The capital town of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany, Munich has a lot to offer. It’s medieval charm captivates visitors all year round.
It’s one of the most-loved cities in Europe and is known for its seasonal festivals, historical and cultural significance, and architectural grandeur. Along with exploring the beautiful churches, intriguing museums, and stunning architecture, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the local lifestyle and culture.
And to help you plan an incredible trip to Munich – one of the top destinations in Europe, we have created a perfect Munich 3-day itinerary.
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The Perfect Munich 3 Day Itinerary
In this guide, we will share the top things to do in Munich on your 3 day itinerary.
- Is 3 Days in Munich enough?
- Best time to visit Munich
- Alte Pinakothek
- Munich Residenz
- Theatine Church
- Marienplatz
- Hofbrauhaus
- Bayerische Staatsoper
- St. Peter’s Church
- Deutsches Museum
- Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens
- BMW Museum
- BMW Welt
- Lenbachhaus
- English Garden
- Preparing for your trip to Munich
Is 3 Days Enough in Munich?
Munich is one of those cities that has so much to do. It offers a perfect blend of urban life and countryside. Ideally, 3 days are enough to explore and experience all the facets of Munich tourism.
Best Time to Visit Munich
The weather in Germany can be quite unpredictable, you could witness a hot April, a stormy November, or a cold May. However, in general, the weather remains pretty mild and moderate in Munich.
If you want pleasant weather, ideal for travel and exploring but with lesser crowds, then March to May is usually the best time to visit. The weather remains nice during Summer and Autumn, but this is the peak season and you can expect all the attractions to be very crowded.
However, if the famous Oktoberfest is a must on your list, then mid September to early October will be the perfect time to plan a trip to Munich.
A lot of tourists also consider winter to be the best time to visit Munich. Winters in Munich are cold and the temperatures hover near freezing, making rain and snow quite common. Despite that, there are still a lot of amazing things to do in Munich in winter and as such, people prefer to explore the city at this time of year.
Where to Stay in Munich
No matter what your style of accommodation is, Munich has the perfect place for you. We have put together a list of the best places to stay in Munich, ranging all price ranges, to make your trip a little less stressful.
Luxury – Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München offers stylish rooms with modern décor along with panoramic views of the city. This hotel is located in the heart of the city, only a 5 minute walk away from Marienplatz Square. To complete your stay, there is a spa and a large pool on site.
You can book your room at Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München here.
Mid-Range – The Novotel München City is a central newly renovated hotel complete with a spa and a swimming pool. The commute into the city centre is only 5 minutes, meaning you won’t be wasting precious time in the city travelling.
You can book your room at the Novotel München City hotel here.
Budget – THE 4YOU Hostel & Hotel Munich is a great budget accommodation to stay when you are visiting Munich. The double rooms are very affordable and are just a 3-minute walk from Munich train station making it a very accessible place to stay.
You can book your room at THE 4YOU Hostel & Hotel Munich here.
If hostels are more your social scene, Munich has a huge range of hostels available in all locations across the city. Make new friends and enjoy the social side of travelling with a hostel.
Your Perfect 3-Day Munich Itinerary
Day 1
Alte Pinakothek
One of the world’s oldest art galleries, Alte Pinakothek is the most popular art museum in Munich. It is known for its wide range of impressive collections of paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries.
Located in Kunstareal area, the museum is a treat for all art lovers. The collections are categorised into three areas but in total, there are around 700 paintings on display in the museum.
There are collections of Old German, Early Italian, Flemish, and Dutch paintings along with some important works from the European Masters.
Munich Residenz Palace
Munich Residenz is a former royal palace that has served as the seat of many over the years such as electors, dukes, and the Kings of Bavaria. Owing to its rich historical significance, the palace is one of the most spectacular attractions of its kind in Europe.
Munich Palace sprawls around 7 large courts and has three main sections. The first one is Konigsbau overlooking Max-Joseph-Platz; the second one is Alte Residenz which overlooks Residenzstasse, and the last one faces Hofgarten and is known as Festsaalbu.
Apart from the stunning architecture, the palace is also known for its Antiquarium which is now an integral part of the Residenz Museum. Within the palace complex, you can find different museums and monuments.
