3 days in Munich

Munich Residenz

The former palace of the Bavarian dukes and kings, built up over four centuries around ten courtyards. The museum shows the state rooms from Renaissance to Neoclassical, and the Treasury and the Cuvilliés Theatre are separate tickets.

2 h 30 visitOpen 9:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:00 pmAdult ticket €10

Go at opening and do the museum first. The Court Garden next door is free and makes a quiet end to the visit.

Summer hours run from 28 March to 25 October, 09:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:00. From 26 October to 27 March it opens 10:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00. Closed on 1 January, Shrove Tuesday and 24, 25 and 31 December.

Source: Bavarian Palace Department (Residenz), checked October 5, 2026

Alte Pinakothek

The old masters museum of Munich, with European painting from the 14th to the 18th century. The collection is large, so choose a few rooms rather than all of them.

2 h visitOpen 10:00 am–6:00 pmAdult ticket €9

Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, when the museum stays open until 20:00 and the rooms are quieter.

Closed on Mondays. Open Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 to 20:00, and Thursday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on 1 May, 24 and 25 December and 31 December.

Source: Pinakothek (Bavarian State Painting Collections), checked October 5, 2026

NS-Dokumentationszentrum

The documentation centre for the history of National Socialism in Munich, on the site of the former Nazi Party headquarters. The exhibition is free and serious in tone.

1 h 30 visitOpen 10:00 am–7:00 pm

Allow time without a tight schedule afterwards. The material is dense, and many visitors spend more than they planned.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 19:00, and also on public holidays that fall on a Monday. Closed on other Mondays.

Source: NS-Dokumentationszentrum München, checked October 5, 2026

Viktualienmarkt

The food market just south of Marienplatz, with stalls for cheese, fruit, sausage, flowers and snacks. A beer garden with shared tables sits in the middle.

1 h visitOpen 8:00 am–8:00 pm

Come late morning on a weekday. Stalls are full, seating is easier to find and you can still do a quick lunch.

Stalls are open Monday to Saturday, usually from about 08:00 and until 20:00 at the latest, and each vendor sets its own times. Most stalls are closed on Sundays, and some close early in winter or on 24 and 31 December. The beer garden usually runs 09:00 to 22:00, with weather affecting the hours.

Source: Viktualienmarkt, checked October 5, 2026

Glockenbachviertel

A mixed quarter of cafes, small shops and bars between the old town ring and the Isar. It is better in the late afternoon and evening than in the morning.

1 h 30 visitAlways open

Walk Reichenbachstraße and the streets around Gärtnerplatz, then finish by the Isar.

The streets are open at all hours. Shops and cafes keep their own times, and many are quieter on Sundays.

Source: München Tourismus (munich.travel), checked October 5, 2026

Nymphenburg Palace

The summer residence of the Wittelsbach rulers, with a long baroque facade, a canal in front and a large landscaped park behind. The main palace and the Marstallmuseum are open year round, and the small park palaces open from April to mid October.

2 h 30 visitOpen 9:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:30 pmAdult ticket €10

Take the main palace first, then walk into the park. The park gates open much earlier and close later than the palace.

From April to 15 October the palace and Marstallmuseum are open 09:00 to 18:00. From 16 October to March the hours are 10:00 to 16:00. The park palaces close from 16 October to March. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Closed on 1 January, Shrove Tuesday and 24, 25 and 31 December. The Great Parterre fountain is out of service in 2026.

Source: Bavarian Palace Department (Nymphenburg), checked October 5, 2026

BMW Museum and BMW Welt

The company museum covers the history of BMW cars and motorcycles. BMW Welt, the glass building next door, is free to enter and shows current models.

2 h visitOpen 10:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:30 pmAdult ticket €17

Start in the museum for context, then walk across to BMW Welt to look at the cars and the building.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:30, and closed on Mondays. It also closes on 20 to 22 October 2026, 24 to 26 December 2026 and 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. BMW Welt is open Monday to Saturday 07:30 to 24:00, and Sunday and holidays 09:00 to 24:00.

Source: BMW Welt and BMW Museum, checked October 5, 2026

English Garden

One of the largest city parks in the world, 5.5 km long from the old town to the north. It holds meadows, lakes, a Greek-style temple, a pagoda with a beer garden and a standing wave on the Eisbach.

2 h visitAlways open

Walk from the Eisbach wave at the south end to the Chinese Tower in the middle, then stop for a beer garden break.

The park is open at all hours and free to enter.

Source: Bavarian Palace Department (English Garden), checked October 5, 2026

Deutsches Museum

One of the largest science and technology museums in the world, on an island in the Isar. Around 20 permanent exhibitions cover aircraft, ships, mining, instruments and more, so you have to choose.

4 h 30 visitOpen 9:00 am–5:00 pm · last entry 4:30 pmAdult ticket €16

Pick two or three halls before you go. Trying to see everything leaves you tired by early afternoon.

The museum recommends buying tickets online in advance. A separate Kids' Kingdom has its own closing days.

Open daily 09:00 to 17:00, last admission 16:30. Closed on 1 November, 24 and 25 December, 31 December and 1 January, and on Shrove Tuesday, Good Friday and 1 May. The museum lists a staff meeting on 11 November, so check its page for that date.

Source: Deutsches Museum, checked October 5, 2026

Alter Peter

Munich's oldest parish church, with a tower you can climb for a view over Marienplatz and the roofs of the old town. On clear days the Alps show on the southern horizon.

45 min visitOpen 9:00 am–7:30 pm · last entry 7:00 pmAdult ticket €5

Go on a clear late afternoon, when light is soft and the Alps are easier to see.

From April to October the tower is open daily 09:00 to 19:30, with last entry at 19:00. From November to March it is open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 18:30, and Saturday, Sunday and holidays 09:00 to 19:30. The tower is closed on New Year's Day, Shrove Tuesday, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Source: Alter Peter (St. Peter parish), checked October 5, 2026

Frauenkirche

The cathedral of Munich, with two brick towers topped by domes that define the skyline. Entry to the church is free, and the south tower can be climbed or reached by lift for a view over the city.

45 min visitOpen 8:00 am–8:00 pm

Look for the dark footprint near the entrance, then do the tower in clear weather only.

The church is open daily 08:00 to 20:00. The south tower opens Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday and holidays 11:30 to 17:00, with the last ascent at 16:30.

Source: Münchner Dom (Archdiocese of Munich and Freising), checked October 5, 2026

Marienplatz

The central square of the old town, dominated by the neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus. The Glockenspiel in its tower plays figures and bells for a few minutes, and the square is free and open at all hours.

1 h visitAlways open

Arrive five minutes before 11:00 to find a spot facing the tower. The crowd thins out right after the show.

The Glockenspiel plays daily at 11:00 and 12:00, with an extra show at 17:00 from March to October and a short evening show at 21:00. It stays silent on Good Friday.

Source: City of Munich (muenchen.de), checked October 5, 2026

Asamkirche

A small late baroque church built by the Asam brothers as their private chapel. Every surface is covered in stucco, paint and gilding, so the visit is short and intense.

30 min visitOpen 1:00 pm–7:00 pm

Stand at the back and look up first. The interior is dark, so give your eyes a minute to adjust.

From April to October the church is open 09:00 to 19:00, with Fridays 13:00 to 19:00. From November to March it closes at 18:00, with Fridays opening at 13:00. Sightseeing is not possible during Mass.

Source: City of Munich (muenchen.de), checked October 5, 2026