Munich in 5 days

Bavaria's grand capital: beer gardens, baroque palaces, world-class museums and the Alps within easy reach. Best time to visit: May-September; late September for Oktoberfest. Average daily budget: $110 to $180 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Altstadt, The historic core: Marienplatz, the glockenspiel and Viktualienmarkt.

Morning: Marienplatz & glockenspiel. The central square, town hall and its chiming figurine clock.

Afternoon: Explore Altstadt, The historic core: Marienplatz, the glockenspiel and Viktualienmarkt.

Evening: English Garden & beer garden. One of the world's biggest city parks, with surfers and the Chinese Tower.

Eat: Weisswurst with sweet mustard and a pretzel

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Maxvorstadt, The museum and university quarter (the 'Kunstareal' art district).

Morning: Viktualienmarkt food market. Graze stalls of Bavarian produce, sausages and cheese.

Afternoon: Explore Maxvorstadt, The museum and university quarter (the 'Kunstareal' art district).

Evening: Day trip to Neuschwanstein. Mad King Ludwig's fairy-tale castle in the Alpine foothills.

Eat: Schweinshaxe, roast pork knuckle

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Schwabing, Leafy, bohemian streets beside the English Garden.

Morning: Watching surfers ride the Eisbach river wave by the English Garden.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Schwabing, Leafy, bohemian streets beside the English Garden.

Evening: The Asam Church, a tiny baroque jewel-box.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Obatzda cheese spread in a beer garden

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Glockenbachviertel, Trendy bars, cafés and the city's LGBTQ+ scene.

Morning: BMW Welt and the Olympic Park grounds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Glockenbachviertel, Trendy bars, cafés and the city's LGBTQ+ scene.

Evening: A day trip to the sobering Dachau memorial site.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: A litre of beer (a Maß) under the chestnut trees

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Au-Haidhausen, The 'French Quarter' of pretty lanes and relaxed restaurants.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Au-Haidhausen, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Au-Haidhausen, The 'French Quarter' of pretty lanes and relaxed restaurants.

Evening: Dinner at Weisswurst with sweet mustard and a pretzel, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Au-Haidhausen.

Eat: Weisswurst with sweet mustard and a pretzel

Hidden gems

Watching surfers ride the Eisbach river wave by the English Garden.
The Asam Church, a tiny baroque jewel-box.
BMW Welt and the Olympic Park grounds.
A day trip to the sobering Dachau memorial site.

Getting around

Munich's U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses are fast, clean and integrated under one ticket, and the old town is walkable. The S-Bahn and regional trains reach Dachau and the foothills; for Neuschwanstein and the Alps, take a regional train or a day tour.

Safety

Munich is one of Europe's safest big cities. Standard pickpocket awareness applies around Marienplatz, the train station and especially during Oktoberfest, when crowds and alcohol peak. Book accommodation far ahead and expect high prices if you visit during the festival.

Munich in 3 days | Munich in 7 days | Full Munich guide