48 Hours in Munich

You are ready to head off for a weekend in Munich and you want to pack as much in as you possibly can. This is why you need our guide to the best things to see and do when you have 48 hours in Munich. Are you ready? Let's go!

Take in the view

Grab your camera and get a bird's eye view of the city - the best views are from the Neues Rathaus tower. At 80 metres high, you will get unparalleled views of the city and surrounding area, although it is only open Monday to Friday. If you are here at the weekend, head for the Blue Spa Bar on the roof of the Bayerischer Hof, where you can enjoy unrivalled views with a coffee or cocktail.

Munich multi-tasking

Multi-tasking is key to any city break, so grab lunch-on-the-go at the Viktualienmarkt. It has been running for the last 200 years and today this Munich institution has over 100 outdoor stalls selling all kinds of Bavarian delights.

Take a tour

If you prefer to see most of the sights in comfort, why not take a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour? As the name suggests, you can hop on and off as often as you like to explore Munich's major attractions. The Express Circle tour lasts around an hour and departs from outside the Karstadt department store every 30 minutes, starting from 10am daily.

Treat yourself to a beer

No visit to Munich is complete without a visit to a bierkeller, and our favourite place for a Bavarian bevvy is the Lowenbraukeller. Built in 1883, this cavernous space can hold up to 4,000 people. Stunning decoration, great prices and a cosy atmosphere ensure this is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, although the majority of visitors to Munich still head for the Hofbrauhaus.

Cram in some culture

On Sundays you can enjoy reduced-price entry to many museums and galleries. Munich's answer to London's Tate Modern, the Pinakothek der Moderne, is well worth visiting to see work by German impressionists and is open from 10am-6pm daily. Then head to the permanent collection at the Alte Pinakothek to see the works of Old Masters.

Relax with brunch

Sunday brunch is an institution in Munich and there is one place you simply have to try. Tucked away in the cellar bar beneath the Bayerischer Hof, you will find the weekly Jazz Brunch. Here you can enjoy a feast of local delicacies and international dishes, all served against a backdrop of traditional jazz music.