Two-Day Munich Itinerary Starting Near Pinakothek

Morning

Start from the Pinakothek museums around 9:00 AM and walk south through Maxvorstadt toward Marienplatz—about 25–30 minutes, with a pleasant route via Türkenstraße, Odeonsplatz, and the pedestrian streets of the old town. If you prefer to save your legs, take the U-Bahn from Universität to Marienplatz; there is little advantage to driving, since central parking is expensive and the historic center is largely pedestrianized. Spend roughly 45 minutes at Marienplatz, taking in the Neues Rathaus façade and its Glockenspiel (performances are usually at 11:00 AM and noon, with additional times in summer). Arrive before the square fills up, then wander briefly through Kaufingerstraße and the lanes around the square.

Continue to Viktualienmarkt, only a few minutes’ walk away, for a relaxed late-morning browse and lunch. The stalls generally operate Monday through Saturday from morning into the afternoon, though individual vendors keep different hours; allow about an hour and expect €12–25 per person for sausages, cheese, salads, fish, or a plate from one of the food counters. It is more enjoyable to graze than to seek a formal table, and the market’s shaded beer garden is a good place to pause.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, walk approximately 8–10 minutes to the Munich Residenz for about two hours among the former Bavarian royal apartments, courtyards, and Treasury. The Residence is typically open daily, with seasonal hours often extending into the late afternoon; check the official ticket page that morning because entry combinations and closing times vary. A practical budget is around €10–20 depending on whether you visit the Residence, Treasury, and Cuvilliés Theatre together. From there, continue south through the old-town lanes to Asamkirche on Sendlingerstraße. This tiny Baroque church takes only about 30 minutes, but its intensely decorated interior is one of Munich’s best compact stops; opening can be interrupted by services, so keep the visit flexible and be quiet inside.

Finish around 5:30–6:00 PM at Hofbräuhaus München on Platzl, roughly a 15-minute walk from Asamkirche. Go slightly early for an easier table, especially in August, and expect €20–35 per person for a traditional Bavarian meal and beer. The large hall is lively and touristy, but the music, painted ceiling, and communal tables are part of the experience—ask for a seat away from the busiest central area if you want conversation. After dinner, Marienplatz and the nearby U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations are a short walk away, making it easy to return without needing a taxi.

Morning

Begin around 9:30 AM at Lenbachhaus, an easy walk from the Pinakothek area—roughly 10–15 minutes via Luisenstraße and Brienner Straße. Allow about two hours for the exceptional Munich modern-art collection, especially the Blue Rider rooms with works by Kandinsky and Münter. The museum is generally open Tuesday–Sunday from 10:00 AM, with admission typically around €10–12; check the current exhibition schedule before setting out, as Monday-style closures or special hours can occasionally affect visits.

Late Morning and Afternoon

Walk south toward Café Frischhut near Viktualienmarkt, about 25 minutes through Maxvorstadt and the old town, or take the U-Bahn from Königsplatz toward Marienplatz if you want to conserve time. Order the Munich specialty Schmalznudeln with coffee—plan on €6–15 per person and about 45 minutes. From there, continue to the Deutsches Museum on Museumsinsel, around 15 minutes on foot via Tal and the Isartor area. Set aside three hours: the aviation, transport, science, and engineering galleries are extensive, and it is better to choose a few sections than rush through the whole museum. It is usually open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with adult admission commonly around €15–18; arrive by early afternoon so you have enough time before closing.

Late Afternoon and Return

Around 4:30 PM, stroll across the Isar toward Gärtnerplatz and through Glockenbachviertel, allowing roughly 20 minutes from the museum. Spend the next hour and a half browsing the independent shops along Klenzestraße and Pestalozzistraße, then take a break on the circular lawn at Gärtnerplatz—this is one of the nicest parts of the city for an unhurried people-watching stop. Around 6:00 PM, walk to Fraunhoferstraße or Sendlinger Tor and take the U-Bahn toward Universität, then walk back to the Pinakothek area; allow 25–35 minutes door to door, depending on the connection. If driving, use a garage outside the old town rather than trying to find curbside parking near the museums.