Munich in two days: Itinerary for a weekend trip to Munich

Day 1 – Starting point in the heart of Munich

Like the one-day route, the two-day tour of Munich begins at Marienplatz, the heart of the city. This exact spot is where the monks for which Munich was named lived. It was first mentioned as “apud munichen” in 1158.

9 am – A sweet breakfast at Viktualienmarkt

The most important meal of the day is even more important before heading out on a sightseeing tour. Head to Café Frischhut (Prälat-Zistl-Straße 8) for a Schmalznudel – kind of like an upscale funnel cake, this hot, greasy pastry is also sometimes called an “Auszogne” in Bavaria.

If that’s not hearty enough, indulge in a short visit to Viktualienmarkt with its many regional and exotic delicacies for further fortification. We’ll then head past the Schrannenhalle food hall via St.-Jakobs-Platz, the synagogue, the Jewish Museum and the Munich Stadtmuseum to Sendlingerstrasse 32, where a true gem of the late Baroque period awaits: the small Asam Church.

11 am – Pedestrian zone and the Frauenkirche

Our tour then continues through the Hacken quarter along Hackenstrasse and Herzog-Wilhelm-Strasse – a ten-minute walk – before reaching Karlsplatz. The throng of people and bustle of cars here gave rise to the Bavarian saying “Da geht’s ja zu wie am Stachus,” which is used to describe a place where there’s lots going on. The Karlstor gate is the starting point for a stroll through one of Europe’s largest pedestrian zones down Neuhauser Strasse and Kaufingerstrasse.

Shortly before Marienplatz is Liebfrauenstrasse, which opens up to reveal the tallest building in the city center and Munich’s premiere landmark: The Frauenkirche cathedral (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady) and its two domed towers. Once inside the Gothic cathedral’s impressive interior, enjoy the architecture and the peaceful tranquility of the church. Visitors can also hunt for the legendary devil’s footstep, a black footprint on the floor of the church. The south tower of the cathedral offers a spectacular view over the city. Stairs and an elevator take you to a height of 90 meters.

1 pm – A traditional Bavarian lunch

One of the best places to enjoy lunch in Munich is located right behind the Frauenkirche on Sporerstrasse, where you face the difficult choice between excellent traditional restaurants: Andechser am Dom and Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl. You should have no trouble getting a table for lunch here without making a reservation.

Since hearty Bavarian food tends to be a bit heavy, we recommend a longer walk after your meal. We’ll pass through the modern Fünf Höfe shopping center, enjoying its award-winning architecture as we go, before heading to Odeonsplatz. Once there, take a moment to discover the history behind the Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshalls’ Hall), saunter through the inner courtyards of the Residenz and take a look at the Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church). If you need a bit of an afternoon pick-me-up, head to one of the nearby cafés on Theatinerstrasse for a delicious coffee.

4 pm – To the park

Now we’ll head to the park. Our route heads through the Hofgarten (Court Garden) past the Staatskanzlei (Bavarian State Chancellery) and the dome of the former army museum to Englischer Garten (English Garden). Though slightly further along, heading down Prinzregentstrasse to the Haus der Kunst art gallery is highly recommended. Nestled behind the monumental building is an uncommon scene in such a big city: surfers riding the standing wave on the Eisbach river – rain or shine, all year round...

Right behind the surfers, Englischer Garten opens up to reveal one of the world’s largest urban parks, featuring an extensive network of paths. Locals are happy to help you find your way to the Monopteros and the Chinese Tower. Don’t be surprised if you see naked people in the park. A large area in the southern part of the park is officially designated as a nudist-friendly area. And you can’t go wrong bringing a bathing suit and a towel with you on a hot day. Though the water in the streams is cold, it is very refreshing.

7 pm – A Bavarian evening in the beer garden

Before heading to the beer garden at the Chinese Tower, be sure to visit the Monopteros. The small hill offers a wonderful view of the towers and roofs of the old town. Once you’ve reached the Chinese Tower, you should have no problem finding a place to sit: The beer garden there is one of the largest in Munich.

When the weather is nice, there’s hardly any place nicer to enjoy an evening of beer and bread than here. On the way back to the U-Bahn, we’ll take a detour to Geschwister-Scholl-Platz: The university standing illuminated at night, the two fountains and the Siegestor gate make for an impressive photo.

Day 2 – The old town and a brief excursion

Day two begins at the Isartor (Isar Gate), one of the three remaining city gates bordering the old town in the east. It is home to the Valentin-Karlstadt Museum, which is dedicated to two Bavarian comedians and featuring what is likely Europe’s only counterclockwise clock tower.  

9 am – Bavarian Breakfast

The perfect day to start the second day of our tour is with a good breakfast. Schneider Bräuhaus, a quaint, traditional tavern, is located at Tal 7. In addition to numerous other Bavarian specialties, it also serves up a special Weißwurst (white sausage) breakfast.

Once breakfast is done, it’s straight to the Platzl around the corner at 10 am sharp. It’s one of Munich’s oldest and most original town squares, featuring the world-famous Hofbräuhaus. From the Platzl and its many ornamented buildings it’s not far to the Alter Hof (Old Court).

It once served as the first seat of the medieval House of Wittelsbach – a Bavarian dynasty – in Munich. The family resided here from the 13th to the 15th centuries. Nowadays, the area is subject to traffic restrictions, making the inner courtyard an oasis of calm in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this thriving city.

11 am – Glockenspiel, New Town Hall and Alter Peter

The famous Glockenspiel on the tower of the New Town Hall, featuring episodes from Munich’s history, springs to life at 11 am exactly in Marienplatz. It’s easy to get there on time since most of the sightseeing spots in the city center are just a few minutes’ walk apart. After the Glockenspiel, we’re heading up: Just under 300 steps lead to the viewing platform atop the Alter Peter tower. It offers an excellent vantage point over both Marienplatz and the entire city. You can even see all the way to the Alps when the weather is right.

12 pm – Venturing away from the city center

You might catch a glimpse of your next destination from up there. You’re spoiled for choice, but choose you must since you’ll only have time for one of the three options this afternoon. It can take up to half an hour just to get there:

• Soccer fans will no doubt want to head north to visit Allianz Arena. Go on a stadium tour that takes you deep into the catacombs to see the team locker rooms and learn all about the history of the famous FC Bayern München.
• Car fans should make their way to BMW Welt and the BMW Museum. Then take advantage of the opportunity to take a lap under the tented roofs of Olympiapark.
• Those looking for a bit of cultural sophistication will love a trip to Nymphenburg Palace. The palace itself is imposing in its splendor and the sprawling park behind it and the neighboring Botanical Garden have lots in store for nature lovers.

7 pm – An evening in Munich’s trendiest district

Taking the U-Bahn to Fraunhoferstrasse is well worth it in the evening. Gärtnerplatz is the heart of the trendy district of Glockenbach, making it the perfect place to start a night out in Munich. With the countless restaurants, pubs and bars there, you’re sure to find the perfect place to spend the evening. Here’s a few recommendations:

• m.c. mueller: Tasty burgers, relaxed atmosphere (Fraunhoferstrasse 6)
• Robinson Kuhlmann’s motto: “We don’t get drunk. We get awesome.” (Corneliusstr. 14)
• Pimpernel: A mix of old and new, homo and hetero – party ‘til morning (Müllerstr. 56)
• Niederlassung: Cosy sofa bar that’s great for chilling (Buttermelcherstr. 6)
• Paradiso: Housed in the former Old Mrs. Henderson, where stars like Freddy Mercury once partied (Rumfordstr. 2)