Munich’s story stretches from Wittelsbach dukes and baroque churches to BMW’s sleek lines and a beer culture refined over centuries. In its orbit sits Ottobrunn, a leafy suburb named for King Otto of Greece, who bid farewell to Bavaria here in 1832—marked by the Ottosäule monument. Base yourself in Ottobrunn for quiet nights and quick S‑Bahn hops into the heart of the city.

Expect grand squares like Marienplatz, the palatial Munich Residenz, and the green sweep of the English Garden, where river surfers ride the Eisbach wave year-round. Beyond the city, the Bavarian Alps cradle fairytale castles and pastel towns—an easy day trip away. Food lovers will find pretzels, weisswurst, knödel, and unfiltered lagers served under chestnut trees at timeworn beer gardens.

Practical notes: Many shops close on Sundays, and reservations help for popular restaurants and beer halls. Public transport is excellent; the S7 connects Ottobrunn and central Munich in roughly 25 minutes. Tap-to-pay is widely accepted in 2025, though some smaller spots remain cash-friendly. This 7-day itinerary blends iconic sights with local gems and restorative downtime.

Munich (Ottobrunn Base)

Ottobrunn offers a serene, residential base with parks, family-run bakeries, and quick access to Munich on the S7. Stop by the Ottosäule to touch a thread of European history, stretch your legs in nearby forest paths, or unwind at the Phönix-Bad sauna and pool complex after a busy day in town.

• Top sights in Munich: Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel, Frauenkirche’s twin domes, Viktualienmarkt’s food stalls, the Residenz, Asamkirche, Nymphenburg Palace, the trio of Pinakotheken museums, BMW Welt & Museum, and the English Garden.
• Local flavor: Taste weisswurst before noon with sweet mustard and a buttered pretzel at Schneider Bräuhaus; order roast pork with crackling at Spatenhaus an der Oper; and sip a Helles under chestnut trees at Augustiner-Keller.
• Coffee stops: Man Versus Machine (third-wave roasts), Vits der Kaffee (espresso lab), and Café Frischhut (schmalznudel and warm apple spirals).
• Fun facts: The 1516 Reinheitsgebot (beer purity law) is Bavarian; Munich surfers pioneered the stationary wave at the Eisbach; and the Residenz shelters a jewel-box theater by Cuvilliés.

Where to stay (Ottobrunn or central Munich): Browse family apartments, townhomes, and modern stays on VRBO Ottobrunn or hotels near Marienplatz, Isartor, or Haidhausen on Hotels.com Ottobrunn. If you prefer to stay in the city center, compare options at VRBO Munich and Hotels.com Munich.

Getting in: Fly into Munich (MUC). From outside Europe, compare fares on Kiwi.com. Within Europe, check flights and rail (e.g., Berlin–Munich ~4–4.5h; Vienna–Munich ~4h) on Omio flights and Omio trains. Airport to Ottobrunn: S8 to München Ost, then S7 to Ottobrunn; about 55–65 minutes, roughly €12–€15. A taxi/Uber to Ottobrunn takes ~40–45 minutes depending on traffic.

Getting around: The S7 runs Ottobrunn–Marienplatz in ~25 minutes. Consider a day ticket or the monthly Deutschlandticket if you’ll ride often. Bikes are easy to rent in Munich; trams and buses fill the gaps. For longer day trips, tours below handle logistics.

Day 1: Arrive, Settle into Ottobrunn, First Taste of Bavaria

Afternoon: Arrive at MUC, ride the S‑Bahn to Ottobrunn, and check in. Take a gentle walk to the Ottosäule and nearby greenways to reset your body clock. If you need provisions, pick up fresh rolls and cheeses at a local bakery and market for tomorrow’s early start.

Evening: Head into Munich for dinner near Isartor. Try Schneider Bräuhaus for weisswurst, obatzda, and a wheat beer; or Der Pschorr by Viktualienmarkt for farm-sourced roast pork and potato dumplings. Nightcap at Schumann’s Bar am Hofgarten—order the Whisky Sour, a Munich classic—not too late; tomorrow is for big sights.

Day 2: Old Town, Viktualienmarkt, and the English Garden

Morning: Coffee and a still-warm schmalznudel at Café Frischhut, then meet a local for a private orientation of the Altstadt: Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Asamkirche, and hidden courtyards you’d miss alone.

Book: Munich Walking Tour: Private Highlights & Hidden Gems by a Local (flexible start times; great first-day primer).

Afternoon: Graze through Viktualienmarkt—try Caspar Plautz’s inventive potato plates, a slice of leberkäs from a butcher stall, and seasonal fruit. Walk to the Residenz to tour the Treasury and the rococo Cuvilliés Theatre. Continue to the English Garden; watch surfers at the Eisbach, then stroll north under chestnuts.

