+75 Things to do in Munich Germany

Top Must-See Attractions

So, this is your first time in Munich? Then these are the places that you MUST add to your Munich sightseeing list.

Most are easily accessible in the city center and will give you a chance to enjoy Munich at a slower, relaxed pace.

Immerse yourself in the Bavarian capital, and it's charming culture! Here is a recent walking tour video of the old town.

Marienplatz City Center

The Marienplatz is located in the city center, and it's part of the old town. It's a large open square, surrounded by historical buildings.

One of the most impressive buildings is the New city hall (Neues Rathaus) with its intricate detailed architectural structure.

The Glockenspiel at the town hall, facing the Marienplatz, is a wonderful game of figurines in the clock tower. The figurines come out and reenact historical happenings, a king marriage and the pestilence.

The figurines play at 11 am, 12 pm and from March to October at 5 pm too. The songs are also not always the same, as there is a monthly schedule.

You will also discover the Maria column and the fish well on the Marienplatz. The old town hall (Altes Rathaus) is located right next to that, and you will find a cute toy museum here.

Generally speaking, this is the busiest area in Munich, especially in winter when the main Christmas market is held there.

St Peter’s Church

The St. Peter's church is Munich's oldest church, it's about 800 years old.

The church is located on a lightly elevated point in the old town, right next to the Marienplatz, so you can't really miss it.

You can visit the church, for free, of course. In summer, it's nice, cool, and quiet in there.

The bell tower is the main attraction! The people in Munich call it the “alter Peter”, which translates to old Peter.

You can visit the bell tower (it's a walk up the steps!) and enjoy a glorious view from top down. The walk is exhausting and tight, so be prepared!

The bell tower is open on sunny and rainy days, it costs about €5 per Person to go up there.

The visit is well worth it because you get a gorgeous view of Munich!

At the side, on the north end, of the church, there is a small window with bars and a smaller bell. This bell was used to announce an execution on the Marienplatz.

Karlsplatz Stachus

The Karlsplatz is a metro station, a straight 10-minute walk away from the Marienplatz.

You will recognize it due to the Charles gate (Karlstor) and the Stachus square with the broad fountain.

This place has two names. It was called Karlsplatz after the prince elector Karl Theodor but before it was known as such, locals called it the Stachus. The name was given after a famous inn located in its place.

The inn is long gone, but people still have a saying in Bavaria: “It's as busy as the Stachus”. This square in Munich is one of the busiest spots you can be due to its central location and shopping opportunities.

The gate is one of the last original city gates. It was built about 600 years ago. Look out for the statues of the three music playing boys, and the four heads protruding at the corners.

The Stachus square is a great place to hang out in the summer because the fountain adds some coolness to the surrounding. In winter, the square is turned into an ice skating place.

You also get free Wi-Fi at the Stachus!

Viktualienmarkt

The Viktualienmarkt is situated near the Marienplatz. This market is an open market with small stalls selling regional food specialties, fresh produce, meats and much more.

It resembles the Naschmarkt in Vienna, with its food stalls and beer garden-like hangout corners.

I recommend you look out for seasonal produce to taste or to take back home. For example, some of the best cherries make an appearance here in June and July.

You might be able to stock up on your spices and herbs, or you'll see what fresh chanterelle mushrooms look like in fall.

All in all, the Viktualienmarkt gives you a chance to recharge your batteries in a lovely spot of the city.

Beer Garden and Halls

You just can't miss the most important thing when in Munich, right? A visit to a beer hall or garden is a must!

Beer gardens are open air gardens where beer and food is served. Halls are the same thing, just in a massive hall in a building.

The city is known for some of the best beers in the world. In fact, the beer brewed in the city boundaries received a geographical protection in the late nineties.

The Munich beers are the Paulaner, Augustiner, Spaten, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu and Hacker. All are equally wonderful, and you should try them all out if you are into beers.

A must-visit is the Hofbräuhaus München, which is situated near the Marienplatz square. This establishment has a lot of history, and it's most probably the most famous beer hall in the world!

Some of the best beer gardens to visit are the Augustinerkeller, the Chinese Tower in the English garden, the Hofbräukeller, Paulaner am Nockherberg and the Beer garden at the Viktualienmarkt.

Know that they don't always serve you in those beer gardens. Some tables are in a service zone and others not. In that case, you can go and pickup your beer and food at the self-service point.

Nymphenburg Palace

The Nymphenburg palace is located outside of Munich in the North-East. You can easily get there by public transport.

