Festivals year ’round, charming and historic architecture, a slow and simple way of life, Munich is rich in tradition and the center of the Bavarian culture. Although 24 hours is not enough to fully immerse yourself in this German city, it can give you a glimpse into the this uniquely beautiful region.
Where is Bavaria Germany?
This region is located in the south of Germany. Munich is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the majestic beauty of this region. I highly recommend taking an extended trip to truly explore all Bavaria has to offer. From castles nestled in the alpine forest to the tallest mountain in Germany, the region if full of adventure tourism. Check out my Ultimate 10 Day Bavaria + Innsbruck & Salzburg Digital Itinerary!
When to visit Munich?
There is no “bad” time to visit Munich. Each season has a different reason to visit. Spring kicks off the festival season with Starkbierfest and will end in the fall with Oktoberfest. Not to mention all of the festivals in between: Fruhlingsfest (a smaller beirfest similar to Oktoberfest), Tollwood Festival (known for its array of art and cultural activities) and Stadtgründun (a celebration of Germany becoming a country). During the winter, enjoy food markets and the famous Christkindlmarkt which will line the streets of the Marienplatz (pedestrian zone) from the end of November to the end of December.
What to do with 1 Day in Munich?
I would recommend staying near the central station or Old Town if you only have one day to spend in this beautiful European city. Old Town, or Altstadt, will be the perfect spot to start your day in Munich. Wake up early or arrive to the city center on one of the first trains if you want to maximize your time.
8am: Walk towards the Marienplatz and explore the streets that surround this pedestrian zone. Head over to St. Peter’s Church, entrance is free and climbing the tower (recommended) is 5 EUR. From there walk to the Viktualienmarkt which is a daily market of 200 stalls selling meats, cheeses, craft goods, and more.
9am: Walk back to the Marienplatz and get a table at the Glockenspiel Cafe which overlooks the square with a view of the Glockenspiel. The cafe opens at 9am and there might be a wait. Check the website for reservations if you have a larger group. Enjoy your meal. The German culture is not a quick bite at a restaurant. Order a few dishes and enjoy the view.
11am: I’d recommend trying to stay at the cafe until 11am so that you can watch the Glockenspiel character performance around the clock. This dance signifies a couple of Munich’s historical events and is performed 2 times a day, each performance lasting 6 minutes.
Learn more about Munich’s Glockenspiel.
11:10am: Walk towards Maxamilianstrasse and walk the length of the luxury street. It is lined with brand names stores and marvelous architecture. Even if you aren’t going on a shopping spree this is a fun street to experience.
11:30am: Go to Residenz Munich. This is a palace museum with beautiful interior design from the original work and timeless artwork. Tickets are 10 EUR and can only be purchased by cash or card at the cash desk.
12:30pm: Walk to the Englischer Garten and head towards Dianabadschwelle Eisbachwelle. This is a popular location for surfers and kayakers due to the standing wave coming from the river. Enjoy the walk. It will be a bit of a trek but this park is full of activity!
2pm: Have lunch at the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm. This is located in the Englischer Gartens and is a popular spot due to the Chinese Tower in the Biergarten.
4pm: Make your way to the Duetsches Museum, large technology museum. Tickets are 15 EUR and can be purchased online.
5:30pm: Start making your way back to the Marienplatz area stopping at Frauenkirche, a gothic style church, built in the mid 1900’s. This beautiful building is one of the newer in the city but the style is breathtaking.
6pm: Grab a drink on the rooftop of the Mandarin Oriental great views of the city!
7pm: Head to Hofbrauhaus for dinner. This is an extremely popular biergarten that has inspired biergartens around the world. Enjoy the food, beer, and atmosphere of this Munich staple.
Conclusion? You need more time 🙂
At the end of the day, you need more than 24 hours in Munich but you can still experience this Bavarian city even in a short amount of time. It will just leaving you wanting to return for more!
