Munich, the capital of Bavaria, fuses imperial grandeur with a relaxed, outdoorsy spirit. From the ornate Residenz and the sprawling Nymphenburg Palace to bike-friendly streets and riverside lawns, the city invites you to linger. Medieval guild houses surround Marienplatz where the Glockenspiel still chimes, while the nearby Viktualienmarkt fills the air with the aroma of roasting chickens, fresh pretzels, and alpine cheeses.

History runs deep here. Munich rose to power in the Middle Ages as a salt and beer hub, later becoming a cultural engine of the arts and sciences. The city also bears witness to the tragedies of the 20th century, with the Dachau Memorial a short ride away—an essential, sobering visit that many travelers include for context.

Plan for hearty Bavarian cuisine—roast pork with crackling, dumplings, and tangy sauerkraut—balanced by crisp wheat beers, riverside beer gardens, and excellent coffee roasters. Shops often close on Sundays, and some beer gardens still prefer cash, so carry a little. Public transit is fast and easy; bikes are beloved; and day trips to the Alps and storybook castles are within reach.

Munich

Munich’s Old Town (Altstadt) is your storybook entry: Marienplatz, the Gothic Neues Rathaus, onion-domed Frauenkirche, and the whimsical Asamkirche. Just north, the English Garden unfurls—larger than Central Park—with a roaring river wave where surfers ride year-round. West sits Nymphenburg Palace with baroque pavilions and swan-dotted canals; north of that, Olympiapark and BMW Welt & Museum showcase postwar design and engineering swagger.

Food in Munich is generous and comforting: weisswurst with sweet mustard before noon, crispy Schweinshaxe, buttery spätzle, and Obatzda cheese spread. Balance the classics with modern spots championing seasonal produce, and don’t miss a convivial beer garden—Augustiner-Keller, the Viktualienmarkt Biergarten, or the Chinesischer Turm in the English Garden.

• Top sights: Marienplatz and Glockenspiel, Residenz & Treasury, English Garden (Eisbach surfers), Nymphenburg Palace & gardens, BMW Welt & Museum, Deutsches Museum, Pinakothek museums.
• Fun facts: Munich’s beer purity law (Reinheitsgebot) dates to 1516; the Glockenspiel re-enacts 16th-century festivities; the city hosts the world’s most famous beer festival each autumn.
• Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO Munich or Hotels.com Munich. Proven picks: Hotel Bayerischer Hof (heritage grand hotel), Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre (great S-Bahn access), Novotel München City (pool, family-friendly), Novotel München City Arnulfpark, Motel One München-Sendlinger Tor, Motel One München-Campus, Meininger Hotel Munich City Center, and budget-favorite Euro Youth Hotel Munich.
• Getting in & around: For flights and trains within Europe, compare on Omio (flights in Europe) and Omio (trains in Europe). Long-haul options: Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com (flights). From Munich Airport, the S1/S8 S-Bahn to the center takes ~40–45 minutes (about €13–15). MVV day/group tickets are good value for visitors.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Stroll, and a Bavarian Welcome

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Marienplatz, the Neues Rathaus, and if timing allows, the Glockenspiel performance (11:00 and 12:00 daily, plus 17:00 seasonally). Step into the Asamkirche to admire its dramatic rococo interior, then peek into Dallmayr delicatessen for artisan chocolates and coffee beans.

Evening: Toast your first night with a classic Bavarian dinner. Options: Wirtshaus in der Au (famous for giant bread dumplings and roast pork), Haxnbauer (slow-roasted pork knuckle with potato dumplings), or Schneider Bräuhaus (top-tier wheat beers and crisp schnitzel). For a nightcap, try Zephyr Bar (citrus-forward cocktails and seasonal shrubs) or Bar Gabányi (piano vibes, impeccable mixed drinks).

Day 2: Markets, Bikes, and Beer Gardens

Morning: Breakfast at Café Frischhut (order a warm schmalznudel and a dampfnudel) or Man Versus Machine Coffee Roasters for a flat white and single-origin espresso. Wander the Viktualienmarkt—grab a slice of leberkäse in a roll, pickles from a pickle stand, or a roast chicken to share at the biergarten tables.

Afternoon: See the city the local way on a relaxed cycling tour that hits the icons and a leafy beer garden.

Classic Munich Bike Tour with Beer Garden stop @ 11.30 Daily covers Old Town, the rivers, and the English Garden with a convivial pause under chestnut trees. It’s an easy pace and a great orientation.

Evening: Dinner at Augustiner-Keller—one of Munich’s largest beer gardens—where you can pair unfiltered Edelstoff with rotisserie meats and Obatzda. Prefer lighter fare? Try Spatenhaus an der Oper for roasted fish and views of the opera square. Gelato after: Der verrückte Eismacher for playful flavors.