The palace is surrounded by vast symmetrical baroque style gardens, the palace is decorated in rococo style.

The palace can be visited, the gardens are freely accessible.

If you love fairy tale palaces, then this is a must. However, I recommend reserving a day or at least an afternoon to visit the full area.

They offer food in restaurants on the place and the palace is children-friendly. You can also hire a guide in your preferred language.

Kids get in for free, tickets are priced between €5 and €8 for adults depending on what you want to visit. The palace is separate from the museums.

The ticketing counter area is also providing free WIFI.

Museums and Culture

There is a museum for everyone in Munich! This city has so many museums, you can pick your favorite!

Here are some of the most well known and most important museums. There are many more, which will be listed, all in a larger Munich museum post.

The museums are usually reasonably priced and well worth a visit. Most can be visited for €1 only on Sundays!

Note: The Neue Pinakothek, known for its 19th century modern art, is closed for a few years and some art works can be seen in the Alte Pinakothek.

Alte Pinakothek

The Alte Pinakothek is home to over 700 classical art pieces from the 14th to the 18th century. It's located, as are most art museums, in Maxvorstadt in the University district in the Kunstareal.

It's a state-owned museum, which was commissioned by king Ludwig I of Bavaria.

The museum is comparable to the Kunsthistorische Museum in Vienna. Dutch, Italian and German, Austrian paintings are the main attractions but also French, Flemish and Spanish paintings can be seen.

Pinakothek der Moderne

The Pinakothek der Moderne is in the same district in Munich as the Alte Pinakothek.

The museum showcases 19th and 20th century art and specializes in modern and contemporary art. It's one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The experience starts with the entrance, which is a monumental building exterior.

The collection includes surrealism, expressionism, fauvism, cubism, pop art, abstract expressionism, Bauhaus, and minimal art.

You will discover art pieces from famous people, such as Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Klee, Beckmann to just name a few.

Deutsches Museum

The Deutsches Museum is the world's largest technology and science museum. Visitors get to see a whooping 125K objects!

It's also the largest museum in Munich, and it's located on the Museum island in the southern side of the town.

This museum is yours if you are into technology, and especially German innovations.

They have interactive stations where visitors get to experiment and participate in the collection.

Children are also very much welcome in this temple of science.

Verkehrszentrum Museum

The Verkehrszentrum Museum is an indoor and outdoor exhibition, with transportation as the main topic here.

German cars are some top vehicles in the world, and in this museum you get to learn about the evolution of German car making.

Yet, the museum offers much more than just cars. In fact, you will also see old buses, trams, trains, and motorbikes.

The museum is located near the Bavariapark, the venue next to the Theresienwiese where the Oktoberfest is celebrated.

Haus der Kunst

The Haus der Kunst showcases contemporary art pieces. The exhibitions are changing and not permanent.

The architecture is very pleasing to the eye and adds to the ambiance. The fact, that it was built by the Nazis just makes this building all the more special.

They have a relaxing café at the back where it touches Munich's massive garden, the English garden.

Museum Brandhorst

Museum Brandhorst showcases art pieces from the 1960s to now and is one of the top pop-art museums in the world.

Visitors will discover paintings, photographs, sculptures, and multimedia.

The largest Andy Warhol collection and a considerable large collection by Cy Twombly are part of the permanent collection.

This is a must-see if you are an art or design fan!

Glyptothek

The Glyphotek is the late king Ludwig's art collection.

The Bavarian king had a thing for antique art. This is evident on the architecture, which was designed in the classical Greek style.

The glyphotek houses a neat collection of Roman and Greek art, which can be very inspiring if you like these antique styles.

The ticket is only €1 on Sundays!

Museum of Egyptian Art

The state museum of Egyptian art is located right opposite the Glyphotek but this one is just dedicated to Egyptian art.

You can get an audio guide to tour the museum, and it's also very children friendly, with interactive stations for the kids. This museum also has €1 Tickets on Sundays.

Yet, this museum is controversial and as a visitor, you should be aware of certain things.

The museum of Egyptian art in Munich, the Kunsthistorische Museum with the Egyptian collection and the British museum in London, among other museums worldwide, have been requested to return stolen ancient Egyptian artifacts to Egypt.

Furthermore, the Grand Egyptian Museum is bound to open in Cairo, Egypt, in 2023.

