Munich City, Beer Gardens & Alpine Castle

München Hauptbahnhof is your gateway into the city and the anchor point for the entire loop. One of Germany's busiest railway stations, it connects long-distance rail, regional trains, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and buses under one roof — making it the logical staging point before you head into the old town on foot. Spend 20 minutes here getting oriented: pick up a transit map, grab provisions if needed, and confirm your onward connections for later in the trip. The station sits on Bayerstraße, roughly 1.6 km west of Marienplatz, an easy 19-minute walk through the city centre to kick off Day 1.

Marienplatz is Munich's central square and the beating heart of Bavarian civic life. Framed by the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) to the north and surrounded by historic architecture, this pedestrianised plaza has been the city's main gathering point for centuries. It earns its near-perfect 4.7/5 rating for good reason — the scale and grandeur of the square are immediately striking on arrival. Allow a full hour to take in the facades, watch the square's rhythm of locals and visitors, and orient yourself in the old town. From here, the rest of Day 1's walkable stops are all within minutes.

Viktualienmarkt is Munich's premier open-air food and produce market, just five minutes south of Marienplatz. Running Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, it brings together fresh food stalls, local produce, flowers, and Bavarian specialty goods in a lively, working market atmosphere — not a tourist reconstruction. A beer garden operates at the centre of the market, making it a practical and characterful spot for a mid-morning break. With a 4.6/5 rating from over 63,000 reviews, it consistently delivers as one of Munich's most authentic experiences. Budget a full hour to browse properly.