The 26 Best Things To Do In Munich, Germany | Things To See and Do in Munich

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The 26 Best Things To Do In Munich, Germany | Things To See and Do in Munich: Over the years people have come to think of Munich simply as a beer drinking mecca come October. While this is true, and a visit to Munich during this time of year is well worth the hassle of dealing with crowds, what about the other 11 months of the year?

What else is there to do in Munich?

Don’t stress, I’ve got you covered and will help you narrow down the 26 Best Things To Do in Munch, Germany! I’ve split them up into 5 sections for organisation purposes.

1. Architecture
2. Nature
3. Beer & Nightlife
4. Sport (Football, Surfing)
5. History & Culture

For more ideas of what to see in Germany, I recommend the Lonely planet guide which you can buy on Amazon here.

 

My 3 Must Have Items

These 3 are my picks for things you must take on your trip: a good quality (but affordable) memory card, an international plug adapter, and noise reduction earphones. If you could only afford one, then the international adapter is definitely the most important, but the other two will come in handy too.

 

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Quick Tips for Munich Travel

 

• Currency: Euro
• Electricity: 230 volts. Plug types C & F are commonly used, with F being the most popular (this has two round pins to insert into wall). A good idea is to buy a universal plug adapter that you can use for all your travels – I personally use this one (see prices).
• Language: German, but English is commonly learnt in schools. Conside using a German phrasebook like this one.
• Visa: Most western nations can enter visa free for 90 days. For Australians, Americans and Canadians you should meet the above criteria, but check this for your individual countries as things can change.
• Safety: Munich is generally safe, as with all big cities keep your wits about you though.
• Weather: Munich gets cold in winter and is relatively warm in summer (around 24 degrees), as with most places in Germany. Summer is also the month its most likely to rain. Autumn can be a bit windy so make sure you have a windbreaker or warm coat handy. Spring can be a little chilly, especially if like me you come from a country with warmer temperatures, so bring a coat for colder days. Expect Spring an Autumn to be around 1-19C / 33-66F, with winter dropping down to at lowest -3C/ 27F.
• Transport: Use the S-Bahn (buses) and U-barn (underground) to get around the city. You can pay in cash or purchase tickets online. There’s also a tram which takes roughly an hour to get around the city.
• Recommended gear:
  • Camera: SLR or mirrorless with wide angle lens. A wide angle works best as most sights are city or nature based and you’ll want to get a lot in one shot.
  • Jacket if visiting in winter,
  • Plug adapter for Germany,
  • Comfortable walking shoes,
  • German phrasebook (don’t stress though, most Germans know English as a 2nd, 3rd or 4th language).

 

 

  The 26 Best Things To Do In Munich, Germany |

| Things To See and Do in Munich

 

Section One: Architecture in Munich, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle

Scanrail / Bigstockphoto.com

bigstockphoto.com: (left) Taiga / (right) photo.ua

 

On the outskirts of Munich (and about an hours travel one way) is the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Parts of Bavaria look as though they’ve been directly lifted from a Disney movie, and this place is definitely one of those sights. Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle will bring back all those great memories pretending to be a prince or princess when you were younger. Coupled with the amazing backdrop, this is a must do when in Munich.

Address: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany

Hours: 8am to 5pm every day

Price of Entry: Around 15 Euros for entrance, children under 18 are free (but still need to hold a ticket which you can get online)

How to get there: It’s 2.5 hours by train from Munich. If you want to explore inside the castle you’ll need to book a tour, otherwise you can view it from the outside.

 

Frauenkirche and the Devils Footprint

alefat / bigstockphoto.com

bigstockphoto.com: (left) Antonio Gravante / (right)  R.Babakin

 

In 1486 Prize Sigismund organised construction to start of the Frauenkirche which are part of the church. Frauenkirche refers to the two towers with circular tops, and the church itself is known as the largest in Munich.

There is a legend of the Devil’s Footstep outside in which its told that the Devil got angry after being tricked into helping build the church, so he stomped his foot and left a mark at the entrance.

In the summer you can climb the towers for epic views over the city.

