Guten Tag (hello). Welcome to 3 days in Munich, Germany. 

While the most famous cities in Germany must be Berlin and Hamburg, Munich should not be underestimated when you travel around the country. As the third-biggest city in Germany, the area has a lot to offer. From the Gothic-style old town to the many museums, three days in Munich should give you a taste of this city. In addition to various architectural churches and towers, take a moment to enjoy the local luscious food and drinks, particularly the beer!

To help you make the most of your time on your Munich 3 day itinerary, I have put together the following post of what to see and do in Munich in 3 days. I have been to Munich a few times, once for the Oktoberfest and another time on a tour of Europe and then for a weekend escape. 

Munich is truly a stunning city with an interesting history and lots of beautiful buildings to see and many foods to eat. How will you fit it all in during your 3 days in Munich? In this post I’ve included the best things to do and see in Munich in 3 days in order to maximise your time so you have the best time. And leave Munich having experienced the best Munich has to offer whether it is your first, or even second visit to this wonderful city or whether you are visiting as part of a 1 month Europe itinerary.

Of course, the longer you have to spend in Munich the better to discover all its nooks and crannies. But if three days in Munich is all you have, then so be it. But 3 days in Munich is still plenty of time to see some of the very best things to do in Munich. During the three days in Munich, this itinerary covers many of the best things to see and do plus includes suggestions of where to stay and how to get around Munich to make the most of your time. So no matter if you are visiting Munich as a solo traveller, on a Munich weekend getaway, having a girls or guys long weekend in Munich or visiting on a family holiday to Munich with kids, there is something for everyone on this Munich itinerary.

I have divided this post into two sections. The first section is the best 3 day Munich itinerary. The second part provides details of how to organise your Munich in three days itinerary. So let’s get into what to see in Munich in this three day Munich itinerary so you can tick this German city off your bucket list.

Top Tip: To save some money on visiting the sights during this Munich travel itinerary, purchase a Munich City Pass. It includes 45+ admissions to tourist spots + includes the Munich Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus which will let you get around Munich.

3 Days in Munich Itinerary

Day 1 – Hop On Hop Off Bus + Marienplatz

I always like to start a visit to a new city with a ride on a Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus. Yeah, I know they are touristy, but they are also great taking you to all the best spots in Munich, have a commentary and allow you to hop on and off at spots you want to discover for longer. For the first time, I would do the whole loop of the bus route, and then decide where to get off.

You can purchase a ticket on the Munich Hop On Hop Off bus on its own or as part of a Munich City Pass. I would get it for 2 days as then you can use it, as in the first 2 days of this itinerary, we visit places that are on the bus route.

Explore the Old Town and Marienplatz

sitting in Marienplatz people watching

If not taking the Munich Hop on Hop off bus, there’s no better place to start your 3 days in Munich than in the Old Town and Marienplatz. Marienplatz, the beautiful central square is one of the best things to see in Munich Germany. The square has quite a bit of history since Marienplatz and has been Munich’s main square since 1158. Marienplatz is also the main tourist hub, so if you need a place to sit down with your coffee and do some people-watching, this is the spot.

There are some beautiful old buildings to check out in Marienplatz. The Rathaus-Glockenspiel is a large mechanical clock located in Marienplatz Square. Check out the life-size characters of the clock when it chimes, twice daily at 11am and 12pm (and 5pm from March to October). There are 43 bells and 32 figures that perform two historical events lasting about 15 minutes. It is wonderful to watch and one of the things to do in Munich city..

St Peter’s Church

One of the next top things to see in Munich is St Peter’s Church. This is the oldest Catholic church in the city and it is not far from Marientplatz. It is widely known to locals and visitors and is considered one of the main symbols of Munich. St Peter’s Church is made up of styles from different eras. It has a bit of Gothic architecture, a little Rococo style, and also Baroque designs in its interior. 

You also have the option to climb up the tower. I think this a must do in Munich and I highly recommend it, since the view is one of the best you’ll get over the old town. The climb up the 300 feet tower will take you up from 306 steps but is surely worth it. Definitely one of the top things to do in Munich.

Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche)

Next on day one of this 3 day Munich itinerary is another church. This important landmark in Munich, the Cathedral of Our Lady, lies not far from Marienplatz. The beauty was constructed at the end of the 1400s and is one of the biggest hall churches in the entire world.

