Munich, Innsbruck, Florence and Rome Multi-City Itinerary

Late Morning: Marienplatz

After arriving in Munich, make your way to Marienplatz, the city’s central square and the best place to get oriented. From München Hauptbahnhof, it’s a straightforward 10-minute walk through the pedestrian center or a quick S-Bahn ride to Marienplatz; if you have luggage, use the station lockers or leave bags at your hotel first. Spend around 45 minutes admiring the Neues Rathaus, whose famous Glockenspiel performs at 11:00 and 12:00—and again at 17:00 from March through October. The square is busy, so look down side streets such as Kaufingerstraße and Rindermarkt for a calmer first impression of the Altstadt.

Lunch and Early Afternoon: Viktualienmarkt and Frauenkirche

Walk five minutes south to Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s open-air food market, for an informal lunch. Stalls generally operate Monday through Saturday from morning until early evening, though individual vendors set their own hours. Try a Weisswurst breakfast-style plate before noon, or choose roast pork, sausages, cheese, pickles, and seasonal fruit from the various counters; the market beer garden is an easy place to sit, but it can fill quickly. After lunch, continue about seven minutes to Frauenkirche for a quiet 45-minute visit. Entry to the cathedral is generally free, with modest charges for special areas; dress respectfully, and check the day’s service schedule before entering.

Afternoon and Evening: Residenz München and Augustiner-Keller

From Frauenkirche, walk roughly 10 minutes northeast to Residenz München, the former palace of Bavaria’s Wittelsbach rulers. Allow about two hours for the lavish rooms, Antiquarium, and treasury. In summer, the museum is typically open daily until early evening, but confirm the exact closing time and buy tickets online if possible; a combined visit to the residence and treasury is usually around €10–15. When you’re ready for dinner, walk 20 minutes back toward Hauptbahnhof or take the U-Bahn from Odeonsplatz toward the station, then continue to Augustiner-Keller on Arnulfstraße. Arrive around 17:30–18:00 for a better chance of a garden table; expect roughly €25–40 per person for hearty Bavarian food and beer. The shaded beer garden is the draw, but indoor seating is useful if the evening turns rainy.

Morning: Palatial Munich and gardens

Start at Café Frischhut near Viktualienmarkt for coffee and a warm schmalznudel, ideally around 8:30–9:00; allow €8–15 per person. Then take the U-Bahn from Karlsplatz (Stachus) or Sendlinger Tor toward Rotkreuzplatz, continuing by tram or bus to Nymphenburg Palace. The palace and grounds are easiest before midday crowds arrive. Set aside about 2½ hours for the royal apartments and formal gardens; the palace interior generally opens around 9:00, with combined tickets commonly around €15–20 depending on the season. From the palace, walk or take a short bus ride to Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg, allowing another 1½ hours for the greenhouses and landscaped grounds. Wear comfortable shoes—the gardens are spacious, and August can be warm.

Afternoon: The Kunstareal

Head back toward the center by tram or bus, then continue to the Kunstareal; allow roughly 30–40 minutes from Nymphenburg depending on connections. Have a light lunch nearby—Café Jasmin on Steinheilstraße is a relaxed local-style option—before visiting Museum Brandhorst for its colorful modern and contemporary collection. Plan about 1½ hours; admission is typically around €8–10, and museums in this district often close on Mondays but otherwise have varying evening hours, so check the exact schedule before setting out. Continue next door to Pinakothek der Moderne, where the design, architecture, graphics, and modern-art collections merit about two hours. A combined or same-day ticket may be available, and the museum quarter is compact enough that you can walk between buildings in minutes.

Evening: A quiet look at Oktoberfest’s grounds

Finish with an easy U-Bahn ride from Universität or Odeonsplatz to Theresienwiese. Spend 45 minutes walking across the broad festival grounds and looking toward the Bavaria statue; in late August the site is usually in its calm pre-festival phase, before the Oktoberfest crowds and tents transform it. For dinner afterward, stay in Ludwigsvorstadt at Augustiner-Keller near the main station or choose a nearby beer garden if the weather is pleasant. Keep the evening unhurried—after several museums, this open stretch of Munich is a good place to simply wander rather than add another scheduled stop.