Munich Residenz

The Munich Residenz is the former palace of the house of Wittelsbach, former rulers of Bavaria. It's located right at the heart of the city, and its renaissance, baroque, rococo, and neoclassicism rooms are open to the public.

The high society of Europe, dukes, kings, and artists visited and influenced this buildings over the centuries.

The entry is about €9 per person, and you can get a combo ticket for €12 to see the treasury too. You can dedicate a whole day to discover all the lavishly decorated rooms.

It's one of the largest museum complexes in Bavaria with the residence, treasury, Cuvilliés theater and a whopping 10 courtyards.

Photography is only allowed for private use in the residence, as it is in all German palaces and castles. The earlier you come in the day, the smaller the queues.

Bavarian State Opera

The Bavarian state opera is located right next to the iconic Cuvilliés theater and opera pieces have been performed here since the Renaissance.

You can get tickets for a soirée to an opera, a ballet, or an orchestra or join a backstage tour of the opera house.

Schleissheim Palace

So, you love fairy tale palaces, then this one is for you too! The Schleissheim palace is located outside Munich, to the north of the city.

The complex contains the new and old palace, as well as the palace gardens. Visitors usually prefer the baroque interiors of the new palace complex.

You can visit the vast palace every day except Mondays, from 9 am to 6 pm. The entry is about €10 per person.

BMW Welt and Museum

BMW, the carmaker, is home in Munich, and it's evident thanks to the huge BMW Welt building and the BMW museum.

Both are situated at the edge of Munich, near the Olympia park. You can easily get there by Metro U3 and get out at the Olympia stadium station.

The BMW Welt is free and your choice if you want to see the car brand's newest models. They have been some of the forerunners in electrical vehicles.

The museum, in a futuristic building, on the other hand, showcases old cars, engine pieces and race cars. The entry is about €10.

Food and Drink

When in Munich, eat like the Germans! Bavarian food is hearty, wholesome, and flavorful! Local herbs and spice favorites enhance meals and the food preparation, especially meat preparation, take it to a whole new level.

Just as in the neighboring Tyrol and Austria, Caraway seeds and fresh parsley are favorite food flavor givers.

Here are some of the top tours and dishes to look out for when in Munich. You will find most of them in our Oktoberfest food list.

For Fine Dining recommendations at Michelin Star establishments, see the Luxurious things to do section at the bottom of the post.

Culinary Tour

Eat well when in Munich! This is our philosophy!

You can join various food related tours or get a dedicated local food connoisseur to show you the delicious dies of the city. Here are some of the best culinary tours:

• Viktualienmarkt Food Gourmet Tour – With a dedicated guide sharing the best bites and old stories of this historical market.
• Evening of Bavarian Beer and Food – 3 Hours sampling the best of Bavarian Food and Beer.
• Beer Brewing Workshop and Tasting – Learn how the Germans make beer.

Weisswurst (White Sausage)

When in Munich, you will have to try the white sausage!

This particular sausage is white, about an inch broad and 4 inches (ca. 10 cm) long. The meat on the inside is tender and fine, made of ground veal and pork meat.

It is Bavaria's pride, and for a good reason. Only they know how to prepare it and the best ones are in Munich.

When ordering Weisswurst, you will get a pair served in a high bowl and hot cooking water in it to keep the sausages hot.

Get some Bavarian sweet mustard and Bretzels and you are good to go!

Bretzel

Yes, the Bretzel, we love those fluffy brown baked savory goods.

Note that I spelled it Bretzel and not Pretzel, the latter is the English spelling. Bavarians call it Bretzel or in dialect the Brezn.

They come in various sizes and forms. Bavarians seem to like butter filled Bretzels too, I just love them plain as a snack with a good beer and Weisswurst.

Steckerlfisch

Steckerlfisch is a grilled whole fish on a stick. It's a specialty that doesn't only belong to Bavaria but also to Austria, but they know how to make it in Munich.

You see them usually served as street food at fairs, such as the Oktoberfest, or at markets, the Viktualienmarkt or Christmas market in winter.

Schweinshaxn

The Schweinshaxn literally translates to pork leg, and that's what it is. It's also misleadingly called pork knuckle.

It's traditional food from the region and locals just love it, especially with dumplings and Sauerkraut or with buttered parsley potatoes.

Most traditional food places serve this wholesome, soul satisfying dish in Munich.

Obatzda

The obatzda is the original cheese dip, a snack time beer garden favorite!

The word means a dollop of food, which implies that it's a little snack time dip with beer.

