How to Spend 1 Perfect Day in Munich (or make the most of your FIRST day)
Here in the beautiful Bavarian berg we were fresh off the plane, hungry and thirsty with hotel check in a few hours away. Walking through the Viktualienmarkt to pass the time, I could see the tall Maypole with its surrounding market stands crowding in tight. Turning a corner, my jet lagged eyes suddenly beheld the most beautiful thing they’d seen in hours.
A grill, full of sausages of all shapes and sizes. And steins, full of beer.
Yeah, Munich is easy to love. And this was just day 1!
Day 1 or 1 Day? Munich is very accessible either way
Planning to spend just 1 day in Munich? No worries – you can still pack in plenty of iconic sights, delicious bites, and Bavarian charm! Follow this guide to make the most of your day in this incredible city.
And if your 1 day in Munich is part of a longer stay in the Bavarian capital, this is a perfect introduction to the city. And there’s built in breaks to help ease that jet lag!
We’ll see some of the historic sights, pop into a couple of secret spots and eat and drink our way around until it’s time to check in to the hotel (or hop on the train to your next stop)
Taking the Train from the Airport: easy decision
Alright if your 1 day in Munich is the first day of your trip like mine was, you’re gonna have to get to the city from the airport. To do that, skip the car and opt for the train. Don’t even question it, trust me on this one.
Start your Munich adventure by taking the S-Bahn train from the airport to the city center. It’s affordable, efficient, and gives you a chance to relax while soaking in some initial glimpses of the Bavarian countryside as it turns into the city.
Hop on either the S1 or S8 line; both will take you directly to the heart of the city, Marienplatz, in about 40 minutes. This is much better than the pricey taxi or ride share that will likely take upwards of an hour.
So hop on the train to get to Munich. Easy, stress-free, and perfect for kicking things off!
But if you will need a car at any point to explore beyond Munich, check out my Autobahn guide here.
Check in to your hotel and head to Marienplatz
Odds are you’re staying in the old town in Munich. Sorry to generalize, but you’re probably a tourist like me and this is where we tend to stay. So, get to the center and head to your hotel.
After arriving, drop off your luggage and freshen up at your hotel if your room is ready. If not, no worries either, a lot of this guide is outdoors so the plane smell will blow right off.
Follow the cobbled street from your hotel to Munich’s beating heart – Marienplatz! This historic square is the core of Munich, home to the impressive Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and its famed Glockenspiel. Time your visit to catch the Glockenspiel show (typically at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.) for a touch of Bavarian pageantry.
Turn a full 360 while you stand in the center and you can also see the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and St. Peter’s Church. Remember this spot well, this is a good place to orient yourself to the rest of Munich, and a helpful place to meet your companions should you get lost.
The Viktualienmarkt will beckon you almost magically in a one day in Munich trip
Explore the Viktualienmarkt, grab a beer
Alright if you’re still standing and gawking at the architecture on your 1 day in Munich, it’s time to get moving! Head east towards the Altes Rathaus and take an immediate right.
Just a short walk from Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt is a food lover’s paradise. Wander through this vibrant market and soak up the energy of the stalls offering fresh produce, local delicacies, and unique souvenirs. The stores that are open vary at times, and none are open very late so that makes this an excellent lunch time stop.
When you’re ready, grab a refreshing beer at the market’s idyllic Biergarten in the warm months, or from one of the snack stands if you’re here in cold weather for the Christmas Markets. Prost!
Grab a Sausage or Other Treat That Catches Your Eye
go ahead, get the big sausage
I’d say you’ve earned a beer and a brat at this point so have at it! There’s a few sausage stands in the Viktualienmarkt but for my Euro, the Schlemmen am Markt stand along the northern edge is the best.
They’ve got a few options like the usual bratwurst and currywurst. A tip to the wise, if a sausage is advertised as spicy here, it’s not a super hot spice. It’s usually a more flavorful, kind of smoky sausage, kind of like a kosher hot dog or mild ballpark brat here in the states.
Whether you go for a traditional bratwurst, curry wurst, or a pretzel the size of your head, treat yourself to something delicious while exploring the market on your 1 day in Munich.
Stroll around the old center, check out Saint Peter’s church
Once you’ve polished off your beer and returned your stein or bottle to the recycling crates, it’s time to take a leisurely walk through Munich’s old center. Start by heading west away from the Viktualienmarkt (towards the way you came in) but this time keep an eye out for a set of stairs.
Take the stairs up, and check out the huge St. Peters church. It’s got a red roof, and it’s next to impossible to miss. If you’re curious, it’s free to pop in and see the beautiful interior and the bejeweled remains of Saint Munditia. If you want MORE stairs, you can pay €5 to take 306 steps to the top of Saint Peters!
Or you can wait til later in this article when I tell you about a comfier way to get a birds eye view.
One day in Munich will inevitably include cruising past the Frauenkirche while perusing the shops.
Continue your walk, peruse Munich’s main shopping street.
Leave the church and make your way to Kaufingerstraße, the main shopping street, where you’ll find a mix of high-end boutiques and popular global brands. You can get there by taking Fürstenfelder Str heading west. It winds its way in a lazy arc until it reached the bustling, pedestrian area.