Late Morning: Wilten’s southern gateway

After arriving at Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, leave your luggage at the station if needed and walk about 15 minutes south along Maria-Theresien-Straße to the Triumphal Arch. Built in the 18th century, it marks the transition into Wilten and frames a surprisingly good view toward the mountains. Allow around 30 minutes here, then continue roughly 20 minutes on foot—or take bus 1 or 6—to the Bergisel Ski Jump. The hilltop complex is open roughly 9:00–17:00 or 18:00 depending on the season; check the day’s hours, and budget about €12–15 for the viewing areas and tower lift. The climb is steep, so the lift is worthwhile, especially for the broad Inn Valley panorama.

Lunch and Afternoon: Wilten to the market hall

Return downhill into Wilten for the Wiltener Basilika, one of Innsbruck’s most exuberant Baroque interiors. It is generally open outside services, with free entry; keep voices low and check the posted Mass schedule before entering. From there, walk about 20 minutes northeast toward the river and Markthalle Innsbruck, or take a short bus ride toward the center. Set aside an hour for lunch—regional cheese, sausages, pastries, and seasonal produce make this a more useful stop than a formal restaurant, with most meals costing €15–25. The market usually operates into the afternoon on weekdays and Saturday, but individual stalls may close earlier, so aim to arrive by about 14:00.

Evening: Historic Tyrolean dinner

Spend the late afternoon wandering the lanes between the market and the Old Town, perhaps following the Inn riverfront before settling in at Stiftskeller Innsbruck for dinner. This large, atmospheric restaurant occupies historic former monastery buildings and is a good place to try Tyrolean specialties such as gröstl, käsespätzle, or schnitzel; expect about €25–40 per person before drinks. Reservations are sensible in summer, particularly for an outdoor table. From Markthalle it is only a 10-minute walk through the Old Town, and Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof is another 15 minutes on foot if you are continuing your trip the next morning.

Morning

Start early in Innsbruck’s compact Old Town, heading first to the Golden Roof before the streets become busy. Allow about 45 minutes for the landmark and its small museum; in summer, it generally opens around 10:00, with admission roughly €5–7. From here, walk a few minutes to the Imperial Palace Innsbruck, where the cool, ornate state rooms and ceremonial halls make a good late-morning stop. Allow 1½ hours and expect approximately €10–12 admission; check the official schedule before setting out, as hours can vary on special-event days. The palace is close enough to explore on foot, so there is no need for public transport.

Continue to the Court Church, just southeast of the palace, for around 45 minutes. Its bronze statues—famously called the “Black Men”—surround Emperor Maximilian I’s elaborate cenotaph, though the emperor himself is not buried there. Admission is usually about €8–9. For lunch, stay central and choose something light near Herzog-Siegmund-Ufer or the Old Town, since the afternoon is best spent above the city; allow €15–25 per person for a casual meal.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, take the Nordkette Cable Car from the Congress station, reached easily on foot from the Old Town. The funicular climbs to Hungerburg, where the connecting gondolas continue toward Seegrube; allow roughly three hours round trip, including time for the viewpoints and an optional short walk. A return ticket to Seegrube is commonly around €45–55, and clear weather matters enormously—check the webcams before buying. Bring a layer even in August, as the temperature can drop sharply at altitude. Back downtown, settle into Café Munding, Innsbruck’s long-established traditional café, for coffee and cake; budget €10–20 per person and allow about an hour. It is a pleasant place to slow the pace rather than rush into another attraction.

Finish with a gentle 45-minute walk along the Inn River promenade through Mariahilf, looking back toward the colorful façades and the Nordkette rising behind them. The stretch near Innbrücke and the Mariahilf houses is especially photogenic in the evening light. You can return to the Old Town on foot in about 10 minutes; pick up dinner there or along the river, where a relaxed meal will usually run €20–35 per person.