Day 3: Dachau Memorial, English Garden, and Isar Evenings

Morning: Start reflective and meaningful with a guided visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, reached by S-Bahn and bus with an expert educator.

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train offers essential context and time at key sites. Expect about 5 hours door to door.

Afternoon: Return to the city for decompression in the English Garden. Watch river surfers on the Eisbach wave, then wander to the Chinesischer Turm beer garden for a pretzel the size of a plate. Coffee break: Vits der Kaffee for meticulous pour-overs.

Evening: Classic dinner at Schneider Bräuhaus (order the schweinebraten with crispy crackling) or at Hofbräukeller am Wiener Platz for a more local, less touristy hall vibe. If you fancy a stroll, follow the Isar riverbanks at dusk—locals bring blankets and listen to the water rush past.

Day 4: Full-Day VIP Castles — Neuschwanstein & Linderhof

Today is your fairy-tale excursion into the Bavarian Alps. A small-group coach whisks you to King Ludwig II’s masterpieces with time for village strolls and photo stops. It’s a long, unforgettable day—bring layers and a power bank.

Premium Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof VIP Tour from Munich typically runs ~10 hours with reserved entries. Lunch ideas near Hohenschwangau: a warm bowl of goulash, käsespätzle, or a slice of apfelstrudel before your castle ascent. Back in Munich, keep dinner light—think a salad and flammkuchen at a neighborhood wine bar.

Day 5: Palaces, Design Icons, and a Bavarian Food Night

Morning: Breakfast at Julius Brantner Brot-Handwerk (excellent sourdough and buttered pretzels), then tram out to Nymphenburg Palace. Tour the frescoed halls, stroll the park pavilions, and consider the Marstallmuseum (carriages and sleighs) if you love craftsmanship. Coffee/snack at the Palmenhaus café overlooking greenery.

Afternoon: Head to Olympiapark for sweeping views from the Olympic Tower. Walk into BMW Welt (free) to ogle concept cars, then cross to the BMW Museum for a century of engineering and design (plan ~1.5–2 hours). If art calls, swap in the Pinakothek museums (Old, New, and Modern) clustered nearby.

Evening: Celebrate Bavaria’s culinary heritage on a guided tasting night—ample portions and storytelling included.

Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour in Munich pairs brews with classics like roast pork, Obatzda, and pretzels while decoding beer culture and purity laws. If you prefer DIY, book a table at Der Pschorr by Viktualienmarkt for slow-brewed Augustiner from wooden barrels and farm-to-table Bavarian plates.

Day 6: Residenz, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Dive into the Munich Residenz and Treasury, former seat of Bavarian dukes and kings, rich with tapestries, gilded chambers, and gems. Pick up edible souvenirs at Viktualienmarkt—alpine cheeses, honey, and artisanal mustards. Sweet stop: Maelu for glossy fruit tarts and macarons.

Afternoon: Lunch near Marienplatz if time allows: try crispy schnitzel at Andechser am Dom or a shared roast chicken at the Viktualienmarkt beer garden. Depart for the airport via S1 or S8 (allow 45–60 minutes). If your flight is later, detour to the quiet Hofgarten and Odeonsplatz for one last look at Munich’s golden-hued facades.

Where to Stay (Bookable Links)

• Search all stays: VRBO Munich | Hotels.com Munich
• Editor’s picks: Hotel Bayerischer Hof, Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre, Novotel München City, Novotel München City Arnulfpark, Motel One München-Sendlinger Tor, Motel One München-Campus, Meininger Hotel Munich City Center, Euro Youth Hotel Munich

Getting To/From Munich (Compare and Book)

• Europe flights and rail: Omio (flights in Europe), Omio (trains in Europe), and Omio (buses in Europe).
• Long-haul flights: Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-Ons If You Have Extra Time

• Deutsches Museum: hands-on science, bridges, aircraft, and planetarium shows.
• Lenbachhaus & Museum Brandhorst: stunning Blue Rider works and contemporary art.
• Allianz Arena tour for football fans; seasonal FC Bayern fixtures electrify the city.
• Oktoberfest (late Sept–early Oct): reserve seats well in advance; evenings are most lively.

Good to know: Many shops close Sundays and public holidays. Beer gardens are family-friendly; bring cash for small vendors. MVV group day tickets can be a bargain if you’re traveling together.

In six days, you’ll have seen Munich’s gilded palaces, cycled leafy paths, tasted Bavaria’s soul-warming cuisine, and stood in view of the Alps’ most famous castle. This itinerary balances history with frivolity—exactly how Munich likes to live.