If you are interested in visiting Germany, consider a spending a week in Munich. The city is filled with amazing sites and things to do, and Munich is a terrific launching place for exploring the Romantic Road. Here’s an itinerary to help you plan a wonderful week.
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One Week Itinerary
If you have one week to spend in Munich, here’s the itinerary I recommend:
Sunday
Plan to depart from the U.S. on Saturday for a Sunday arrival. Most flights originating in the U.S. will arrive in Munich in the morning giving you a full day to spend touring. I know it may be tempting to request an early check in to your hotel and take a nap. But don’t do it! You need to stay up ALL day so that you can beat the inevitable jet lag you will feel. Get outside and start touring!
Old Town
Our week in Munich begins with a visit to Marienplatz, a bustling square in the heart of the city. After you have dropped your luggage off at your hotel, walk or take public transportation there. The focal point of the square is the iconic Neues Rathaus, Munich’s town hall. Marvel at its ornate facade, and make sure to time your visit to see the Glockenspiel clock show at 11 a.m. or noon (as well as 5 p.m.) March to October. This large mechanical clock features 43 bells and 32 life-size characters enacting scenes from Munich’s history.
Now it’s time for lunch. Fortunately, nearby you will find Viktualienmarkt, a food market with over 100 stalls selling produce, bread, spices, fish, meat, gifts, and souvenirs. Viktualienmarkt is also the location of Munich’s most central beer garden serving beer from all six Munich breweries.
After lunch and a beer (or two), it’s time for church! Located in the heart of the city, St. Peter’s is Munich’s oldest church. Simply enter the church and look around – it’s free! But there is a small admission fee to climb the bell tower for a panoramic view of the city and the Alps in the distance.
Then spend the rest of the afternoon shopping until you drop. Kaufingerstrasse is a car-free pedestrian area filled with department stores, fashion shops, perfumeries, and other specialty shops. There’s also plenty of restaurants, cafes, and beer gardens if you get hungry or thirsty. Then check into your hotel and get some rest. Our week in Munich has just begun!
Alternative Option
If you aren’t into shopping or simply are too tired to navigate around on your own, then book a free walking tour of Old Town. Walking tours are a great way to learn about the history of a city and to hear fun facts. Guides also often give restaurant recommendations and can tell you about off-the-beaten path attractions. Just come prepared to tip your guide $5-20 per person, depending on the number of other people on the tour.
Monday
Munich was named the “Capital of the Nazi Movement” in 1935. So Monday of our week in Munich is dedicated to learning about the Third Reich and World War II history. It will be a heavy day, but it’s important to learn about when visiting the city.
Third Reich Walking Tour
Start with a 2.5 hour walking tour of the sites where Adolf Hitler and his followers founded the Third Reich. You will see landmarks where the Nazi party was born and grew in power. Your expert guide will provide not only facts but stories of the individuals involved and those who suffered due to the ideology. You will also be able to pay tribute to movement opposers and victims at the many memorials throughout the city.
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Grab a quick lunch, then make your way to Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site located just outside the city. You can go on your own using public transportation. Just make sure you arrive a little before 1 p.m. to take the final tour in English of the day. Tours are also offered at 11 a.m. and an audio guide is available if you miss the tour.
Established in 1933, Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany. During your visit, you will tour the gas “showers,” crematorium, replica barracks, and yard. Throughout the camp are striking memorials erected from various religions. There are also exhibits telling the stories of prisoners who lived and died there and providing a historical context of the Holocaust.
Hofbräuhaus München
After your tour and exploring the exhibits, come back to Munich via public transportation. You will be ready for a break and brew. Stop by Hofbräuhaus München, Munich’s most famous beer hall. Here you will enjoy traditional Bavarian food and traditional brews complete with live music and a lively atmosphere. This is THE place to get a pretzel and sausages.
Alternative Option
If you don’t want to navigate around the city on your own, you can book this full day tour that combines a visit to Dachau with the Third Reich walking tour.
Tuesday
Today we leave all the heaviness of Nazi history behind and experience grandeur and relaxation!
Munich Residenz
For grandeur, glitz and glamor, we are going to visit the Munich Residenz this morning. This former royal palace of Bavarian monarchs features stunning architecture and design with glimpses of evolving trends throughout five centuries. You will see the intricately decorated royal apartments, the stunning Antiquarium hall, and lovely courtyards and gardens surrounding the palace.
The Residenz is the home of the royal treasury. Here you will see jewels, ceremonial swords, relics, and even the Bavarian royal crown. There’s also a museum on site where you can learn more about the Bavarian royal family. And hopefully there’s a concert happening in the Cuvilliés Theatre while you visit! This beautiful theatre features an ornate red and gold interior.
Englischer Garten
Now it’s time for our relaxation! Let’s head to Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world. Stop by one of the beer gardens, restaurants, or kiosks within the park for lunch. Then head toward the Eisbach River to watch people surf on the Eisbachwelle artificial wave in the river. If you are an experienced surfer, you may want to try it yourself!
There’s plenty of things for the active traveler to do in the garden. You can sail on the Kleinhesselohoer See lake on a rented rowboat or pedal boat. If you like to bike or hike, you will love the park’s extensive trails through varied landscapes. Make sure to wander off the main paths to explore smaller trails and bridges scattered throughout the park.
Take some time to visit the Japanese Teahouse and Garden while in the park. A gift from Munich’s sister city of Sapporo in Japan, the teahouse and grounds are a tranquil area. Sometimes you can even participate in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies there.
Around sunset, climb up to the Monopteros Greek-style temple for stunning views of the park and the Munich skyline. Then end your evening at one of the beer gardens located in the park.
