Things to do in Munich

Drink in the festival spirit in Munich, one of Germany’s liveliest cities. Home to Oktoberfest, great beer, hearty food, stunning palaces and parks, find out the best things to do in Munich.

Driving to Munich

Driving from Calais to Munich is a great excuse for a European road trip. It’s really not as far as you would think, and is actually nearer to Calais than some cities in France. You’ll also be driving through France, Belgium and Luxembourg, so you could easily break the journey up with an overnight stop. Luxembourg city and Strasbourg are ideal halfway points. Make sure you check up on what you need when driving to Germany from the UK. 

Places to visit in Munich

There is simply so much to do and things to see in Munich. Whether you want to soak up history and culture, taste some incredible food and drink or take part in the city’s famous festivals, there’s something for everyone here. From the grandeur of the Nymphenburg and Residenz Palaces, to the magnificent museums and convivial beer gardens, Munich is a memorable place to spend a long weekend or maybe more. 

Munich attractions & landmarks

The Hofgarten and Bavarian State Chancellory 

Marienplatz

The heart of Munich’s Altstadt is the Marienplatz. Heavily bombed during World War II, like so many German cities it has been reconstructed to look exactly as it did centuries ago. Its main features are the Neues Rathaus (new town hall), the Altes Rathaus (old town hall) and the Mariensäule (Mary’s column). The glockenspiel in the tower of the Neues Rathaus plays out scenes from Munich’s history every day at 11am, midday and 5pm during the summer months. Mary’s column was erected in 1638 in gratitude for the end of the Swedish army’s occupation of the city during the Thirty Years War. 

Nymphenburg Palace

The Nymphenburg Palace, Munich (Credit: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

For its grandeur, opulence and size, Nymphenburg Palace stands comparison with the truly great royal palaces of Europe. The frontage of 630 metres is wider even than Versailles, and its 200 hectare park and gardens is one of the city’s favourite green spaces. The palace has stunning Baroque, Rococo and neo-classical interiors, with the highlights of any tour the Great Hall and the Gallery of Beauties. In the gardens, the Amalienburg (hall of mirrors) is a Rococo masterpiece. 

Located to the north-west of the Altstadt, Nymphenburg was once deep in the Bavarian countryside; now it is almost part of the city centre, but that has perhaps only added to its appeal. Admission to the castle park is free, and it is a popular place for locals to have a picnic or kick up the autumn leaves. 

Deutsches Museum

For anyone interested in science and technology, the vast Deutsches Museum is a fascinating place to visit and one of the best things to do in Munich. Opened in 1903 to highlight the importance of science and technology to the German people, today the museum is home to over 125,000 artefacts, with permanent exhibitions ranging from the natural sciences to robotics, aviation to electronics. There is also a daily programme of tours, demonstrations, live science shows and hands-on activities for children to try. The Deutsches Museum is located on Museum Island in the city centre, and is open all year round from 9am-5pm. 

BMW Museum

The Isetta ‘bubble car’, one of the highlights of the BMW Museum (Credit: Janusz Recław, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Bayerische Motorenwerke (more commonly known as BMW) has been manufacturing cars and motorbikes for over 100 years. The BMW Welt and Museum showcases this illustrious motoring heritage, exhibiting the company’s landmark vehicles such as Elvis Presley’s BMW 507, the 328 Mille Miglia and the Isetta ‘bubble car’. Even if you’re not a petrolhead it’s still a fascinating way to spend an hour or two. Cutting edge design has always been part of the BMW story and you can see the cars designed by modern artists such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney. Plus, the futuristic Welt ‘bowl’ (free to enter) and Museum buildings are architecturally stunning. 

Kunstareal

The Kunstareal is Munich’s cultural district, an area of the city that houses its greatest artistic treasures. In all there are 18 museums, 40 galleries and 6 universities in this grid of grand streets. Königsplatz is at its centre, commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in 1815, its two grand temples (the Glyptothek and Staatliche Antikensammlung) housing world-leading collections of Greek and Roman sculpture and classical antiquities. Elsewhere in the Kunstareal the art lover will find the three  Pinakothek Museums, the State Museum of Egyptian Art, the Lenbachhaus and Museum Brandhorst, which includes over 100 works by Andy Warhol. 

Pinakothek Museums

The three Pinakothek museums in the Kunstareal represent the best of Munich art. The Alte Pinakothek focuses on Western painting from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including works by Dürer, Raphael, Titian, El Greco, Rubens, Rembrandt and Altdorfer. Among the highlights are the only original Leonard da Vinci to be owned by a German gallery, the ‘Madonna of the Carnation’, and Dürer’s haunting ‘Self Portrait at Twenty-Eight’. The Neue Pinakothek exhibits painting and sculpture from the early modern period, although this gallery is closed for a major refurbishment programme until 2029. The Pinakothek der Moderne brings the story up to the present day, housing modern art from Picasso to Le Corbusier alongside individual museums celebrating modern architecture and design. 

Residenz Palace

Still thirsting for art and culture? The Residenz Palace will leave you drunk on the stuff, and take your breath away at the same time. The former royal palace of the Wittelsbachs, the dynasty that ruled Bavaria for hundreds of years, the Munich Residence is now a museum that exhibits their wealth, power and artistic riches. Of special significance is the Antiquarium, one of the most sumptuously decorated rooms to survive from the Renaissance period, and the Ancestral Gallery, sparkling with gilded wall panelling and portraits of the Wittelsbach family. The sculptures in the Bronze Halls and the lush red and gold interior of the Cuvilliés Theatre are also highly recommended things to see in the Residenz. 

