Welcome to München (Munich), the ever so charming metropolis, nestled in the heart of Germany’s Bavaria. With a vibrant blend of history, culture & food, you’d be a fool not to make the time to stop by here, on your way through Germany.
In this blog we are going to guide you through Munich’s iconic landmarks, hidden treasures & best beer halls (of course!). We will share everything you need to know, to make the most of 2 days in this enchanting city.
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Where to stay?
If you’re looking for affordable accommodation we can recommend staying at Wombats Hostel Werksviertel. This hostel is located a little out of the city. However, it is a 2 minute walk to the train station & only takes 10 minutes to get into the city centre.
Wombats have hostels all over Europe & we stayed in a couple of their properties during our interrail. We have to say that they are the best hostel chain we have come across, you get a lot for your money! Including beautifully clean rooms (dorms & privates), amazing facilities, on-site cafe & bar, breakfast options, cosy communal areas & full kitchens.
The dorm rooms were definitely one of the best dorms we have stayed in. Each bed was super private with full curtains & a under bed bag compartment. Furthermore, there was also a fan in each bed compartment & the dorm was equipped with en-suite.
We really liked the area that this hostel was located in too. It is an old industrial estate that has been turned into an upmarket urban area. Featuring stylish bars, cafe’s & shops.
If you’d prefer to stay right in the heart of the city, then Wombat’s also have a city hostel, that you can find here.
How to get around?
Good news is, the public transport system in Munich is quick, efficient & very reliable. You can purchase individual tickets for buses, trams & trains at ticket stations. Or alternatively, you can enjoy free public transport with a Munich City Card. This will save you time & no doubt money too!
We mostly spent our time utilising the underground system. & with the Munich City Card you won’t have to worry about validating tickets, potentially forgetting to & incurring a hefty fine. Just jump on & off as you please.
Munich is also a very walkable city, with most attractions fairly close by to one another. So why not get your steps in & explore the city by foot.
Day 1
We think that 2 days in Munich is the perfect amount of time to explore, immerse yourself & really get a feel for this historic city.
Firstly, on day one we recommend getting acquainted with some of the cities famous landmarks. Starting your day in the old town, head down to the iconic Marienplatz. This is the central square of Munich, surrounded by beautiful & historical buildings, it’s a great place to start your adventure in the Bavarian capital.
Marienplatz is also home to the Rathaus Glockenspiel. The town hall clock tower that re-enacts events from Munich’s history, using moving figurines. Every day at 12:05pm tourists flock to the clock tower to watch the show. Whilst we wouldn’t say the performance is spectacular, it is a classic Munich experience.
Moving on from the clock tower, just around the corner you will find an iconic Munich landmark. A place you may already be familiar with if you’re planning a trip here. It’s the Frauenkirche church, which is a symbol of the city.
The church is characterised by it’s enormous 98m (323 ft) twin towers. You’ll likely be able to see the towers a way off. What’s more, the south tower is usually open to the public to climb the stairs & get a unique view of the city & the nearby Alps. However, please note that the viewpoint is currently under construction (May 2023).
Another spot you should definitely take some time to check out, is the Residenz München. From the Frauenkirche it’s only a 5 minute walk. The Residenz München is the former palace of the Bavarian monarch Wittlesbach.
The palace is the largest of it’s kind in Germany & houses the most stunning palace gardens. Visitors can go inside the palace museum & treasury, the admittance fee is 11 Euros per person as a combined ticket. Or 7 Euros per person, for just the museum or treasury.
We opted to just stroll the palace gardens, which are free to visit & simply spectacular. If you are a keen photographer, the gardens would make for some great photos. Moreover, within the garden you will find a beautiful pavilion, the symmetry here made for some perfect captures.
Finally, there is one more iconic landmark that you shouldn’t miss during your trip. This is the Feldhernnhalle, situated next to the Residenz München within Odeonsplatz.
There is a lot of history surrounding this monument. In 1923, it was the site of the brief battle that ended Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch (Hitler’s failed attempt to take over the Bavarian state) & during the Nazi era it also acted as a monument commemorating the deaths of 16 Nazi party members. In addition to this, the site was also used for Nazi rallies & parades.
Day 2
On day two make time to head straight to Englischer Garten, a large public park stretching from the city centre to the north-eastern corners of Munich.
The park has a river running through it, which is a popular swimming spot for when temperatures rise. On the weekend we visited, it was particularly hot & this is exactly what we did, along with everyone else who had the same idea! It really is a beautiful oasis within the city.
Furthermore, the Englischer Garten is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic & a couple of beers. We did this one evening & had the most beautiful time as we swam in the river & enjoyed the sunshine.
Whilst you’re here, stop by to see the river surfers tackle the waves on the River Eisbach. You can find them at the entrance to the Englisher Garten. People have been surfing here for over 40 years & it is the world’s largest, best & most consistent city centre location for river surfing.
The surfers will surf all hours of the day & tourists flock to observe their skills. It really is a unique experience to be had in Munich, even if you don’t jump on the river yourself.
Whilst day one was all about history & iconic landmarks. Day two is all about the one thing Bavaria is arguably most known for, BEER! & there is no better place to start, than a traditional beer hall.
There are plenty of beer halls dotted all over Munich & the region. However, the most famous of all has to be the Hofbrauhaus. The beer hall has been situated in the heart of Munich for over 500 years, making it the oldest in Munich & potentially all of Germany.
A trip to Munich isn’t complete without a visit here & tasting their classic Bavarian beer from a Stein. The Hofbrauhaus boasts seven rooms & a huge beer garden to spend an afternoon sipping away in. We visited here on Lydia’s birthday & it was the absolute perfect way to celebrate turning 26!
They also serve traditional Bavarian cuisine & snacks, to help line your stomach as you power through those Stein’s. Along with this, make sure you take a walk around the hall. Soak in the atmosphere & learn about the history of the beer hall. Finally, don’t forget to stop at the well known ‘beer glass lockers’, which have been created especially for regulars to leave their personal glass.
Beer is a common theme in Munich, with many souvenir shops selling Stein’s to take home with you. But probably the most iconic beer festival the world has ever seen, also has it’s home in the wonderful city of Munich. That is of course Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest has been held in the city since 1810 & is an important part of Bavarian culture. The festival takes place from mid to late September to roughly the first Sunday in October, every year. Unfortunately we visited in May, however this is definitely an experience we’d be keen to come back for, to tick off the bucket list.
That concludes a perfect two days spent in Munich! This city really surprised us & we hope it captures your heart, just as it did ours. Had we of had more time, we would have likely taken some day trips outside of the city. Perhaps to the Neuschwanstein Castle & into the Bavarian Alps, so these are definitely places you could add to your trip.
If you enjoyed reading this blog, make sure to check out ‘3 Days In Berlin: The Ultimate Travel Guide’, for more German adventures in the capital. As always leave you comments below & if you have any further questions, we’re always available for a chat via Instagram.
Happy exploring 🙂
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