5 Days in Munich Itinerary: Munich, Germany Itinerary
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We used Munich as a jumping-off point for exploring the southern portion of Germany’s Bavarian region with a day across the border to Salzburg, Austria.
Five Days in Munich Itinerary: (Jump to)
See the Glockenspiel
Climb to the top of St. Peter’s
Shop the famous Outdoor Market
Dinner at Ratskeller
Harburg Castle
Rothenburg
Visit a Beer Garden and Hall
See the Munich Residenz
Visit Nymphenburg Palace
Relax at the Olympiapark
Munich Itinerary - Day 1 - Arrival to Munich
Your Munich 5 day itinerary starts with a walk through the Altstadt, where you'll find the top landmarks right around Marienplatz. Spend your first evening checking out the free things to do in Munich like watching the Glockenspiel and walking the Viktualienmarkt.
After an overnight stopover at the wonderful and underrated city of Stuttgart, we landed at the München Central Station in the late afternoon.
We decided to head straight for the heart of the city, Marienplatz. The town square is surrounded by the most famous buildings in town.
Marienplatz
Map: Google Maps
This central square is the heart of historic Munich and a popular place to begin exploring the city. It’s home to seasonal markets, major public events, and prime photo ops. The square is surrounded by notable buildings and busy walkways packed with tourists and locals alike. At midday, it can get congested, but it's also when it’s most exciting. Street performers and market stalls often fill the square with life. You’ll also find easy connections to public transportation here, with the U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations located directly beneath the plaza.
The New Town Hall and The Old Town Hall flank the square. Look up at the neo-Gothic architecture while you wait for the century-old Glockenspiel to spin and ring its bells to tell a story from German history. It runs at least twice daily with more shows in the summer.
New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Located on the north side of Marienplatz, this neo-Gothic building dominates the skyline of the square. It was constructed in the late 1800s and is still used for government business. The detailed façade includes hundreds of stone figures and the city's symbolic Münchner Kindl. Visitors can take an elevator to a viewing platform near the top of the building. From there, you’ll get a panoramic view of the city rooftops and nearby Alps on clear days. The Town Hall is also home to Munich’s tourism office and several restaurants.
The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus)
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Located at the eastern edge of Marienplatz, Munich’s Old Town Hall dates back to the 14th century and once served as the seat of the city council. The building has been damaged and rebuilt several times over the centuries, but its white façade and pointed spire give it a storybook look that contrasts with the more imposing New Town Hall. Today, the main hall is used for ceremonial functions and special events. The tall tower next to it was once part of the city’s fortifications and now houses the Toy Museum. If you’re short on time, the exterior is worth a look as part of your Marienplatz loop. The interior museum, while charming, is small and mostly geared toward collectors or children.
Glockenspiel
Map: Google Maps
The Glockenspiel is located in the tower of the New Town Hall and draws a crowd several times a day. At 11 AM, 12 PM, and 5 PM (only in the summer), 43 bells chime and 32 life-sized figures rotate through two different scenes. The first tells the story of a royal wedding, while the second is a jousting tournament. The entire display lasts just under 15 minutes. While it’s not the most high-tech clock show in Europe, it's an iconic part of visiting Munich. If you're nearby when it starts, it’s worth watching at least once.
For a few Euros, you can take the steep staircase climb to the top of St. Peter’s Church Tower. The entrance is directly opposite the Glockenspiel on the backside of the church. From the top, you will get a wonderful view of the city’s many tall iconic towers.
St. Peter’s Church Tower
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Known locally as “Alter Peter,” this is the oldest parish church in Munich. The tower is famous for its viewpoint, which requires a 300-step climb to the top. Once there, visitors are treated to a nearly unobstructed 360-degree view of Munich’s rooftops, including a great view of the nearby New Town Hall and Frauenkirche. The stair climb is narrow and steep in spots, so it’s best for able-bodied travelers without a fear of heights. The church itself is also worth a quick look with its baroque altars and impressive ceiling fresco.
The Victuals Market is located a few feet away. This is where you want to collect your souvenirs from the trip. There’s plenty to taste and try in the market too. If you’re here for the food, take the time to eat a few pretzels and dip a sausage into the best mustard on the planet.
Victuals Market (Viktualienmarkt)
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
This daily open-air market has been operating for over 200 years. The stalls here sell everything from produce and flowers to gourmet cheeses and sausages. There are a few sit-down spots and plenty of ready-to-eat items if you’re looking for a quick snack or lunch. The central beer garden changes brewery partners throughout the year, offering a chance to sample different Munich beers. It’s a popular lunch spot for locals and an easy place to browse in between sightseeing stops.
Just don’t eat too much, because you’ll want to save room for…
Dinner at Ratskeller
Ratskeller is a restaurant housed in the basement of Munich's New Town Hall. It’s a huge place, so we had no problem getting same-day reservations for dinner.
Ratskeller München
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Located underneath the New Town Hall, the Ratskeller is a traditional Bavarian restaurant with a menu full of local classics. Inside you’ll find a huge menu of German specialties and an even huger menu of German beers. The joke about bottled water being more expensive than beer in Germany is true! The interior features vaulted ceilings, old-world murals, and long wooden tables. It’s a good place to try schnitzel, sausages, or roast pork without the high prices found in more touristy parts of town. Portions are generous, and the setting makes for a memorable meal. Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially on weekends or when festivals are happening in Marienplatz.
