Day one morning: the old town
Begin at Marienplatz, the central square dominated by the neo-Gothic New Town Hall. Its mechanical glockenspiel performs at set times during the day, drawing a crowd. Climb the tower of St Peter's Church nearby for a view over the rooftops and, on clear days, the Alps in the distance.
Next, wander through the Viktualienmarkt, the city's best-known food market, for fresh produce, cheeses and snacks. It is a good place for an early lunch.
Day one afternoon: palaces and parks
Walk north to the Residenz, the former royal palace, which houses lavish rooms and a treasury. Then continue into the Hofgarten and on to the English Garden, one of the largest city parks in the world. At the southern edge, watch surfers ride a standing wave on the Eisbach stream, one of Munich's more surprising sights.
End the day at a beer garden in the park or a traditional beer hall in the centre.
Day two: art and neighbourhoods
Maxvorstadt is home to the Kunstareal, a cluster of major art museums. The Alte Pinakothek covers European old masters, the Neue Pinakothek nineteenth-century art and the Pinakothek der Moderne design and modern art. Pick one or two rather than trying to see everything.
In the afternoon, explore Schwabing's cafes and boutiques, or take the U-Bahn to Nymphenburg Palace, a baroque summer residence with sprawling formal gardens.
Food lovers might instead spend the afternoon trying Bavarian specialities such as white sausages, which tradition says should be eaten before noon, with sweet mustard and a pretzel.
Practical notes
Munich's centre is compact and walkable, and the U-Bahn and S-Bahn fill in the gaps. Flying into MUC, the S-Bahn connects the airport with the central station in roughly 40 minutes. If you are arriving for a short break, a Classic fare with an 8 kg cabin bag usually covers everything you need.
If you have time for an evening out, the Glockenbach and Gärtnerplatz area just south of the old town is full of relaxed bars and restaurants, and has a lively, mixed crowd. It makes a nice change of pace from the big beer halls around Marienplatz.
Good to know
- Many museums offer reduced entry on Sundays; check current details.
- Group day tickets can be good value for two or more travellers.
- Shops are generally closed on Sundays, so plan any shopping for Saturday.