer at Ayinger is excellent while you can’t go wrong with classics like Schweinshaxe (roast pork knuckle) and Käsespätzle at Augustiner. While not as packed as Hofbräuhaus, these places are still popular so make reservations before you go.

If you really want to dine like a local in Munich, you can sign up for an insightful Bavarian Beer and Food Culture Tour.

However, if you’re in the mood for something different try Chopan for quality Afghan food or Osteria il Tenore for Italian.

More Than One Day In Munich?

Obviously, there are a number of great attractions to be seen in Munich if you are spending more time there. Places like the Nymphenburg Palace, BMW Museum, the English Garden, etc. all deserve to be visited.

If you have more than 1 day in Munich, the city also makes a great base for day-tripping in Bavaria or even parts of Austria. 

Munich is the ideal starting point for excursions to the postcard-perfect medieval old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the historic city of Nuremberg, Germany’s highest peak – Zugspitze, or the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.

You could also take a day trip from Munich to Eagle’s Nest – Hitler’s mountain retreat in the Bavarian Alps above Berchtesgaden or visit Mozart’s hometown of Salzburg on a day trip from Munich.

Where To Stay in Munich

The variety of accommodation in Munich is vast, and it’s possible to find something to suit all tastes and budgets. The majority of hotels and hostels can be found on the periphery of the Old Town and in Schwabing.

If you choose a place further from the center, make sure that it has good public transport connections.

N.B. Munich is a major location for international trade fares so keep in mind that accommodation of any sort can be harder to find in Munich when trade fairs take place in the city and during Oktoberfest.

Hostel: Wombat’s City Hostel Munich Hauptbahnhof, a great choice next to Munich’s main railway station

Budget: B&B Hotel München-Olympiapark, a solid option near the Olympic Park

Mid-range: Hotel Torbräu, an excellent choice in the historic Old Town, just 400 m from Marienplatz

Splurge: Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor – a concept by Hyatt, a sumptuous choice in the trendy Schwabing district

Further Reading For Your Munich Visit

That summarizes our definitive 1 day Munich itinerary. We reckon you’ll find the following resources useful for planning your trip to Munich!

More Information About Germany

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Now, what do you think? How would you spend one day in Munich? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!