If you have just One Day in Munich to explore, then you’ll definitely want to make the most of your time in the Bavarian capital.
But with so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to plan a one-day itinerary that hits all the city highlights and gives you that balance of touristic satisfaction & local knowledge.
That’s where the experience of the Absolute Munch team comes in!
We’ve put together a curated itinerary that will allow you to experience the best of Munich in just one day. From top attractions to hidden gems, we’ve got you covered. Follow our plan and trust us, you’ll be able to pack a lot of adventure into your short stay in Munich.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Marienplatz – The Heart of Munich
Marienplatz is the central square of Munich, and one of the city’s most famous landmarks and you simply MUST start your Munich visit here as within 10 minutes walk of this place you’ll be able to find a dozen amazing places to visit.
Located in the heart of the old town, the square is named so after the Mariensäule, a religious column erected in the center of the square in 1638 to celebrate getting rid of the Swedish who had previously occupied the city.
Marienplatz is also home to the New Town Hall, a beautiful Gothic-style building that is famous for its glockenspiel clock, which chimes and performs a little show every day at 11am, noon, and 5pm.
The square is also a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike and is surrounded by a variety of shops, restaurants, and other attractions.
The following attractions are situated right on Marienplatz or within a couple of minute’s walk and the square itself is also adorned with many statues, sculptures, and fountains, all of which might be deserving of an Instagram post.
The New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) and Glockenspiel
The Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) is a large building in Munich’s Marienplatz that serves as the city’s administrative center. The building was constructed in the 19th century in the Gothic Revival style, and it is known for its impressive facade and its ornate interior.
One of the most notable features of the Neues Rathaus is its Glockenspiel clock, which is located on the tower of the building. The clock features 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures that depict scenes from Munich’s history. The Glockenspiel is one of Munich’s most popular attractions, and it attracts large crowds of people who come to watch the daily performance at 11 a.m. and noon.
In addition to the Glockenspiel, the Neues Rathaus also features a number of other interesting attractions, such as the Munich Stadtmuseum (City Museum), which is located in the basement of the building. The museum offers a fascinating look at the history of Munich and its people, and it is a must-see for anyone interested in the city’s past.
Overall, the Neues Rathaus is an important landmark in Munich, and it is well worth a visit if you are in the city.
Frauenkirche Church
The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is a large Gothic cathedral in Munich that is considered one of the city’s most important landmarks and is the symbol of the city.
The church was built in the 15th century, and it is known for its distinctive twin towers, which are visible from all over the city.
The interior of the church is equally impressive, with its high vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained-glass windows.
One of the most interesting features of the Frauenkirche is its “Devil’s Footstep” (Teufelstritt), which is a small mark on the floor near the entrance. According to legend, the mark was made by the devil himself, who was so impressed by the size of the church that he stomped his foot in amazement.
This is an extremely popular destination for tourists and locals alike, the Frauenkirche, being so monolithic in stature, is often used as a meeting place in the heart of the city.
St. Peters Church
Not ANOTHER church I hear you say?
However, St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche) is a bit different from just being a theological tourist destination in that it will offer you beautiful views of the city atop its tall tower, a climb that is certainly worth the effort.
This historic Munich Church was built in the 12th century, and it is considered one of Munich’s oldest buildings. Contained within are some artistic masterpieces including the stunning ceiling fresco created by artist Johann Baptist Zimmermann in the 1700’s.
To reach the viewing platform, you will need to climb the stairs to the top of the tower. The climb can be a bit steep and narrow in places, but it is well worth it for the views at the top. Once you reach the platform, you will be able to see the entire city spread out below you, as well as panoramic views of the Alps in the distance.
The Viktualienmarkt
Undoubtedly, the Munich Viktualienmarkt is one of the top foodie destinations to visit in Munich.
The market here s an important part of Munich’s cultural and culinary scene, and it is a popular place for locals and tourists alike to shop for high-quality ingredients and enjoy a variety of culinary delights.
With over 140 stalls selling a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, cheeses, bread, and other specialty foods. There are also several restaurants and cafes on the premises, all surrounding, of course, the obligatory Munich beer garden.
A visit here is an absolute MUST when you visit Munich, especially if you’re a foodie! We cannot begin to describe how much fun this tourist trap is. All, if not the majority, of the Bavarian traditional food, is sold here.
When spending One Day in Munich our advice is to either start here at the Viktualienmarkt for breakfast (Frühstück), then move on to Marienplatz which is just five minutes away. Or start at Marienplatz and then take in lunch here.
What Next? The Second Half of your One Day in Munich
As we’ll presume you’re not going to be driving we’ll only cover destinations walkable from the Munich Old Town.
You could literally walk in any direction from Marienplatz to find interesting streets, buildings, and attractions, as the city is literally teeming with historical and cultural wonders.
But, to get the best out of your time, here at Absolute Munich, we feel the best course to take from Marienplatz would be to head towards Odeonsplatz which is just a ten-minute walk north, where a plethora of wonderful Munich sights await.
Odeonsplatz and Surrounds
Odeonsplatz is a public square located in the heart of Munich, Germany. It is known for its cultural and historical significance, as well as its beautiful architectural features. Some of the best parts of Odeonsplatz include:
- The Feldherrnhalle, a monument and military hall built in 1844, which is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Munich’s history.
- The Odeon is an opera house and concert hall built in the early 19th century, which is home to the Bavarian State Opera and the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
- The Theatinerkirche, a Baroque-style church built in the 17th century, which is known for its ornate interior and beautiful frescoes.
- The Palais Leuchtenberg, a palace built in the early 19th century and is now home to the Bavarian Ministry of Finance.