Wednesday
Our week in Munich is almost halfway over! Today is museum day. Munich has an amazing assortment of world-renowned museums as well as plenty of unique museums. There’s something for everyone! Choose from the following:
- Deutsches Museum – one of the world’s largest and oldest science and technology museums featuring interactive exhibits on 50+ fields such as physics, chemistry, aviation, space, energy, telecommunications, mining, transportation, and more.
- BMW Museum & Welt – the museum traces the company’s 100+ year history from making aircraft engines to becoming a global automotive icon. Next door, BMW Welt showcases BMW’s latest vehicles and innovations.
- Allianz Arena – take a guided tour of the museum and arena to learn about the history of the football club and experience the arena like a player.
- Alte PInakothek – one of the world’s largest collections of 14th to 19th century European art including paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt.
- Neue Pinakothek – first museum for contemporary art in Europe featuring works of artists like Manet, Van Gogh, and Goya (closed for renovation through 2029).
- Pinakothek der Moderne – features 200,000 paintings, sculpture, photographs, and media exhibits dating from the 1900 German avant-garde movement to today.
- Museum Brandhorst – established in 2009 as a central location for German contemporary art.
- Shammlung Schack – highlights paintings featuring landscapes, mythological and historical themes, and Italian culture popular during the 19-century German Romantic movement.
Thursday & Friday
On Thursday and Friday we embark on a day trip outside the city. There are many options to consider, but here are my favorite to choose from.
Option 1: Neuschwanstein Castle
The most popular option is Neuschwanstein Castle. When you think of a castle, it’s highly likely the vision you imagine in your head looks something like Neuschwanstein Castle!
Neuschwanstein Castle is located in the town of Hohenschwangue. The castle complex has two other sites to visit, Hohenschwangau Castle and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings. Other highlights of the castle complex include shops, restaurants, food stands, and biergartens. Horse carriage rides are available. You can also walk around or take a paddleboat ride on Alpsee Lake.
Hohenschwangau is about 2-2.5 hours away from Munich by car or train. If you are taking the train, you will need to buy tickets to the nearby town of Füssen and then take a 10 minute bus ride to the castle. If you have a rental car, you can drive yourself and stop to see Linderholf Palace and spend some time in the town of Oberammergau on the way.
Another option is to book a group tour from Munich. Most group tours include a stop at Linderholf Palace and perhaps an hour of free time in Oberammergau. But they don’t allow time to see all of the sites in the Neuschwanstein castle complex. If you want to see everything there, it’s better to take the train or a rental car.
Option 2: Garmisch-Partenkirchen & Zugspitze
If you love the great outdoors, visit the charming old town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then make your way to Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. Once at the top, you can admire view of four countries (Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland) from the terrace. Enjoy a meal at one of the summit’s restaurants, then spend the rest of the day skiing or sledding in winter or hiking in summer.
A train journey to the region takes about 1.5 hours, and trains run frequently. Just take a direct regional train (Bayerische Regiobahn) from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. If you prefer to drive, it’s also a 1.5 hour journey. You can also visit the region via group tour.
Option 3: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
If you just can’t get enough of charming villages, go to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This is one of Germany’s most picturesque medieval towns. You feel like you are walking in a fairy tale along the cobblestone streets while admiring the half-timbered houses. The town has it all – preserved medieval walls, glorious historic buildings and churches, delightful shops, and terrific restaurants and cafes serving delicious treats.
Rothenburg isn’t particularly close to Munich, but it’s definitely worth the time it takes to get there! The train takes about 3 hours and usually has 1-2 transfers. If you have a car, you can drive there in about 2.5 hours and park in a lot just outside the town walls. You can also get there via a group tour. These tours often include a stop at the 11th century Harburg Castle designed for defense rather than opulent living. It’s a great contrast to some of the opulent castles seen elsewhere in Germany.
Saturday
Today we are in for more opulence! Use public transportation to make your way outside of city center to visit Nymphenburg Palace. This baroque palace is the former summer residence of the Bavarian dynasty and was the birthplace of King Ludwig II, Bavaria’s “Mad King” who built some of the most amazing castles in the world.
You will marvel at the opulent interior complete with gilded moldings, frescoes, and intricate stucco work as you tour the palace. Perhaps even better are the extensive gardens reminiscent of Versailles in France. There are landscaped lawns, fountains, canals, and flowerbeds. Don’t miss exploring the hidden garden pavilions as well. These include the Amalienburg hunting lodge, Pagodenburg with East Asian design, Magdalenenklaus hermitage, and Badenburg bathhouse palace featuring one of the first heated indoor pools in Europe.
While you are there, visit the former stables to see the Marstallmuseum. This museum features a collection of ceremonial carriages, sleighs, and harnesses used by the Bavarian royal family. There’s also a display of 18th to 20th century Nymphenburg porcelain inside the museum.
It will take most of the day to explore the palace and gardens. But you will probably still have time to visit any sites you missed or shop for souvenirs. Make your final homage to a local biergarten and stuff yourself with sausage, sauerkraut and pretzels. Your Munich sojourn is soon over!
Sunday
Our week in Munich has come to an end. It’s time to head back to the airport and home to real life. Or better yet, the train station towards another German city or European country!
Accommodations
You won’t spend much time in your hotel during your week in Munich. But you will want a comfortable place to stay. I highly recommend King’s Hotel First. It’s incredibly affordable and in a prime location near city center and the train station. In fact, I also stayed at a much more expensive 5 star hotel in Munich during my trip. I honestly preferred the King’s Hotel First!
When will you spend your week in Munich?
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