Munich, the capital of Bavaria is a fabulous city to visit. With rich culture, delicious food, and the infamous Oktoberfest and Winter markets, you cannot go wrong with visiting Munich. One day in Munich is the perfect amount of time to spend exploring the area.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Munich here.
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History of Munich
Munich has a rich history that dates back to 1158, when it was founded by Henry the Lion. The name derives from the German word Munichen which means by the monks due to the fact that its origins are near the Benedictine monastery.
Throughout the years, the power of Munich grew and it became the official residence to the dynasty in 1255. It later became the capital of the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1806 and experienced rapid industrialization during that time.
Munich saw heavy bombing during World War II and therefore underwent reconstruction in the post-war era. Today, it is a thriving modern metropolis that is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebrations.
When to Spend One Day in Munich
Munich has unique things to do any season you visit. In fall, Munich is known for hosting Oktoberfest. Winter brings a ton of snow and winter markets. Spring has many flowers in bloom. Summer is the peak season with tons of crowds but the nicest weather. When you go really depends on the experience you would like. If you visit during Oktoberfest, make sure to book your hotels early!
How to Get to Munich
Munich has one international airport: Munich International Airport. Visitors can catch flights here from all over the world and many inexpensive flights from across Europe.
Munich is also easily accessible by train and you can get the Bayern Ticket for inexpensive train tickets. Trainline is a great place to buy train tickets if you are not coming from within Bavaria.
Transportation in Munich
Getting around during one day in Munich is very easy by public transportation. Munich has trains (S-Bahn), subways (U-Bahn), trams, and buses that run across the city. You can opt to buy single tickets (€ 1.80) or a day ticket (€ 9.20, €10.50 including Dachau). There is also the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.
How to Get From Munich Airport to the City Center
Getting from the Munich Airport to the city center is very easy using public transportation. You can take the S-Bahn 8 from the airport to the main parts of Munich. They leave about every 20 minutes. From the S-Bahn stations, it connects to many U-Bahn stops as well. You could also take a Airport private transfer or this group airport transfer
Where to Stay in Munich
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Munich hotels here!
Munich has many amazing hotels to stay at. My absolute favorite hotel is the Hilton Munich City. You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
The following are some other good hotels in Munich:
- Hampton by Hilton Munich City West
- Hilton Garden Inn Munich City West
- Courtyard by Marriott Munich City
- Moxy Munich Ostbahnhof
- Holiday Inn Munich -City Center
- Hotel NH Collection Munchen Bavaria
What to do During One Day in Munich
There are many amazing tours to take of Munich. This self-guided tour is perfect if you don’t want a guide and group. Other tours include
- Old Town walking tour
- Munich history tour
- Beer Hall tour
- Food tour
- Christmasmarket tour
- Beer and food tour
- Oktoberfest tour
Day 1
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Cost: Free
Hours: 9am-5pm
Start off your one day in Munich with a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp, established by the Nazis in 1933. While this is a very tough experience to go through, it is important to acknowledge the 200,000 prisons held at this camp and the tens of thousands who perished. You can take this Dachau day trip or you can get there on your own using the metro system.
Dachau stands as a reminder of the atrocities committed and offers educational resources and guided tours to honor the victims and educate future generations about the Holocaust.
Marienplatz
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 Hours
Next up during your one day in Munich, head to Marienplatz, the historic center of Munich that once was the city’s main gathering place. The square is a hub of activity with markets, street performers, shops, cafes, and gorgeous architecture. There are several places you should visit in this area.
New Town Hall: This Neo-Gothic building, built in 1909, is home to the famous Glockenspiel, a clocktower that has figures reenacting Bavarian history. The tower offers a panoramic view of Munich. The building is also home to the city’s government offices.
St. Peter’s Church: This is the oldest church in Munich with origins dating back to the 1100s. It contains a variety of architectural styles. Inside visitors can admire the stunning artwork, and impressive altar. You can pay to go up the tower to take in the views of the surrounding area.
Frauenkirche: This church is another one of Munich’s notable landmarks. Completed in the late 1400s, it is known for its domed towers that dominate the city’s skyline. Inside there is vaulted ceilings with gorgeous stained glass windows.
Munich Residenz
Cost: €10-15
Hours: 10am-5pm
Next up during your one day in Munich, head to the Munich Residenz Palace. The Residenz was once the home to the Bavarian royals. It became one of Europe’s grandest castles boasting a variety of architectural styles. Visitors can opt to access the palace, the museum, the treasury, and the church.
Lunch at a Beer Hall
Cost: €€
By this time, it will be time to grab a delicious lunch at one of the local beer halls. You have a ton of options, but Munich is most well known for the Hofbrauhaus Munchen. This is the largest and most popular option when choosing a beer hall. My personal preference is Augustiner-Keller, mostly because the Augustiner in Salzburg is one of my favorite places. Other options include Paulaner Brauhaus and Wirtshaus Eder.
No matter which one you choose, you will be in for a fun German beer hall experience when spending one day in Munich. Note that in many beer halls you may share a table with other people, but that is half the fun. We met a very lovely German couple at one of our stops and ended up spending more time with them.
Karlsplatz
After lunch, stroll through Karlsplatz to check out one of Munich busiest and most vibrant squares. This serves as a major hub for transportation and much like Marienplatz, it is surrounded by gorgeous architecture.
Nymphenburg Palace
Cost: €12-15
Hours: 9am-6pm
To finish out seeing the sites during your one day in Munich, head to Nymphenburg Palace. This palace was originally the summer residence for the Bavarian royalty in 1664. The estate contains lavish halls with sprawling grounds. You will not want to miss getting a glimpse of the Great Hall. During the spring and summer months, a stroll through the picturesque gardens cannot be missed.
Dinner at Augustiner Drei Muhlen
Cost: €€
Tonight, grab dinner at the Augustiner Drei Muhlen. This restaurant serves traditional Bavarian dishes in a tavern-like venue. I recommend getting schnitzel and a stein of the local brew! In the warmer weather, there is a large beer garden outside.
Cocktails at Barroom
Cost: €
Hours: 7pm-12am
Wrap up your one day in Munich with cocktails at Barroom. This is one of the few craft cocktail bars in Munich. They do a lot of personalized drinks or have some unique options. It is a very small and intimate place, so make a reservation or plan on waiting for a bit.
Final Tips for One Day in Munich
Munich has so many amazing things to see, you can easily spend more than one day in Munich exploring the sites. If you have more time, check out the FC Bayern Museum. It is also a fantastic place to base yourself to take some day trips. If you have more time, make sure to visit some other cities in the area such as Vienna and Salzburg.
