The Bavarian capital of Munich is every bit vibrant and is considered to be one of the most touristy cities in Germany.
The name Munich is synonymous with Oktoberfest, which, in case you didn't know, is celebrated towards End-September.
Some things to know about Munich
- Munich is a big city. To travel around the city, the Munich Day Ticket is the best option. It covers all modes of transport like,
U-Bahn - This is the underground Metro line as we call it, a rapid transport system;
S-Bahn - This is a suburban rail network that connects the main city with the broader metropolitan region; and buses and trams.
- The city is a melting pool of cultures, so to speak. Different places in the city can give you an entirely different feel. The same applies to the city's architecture too. You will see a mix of Roman, Baroque and Gothic architecture in its many old buildings.
- I'd read on some forums about Bavarian Germans being very rude to foreigners. This is not true at all. We came across a whole lot of nice locals, friendly and helpful.
- The same cannot be said for the city, though. It's crowded, over-crowded at some places and dirty too in places like the Old Town. We reached Munich from Innsbruck which is also very touristy and yet squeaky clean, hence the comparison.
- Munich is safe for tourists and locals alike. Little wonder then, that the city boasts of a vibrant nightlife.
- Munich has some of the best breweries in Germany. While in Munich, a visit to a brewery, the famous beer halls, must be on your list.
On Day Two, which was our last evening in Munich, we decided to spend in a brewery. Couldn't think of anything better to do in Munich.
- The fairytale Disney Castle of Neu Schwanstein is quite close to the Bavarian Capital. If you have an extra day in Munich, then this castle is a not-to-miss attraction.
3 days in Munich - Top 10 Things to do
The list below is comprehensive.
It includes architecture in the form of churches and a palace, shopping streets, nature and gardens and the famous cultural hotspots of the city, Beer halls.
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Marienplatz
This is the name of a busy Old Town Square in the heart of Munich in the Altstadt. There are hordes of people jostling with each other to get from one end of the square to the other.
The square is lined with shops, big departmental stores, eateries, ice cream parlours, and much more.
The main attraction of this 12th-century square is the Gothic-style Rathaus or Town Hall with its Clock Tower or Glockenspiel.
In front of the Rathaus is a tall column with a statue of the Virgin Mary on its top.
My Tip -
Try to hang around the Clock Tower at 11 am, 12 pm and 5 pm. This is when this old medieval Clock Tower comes alive with its bells and chimes.
It's amazing to see this architectural marvel still with its working mechanism intact.
Rathaus, New Town Hall
The New Town Hall is a massive complex that sits imposingly in the centre of Marienplatz. It is the seat of the government in Munich.
The Town Hall with its Glockenspiel is impressive from the outside.
My Tip -
We did not have time to see the interiors although the hallways are free to enter and explore. But mind you, if you take a tour of the complex, then it's 20 euros per person. If you've done such town hall tours earlier, give this one a miss!
Munich Residenz
This is the former Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Just walk about 1 kilometre from Marienplatz and you will reach the Royal Palace.
The opulent palace is the largest palace in Germany with...how many rooms? Can you guess? 130 rooms!
At any given time, most visitors can see about 60 or 70 of them, depending on what is open on the day of your visit.
My Tip -
The Residenz is a stunning piece of architecture. If you have limited time, go only for the Residenz since a lot of ticket options are available. You can buy separate tickets for the Residenz, the Museum and the Treasury.
English Garden
The concept of an English country garden generally includes small garden patches connected by beautiful pathways, a lake, some small covered porticos and rows of trees.
My Tip -
The garden took us by surprise. This is one of the largest urban parks in Munich. If you have time, this can be a great outing. There is a Japanese Tea Garden, a Pagoda and a beautiful Greek Temple.
But you will need at least 2 to 3 hours to see this garden, it runs along the River Isar and is almost 5.5 kilometres in length.
Asam Church
About a 7 to 8-minute walk from Marienplatz will take you to this catholic church in Munich. The church is small but every bit lavish with elaborate interiors swathed in gold.
Beautiful frescoes adorn the ceiling and the heavily embellished walls.
My Tip -
Must-see. The baroque facade of the church is very different from anything I've ever seen.
St. Peter's Church
Right across Marienplatz is this 11th-century cathedral that has very beautiful interiors.
This is the oldest church in Munich, is free to enter and, if you decide to go to the top of the tower, you get spectacular views of the Bavarian Alps.
My Tip -
The inside of the church is simply stunning, we simply sat and marvelled at the interiors for about half an hour.
Frauenkirche, the Church of Our Lady
Frauenkirche stands out in Marienplatz with its distinct onion-shaped domes. The church is the seat of the Archbishop of Munich.
I learnt that no other building around the church is allowed to be built higher than the church's domes.
There is a Devil's Footprint at the entrance of the church. A lot of legends and beliefs surround this footprint.
My Tip -
The area around the church is called Frauenplatz with nice places to sit or stroll.
Since it's so close to Marienplatz, you will just have to spend 20-odd minutes to reach it and see it.
Viktualienmarkt
This colossal food market lies in the heart of the Altstadt, very close to Marienplatz. This is a daily market except on Sundays and public holidays.
Viktualienmarkt is like a very chic version of a farmer's market. A lot of gourmet dining options apart from a vast array of meats, cheese, fruits, vegetables and flowers are available.
My Tip -
Don't miss this one while you're in Munich.
Maximilian Strasse
This street is the most happening street in Munich. There are elegant stores and uber-luxurious shopping avenues.
The street extends from Maximilaneum near the Bavarian Parliament to Max-Joseph Platz with beautiful buildings lining the street.
My Tip -
Not everyone can afford to shop here but it's surely worth spending an evening along the beautiful boulevards.
BMW Museum
I have put this under the Top 10 things to do in Munich although I did not visit this museum myself since we had just one evening left in Munich and we wanted to spend it in a brewery.
But we had read some rave reviews about this museum, so if you have time, then try to fit this into your itinerary.
The museum is about 7 km away from the city but it is easily accessible by the S-Bahn or U-Bahn.
Directly opposite the BMW Museum is the BMW Welt. The iconic building of BMW Welt is known for its unique architecture.
Entry to BMW Welt is free.
Beer Halls of Munich
Your visit to Munich will be incomplete without visiting one of the beer halls in the city.
I have written in detail about the brewery culture in Munich in the link below -
Day trip to Neu Schwanstein
Neu Schwanstein has been on my bucket list for many years.
The easiest way to see this fairy tale castle is from Munich.
In all honesty, we planned a trip to Munich so that we could see this castle on a day trip.
Click on the link below to read more about this fascinating journey into history -
The attractions in Munich do not end here.
About 30 km away from Munich is the little town of Starnberg on the banks of the Starnberger Lake. There are loads of fun water activities to indulge in.
If you have extra time, you can also visit the Nymphenberg Palace. It features on the Hop on Hop off bus tour of Munich.
I would love to hear about your experience in the capital city of Bavaria!
Do write back to me....
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