Munich—capital of Bavaria—grew from a medieval monastic market into a cultured powerhouse famed for precision engineering, beer halls, and green urban spaces. Marienplatz and the Gothic New Town Hall anchor the Old Town, while the royal Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the baroque Asamkirche reveal centuries of artistic ambition.

Beyond history, Munich is an outdoor city: the Englischer Garten hums with cyclists and riversurfers on the Eisbach, and Olympiapark still hosts concerts under sweeping 1972 canopies. Food-wise, expect weisswurst breakfasts, pretzels, pork knuckle, and modern Bavarian kitchens alongside craft beer from locals like Giesinger Bräu.

Practical notes: the airport S-Bahn (S1/S8) reaches the center in about 40–45 minutes; most shops close on Sundays; cards are widely accepted but having some cash helps in markets and beer gardens. For transit, day tickets or the Deutschlandticket (monthly) make city travel easy. If you’re here to roll, Munich has English-friendly BJJ classes with straightforward drop-in policies.

Munich

Munich pairs refined museums and royal avenues with gemütlichkeit—cozy conviviality—in beer gardens under chestnut trees. Start in the Altstadt for the Glockenspiel, wander to Viktualienmarkt for snacks, then drift into the Englischer Garten. Modern icons like BMW Welt and the pin-drop cocktail temples around Odeonsplatz round out the experience.

• Top sights: Marienplatz, Frauenkirche domes, Munich Residenz, Viktualienmarkt, Englischer Garten, Nymphenburg Palace, BMW Museum/Welt, Olympiapark.
• Local flavor: beer gardens (Augustiner-Keller, Chinesischer Turm), markets (Viktualienmarkt), and hearty Bavarian plates (Schweinshaxe, Obatzda, knödel).
• BJJ note: traveler-friendly drop-ins at Munich MMA (Lehel and Schwabing locations); email ahead, bring ID and your gi/no-gi kit.

Getting to/around Munich: For European flights and intra-Europe connections, search on Omio Flights. From nearby cities, high-speed trains on Omio Trains are frequent (e.g., Salzburg ~1h45, Nuremberg ~1h10, Berlin ~4h). Budget travelers can check Omio Buses for lower fares. Airport to city: S1/S8 S‑Bahn, ~45 minutes, roughly €13–15 single. Taxis/ride-hails take ~35–45 minutes depending on traffic.

Where to stay (mid-range focus for a 50/100 budget):

• Search apartments on VRBO Munich or hotels on Hotels.com Munich.
• Best overall value near Isar/Deutsches Museum: Novotel München City (pool, family-friendly rooms, easy transit).
• Modern, budget-chic near the Old Town: Motel One München-Sendlinger Tor.
• Business-friendly in Haidhausen, great for U/S-Bahn: Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre.
• Wallet-friendly social hub by Hauptbahnhof: Euro Youth Hotel Munich or Meininger Hotel Munich City Center.
• Splurge classic with a storied bar scene: Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
• Also consider: Motel One München-Campus and Novotel München City Arnulfpark.

Day 1: Old Town Icons, Viktualienmarkt Flavors, and Beer Culture

Morning: Arrive and check in. If you’re early, leave bags with reception and stretch your legs with coffee at Man Versus Machine (light Nordic roasts) or Café Frischhut for fresh schmalznudel and rohrnudel—traditional pastries fried or baked to order.

Afternoon: Get oriented with a private city walk that hits Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, the opulent Asamkirche, and secret courtyards behind the main arteries. A flexible private host means you can set the pace and ask nerdy questions.

Munich Walking Tour: Private Highlights & Hidden Gems by a Local

Snack your way through Viktualienmarkt: try a classic leberkässemmel from a butcher’s stall, creamy Obatzda with a warm pretzel at the beer garden, and fruit tarts from Café Frischhut’s sister stand. Climb Alter Peter tower if skies are clear for the best Old Town panorama.

Evening: Dive into Munich’s beer-and-food heritage with a guided tasting that stitches together brewing lore and hearty dishes—think weisswurst, roast pork, and cellar pours. It’s a convivial way to learn the difference between helles, dunkel, and weissbier while meeting fellow travelers.

Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour in Munich

Dinner alternatives if you want to go solo: Augustiner-Keller (historic beer garden; try the roast chicken and radi), Schneider Bräuhaus (excellent Schneider Weisse and veal weisswurst—order before noon traditionally), or Haxnbauer (pork knuckle, crisp crackling). Nightcap ideas: Schumann’s (martini temple at Odeonsplatz) or Zephyr (inventive cocktails in Glockenbach).