Arrival and Early Afternoon

After the long rail journey, arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella around midday or early afternoon and leave your bags at your accommodation or a station luggage facility. Florence’s historic center is compact, so you can walk almost everywhere from here; allow roughly 10 minutes to reach Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, directly across from the station. Spend about an hour inside, looking beyond the famous striped façade to the frescoed chapels and quiet cloisters. Admission is generally around €7–10, with opening hours varying by day and religious services occasionally restricting access, so check the official schedule before setting out.

Late Afternoon and Early Evening

From Santa Maria Novella, stroll along Via de’ Panzani and Via de’ Cerretani toward Piazza della Repubblica, about 10 minutes away. This broad, café-lined square occupies the site of Florence’s Roman forum and is a good place for an unhurried espresso or gelato—expect about €3–7. Continue another five minutes through the pedestrian streets to Piazza della Signoria, where Palazzo Vecchio anchors an extraordinary open-air collection of sculptures beneath the Loggia dei Lanzi. Give yourself 30–45 minutes here; the square is atmospheric in the early evening, though the central area remains busy with tour groups.

Dinner and Evening Walk

For dinner, walk north toward Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo, roughly 12 minutes from Piazza della Signoria. The ground-floor market usually winds down in the evening, but the upstairs food hall is the practical choice for a relaxed meal, typically €15–30 per person; arrive before the busiest dinner period, around 18:30–19:00, for the best choice of Tuscan dishes and regional specialties. Afterwards, return south through the center to Ponte Vecchio, about 15 minutes away. Cross the medieval bridge slowly as the jewelry shops close and the crowds thin, then pause on the Lungarno degli Archibusieri or the Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli for one of Florence’s prettiest evening views.

Morning

Start at Galleria dell’Accademia when it opens, ideally with a timed ticket for around 8:15–8:30. Give yourself about 90 minutes for Michelangelo’s David, the unfinished Prisoners, and the Florentine sculpture rooms; tickets are usually around €16–25 once reservation fees are included. From your accommodation, walk through San Marco or take a short bus ride toward the center. Afterward, continue south to the Florence Cathedral complex—roughly a 10-minute walk. Allow 2–2½ hours for the cathedral, Baptistery, and associated monuments. Entry to the cathedral itself is generally free, while the Baptistery and other sites require a pass; the dome climb is separately timed and should be reserved well in advance. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, and expect security queues even with reservations.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk about 15 minutes toward Santa Croce for All’Antico Vinaio, where a generously filled schiacciata costs roughly €8–15. The original shop is famous and often crowded, so go slightly before or after the usual noon rush; take-away is easiest, and nearby Piazza dei Ciompi is a pleasant place to eat informally. Then head back toward Piazza della Signoria for your afternoon reservation at the Uffizi Gallery. Plan around three hours, taking your time with Botticelli, Leonardo, and Michelangelo rather than trying to see every room. Advance tickets are strongly recommended, usually around €25–30 in summer; the entrance line and ticket office are on the square, and the museum is normally closed on Mondays but otherwise open into the evening. Afterward, walk east through the quieter lanes of Santa Croce—about 10 minutes—to Basilica of Santa Croce. Set aside an hour for the church, cloisters, and monumental tombs; admission is generally around €8–10, with opening times sometimes shortened for religious services.

Evening

For dinner, stroll back toward San Lorenzo—about 15–20 minutes—or take a short taxi ride if your feet are done. La Ménagère occupies a beautifully restored historic space and combines a floral shop, café, and restaurant; reserve ahead for a proper dinner, budgeting approximately €35–60 per person before drinks. It is a good final stop because the atmosphere shifts from sightseeing to lingering over modern Tuscan cooking. Florence is compact enough to walk back afterward, but keep valuables secure in the busiest lanes around the cathedral and station, particularly after the evening crowds thin.

