Breakfast at Café Frischhut – try traditional Schmalznudeln

Visit Marienplatz and admire the Neues Rathaus Glockenspiel

Marienplatz is the central square of Munich and has been the city's main gathering point for over 800 years. Its focal point is the Neues Rathaus, a striking neo-Gothic town hall featuring the famous Glockenspiel in its tower. This carillon chimes daily, animating 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures that re-enact stories from Munich's history. Shows occur at 11am and noon, with an additional performance at 5pm in summer.

Explore the Viktualienmarkt – Munich's famous open-air market

The Viktualienmarkt is a permanent open-air food market in central Munich, operating six days a week. Dating back to 1807, it sells fresh produce, meats, cheeses, bread, flowers, and specialty foods from local and regional vendors. A maypole at its center is a Munich tradition. Visitors can grab a beer at the outdoor seating area or sample local Bavarian delicacies while browsing the stalls.

Visit the Frauenkirche – Munich's iconic twin-tower cathedral

The Frauenkirche, or Cathedral of Our Dear Lady, is Munich's most recognizable landmark, its twin onion-domed towers rising 99 meters above the city. Built in Gothic style between 1468 and 1488, the redbrick cathedral serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Munich. Inside, visitors can explore the ornate interior and see the famous Devil's Footprint, a mysterious mark embedded in the entrance floor.

Lunch at Hofbräuhaus – enjoy Bavarian classics and local beer

The Hofbräuhaus is one of Munich's most famous beer halls, dating back to 1589. Located in the city center, it serves traditional Bavarian dishes such as pretzels, roast pork, sausages, and schnitzel. The lively atmosphere, long communal tables, and brass band music make it a quintessential Munich experience. Pair your meal with a liter of their house-brewed beer for the full experience.

Stroll through the Residenz – the former royal palace

The Munich Residenz served as the official residence of Bavarian rulers for over four centuries. Today it is one of Europe's largest palace complexes, housing a museum with richly decorated royal apartments, throne rooms, and treasuries. Visitors can explore Renaissance courtyards, ornate baroque halls, and an impressive collection of royal treasures, tapestries, porcelain, and regalia accumulated by the Wittelsbach dynasty over generations.

Visit the Odeonsplatz and Theatinerkirche

Odeonsplatz is one of Munich's most impressive squares, flanked by grand neoclassical architecture including the Feldherrnhalle, a monumental loggia modeled on Florence's Loggia dei Lanzi. The Theatinerkirche, an ornate yellow baroque church completed in the 17th century, dominates the square's northern edge. Its twin towers and distinctive facade make it one of Bavaria's finest baroque churches. The interior features elaborate stucco work and a notable royal crypt.

Walk through the Hofgarten and relax by the fountains

The Hofgarten is a Renaissance-style park in central Munich, situated between the Residenz palace and the English Garden. Laid out in the early 17th century, it features a formal geometric design with tree-lined pathways radiating from a central octagonal pavilion. The park is a popular spot for locals to relax, play chess, or enjoy lunch. Fountains and manicured hedges add to its calm atmosphere.

Explore the Maximilianstrasse for shopping and architecture

Maximilianstrasse is Munich's most prestigious boulevard, lined with luxury boutiques from brands like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. Beyond high-end shopping, the street showcases striking 19th-century Maximilian-style architecture commissioned by King Maximilian II. The avenue stretches from the old town to the Maximilianeum, home to the Bavarian parliament. It also passes the Bavarian State Opera and several notable museums along its route.

Dinner at Augustiner-Keller – traditional Bavarian cuisine

Augustiner-Keller is one of Munich's oldest and most beloved beer gardens and restaurants, established in 1812. Located near the main train station, it serves classic Bavarian dishes such as roast pork, pretzels, and white sausages, paired with Augustiner beer brewed on-site. The sprawling chestnut-shaded garden accommodates thousands of guests and offers an authentic, unpretentious taste of local Munich culture.

Evening drinks at a local beer garden or bar in Schwabing

Schwabing is Munich's bohemian neighborhood, known for its lively bar scene and traditional beer gardens. Spend an evening exploring Leopoldstrasse and its side streets, where you'll find a mix of outdoor beer gardens, cozy bars, and casual spots serving Bavarian beer alongside international options. The neighborhood has a relaxed, youthful atmosphere shaped by its history as an artistic and intellectual quarter, making it a great place to unwind.