The huge building was finished in just 20 years which for that time was close to a miracle. Make sure to check out the Devil’s Step, a place in the cathedral from where no side windows can be seen. A legend goes that the reason behind why the church was finished so fast was because the Devil himself funded the construction. Whether it is true or not, the architecture is worth admiring from inside and out.

Alte Pinakothek Museum

If time, next sop on this list of things to do and see in Munich Germany is the Alte Pinakothek museum. This is one of the oldest art museums in the world. It is packed with paintings from the 14^th to the 18^th century, including Da Vinci and Raphael. It is most likely the most famous museum in the city with a collection of over 700 European artworks.

Hofbräuhaus

Finish your first day of your Munich 3 day visit at the Hofbrauhaus. Why? Well, Germany is famous for its beer and Hofbräuhaus is an excellent beer hall to enjoy the traditional beer of the country. In addition, you can get a filling local dish and an authentic German experience visiting the place. There’s a Bavarian band playing traditional folk songs while you indulge in your quality beverages and sumptuous dishes. In Hofbräuhaus, you can count on a festive end to day 1 of your Munich visit.

Day 2 in Munich

Hop back on the HOHO Munich bus and start your second day of this 3 days Munich itinerary at Olympiapark. I thought it one of the best things to visit in Munich.

Olympiapark

Main stadium – Olympiapark, Munich

The Olympic Park in Munich was originally created for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. Unfortunately, tragedy struck at these games. Eight Palestinian terrorists from the militant group Black September invaded the Olympic Village and killed two members of the Israeli team. But that didn’t stop the games continuing. After all years, the 85-hectare park is still in active use. You’ll find different festivals and concerts in the area all the time, as well as film screenings and summer events.

It is a popular place to take a walk, have a picnic, or take a boat tour on the lake. In addition, you’ll find a rotating restaurant inside the Olympic Tower, one of the main sightseeings in the area. Don’t forget to visit the observation platform to see a 360-degree view of the park.

BMW Museum

Even if you aren’t into cars, a visit to the BMW Museum is one of the interesting things to see in Munich. In easy walking distance from the Olympiapark, this is the next stop on day 2 of this 3 day visit to Munich. 

The exhibition of over 100s of cars and bikes takes you from BMW beginnings, across the decades to now. Discover their history, design and my favourite part, the motor sport – being a bit of a motor car racing enthusiast!

Englischer Garten

After lots of walking around Munich, there is more walking at the Englischer Garten. The English Garden is the biggest park in Munich and is popular among locals and visitors thus making it one of the tourist things to do in Munich. Interestingly, the massive park is ever bigger than Central Park in New York. The park is a perfect place to visit if you wish to relax. And in the evening grab a beer or two since it has 4 beer gardens within its borders.

The park is not only huge but also very charming. The best way to see the beauty is to hike around and walk along its trails. Take time off and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Englischer Garten. You’ll find surfers catching waves along the bank by the Eisbach river. Or climb the bridge over the river to get an even better view.

Deutsches Museum

The Deutsches Museum, one of the largest of its kind in the world, is a science and technology museum in Munich. And is well worth a visit during your 3 days in Munich. The museum dates back a hundred years and is known for owning a large natural history collection of great importance.

The Deutsches Museum is located on an island in the middle of the river of Isar. It has a lot to offer for both kids and adults, including various interactive displays. So if visiting Munich with kids, put this museum on your list to visit during a Munich three day visit. Get a chance to learn about chemistry, astronomy, and science with your whole family.

Viktualienmarkt

Viktualienmarkt is a popular open-air farmer’s market located near Marienplatz. In addition to local fruits and veggies, you can find snacks and drinks for either breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Viktualienmarkt is a famous meeting spot for people, as it is vibrant and bubbly. From flowers to juice and spices, you can find just about everything there. End day 2 in Munich here, have a look around and have dinner. But you can always have dinner in the English Garden.

Open from 7am to 8pm daily.

Day 3 – Dachau

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site

For your last day in Munich, head to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. It’s located 10 miles northwest of Munch. Dachau can be reached by public transport from Munich Train Station. Take the train S-Bahn (52) which will take about 20 minutes to Dachau. Then there is a 30 minute walk or catch the 726 bus that will take you directly to the gates.