Morning

After arriving at Roma Termini, leave your bags at your accommodation or a station luggage facility and take the Metro B to Colosseo; the ride is only about 10 minutes. Aim for a timed Colosseum entry around 10:30–11:00, allowing roughly 90 minutes for the amphitheater, upper levels, and underground areas if included in your ticket. August heat is intense, so carry water and use the shaded side of the surrounding streets where possible. Combined Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill tickets generally cost about €18–25, with reservation fees or special access increasing that price.

Continue directly into the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, allowing about 2½ hours and wearing comfortable shoes—the ancient paths are uneven, and there is little shade. Exit toward Via Cavour and wander uphill into Monti, where lunch at La Barrique or Trattoria il Tettarello makes a good neighborhood pause; expect roughly €20–35 per person. Leave time afterward to browse the small design shops and vintage stores along Via del Boschetto and Via Panisperna, rather than rushing straight to the next sight.

Afternoon and Evening

From Monti, walk about 10 minutes down Via Nazionale toward Trajan’s Market. The museum and terraced ancient complex usually take around 90 minutes; check the day’s opening hours when booking, as schedules and temporary exhibitions vary, with admission commonly around €15–20. Continue west along Via dei Fori Imperiali, then through Piazza Venezia and the narrow historic-center lanes to the Pantheon, roughly a 20-minute walk. The Pantheon now uses timed or regulated entry, and modest admission is typically required; allow 45 minutes, ideally arriving before the late-afternoon queue builds. Dress respectfully—shoulders and knees should be covered inside.

Finish with a reserved table at Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina near Campo de’ Fiori, about a 10-minute walk from the Pantheon. Book well ahead and request the main dining room if you want the full Roman-pasta experience; dinner is usually about €45–70 per person before drinks. Their carbonara, amatriciana, and exceptionally curated salumi are the right way to end a long first day in Rome, though the restaurant is busy and tightly timed, so arrive promptly for your reservation.

Morning: Vatican Museums

Start at the Vatican Museums with a timed entry around 8:00–8:30, before the galleries become especially crowded. Allow roughly three hours to follow the long sequence of classical sculpture, painted rooms, and maps toward the Sistine Chapel; bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and remember that shoulders and knees must be covered. Tickets typically cost about €20–25 before booking fees, and the museums are generally open from 8:00 on Fridays, though advance reservation is essential. From central Rome, take Metro A to Ottaviano or Cipro, then walk 10–15 minutes.

Early Afternoon: St. Peter’s and Castel Sant’Angelo

Afterward, walk through St. Peter’s Square and enter St. Peter’s Basilica, allowing about 90 minutes for the vast interior, Michelangelo’s Pietà, chapels, and tombs. Basilica entry is free, but security lines can be lengthy; dress modestly and avoid bringing large bags. For lunch, keep it simple at 200 Gradi near Piazza Risorgimento, where substantial panini are ideal before the afternoon. Then walk east along Via della Conciliazione to Castel Sant’Angelo. Give the former mausoleum about 1½ hours, including the atmospheric ramps and rooftop terrace; it is usually open Tuesday–Sunday from 9:00, with admission around €16. The terrace is the highlight, offering excellent views toward the river and St. Peter’s.

Late Afternoon and Evening: Across the Tiber

Exit toward Ponte Sant’Angelo and take your time crossing this handsome bridge, pausing among the angel sculptures for photos and a look back at Castel Sant’Angelo. Continue along the river and across Ponte Garibaldi into Trastevere, where the mood shifts to ivy-covered lanes, small bars, and lively squares. Allow an hour to wander around Via della Lungaretta, Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, and the quieter side streets rather than trying to cover every corner. End with dinner at Da Enzo al 29; arrive before opening or be prepared to queue, since the trattoria does not generally take conventional reservations. Expect about €30–50 per person for Roman classics such as carbonara, amatriciana, and seasonal vegetables.