Things to do in Munich Germany

The capital of Bavaria is one of the most populated cities in Germany. Considered the most beautiful city in the country, the things you can see in Munich are incredible. Modern structures, cathedrals, museums, palaces, and well-kept gardens guarantee your entertainment throughout your stay.

This beautiful city is located north of the Bavarian Alps, which makes winters long and extremely cold. On the other hand, summers are usually cooler and hotter. Both climates will allow you to enjoy the most beautiful city in Germany.

So that you don’t miss anything, here are the most popular places among travellers visiting Munich.

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Things to see in Munich

Marienplatz

Located in the heart of the old town of this German city, Marienplatz is a square full of history and symbolism. It is very well maintained and preserved.

In it there are different types of performances all throughout the day such as the dance of the barrel-makers, the end of the plague, or other scenes including a ducal wedding with a joust of knights. Don’t miss out, this entertainment starts daily between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.

And if that’s not enough, at Christmas time, this square gives us a festive gift with its well-known “Christmas Market”. There you can find typical foods to souvenirs and handicrafts.

Clearly, commerce is not only important in December. Since it is such a beautiful and popular square, in the surrounding area are the main shopping streets of Munich.

Visit the Nymphenburg Palace

If you plan to go to Munich, this palace, like many others, is a must-see. It combines the essence of the monarchical era of Bavaria with an elegance worthy of the nobles who resided there at the time.

Without a doubt, the beauty of this palace is due to its historical and natural architecture. Combining these two, through elaborate parks that include canals, lakes and even wild animals.

This palace has two museums inside. Here you can appreciate its statues, with a touch of history and a lot of art. Every corner of this palace welcomes you.

Residenz

If you want to know the past of the ruling class of Bavaria, you have to visit this palace. Located in the center of Munich, it’s the perfect place to learn how the ancient monarchs of Bavaria lived.

It has an audio guide which will show you every detail of this palace. Every room of this extensive royal palace has all kinds of priceless artefacts, such as original porcelain and sculptures. As if that wasn’t enough, its history, sculptures and tapestries are certainly the biggest attraction.

We can not talk about the former royal palace Residenz without talking about the Antiquarium. It is one of the most splendid rooms. This incredible room was initially a Renaissance space where they keep the collection of busts of the Duke. It ended up as a personal museum and is in our opinion, the most beautiful.

See Munich from the New Citycouncil

Also known as Neues Rathaus, this is the building that stands out the most on Marienplatz. It is a must-see in the city. It’s impossible not to be interested in such a giant building with its distinct neo-Gothic architecture.

The new town hall is a building where the offices of the mayor and the administration have been for some time now. Specifically, since 1874.

The new town hall is definitely a must-see for a tourist visiting the city because apart from the impressive beauty of the neo-gothic building, it has a carillon clock, which chimes at certain times of the day with a moving figures and music that should not be missed.

Viktualienmarkt

Located in the center of Munich, the market known as Viktualienmarkt, is one of the largest and most varied in Germany with more than 140 vendors selling flowers, exotic fruits, game, poultry and more.

Viktualienmarkt, despite seeming like a common place to come across, it is a must when visiting Munich. The amount of colours, the flowers and the different aromas that filter through this market, make this a place a top tourist destination.

Rathaus-Glockenspiel

The Glockenspiel is a true work of art. There is nothing more that can be said about it. It contains more than 40 bells and 30 life-size figurines doing dances and various musical notes. There is so much going on in this clock that it takes about 10 minutes for everything to happen from start to finish.

Here the story of the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V is told, as well as the history of the Coopers dance. It is fascinating to watch, and the entire crowd which tends to be at least 500 people, stops just to watch it play. At the end of the show a rooster comes out and a sound is emitted three times to let everyone know it’s over.

The clock tower of the new Munich City Hall building in the Marienplatz square, has this beautiful and complex Carrillon, which is the fifth largest in the world.