The obatzda cheese dip tastes strong because the main ingredient is french Camembert cheese. So yes, it stinks.

But the whole idea is to enjoy some Obatzda with a freshly baked Bretzel, some beer and little pink radish. The radishes are called "Radi" and the sharp flavor combines well with the cheese dip.

I wholeheartedly recommend that you try this cheese dip with fresh small radish.

Hot Almonds and Maroni

Candied hot almonds are a special delicacy sold in small food carts in the city in fall and winter. You can get them in various flavors, I like classic hot almonds and my wife loves getting the ones with chili in them.

The same sellers tend to have other nuts too, such as candied hazelnuts and walnuts.

You might also come across Maroni, which are hot steamed chestnuts. They are in season from October to January and you should definitely get some if you see them sold on the streets!

More Local Food + Favorites to try

• Bavarian warm potato salad
• Wurstsalat - Sausage Salad
• German coleslaw
• Bratwurst Semmel – 3 small Nuremberg Bratwurst Sausages in a Kaisersemmel bun.
• Potato dumplings
• Semmelknödel - Bread Dumplings
• Reiberdatschi - Potato Latkes
• Wiener Schnitzel and Pork Schnitzel (because good food has no borders)
• Red cabbage side dish
• Lebkuchen Hearts (Oktoberfest and Christmas Market)

Offbeat

We love offbeat places and activities, especially because they are less touristy in Munich, and they can be a lot of fun. Especially if you have visited the city a few times in the past, then discovering off beat places can be all the more exciting.

Here are some of our favorites!

New Town Hall Tower

The new town hall is located right next to the old town hall at the Marienplatz, city center.

What not many people know, is that you can go up to the tower to get the best view of the city.

An elevator takes you straight up to the tower where you can see the old town hall, the Frauenkirche among other buildings.

On a sunny day, you can even see the alps from afar!

People usually don't know that the tower can be visited, so it's not that busy. Getting with the elevator to the top costs €6 per Person.

Art Nouveau Buildings

Art nouveau was an ornamental avant-garde art movement popularized between 1890 and 1910 during the Belle Époque period.

The French word means new art, and it was a way to break out of the norm during the wonderful time before WW1.

In German, it's known as Jugendstil and Munich is one of the most important cities for this art style. Other cities, to just name a few, include Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and Riga.

Munich has some fantastic mansions build in this fashion, and most are located in Schwabing near the city center.

Take the U3 direction Moosach and get out at the 3rd stop, Giselastraße. From there, you can follow a Munich art nouveau walking tour.

Müller’sches Volksbad

The Müller’sches Volksbad is a public swimming pool located next to the Isar river near the old town.

This pool is special because it was opened in 1901, and it's built in the art-nouveau style architecture. You will get to swim in a beautiful, unique interior!

Here you will also find roman baths and saunas to relax in. The sauna area is of course also textile-free, and as it is custom, it's a nude area.

Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium is located in the Olympia park, a vast area built for the 1972 Summer Olympics. It's the main stadium and also the largest one.

Later on, it was the main venue for various FIFA euro cups, and it was the home stadium until the Allianz Arena was built of the famous FC Bayern München football team.

Today, it's mainly used as a sports venue and international concerts are held here as well, such as Rammstein concerts with their pyrotechnics performances.

Munich massacre took place during the 1972 Olympic Games, at the Olympia stadium and a memorial outside reminds us of the hostage taking and murders.

You can join a tour to learn more about the construction and German engineering of the stadium. One of the specialized tours can also take you to the rooftops.

Olympiaturm

The Olympiaturm is the highest tower in Munich and with its 190 meters it is one of the highest in Europe as well.

From there you get a fantastic view of the city, and you can see as far as to the Austrian alps to Tyrol and the Salzburg region.

The Olympia tower serves as a broadcasting tower, but it also has a revolving restaurant and café on top. You can even find a Souvenir shop up there!

You can visit daily from 9 am to 11 pm and a ticket is about €13 per adult.

Allianz Arena

The Allianz Arena is the home football arena of the FC Bayern München team. These guys are legends these days, so if you are into football, then visiting this stadium is a must! If you are a fan, get tickets for a game!

It's unusual doughtnut-like architectural shape can't be missed, and you might have seen it while traveling on the highway from or to the airport.

As a fan, you are in luck because you can visit the Allianz arena with a guide. You get to see the dressing room, player's tunnel and the coaches bench. The ticket includes a visit to the Bayern München museum!

