Munich does not need a week. Two days, a transit card, and a willingness to wander will get you further than any overpacked itinerary. Here is exactly how we spent 48 hours in the city, including the detour that did not pan out and the rooftop that absolutely did.

Getting Your Bearings

The first thing we figured out was public transportation, and honestly it was the best decision we made. Munich’s U-Bahn and S-Bahn system is clean, fast, and intuitive even if you do not speak German. Grab a day pass and stop worrying about it. Everything else gets easier from there.

As a side note: Whenever we travel to a new city, I download the public transportation apps and input the credit card before we leave the US.  You won’t have to think about it when you arrive and are getting your bearings!

Marienplatz and the View from Above

Marienplatz is the obvious starting point, and there is a reason for that. The square is genuinely beautiful, anchored by the Neues Rathaus and its famous Glockenspiel. The Glockenspiel goes off every day at 11am and noon (and 5pm between March and October), so make sure you plan your trip there at those times if you can.

But the best thing you can do here is climb St. Peter’s Church, known locally as Alter Peter. The tower is narrow and the stairs are steep, but the panoramic view over Munich’s rooftops is worth every single step. Go early before the crowds show up. 

Munich Residenz

From Marienplatz it is a short walk to the Munich Residenz, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs. This place is massive and easy to underestimate from the outside. Inside it is room after room of jaw-dropping detail, from the ornate ancestral gallery to the stunning antiquarium. Budget at least two hours and do not skip the treasury.  Getting your tickets in advance will save you quite a bit of time here.

Hofbräuhaus

Yes, it is touristy. Yes, you should still go. Stopping at Hofbräuhaus for a beer is one of those experiences that is exactly what you expect and somehow still delivers. Order a Mass, find a seat at one of the long communal tables, and soak it in. Nobody is pretending it is a hidden gem and that is kind of the point.

Wandering and Coffee at Orno

Some of the best time we spent in Munich was completely unplanned. We wandered through neighborhoods without a destination, stumbled into side streets, and eventually landed at Orno for coffee. It was exactly the kind of slow, unhurried afternoon that makes a city feel real. If you are in Munich and need a coffee stop, put Orno on your list.

Andaz Munich Rooftop

We stayed at the Hyatt Andaz Munich, and the rooftop bar (M’uniqo) was a genuine highlight of the trip. After a full day of walking the city, coming back to that view over Munich with a drink in hand felt like a reward well earned. If you are not staying there, it is still worth checking out the bar and restaurant.

Day Two: BMW, Olympic Park, and the Wave That Got Away

BMW Museum and Olympic Park

We started the second day with a walk to the BMW Museum, which is worth a visit even if you are not a car person. The architecture alone is striking, and the exhibits trace the full history of the brand in a way that is genuinely interesting. Right next door is Olympic Park, built for the 1972 Games and still one of the most visually distinctive spaces in the city. The tent-like roof structure is iconic. Walk through it, climb the hill, take in the view.

The Eisbach Wave

We tried to find the Eisbach wave, the famous standing river wave in the English Garden where surfers ride year-round. We found out after a google search that the wave was deemed unsafe or non-surfable, and local surfers made unauthorized attempts to rebuild it with planks.  The City of Munich issued a formal decree in February 2026 strictly prohibiting surfing. 

As of June 2026 it is back open! If this is on your list, look up the specific entrance point before you go rather than just wandering toward the English Garden and hoping for the best.

Rooftop Spa and Dinner at Supernova

We ended the trip the right way. The spa at the Andaz has a rooftop pool and hangout area that we basically claimed for the afternoon. After two days of walking, it was exactly what we needed. Dinner that night was Italian at Supernova, which was a great call. Sometimes you just want good pasta and a relaxed room, and Supernova delivered on both.

The Takeaway

Munich is one of those cities that rewards people who slow down. The public transit makes it easy to cover ground without ever stressing about logistics, the mix of history and design keeps things interesting, and the food and drink scene is better than its reputation suggests. Two days is enough to get a real feel for it. Come back for more later.