3 Days in Munich: What to See and Do

Munich is a historic city on the Isar River, founded in 1158 as a trading center. Today, it’s the capital of Bavaria and the third-largest city in Germany, known for its museums and impressive architecture.

In this article, you’ll find 10 ideas for things to do in Munich, perfect for making the most of a few days in the city.

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10 Must-Do Things in Munich for Your Germany Itinerary

Visit Marienplatz and Glockenspiel

As we mentioned, Munich has a rich history, and to learn more about it at the beginning of your visit, consider heading to Marienplatz, the city’s central square. There you’ll find locals and tourists alike, enjoying their day and the incredible architecture.

One of the most famous buildings in the area is the Neues Rathaus, a neo-Gothic structure built between 1867 and 1909, and it is also the main feature of the square. In its 85-meter tower is the famous Glockenspiel, a mechanical bell tower that is activated daily at 11:00 and 12:00, and also at 17:00 from March to October. The show lasts approximately 15 minutes and features 43 bells and life-size figures that represent historical events.

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Walk Around Nymphenburg Palace

Keeping up with the incredible architecture and buildings we’ve been visiting, our next stops are a dream come true for lovers of baroque and rococo styles. The Nymphenburg Palace began its construction in 1664 to be the summer residence of the electors and kings of Bavaria. Over the years, the palace has undergone expansion and remodeling, with additional pavilions added on either side of the original building.

Today, Nymphenburg Palace is a popular tourist attraction that houses several museums, including the Marstallmuseum, the Porzellanmuseum, and the Museum Mensch und Natur. Here, Baroque elements are combined with Rococo influences, particularly in the interiors, which are decorated by prominent artists such as François de Cuvilliés. You definitely can’t miss this marvel, which is both beautiful and educational!

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Relax in the English Garden

After being indoors for so much time, you probably want to get some fresh air, and one of the best options in Munich, Germany, is the English Garden. This is actually one of the largest urban parks in the world, even larger than New York’s Central Park. With an extension of approximately 375 hectares, it is located on the eastern bank of the Isar River.

You can just walk around, have picnics, or do some more interesting activities, like practicing surfing in the Eisbach, an artificial channel that’s open all year. There’s also the ornamental temple, Monopteros, with its Greek style, which offers a panoramic view of the park and is an outstanding place to enjoy the scenery.

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Tour the Pinakothek Museums

Munich is a great city to visit if you’re an art lover, and among the most important places that you have to see are the Pinakothek Museums. These are three important museums that are part of the Kunstareal, a popular cultural area in the city. The museums are the Alte Pinakothek, the Neue Pinakothek, and the Pinakothek der Moderne, and each has its distinctive focus and collection.

Alte Pinakothek

It’s one of the first museums in the world specifically designed to exhibit paintings, and it’s recognized as one of the world’s most important art galleries. It houses over 700 works, including masterpieces of European painting from the 14th to the 18th centuries from renowned artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Neue Pinakothek

It’s more specialized, featuring works from the 19th century primarily, and it showcases pieces representing Romanticism, Impressionism, and later movements, including works by Goya, Monet, and Van Gogh. So it’s a perfect place if you prefer to focus on one period at a time.

Pinakothek der Moderne

The newest of these sister museums, inaugurated in 2002, unites four collections: modern art, contemporary design, architecture, and graphics. Like its medium-sized sister, it focuses on one century of art history—the 20th century—showcasing the incredible evolution that art has undergone, and featuring major works with a multidisciplinary focus.

 

Celebrate at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is probably the most well-known festivity in Munich, Germany, as it’s the world’s largest beer festival held annually since 1810. Millions of visitors from around the world attend the festival, held on the field Theresienwiese. It therefore has a significant impact on the region’s economy, generating substantial income through tourism and the sale of local products. If you want to know the best places to stay in Munich during Oktoberfest, we have a whole article about it.

Here are some details about Oktoberfest that you should know:

• It began as a celebration of Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810.

