Welcome to Munich! As the third largest city in Germany and the capital of the Bavaria state, Munich has SO much to offer, and in this blog, we’re going to share with you the top things to do, see, and eat in this charming city in just one day! From taking in the sights of historic landmarks like the iconic Marienplatz and the Munich Residenz to indulging in delicious Bavarian cuisine at the famous Viktualienmarkt to watching the local surfers take on the Eisbach Wave, this itinerary will take you on an adventure where you’ll experience many of Munich's highlights in just a single day! Whether you're planning a quick stopover or a long weekend, we hope this blog helps you make the most of your time in Munich!
Check out our “One Day in Munich” travel vlog for a closer look at our time in Munich!
For the best Tours, Tickets, and Experiences in and around Munich check out the offers from our friends at GetYouGuide!
⬇️ Best Tours & Experiences in Munich ⬇️
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⬇️ Day Trips from Munich ⬇️
Looking for the perfect stay while visiting Munch? Check out these recommendations!
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⭐⭐⭐⭐ Platzl Hotel
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Or use the search bar below to find the perfect stay for you!
Now, let's get into exploring one of our favorite cities in Germany!
9:00am: Breakfast!
Before setting out on an epic day of exploration, you’ll need to get fueled up! Here are some of the best breakfast/coffee spots in the city center!
Dallmayr Delikatessenhaus (where we went - Dienerstraße 14-15, 80331)
Rosi Coffee & Bar (Rosenheimer Str. 2, 81669)
Café Fräulein (Frauenstraße 11, 80469)
Patisserie Cafe Dukatz (St.-Anna-Straße 11, 80538)
Cafe Glockenspiel GmbH (Marienplatz 28, 80331)
10:30am: Get High at Saint Peter’s Church!
No, not THAT high! We’re talking about climbing the 299-foot (91-meter) bell/clock tower of Saint Peter’s Church (affectionally known as "Alter Peter" (Old Peter) amongst locals), which happens to be the oldest parish church in all of Munich! The climb will cost you €5 per adult and €2 for children and youth under 18, but the views are worth it!
11:15am: Explore Altstadt
Altstadt or “Old Town” is the center of much of the action in the city. From elaborate churches to sprawling gardens to historical landmarks, and more, there’s much to explore and experience in Munich’s Altstadt. Here are some of the sights worth noting:
Frauenkirche: The iconic "onion domes" of Munich’s Frauenkirche are undoubtedly one of the most important landmarks of Munich
Hofbräuhaus: Iconic beer hall
The Munich Residenz: Massive palace right in the middle of the city, where for centuries rulers and decision makers lived in opulent splendor.
Maximilianstrasse: The most luxurious shopping street in Munich
Max-Joseph Platz: Square where you’ll find Munich’s National Theatre, with its striking neoclassical façade
Kaufingerstrasse: Munich’s main pedestrianized shopping street that leads all the way to Karlsplatz
Asamkirche: Tiny, ornate church wedged between shops
Karlsplatz: A large square in Munich that acts as the end of the pedestrian shopping zone leading from Marienplatz
Theatinerkirche: Mustard yellow church in Odeonsplatz
Odeonsplatz: One of Munich’s main squares dating back to the early 19th century
Hofgarten: Located behind the Residenz, this garden is designed in Italian Renaissance style in an ideal location between the Residenz and the sprawling English Garden
1:15pm: Lunch at Viktualienmarkt
In my opinion, there’s no place more quintessential and delicious to have lunch in Munich than the famous Viktualienmarkt. Dating back to the early 19th century and spanning more than 72,000 square feet (22,000 square meters) Viktualienmarkt offers an array of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, and more. Wandering among the colorful stalls, sampling regional delicacies, and soaking in the lively atmosphere is a must when in Munich. You’ll also find numerous traditional Bavarian beer gardens, where you can take in the scenery while enjoying a refreshing Bavarian brew and hearty Bavarian fare. Fun fact… You can bring any food you like to any beer garden in Bavaria. You do have to buy drinks, but whatever edible items you bring along is up to you (there is actually a law guaranteeing this)!
2:30pm: Take in the sights, smells, and tastes of Viktualienmarkt
After enjoying lunch at one of the market's beer gardens, take some time to meander through the maze of vendors, following your senses to wherever they may lead! And if you still have room left after lunch, here are some foods worth trying at Viktualienmarkt:
Fried Treats at Cafe Frischhut (Prälat-Zistl-Straße 8, 80331 München, Germany)
Café Frischhut sells only 4 items (not including coffee/beverages) all of which are fried dough foods: Schmalznudel (disc-shaped fried and sugared dough), Stritzerl (braided yeast pastry either plain or sugar-coated), Krapfen (AKA Berliner; fluffy donut filled with jam), and Rohrnudeln (sweet roll filled with jam).
Obatzda, a special Bavarian cheese mixture that you will find on any starter menu in a traditional restaurant.
Sausages and Warm Leberkas. Leberkas (or Leberkäse) is a baked loaf of very finely ground beef and pork and usually served with mustard seasoning and inside a bread roll.
Radish and pickled cucumbers.
If you would like to take your edible exploration of Viktualienmarkt a bit further, join a Viktualienmarkt Food Tour with a local!
4:00pm: Watch Surfers take on the Eisbachwelle, AKA Eisbach Wave!
You heard that right… Surfers! When you think of landlocked Munich, you probably don’t think of surfing, but thanks to the Eisbach Wave the city has grown a vibrant surf culture! Named after the small, man-made river Eisbach, where the standing wave is created, the Eisbach Wave is surrounded by lush greenery and urban scenery in the English Garden. Despite its relatively small size, the wave offers a challenging and exhilarating experience for surfers, who showcase their skills and tricks on its powerful and continuous flow. The Eisbach Wave has become an iconic symbol of Munich's unique blend of urban culture and outdoor recreation, drawing both surf enthusiasts and curious spectators alike. If you’d like to try your hand at surfing the wave yourself, you can book a guided surfing experience HERE!
4:45pm: Explore The English Garden
Spanning more than 900 acres, the English Garden is one of the largest city parks in Europe, offering a peaceful escape from the bustling city life. The park features vast lawns, meandering pathways, serene lakes, and lush greenery where visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, from leisurely strolls and picnics to cycling and jogging along its scenic trails. The park is also famous for its iconic landmarks, including the picturesque Japanese Teahouse, the Greek-style Monopteros temple, and of course the Eisbach Wave. Visitors to the English Garden shouldn’t miss sitting down and enjoying a Maß (liter of beer) at Chinesischer Turm which is the 2nd largest beer garden in all of Munich!
7:30pm: Traditional German/Bavarian Dinner
After a FULL day of exploring this magnificent city, what better way to cap the night off than with a Maß and a traditional German/Bavarian-style meal at one of Munich’s best! Here are some spots that we recommend, but feel free to roam the streets and pop into any place that piques your interest!
Augustiner Klosterwirt (German - Augustinerstraße 1, 80331)
Spatenhaus an der Oper (German - Residenzstraße 12, 80333)
Wirtshaus Maximilian (Bavarian - Westermühlstraße 32, 80469)
Görreshof Wirtshaus (Bavarian - Görresstraße 38, 80798)
Nuernberger Bratwurst Gloeckl am Dom (Bavarian - Frauenplatz 9, 80331)
We hope that this guide has helped you make the most of your visit to Munich, and if it has, we hope you’ll consider following us on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube Channel for more travel content!
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