Address: Frauenplatz 12, 80331 München, Germany

Hours: 

• Thursdays: 7am to 8.30pm
• Fridays: 7am to 6pm
• Other days: 7am to 7pm

 

Residenz Palace

bigstockphoto.com/ Oktober64

 

What used to serve as the seat of the government and residence of royalty is now an expansive museum open to visitors. While much of it was destroyed in the second world war it has been rebuilt and showcases works of art and the rooms themselves.

The works include pieces from the Renaissance, Neoclassicism, Baroque and Rococo.

Address: Residenzstraße 1, 80333 München, Germany

Open Hours: See here for more information on open hours

 

St Peters Church

navintar / bigstockphoto.com

 

While St Peter’s has been rebuilt and has grown over the years, the church was first constructed in the 11th Century. Inside the church you’ll find frescoes, some art works and a high alter. One of the best reasons to visit the church however is for the view.

There is a small fee to climb the 299 steps to the observation deck to get a panaramic view of the city, such as the view in the picture above. There are also telescopes available for a few dollars to get a closer look at Munich’s old town.

Address: Rindermarkt 1, 80331 München, Germany

Open Hours:

• Summer:
  • 9am to 6.3opm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 6.30pm on weekends and holidays
• Winter:
  • 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5.30pm Weekends

 

Nymphenburg Palace

Alberto SevenOnSeven / bigstockphoto.com

bigstockphoto.com: (left) extravagantni / (right) kupsik 

 

The summer palace for Max Emmanuel (former Bavarian ruler), Nymphenburg Palace began to be built in the mid 1600s. There has been a lot of work done on the Palace over the years, most of which is open to the public now for viewing.

One of the more popular attractions in Munich, the palace design is a mix of Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical style.

Address: Schloß Nymphenburg 1, 80638 München, Germany

Open Hours: See opening hours here.

 

Linderhof Palace

bigstockphoto.com: (left) karamysh / (right) Maugli-l

 

Class and decadence come to mind when you think of Linderhof Palace. Combining a Bavarian and French influence the Linderhof Palace is creates it’s own unique identity and makes it one of the best things to see and do in Munich. A perfect place to spend the day and simply become lost in one of the many rooms or the surrounding picturesque gardens taking photos pretending to be royalty.

You you can spend the entire day at the Linderhof Palace. I recommend that you visit both the Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle in the same day (see day tours section near end of post).

Address: Linderhof 12, 82488 Ettal, Germany

Open Hours:

• mid-March to mid-October: 9am to 6pm
• mid-October to mid-March: 10am to 4pm

How to get there: Bus 9622 from Oberammergau

 

Marienplatz

bigstockphoto.com: (left) bloodua / (right) sborisov

 

This is the center of Munich, and part of the old town. From Marienplatz there are some great restaurants and shopping to stores to be discovered. By using Marienplatz as a landmark can you wonder down some side streets and and explore the area to find to try and find something which won’t be in any guide book.

If exploring doesn’t take your fancy you can always simply sit back and relax in the square. Marienplatz is a popular spot for locals and tourists to meet, on top of that there are usually a few street performers with some unique acts which you can watch.

Some famous ones in the area is a man who seems to continue pouring a limitless amount of water.

Address: Marienplatz 80331 Munich

 

 Munich National Theatre

nedoB / bigstock.com

 

While a sight in itself, if you have the spare time you should book tickets for the opera or the ballet during your time in Munich.

Construction started on the Munich National Theatre in 1811, however there were a couple of problems along the way. Construction was pause not long after due to financing problems, and then due to a fire, so the theatre only opened to the public in 1818. The theater was then rebuilt twice since then, suffering from a second fire and also an air raid.

Address: Max-Joseph-Platz 2, 80539 München, Germany

 

Asam Church

bigstockphoto.com / seewhatmitchsee

 

Don’t let the picture above fool you, inside this church is a blast of colour, the ceiling fresco is done by a man named Cosmas and its one of his finest works.

Built in 1746 the church has one of the prettiest ceilings in Germany, and with so much thought and symbolism gone into the design of the church this is one not to miss.