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Museums you must see in Munich

Explore the BMW Museum

The BMW museum is a must for anyone who is a motorcycle and car enthusiast, highlighting their evolutionary design and the power of their engines.

In this museum, you can take a tour through much of the history of the Bavarian brand on both two and four wheels. The entrance costs 10 €, and you can easily take a couple of hours on the tour. However, if you would just like to see the new vehicles that have been released, the entrance is completely free.

Haud der Kunst

This is another museum to visit in Munich, specifically about art and international modern art. Its architecture is impressive, quite large, and the exhibitions vary. Before entering the exhibition you will find information about them through a free audio guide; most of the themes tend to be abstract and modern. One of the recommendations is the exhibition of Franz Erhard Walther, which is very inspiring and versatile.

Museum of Egyptian Art

History always arouses our curiosity, and that is why on your visit to Munich, you have to see this amazing archaeological museum, one of the most important in Germany. Inside you will find the Bavarian state collection of ancient Egyptian art as well as exhibits from the pre-dynastic and dynastic periods.

You will find exhibits such as the jewels of the Meroitic queen Aman-shakheto, and a cup with the name of the sixth ancient Egyptian pharaoh Thutmosis III, among others. In addition, the museum provides basic information on religion, gods or funerary rites of the Egyptians. The entrance fee for adults is 7 euros, under 18s enter for free, and on Sundays the cost is 1 euro.

Things to see around Munich

In the area surrounding Munich, there are also greatly entertaining places if you want to go further afield. If so you can not miss the following:

Visit the Neuschwanstein Castle

As one of the most seen tourist sites in Munich, this neo-romantic castle is also known as the magic castle or fairy castle. The exterior is interesting but the interior of the castle will totally captivate you. You will find a variety of rooms, as well as the hall of the singers which is the largest room of the castle decorated with themes of Lohengrin and Perceval. Discover some arches, as well as the throne room, a luxurious room painted with the image of Jesus and the 12 apostles.

Tickets to enter the castle can be bought online for only 30 euros, you can choose between a guided tour or rent audio guides. It is located on the Pöllat gorge in the Bavarian Alps, to get there you can hike which takes about 30 to 40 minutes or you can go by bus or train from Schwangau.

Dachau’s Concentration Camp Memorial

It is a museum in a Nazi concentration camp. A truly historical place which takes you to the Nazi period, it consists of 22 areas, well maintained and clean. This is the first and only concentration camp that preserves the gas chambers. There are also the cells that provide information about what happened, and for more information you can purchase an audio guide for only 4 euros.

The purpose of this museum is to recreate the life of the inmates during their stay in the camp. You can access the quartermaster complex where you can find the kitchen, the checkroom, the workshops and the bathroom. You can also visit the bunker where experiments and tortures were performed to the inmates, the SS shooting range, the mass graves of Leitenberg and the block of the priests. Admission to the camp is free of charge.

Things to see with kids in Munich

Deutsches Museum

With more than 100,000 objects to see and learn about, the Deutsches Museum is one of the must-see museums in Munich, this one in particular has one of the largest science and technology collections in the world.

The Deutsches Museum is ideal for all the family, with informative material that is very interesting. It is important take into account that it is possible to spend a whole day visiting the entire museum, or about 3 or more hours enjoying each of its rooms.

It has an area for the little ones and everything is well marked, which makes it especially attractive for children, as they can learn as well as entertain themselves watching the extraction of iron with a dogmatic and interactive touch.

Visit the Hellabrunn Zoo

It is a great way to enjoy a family day. This large and beautiful zoo recreates a natural reserve worthy for the animals you will see. It has a playground and a restaurant area in case you want to eat some food and recharge to continue exploring the variety of animals and their habitats. A very educational trip to learn about the animal kingdom.

