Planning a trip to Bavaria? Munich, the region’s vibrant capital, is often the first stop. In this post, we share how to spend 2 days in Munich – from exploring the historic old town and visiting Nymphenburg Palace to tasting traditional Bavarian food. Visit Munich to experience the traditional side of Germany, with its historical buildings, numerous museums, the annual Oktoberfest celebration, and festive Christmas markets in winter.
We visited Munich as part of our 7-Day Bavaria Road Trip and really enjoyed our time in the city.
Day 1 – Munich’s Old Town, English Garden and German Food
Explore Munich’s Old Town (Altstadt)
Marienplatz
Begin your day at Munich’s central square – Marienplatz. This historic square has been the heart of the city since the Middle Ages. Originally known as Markth (“market”), it served as a bustling marketplace. In 1854, when the market relocated elsewhere in the city, the square was renamed Marienplatz — or “Mary’s Square” in English.
Marienplatz lies at the heart of Munich’s Old Town (Altstadt). Simply wandering its surrounding streets reveals a wealth of historical buildings, charming squares, and notable monuments – perfect for soaking up the city’s rich heritage.
Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and Rathaus-Glockenspiel
Munich’s famous New Town Hall building – Neues Rathaus – stands on the north side of Marienplatz. Although its Neo-Gothic architecture gives it an older appearance, the building was actually constructed between 1867 and 1909.
The Neues Rathaus features a beautiful clock with bells and dancing figures – the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. It comes to life daily at 11 am and 12 pm, with an additional show at 5 pm during the summer months. As the bells chime, the figures begin to move, reenacting two stories from the 16th century. The upper scene depicts the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V to Renate of Lorraine in 1568. Below, the Schäffler dance (or coopers’ dance) celebrates the end of a devastating plague in 1517, performed to lift the spirits of Munich’s citizens.
Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum)
Next, head to the Old Town Hall – Altes Rathaus – located on the east side of Marienplatz. Although it may not appear particularly old at first glance, it was built several centuries before the New Town Hall. Over time, the building has been redecorated multiple times, and parts of it were reconstructed after suffering damage during World War II.
Today, the tall tower of the Altes Rathaus houses the Toy Museum – Spielzeugmuseum. For a small fee, you can climb the spiral staircase to explore its charming collection of vintage toys, including dolls, stuffed animals, model trains, and more. The museum is relatively small, and a visit typically takes around 30 to 60 minutes to see all the exhibits.
Frauenkirche, Peterskirche and St. Michael Kirche
Frauenkirche, also known as Munich Cathedral, is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Its two tall towers rise high above the surrounding rooftops and can be seen from many points throughout the Old Town.
Peterskirche(St Peter’s Church), located just off Marienplatz, is the oldest church in Munich. Its tower features a viewing platform at a height of 56 metres, offering panoramic views over the Old Town. To reach the top, you’ll need to climb approximately 300 steps – a bit of a workout, but well worth it for the stunning outlook.
Another beautiful church to visit is St Michael Kirche (St Michael’s Church). This Renaissance-style building features a stunning interior filled with sculptures, paintings, and ornate details. Inside, you’ll also find the burial place of several members of Bavaria’s royal family.
Max-Joseph-Platz
Next, visit Max-Joseph-Platz – a spacious city square named after King Maximilian Joseph. On one side, you’ll see the National Opera House and the Residenz Theatre; on the other – you’ll find a scattering of shops and restaurants. At its centre stands a monument dedicated to King Maximilian Joseph.
Munich Residenz
Just a 10-minute walk from Marienplatz, you’ll find Munich Residenz palace and the adjacent Hofgarten. The Residenz was once the royal palace of Bavaria’s monarchs and is one of the largest city palaces in Germany, – its complex of buildings hosts over one hundred rooms. Today, it’s open to visitors who can explore its richly decorated chambers, grand halls, and extensive royal collections.
We didn’t go inside the palace this time, simply because we didn’t have enough time. On our next visit, we plan to set aside a few hours to explore the Munich Residenz properly and tour its rooms and halls.
Just behind the Residenz lies the Hofgarten – the former royal gardens. It’s a peaceful spot for a stroll and offers a welcome patch of greenery in the heart of the Old Town.
Odeonsplatz
After visiting Hofgarten, head to nearby Odeonsplatz – a spacious square surrounded by historical buildings and monuments. Among its landmarks are the 17th-century Baroque-style Theatine Church and the Feldherrnhalle, a monument honouring the Bavarian Army.
