Last Updated on 20th May 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
If you only have one day in Munich, don’t fret! While there’s a lot of culture to take in in the city, it’s fairly easy to see its main attractions in just 24 hours – and we’ll show you exactly how to in this article. Please note that Munich is known as München in German.
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Introducing Munich
The Bavarian city of Munich is a timeless traveller’s delight. Sitting in the heart of Southern Germany, with a distinctive culture, beautiful architecture and excellent beer (you’re in the home of Oktoberfest, after all!), you could spend weeks taking in the atmosphere of the city.
Outside of beer festivals and breweries, Munich is a thriving tourist destination year ’round thanks to its wealth of museums, attractive buildings, and other important monuments. Another important source of industry for the million plus inhabitants of the Bavarian city is book publishing and television production.
Suggested itinerary for spending one day in Munich
Breakfast at Bean Batter
One of the most popular cafes in the city, start your day with coffee and a waffle at Bean Batter. The owners really know their coffee, meaning that you’ll get a great brew here, and they are particularly famous for their smoked duck waffle (although there are plenty of veggie options too!).
SANDEMANS free walking tour
Start your day with a free walking tour around the city’s highlights. SANDEMANS offers complimentary walking tours in destinations all over Europe, including one in Munich.
This tour will teach you all about the fascinating – and at times sombre – history of the Bavarian capital. It’s a great way to get your bearings and see the city’s highlights while learning some interesting stories as you go! The general walking tours run every morning and are free – although it’s expected that you tip your guide generously.
If you’re interested in history, you could also do a paid-for Third Reich Tour. Munich was where the Nazi party began and grew and there are still many scars on the city from these awful times.
Explore Marienplatz
Marienplatz is the centre of Munich (and has been since 1158, when Henry the Lionheart founded the city!). Throughout the year, there are often events and festivities right here in Marienplatz.
If you’re visiting Munich over the festive season, don’t miss the Chriskindlmart – it’s one of the best in Germany. In the summertime, Marienplatz turns into a real sun trap, full of people enjoying the gorgeous long Bavarian days.
If you want to discover more about Marienplatz on a guided tour, then you can book a tour like this one. There are quite a few points of interest to take in around Marienplatz, including:
The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus)
Possibly the most important buildings in Munich, the Old Town Hall dates back to at least the 14th century and dominates one side of Marienplatz with its gothic white spires.
Famous for changing architectural style from baroque to gothic after the bombing in WW2, visitors are invited inside to check out a gorgeous frieze featuring Munich’s coats of arms and the grand hall.
The New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)
The New Town Hall dates back to 1905 (so it’s not exactly a modern building, despite the name!).
It was adorned in neo-gothic architecture which was typical of the 20th century. You can ascend to the top of the New Town Hall’s tower to take in incredible views of the city.
Also, don’t miss its famous glockenspiel. This is a beautifully ornate clock – it’s best to visit at 11 am or 12 pm (or 5 pm in the summer months), where there is a re-enaction of two 16th century Bavarian stories. It’s touristy but still worth checking out!
Fischbrunnen
The Fischbrunnen is the fountain right in the middle of Marienplatz. The water features’s history dates all the way back to the Medieval era, although the present fountain was created in 1954. It’s a popular meeting place for locals!
Peterskirche
The oldest parish church in Munich (dating back to 1294), Peterskirche has the first bells and tower clocks in the city! Inside, you’ll find a 300-year-old Baroque high altar and a gold figure of St Peter.
You can also climb to the top of Peterskirche tower for a breathtaking view of Munich – and this one includes the Rathaus!
With 300 steps to the summit, it’s 56 metres high (so it’s shorter than the Rathaus) and, on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Alps mountain range.
Viktualienmarkt
A small market just a couple of minutes’ walk from Marienplatz, this is a great place to shop for fruit and vegetables or just take in local life! This daily market has been held every day since 1807 and is only closed on Sundays and bank holidays!
Lunch at Ratskeller Munchen
With a history spanning back to the 19th century, this spot is an excellent place to try some local specialties for lunch.
The menu includes classics like schnitzel, bratwurst and pork knuckle, along with some vegetarian options like fried tempura veggies and mushroom polenta. For dessert, enjoy black forest gateaux!
Munich Residenz
One of the city’s most historic buildings, the Munich Residenz, dates back to 1385. It was used as the seat of government from 1508 to 1918. Today the complex is home to The Treasury, with some of the most impressive German crowns in existence, The Ancestral Gallery with paintings and intricate architecture and the fascinating Hall of Antiquities.