• Its success in 1810 started the tradition still celebrated today.

• Oktoberfest runs from mid-September to early October, lasting 16 to 18 days.

• Every year, 6 to 7 million people attend the festival, with around 6 million liters of Munich beer consumed.

• Features live music, folklore dances, attractions, and various activities alongside beer, so it’s not only popular with beer lovers but also with cultural travelers in general.

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Explore Frauenkirche

There are still plenty of interesting places and activities to do in Munich, Germany, and one of the most popular is visiting the Frauenkirche which will surely leave you impressed.

It is one of the most emblematic churches in Munich, serving as the cathedral of the parish of Munich and Freising. It has three naves and is famous for its two 98-meter towers, icons of the city’s skyline. Its construction was completed in 1488, but during World War II, much of the Frauenkirche was destroyed. It was subsequently restored between 1948 and 1955.

Like any old building, it has a few legends, the most famous being the “Teufelstritt” or “Devil’s Foot”. It is supposedly the footprint left by the devil when he saw that the church had no windows.

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See Cars at the BMW Museum

If you are a car enthusiast, visiting the BMW Museum is one of the best things to do in Munich for you. This space is dedicated to the history and evolution of the BMW brand, highlighting its significant impact on the automotive industry and the world of car culture. The museum is characterized by its circular shape and metallic color that simulates a tire, and its spiral entrance that surprises you upon arrival.

 

Take a Trip to Neuschwanstein

One of the country’s most iconic buildings is Neuschwanstein Castle, which is a mark of the beautiful German Romantic movement. It was constructed in the 19th century, combining older elements from the Gothic and Byzantine periods, which reflected the idealization of the medieval monarchy that King Ludwig II desired.

Here are other highlights about the Neuschwanstein Castle:

• Interesting areas to visit in Neuschwanstein include the tall towers, where you can admire the decorative walls, and the luxurious interior design. The throne room is decorated with frescoes and red columns, while the Hall of the Singers shows scenes inspired by popular legends.

• Despite its medieval appearance, the castle was equipped with modern conveniences, such as water service, central heating, and electricity. You can rest assured that they were truly comfortable there.

• Its design has inspired many other constructions, including the famous “Cinderella Castle” at Disneyland.

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Learn at the Deutsches Museum

Another museum you can’t miss in Munich is the Deutsches Museum, one of the largest and most prestigious science and technology museums in the world. It was created by a group of engineers to make scientific and technological advances accessible to the public. Nowadays, it houses a vast collection of over 100,000 objects that cover a wide variety of functions.

For example, it comprises around 50 sections covering topics such as mining, atomic physics, aeronautics, and medicine. Some highlights include Karl Benz’s first automobile and a U-boat submarine. But there’s also a dedicated children’s area called Kinderreich, where little ones can explore science through play.

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Insider’s Tips for Visitors in Munich

If you plan to visit Munich soon, there are some essential tips to keep in mind to make the most of your experience in this great city.

• Stay Connected with Yoho Mobile: Enjoy instant setup with no physical SIM, flexible data plans (completely customizable), and the best price per GB rates. Benefit from 24/7 support, avoid roaming fees, and pay only for what you use. Use this trip to Munich to try Yoho Mobile’s free eSIM! Afterwards, you can use the code YOHO12 for 12% off.

• Use public transportation: Munich has an excellent public transportation service that includes subway (U-Bahn), streetcars, and buses. Consider buying a Tageskarte, a daily ticket for unlimited travel within the city.

• Visit the local markets, like the Viktualienmarkt, a famous open-air market ideal for sampling Bavarian specialties such as pretzels, sausages, and beers, especially if you’re not visiting during Oktoberfest.

• Skip Tourist Beer Halls: Instead of the famous Hofbräuhaus, try less crowded beer gardens like Seehaus in the English Garden or Augustiner Bräustuben for an authentic local experience.

• Don’t Jaywalk: Bavarians are strict about following traffic rules, and jaywalking is frowned upon, especially in front of children.