Overall, Odeonsplatz is a beautiful and historic area of Munich that is worth exploring for its cultural and architectural treasures.
The Munich Residenz and Hofgarten
As one of the biggest inner-city palaces in Germany featuring expansive gardens and priceless artworks, the Munich Residenz and the Munich Hofgarten are the one-stop many travelers to Munich should definitely make an effort to visit.
The Munich Residenz was the home of Bavarian dukes, electors, and kings from the 15th to the 20th centuries. This large complex with over 100 rooms, including state apartments, chambers, and halls was used for public and private functions.
The palace is known for its rich history and its ornate Baroque and Rococo architecture, which can be seen in the grand staircases, the ornate frescoes and decorations, and the beautiful gardens. The Munich Residenz is now a museum and a popular tourist attraction in Munich.
The Munich Hofgarten is a large public garden located just behind the Residenz and is the city’s gateway to the Englischer Garten.
Originally a Renaissance-style garden created in the early 17th century for the electors of Bavaria, it features a large pond, formal gardens, and a number of statues and monuments, and buildings surrounding include the Bavarian National Museum and the Bavarian State Chancellery.
The Hofgarten is a beautiful and peaceful place to relax and take a leisurely stroll, and it is a popular spot for people to enjoy the outdoors in the city.
The Munich Museum Quarter
Just a 5-minute walk to the west of Odeonsplatz you’ll enter the University district of Maxvorstadt where you’ll be amazed at just how many museums are located in such a small area.
Known as the Kunstareal – meaning the art district, this museum area stretches from Konigsplatz through to the Munich Siegestor.
Home to a number of world-class museums and cultural institutions. Here are some of the best museums to visit in the Kunstareal museum quarter:
- The Alte Pinakothek: This museum is home to one of the largest and most important collections of Old Master paintings in the world. It features works by artists such as Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Titian.
- The Neue Pinakothek: This museum is focused on 19th-century art and features works by artists such as Monet, Cézanne, and Van Gogh.
- The Pinakothek der Moderne: This museum is dedicated to modern and contemporary art and features works by artists such as Picasso, Klee, and Warhol.
- The Egyptian Museum Munich: This museum is dedicated to ancient Egyptian art and culture. It is home to a large collection of artifacts and artifacts, including sculptures, jewelry, and funerary objects.
- The Museum Brandhorst: This museum is dedicated to modern and contemporary art and features a collection of works by artists such as Warhol, Koons, and Richter.
The Munich English Gardens
After having your fill of culture in the Museum Quarter, it’s only a hop skip, and jump to the English Gardens, Munich’s most famous outdoorsy attraction.
The Englischer Garten, or English Garden, is a large public park located in the center of Munich just north of the city center.
It is one of the largest urban public parks in the world and is known for its beautiful landscape, which includes meadows, forests, streams, and ponds.
The Englischer Garten also features a number of landmarks and attractions, including the Chinese Tower, a pagoda-style tower that serves as a beer garden, and the Monopteros, a Greek temple-style monument.
Especially in the summer, the park is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to relax, take a leisurely stroll, or participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, and sunbathing.
What to do in the evening on your One Day in Munich
After a full day of walking and sighseeing we’d image sustenance is firmly on your radar.
Whilst its true that no matter what type of cuisine you’re in the mood for, you’ll be able to find something to suit your taste in this vibrant city. But if visiting for s short period and you have only One Day in Munich then surely it has to be traditional Bavarian Cuisine thats on your mind.
Here’s our best pics of paces where you’ll be served hearty traditional Bavarian fare:
- Hofbräuhaus: This iconic beer hall is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Munich. It’s known for its hearty Bavarian food, including roast pork, sausages, and pretzels, as well as its beer of course. As this is the most well-known of the big beerhalls in Munich and is the closest to the city center it can get crowded with tourists.
- The Munich Augustiner Keller: For an experience that will include many more locals, this is another popular beer hall in Munich and is our favorite of the Big beerhalls and beer gardens. The Augustiner Keller has a large outdoor seating area as well as an underground dining hall and serves a variety of Bavarian dishes and what is considered by locals as the best of the Munich beers. Did someone say Schweinshaxe?
- Zum Dürnbräu: This traditional restaurant in Munich serves a range of Bavarian dishes, including roast pork (naturally) and dumplings. A must-try is the Käsespätzle (cheese noodles). Food portions are quite large here so don’t fill up on the homemade pretzels.
Not into Bavarian fare, then perhas try one of these places:
- Bindaas Indian: Here in this Munich Indian Restaurant you can start the evening off with a cocktail (if you don’t like beer) whilst munching on delightful Indian snacks, then follow up with a gastronomical trip to the culinary world of Indian spice that are scrumptious, rich & flavourful.
- Alte Utting: This establishment acts not only as a restaurant but also harbours a bar, a hip food market and a performance space for regular live music and shows. Situated on an old lake ferry now landlocked above an abandoned railway bridge, The Alte Utting Munich is certainly an “alternate” destination for eating that’s for sure.
The Munich Layover to Make The Most of Your Time
Of course, our itinerary and suggestions are only that, suggestions. There are many other great sights and things to do in Munich as it’s a vibrant and exciting city with a rich cultural heritage.
In this post, we’ve tried our best to cram in as much as we could in the Munich Old Town, as this is where you’ll find the greatest concentration of things to do in Munich.
The added bonus of formulating this one-day itinerary in the fashion we have is that the travel time between our suggestions is minimal, and in most cases warrants only a short walk.
The truth is, however, that Munich is so awesome, that you’re sure to have a great time no matter what you end up choosing to do in the city.
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoyed your One Day In Munich – Stay Safe and Keep Smiling everyone!
