Munich is located in the south of Germany and attracts millions of visitors every year. The city of 1.5 million inhabitants offers an exciting mix of tradition and innovation and is also home to exciting sights and historic buildings – always surrounded by the latent flair of Bavarian folklore.
The city is known for its traditional Bavarian cuisine, Oktoberfest and beer gardens, but there are many other exciting things to do in Munich: The museums, galleries and theaters offer some of the best art and cultural experiences on the continent.
You can explore the beautiful countryside by bike or on foot through some of Europe’s largest green spaces, the English Garden or Westpark; partygoers can choose between beer halls, live music venues or nightclubs.
Tip 1: Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg Palace is probably one of the most impressive and most magnificent 17th-century buildings that ranks among the largest royal palaces in Europe. With its extensive park, the long palace canal with avenues on both sides and the decorative fountains, the building itself, as well as the surrounding park, is a popular destination for visitors from all over the world – and the people of Munich themselves.
Even from afar, Nymphenburg Palace impresses with its sheer size: with its pompous building width of 632 meters, the building even trumps Versailles Palace. A whole day can easily be spent in the palace itself and in its extensive gardens. Inside and outside, visitors will encounter French elegance, can take a gondola ride on the canal or find a quiet spot for a picnic.
Among the special beauties of the palace, which already caused admiration of the princely society in those days, are the Stone Hall, which extends over three floors, the Beauty Gallery of King Ludwig I and the Birth Room of the “Fairy Tale King” Ludwig II, which is entirely decorated in green silk.
You should plan some time for a walk through the extensive park of Nymphenburg Palace. Fountains, small watercourses and bridges, figurines and statues, as well as park castles and small palaces await you around every bend. A walk through the grounds is always a discovery tour.
Tip 2: Marienplatz
Marienplatz (Mary’s Square) is popular with tourists and locals alike. In addition to many festivals, sports and cultural events also take place here. Due to the resident town halls, it is also the political center of Munich.
With many localities and shopping opportunities, it has always attracted many visitors – thus was and still is the most important place for social life in Munich.
The New Town Hall is the largest and most magnificent building on Marienplatz, especially in summer when beautiful flowers decorate the facade. A special feature is also the daily carillon on the front facade of the New Town Hall. Since 1908, 43 bells and numerous figures have been used here to re-enact the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renate of Lorraine. The Old Town Hall is much smaller, but also a popular sight on Marienplatz. Today, the building is mainly used for the representation of the Lord Mayor and the City Council.
Another highlight is the over eleven meter high Marian column, which stands in the middle of the Marienplatz. It is a popular photo motif for tourists. At the top of the column is a golden figure of Mary with the Christ child – it symbolizes the “Patrona Bavariae”, the patron saint of Bavaria,
The turquoise-blue fish fountain, which bears its name because fish was sold at this location in the former marketplace, is also beautiful to look at.
Tip 3: Munich Residence
As the former residence and seat of government of the Bavarian dukes, electors and kings, the Munich Residence in the heart of the Bavarian capital impresses visitors from all over the world with more than 100 state rooms, ceremonial halls, court chapels and art collections. The room ensembles from the Renaissance, early Baroque, Rococo and Classicist eras impressively convey the artistic sense of the House of Wittelsbach.
The Residence Museum, with its magnificent Antiquarium and the rooms of the King’s Building as a magnet for the public, is today one of the most important palace museums in Europe. In addition to the courtyard garden, which is only a short distance away and was built outside the moat fortifications of the time, guests can discover the numerous courtyards of the Residence in the outdoor area of the palace complex.
Tip 4: Hofbräuhaus
The Munich Hofbräuhaus at the Platzl is the most famous inn in the world. Not only the interior is typical of the country, but also the food and, of course, the beer served in beer mugs. In several halls and in the in-house beer garden, you can enjoy it in the dark and light varieties as well as wheat beer.
By the way, regulars even get the beer from their own steins, but there are long waiting lists for that. The Hofbräuhaus also features Bavarian music bands that perform daily. True Munich residents are therefore drawn here just as often as foreign guests, who, by the way, have also included Mozart and Lenin.
Tip 5: BMW World
Not only interesting for car lovers: BMW Welt is the flagship of the car manufacturer in Munich and can already be recognized from the outside by its futuristic exterior. BMW Welt allows visitors to experience many well-known BMW models and get to know them better on various guided tours.
For fans of the manufacturer, it is worth visiting the in-house souvenir store, where various souvenirs can be purchased. Not far from BMW Welt is the BMW Museum, where the varied history of the brand is presented pictorially. Hardly any other brand is so closely linked to Bavaria on the one hand and yet as internationally popular as BMW.