The Dachau concentration camp was established in March 1933 as the first concentration camp established by the National Socialist (Nazi) government to house ‘prisoners’ of the World War II. Throughout its existence some 200,000 prisoners passed through here with some 40,000 being incinerated. 

A visit to Dachau is a very sobering experience. It will take anywhere between 2-3 hours to walk through the museum learning the history of the place. Go on one of the tours and see a recreated area of the living quarters. Stand in the gas chambers and see where those gassed were incinerated. Unfortunately, this is history and I know I came away wondering how such things could have happened. I’m glad I made the visit during my visit to Munich.

Depending on how much time you have left of day 3 of your 3 days in Munich, return to Munich in preparation to leave. If you have some time spend it doing some shopping or enjoying the vibe in Marienplatz.

Organise Your Munich Trip

When to Visit Munich

In my opinion, anytime is a good time to visit Munich as the city always has something going on. Summers in Munich can be very hot with lots of tourists. And winters in Munich can be very cold with lots of snow but this time is also rather magical with the Christmas lights, decorations and the wonderful Christmas markets. Autumn time is also a fun time to head to Munich as it is Munich Oktoberfest time (late September early October). Spring in Munich is also a good time to visit as the city is warming after the cold winter and the summer holiday tourists haven’t arrived yet. Whenever you get the chance to visit Munich, you will make it the perfect time to be in Munich for you.

Where to Stay in Munich

Munich offers many accommodation options but to make the most of your 3 days in Munich, I suggest to stay close to the centre of Munich where you will find many of the tourist attractions that I include in this 3 day itinerary for Munich. On saying that, not all of them are close together. Here are some Munich accommodation options, from budget to ‘let’s splurge on some luxury’. Wherever you decide to stay, you can easily get around Munich by walking, catching local transport or relying on the Hop On Hop Off bus.

For this Munich 3 day itinerary you will need accommodation for two nights. It is presumed you will arrive the morning of day 1 and leave the evening of day 3. If not, book an extra night or two.

Hostels in Munich: There are many hostels in Munich to choose from. The Euro Youth Hostel is one of the closest to Marienplatz at 1.12km making it an easy walking distance to the main hub of Munich. And its only 100m from the main train station so you can easily hop on local transport to access the suburbs to visit BMW Museum and Nymphenburg. 

Check rates and availability for the Euro Youth Hostel here.

For a Budget to Mid-Range Hotel in Munich check out the Centro Hotel Mondial. Not far from Marienplatz you will be central to Munich’s highlights at a good price. I can vouch for this hotel, having a pleasant stay.

Check rates and availability for the Centro Hotel Mondial here.

For a Mid to High Range Price Hotel check out the Mercure Hotel Muenchen City. Easy walking distance to Munich’s central train station and close to Marienplatz for all the action. This is a great option for families visiting Munich with kids or those who want comfort and lots of services from their hotel during their stay in Munich.

Check rates and availability for the Mercure Hotel Muenchen City here.

For more Munich accommodations check out options here. 

Getting Around Munich

Munich has a very good public transport system for getting around. Get more details about Munich’s transport here. There is the U-Barn – Munich’s underground railway network. Also the S-Barn – Munich’s urban railway system. Plus there are buses and trams. But if you purchased a Hop on Hop off Bus ticket, it will get you around Munich also.

Walking is my favourite way to get around Munich. Keeping my feet on the ground allowed me to discover Munich and its many major sights, side streets and cute cafes. When walking, ensure you wear good and most importantly, flat walking shoes.

Are You Ready to Visit Munich?

After visiting Munich, you’ll want to come back as this 3 days itinerary in Munich has on touched on what there is to see and do. There are so many more Munich sights to see and discover. Wherever you step, art in different forms surrounds you from all sides, plus the history is interesting. But enough of reading about it, go and have a Munich holiday of your own!

Extend your stay to a 4 day Munich itinerary by spending a day at Neuschwanstein Castle. Hire a car and drive the 2 hours to this magnificent castle. You can organise your day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle here. Or if moving on, visit some of Germany’s neighbours. Fancy 3 days in Salzburg, Austria.

Have you been to Munich? I would love to hear.