My wife and I will be in Germany near the end of our 4 week visit to several countries in Europe scheduled for April-May. The conundrum is: we would like to spend 3-4 days in Munich andin Berlin, but we don't have ample time or cash to do both. We have tentatively chosen Munich, which we would arrive in via train from Switzerland. We would spend the balance of the arrival day and the next 3 days and nights, departing sometime the next day by air for northern Germany where we'll be doing genealogical research. We want to get a sense of Munich leisurely moving about via the U-Bahn, S-Bahn and walking, with visits to St. Peter's, St. Michael's, Fraukenkirche, New Town Hall , Viktualienmarkt, Marienplatz and, of course, Hofbrauhaus, with other stops for eating and beer-sampling along the way. Of equal importance to us while staying in Munich are day-trips to Dachau, Nurnberg, Salzburg and Neuschwanstein Castle. In reading RS GERMANY Berlin also has great appeal, but we'd have to scrub the days in and around Munich. The obvious answer would seem to be shorten the stay in Munich and visit Berlin for maybe 2 days; however, we've considered this and rejected it because we don't want to go through both cities with a checklistand not get a sense of either place. By spending 4 nights in Munich, we believe we'd get a much better sense of the life of the City. Our question to RS Travelers that have spent 3-4 days in and around both Munich and Berlin; should we change our itinerary to or keep it as it is?
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I would go with your current plan for Munich. It's a great city. You will need to rein in your plans a little to pack everything into 3 or 4 days. Salzburg is great but I'd prefer a day and night there to fully enjoy the city. English Gardens in Munich is great on a sunny day. Munich warms up earlier than Berlin. Berlin is great but really not convenient to Southern Germany. I like it as part of an eastern swing with Prague and Vienna.
Posted by
Eureka, CA, USA
7 posts
You have a great plan. Choose a city and then relax and explore the area. Munich has so much to offer. I prefer day trips into the mountains. Easy access to the Bavarian Alps.
And you could do the same thing in Berlin. You are right to take some time to enjoy your surroundings. There is always the next Trip!
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
I enjoy Munich, virtually all the sights you listed in the city are clustered together- however, i quite enjoy walking there time and time again on the same trip. You probably can do it all just walking. The English Garden is big- seems much more fun on a sunny weekend day when half the City seems to be there. you could comfortably spend your alomost 4 days in the city without any of the day trips
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32325 posts
Jon, As you'll be arriving from Switzerland, Munich would seem to be the most logical choice as it fits with your overall route better than Berlin. Munich is one of my favourite cities, and I don't think you'd have any difficulty finding activities to keep busy with over four days. In addition to the sites in Munich, you could also take day trips to Fussen and the Castles, Dachau (if you're interested in that type of history), Berchtesgaden (again, history) and the Eagle's Nest and Dokumentation Centre, Salt Mines and a beautiful alpine village. There's also Salzburg, which is a very short trip from Munich. IMHO, it's not a good idea to split your time between the two cities, as you wouldn't be able to see much in either one. The rail trip between Munich and Berlin will use a minimum of 5H:48M each way, which is basically one full day out of your four day allotment. Happy travels!
Posted by
Great Lakes Region, Michigan, USA
81 posts
I just want to echo what Ken said. Munich is my favorite city. I've been there twice and both times for three-four nights. We added the side trips just as Ken listed. You will not be disappointed. Save Nuremberg for another trip. It is fabulous, but it isn't as easy to get to from Munich as Salzburg. We usually spend two nights just there.
Posted by
Kirn, Germany
331 posts
It really annoys me when people give advice about one side of a choice when they themselves have not experienced the other side of the choice (if you know what I mean!) However, at the risk of annoying myself because I have never been to Berlin - although I have long wanted to go - I would suggest Munich because I believe it is more doable in a few days and that perhaps the pace would be a little slower. It is a great city to walk around, and the weather is more likely to be condusive to al fresco beer drinking in April/May, (always a consideration). The day trips that Ken suggests from Munich are certainly doable - although they will be early starts and late finishes- but well worth the 'inconvenience'.
Posted by
OP
Cincinnati, OH, USA
768 posts
Thanks for each and every one of the responses; we're looking forward to Munich even more than before.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32325 posts
Jon, Another comment on Munich..... If you'll be visiting the Castles in Fussen or Dachau, you can make the trip on your own ( Lee or one of the others can provide the best details on transportation) OR you can make the trip with a tour company. Have a look at This website for details and costs. Both of those trips are only about a half day, and they make all the transportation arrangements, reservations for the Castle tour, etc. They also offer interesting Walking Tours of Munich, which is a good way to get an idea of the history in a couple of hours. There's always some "debate" on the HelpLine regarding the merits of doing those trips with a tour or on your own. My preference was the tour, and I don't regret it. If you're planning to visit the Deutsches Museum, plan for the better part of a day as there's LOTS to see. There are 16 kM of exhibits at the main site (there are satellite locations of the Museum as well). Cheers!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
"Lee or one of the others can provide the best details on transportation". Füssen and Dachau are so easy to do on your own. It would be a shame to pay someone else a lot of money for what you can do yourself. See here for help going to Fuessen by yourselves and here for how to get to Dachau. The Deutsches Museum is truly extensive, like our Smithsonian, but, in my opinion the most interesting exhibits are the aviation exhibit, with a Fokker DR1 (WWI Triplane), a Messerschmidt 109, and a cold war, German built F-104. That exhibit will take about an hour. After that, IMO, the next most interesting exhibit is the bridge exhibit. Most of the places you mention, St. Peter's, Fraukenkirche, New Town Hall , Viktualienmarkt, Marienplatz and, of course, Hofbrauhaus are right there around the Marienplatz exit. Also around there is the Residenz. If you go a little south of there, you'll find the Münchner Stadtmuseum, entirely in German, but often their exhibits are maps, drawings, and models, easy to understand in any language. It's also worth while to take the streetcar out to Schloß Nymphenburg.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Munich Stadt Museum is a very nice visit. Very close to Marienplatz. A relatively small museum so you can get your hands around it. Very interesting exhibits on musical instruments and fairground art on the upper floors, and one on the growth of Munich lower down plus changing exhibits on the ground floor. Reasonable outdoor cafe/restaurant right outside the front door
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
I've been to the Münchner Stadtmuseum twice and enjoyed it both times. However, when I've been there, it was entirely in German. Not a problem for me, but might be for some. The exhibit on the growth of Munich consisted of model, maps, and drawings - all pretty easy to understand, and the dates, at least the years, are universal.