Bavaria Film

It is a film studio; a very suitable place to see in Munich, especially for movie lovers as well as for children. Enjoy the tour accompanied by a tour guide who provides information about the replicas present there. You will be surprised by the behind the scenes of movies like The Neverending Story, Das Boot, among others, that you have surely seen. In addition, you can have fun in the 4D cinema. The approximate time spent touring and enjoying the film studio is approximately 4 hours.

Walk around Flugwerft Schleissheim Museum

It is an aeronautical museum that you can’t miss during your stay in Munich. It is the ideal place to share with children and adults interested in this means of transportation, or who dream of one day becoming a pilot.

For 7 euro. you can access the museum and find large exhibits with detailed information about the first planes in real size. See the interior, as well as the different types of helicopters and aircraft engines, plus they have flight simulators which makes your trip to this museum exciting.

Things to see for free in Munich

Munich’s Cathedral

One of the jewels to see in Munich, in terms of architecture and elegance, with a touch of history and Gothic art. This church with imposing towers has curious stories and is also home to beautiful children’s choirs. If you love sacred music, I am sure you will enjoy each of the choirs that this church offers.

In spite of having a simple design; it stands out for its great height, and the Gothic style. In this church we can find both legends and history, one of the most important and unmissable is “The Devil’s Footprint”.

Explore the Botanical Garden of Munich

If you like to admire nature and want to learn about Munich’s flora, the Botanical Garden is the right place to visit. And why? Well, the reason is that you will find an incredible variety of international plants in the extensive garden.

Highlights include the collection of alpine plants, the seasonal flowering and tropical plant greenhouses. The seasons are not an issue to worry about, as you can admire the collection of lilies and rhododendrons in spring, and dahlias in summer and autumn.

Inside the garden, there is a cafeteria where you can go for a coffee or snack at the end of your botanical exploration, or as a break to continue enjoying the variety of vegetation. There is also a gift store with affordable prices, so you can share memories of your stay with your family.

English Garden of Munich

The beauty of this garden lies in its peace and silence that transports you to another world in which the noise and problems of the city are gone. Even the weather seems to connect with the trees and life you see around and inside.

Surrounded by historical monuments, each place is an attraction in itself, and look even more spectacular when the sun goes down. Music, games and sports are practised in the large main lawn of this garden.

The most intrepid dare to surf when the good weather arrives, to challenge the current of the stream that surrounds this place. In short, the excitement and challenges brighten up the environment, combined with the wildlife such as birds and their songs, and ducks that swim on the lake.

Hofgarten

The parks are supposedly simple places; but here in Munich, they are often the places that you must see. This large park with great Italian Renaissance architecture is surrounded by water fountains and well-kept multicoloured flowers. In the centre is the pavilion dedicated to the goddess Diana. The Hofgarten is excellent for cycling or relaxing and enjoying the scenery.

Visit the Olympic Park of Munich

As its name suggests, this park was designed primarily for the 1972 Summer Olympics. Although it is almost 50 years since it was built, this park is one of the most beautiful green areas that you can not miss if you visit Munich. In the midst of its immensity and its greenness, the pure air makes you want to go for a jog.

The park’s facilities include a stadium, an ice skating rink, an indoor swimming pool, a cycling track, an amphitheater, an Olympic pavilion, an aquarium with Mediterranean and tropical fish, and even a small chapel.

We can divide the park into four zones, specially designed for sports and generally enjoying the outdoors:

• The first area that you will want to go to, is the Olympic area, which has Olympic sports buildings such as the Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Hall with its fampus Olympic Tower. In this same area, we can find the aquatic centre and the hall of Olympic events.
• The second area, perhaps a little less impressive than the first, is the Olympic Village, which is divided into one for men and one for women.
• To finish the tour of this park, go to the Olympic Park and appreciate the Olympic Mountain and the Olympic Lake.

Things to do in Munich at night

Chinese Tower

This is a wooden tower that is 25 meters high with 5 floors. As you go up, the stairs become narrower; this is due to its polygonal diameter. In this tower, various events are held. It is located in the English Garden, and it is considered the heart of the garden.