Bodyflying Wind Tunnel Experience

So, you have always wanted to know what skydiving feels like without the risks and dangers?

Then the new Flystation in Munich should be on your to-do list.

You get to fly in a vertical vitrified wind tunnel. The experience is perfectly safe and definitely a fun out of the box thing to do.

Bookings start at €54 per Person. Kids older than 4 years can participate as well!

Bungee Jumping

Yes, you can go bungee jump in Munich!

It's neither from a bridge nor from a cliff, no this bungee jumping experience is from a crane.

The venue is well suited because you will be jumping towards the beautiful turquoise waters of the regatta course.

The team is also super professional, and you can also choose to do a tandem bungee jumping experience. The thrill and adrenaline kick will cost you about €99 per Person.

Ziplining/Flying Fox

The flying fox experience is held in the Olympia stadium, and you can have this experience with a tour to the stadium roofs.

The zip line is situated 115 feet (ca. 35 meters) above the football pitch, and it's about 650 feet (ca. 198 meters) long.

Prices start at €45 per adult.

Bike Tour

Munich is best explored by bike and the best option to discover new places for Tourists is to join a local bike tour.

You will be spoiled with choice. You can choose a classic 4-hour bike tour, a street art bike tour or how about a comfortable e-bike tour?

The city has many bike lanes and local guides will get you to places that you wouldn't have seen without their know-how.

State Library

The Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, or state library in English, is a place where every book lover will swoon.

Established about 500 years ago, this is the biggest research library in Germany and one of the biggest universal library in Europe.

Over 111000 volumes are freely accessible, and the reading rooms can be accessed from 8 am to 12 pm.

Alexander Krist Theater

Alexander Krist is a magician, and he has been enthralling people with his performances at this theater venues.

He created a show called table magic which is a close up magic performance. Visitors sit right in front of the exclusive live show.

Mr. Christ will enchant your evening and your trip to Munich will take a whole new meaning!

Family friendly

I mentioned some family-friendly places in other sections in this port.

To summarize, attractions mentioned in other sections, this includes:

• Nymphenburg Palace
• St. Peter's Bell Tower
• Deutsches Museum of Technology
• English garden – plenty of space to hang out with kids

Here are some more highlights, worth exploring with kids in Munich!

Sea Life

Sea Life is a large Aquarium with a variety of fish, sharks, jelly fish, seahorses, star fish and other sea creatures.

It's barrier-free and totally child-friendly, they even have little stepping stools for small children so that they can see everything too.

It's a beautiful environment for all those who want to let their imagination go free.

Sea life is located near the BMW Welt and Olympia park and can be accessed with the Metro line U3.

Hellabrunn Zoo

If your kids love animals, then the Munich zoo is a great way to spend an afternoon with your child.

This zoo has been around for over 100 years. The animals are grouped as per their natural occurrence on each continent.

The zoo has an animal conservation center, and they sometimes release local animals born in the zoo back into the wild.

The Hellabrunn zoo is located in the south of Munich and can be accessed with the public metro line U3.

Bavaria Filmstadt

The Bavaria Filmstadt is a working studio and movie buff theme park in one. All children ages will appreciate a visit there!

They offer tours, and you get to learn a lot about how movies and special effects are made.

A 4k cinema and a new Hologate Virtual reality game are a highlight too.

They also organize special theme days and celebrate Halloween to the fullest.

The Bavaria Filmstadt is located in South Munich and can be accessed via Metro and Tram.

Other Fun places for kids

• Münchner Marionettentheater - A charming puppet theater, last of its kind.
• Night watchman walking tour for kids – A watchman takes children aged between 6-12 back into time to medieval Munich.
• Kid's Scavenger Hunt – A fun family activity and way to discover the city.

Free Things to do

English Garden

The English garden, known as Englischer Garten in German, is a vast green area located to the north-east of the city. It's about 1.448 mi² (ca. 2,330 meters²) big, larger than the Central Park in New York!

You can just take a stroll through the garden, enjoy a peaceful picnic, sit in the beer garden, feed the swans or discover some unusual points of interests in the garden.

Look out for the traditional Japanese tea house, surfing waves, monopteros (replica Greek temple), amphitheater, a Chinese tower and age-old trees.

Joggers and cyclists will love the trails in the English garden too! Here is what the English garden looks like.

Odeon's Platz

The Odeon's Platz is a large open square next to the Munich Residenz. You will recognize it thanks to the two lions in the Feldherrnhalle (the monument). This square has historical importance in the city.