Visit English Garden
Next on our 2 Days in Munich itinerary is the English Garden (Englischer Garten), a vast park stretching from the city centre all the way north to the district of Schwabing. It borders the Isar River and offers a mix of walking paths, ponds, playgrounds, beer gardens, and open green spaces. You could easily spend several hours enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
From Munich’s Old Town, it’s an easy walk to the southern entrance of the English Garden. Head northeast, past the Residenz and Hofgarten, and you’ll reach the park in about 15–20 minutes on foot. Alternatively, take tram 16 or 19 to the stop “Nationalmuseum/Haus der Kunst”, to arrive right at the edge of the garden near the Eisbachwelle surf spot.
If you prefer a quieter route, you can simply start walking along the Isar River from the city centre. Follow one of the riverside paths heading north – they run parallel to the park and offer peaceful views of the water, bridges, and tree-lined banks. Walk as far as you wish (or have energy for), then loop back whenever it suits.
Admire the royal avenue of Maximilianstrasse
After your walk in the English Garden, rather than heading straight back to the Old Town, follow the river towards Maximilian Bridge (Maximiliansbrücke).
From the bridge walk toward the old town via Maximilianstrasse – a prominent city avenue. Apart from the many historical buildings and architectural landmarks, Maximilianstrasse is known for its high-end fashion and jewellery shops. We weren’t there for its shopping, but for its grand buildings and monuments.
A tram line runs along Maximilianstrasse from Maximilian Bridge to the Old Town. So if you’ve had enough walking for the day, you can hop on a tram and enjoy the elegant architecture of Maximilianstrasse from the comfort of your seat.
Königsplatz, Karolinenplatz and Maximiliansplatz
Just north of Munich’s Old Town, you’ll find several city squares within walking distance of one another.
Königsplatz is a grand, open square framed by neoclassical buildings and dominated by the Propylaea, a 19th-century city gate inspired by ancient Greek architecture. Right next to it lies Karolinenplatz, known for its striking bronze obelisk, the Obelisk von König Ludwig I, which commemorates Bavarian soldiers who died during Napoleon’s Russian campaign.
Maximiliansplatz is a quieter square featuring a small green park and the elegant Wittelsbach Fountain, a beautiful spot to pause and enjoy the surroundings.
Just a five-minute walk from Maximiliansplatz is the Alter Botanical Garden. It’s a peaceful green space with shaded areas and a playground (perfect for a break if you’re travelling with children). In the south-eastern part of the park stands the impressive Fountain of Neptune, which overlooks the grand Palace of Justice (Justizpalast).
Taste German Food and Beer
No visit to Munich is complete without stopping at a restaurant, cafу or beer garden to enjoy traditional German food and fine local beer. Bavarian cuisine is known for its hearty dishes – sausages, potato specialities, soups, roasts, and flour-based meals are staples on most menus.
On our first evening in Munich, we had dinner at Ratskeller München. It’s a historic cellar restaurant with traditional Bavarian decor and a menu full of regional classics. It was a cosy and atmospheric spot to end the day.
Finish the day with dinner at one of the many restaurants in Munich’s Old Town – a perfect way to unwind after exploring the city’s central highlights. The next day, plan to visit attractions located a bit beyond the city centre.
Day 2 – Nymphenburg Palace and Munich’s Museums
Visit Nymphenburg Palace and Park
Nymphenburg Palace is located to the west of Munich’s city centre and takes around 30 to 45 minutes to reach by public transport. From the centre, you can take the S1 suburban train to Laim station, followed by a 20-minute walk to the palace. Alternatively, take tram N17 to the Schloss Nymphenburg stop, which is about a 10-minute walk from the main entrance.
The palace was built in the 17th century, with the first pavilion completed in 1675. Over the years, the complex was expanded, transformed, and enriched with new additions. Today, the Nymphenburg estate includes the main palace, a vast park, beautifully landscaped gardens, several smaller pavilions, and a carriage museum. It’s well worth setting aside time for a dedicated visit if you’re in Munich.
The admission fee is relatively modest, and children can enter for free. We opted for a combination ticket, which gave us access to the main palace, the park, and four smaller pavilions – Amalienburg, Badenburg, Pagodenburg, and Magdalenenklause. It was a great way to explore more of the estate and appreciate the variety of architecture and interiors across the complex.