Address: Sendlinger Str. 32, 80331 München, Germany

Open Hours: 

• • Monday to Thursday: 7:30am to 6pm
  • Friday 12 midday to 6pm
  • Saturday 8am to 6pm
  • Sun 8am to 3pm

Odeonplatz

bigstockphoto.com / anshar

 

Close to a number of attractions, Odeonplatz is a large square that was made at the beginning of the 19th century. In history, the square has been used for important parades and events, making it an important part of Munich’s history.

A number of statues and pretty architecture makes up the square.

Address: Cnr of Odeonspl & Brienner st, Munich, Germany

 Section 2: Nature in Munich, Germany

 

Exploring Olympia Park and Dinner At The Revolving Restaurant

Fischers / BigStockPhoto.com

 

Surprisingly Munich seems to be abundant with parks and large areas of grass where you can sit back and relax. The Olympia Park which was constructed for the 1972 Summer Olympics is phenomenal. The designs for some of the stadium seem to have come of age and look quite surreal and futuristic.

After a full day of exploring you can try visiting the revolving restaurant for a bite to eat- Restaurant 181. The views on offer from restaurant are surreal. In the old town of Munich there is a building height restriction, so this may just be you’re only chance to gain a birds eye view of Munich.

Address: Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 München, Germany

How to get there: You can find all the opening times here.

 

Viktualienmarkt (Farmers Market)

bigstockphoto.com / Vlada Z

 

Previously located in Marienplatz, in 1807 Viktualienmarkt found its new location in the town. Evidently the market has been a long standing tradition in Munich and if you like browsing for fresh fruit and local food this is the place to go.

Besides, its not often you can say that you visited a market that existed during World War 2.

Address: Viktualienmarkt 3, 80331 München, Germany

Open Hours: Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm

 

English Garden

bigstockphoto.com / RudiErnst

 

This secret garden in Munich is quite frankly huge. The English Garden is larger than New York’s Central Park and derives it name from the manner in which the garden was designed – like an English Garden.

It doesn’t sound like much fun coming to a new city and exploring a park, but in all honestly the park seems like a welcome retreat and sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

There are large open green spaces to play football, or sit down on the grass and have a picnic. On top of that the entire area is full of large trees and a canal through the middle. At parts of the canal there are some nice spots to take a relaxing scenic shot. And all this still within the city itself.

Address: Englischer Garten 80538 Munich, Bavaria, Germany

 | The 26 Best Things To Do In Munich, Germany |

| Things To See and Do in Munich |

 

Section 3: Beer and Nightlife in Munich

Hofbräuhaus

If you’re travelling to Munich at a time when Oktoberfest isn’t on, which is the majority of the year, and you want to experience German drinking culture. Than a great alternative is to visit one of Munich famous beerhalls like Hofbräuhaus.

I’m not a big drinker, but having said that visiting one of the beerhalls was still something which I’m glad I did do. The halls huge, there’s a large amount of people, with there being a sense of comradery in the air. On top of that it’s a great chance to sample some traditional Bavarian dishes.

Address: Platzl 9, 80331 München, Germany

Open hours: 9am to 11.30pm everyday

 

 Oktoberfest

Franky242 / Bigstockphoto.com

 

You’re in Bavaria, the land famous for it’s beer and sausages, and what better way to come experience German culture like Oktoberfest. If you’re in Germany, or more specifically Munich during the time of Oktoberfest the city comes alive.

The famous beer halls are full and it’s a great chance to meet some new people and make some friends. Oktoberfest for 2017 starts on Saturday the 16th of September and lasts until Tuesday the 3rd of October.

This is perhaps one of the things which people associate most with Germany, so it’s definitely on the list of 10 best things to do in Munich.

Address: Theresienwiese, Bavariaring, 80336 München, Germany

 

Hellabrunn Zoo

josef_hajda / Bigstockphoto.com

 

A great option if you’re traveling with rug rats (hey, anyone remember that show?), Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich is great for a day of animal spotting. There’s a wide range of animals here including artic foxes, gorillas, giraffes and elephants.

