11 Best Things To Do In Munich, Germany
This city has so much going on throughout the year, so of course every visitor needs a list of the best things to do in Munich.
You might think that Munich is just another German city, but the whole area has a special Bavarian culture to explore. From festivals to landmarks, here are a few things that you should try and check out while you’re here.
1. Marienplatz
Marienplatz, also known as St. Mary’s Square, is one of the main squares in Munich, located in the center of the city.
Depending on what time of year you are visiting, you can find all sorts of attractions around, including the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), Christmas market stands, and much more. People gather in the square for various events or meet up here before visiting one of the many restaurants or beer gardens nearby. I’d recommend taking a walking tour to learn a little more about the area if you’re interested in its history.
To top things off, even if you aren’t into architecture, there are some extremely fascinating buildings surrounding the area as you pass by.
2. Neues Rathaus
Speaking of fascinating buildings; one of the most prominent structures in Marienplatz is the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). Despite the building looking extremely old, its construction was completed in 1905. Considering the neo-Gothic styling, the structure is not as old as it looks.
Have you ever heard of a Glockenspiel? If you haven’t, they are those clocks that have dancers or musicians come out briefly every hour from a door in the clock and swiftly return. Neues Rathaus has one as well, but on a much larger scale.
Visitors will find the location of the Glockenspiel’s hourly show halfway up the tall clock tower of the Neues Rathaus. If you keep an eye on the time while you’re passing by, you will hear (and see) this giant Glockenspiel work its magic from 11 am until midnight and 11 am to 5 pm during the summertime.
3. Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg Palace, or Schloss Nymphenburg in German, and the neighboring Nymphenburg Park house many historical museums for visitors to experience.
The combined complex is massive, inclusive of various buildings, structures, parks, and even two lakes within its grounds. While exploration of Nymphenburg Palace is limited to the exhibits running at that time, it is not something you should miss during your trip to Munich.
In Nymphenburg Park, you will find many nice places to stop and enjoy the views. The park is vast and will take some time to explore but, is a nice and tranquil place to enjoy a quiet afternoon. Keep on the lookout for events throughout the year, as many of them are held here.
If you don’t have the time in your schedule to walk the park, stop by the main building complex and check out some of the exhibits.
4. Hofbräuhaus
The Hofbräuhaus is one of Munich’s oldest beer halls, originally founded in 1589. At this haven for beer lovers, you can find some of the best food and drinks in the city.
The facility offers many different seating rooms and choices ranging from free seating inside, outside in the beer garden, event rooms that can be reserved, as well as the Bräustüberl, a small and competitively reserved seating area on the second floor. Throughout the year you will find the place packed with people wanting to get in on food, fun, live music, and of course a one-liter beer in a giant mug.
If you love good food and beer, you can’t pass up making a stop here, so take a look and check out their menu!
5. BMW Museum
Visiting BMW Welt and the BMW Museum is a must-do if you’re a car lover. The complex offers over 100 car exhibits, from manufacturing, vehicles, history, and more. The basic museum is free for visitors, but the real magic is in the group tours.
One of the best private tours that the BMW Museum offers is that of their classic cars. The tour offers a view of some truly astounding classic Bavarian cars from way back since the company’s first car was released into the market.
If you’re a car person, definitely make a pitstop to check out some amazing classic cars. For more information on their tours and exhibits, including pricing, visit their site.
6. Frauenkirche
IThe Frauenkirche, also known as the Catholic Church of Our Blessed Lady, is the largest church in Munich. Not only is the structure iconic for the city of Munich, but extremely easy to pick out by its twin domed towers. The church is open throughout most of the day, so I recommend giving it a quick visit, as the interior is quite beautiful.
For travelers that are up to the task, the church allows visitors to climb one of the towers for a small donation to the church (usually 1 or 2 euros). Should you choose to climb the dizzying 86-step spiral staircase, dodging downward traffic as you ascend, you will find yourself in for some stunning views.
From the top of the tower, you can see the whole city and get the best aerial views of Theresienwiese, the world-famous location where Oktoberfest is held in Munich.
7. Allianz Arena
IIf you’re a fußball (soccer) fan, be sure to see if there is a game going on in the Allianz Arena and see Bayern Munich, the city’s home team, take home a win!
The stadium is huge and accommodates up to 75,000 people. Not only for soccer, but recently in 2022, the stadium also housed its first American football game as the NFL began their International Series of matches.
On game day, you’ll see this stadium illuminated from head to toe and from all around, as the entire exterior of the stadium is lit with plastic light panels.
8. Olympiapark
Back in 1972, the Summer Olympics were held in what is now known as Olympiapark. The complex contains a few restaurants to grab a bite, and some converted sightseeing attractions and tours.
You can visit Olympia Tower for some nice views from the top, or even walk the roofline of the Olympic Stadium if you are feeling a bit adventurous. If that isn’t enough to get your blood pumping, take a zipline across the stadium to make your way down!
9. Oktoberfest
If you find yourself in Munich around the end of September through the first few weeks of October, you absolutely must check out Oktoberfest. This world-famous beer festival is held on the Theresienwiese (a giant event square) every year, with thousands of people flocking to see what all the fuss is about.
There are carnival rides, snack stands, souvenir shops, and of course, more beer tents than you can drink your way through in just a day. Take part in the festivities in either lederhosen or dirndl (traditional Bavarian garments for men and women respectively,) and you might find yourself standing on top of a table singing your lungs out to a song in German, even if you don’t know the language.
If you’re planning to visit around Oktoberfest time, be sure to book your hotel or hostels early, as even months away from the festivities the prices begin to rise, and places become booked out. If you don’t book a table at a tent in time, don’t worry, as all tents keep a very large section of tables open for free seating.
10. Christmas Markets
From the end of November until just before Christmas, Munich starts up its annual Christmas markets across the city. If you haven’t been to a Christmas market before, stop by and take part in some hot mulled wine, locally known as Glühwein. If your kids want to take part in the festivities, don’t worry, the stands also offer Kinderpunsch (kids punch), the non-alcoholic equivalent.
These Christmas markets are all over Germany and most of Europe, but Munich has one of the larger concentrations of markets. Aside from grabbing a hot drink to warm you up, there are various food stands, souvenir stands, and the occasional kid-sized carnival ride that can be explored. Especially with November and December being darker months for the region, visiting your local Christmas market is a great way to wind down for the evening.
11. Day Trips
From Munich, there are a lot of great places that are a day trip away from seeing. If you have some extra time on your hands, here are a few locations that are certainly worth the visit.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Ever seen the fairytale-like castle that people talk about in Germany? Well, this is the Disney-like castle they are talking about, and it is breathtaking. Several organized tours are available to make transport easy!
Dachau Concentration Camp
In just 30 minutes from Munich, you can make your way to a solemn place in history. The site has several exhibits from the gas chamber, to the “Work Will Set You Free” gate.
Rothenburg Village
This small village is right out of medieval times, lined with cobblestone streets, and the classically styled homes really make it feel like the city is right out of a fairy tale book. Take a day trip to see it!
Berchtesgaden
Known for its proximity to the Eagle’s Nest near the summit of Kehlstein, this area is a fantastic place to take in some alpine views.
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