Top Things To Do In Munich
Updated: Oct 5, 2023
Munich, the capital of Bavaria, Germany, has been on my travel bucket list for a while. Finally, this summer I managed to fulfill this small personal dream - to visit this charming city, the blend of impressive past, and vibrant present, historical architectural ensembles, and lively ambiance.
In this post, I will give you a few ideas of the top things to do in Munich: get a positive experience and fall in love with this city!
For ideas on how you can combine your visit to Munich with an exploration of other places and savings tips, check out my recent post. As for the hotel, there are a lot of options on Booking: we decided to stay in Hampton, and it was a good option in terms of price and quality.
So, let's get started!
Theresierwiese - Octoberfest
If you are lucky enough to be in Munich in the second half of September or the beginning of October, you should visit Theresienwiese. It was the place of the wedding celebration between Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in 1810 when Octoberfest started.
By the way, save the dates for the upcoming Octoberfests in 2024 and 2025, in order not to miss them!
Oktoberfest 2024: Saturday, September 21st – Sunday, October 6th
Oktoberfest 2025: Saturday, September 20th – Sunday, October 5th
If you missed Octoberfest this year, I still recommend visiting Munich: the vivant festive atmosphere here all year round, and at any point in time you can enjoy your favorite local beer with a pretzel in a local beer garden!
Englischer Garten
Englischer Garten is an incredible place - one of the world's largest urban parks, where you can have your own Octoberfest every day. This park was founded around 225 years ago, by Elector Karl Theodor, that's why this park was first called Theodor's Park, but soon the name Englischer Garten (English Garden) became established – because it was not laid out as a geometrically designed French Baroque garden, but in the natural style of an English landscape park.
Now the park is super popular both among the locals and tourists. People love spending weekends there, there are a lot of cyclists and even those who swim in the river! For beer lovers: there are four beer gardens located in the park – at the Aumeister, at the Chinesischer Turm, in the Hirschau, and at the Seehaus close to Kleinhesseloher See.
Marienplatz
Marienplatz - the central square of Munich, the must-see place in the Bavarian capital, that has been the main square of Munich since the beginning of the 12th century. Marienplatz is known for its New City Hall (Neues Rathaus) on its northern side and the Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus), a meticulously reconstructed Gothic council hall featuring a ballroom and tower, on the eastern side.
A major attraction is the Glockenspiel in the tower of the New City Hall, inspired by medieval tournaments held in the square, and it draws millions of tourists annually.
BMW Museum
Explore the world of BMW at the BMW Welt, where you can see the latest BMW models, and the BMW Museum, which showcases the history of this iconic automobile brand. The museum offers visitors an impressive journey through BMW's past, present, and future. The museum's striking architecture, designed by Karl Schwanzer, is a standout in itself, with its futuristic "bowl" and "double cone" structure.
Inside, the museum's exhibitions are a visual and educational delight for car enthusiasts. It chronicles BMW's evolution from its early days as a manufacturer of aircraft engines and motorcycles to its present status as a global leader in automotive vehicles.
Olympiapark
After visiting the BMW Museum, go to the nearby Olympic Park, a large recreational and cultural complex that was originally constructed for the 1972 Summer Olympics. It's an amazing place to spend sunny days and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities - a decent alternative to the English Garden.
The iconic landmarks of Olympia Park include the following:
- Olympia tower that is almost 300 meters high with stunning panoramic views of the city;
- Olympia stadium - the main stadium of the city, a venue for sporting events, concerts, and cultural festivals;
- Olympiasee - Olympic Lake, a peaceful spot to relax, and go for a leisurely walk or picnic. In the summer, you can rent paddleboats and enjoy the water.
Overall, it's an amazing place to relax and unwind, that also hosts a wide range of various events, concerts, and activities during the year.
Nymphenburg Palace
This palace, known as Schloss Nymphenburg, is one of the most significant Baroque palaces in Europe and a symbol of Bavarian royalty and splendor. Nymphenburg Palace was built in the late 17th century and was initially intended as a summer residence for the Bavarian royal family.
The palace is set within a sprawling park and garden complex. The gardens are designed in the French Baroque style, with intricate fountains, water features, and meticulously maintained green spaces.
Frauenkirche
Start your journey near the central underground stations in Munich, such as Marienplatz or Karlplatz, and go explore the charming streets of this beautiful city. At some point, you will walk by Frauenkirche, the Cathedral of Our Dear Lady, one of Munich's most iconic landmarks and an important religious and historical site in Bavaria.
The Cathedral is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, featuring two tall towers of approximately 99 meters in height. The construction of the Cathedral began in 1468 under the patronage of Duke Sigismund and continued for several decades, the results of the construction are impressive - you must see this place when you come to Munich!
Hofbrauhaus
Hofbräuhaus is one of the most famous beer halls in the world and a must-visit destination for travelers exploring Munich. It has a rich history dating back to 1589 when it was founded by Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria. It was originally established as a royal brewery for the Wittelsbach family.
The beer hall's interior exudes a vibrant and lively atmosphere, with long wooden communal tables, traditional Bavarian decorations, and live music provided by in-house bands playing traditional folk music.
The Hofbräuhaus offers a menu of classic Bavarian dishes, including sausages, pretzels, sauerkraut, schnitzel, and roast pork. It's an excellent place to savor authentic Bavarian cuisine and the local beer, which you can also buy in the shop inside the beer hall.
Hope you are inspired to spend a weekend or more in Munich - this list is not exhaustive, there are plenty of other places to see and things to do in this charming city. For more ideas, check out my guide on Thatch, and you can also follow me on Instagram, where I will be covering more destinations in Europe and sharing more nice pictures, recommendations, hints & tips.
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