Munich 3 Day Itinerary
Munich was my first taste of Germany.
I arrived from Vienna during a snowy night. Nothing appealed to me that night except for the Christmas lights. However, after staying in Munich for 3 days, I can say that I love Munich.
When you think about German culture, the culture that pops into mind is probably Bavarian culture. And since Munich is the capital of Bavaria, you should stay for at least 3 days in Munich to fully enjoy it.
Let’s plan a perfect Munich 3-day Itinerary for you!
3-day itinerary in Munich: Day 1
Get your bearings right by starting the first day of your 3-day trip to Munich in Marienplatz! It is the heart of the city.
Many walking tours (free or paid) have their starting point located here.
If you like to have a guided tour, Sandemans New Europe Free Walking Tour starts at 10:45am (another one at 2pm).
It’s recommended to book the tour as it’s normally sold out.
I reckon just book the tour and if you don’t wanna join it, just don’t show up as they normally have walk-in tourists and they can take your spots.
Rathaus-Glockenspiel has a huge clock tower with lifesize figurines dotted throughout the tower. There is a show happening every hour starting from 11am and it lasts for 15 minutes.
I’d say that this is better than the Astronomical Clock in Prague.
To get a better vantage point, head to Hugendubel Bookshop and go up to the third floor.
There you will be able to appreciate the intricacy of the figurines and the mechanics driving the show.
TIP: Sign up for a more personal tour guide here!
Visit Frauenkirche, which is a huge church that is located right in Marienplatz.
There are many side stories about this church but the most famous one is perhaps the ‘footprint of the devil‘.
Search it up on Google. Lemme know who you think the “devil” is!
After that, head to Victuals Market for the cheese-infused air. This farmer’s market is literally a stone’s throw away from Marienplatz.
Victuals Market is open every day at 8am (except on Sunday which it starts at 9am).
If you didn’t do much snacking at Victuals Market, head to Ratskeller Munich for an authentic Bavarian dining experience.
They do a 3-course lunch menu and the price comes down to around 20 euros. It’s pretty decent. Be warned that the portion is huge!
Before your post-lunch slump kicks in, head to St. Peters Church and stand in awe in front of this monumental church!
If you think the church is amazing, wait till you climb up the church towers and gaze upon the old and new part of Munich. Your jaw will drop!
Moreover, it costs just 2 euros for you to climb up!
One church is never enough in Europe!
Head to Asamkirche which is another dazzling piece of architecture showcasing the best of Baroque-style interiors.
This church is smaller and less touristy than the two main churches in Marienplatz.
How can you not visit a brauhaus while in Munich? Is this the main reason you come to Munich?
Head to the legendary Hofbrauhauz to know how the Germans do it! Drink beers by the litre and be really loud. You are almost there!
That concludes the first day of this Munich itinerary for 3 days!
3-day itinerary in Munich: Day 2
One of the main reasons why people come to Munich is definitely for the dreamy Neuschwanstein Castle.
This straight out of fairytale castle is worth a day trip so make sure you assign one day out of your 3-day Munich itinerary for this.
The cheapest way to go to Neuschwanstein Castle is to get a Bavaria ticket.
- Price: 25 euros (and 7 euros extra for an additional person, up to a total of 4 people). That means if there’s 2 of you, it will cost a total of 32 euros. That includes public transport for the whole day.
- Time: Bavaria ticket is valid from 9am to 3am the next morning. If your train is before 9am (there is a train at 8:53am towards Neuschwanstein), it is not covered and you will have to buy another individual ticket for that train. Do not risk this as you will get a stiff fine.
- Direction: The station that you are heading to is called Fussen station. Fussen is a small town but it’s not too interesting. If you have a tight schedule, it’s okay to miss it. From Fussen, take a bus towards Schwangau (RVA/OVG 78) or Steingaden / Garmisch-Partenkirchen (RVA/OVG 73). If you are not sure which bus to take, just follow the crowd as most people are going to Neuschwanstein.
- Change: Some of the trains are not direct and requires a change. Check the latest timetable at https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml.
- Alternative: Flixbus (https://global.flixbus.com/bus/schwangau-neuschwanstein) offers a direct bus to Neuschwanstein. It is a lot easier compared to the train option. However, the price fluctuates a lot and it can be more expensive than the train option. Buy an online ticket in advance if you are sure that you are going to board this bus.
TIP: To save yourself from all kinds of hassle, prebook a cheap tour to Neuschwanstein Castle!