Hitler's beer hall putsch ended on the Odeon's Platz after a brief battle in 1923. When he came to power, after all much later on, the square was used to swear in new SS members.

Notice that one of the lions has an open mouth looking at the residence, while the second lion's mouth is closed, and it's looking at the Theatiner church? It's a reminder to people that they can speak about the monarchs but never against the church.

Eisbachwelle

The Eisbachwelle or Eisbach river is a river surfing spot, and that's where professional surfers come to train!

The best part is that anybody can watch them taking those ice-cold river waves.

Each surfer takes his or her turn to take these powerful waters, and they do this all year round, any weather!

The main Eisbachwelle is located at the beginning of the English garden next to the Haus der Kunst. Other surfing spots can be found deep down in the vast English garden.

Königsplatz

The Königsplatz is a large square at the museum quarters in Maxvorstadt. The name translates to king's square. It was used by the NS during WW2 as a party rally ground.

The Wittelsbach dynasty, the kings of Bavaria, had a foot in the newly formed republic of Greece and felt connected to Greece and its art form. The result is the Königsplatz with a Philhellenism (love of Greek culture) theme.

Today it is surrounded by beautiful neoclassical buildings, the Glyphotek museum and the antiquity museum.

Open air festivals and demonstrations are sometimes held on the Königsplatz.

Bavaria Statue

The Bavaria statue is located at the border of the Theresienwiese, the place where Oktoberfest is held every September, on the Theresienhöhe.

It's a towering bronze statue is depicting the glory of Bavaria as a female person. A staircase leads you up to the statue and a colossal hall of fame, called Ruhmeshalle, is located right behind the statue.

The hall contains the bust of women and men who have contributed to the development of Bavaria.

King Ludwig I commissioned all that to honor those who earned it. He also built Walhalla near Regensburg similarly.

We filmed a walking tour video at the Bavaria statue during covid times and fell into the trap of a prankster TV channel.

Frauenkirche

The Frauenkirche is the cathedral of Munich, but locals lovingly called it Frauenkirche which means Women's church. It's located near the main Marienplatz in the old town, so you can't really miss its two onion-shaped towers.

Build with red bricks in the late gothic era, more than 500 years ago, the cathedral took only 20 years to complete. Sadly, much of it was destroyed during the bombing of the city in WWII.

The main attraction is the devil's footprint in the cathedral. It's called Teufelstritt in German. Various legends tell the tale of the devil standing and leaving a footprint in the cathedral.

Asamkirche & Asamhaus

A small inconspicuous church from the outside near the Sendlinger Tor. The insides will amaze you!

The lavishly decorated baroque interiors consist of stucco and well-preserved frescoes. They didn't save on the gold leaf in this church, and you should add this to your bucket list if you love everything baroque.

The Asamhaus, located right next to the small church is a beauty in itself from the outside.

St. Michael's Church

The St.Michael's church is a late Renaissance style catholic Jesuit church located near the Karlsplatz.

You can enter the high-barrel vaulted church daily to visit the vast ornate interiors. It's super relaxing inside and cool (especially during hot summer days).

They organize freely accessible meditation rounds during lunch hours in the church, and occasionally, they have musical events in there as well.

For €2, you can visit the royal crypt of the Wittelsbach, the former ruling Bavarian kings. The famous king Ludwig II has his crypt here too, and he was known for his fairy tale castles, Neuschwanstein castle, Herrenchiemsee and Linderhof palace.

Old Olympia Train Platform from 1972

The Olympic train platform of 1972 is an accidental find that we made while filming a walking tour to the Olympia park.

The Olympic Games in 1972 had to be planned properly, and therefore they had to build an Olympic village for the athletes and a new train platform.

The platform was just used for this event, that's it. The morbid place has been decaying, and graphite paintings decorate the walls.

Sadly, when we visited, we stumbled upon a small temporary settlement of migrants. We hope they found a home away from this morbid, cold place!

Third Reich Tour

No other city like Munich is as entangled in its past NS story. The NSDAP seat was in Munich and Hitler came to power in the Bavarian capital.

If you are interested in the most recent history of the city, you can join a Third Reich guided tour.

You can visit all the historically significant places alone too with our free Third Reich walking tour video. The walk starts at Hitler's former flat and takes you to all the main places.

NS-Dokumentationszentrum

The NS-Dokumentationszentrum is a free museum with exhibitions about WW2.

