How many days in Munich do you need to see the best of its attractions? Can you get a real feel for the city’s atmosphere in a 2-night stay or should you plan for a longer visit?
With a global reputation for good beer and famous for its yearly Oktoberfest celebration, Munich is home to some of the largest breweries in Germany.
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With more than 80 museums, scenic lakes, historical sites, and world-class shopping, Munich is a destination with something to offer everyone!
The answer to how many days are needed really depends on the pace of sightseeing you’re happy with.
If you’re the type of traveler who likes to fit in as much as possible, then yes – a 2-day visit would allow you to see quite a bit of the city.
But if you would like to spend a bit more time at each of its attractions – or the freedom to linger over a coffee or delicious meal – then a visit of 3 or 4 nights would be better.
But before you make a final decision about how many days in Munich you’ll need, there are a few more things to think about.
How To Choose How Long To Stay In Munich
Here is my guide to planning the length of your stay in Munich, or in any destination that you’re visiting for the first time.
In addition to all the factors you’ll need to consider, I’ve included a list of some of the city’s highlights.
This information will help you put together an itinerary for your stay at a pace you’re comfortable with.
To help you figure out exactly how long you’ll need in Munich, make a list of the things you want to do in Munich, and consider the time of arrival and departure.
Then, look at the distance between places to keep it realistic.
At the end of this exercise, you’ll know how many days in Munich you’ll need.
Time Of Arrival, Hotel Check-In Time, And Time Of Departure
First, consider your arrival time in Munich. Is it early enough in the day to fit in some sightseeing?
Similarly, does your departure time allow for any activities on your last day? If not, then you might want to consider adding an extra night to your visit.
If you wish to save time on arrival, you could also book your airport transfer in advance.
Next, see if there is a gap between your check-in/check-out times and the times at which you arrive in and depart the city. If there is, you could find yourself stuck with your luggage!
Ask your hotel or accommodation provider if they would look after your bags for you.
They will often be more than happy to oblige, although in some cases you might be required to pay a fee.
Don’t just assume this service is available though – check ahead to be sure.
If you need to make your own arrangements for your bags, then you have several options.
Three of the city’s big railway stations – Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), Ostbahnhof (Munich East Station), and Pasing Station all have lockers that you can rent for 24 hours.
In addition, Hauptbahnhof offers long-term lockers and storage services in the main hall. You’ll also find luggage storage at Flughafen München (Munich Airport).
If you prefer to book in advance for peace of mind, you’ll find plenty of private companies online that can allocate you space in various locations throughout the city.
Staying In Munich?
Make sure to book a stay in one of the best hotels in Munich.
Best hostel: Wombat’s City Hostel Munich Hauptbahnhof
Best mid-range hotel: MLOFT Apartments München
Best luxury hotel: BEYOND by Geisel
Activities In Munich
One of the main considerations when deciding how many days in Munich you’ll need is making sure you get to see the sights that are the most important to you.
Using my list of ‘What to do in Munich’ (below) – plus your own research – make a list of your favorite attractions and how long you’ll need to visit them.
Plan your itinerary so that you visit attractions that are close together on certain days. This will cut down on time spent traveling. And make sure you account for queuing time!
Some of Munich’s most popular sights and activities will be very busy in the peak seasons, which include summer, fall (for Oktoberfest), and Christmas (for the markets).
Note that many travelers prefer to book tours and activities in advance to save time, skip the queues and make the most of their holidays.
Pace Of Activities
When putting your itinerary together, be realistic about how much you can see and do each day. It can be tempting to squeeze in as much as possible, but the result might be that you feel rushed!
Sightseeing and taking part in activities are both important when you visit a new city.
But so is finding the time to enjoy the local food and soak up the city’s atmosphere. Make sure your schedule allows for both.
Transportation
You have plenty of options when it comes to getting around Munich! Many of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other in the city center, so it’s possible to do much of your traveling on foot!
The U-Bahn (underground) is great too and stops at almost every important place in the metropolitan area.
For more frequent stops, pick the Straßenbahn (tram). This stops in many areas the U-Bahn doesn’t, plus it runs at night after the U-Bahn is closed.
The tram is also fun for sightseeing! The S-Bahn is an above-ground rail service that stops at hotspots both inside and outside the city, and there is also an extensive bus network you could use.
Many travelers love using the Munich City Card to travel around the city. You’ll get access to public transportation and attractions with the card.
Alternatively, you could rent a car. Just be aware that Munich’s traffic can be heavy, making your progress slow.
What To Do In Munich
Here are some of the best attractions and activities available in Munich and an idea of how much time you’ll need to set aside for each one.
Psst. If you’re planning on visiting Munich in 2 days, read our 2-day itinerary in Munich.
Explore The Old Town And Viktualienmarkt
Walking through the city center with an informative local guide is the best way to discover the real Munich and to learn more about the people that live there.
You’ll take in sights like Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche, visit the cathedral, and drop in at the Fünf Höfe shopping mall to see the wide range of stores available.
The tour ends at Viktualienmarkt, the popular farmer’s market selling everything from local cheese to flowers, where you can experience the friendly atmosphere of one of the local beer gardens.
Suggested time: 1.5 hours
See The Sights On A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Enjoy Munich’s attractions at your own pace from this double-decker bus, which you can get on and off as many times as you please.
Three different routes are included – the City Tour, the Nymphenburg Olympic Park tour, and the Schwabing tour – and there are 16 stops, so if something grabs your eye, you are free to stop and take a closer look.
In fine weather, the roof is open giving your panoramic views of all the sights and multilingual audio commentary is included.
Suggested time: 24 and 48-hour tickets are available
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
This fairytale castle – often referred to as the jewel of Bavaria – sits atop a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen.
On a guided tour up to the castle doors, you can learn all about its history and the story of King Ludwig II who inspired its creation.
Included in the tour are train tickets from Munich – plus time to stop for lunch and take photos of the stunning views!
Suggested time: 10 hours
Learn About The Third Reich And WWII
The birthplace of Nazism and the site of mass rallies, Munich once played a large part in some of the world’s darkest moments.
On this walking tour, you will hear about the rise of the Nazi movement and learn more about Adolf Hitler, one of the most powerful dictators in history.
Visits to the Hofbräuhaus, Feldherrenhalle, and Königsplatz are included.
Suggested time: 2 hours
Tour The FC Bayern Munich Soccer Arena
Visit to the training grounds of FC Bayern München and the Allianz Arena – Europe’s most modern and spectacular stadium.
You’ll learn all about the team’s history and can delve in even deeper at the FC Bayern Museum, with cups and memorabilia covering more than 110 years of the club’s history.
Suggested time: 4 hours
Experience Bavarian Beer And Food
No visit to Munich would be complete without an evening of traditional food and beer!
On this tour, your friendly guide will let you know about all the places the locals visit for the very finest beers. You’ll also learn about the secrets that make German brewing among the best in the world.
Along with trying several different varieties of the best brews, you’ll get to sample some excellent local specialties – including roast pork, dumplings, and Weisswurst (white sausage) – in one of the city’s oldest beer halls.
This experience includes a tour through Munich’s new Beer and Oktoberfest Museum and culminates at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus.
Suggested time: 3.5 hours
Final Thoughts On Munich Getaways
So how many days in Munich is enough to see the best of its sights and experience for yourself the city’s friendly and welcoming culture?
I hope this guide has helped you decide on the length of your stay and put together an exciting itinerary for your visit.
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