Address: Tierparkstraße 30, 81543 München, Germany

Open hours: 9am to 5pm everyday

Section 4: Sport & Adventure in Munich, Germany

 

Segway Tour of Munich

bigstockphoto.com: (left) NedoB / (right) KoTangens

 

This is a lot of fun. If you’ve never ridden a segway before than you’re missing out. Segways are incredibly fun, very easy to use, and if you’re a little low on street cred than this thing will sort that out no problem.

Zooming around Munich and getting to see all the major tourists sights on a segway is a great way to spend the day.

 

Bayern Munich Vs Borrusia Dortmund at Allianz Stadium

drserg / bigstockphoto.com

 

If you want to see something truly special and authentic in Germany, than the best thing to do in Munich would be to see traditional rivals Bayern Munich play Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker .

There are two things Germans love equally and that is beer and football. This match between two of Germany football giants never disappoints. Borussia Dortmund fans are synonymous for their active support of choreographing large banners and chants during game day, while Bayern Munich is Germany’s traditional big team.

Bayern Munich have never gone 3 seasons without winning the Bundesliga is such the clubs strength and pulling power to recruit world class stars.

If you don’t have the opportunity to watch Bayern Munich Vs Borussia Dortmund than fear not. There are quite a few clubs in Munich so try your hand at a normal Bayern Munich game, or even watching their cross town rivals Ingolstadt FC.

Address: Werner-Heisenberg-Allee 25, 80939 München, Germany

 

Section 5: Culture & History in Munich, Germany

 

Kartoffel museum

How much do you like potatoes?

Lucky for potato lovers there is a potato museum in Munich – one of three in Germany. Check it out if you’re free on Friday or Saturday.

 

Address: Grafinger Str. 2, 81671 München, Germany

Open hours: 

• Friday – 9am to 6pm
• Saturday – 11am to 5pm

 

Dachau concentration camp memorial

bigstockphoto.com / streetflash

 

In operation for 12 years, the Dachau Concentration Camp is a sobering reminder of how evil the world can be. The camp was the first to open in 1933 and was positioned as a concentration camp for ‘political prisoners’.

The camp featured a section for medial experiments (of which hundreds died), and was also used for training of camp guards who were then dispatched to other concentration camps in Germany.

Address: Alte Römerstraße 75, 85221 Dachau, Germany

Open Hours: 9am to 5pm everyday

How to get there: Catch the S2 train from Munich towards Dachau / Petershausen

 

Pinakotheke

bigstockphoto.com / vvoevale

 

Pinakotheke is actually a collection of three art museums which individually focus on different time periods. They are easily walked to from one another so its easy to visit all three in a couple of hours.

 

Alte Pinakothek: Open in 1836, Alte Pinakotheke is one of Germany’s oldest art museums. It houses pieces from the Middle Ages through to Rococo.

Open Hours:

• • • Mondays: Closed
    • Tuesday 10am to 8pm
    • Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm

Address: Barer Straße 27, 80333 Münche

 

Neue Pinakothek: Featuring works from the 19th century, in Neue Pinakothek you’ll wide a wide array of sculptures and paintings. The gallery features mostly German works, with a few from France.

Open Hours:

• • • Tuesdays: Closed
    • Wednesday 10am to 8pm
    • Thursday to Monday 10 am to 6 pm

Address: Barer Straße 29, 80333 Münche

 

Pinakothek der Moderne: With a major collection of modern art, Pinakothek der Moderne’s collection in divided into four sections and includes art from famous artists such as Andy Warhol and Picasso.

Open Hours:

• • • Mondays: Closed
    • Thursday 10am to 8pm
    • All other days: 10am to 6pm

Address: Barer Straße 40, 80333 Münche

 

Glyptothek

bigstockphoto.com / Lefpap

 

Commissioned by King Ludwig the 1st, the building that now houses the museum came to life in the early 1800’s to house statues.  The design was inspired by the ancient Greek’s, a fascination of Ludwig’s.

Today the museum houses many statues dating from as far back as 650 BC, with the earlier status being carved around 500 AD.

