From Carla B. in New York: “My husband, daughter (22) and I are traveling to Europe in July/August of this year. Our first stop is in Munich for a few days. We have day trip tours planned, outside of the city, everyday except for the day we arrive. What do you recommend for us to see in Munich? What would you say is a ‘can’t miss’?“
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Munich has so much to do. What a city. You’re gonna love it. Even without day tours, one can easily spend several action-packed days in chummy Munich town.
So, one day in Munich? Buckle up, let’s go!
Option #1: Bicycling Around Munich
Rent bikes at the train station and pedal a big old clockwise circle linking the city’s gorgeous parks, going from Nymphenburg Palace to Olympic Park to the grand and lovely English Garden. Have food and a beer at the Chinese Tower. Get serious street cred for plunging and floating the frigid and refreshing Eisbach canal at the Schwabinger Bach bridge (follow the locals). Or simply ogle the surfers on the standing wave. Return your bikes to the station, then hoist all the helles you can handle along with authentic German fare at Augustiner Keller and/or Wirtshaus Rechthaler Hof. Both are across the street from München Hauptbahnhof.
Option #2: Munich City Center + Top Attractions
Scour the city center and its top attractions. Start outside of old town at Alte Pinakothek for 14th to 19th-century European masterpieces. Grab a taxi to Viktualienmarkt for lunch. Walk across old town, stopping first at St. Peter’s then onto The Residenz, where an explosion of Bavarian opulence awaits. Circle back to Marienplatz no later than 5PM for…oh, actually, I won’t spoil it. Then have dinner and all the helles you can handle at the rollicking, touristy and undeniably awesome, Hofbrauhaus.
