Let's be honest. Most Munich travel guides just list the same old spots: Marienplatz, Hofbräuhaus, maybe the English Garden. You end up following a trail of selfie sticks, wondering if you're really experiencing the city. I've been visiting Munich for over a decade, and my best trips happened when I tossed the generic checklist out the window. This guide isn't about checking boxes. It's about crafting a Munich itinerary that feels authentic, avoids the classic tourist traps, and gives you the confidence to explore like someone who knows the place.
We'll build a perfect 3-day Munich travel guide itinerary from the ground up, packed with actionable details. I'll also throw in the stuff most guides skip—like how to actually enjoy Oktoberfest crowds (or avoid them), where to find a quiet beer garden locals love, and a realistic look at what things really cost.
Your Munich Trip at a Glance
- How to Plan Your Munich Itinerary
- The Perfect 3-Day Munich Itinerary
- Where to Stay in Munich on Any Budget
- Is Munich Expensive to Visit? A Realistic Budget Breakdown
- Beyond the Guidebook: Hidden Gems & Local Favorites
- 10-Year Veteran Tips: Mistakes to Avoid in Munich
- Your Munich Itinerary Questions, Answered
How to Plan Your Munich Itinerary
First things first. Munich is walkable in its core, but its treasures are spread out. Don't try to see everything in one day. The public transport system (MVV) is excellent. Get an IsarCard for the duration of your stay—it's almost always cheaper than single tickets. The official MVV website has a great English planner.
Here's a non-negotiable tip: Build your days around neighborhoods, not just scattered attractions. Spend a morning in Altstadt-Lehel (Old Town), an afternoon in Maxvorstadt (museums and universities), and an evening in Schwabing or Glockenbachviertel for dining. It saves time and lets you soak in the vibe of each area.
Pro Timing Move: Most tourists hit the main squares between 11 AM and 3 PM. Start your day early (9 AM) at a major site like the Residenz or Nymphenburg Palace. You'll have the place nearly to yourself. Use the crowded midday for a long, relaxed lunch or to wander through less-visited indoor spots like the Stadtmuseum.
The Perfect 3-Day Munich Itinerary
This is a balanced mix of must-sees and local flavor. I've included exact logistics so you can just follow along.
Day 1: Royal Munich & The Historic Heart
Start at Marienplatz. The Glockenspiel chimes at 11 AM (and 12 PM, 5 PM in summer). Honestly, it's a bit overhyped. The figurines are small. Instead of fighting for a front-row spot on the square, grab a window seat at Café Glockenspiel on the 5th floor of the building opposite. You get a panoramic view with your coffee.
From there, it's a 3-minute walk to the Residenz Munich (Residenzstraße 1, 80333). This was the Bavarian rulers' palace. The treasury is mind-blowing. Hours: 9 AM–6 PM daily (Apr–mid-Oct), 10 AM–5 PM (mid-Oct–Mar). Ticket: €9 for just the treasury, €15 for a combined ticket. Give it at least 2 hours.
Lunch? Skip the expensive restaurants right on the square. Walk 8 minutes to Viktualienmarkt. It's a gourmet food market. Grab a Leberkäse sandwich from a stall (€4-5) and eat at the communal beer garden in the center.
Afternoon: Head to Hofgarten and the English Garden. Yes, you should see the surfers on the Eisbach wave. It's as cool as the photos. Walk north to the Chinese Tower beer garden. It's touristy, but the atmosphere under the chestnut trees is pure Munich.
Dinner in Schwabing. Try Wirtshaus in der Au (Lilienstraße 51) for classic Bavarian food in a less-theatrical setting than the famous halls.
Day 2: Art, Castles & Modern Vibes
Morning in Maxvorstadt, the museum and university quarter. You have choices: the Alte Pinakothek (old masters), Pinakothek der Moderne (modern art/design), or the Lenbachhaus (home of the Blue Rider group, including Kandinsky). Pick one. Trying to do more is a recipe for burnout. Lenbachhaus is my personal favorite for its stunning collection and architecture.
Take the U-Bahn (U1 to Rotkreuzplatz, then tram 17) to Schloss Nymphenburg (Schloss- und Gartenverwaltung Nymphenburg, 80638). This summer palace is stunning. Don't just see the main building. The real magic is in the park and the smaller palaces like the Amalienburg, a rococo hunting lodge that will make your jaw drop. Hours: Palace 10 AM–4 PM (Oct–Mar), 9 AM–6 PM (Apr–Sep). Park is free and open dawn to dusk. Combined Ticket: €15 (summer), €8.50 (winter).
Evening: Explore the Glockenbachviertel or Gärtnerplatzviertel. These are trendy, lively neighborhoods full of independent shops, cocktail bars, and international restaurants. It's a great contrast to the day's history.