During our visit, the weather was warm and pleasant, so we spent plenty of time walking through the expansive park and palace gardens. In summer, you can even take a gondola ride along the central canal.
Learn BMW History at the BMW Museum
Depending on your interests, you might choose to spend the afternoon of Day 2 at the BMW Museum or explore one of Munich’s other excellent museums (see below).
The BMW Museum is located next to the Olympic Park in the northern part of the city. To get there from the city centre, take the U3 subway line. If you’re coming from Nymphenburg Palace, bus 180 from Maria-Ward-Straße will take you close to the museum.
Inside the museum, you’ll discover the history of the BMW brand and explore a wide range of exhibits – from classic cars and motorcycles to engines and innovative technologies. If you’re a car enthusiast (or travelling with two boys, like we were), the BMW Museum is a must-visit while in Munich.
Visit One of the Museums in the City
If you still have time after visiting Nymphenburg Palace and the BMW Museum (or if you chose to skip the BMW Museum) consider exploring one of Munich’s many excellent city museums.
Admire European masterpieces at the Alte Pinakothek, or delve into ancient history at the Munich Museum of Egyptian Art. For something more hands-on, visit the vast Deutsches Museum, dedicated to science and technology. You might also enjoy the Bavarian National Museum or the quirky Beer and Oktoberfest Museum. Many of these museums are within walking distance of the city centre, so you can choose what suits your interests best.
Admire Munich After Dark
End your visit to Munich with an evening walk through the city. Many of the Old Town’s historic buildings are beautifully illuminated, giving the streets a completely different character from the daytime. It’s a peaceful and atmospheric way to take in the city’s charm one last time.
On our final evening, we had dinner at Hans im Glück, just off Marienplatz. With its cosy forest-themed interior and relaxed vibe, it was a fun and family-friendly spot to enjoy a tasty burger before saying goodbye to the city.
How Many Days in Munich?
For a well-paced visit, two to three days in Munich is ideal. This gives you enough time to explore the Old Town, visit major landmarks like Nymphenburg Palace and the English Garden, and enjoy a museum or two without feeling rushed. If you’re interested in day trips – such as to Neuschwanstein Castle, Dachau Memorial Site, or the Bavarian Alps – consider adding an extra day or two.
Getting Around Munich (Public Transport)
Munich has an excellent and reliable public transport system, making it easy to get around without a car. The network includes U-Bahn (fast and frequent, subway ideal for longer distances across the city) and S-Bahn (suburban trains useful for reaching outer districts and the airport). Within the city, use trams for a scenic way to travel, especially through central areas like Maximilianstrasse, or buses.
Tickets are valid across all modes of transport and can be bought at machines in stations or via the MVV app.
Read next: One Day in Nuremberg or Visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany’s Fairy Tale Gem.
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I just love Munich. You managed to see a lot in just two days. The museums are amazing, especially the Pinakotheken art museums. They only cost 1 Euro when you go on a Sunday!
Nice Post, we missed lots of Munich as ours was a flying visit. We covered your day one basically and lots of beer at Hofbräuhaus.
https://www.rjontour.com/munich-dog/
Well, you’ve seen the main sights then (and the beer!) 🙂 Day 2 is mostly optional extras. Though we enjoyed visit to Nymphenburg palace a lot.
Great post about my home town. By and large what I would have recommended. Also: great to hear you talk well about Bavarian food. I’m often shocked about German food’s low reputation in the English-speaking world. I love and miss Bavarian food so much haha…
Isn’t it the best when your post gets a praise from a local! 🙂 Thank you for reading!
We haven’t visited Germany but would absolutely love to and Munich looks so beautiful. Great to learn that there’s so much to see and do. We love visiting museums and it looks as though there is a huge variety – and within walking distance. We would also love to scoff traditional German food and, of course, quaff lots of great beer! Ratskeller München would definitely be on our list to visit.
We are headed to Munich for Oktoberfest next year so this will be super helpful! You really covered so much to do in a short time!
I’m actually about to start planning our trip to Munich (and Bavaria) this weekend so this is very timely and helpful! We’ll be going over Christmas; I’m excited to see how different it all is from your beautiful photos here!
Munich in Christmas must be magical! 🙂
Wonderful itinerary of the city. We will surely refer it whenever we are going to visit it.