Munich is Bavaria’s capital of gemütlichkeit—where Baroque palaces meet river-surfers, beer gardens, and a story that stretches from medieval dukes to modern design. In two days, you’ll trace the Old Town’s spires, taste time-honored Bavarian dishes, and unwind in leafy parks that locals treat like their living room.

Its heart beats in Marienplatz, where the Glockenspiel still dances overhead, while the nearby Viktualienmarkt fuels the city with cheeses, sausages, and seasonal produce. Beyond lies a sweep of royal residences, including the Residenz and summer-fresh Nymphenburg Palace, with the English Garden’s meadows and streams binding it all together.

Munich is easy to navigate, safe, and delicious. Expect excellent public transport (S- and U-Bahn), highly walkable neighborhoods, and a dining scene that runs from wood-fired pretzels and roast pork to refined, contemporary kitchens. Time your visit in late September for Oktoberfest—or simply enjoy world-class beer culture year-round.

Munich

Munich blends Renaissance façades, WWII memory, and contemporary verve. Wander the Altstadt’s lanes from Frauenkirche to the Residenz, then pop into the market for a picnic you’ll remember. When the sun’s out, locals flock to the English Garden; when it sets, they head to beer halls and cozy Wirtshäuser.

• Top sights: Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel, Frauenkirche towers, Viktualienmarkt, the Munich Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace, the English Garden (Eisbach surfers), and Olympiapark’s sunset hill.
• What to eat: Schweinshaxe (crispy pork knuckle), Obatzda (cheese spread), dampfnudeln, and fresh pretzels with Augustiner or Hacker-Pschorr beer; for lighter fare, market-fresh salads, lake fish, and Alpine cheeses.
• Fun fact: Munich’s “angel of peace,” the Friedensengel, marks 25 years without war after 1871—one of many monuments revealing the city’s layered history.

Where to stay (Hotels.com and VRBO picks):

• Classic luxury: Hotel Bayerischer Hof (rooftop views, spa, storied bars near the Altstadt).
• Upscale and central: Novotel München City (Isar riverside, great for families) or Holiday Inn Munich - City Centre (direct S-Bahn access).
• Design on a budget: Motel One München-Sendlinger Tor or Motel One München-Campus.
• Wallet-friendly social stays: Euro Youth Hotel Munich or Meininger Hotel Munich City Center.
• Business-leisure sweet spot: Novotel München City Arnulfpark.
• Self-catering: Browse apartments on VRBO Munich or hotels on Hotels.com Munich.

Getting to Munich:

• Flights within Europe: compare routes and prices on Omio (flights in Europe)—e.g., London–Munich ~1h50, often $70–180 depending on season.
• Flights from outside Europe: search options on Trip.com (global flights).
• High-speed trains: Berlin–Munich in ~4h on ICE, Vienna–Munich ~4h; check schedules and fares on Omio (trains in Europe). Long-distance buses (often cheapest) on Omio (buses).

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

Morning: Travel to Munich. If you’re arriving by air, the S1 or S8 S-Bahn brings you from Munich Airport to Marienplatz in about 40 minutes (roughly €12–13); taxis take ~35–45 minutes depending on traffic. Arriving by rail? München Hbf is a 10–15-minute tram or U-Bahn ride from most central hotels. Drop bags if your room isn’t ready.

Afternoon: Start in Marienplatz for the Rathaus-Glockenspiel (11:00 and 12:00 daily, plus 17:00 in summer), then peek into the twin-towered Frauenkirche. Hungry? Wander to Viktualienmarkt: try Caspar Plautz for creative potato dishes, Schlemmermeyer for sausages to-go, or Fisch Witte for fresh seafood plates. Coffee cravings? Man Versus Machine roasts a pristine flat white; Dallmayr’s historic delicatessen offers elegant pâtisserie and a quick espresso.

To get your bearings—and stories you won’t find on plaques—book an expert-led walk:

Munich Private Tour with a Local – Highlights & Hidden Gems

Expect tailored routes through the Altstadt, Hofgarten, and maybe a tucked-away café or two—perfect for first-timers and history-lovers.

Evening: Settle into a Bavarian Wirtshaus. Options: Wirtshaus in der Au (famed for giant dumplings and roast pork; book ahead), Der Pschorr by the market (Augustiner from wooden barrels; slow-cooked ox), or Zum Dürnbräu (cozy, traditional plates). Vegetarians will like Prinz Myshkin for plant-forward classics.

After dinner, toast Munich’s legendary beer culture with a sociable, story-rich tasting crawl:

Beer & Beyond: Munich Beer Tour

You’ll sample classic styles, learn why Reinheitsgebot still matters, and pick up local bar etiquette. Nightcap idea: Zephyr Bar for inventive cocktails or Augustiner-Keller’s beer garden under chestnut trees when weather allows.

Day 2: Choose Your Morning—Dachau Memorial or Nymphenburg, Then English Garden and Departure

Morning: Choose one meaningful path:

• Dachau Memorial (reflective, historical): Join an early, authorized visit to better absorb the site before crowds.

Early-Start Dachau Memorial Half-Day Tour from Munich

Guides provide essential context as you visit the former camp’s grounds and museum. It’s a sobering experience approached with care and quiet, typically returning around midday.

• Nymphenburg Palace (art, architecture): If you prefer royal Bavaria, go west to the Baroque summer residence with its Carriage Museum.

Munich Nymphenburg Palace & Carriage Museum Fast-Track Tour

Admire stuccoed halls, canals, and park pavilions; the Marstallmuseum’s gilded sleighs are a delight in any season.

Afternoon: Back in the center, grab a quick lunch before you depart. At Viktualienmarkt, try a Brettljause (cheese-and-charcuterie board) with a Radler, or head to Schneider Bräuhaus for Weisswurst with sweet mustard until midday. Prefer light and modern? Tasty bowls at Ruff’s Burger or seasonal plates at Münchner Suppenküche hit the spot fast.

With an hour to spare, stroll the English Garden from the Haus der Kunst end to the Eisbach wave to watch surfers carve the standing break, then amble past the Monopteros hill for a city panorama. Coffee options nearby: Café Luitpold (grand café style) or Man Versus Machine Türkenstraße for one last flat white.

Head to the airport via S1/S8 (about 40 minutes), or catch your train at München Hbf. If you’re flying later in the evening, consider a swift look at the Munich Residenz’s Treasury or a sunset walk at Olympiaberg.

Evening: Most travelers depart this afternoon. If you’re staying another night, book an elegant pre-theater dinner at Spatenhaus an der Oper (roast duck, opera views) or explore Schwabing’s bistros and wine bars. Football fans with extra time can ride the U6 north to peek at the glowing Allianz Arena exterior on match nights.

Practical notes & seasonal tips: Oktoberfest (late Sept–early Oct) fills hotels weeks in advance; lock in a room early via Hotels.com Munich or VRBO Munich. Winter brings cozy markets and hearty fare; summer favors long beer-garden nights and river swims (stick to locals’ safe spots). If you extend to a third day, consider a full-day castle adventure in the Bavarian Alps (Neuschwanstein/Linderhof), or a food-focused walking tour in the Altstadt.

Optional add-on for longer stays: Football devotees can pair a city overview with FC Bayern history:

FC Bayern Munich Allianz Arena Tour and Panoramic Munich Tour

Summary: In two brisk days, this Munich itinerary weaves Old Town highlights, market flavors, parks, and either a reflective Dachau visit or palace grandeur. You’ll depart with a taste of Bavarian cuisine, stories from centuries of history, and a shortlist of places to revisit on a longer stay.