Day 3: Day Trip or Deep Dive
Option A (The Classic): Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. Book your castle entry ticket online in advance on the official Bavarian Palace Department website. The train to Füssen takes about 2 hours. Most people just go to the castle viewpoint. For a better experience, hike up to the Marienbrücke bridge for the famous photo, then take the less-traveled path (Pöllatschlucht) down. It's quieter and more beautiful.
Option B (Stay Local): Visit the Deutsches Museum (Museumsinsel 1, 80538). It's one of the world's largest science and tech museums. You could spend days here. Focus on one or two sections, like aviation or musical instruments. Hours: 9 AM–5 PM daily. Ticket: €15.
Later, head to the Augustiner-Keller (Arnulfstraße 52, 80335). It's my top pick for a beer garden. It's huge, has a great playground for kids, and feels more authentically local than the super-central ones. Their Haxe (roasted pork knuckle) is legendary.
Where to Stay in Munich on Any Budget
Location is everything. Staying near the Hauptbahnhof (main station) is convenient for trains, but the area can be gritty at night. I prefer areas just outside the old town ring.
| Area | Best For | Budget (per night) | Personal Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altstadt-Lehel | First-timers, sightseeing on foot | €€€ (High) | Hotel Blauer Bock. Family-run, historic, right by the market. |
| Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt (near Sendlinger Tor) | Great value, foodies, nightlife access | €€ (Mid) | 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian. Fun design, close to the station and Glockenbach. |
| Maxvorstadt | Art lovers, students, quieter vibe | €€ (Mid) | Hotel Laimer Hof. Near Nymphenburg Palace, feels like a village. |
| Schwabing | Local neighborhood feel, cafes, parks | €€ (Mid to High) | Consider an Airbnb here. It's residential but well-connected by U-Bahn. |
| Haidhausen (east of the river) | Escaping tourists, authentic Munich life | € (Budget to Mid) | Motel One München-Deutsches Museum. Reliable chain, good price, great location near the river. |
Is Munich Expensive to Visit? A Realistic Budget Breakdown
Munich is one of Germany's most expensive cities. But you can manage it with some savvy choices.
- Accommodation: This is the biggest cost. Expect €80-120/night for a decent double room in a mid-range hotel. Hostels start around €30-50 for a dorm bed.
- Food & Drink: A main course in a sit-down restaurant is €15-25. A Maß (liter) of beer in a beer garden is €9-11. Save money by having a big lunch (many restaurants offer Tagesmenü – daily specials for €10-15) and a lighter dinner from a bakery or market.
- Sights: Museum entries are €8-15 each. The Munich City Tour Card can be worth it if you plan to use a lot of transport and visit several partner museums. Do the math first.
- Transport: A 3-day unlimited inner-zone pass (IsarCard) is around €18.50. Single trips are €3.70. The pass pays for itself quickly.
Beyond the Guidebook: Hidden Gems & Local Favorites
Want to escape the crowds?
Müller'sches Volksbad: An incredibly beautiful Art Nouveau public swimming bath. Swimming in a historic, cathedral-like pool is an experience. (Rosenheimer Str. 1).
Flohmarkt am Olympiapark: The flea market at the Olympic Park on Saturdays. It's huge, chaotic, and full of treasures from vintage lederhosen to old camera gear.
Gans am Wasser: A beer garden literally on the banks of the Isar river, south of the city center. It's where young locals go to grill their own food (you can rent a grill) and hang out on the gravel beach. (Ludwig-Ganghofer-Straße 37).
Asamkirche (St. Johann Nepomuk): Tucked between two houses on Sendlinger Straße, this small church is a Baroque masterpiece of overwhelming detail. It's free, takes 10 minutes, and will stun you.
10-Year Veteran Tips: Mistakes to Avoid in Munich
1. Don't just go to the Hofbräuhaus. It's loud, crowded, and feels like a theme park. For a similar but more authentic experience, try Augustiner Bräustuben (Landsberger Str. 19) or Hirschgarten (the largest beer garden in the world, and much more relaxed).
2. Sundays are quiet, but not dead. Shops are closed, but museums, restaurants, and beer gardens are open. It's a perfect day for a museum visit or a long walk in the English Garden.
3. You don't need to tip 20%. Service is included. The custom is to round up the bill or add 5-10% for good service. Just say the total amount you want to pay when handing over cash or adding it to the card machine.
4. Don't underestimate the weather. Munich weather is famously changeable, even in summer. A sunny morning can turn into a cold, rainy afternoon. Always, always have a light jacket or sweater and an umbrella with you.
5. For Oktoberfest, book accommodation a year in advance. Seriously. And if you hate crowds, avoid the city entirely during the two-week festival. The rest of the year is lovely.