Evening: Classic beer garden dinner at Augustiner-Keller: order a Maß of unfiltered Edelstoff and share a radi (spiraled white radish), roast chicken, and potato salad. If the weather turns, the vaulted cellar is atmospheric. Optional late walk along the illuminated Isar near Reichenbachbrücke.

Day 3: Neuschwanstein & Linderhof—King Ludwig II’s Dreamworld

Full-day excursion. Your coach departs central Munich for two of Europe’s most photographed palaces, nestled against the Alpine foothills. Hear the stories of Bavaria’s “fairy-tale king,” tour Linderhof’s gilded chambers and Neuschwanstein’s Wagnerian vistas, and stop in the artisan village of Oberammergau (time permitting).

Book: Neuschwanstein & Linderhof - Fairytale Castles Tour from Munich. Expect ~10.5 hours door to door; wear comfy shoes. Back in Munich, enjoy a late simple bite near your S‑Bahn—think a pretzel and camembert or a döner for something quick.

Day 4: Memory and Majesty—Dachau, Nymphenburg, and Bavarian Plates

Morning: Take a guided visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. An authorized guide provides essential context across the grounds, barracks, and memorial chapels.

Book: Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train (allow ~5–6 hours total). This is a solemn visit; plan quiet time afterward.

Afternoon: Tram to Schloss Nymphenburg, the summer palace of the Wittelsbachs. Wander the porcelain museum, Marstallmuseum (royal carriages), and the park’s folly pavilions. For a pick-me-up, espresso and a slice of Prinzregententorte at the palace café hits the spot.

Evening: Dinner at Wirtshaus in der Au for käsespätzle, knödel variations, and seasonal game. Prefer fish? Head to Spatenhaus an der Oper for pike-perch with crisp skin and a view of the Nationaltheater. Nightcap at Zephyr Bar in Glockenbach—creative cocktails with fresh citrus and herbs.

Day 5: Salzburg by Rail—Baroque Domes and Mozart’s Melodies

Full-day excursion. Glide across the border into Austria’s jewel-box city with a guide: Mirabell Gardens, the baroque cathedral, Getreidegasse’s wrought-iron signs, and views from the Mönchsberg. There’s time for a Salzburger Nockerl dessert or a Mozartkugel to take home.

Book: Salzburg Sightseeing Day Trip from Munich by Rail. It’s typically 2 hours each way by train, with a relaxed walking pace in town. Back in Munich, grab a late schnitzel at Andechser am Dom or a simple soup and salad in Haidhausen.

Day 6: Art Day in the Kunstareal, BMW Welt, and Isar Evenings

Morning: Start with third-wave coffee at Man Versus Machine, then explore the Kunstareal: Alte Pinakothek (Old Masters), Neue Pinakothek highlights on display in interim spaces, and Pinakothek der Moderne for design and contemporary art. If you prefer science and engineering, swap in the Deutsches Museum (its renovated halls are a wonderland).

Afternoon: U‑Bahn to BMW Welt & Museum for automotive design through the ages, plus a look into future mobility. Late lunch at the museum bistro or head back toward the English Garden for a relaxed picnic—pretzels, obatzda, radishes, and a chilled Radler from a kiosk.

Evening: Join a guided food stroll to sample 10+ Bavarian specialties across Old Town markets and taverns, or DIY your way through Viktualienmarkt’s cheese, charcuterie, and seasonal salads. For something different, book a ticket to the Cuvilliés Theatre if there’s a performance; otherwise, sip a piano-side drink at Bar Gabányi near the Isar.

Day 7: Ottobrunn Unwind and Departure

Morning: Slow start in Ottobrunn with bakery coffee and a walk through neighborhood parks. If you’d like a final wellness splash, Phönix-Bad offers pools and saunas—ideal before a travel day.

Afternoon: Last Bavarian lunch in Haidhausen: roast chicken and potato-cucumber salad at a neighborhood Wirtshaus, or tarte flambée at a cozy café. Pick up edible souvenirs—mustard, pretzel salt, or a local gin—and ride the S‑Bahn to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Evening: If you have a late flight, fit in one final vista: climb Alter Peter (St. Peter’s Church tower) for a 360-degree view over red rooftops to the Alps on clear days, then say servus to Munich.

Optional and seasonal add‑ons: On sunny weekends, cycle the Isar south to Grünwald for beer garden lunch; in autumn, day-trip the Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber; in winter, browse Christmas markets on Marienplatz and at the Residenz, savoring mulled wine and gingerbread.

Alternatives for independent travel: If you’d rather DIY your day trips, compare schedules and fares on Omio trains (Munich–Füssen for Neuschwanstein; Munich–Salzburg for Austria). For flights within Europe, check Omio flights; for long-haul into Munich, try Kiwi.com.

With Ottobrunn as your peaceful base and Munich as your daily playground, this 7-day itinerary layers royal palaces, poignant history, baroque beauty, and beer-garden conviviality. You’ll leave with a camera roll full of Alpine castles, a palate tuned to Bavarian flavors, and a map of neighborhoods you’ll want to revisit.