Other key highlights in the complex are the Court Church of All Saints, the Treasury, and Cuvillies Theatre. There are also beautiful arcades and courtyards.
Theatine Church
Located in Odeonsplatz, Theatine Church is known as the first Baroque church in Bavaria. It was built somewhere between 1663 and 1690 and is known for its striking yellow Rococo facade.
Theatinerkirche, as it is known in Germany, also boasts a beautiful dome, which gleams at night, and a twin tower. Apart from its sacred significance, Theatine Church is also known for its exquisite exterior which is richly adorned in Baroque style.
Marienplatz
Being the central square, Marienplatz Square is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
The square serves as a tourist destination in itself with wonderful architectural sights nearby. It is also known for its swarming market culture and is home to some of the best restaurants in the city.
There are a whole lot of things to do in Marienplatz Square which are not just restricted to architecture, shopping, or food, but also includes pubs, churches, and great sights to capture.
Hofbrauhaus
Hofbrauhaus is an iconic place in Munich for socialites. It is one of the most popular beer halls in the city, here you will see both locals and tourists enjoying a beer.
Hofbrauhaus will be the perfect place to round out day 1 of your Munich tour. You can enjoy a 500ml or 1-litre glass of beer, along with some specialities.
Adding to the ambience, there is an orchestra band performing live at Hofbrauhaus. The band never fails to get people dancing to the upbeat music, holding a glass of beer in their hands in full spirit.
Day 2
Bayerische Staatsoper
Opera is a huge part of the culture in Munich. In fact, opera is one of the major aspects of tourism in Germany and Bayerische Staatsoper is the most popular opera house in the city.
Located in Max-Joseph Platz, Bayerische Staatsoper is known not only for hosting amazing opera shows, but for its stunning architecture, reminiscent of Roman style.
With a seating capacity of more than 2000, it is the largest opera house in Germany and one of the most beautiful of its kind in Europe. It has a rich opera and ballet history of more than 350 years.
St. Peter’s Church
The oldest church in Munich, St. Peter’s is located just south of the famous Marienplatz Square. It is an architectural wonder.
Some parts of it were severely damaged during World War II. It was later restored, creating its wonderful mixture of architectural design and style. Overall, however, this is one of the most beautiful churches to visit in the city.
St. Peter’s Church traces its history from the 14th century but is well known today for its stunning interior. Inside, there are red monuments made of marble by Erasmus Grasser. There is also the Schrenk Altar which dates back to the 15th century, along with the sculptures of the Last Judgment and Crucifixion.
Deutsches Museum
One of the oldest and largest of its kind, Deutsches Museum is all about science and technology.
Through its exhibitions and collections, the museum talks about how technology and the laws of nature work. There are about 20 sections dedicated to a wide thematic range such as physics, technology, astronomy, photography & film, chemistry, agriculture & food, telecommunication, and timekeeping.
With so much to see, you are likely to spend a good 3-4 hours in the museum exploring and learning. The Deutsches Museum also has an interactive planetarium that captures the curiosity of adults as well as kids through its different demonstrations.
Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens
Located in the western district of the city, Nymphenburg Palace was constructed in the 17th century and used to serve as the summer residence of the Wittelsbach Electors.
The palace boasts stunning Baroque architecture and is surrounded by Nymphenburg Canal on either side. The canal splits as it goes around the main building and later joins again in a pool (which also has a gorgeous fountain) in front of the main entrance.
Within the grounds of the palace, there are magnificent gardens that are a part of Nymphenburg Park. In the gardens, there is a palatial hunting lodge – Amalienburg.
In the grounds you will also find marble effigies of Greek gods, a few hothouses (including Germany’s first hot-water system), a fountain, and a maze with a Heckentheater (Hedge Theatre).
Day 3
BMW Museum
Known as the ‘salad bowl’, the BMW Museum is a fascinating building. Even if you are not a car lover, a visit to the museum is a must for an incredible experience.
Built by the same architect responsible for the spectacular BMW Headquarters (the four-tower cylindrical building you can see in the picture behind the museum), around 250,000 people visit here each year. It is the third most visited place in Munich, behind the Deutsches Museum and Pinakothek Der Moderne.