Munich Itinerary - Day 2 - Munich to Neuschwanstein
One of the most popular day trips from Munich is Neuschwanstein Castle, and it's easy to reach by train and shuttle. This day is a key highlight on any Munich itinerary and one of the most iconic castle visits you can make in Europe.
Up early for the first train to Neuschwanstein, the castle of all your dreams.
Read all about the day trip here.
Munich Itinerary - Day 3 - Romantic Road via Munich
Drive part of the Romantic Road to visit villages like Harburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, both worth the time. This stretch of your Munich Germany itinerary mixes fairy tale towns with scenic countryside and easy sightseeing stops.
We were without a car during our visit, relying completely on public transportation. We wanted to take a trip on the famous Romantic Road but were having trouble navigating a route on our own.
We decided to book a trip on our partner Viator.
See Harburg Castle
The trip included a stop at the amazing Harburg Castle. (Read about it here).
See Rothenburg
We continued on the bus tour with a stop in Rothenburg, the most picturesque of all the Romantic Road stops. It’s the Bavaria from your expectations. (Read about it here).
The tour gave us almost three hours to explore the city on our own, which was plenty of time to sift through the many unique gift shops, have some lunch at a cute German cafe, and walk the old city walls.
The tour got us back into central Munich with plenty of time to…
Visit a Beer Garden and Hall
We picked the Augustiner-Keller Beer Garden and Hall. It was simply amazing. The dimly lit hall was filled with locals enjoying food and the camaraderie that comes with a communal dining experience.
Augustiner-Keller Beer Garden and Hall
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
This historic beer hall and garden is one of the largest and oldest in Munich. Located a short walk from the main train station, it has indoor seating year-round and a huge outdoor beer garden during warmer months. Augustiner is a local brewery with a strong following, known for serving their beer from traditional wooden kegs. It’s self-service in the garden, but the indoor restaurant has full service with a more formal menu. The atmosphere is lively but still feels authentic and not overly touristy.
Munich Itinerary - Day 4 - Munich to Salzburg
A Munich Salzburg itinerary is a popular two-country combo, and the train between them takes just under two hours. Explore Mozart's hometown, shop Getreidegasse, and be back in Munich for dinner.
It’s so easy to take a day in the Austrian city just over the border. Read our itinerary from the day here.
Munich Itinerary - Day 5 - Munich Tour
Use your last day to check off the big museums and landmarks you may have missed, like the Residenz or Nymphenburg Palace. If you're after non touristy things to do in Munich, try the Olympic Park or one of the smaller biergartens.
I don’t know how it happened, but here we are on our last day in Munich. We have to pack in the last few sights before getting back on the plane home. We woke up early for some culture.
See the Munich Residenz
The former royal palace does not skimp on size. The 130-room palace is filled with beautiful art and architecture.
Munich Residenz
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
The Munich Residenz was the seat of Bavarian dukes and kings for centuries. Today it’s a massive museum complex made up of palace rooms, treasury halls, and private chapels. The highlights include the ornate Antiquarium, the intricate ceiling frescos, and the collection of crown jewels. Audio guides are available and are helpful in navigating the maze of halls and chambers. Plan at least 90 minutes to visit, longer if you’re into royal artifacts or architectural details. Despite its size, it’s often less crowded than other city museums. Don’t miss The Hall of Antiquities.
Visit Nymphenburg Palace
The 17th-century palace is on the western side of town, but it's easy to get to on public transportation. The gardens and water features are remarkable.
Nymphenburg Palace
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
A bit outside the city center, this sprawling baroque palace was once the summer home of Bavarian royalty. It includes a grand central building and several smaller pavilions spread across formal gardens and walking paths. Visitors can tour the palace apartments, the carriage museum, and the opulent rococo-style Amalienburg hunting lodge. In spring and summer, the grounds are a peaceful escape from the city. The palace is accessible via public transport and takes about 30 minutes to reach from central Munich.
Relax at the Olympiapark
Built for the 1972 Munich Olympics, the Olympiapark is a vast open green space. It’s the perfect spot for a lunch in the park. We had some delicious currywurst from a street vendor.
While there, you can choose to go up the Olympiaturm tower or take an easy walk around the lake via a paved path.
Olympiapark and Olympiaturm
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, this park and stadium complex is still used today for concerts, sports, and outdoor events. The sweeping architecture of the stadium roof and the lake-centered design are worth seeing even if you don’t enter any buildings. The park also includes the Olympic Tower, which has an observation deck offering sweeping views over the city and, on clear days, the Alps. There's a small fee to go up, but it’s a less crowded alternative to the St. Peter’s Church viewpoint. The area is also home to SEA LIFE Munich and several local events throughout the year.
We packed in a ton of stuff in just five days. Munich has left us wanting more.
As we board the plane, with mustard and brandy for our friends back home, we reflect on our amazing German adventure.
This is part of our Two Week Germany Itinerary.