If you are visiting Neuschwanstein Castle during peak season, there’s a high chance that you are not going to get a ticket.
Go to their official website and make a booking to ensure that you get an admission ticket.
The ticket can be cancelled up to 2 hours in advance. I recommend buying that ticket a few days in advance.
Good news: if you (or your kids) are under 18 – it’s free!
The tour takes around 2.5 hours. However, it takes at least 6 hours including commuting time and waiting time to properly visit Neuschwanstein Castle.
Make sure you pack lunch the day before.
When you are back in Munich (and still have some reserved energy), head to the Endless Staircase.
This strange structure has been picking up some heat on major social media platforms. Worth it for the Instagram photo!
Next to the Endless Staircase is Bavaria Park where you can relax.
Due to the huge presence of Vietnamese diaspora in Munich, expect some great Vietnamese restaurants!
My favourite take is TiVu restaurant where they serve tapas-style Vietnamese dishes with a modern twist.
For more traditional and authentic Vietnamese offerings, try Binh Minh restaurant. This is a great break for all the meaty German dishes in typical Bavarian restaurants.
To end your night perfectly, head to Bavaria State Opera and watch a refined opera.
I love visiting operas as you get to see the sophisticated interiors while enjoying an elegant evening.
If you are under 30 years old, you can see the opera for just 10 euros! Although it’s not cheaper than the one in Vienna (see how I travel so cheaply in Vienna), there is no queue for this!
PS: I lined up for hours for that cheap ticket to the state opera in Vienna! Even though it costs just 4 euros, I would still say that the Bavaria State Opera experience is better (you get a seat too).
Even if you are not under 30 years old, if you buy your ticket in advance, it will still be cheap as compared to operas in France!
3-day itinerary in Munich: Day 3
This is the last day of your amazing 3-day trip to Munich. Savour it while it lasts!
Visit the English Garden. This expansive garden has a lot to see and there are many scenic vantage points along the river.
Rent a bike to best see this park. There are many bike rentals around the area with different price points.
Ask your accommodation who has the cheapest one and show up to rent one. There is a bike tour but the price is pretty steep at around 40 euros.
Head to The Terrace rooftop cafe for lunch. Enjoy an amazing view of the old town of Munich while you munch off some fusion delights.
It is the best rooftop cafe in Munich which comes with a price tag.
If it’s out of your budget, head to Cafe Vorhoelzer Forum rooftop cafe instead. It is slightly out of the way and the view isn’t as great but hey, it’s on a rooftop!
If you are craving for some German food, head to Steinheil 16.
This sensational eatery has been serving up gigantic, juicy schnitzel for a super cheap price!
Spend your afternoon bathing away your sorrow (as you will be leaving Munich soon) at Müller’sches Volksbad Bathhouse!
An all-day ticket costs around 25 euros so make sure you are getting the most out of your bucks by spending your whole afternoon there!
After a pampering sauna and spa session, head to Donisl.
Donisl is not just about dining – it is an experience. The interiors are exquisite and the food is tantalising. Thank me later.
Useful links:
Official website of Munich metro: https://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/maps-stations/maps/index.html
If you are going to Berlin, make sure that you check this out!
Also, check out a post that’s written by my friend who is currently living in Berlin to see how life really is in Berlin! It’s an interview with 20+ questions with short answers so it’s easy to read!
TIP: Get the city card offered by the official metro service! It is so much cheaper as compared to single tickets.
Accommodation
Munich is not a big city. Public transport is also considerably expensive as well. I highly recommend staying in the city centre because you can avoid public transport by walking to almost all the major tourist attractions.
Budget: There are not many hostels in Munich. Wombat’s City Hostel is the cheapest accommodation option in Munich. It is highly rated and is strategically located. On a side note, staying in a hostel allows you to meet more people!
Comfortable: Centrally located in the heart of Munich, Müller Inn B&B is a great option if you want some comfort and privacy. It’s on the cheaper end of the price range if you want a private room in the city centre. You can walk to pretty much everywhere if you stay in this B&B. Besides, Asamkirche is just right next to it. If you are planning to have a big night out, Muller Inn is only a short walking distance to most of the beer houses.
Splurge: If you wanna splurge during your 3-day trip to Munich, stay with 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian. Every single cell of your body will be pampered to the max. Moreover, this gem is located right next to the main station. If you are arriving late, or planning to leave early in the morning, this hotel is a great option to fulfil that need.
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