Breakfast at a café near Museumsinsel

Start your day with breakfast at one of the cafés near Museumsinsel, Munich's museum island on the Isar River. The area offers a relaxed atmosphere with several local spots serving coffee, fresh pastries, and hearty Bavarian breakfast plates. It is a convenient base before exploring the nearby Deutsches Museum, one of the world's largest science and technology museums, located on the island itself.

Visit the Deutsches Museum – world's largest science and technology museum

The Deutsches Museum, founded in 1903 and located on an island in the Isar River, is the world's largest science and technology museum. It houses around 73,000 exhibited objects across numerous fields including aviation, mining, chemistry, and astronomy. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, historic machinery, and full-scale reconstructions. The museum attracts roughly 1.5 million visitors annually and requires multiple visits to experience fully.

Walk to the English Garden – one of the world's largest urban parks

The English Garden is one of the largest urban parks in the world, stretching over 900 acres through central Munich. It offers walking and cycling paths, beer gardens, open meadows, and a Japanese tea house. The park is a popular gathering spot year-round, and a highlight is the Eisbach wave near its southern entrance, where surfers ride a standing river wave daily.

Watch surfers at the Eisbach wave in the English Garden

The Eisbach is a small artificial river channel running through Munich's English Garden. At a fixed standing wave near the Haus der Kunst, skilled surfers ride year-round, drawing crowds of onlookers. The wave is powerful and fast, suited for experienced surfers only. It has become one of Munich's most iconic urban attractions, offering a surprisingly dynamic spectacle in the middle of a city park.

Picnic lunch in the English Garden near the Chinese Tower

The English Garden is one of the world's largest urban parks, stretching through central Munich. The Chinese Tower, a five-story wooden pagoda built in 1789, serves as a focal point within the park. The surrounding meadows are popular spots for picnicking, and a traditional beer garden operates at the tower's base. The park also features open lawns, streams, and a famous surfing wave on the Eisbach river.

Beer break at the Chinese Tower Beer Garden

The Chinese Tower beer garden in the English Garden is one of Munich's most beloved outdoor drinking spots. Situated around a five-story wooden pagoda, it seats around 7,000 guests and serves classic Bavarian food alongside cold Augustiner beer. The relaxed, informal atmosphere makes it a favorite with locals and tourists alike, and visitors are welcome to bring their own food while purchasing drinks from the garden.

Head to Nymphenburg Palace and explore the baroque gardens

Nymphenburg Palace, located in the west of Munich, is a magnificent baroque summer residence built in the 17th century for the Wittelsbach royal family. Its expansive gardens stretch over 200 hectares, featuring formal French-style parterres, fountains, canals, and romantic English-style parkland. Visitors can explore the palace rooms, several smaller pavilions within the grounds, and enjoy a peaceful stroll through one of Bavaria's most impressive landscaped spaces.

Visit the Nymphenburg Palace Museum and Marstallmuseum

Located in the grand Nymphenburg Palace complex, these two museums offer a glimpse into Bavarian royal life. The Palace Museum displays ornate state rooms and the famous Gallery of Beauties commissioned by King Ludwig I. The Marstallmuseum, housed in the former royal stables, showcases elaborate court carriages, sleighs, and riding gear used by the Wittelsbach dynasty across several centuries.

Return to the city center and freshen up at the hotel

Dinner at Tantris or a top local restaurant in Schwabing

Schwabing is Munich's bohemian quarter, home to Tantris, one of Germany's most celebrated fine dining restaurants. Open since 1971, Tantris offers exceptional French-influenced cuisine in a striking 1970s interior. The neighborhood also hosts several acclaimed restaurants showcasing Bavarian and international cuisine. Dining here provides an elevated culinary experience in one of Munich's most culturally vibrant districts, combining excellent food with a sophisticated atmosphere.

Evening stroll along the Isar riverbank for a scenic farewell walk

The Isar River runs through Munich and offers a peaceful setting for an evening walk. The riverbanks have been partially restored to a more natural state, with gravel bars, green spaces, and gentle currents. Popular stretches include the area around the Deutsches Museum island and the English Garden's southern edges. The atmosphere is calm at dusk, with locals cycling and relaxing along the water.