Note the various restaurants and bars surrounding the Chinese Tower. The favourite for most travellers is the Biergarten restaurant, which is very popular because it is characterized by its delicious dishes and beer at an incredible price. You can’t miss it, especially if you go with friends.

Visit the Hofbraünhaus am Platz

Bavaria and beer go hand in hand; we could not pass up this incredible brewery as a tourist site and for its excellent craft beer. Here, more than just drinking and tasting the quality of the oldest brewery in Munich, you will be able to see and learn about the techniques used in the local breweries. Witness the evolution and refinement that great brewing experts have contributed with different techniques and theories, which the experts themselves telling you the origin of their success.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming; without a doubt, you will want to come and spend the evening here. And why not, to taste how good German beer is in the company of a group of friends.

Jazzbar Vloger

On your first night in this magical city, you can’t miss this incredible and unique jazz bar. It is perfect to enjoy with friends or family who like this musical genre, with quality musicians. If you don’t like jazz, don’t worry, they also provide space for a salsa band, all with live music, which will allow you to enjoy and dance for hours.

Not only do they offer good live music, but also good food, drinks and a fun atmosphere in general. The entrance is inexpensive, so don’t forget to visit because you will want to go more often.

Taste Tours Munich

An example of creativity in Munich, the Taste tour offers a unique experience. It combines tourism with gastronomy by means of a car and with other participants. This allows you to get to know the different foods in this city at night and also to meet other people. It lasts approximately 4 hours, and you will visit 4 of the most appetizing restaurants in Munich.

During the tour through the streets of this beautiful German city, you will enjoy a comfortable and fun atmosphere, drinking soft drinks inside the car with other snacks. At the restaurant they will explain briefly how the dish is made, as well as its history. Then you will taste the exquisite food that the Taste Tour offers you.

Itineraries for your trip to Munich

In order not to miss any tourist spot in Munich, below you will find a tourist guide of what to do in Munich according to your stay in Munich.

Things to do in Munich in 1 day

Munich is a large city with numerous sites to see, so it is not possible to visit it in one day, but you can visit and see some of them, the most important and most loved by travellers, such as these:

• Marienplatz
• New Citycouncil
• Munich’s Cathedral
• Rathaus-Glockenspiel
• Jazzbar Vloger

Things to do in Munich in 2 days

In two days, the places to see in Munich are as incredible as they are varied, from imposing palaces to green gardens which, in themselves, are a tourist attraction. Below, is a list of the best places to visit during your stay, according to travellers and locals.

• Viktualienmarkt
• Newuschwanstein Castle
• Residenz
• BMW Museum
• Hellabrunn Zoo
• English Garden of Munich
• Hofgarten
• Taste Tours Munich

Things to do in Munich in 3 days

The capital of Bavaria has many places to see or things to do. During the day or night, the places shine in many parts of the city of Munich. We understand that there are so many things to see, you do not want to miss even one, let alone the most iconic places in history or the greenest palaces. According to tourists, these are the best places you can not miss:

• Nymphenburg Palace
• Bavaria Film
• Deutsches Museum
• Dachau’s Camp Concentration Memorial
• Haus der Kunsst
• Flugwerft Schleissheim Museum
• Botanical Garden of Munich
• Olympic Park of Munic
• Hofbräuhaus am Platzl
• Chinese Tower

How to plan your itinerary of the places you want to see in Munich?

Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organized way, according to the days and places you want to see in Munich.

With the app you can:

• Be inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Save valuable information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything that is useful for your trip.
• Save tickets and reservations.
• Organize your route on Google maps having as a starting point your accommodation or any other point that you indicate.
• Know the best travel option for each place.
• Save and publish as you go your own photos and experiences in each of the places, for when someone asks you “How was your trip in Munich?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter”.

If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.