Munich

Munich, the largest city in southern Germany, is famous for its annual beer festival, Oktoberfest.

But there’s a lot more to visiting Munich than drinking steins of beers.

The city is host to a beautiful historic city center, large parks and gardens (with surfing), hearty German food, and beer halls filled with friendly people. There is also Munich’s famous clock, art collection, the palace, and the famous English Garden.

The city wasn’t bombed during the war like Berlin so this city’s historical center is still visible, including the old castle!

Over the years, I’ve grown to really like traveling Munich. It’s a place of beauty, art, and history.

It may lack the youthful edge of Berlin but, to me, that’s a benefit!

Traveling around Munich will give you a different look at German culture. The city has a lot to offer travellers and is also an incredible base for people visiting other places in Bavaria.

This Munich travel guide can help you plan your trip, get off the beaten path, and save some money!

Other Things to See and Do in Munich

1. Visit the Church of St Peter

Munich’s oldest parish church features art dating back six centuries, including ceiling frescoes and a giant gilded altar. You can climb the 299 steps for lovely views of the city from the tower. When it’s a clear day, you can see all the way to the Alps! Admission is €2 EUR ($2.25 USD).

2. BMW Museum & BMW Welt Munich

The BMW Museum is housed next to BMW’s head office in northern Munich. It features exhibits about the history of BMW cars and motorcycles with historic vehicles and prototypes, plus displays on alternative fuel and traffic management. If you take a tour, you’ll even get some behind-the-scenes views. It’s out of the city but if you’re a car lover, I highly recommend this place. Admission is €10 EUR ($11 USD), and discounts are available for seniors, students, and families.

3. Hang out at the Hofbräuhaus

The world’s most famous beer hall is one of Munich’s top attractions and a visit here is a must if you love beer. The Hofbräuhaus was built by in 1607 and was originally used as a brewery. It was remodeled after the brewery moved to a new site in the suburbs. More than 100 active groups of regulars visit Hofbräuhaus, and the oldest regulars have held their table for 70 years. It’s the most popular beer hall during Octoberfest too, and regularly hosts year-round events and live music.

4. Shop at the Viktualienmarkt

This market is in the middle of the city and has a great choice of fresh fruit and vegetables, food stores, cheese, and antipasti. It’s a popular spot for the locals to shop. It’s not very expensive either so stock up here if you are cooking for yourself!

5. Visit the Deutsches Museum

One of the largest technical museums in the world, this museum is host to a huge array of exhibits. For anyone interested in construction, engineering, aerospace, and the natural sciences, this is a great attraction. You could easily spend the entire day here; there are sailing ships, windmill, space probes, robots, lifeboats…you name it. Admission is €11 EUR ($12 USD) for adults and €4 EUR ($5 USD) for students.

6. Partake in Maibaumaufstellung

The first of May is a public holiday in Germany, and every year, there is a festive erection of Maypoles all over the country. Small villages will go head to head, attempting to steal the maypole of rival villages. If one is stolen, it must be “purchased” back. There is always an interesting array of activities on this day, including plenty of music and dancing.

7. Shop at Kaufingerstrasse

This is a shopping area that stretches for several blocks between Marienplatz and Karlsplatz, and is exclusively designated for pedestrian traffic. There is a great mix of independent boutiques and large-scale department stores to peruse. When you get tired of shopping, there is a slew of restaurants, bars, cafes, and beer gardens to enjoy. Don’t be afraid to wander down some side alleys either – you’ll come across some interesting speciality shops!

8. Bayerische Staatsoper

Considered to be one of the top attractions in Munich and Bavaria alike, this is also one of the best opera companies in the world. The pieces put on here are primarily composed by Mozart, Wagner, and Strauss. Seeing a show here is definitely one for the to-do list. Prices vary depending on what you see and when with tickets ranging from €10-200 EUR ($11-225 USD).

9. Go skating

Olympiapark and the English Garden are two popular spots for rollerbladers — and there are more here than you might imagine, especially from May to August. Every Monday is “Blade Night” in the parks, which basically is code for a giant street party. You can rent skates for as little as €3 EUR ($3.40 USD).

10. Visit Munich Residenz

Munich Residenz is a grand palace complex of ten courtyards and 130 rooms. Due to is size, you might want to considering seeing it over several visits. There is a lot to take in! This place started out as a 14th-century castle for the Wittelsbach monarchs, and has since been filled with art. Make sure you see the Italian Renaissance Grotto courtyard and the Baroque Ancestral Gallery. Combination tickets for the Residence Museum + Treasury are €11 EUR ($13 USD).

11. See the Glockenspiel

Munich’s town hall (the Neues Rathaus) on the Marienplatz was completed in 1874 and is now the focal point of the city. Its main attraction: the Glockenspiel, which has chimed each day at 11am, 12pm, and 5pm. Figurines from stories about Munich’s history twirl around in a fun show each time the clock chimes (like a giant cuckoo clock).

12. See the Asam Church

The Asam Church is named for its 18th-century designers: two Asam brothers, a sculptor and a painter. Its Late Baroque interior is extravagant to say the least – the stuccowork along the church’s naive as well as the colorful frescoes make for some fantastic photography. Entrance is free.

13. Bavarian National Museum

The Bavarian National Museum was inaugurated by King Maximilian II in 1855. Inside are 40+ rooms of decorative items dating from hundreds of years ago, like weapons, armour, porcelain, oil paintings, musical instruments, and more. Be sure to spend some time at the Bollert Collection with its impressive Late Gothic and Renaissance sculpture works from various Bavarian religious buildings. Admission is €7 EUR ($8 USD).

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