Marvelously medieval yet also thoroughly modern, Munich is a city of delightful contradictions. Centuries-old churches and cobblestone streets mingle with glossy boutiques in the heart of Old Town, while crowds of young locals and tourists frequent historic beer halls rather than trendy bars. This blend of old meets new makes Munich feel timeless, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of its annual Oktoberfest celebrations.
You could be forgiven for spending endless days wandering the Bavarian capital’s winding streets, but not everyone has the time to meander. To make the most of your short trip to this enchanting medieval city, read our guide to two days in Munich.
Where to Stay
You’ll find no shortage of exquisite stays in Munich. To maximize your time in the Bavarian capital, you’ll want to check into a well-situated accommodation near the city’s central plaza, Marienplatz.
For stately interiors in the center of the action, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Munich is a must. Stellar highlights include recently overhauled rooms, a suite of swanky eateries and a convenient location just feet from popular sights like the world-famous beer hall Hofbrӓuhaus.
If you’re craving a little more breathing room, Four-Star The Charles Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel, with its botanical garden address, swimming pool and oversized accommodations, is a refreshing choice.
Those looking for a modern aesthetic among Munich’s historic surroundings can check Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, just steps from Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof), or Rosewood Munich, the newest luxury hotel to open in the city.
Day 1
Once you’ve settled into your city-center hotel, it’s time to hit the historic streets. Just a five-minute walk from Marienplatz, you’ll find the bustling grounds of Viktualienmarkt, the city’s original farmer’s market, and a prime place to try some classic Bavarian cuisine.
Gathered around a central maypole (or maibaum in German) are roughly 140 stalls selling everything from fresh produce and honey to pretzels and plump sausages. Start your day the Bavarian way with an order of weisswurst, a local sausage specialty usually eaten for breakfast with a soft pretzel, sweet mustard and a half-pint of hefeweizen. If you’d rather not have beer for breakfast, coffee and fresh pretzels can be found at Karnoll’s Back-und Kaffestandl. Peruse the stalls and chat with the friendly vendors, many of whom are happy to let you sample their tasty wares.
Once you’re properly fueled, it’s time to explore some of Munich’s most striking landmarks. A quick two-minute stroll takes you to the nearly 300-foot steeple of Peterskirche, the city’s oldest church. The imposing facade makes for great sightseeing from the ground, but the view from the top is the real showstopper. Work off your morning meal by ascending the 306 tower steps and be rewarded with panoramic views over Munich — on a clear day, you can even make out the silhouette of the Alps off in the distance.
With your feet back on the ground, head just a block north to Marienplatz. Munich’s heart is punctuated with a striking neogothic building that appears as ancient as the medieval city. But looks can be deceiving — this is actually the New Town Hall, constructed in the late 19th century and used only since 1909. You can tour the building if you choose, but most visitors prefer to gather in the town square to see the mechanical glockenspiel figures perform their twice-daily dance when the clock strikes 11 a.m. and noon. Note: If you plan to visit in January or February, you won’t get to see the famous figures — they don’t perform in cold weather.
Continue your journey through the city’s history with a stop at Frauenkirche. With its signature double spires, the city’s most iconic church is hard to miss, though you might easily bypass one of its most famous features. Upon entering the foyer, be sure to look down to see a bootprint embedded in the marble tile. According to church lore, the mysterious print belongs to the devil himself, made after throwing a tantrum upon finding out he’d been tricked out of a deal with the cathedral’s architect. This curious tale and other mysterious myths surrounding the church are just a few of the open secrets you can discover during your visit.
For the finale of your church-viewing excursion, go about eight minutes north to Odeonsplatz to the marigold-tinged facade of Theatine Church. In addition to intricately carved floor-to-ceiling marble interiors, the stately structure is also home to the elaborate tomb of Maximillian II, one of Bavaria’s most popular kings.
