3 Days in Munich Germany: How I Spent An Amazing 72 Hours in Munich

I’ve said this before in a lot of my Germany articles, but I’ll say it again: I think Munich might just be the best city to visit in Germany if you’re here for the first time. I’m saying maybe because I’m still a little torn myself, but honestly, it ticks so many boxes.

The stereotypical Germany that people from overseas imagine with lederhosen, giant beers, beer gardens, fairytale castles, mountains it’s all very Bavarian. And where do you find Bavaria at its best? In Munich. So if that’s the Germany you’re hoping to see, you might as well start here.

Since I grew up in Germany, I’ve been to Munich a few times by now, on family trips when I was younger and more recently on my own, both in summer and at Christmas. And now I think it’s time I put all of that experience into one guide. 

So here it is: My ultimate 3 Days in Munich Germany itinerary. For me, 72 hours is the perfect amount of time, you’ll see a lot without feeling rushed, and then you can head on to Salzburg in Austria or up to Berlin to continue your Europe trip.

3 Days in Munich Itinerary – My Experience

I think 3 days in Munich is the perfect amount of time if you’re doing a larger Europe trip and want to split your days between different cities. That said, I could easily spend a whole week here without running out of things to do.

Most of my own trips to Munich have been around 3 days, so this itinerary is kind of a “best of” from all of them. It’s not exactly what I did on one single trip, but rather the version I’d recommend to anyone visiting Munich for the first time.

Of course, I’ve included the big highlights like Neuschwanstein Castle and Nymphenburg Palace, but I also think it’s really important to visit Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. It’s a difficult place, but such an essential part of history that I wouldn’t skip it.

My most recent trip to Munich was during Christmas, so naturally I spent a lot of time at the Christmas markets (which I loved). But for this itinerary, I won’t focus on Christmas markets or Oktoberfest. If you’re visiting during those times, you’ll definitely want to adjust things to make room for them, but for a “standard” 3 days in Munich, this is how I’d do it.

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Munich

Location matters: I’m a big fan of exploring cities on foot, it’s just so much nicer to step out of the hotel, grab a coffee, and immediately be in the middle of things rather than catching a tram first thing in the morning. That’s why I always stay right in Munich’s old town/city center. My go-to hotel here is Maximilian Munich.

Book early: Munich is popular and I mean seriously popular. Around Oktoberfest and Christmas, hotels book out ridiculously fast and prices skyrocket. I’d highly recommend locking in your accommodation as early as you can, even months in advance.

Cash is king: Germany still has a love affair with cash, and Munich is no exception. From small cafés and bars to Christmas markets and Oktoberfest tents, you’ll need euros in your pocket. I usually keep about €50 in cash with me.

Get an eSIM: For me, having an eSIM is non-negotiable. Since I move between countries all the time, it’s just easier to switch on data with a tap of my phone. I’ve been using Sim Local for the past few months and it’s been amazing. (Sign up here with my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA).

Pack smart: Munich’s weather likes to keep you guessing. Summers can swing from blazing hot to rainy, and winters are cold, damp, and often snowy. When I’m visiting in winter, I make sure to pack an extra layer and warm socks. There’s nothing I hate more than freezing toes at a Christmas market.

My 3 Days in Munich Germany Itinerary

Day 1: New Town Hall, Viktualienmarkt & Munich Residenz

On my first day in Munich, I like to keep things simple and stick to the city center. Whenever I arrive somewhere new and I’m not on a super tight schedule, day one is usually about getting my bearings, wandering around on foot, and hitting the landmarks I can reach without much effort.

The easiest way is to pin a few main spots on Google Maps and just make your way from one to the next at your own pace (or book a guided Munich walking tour!).

I always start in the heart of Munich at Marienplatz with its impressive New Town Hall. It’s one of the most beautiful squares in Germany, and the town hall itself is a masterpiece of neo-gothic architecture (built in the late 1800s). Whether you’re here in winter with the Christmas markets or on a summer day with street performers out and about, it feels like the perfect introduction to the city.

From there, I head to Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s open-air farmers’ market right in the old town. I come here every single time I’m in the city, and it usually doubles as my lunch spot. 

The stalls sell everything from fresh produce and cheeses to German delicacies and pastries. My move is to grab some deli meats, cheese, olives, and a fresh baguette, basically a DIY Bavarian picnic, and then find a quiet bench in the old town to enjoy it.

In the afternoon, I make my way to one of my favorite museums in Munich: the Munich Residenz. This former palace of the Bavarian kings is enormous and, honestly, breathtaking inside. On my most recent trip, I finally joined a guided tour, and it blew me away. The lavish rooms and detailed interiors make it one of the highlights of the city center for me, and it’s an absolute must if you’re even slightly into history, art, or palaces.

Day 2: Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, English Garden & Nymphenburg Palace

Day two in Munich is where the itinerary really picks up with some of the city’s most important and memorable sights. I like to start the day with a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. 

This is a heavy experience, no doubt, but also one of the most meaningful places you can visit in Germany. As Germans, we grow up learning about this history and visiting memorials as part of school, so for me, coming here as an adult felt both familiar and deeply important.