Address: Königsplatz 3, 80333 München, Germany

Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 10am to 5pm (open until 8pm on Thursdays). Closed Mondays.

 

Deutsches Museum

mcbix / bigstockphoto.com

 

Heralded as the world’s biggest museum for science, its also one of the oldest, being built in the very early 1900s. The museum is a great place for children and adults alike with a ton to do and see inside the building.

If you do have children coming along there are a few interactive exhibits inside to entertain them, regardless though give yourself a couple of hours to explore.

Address: Museumsinsel 1, 80538 München, Germany

Open Hours: 9am to 5-m every day

 

Lenbachhaus

An art museum with high standards, not too far from the center of Munich. The musuem holds the paintings of many artists from Munich, as well as some from Lenbach himself.

Address: Luisenstraße 33, 80333 München, Germany

Open Hours: 10am-6pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays.

 

BMW Museum & BMW Welt

glacyer / bigstockphoto.com

 

The museum is an display of BMWs with many models on show from the past and the present. For a suprisingly cheap price you can also rent some models for under 100 Euros an hour, or if you’re a bit richer, you can even purchase models off the floor at the BMW Welt.

Don’t get confused here, the BMW Welt and BMW Museum are too different places in the same area. The BMW Welt is free, but you’ll pay around 10 Euros for entrance to the museum.

Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm, Mondays: closed (always double check for changes)

Address: Am Olympiapark 2, 80809 München, Germany

 

Popular Day Tours in Munich

navintar / bigstockphoto.com

 

If you want something easy and don’t want to navigate public transport yourself, I’d recommend the following day tours:

• • 1. Visit Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles in one day: If you don’t have a lot of time in Munich, or don’t want the hassle of trying to get there on public transport this day trip is a good option. You also get to visit the ridiculously cute small town Oberammergau. See prices and more information here.
    2. A tour of the Dachau Memorial site: If you’re interested in history this is a good tour to take, if not a somber one. Find out more by clicking here.
    3. For those super keen on beer and not visiting during Oktoberfest, take this brewery tour instead. See prices for the 3 hour tour here.
    4. An alternative to using public transport and figuring your way around the city you can purchase tickets for a 24 or 48 hour hop on, hop off bus to see the city sights. For prices and to see which sights are included click here.

 

Where To Stay in Munich

Since we all have different budgets below you’ll find recommendations for a dormitory, mid ranged hotel and a luxury hotel. Keep in mind that prices in Europe are much more expensive than South East Asia, but Germany is one of the cheaper countries in Western Europe.

Budget: Dorms are a good choice for backpackers and the budget minded. They’re also a great way to make new friends as you’re traveling around Germany.With laundry, luggage storage and being so close to the center, the 4You Hostel & Hotel Munich is a great choice for those seeking a dorm and new friends.

Mid Range: For a cheaper double room Ghotel Hotel & Living Munchen Nymphenburg in 2.2km to the center and is one of the cheapers hotels with an 8/10 rating. It also offers a 24 front desk which is helpful if arriving in weird hours of the night.

Luxury: If you’ve got a bigger budget I’d recommend staying in either Anna Hotel Munich or Bayerischer Hof Hotel Munich. Both have epic bathtubs, which honestly is the biggest pull towards any hotel room for me. If I was to ever have my own hotel line, it would be centered around epic bathtubs.

Both have 24 hour receptions, baby sitting services and a ton of other cool features.

 

Booking Resources for a Trip to Munich

bigstockphoto / G.evgenij

 

Transport in Munich: Everything you’ll want to know about public transport in Munich can be found on the cities public transport website – visit it here.

Accommodation in Munich: I use Booking.com when booking accommodation in Germany as I find them the easiest to use and have the biggest selection.

Short Tours in Munich: I love using Get your Guide for day tours or multi-day tours. Visit the website to see which tours are available in Munich.

 

The 26 Best Things To Do In Munich, Germany | Things To See and Do in Munich

 

What did you think of our article – The 26 Best Things To Do In Munich, Germany? When in Munich was there an activity or an attraction that you saw that you’re dying to tell others about. Let us know in the comments section below and we can add it to the list.