After a trio of church tours, it’s time for a well-deserved rest — in Munich, that means a beer break. A 10-minute stroll back toward Marienplatz will bring you to Schneider Weisse, a classic Bavarian beer hall with a quaint and cozy vibe. Wood-paneled interiors and friendly barmaids dressed in traditional trachten offer an immediate sense of warmth, which is further enhanced by large pours of the brewery’s wheat beer. If the weather is agreeable, imbibe outdoors for an authentic beer garden experience.
For dinner, enjoy timeless bites at a storied eatery like Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöck am Dom. Around the corner from Frauenkirche, this traditional tavern serves heaping plates of housemade sausage, sauerkraut, hearty kartoffelklösse (potato dumplings) and a special dessert. Kaiserschmarrn is a Bavarian delicacy made of caramelized bits of shredded, fluffy pancake layered with rum-soaked raisins, topped with powdered sugar and accompanied by applesauce — it’s comfort food perfected. Full of beer and Bavarian culinary delights, you should fall asleep the moment your head hits that fluffy hotel pillow.
Day 2
Begin the day with a short but brisk walk to Cafe Frischhut, a charming breakfast spot around the corner from Viktualienmarkt. The cozy café specializes in six types of traditional Bavarian pastry, all crafted by hand daily. You can’t go wrong with any options, but we’d recommend trying the krapfen (a jelly-stuffed doughnut) and rohrnudeln (a sweet bun filled with dried fruit).
Following breakfast, enjoy a stroll through the town center to Munich’s Royal Residence for a self-guided audio tour of the sprawling former home of the Bavarian royal family. An important wayfinding note here: Don’t search for directions to “Royal Residence” in Google or Apple Maps. Instead, input “Max-Joseph-Platz” as your destination, then look for the red awnings labeled “Residenz Munchen” or “Residenz Museum” on the left side of the square. The residence grounds are huge, and it’s easy to get turned around between the public gardens and the multiple buildings that make up the complex.
Once you’ve procured your ticket and gratis audio guide, begin your day-long exploration through the treasury, immense palace, enchanting theater and the grounds. Home to Bavaria’s ruling class (first a duchy, then an independent kingdom) for more than 400 years, the residence is a veritable time capsule, albeit a largely reconstructed one — most of the original building and its furnishings were destroyed during World War II.
Today, the 130 spectacular rooms have been painstakingly re-created to replicate their former grandeur. Among the Versailles-like highlights are the nearly football-field-size Antiquarium hall, the gilded Ancestral Gallery boasting more than 100 portraits of the Wittelsbach dynasty, Duke Maximilian I’s private chapel and the aptly named Imperial Hall. Art history lovers could easily build an entire Munich itinerary around the Royal Residence, but the better part of a day is enough for the more casual viewer.
Take a break from your trek through time at Hofbrӓuhaus. The historic (and now internationally famous) beer hall has been brewing Bavarian beer since 1589 and serving pints to the masses since 1828. The tavern is a bit kitschy with its lederhosen-clad band and adjoining gift shop, but there’s no doubt that the place is an integral part of Munich’s history and well worth a stop. If you’re feeling bold, order up one of the hall’s liter-sized pours — if you shell out a few extra euros, you can keep the stein. Those who’d rather not drink their weight in lager can order a Radler, a refreshing cocktail of lemonade and beer.
For your last night in Munich, savor a twist on tradition at Xaver’s. The contemporary eatery puts a modern spin on Bavarian classics without sacrificing charm — think emerald-green walls and sleek black chairs that update traditional wood-paneled interiors, a look beautifully harmonized by antler-clad light fixtures and strategically placed greenery. The restaurant sources its bounty from regional producers, which translates to a highly seasonal menu. Among the standbys here are local treasures like slow-roasted pork, creamy cheese spaetzle (small dumplings) and Instagram-worthy wiener schnitzel fried to golden brown.
End your night with one last stroll through Marienplatz to soak in views of the relatively quiet square drenched in moonlight. The moody ambiance makes for dramatic photos.