Day 2: Fairytale Castles in the Bavarian Alps (Full Day)

Trade city streets for mountain vistas on a full-day coach journey to King Ludwig II’s dream castles. Expect rolling foothills, turquoise lakes, and ornate interiors that inspired countless myths and one very famous theme park castle. You’ll leave Munich in the morning and return in the evening; guides streamline logistics and, depending on option, secure timed entries.

Neuschwanstein & Linderhof - Fairytale Castles Tour from Munich

Typical timing is ~2 hours each way by luxury coach with a stop at Oberammergau; plan for moderate hill walking to Neuschwanstein (or take the shuttle/horse carriage uphill for a fee). Budget roughly €80–120 total depending on inclusions. Lunch ideas on site: grab schnitzel or käsespätzle in Hohenschwangau village; save room for a slice of apfelstrudel.

Active alternative if you want to move more: a hybrid option that pairs travel with an alpine bike ride before your castle visit. Neuschwanstein Castle by Bus Incl. Bike Ride or Hohenschwangau

Back in Munich, casual dinner near the station: Münchner Stubn (regional plates, quick service) or head to Haidhausen for Wirtshaus in der Au (duck with bread dumplings; excellent seasonal specials).

Day 3: Roll, Stroll, and One Last View

Morning: Jiu-jitsu training. Munich MMA runs daily BJJ and no-gi classes at Lehel (near U4/U5 Lehel) and Schwabing (near U3/U6 Münchner Freiheit). Drop-in fees are commonly in the €15–25 range; email ahead to confirm class times, mat etiquette, and if they can lend a gi. Pack a small towel and flip-flops for changing. After training, refuel with a protein-heavy breakfast: Mamasitas (eggs and bowls near Lehel), Cotidiano Gärtnerplatz (scrambles, bircher muesli), or super-simple leberkässemmel on the go.

Afternoon: Walk the southern Englischer Garten from the Eisbachwelle (watch the surfers) up to the Chinese Tower beer garden for a stein under chestnuts and a plate of roast pork or a giant pretzel. If you prefer design and engines, swap in BMW Welt & Museum (Olympiapark): polished architecture, concept cars, and a compact but satisfying museum that fits into 2 hours.

Evening (pre-departure): Quick lunch-to-late-lunch favorites before you go: Caspar Plautz at Viktualienmarkt (creative stuffed potatoes), Hans im Glück (modern burger chain with veggie options), or Giesinger Bräustüberl (craft brews with seasonal dishes). If you have extra time and want a reflective, historical experience instead of the park, consider the following half-day memorial visit (bookable on many mornings/early afternoons):

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train

Transit tip to the airport: allow ~1 hour from central Munich to MUC via S1/S8; during peak times build in a buffer. Grab an ice cream at True & 12 near Gärtnerplatz for a sweet goodbye.

Coffee and snack hits to weave in: Man Versus Machine (third-wave coffee), Standl 20 (market espresso bar), Rischart (bakery chain for quick pretzels), and Theresa Grill’s lunch steaks if you crave protein after BJJ.

Restaurant short list by vibe:

• Classic Bavarian: Augustiner-Keller (beer garden), Schneider Bräuhaus (weissbier temple), Wirtshaus in der Au (dumplings and roasts).
• Contemporary Bavarian/Alpine: Brenner Grill (brasserie vibes on Maximilianstraße), Spatenhaus an der Oper (opera views, schnitzel and fish).
• International and veg-friendly: NENI Munich (Middle Eastern flavors), Tian (veg-driven fine dining), Gratitude (plant-based).

Booking and transit helpers: For flights/trains/buses, compare on Omio Flights, Omio Trains, and Omio Buses. For stays, browse Hotels.com Munich or VRBO Munich.

Cost-saving tips: Eat your big meal at lunch when many places offer deals; use a day transit ticket within Zone M; bring a reusable bottle—tap water is excellent. Beer gardens are budget-friendly: self-service lines usually cost less than table service.

In three days, Munich gives you layers: medieval alleys, royal palaces, living beer culture, and alpine romance—plus a welcoming mat for BJJ practitioners. You’ll leave with new techniques, a camera full of castle views, and a taste for helles under the chestnut trees.