Parks & outdoor spaces

Olympiapark still has a modern feel, over 50 years after the Games took place 

Englischer Garten

Munich’s huge green space to the north-east of the Altstadt is where the city folk come to chill, get some exercise or just soak up the sunshine. The ‘English Garden’ covers an area of 1.4 square miles, larger than Central Park in New York and London’s Hyde Park. There’s always something going on here, whether it’s ice skating on the frozen lake in winter, the Schäffler barrel makers dancing in July or the Munich marathon in October. In summer it is full of cyclists, joggers, picnickers and dog walkers. After wandering the meandering paths, enjoy a drink in one of the two beer gardens or admire the view from the ledge of the classical style temple, Monopteros. 

Olympiapark

More than 50 years after it staged the summer Olympics in 1972, the venue for the Games in Munich is still one of the city’s major attractions. The Olympiapark is dominated by the stadium, its open, tented style roof still looking modern, while the landscaped paths are a popular place for walkers, runners and cyclists. Those looking for a more high adrenaline Olympic experience could try the stadium roof climb, or even the 35 metre high zip wire from one side of the stadium to the other. Conventional tours are also available! Some of the biggest concerts in Germany are also held at the stadium. 

Hofgarten

Something of a contrast to the sprawling, undulating English Garden, the Hofgarten is formal, ornamental and flat – but just as popular. Surrounded on all four sides by the grandest of Munich buildings, including the Residenz Palace and Bavarian State Chancellory, the Hofgarten is similarly stylish. Its central feature is the temple of Diana, a pavilion originally built in 1615. The Hofgarten was destroyed by bombing during World War II, but has been rebuilt and partially redesigned. Despite its formal appearance, it is one of the city’s favourite places to relax, especially in the summer.

Food & drink

Whatever you do in Munich, there’s always a beer garden somewhere nearby! 

When you think about food and drink in Munich, it probably involves clinking 2-pint steins in a beer garden over a plate heaving with sausages and sauerkraut. You’re not wrong, either, and Munich is the undisputed home of German beer culture. The bierkellers to head for are the historic Hofbräuhaus and the Augustiner-Keller. The main types of beer are pilsner lager, a darker beer called Dunkel and Weissbier (wheat beer). Other gastronomic delights of the city include roast duck with potato Knodel, Weisswurst white sausage and Zwetschgendatschi, a plum crumble served with whipped cream, perfect for the Munich tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake). 

Shopping

Whether you’re looking for luxury items, bargains or cherry picking choice cuts for your evening meal, you’ll find plenty of shopping options in Munich. The big food market to wander around is the Viktualienmarkt, another long standing Munich tradition. It has been held in the same square in the city centre since 1807, and is open daily except on Sundays. It even has its own beer garden (obviously). The main shopping streets are Sendlingerstraße, Hackenstraße, Färbergraben, Neuhauserstraße and Kaufingerstraße. The trendy Hofstatt arcade has all the big fashion, furniture and homeware stores. 

Seasonal events & festivals

Munich certainly gets into the festival spirit! Here are just some of the events that take place in the city throughout the year. 

‘Oompah’ bands in traditional costume are a regular sight at festival time

Oktoberfest    

The original and best Oktoberfest! Munich is the home of the most famous folk festival in the world, first held in 1810. For two weeks every September and October the Theresienwiese square is transformed into a huge fairground, with enormous beer tents where people of all ages come to socialise and have fun. Oktoberfest is not just about the beer – there is traditional German food, oompah bands, costumes, parades, concerts and church services too. But ok, it’s mainly about the beer! All the big Bavarian breweries have their own tents, but make sure you reserve a table beforehand, as these are the hottest tickets in town.

Frühlingsfest

A year’s a long time between Oktoberfests. That’s why they invented Frühlingsfest! The Munich Spring Festival happens every year in late April and early May for two weeks, and celebrates winter’s passing and the start of the festival season.  Spring festivals are held in many cities across Germany, and are more or less mini Oktoberfests. In Munich Frühlingsfest is even held in the Theresienwiese, the Oktoberfest venue, and features beer tents, traditional music, costumes, a fairground and fireworks displays on both Fridays of the festival. 

Munich Christmas Market

Magical Marienplatz at Christmas 

Munich becomes magical at Christmas time when the Christkindlmarkt takes over the Marienplatz. One of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets, it is a tradition that stretches back to the Middle Ages. The tree with 3,000 lights takes centre stage in front of the Neues Rathaus, and close by is the Kripperlmarkt, with stalls dedicated to selling the wooden figures for nativity scenes that are so popular in Munich. The smell of mulled wine, baked pretzels and sweet treats is something to savour in the festive atmosphere. If it snows, even better! 

Tollwood festival

There are two ‘Tollwood’ festivals – one in winter, known as Munich’s ‘alternative Christmas market’, held in the Theresienwiese, and a summer version in the Olympiapark. Priding itself on sustainability, environmental and ethical values, Tollwood offers an eclectic mix of live music, theatre and art, and works with organic food producers, micro breweries, artisan arts and craft makers. In summer Tollwood runs for over a month, and offers plenty of free entertainment as well as the headlining performances from top dance, jazz and pop artists. 

Book your Munich sightseeing trip with LeShuttle

Your Munich adventure starts with a 35-minute crossing from Calais to Folkestone via LeShuttle.