Things to Do in Munich: A Local’s Guide

TLDR: Munich packs more into a compact city centre than most German capitals. Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel, the Englischer Garten with its Eisbach surfers, the three Pinakotheken art museums, Nymphenburg Palace, the Deutsches Museum, beer halls, and easy Alpine day trips. This local’s guide covers what to do with a long weekend.

Why Munich Works for Almost Every Traveller

Munich hits the sweet spot between historic European capital and modern liveable city. The Altstadt is small enough to walk in a morning, the museums rank among Europe’s best, the Englischer Garten is the size of two New York Central Parks, and Alpine mountains and lakes are 90 minutes away by train. The food and beer culture is unapologetically Bavarian but the wider scene is cosmopolitan. A long weekend gets the main sights; a week lets you day trip and breathe. The official Munich tourist board publishes updated opening hours you can cross check.

Marienplatz and the Altstadt Core

The square at the centre of Munich since 1158. Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) dominates the north side with its famous Glockenspiel show at 11:00, 12:00, and 17:00 daily in summer (11:00 and 12:00 only in winter). The tower lift to the top costs EUR 6.50 for a panoramic view. On the southeast corner, Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) houses the Toy Museum. Walk west past the Frauenkirche cathedral (free entry) and east along pedestrian street Weinstrasse to the Hofbräuhaus. The whole loop takes 90 minutes with photo stops.

Englischer Garten: Europe’s Great City Park

At 375 hectares the Englischer Garten is larger than Central Park in New York. The south entrance at Prinzregentenstrasse has the famous Eisbach standing wave where surfers ride year round (wetsuits in winter). Walk north along the river path to the Chinesischer Turm beer garden (7000 seats under a Chinese pagoda), then to the Monopteros hilltop temple with a panoramic Munich skyline view. Sunbathing nudism is legal in dedicated zones. Free bicycle rental around the park perimeter from EUR 10 a day.

The Pinakothek Museums

Three state art museums in a 10 minute walking radius in Maxvorstadt: Alte Pinakothek (Old Masters, Dürer, Rubens, Rembrandt), Neue Pinakothek (19th century, currently under partial renovation), and Pinakothek der Moderne (20th and 21st century plus design, Picasso, Kandinsky, a Bauhaus collection). Each EUR 7 to 10, or EUR 12 combination ticket. First Sunday of the month all EUR 1. See our neighbourhood guide for how to base yourself walking distance from all three.

Residenz and Nymphenburg: Wittelsbach Palaces

The Residenz in the Altstadt is Germany’s largest city palace and the former royal home of the Wittelsbach dynasty. Ten huge courtyards, the Antiquarium hall, the Cuvilliés Theater, and the Treasury packed with crowns and regalia. Entry EUR 10, allow 3 hours. For a garden palace instead, take tram 17 to Nymphenburg Palace in the western suburbs. Combination ticket EUR 15 covers the main palace plus the park pavilions Amalienburg, Badenburg, and Pagodenburg. Park free. Both palaces easily fill half a day.

Deutsches Museum: World’s Largest Science Museum

On an island in the Isar river. The Deutsches Museum covers 28000 exhibits across aviation, astronomy, maritime, mining, musical instruments, and more. Allow at least 4 hours or a full day with children. Entry EUR 15 adult. The current modernisation programme reopens halls in stages through 2028. Walk across from the Altstadt via Ludwigsbrücke.

Olympiapark and BMW Welt

The 1972 Olympics legacy is a superb public park at Olympiapark. Climb Olympiaberg (a hill made of WWII rubble) for a skyline view with the Alps in the distance on clear days, or take the tent roof tour. Right next door is BMW Welt (free) and BMW Museum (EUR 10) with interactive car and motorcycle exhibits. U3 to Olympiazentrum stops at both.

Viktualienmarkt and a Bavarian Lunch

A working food market since 1807, Viktualienmarkt sits two minutes south of Marienplatz. Buy weisswurst, pretzels, and obatzda cheese spread at the stalls, eat in the small beer garden in the middle. For a full sit-down meal try Schneider Bräuhaus or the classic Augustiner am Dom. See our restaurant guide for more options. Market closed Sundays.

Day Trips from Munich

Some of Europe’s best day trips sit 1 to 2 hours from Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle (2 hours south), Salzburg Austria (1h45 east), Dachau Memorial (25 min S-Bahn), Zugspitze Germany’s highest mountain (1h20 + cable car), Nuremberg medieval city (1 hour ICE). Our full day trips guide covers nine options with costs and timings.

Beer Gardens and Beer Halls

You cannot do Munich without at least one beer hall or beer garden evening. Hofbräuhaus is the famous one. Augustiner-Keller has 5000 seats under chestnut trees. Hirschgarten seats 8000 and is the largest open air beer garden in Europe. Chinesischer Turm in the Englischer Garten is the most central. A one litre Maß costs EUR 9 to 11, food EUR 12 to 22. Live brass bands on many evenings.

A Suggested 3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Altstadt walking loop, Glockenspiel at 12:00, Viktualienmarkt lunch, Residenz afternoon, Hofbräuhaus evening. Day 2: Pinakotheken (Alte + Moderne), bus 100 to Englischer Garten, surfers at Eisbach, Chinesischer Turm beer garden dinner. Day 3: Choose one day trip (Neuschwanstein for first timers, Salzburg for a compact old town, Dachau for history). Finish with a last beer hall dinner.

Hotel Photo Gallery

A quick look at Low Budget Hostel Munich. See the full gallery on Booking.com.

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