The museum was erected over the former NSDAP party central, known as the Braune Haus (the brown house). That's between the Königsplatz square and the Karolinenplatz.

Visitors will learn everything about the history of the NS and how Munich was the center of it all.

They have special tours on Sundays and organize and offer workshops. Temporary exhibits dig deeper into topics. A most recent topic is LGBTQ during NS times.

Dachau Concentration Camp

Dachau is a former NS concentration camp, turned into a memorial. It's open to the public and the memorial museum tells the story of those who didn't make it, and visitors can also see photographs of the Nazi atrocities.

Reconstructed cell blocks show how the people had to live with explanations in various languages. It is recommended to get a guide to get a good grasp of what has happened here.

Plan a half or whole day trip to Dachau. It's located about 30 minutes to the north of Munich by car. You can also get there via public Öffis. Take the S42 to the Dachau train station and from there a bus to the memorial site.

Many more concentration camp memorial sites in Germany are open to the public.

Luxurious Things to do

Munich is a city of money and the Bavarian capital can be enjoyed from a different, more interesting, perspective.

Here are the must-do luxury experiences that you should add to your itinerary now!

Private Flight

Imagine gliding above the German alps and lakes in a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Hire a private flight with a knowledgeable local guide and discover another side of Bavaria. You will get to know about the region, it's geography and history.

Fly over the 7 Bavarian Lakes including the grand Chiemsee and the Tegernsee near Munich in your private small airplane.

Your time will be well spent on this trip! The flight takes about 5 hours and is best booked on a clear day.

Professional Photoshoot

Create those unforgettable moments with your loved ones and hire a photographer in Munich.

Some visitors like to dress up in local Lederhosen pants and Dirndl Trachten dresses to stick to the local theme. The most spectacular brand in this regard is Sportalm from Kitzbühel.

Great photographers in Munich come in all price classes and may start somewhere at €200 for 30 photos.

Michelin Star Dining Experiences

Inspiration and good food, this is something Munich doesn't lack! People from all over the world converge here and yet Bavarian culture is strongly rooted at the same time.

Dining out at a Michelin star, Gault-Millau or a Haubenkoch (award-winning chef) owned establishment should be on your to-do list when in Munich.

The culinary scene has been flourishing over the years and some of these creative heads have been ranking at the top in the world.

The Atelier by the Bayerischer Hof, has been awarded for its fine dining experience, classic French food with a touch of Asian flavors, with numerous awards, including 2 Michelin stars. It's located at the city center near the Frauenkirche.

Restaurant Alois is also located nearby. This fine dining house has a focus on light international cuisine. Ingredients are celebrated and brought into the limelight. They offer a lunch and dinner menu.

For a crowning end, add the EssZimmer high end dining experience to your itinerary because this establishment located in the BMW Welt, is sure to leave an impression.

A tasting menu with handpicked heartfelt dishes are served in this 2 Michelin star fine dining room. BMW and car enthusiasts can experience a world-class meal course while overlooking stunning BMW cars.

Shopping

• Maximilianstraße – High-end shopping street. Here you will find Chanel and Cartier.
• Kaufingerstraße and Neuhauserstraße - The main shopping lane in the old town. Starts at the Marienplatz and leads to the Karlsplatz. Common stores found all over the world are located here.
• Olympia Park Shopping Mall – The main shopping mall of Munich. All basic stores can be found here.
• Bayern München Fan Store – Located near the Marienplatz, for all Bayern München football club fans.
• Fünf Höfe – Elegant small Shopping Center which also serves as a passage. Here you will find a Sushi bar, a Marco Polo store and Armani Café.
• Türkenstraße – a long road with many interesting boutiques and artist ateliers. There is even a farmer's market!
• Daglfing Flea market – Large flea market located to the east of Munich. Here you will find everything!

