Munich is an incredibly diverse and lively city that I think is often overlooked compared to other European cities (i.e Paris, London, Berlin, etc). The sheer variety and amount of museums rival Paris (to be honest I liked some of them even more) and the parks are incredible. I can’t wait to return to this city! I have attached a map below. You can view my solo vlog from Munich here.
There is a ton to do and see in Munich and the region surrounding it, so here’s a jam-packed guide to 48 hours there!
Day 1:
- Morning: Take metro to Englishcen Garten for a morning walk. Walk throughout the park, and spend some time hanging out and people watching at Monopteros. Stop by the Eisbachwelle for some river surfing.
- Pick up a sandwich at a local shop and enjoy it in the park.
- Afternoon: Walk around Mariensplatz, check out churches, enjoy the old town culture! For the best view of the city, I would suggest heading up the New Town Hall. Feel free to add some local shopping in here and grab a pretzel for a nice afternoon snack.
- Evening: Explore Koningsplatz and LUM before spending an evening enjoying art in Alte Pinakothek. The art here is expansive (Da Vinci, Raphael, etc) and I was one of the only people visiting. Such an incredible museum among many in the area.
- Dinner: pick up something casual in the university district. Plenty of cuisine options and great ambience.
Day 2:
- Morning: Pick up a sandwich and coffee for breakfast at the Munich Hauptbanhof before hopping on a S-Bahn to Nymphenburg palace. Take a long walk and enjoy the gardens before the palace opens and there are any visitors.
- Nymphenburg Palace: this beautiful palace that reminds me a bit of Versailles! Stunning frescoes and paintings in this summer palace. The gardens are also beautiful to walk around; be sure to check out Monopteros by Badenburger See.
- After visiting the Nymphenburg grounds, take the train to odeonsplatz and grab an early lunch. Many options in the area!
- Afternoon: Venture over to the Residenz museum. This is one of the coolest museums I’ve been to: it is an old royal residence that has been converted to a museum. It’s hard to believe such a grand building lies in the middle of the city. A lot of it had to be rebuilt following WW2 and there’s a ton of neat history to learn here. If you are tight on time, this would be the one I suggest.
- Dinner: head to a local beerhaus for great Bavarian food and drinks. I met up with a new friend at Bachmaier Hofbrau. It was delicious and not too expensive; there was also great live music. Such a fun local experience.
Tips:
- Price it out depending on how long you’re in town and what you want to see before purchasing a city pass. I didn’t buy one, personally.
- Walk everywhere/take the U-Bahn/S-Bahn. The trains were super easy to use, but Munich is also a very walkable city. Take advantage of it!
- There are so many beer houses in the city, don’t be afraid to get outside of the touristy Marienplatz for some good beer and grub.
Places to Visit:
- Nymphenburg Palace and gardens: Primary Baroque summer residence for former rulers of Bavaria constructed in the 17th century. The front is larger than Versailles!
- Residenz: formal royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria and the largest city palace in Germany. Highlights include the Hall of Antiquities, Ancestral Gallery, and Royal Apartments. First buildings were constructed in the 14th century.
- Alte Pinakothek: One of the oldest galleries in the world and holds a substantial collection of Old Master Paintings. European art collection from the fourteenth to eighteenth century.
- Marienplatz: Central square in Old Town
- Max-Joseph-Platz
- Englischer Garten: The Central park of Munich
- Monopteros
- Eisbachwelle (RIVER SURFERS)
- Churches:
- St Peters Chuch
- Frauenkirche
- Asamkirche
Best Views:
- New Town Hall
- Koningsplatz
- Englischen Garten
- Schlosspark Nymphenburg
Where to Stay:
Cocoon Hauptbanhof – central location, affordable, cute Alp-theme hotel. Would stay again!
Additional Recommendations:
- Neuschwanstein Castle: a full day trip from Munich but if you have the time definitely worth it. My family went and loved it
- Dachau: An important piece of history to reflect and visit. I did not have time to go during my time there and wasn’t sure if I wanted to do such a heavy experience alone, either. This is somewhere incredibly important that I want to visit in the future.
- BMW museum and Olympic Park: a bit out of the city but neat for families and something different from usual city museum content! My family of 12 went (my brother and I unfortunately were working) and it provided something for everyone from ages 12 to 80.
As well, if you’re as much of a museum junkie as me, I would check out more museums: Neue Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne, Glyptothek, Deutsches Museum, Bavarian National Museum, Lenbachaus, NS-Dokumentationszentrum Munchen, Staatliches Museum Agyptischer Kunst…. List goes on and on!!
PS feel free to use your German here but also everyone speaks english… I used both and got by fine!
Talk Soon,
Sarah