It’s the ideal spot to learn a little more about Bavaria’s history and get a snapshot of the grandeur of Munich’s past. If you wish to get an even greater insight into the Residenz together with a local guide, consider booking a private tour like this one. You can even attend concerts in the building. Find more details here.
Englischer Garten
Once you’re fuelled up, it’s time to enjoy some of Munich’s nature! Dating back to 1789, the Englischer Garten stretches from the city centre to the Altstadtring inner-city motorway, covering 375 hectares in total.
A green lung in the city, it’s a wonderful spot to enjoy a slice of nature. You can also enjoy features like the following:
- Monopteros: A small structure with beautiful views over the park.
- Chinese Tower: A wooden pagoda.
- Kleinhesseloher See: A small lake to walk around.
However, the main reason that people visit the Englischer Garten is to see the surfers. Bavaria is landlocked; in fact, Germany’s only coastline is far in the north. However, the Eisbach River produces impressive waves – in fact, it’s considered the world’s best place for inner-city surfing!
Watching sportspeople on these waves, with the garden on either side, is mesmerising. There is quite a stong current, and the waves aren’t suitable for beginners, so it’s only recommended that you actually head onto the waves yourself if you’re confident in your surfing abilities!
But, if you are, you couldn’t really get a more unique place to surf!
Hofbräuhaus Brewery
After all that walking and exploring, it’s time for a nice cold beer – what Munich does best! There are countless breweries in the city (the six most famous being Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten and only their beers are allowed for sale at Oktoberfest), but perhaps the most famous is Hofbräuhaus.
One of the oldest in the city, Hofbräuhaus was founded in 1589 by Wilhelm V who was the Duke of Bavaria. Visit to enjoy the gorgeous decor and – of course – taste the delicious beer, served in Bavaria’s signature steins.
Nowadays, Hofbräuhaus is a world-famous name – they have a beer tent at Oktoberfest and even a branch in Las Vegas. So, if you’re a beer connoisseur, head to where it all began by enjoying a stein at Hofbräuhaus!
You can also have dinner at Hofbräuhaus, with typical Bavarian dishes on the menu. Traditional Bavarian food is quite meat focused and some of the more popular regional dishes include offerings such as Weißwürste (boiled, white veal sausage) and Leberkäse (a loaf-formed sausage).
Alternatively, you can do a guided tour of Munich’s famous beer halls, where you’ll learn all about Bavarian beer culture and try some local classics with the help of a friendly and knowledgeable guide.
Dinner at M’Uniqo Rooftop Bar
If you didn’t eat at the beer halls, check out M’Uniqo Rooftop Bar. This serves up Italian-inspired food and delicious cocktails, with sweeping views of the city and surrounding countryside. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset as your day in Munich ends!
Where to stay in Munich
If you want a lively hostel, there’s nowhere better than Wombats. This backpacker’s chain has everything you need for an action-packed stay in Munich, with a buzzing bar, options to book day trips and comfortable dorm rooms with beds kitted out with individual charging sockets and lights. Check prices and availability here.
For a mid-range option, NYX Hotel Munich by Leonardo Hotels provides comfy, artistically-decorated rooms with trendy furnishings. There are a few Leonardo Hotels throughout Munich, and it’s a reliable brand with a high standard of cleanliness and great breakfasts. Check prices and availability here.
Looking for something a little more luxurious? Four Points by Sheraton Munich Arabellapark offers deluxe rooms with gorgeous features like floor-to-ceiling windows and luxury rain showers. There’s a spa on-site (ideal for some downtime after seeing the city’s highlights!), with an indoor pool and Finnish Sauna. Check prices and availability here.
How to get to Munich
Munich has a large international airport with connections to most major cities around Europe. From the airport, it’s an easy train ride to the city centre.
Trains also connect the Bavarian city to towns and cities in the local area, along with other German cities and destinations in the surrounding countries, like Czechia, Switzerland and Austria.
If you’re on a budget, FlixBus offers coach services, connecting Munich with cities like Prague, Bratislava and Munich at much lower prices than the trains.
Munich is the kind of city that you can keep visiting again and again, but if you only have one day here, hopefully, this guide has shown you exactly what to do – and is a nice blend of history, culture, nature and beer! Be sure to save this guide to follow when you’re in town, so you can ensure that you don’t miss any of the city’s best spots and attractions.
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Claire Martin is a travel blogger and freelance writer who specialises in overland adventures. She’s drove around Australia, travelled from Bali to London without flying, lived in Mexico and has spent many months exploring Europe. You can follow her adventures on her blog, Claire’s Footsteps.