I took a guided tour, and our guide (shoutout to Tim!) was fantastic, incredibly knowledgeable, respectful, and passionate about explaining not just what happened here but why it’s so vital that we remember. 

The whole experience takes about half a day, and by early afternoon, we were back in Munich. If this type of visit isn’t something you feel comfortable with, that’s completely fair, but personally, I see it as an essential stop.

After such a heavy morning, the perfect contrast is to head to the English Garden, Munich’s massive city park. We had lunch at the Chinese Tower beer garden, one of the most famous in the city, and then wandered over to watch the surfers at the Eisbachwelle, the standing wave where people literally surf in the middle of the city. It’s such a fun and unexpected thing to see in Munich.

Later in the afternoon, I made my way to Nymphenburg Palace, another absolute highlight. It’s just a quick 15-minute tram ride from the center, and while you can pay to go inside, the palace grounds alone are free and absolutely gorgeous.

Day 3: Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle

The whole of day three in my perfect 3 days in Munich itinerary is dedicated to a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. I know some people might prefer spending that extra day exploring more of the city, but for me this castle is so iconic and unique that I just had to include it.

I’ve actually been once before, a couple of years ago, and honestly it was one of the highlights of my trip. We booked a full-day tour that also included a stop at Linderhof Palace (another one of King Ludwig II’s creations). It’s much smaller than Neuschwanstein but super ornate, like a little Versailles in the Bavarian mountains. During the stop, we had some time to wander around, and since it was Christmas time, I of course grabbed a bratwurst and a mulled wine, because when in Bavaria, right?

The big highlight of the day was Neuschwanstein Castle itself. I can totally see why Disney used it as inspiration for the castle in Sleeping Beauty. It’s absolutely stunning, perched high up on a hill with the Alps as its backdrop. 

For a bit of history: it was commissioned by King Ludwig II in the late 19th century (construction started in 1869), but it was never fully finished because Ludwig died before it could be completed. Even so, the parts that are done are ridiculously beautiful, both inside and out.

The whole day trip was just so much fun, it felt great to see more of the German countryside and the mountains after two days in the city.

Where to Stay in Munich Germany

As you probably know by now, I’m a huge fan of exploring a city on foot. There’s nothing I dislike more than having to catch a tram first thing in the morning just to get into the city center. 

That’s why, whenever possible, I stay right in the heart of Munich and I really do this with most cities. Yes, it’s a little pricier, but the convenience of walking out of your hotel and straight into the old town (Altstadt) is worth it in my book.

My number one recommendation is to stay in Munich’s Old Town, where most of the main landmarks are within walking distance. If you don’t mind being slightly outside the center, Maxvorstadt and Haidhausen are two other great neighborhoods. Both are still well-connected, have plenty of cafés, bars, and local vibes, and give you a bit more bang for your buck.

Here are some of my favorite hotels in Munich that I’d definitely recommend checking out:

Book Here: Cortiina Hotel Munich

Book Here: Maximilian Munich

FAQs About 3 Day Itinerary Munich Germany

What to do in Munich?

Munich has plenty to keep you busy, from wandering the Old Town and taking photos at Marienplatz to exploring Nymphenburg Palace. But honestly, some of my favorite memories are the day trips. Neuschwanstein Castle and even Salzburg Austria are both easy and well worth it.

What is the best beer garden in Munich?

There are countless beer gardens, but for a first-time visitor I’d recommend the Chinese Tower beer garden and the iconic Hofbräuhaus. Yes, they’re touristy. But they’re also classic, iconic and super fun.

What is the best day trip from Munich?

If you only do one, make it Neuschwanstein Castle. It’s straight out of a fairytale and one of the most iconic sights in Germany and my personal favorite. Even I, as a German, was super impressed by the castle.

Is Munich worth visiting?

Absolutely. In fact, I’d go as far as saying Munich might be the best city to visit in Germany if it’s your first time. It has that stereotypical “Germany” vibe with lederhosen, castles, beer gardens and mountains, all wrapped up in one city.

Final Thoughts on 3 Days in Munich, Germany

For me, this really is the perfect Munich itinerary. The city blends culture, history, and tradition in such a beautiful way. Between the museums, palaces, and old architecture, you’ll never run out of things to see.

My personal highlights are definitely visiting Neuschwanstein Castle (I mean, it’s legendary for a reason), spending time at Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial, and taking that easy day trip to Salzburg. Those three really round out the experience of what makes Munich so special.

I hope this little 3 days in Munich travel guide helps you plan your own trip and gives you a rough idea of how to spend a weekend in the Bavarian capital.

Check Out My Other Munich Travel Guides

Is Munich Worth Visiting: My Honest Review

Best Time to Visit Munich: My Munich Season Guide

Things to Do in Munich: My Favorite Activities

Is Munich Expensive: My Munich Budget Guide

3 Days in Munich Germany: Munich 3 Day Itinerary

Food in Munich: A Munich Restaurants Guide

Where to Stay in Munich: My Favorite Areas & Hotels

Christmas in Munich Germany: My Full Munich Christmas Guide

Check Out My Other Germany Travel Guides

Is Germany worth visiting: My Honest Review

Best Christmas Markets in Germany: My Top German Christmas Markets

Christmas in Europe Itinerary: Vienna to London in 2 Weeks