Events and Traditional Festivities

• Oktoberfest – The grandest folks fest in the world with parades, beer tents, fun attractions starting 2 weeks before the first days of October.
• Christmas Market – The most popular Christmas market is the one on the Marienplatz, but you will also find a Christmas market at the Residenz palace space and the Prater island. The first advent Christmas markets start at the end of November and end on Christmas day.
• Krampus Parade and St.Nikolaus - Krampus are fabled scary creatures that come to take naughty children, and they are accompanied by St.Nikolaus, who brings sweets, oranges, and peanuts to well-behaved kids. This alpine custom is normally celebrated on the 5th and 6th of December, but the Krampus parade takes place after the 6th to the Marienplatz Christmas market.
• New Years – Best celebrated on rooftops with plenty of Champagne and fire works.
• Fasching (Carnival) – Carnival in Bavaria and Austria is the time when you can dress up as something funny or outrageous. Costume parties and balls are in high demand for carnival and the biggest party is on the Marienplatz, of course. Come dressed as something to join into the fun!
• Tollwood Festival – A free festival held in the summer at the Olympia stadium and in winter at the Theresienwiese. Here you can expect to see performances and avant-garde exhibitions.
• München Filmfest – The Munich international film festival is just second to the Berlinale in Germany. It's held every year at the end of June or at the start of July.
• Cooper's Dance (Schäfflertanz) – This unusual traditional dance is held every 7 years once between the three king's day and carnival. The age-old Schäfflertanz was to cheer up people during the Black Death, and it's normally held every 7 years because the pestilence would have its ways to kill the good people of Munich every 7 years. The last traditional one was held in 2019, but they organized one in 2022 due to the pandemic.
• The Butcher's Jump (Metzgersprung) – Butcher apprentice who have completed their three-year apprenticeship jump into the fish fountain at the Marienplatz. The traditional ceremony is held every 3 years on Rose Monday (Monday before fat Tuesdays/carnival Tuesdays) and the last one was in 2022.
• Spring Festival – The spring folks feast version of the Oktoberfest. Also held on the Theresienwiese from end of april to beginning May for 2 weeks.
• City's Birthdate (Stadtgründungsfest) – A feast with parades celebrating the city of Munich. Held every year around the 18th of June on a Sunday.
• Auer Dult - A traditional fair with rides and markets held every year at the Mariahilfplatz in the southern parts of Munich. Set at the same time as the spring festival, end of April/beginning May.

Nightlife

The best things come at last! Munich is known for its vivid nightlife. Here you can experience another side of the city.

Note: Public transport is limited between 1 am and 5 am, but taxi choices are plenty!

• Pub Crawl – Meet other travelers and discover the best pubs and clubs that Munich has to offer.
• Beer Tasting Tour – 3 hours of tasting the best beers, with a visit to the world known Hofbräuhaus brewery.
• Museum Lichtspiele Cinema – A cinema screening classics in the original language.
• Night Clubbing – Look out for the Milchbar (electronic music) and the Paradiso Tanzbar (70s themed with Burlesque performers),

Day Trips

So, you are planning to stay a few days in the region. You can make Munich your base and visit other places on dedicated day trips.

Tip: Hire a car, or a guide with a car or simply get around with public transport. Especially major cities are easily accessible via train. Driving in Germany for the first time, read the Autobahn dos and don'ts.

• Salzburg City – Mozart's birthplace and an Austrian city. It's only 1 ½ hour away.
• Königssee Lake – A lake in the Berchtesgaden area near Salzburg. Take a boat to the St.Bartholomä island.
• Füssen and Hohenschwangau – Here you will find King Ludwig's II fairy tale castle, Neuschwanstein.
• Garmisch Area – Lots to see here, including Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Partnach Gorge, Mittenwald, Oberammergau, Eibsee lake and Germany's highest peak the Zugspitze.
• Linderhof Palace in Ettal – One of the fantastic three palaces built by Ling Ludwig II located near Oberammergau.
• Chiemsee lake and Herrenchiemsee Palace – A vast lake with a palace on an island by the fairy tale king Ludwig II.
• Augsburg – The city of the roman emperor Augustus and Jacob Fugger. The latter was probably the richest man who has ever lived.
• Regensburg – a lovely medieval city and only an hour away from Munich.
• Erding Spa – The world's largest spa with dedicated separate sauna and children's areas. Remember to follow the German sauna culture rules because it's a nude only area.
• Nuremberg – The old town of Nuremberg is worth a visit. Third Reich history-buffs will also appreciate a visit.
• Rothenburg ob der Taube – a Medieval walled village crowned as Germany's most beautiful village.
• Dinkelsbühel - a cute colorful medieval town on the way to Rothenburg.
• Tyrol Alps – Discover the Tyrolean alpine villages such as the world's best ski resort Kitzbühel, Going am Wilden Kaiser, Alpbach the flower village and Rattenberg the smallest city in Austria.

Planning to travel to the German capital? Discover all the things to do in Berlin and pick your favorite attractions to add to your itinerary!