Germany · 2026 itinerary
München 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for München: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
The former royal palace's inner courtyards and gardens are free to enter. The ornate architecture gives a feel for Bavarian opulence without paying for the museum.
🕐 Courtyards open daily 8am to dusk
Free entry💡 Walk through the Hofgarten behind it for a quiet spot. The main entrance is free but the treasury costs. Stick to the courtyards.
Hotels near Münchner Residenz (Courtyards Only) →Oldest church tower in Munich. Climbing the tower costs a small fee, but the church itself is free, with impressive interior and a free crypt. The square outside offers great views.
🕐 Church open daily 7:30am–7pm, tower has separate paid hours
Free entry💡 Don't pay for the tower climb—the free view from the nearby Petersplatz steps gives a nearly equivalent panorama. The crypt is often empty and serene.
Hotels near Alter Peter (View from Base) →Allerlei · ££
Cantina · ££
Deeper Into München
Museum of Munich city history. Some exhibitions are free, especially the permanent collection on selected days or times. Check the website for 'free Thursdays'.
🕐 Tue–Sun 10am–6pm, Thu until 8pm (free after 5pm on Thursdays)
💡 Thursday evening after 5pm often has free entry to the main collection. The film museum downstairs is separate and cheap, not free.
A peaceful Renaissance garden behind the former royal palace, with fountains, hedges, and a temple.
🕐 Daily 6 am to 10 pm (April–September); 7 am to 6 pm (October–March)
💡 Enter from Odeonsplatz. Bring a picnic and sit by the central fountain — free and rarely crowded.
The original medieval residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty, dating back to the 12th century. A quiet, cobbled courtyard with a small free museum inside the old palace.
🕐 Courtyard open 24 hours; Museum open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00
💡 The free museum shows a 10-minute film about Munich's history in a restored vault. Best part: the courtyard has a free public toilet and a nearby bakery for cheap pastries.
Famous beer hall dating from 1589. You can walk in, grab a bench, order a beer (€8 for a litre), and listen to oompah music. Entry is free, drink costs are reasonable.
🕐 Daily 09:00–23:30
💡 Avoid the upstairs restaurant. Head to the main hall downstairs – it's rowdy, authentic, and you'll share a table with strangers.
Detterbeck
China City
Final Favourites & Departure
The main central square with the Neues Rathaus. The mechanical glockenspiel re-enacts a 16th-century wedding and jousting tournament daily.
💡 Arrive 10 minutes before 11am or 12pm (March–October) to get a spot on the right-hand side steps for the best view. Avoid noon on Saturdays when the square is packed.
Munich’s central square since the 12th century, dominated by the neo-Gothic New Town Hall. The Glockenspiel re-enacts a 16th-century tournament twice daily.
💡 Arrive by 11:55 AM to stake out a spot in front of the Rathaus for the 12 PM show. For quieter views, climb the Altes Peter tower (small fee, about 3 EUR).
The central square with the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and its Glockenspiel. Every day at 11:00 and 12:00 (plus 17:00 in summer) the mechanical figures perfo
💡 Climb the Rathaus tower for €2.50 – the view over the old town is better from there than the Frauenkirche dome, and it's cheaper.
The central square of Munich, home to the Neues Rathaus with its famous Glockenspiel show.
💡 Arrive by 11 am or noon to see the mechanical figures dance. For a quieter view, watch from the top of the tower (small fee).
hunsinger in der Goldenen Gans
Hokkaido
Getting Around München
Luggage space is generous, and it's cheaper than the S-Bahn but slower due to traffic. From the drop-off, walk 5 mins south to Goetheplatz – no tube needed.
Drop-off is at the north side of the Hauptbahnhof, a 7-minute walk to the hotel. Cash only on board, but contactless works if you buy online in advance.
Use the S8 instead of S1 if possible; the S1 splits at Neufahrn and the wrong half can add 15 minutes
Only use this if the S-Bahn is disrupted; otherwise slower and more complicated than the direct train
Buy a single-day ticket for the inner zone if you're staying in the city—it covers your return too. The S1 splits at Neufahrn; make sure you get on the branch going through the main station, not the one via the east.
Buy a single-ticket for the airport (Kurzstrecke won't work). The S1 splits at Neufahrn, so ensure you're on the right branch for city centre—S8 is more straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for München?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Münchner Residenz (Courtyards Only) and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit München?
See our full best time to visit München guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel Verdi, Pension Mayr, Hotel Goethe. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.