On display, you can find almost all the models BMW have made up until now, including racing models, sports cars, and motorbikes. You can also get a glimpse of future technologies and concept designs.
BMW Welt
Not to be confused with the BMW Museum, BMW Welt is a huge showroom and exhibition area, located in the same complex.
Here you can see every type of vehicle BMW makes and can even sit inside them. A unique building both inside and out, BMW Welt showcases the present and future of mobility. A contrast to the museum, which showcases BMW’s history.
Lenbachhaus
Lenbachhaus is another popular art museum in Munich, loved by tourists. It houses a wide collection of contemporary art and on display, you will see beautiful pieces by various expressionist masters like Kandinsky. There is also a fantastic collection by local artists from Munich.
The museum is known for its beautiful building. Most of it dates back to the 1880s though some parts were added in 2013.
English Garden
As most of the attractions on this Munich tour have been indoors, a walk to this beautiful garden is the best way to end your trip. Sprawling over a huge area of 370 hectares, English Garden is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
There is a lot of lush greenery to walk around and unwind as you soak it all in. There are also several highlights in the gardens worth seeing.
The man-made Eisbach River is a great spot where you can see locals surfing, a Japanese Tea House, and a Chinese Tower.
How to Prepare for Your Visit to Munich
Before you head off on your trip to Germany, there are a few things to organise to ensure your trip runs smoothly and you have the best experience on your adventure in Munich in winter. These include what to pack for Munich in winter, what insurance to get, where to stay and how to get around.
How to get around Munich
Munich has a great public transport system. There are buses, trains, and trams that will take you around the city to the top sights.
Where to Stay in Munich
No matter what your style of accommodation is, Munich has the perfect place for you. We have put together a list of the best places to stay in Munich, ranging all price ranges, to make your trip a little less stressful.
Luxury – Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München offers stylish rooms with modern décor along with panoramic views of the city. This hotel is located in the heart of the city, only a 5 minute walk away from Marienplatz Square. To complete your stay, there is a spa and a large pool on site.
You can book your room at Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski München here.
Mid-Range – The Novotel München City is a central newly renovated hotel complete with a spa and a swimming pool. The commute into the city centre is only 5 minutes, meaning you won’t be wasting precious time in the city travelling.
You can book your room at the Novotel München City hotel here.
Budget – THE 4YOU Hostel & Hotel Munich is a great budget accommodation to stay when you are visiting Munich. The double rooms are very affordable and are just a 3-minute walk from Munich train station making it a very accessible place to stay.
You can book your room at THE 4YOU Hostel & Hotel Munich here.
If hostels are more your social scene, Munich has a huge range of hostels available in all locations across the city. Make new friends and enjoy the social side of travelling with a hostel.
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Munich
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
What Should You Pack for your trip to Munich?
Depending on what time of year you visit Munich will depend on what you need to pack. You can expect your trip to Munich in winter to be a pretty chilly one. With top temperatures reaching around 3 degrees celsius, you can expect rain and even snow to fall in Munich during the winter months.
The most important part of packing light is considering the layers you will take. Try to avoid big, bulky clothing and instead opt for layers that are much lighter and smaller, but when worn together provide real heat.
You will also want to make sure you have packed comfortable and waterproof shoes to keep your feet dry and warm during your trip.
If you are visiting Munich in the summer months, you will be likely to experience temperatures in the 20-30 degrees c. We would recommend shorts and t-shirts are a great option for travelling Munich during the summer months.
If you need inspiration on what to pack, have a look at our full packing guides over here.
Munich is a truly fascinating city, with lots of stunning sights to see. During the Christmas period, the Christmas markets are on throughout the city you will definitely want to make sure you have packed a good camera.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Shure VP83 Condenser Shotgun Microphone
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 9 Black and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 2
Camera Bag – Lowepro Flipside 300 AW and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socket
So there you have it, your complete 3 day Munich itinerary. If you have visited the Munich recently, let us know what you thought of the sights listed above, or if you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this photo guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own Germany adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our Germany content for more inspiration.
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Now Read:
- Things to do in Munich in Winter
- The Ultimate Berlin Itinerary – Two Days in the Capital
- The Best Florence 3 Day Itinerary – Don’t Miss These Sights in Florence
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