Look left and right but don’t worry about dodging any cars, this area has been car free for years! There’s a ton of shops to check out if that’s your thing, but for me I just like feeling the crowd rushing past and doing some people watching while strolling. Even if you’re not a big shopper, Kaufingerstraße is worth a stroll for the buzz alone on your 1 day in Munich.
Get a view of Marienplatz from the windows at Café Glockenspiel, or take a trip to the top of the Neues Rathaus
Take Kaufingerstraße to the east (it feels slightly downhill, even though it’s flat as a pancake) until you reach Marienplatz again! Look up and to your right and you’ll see the Café Glockenspiel sign. This is an excellent stop to refresh a bit and maybe grab dessert, but the real draw is the view of Marienplatz below!
The entrance is tucked away down a small passage but it’s worth the search. Take the elevator up and grab a seat. Not only is the strudel delicious, but the view rivals the surrounding observation decks! It can get crowded, but the service moves fast.
If you’re not hungry and want a different view, head up to the observation deck of the Neues Rathaus. It will cost you an entry fee, but there’s no stairs (sorry Saint Peter) The panoramic vistas of the city and beyond are unforgettable, and you can get a bit of history on Munich while you’re visiting.
Take a break and do a Luften
Need a breather? Whether this is your first day in Munich or you’re just spending 1 day in Munich we can all use some fresh air. Let’s embrace the German tradition of “Luften”.
Simply put, this is where you open up a few windows in your home (or hotel) and let the fresh air blow through. Usually you do this for 5–10 minutes depending how cold it is outside.
If you haven’t checked in to your hotel, or even if you already have, now’s a great time to return for a little break and a chance to refresh. Do a luften, and make sure to not fall asleep for longer than 15–20 minutes if you’re battling jet lag.
Only spending 1 day in Munich? No problem! You can have a Luften of your own by grabbing a bench in one of Munich’s parks (like the Englischer Garten) or sipping a beer in a Biergarten.
We could all use fresh air, so make sure you get some.
Got an appetite? The perfect cure is at a Munich beer hall.
Grab dinner at a beer hall, along with some beverages
Feeling refreshed? Good! Feeling hungry? I’ve got you covered. On your first day in Munich, head to one of Munich’s iconic beer halls for dinner.
Hofbräuhaus is the most famous of course, offering hearty dishes like Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) and Käsespatzle (German mac and cheese) alongside steins of beer. My personal favorite is the Pork Schnitzel, a giant cut of pork tenderloin pounded flat and fried. Paired with a Helles, it’s heavenly.
If you’re only passing through for 1 day in Munich, Hofbräuhaus is a good choice for its boisterous, lively atmosphere even if it is pretty touristy. Grab an open seat and wave down a waiter. If you’re here for a bit, and this is your first day in Munich, you might be more inclined for one of the less famous beer halls around town.
For a cozier vibe, try Augustiner-Keller or Weisses Bräuhaus. I’m a big fan of Der Pschorr for a more refined atmosphere, and Ayinger am Platzl is solid with a view of the scene out front of Hofbräuhaus. Either of those might require reservations, but they can be booked online easily.
Feeling adventurous? Grab a nightcap at one of these quirky and fun bars
Full of delicious Bavarian dinner? Walk it off a bit! If you’re up for it, end your 1 day in Munich with a nightcap at one of Munich’s unique bars. From speakeasy-style cocktail spots to eclectic bars with quirky decor, there’s something for every vibe. It’s not just beer, but the beer is pretty damn good so that’s what you’ll find in my hand.
Want a great dive bar? Head to the decidedly local feeling Le Clou. This incredible dive is just a street away from the Viktualientmarkt. Stop in for affordable drinks, and unreal people watching. The staff is cool, the crowd is a good mix and the music is usually on point.
Want a craft beer that isn’t just the usual Helles? Head for Giesinger Bräu – Stehausschank, just south of Viktualienmarkt. This local craft brewery has a variety of beers for all tastes, and this location is decidedly cooler than the branch on Marienplatz
Finally if you need a stiff drink to end your 1 day in Munich, or to cap your first day, I’m a big fan of Pusser’s north of the Platzl. The reviews seem to be mixed, and they might ask for a reservation (also easy to book online, same day) but I had a great time here. The Painkiller is their specialty, and these go down a little too smooth. Sit at the bar and ask the bartender for a recommendation if you’d like.
close your one day in Munich with a beer in a well worn bar. Trust me, they’re not hard to find.
Get to bed at a reasonable time to get up at a reasonable time
After a full day of exploring, eating, and drinking, it’s time to wind down. Or if you’re jet lagged: crash. Head back to the hotel or lodging and hit the hay!
Resist the urge to stay out too late (or do, I won’t tell anyone) so you can wake up refreshed and ready to continue your Munich adventure. Most importantly, get to bed at an hour that you can get up at a reasonable time in the morning. Getting on local time as quickly as possible is the best way to beat jet lag!
Nice going, you rocked it for 1 day in Munich!
By following this guide, you’ll make the most of your 1 day in Munich, balancing sightseeing with relaxation and indulgence. You saw some sights, ate some food and spent a decent amount of time near the Viktualienmarkt (it is pretty great after all).
There’s much more to see in Munich, of course, but this is an excellent way to get a taste or to kick off your larger trip. Let Munich’s charm work its magic on you!
