In Munich there are hidden corners, unknown quarters, or tours that are off the mainstream. Where is the best street art, the best exhibition and the most beautiful places to relax and eat? During my last short trip to Munich, I was looking for insider tips for Munich and alternatives to the well-known sights of the state capital of Bavaria.
Not for locals and connoisseurs, but for visitors and tourists like you and me. Are you ready for the next city trip?
Note: Here is my link to the article for the Munich sights on the travel blog. Tips for hotel travel guides and tickets for sights can be found here in the travel tips for Munich. View all information about the Munich City Pass here (it’s worth it).
City walks on the north-south passage
When it comes to the city of Munich, the statements are pretty much the same: Munich is the largest village in Germany. And that’s not meant negatively at all. Munich is a big city, but in many corners, it doesn’t look like it at all. Compared to Cologne or Berlin, Munich is somehow cozy and somehow green.
You can explore most of the sights and insider tips on foot, for example on the north-south or east-west passage. However, I had my bike with me and rode part of the route. Unfortunately, the rain got in the way, so I had to cancel. Because the tour leads along the Isar, you rarely feel like you are in a big city. Simply a great tip for Munich.
Route: The tour begins or ends at BMW World and takes you via the Olympic Village, the memorial site for the 1972 Olympic attack + memorial stone, Olympiaberg (great view), Eisbach and the Eisbachwelle, Bavarian National Museum, Angel of Peace along the Isar and the Praterinsel, dem Rosengarten, the Isar steps and the Thalkirchner bridge to the destination Gasthaus Hinterbrühl. Ideal for the end of the day.
Warning: be careful of the entrance to the rose garden, which is not easy to see from the cycle path. At some points on the route, you have to dismount and push your bike, as cycling is prohibited.
Information about city hiking or cycling
- Here you can use the komoot tour app to follow the route of the north-south passage or take it for a walk
- Alternatively, you can explore the East-West Passage ( see route on komoot ). This starts at the Friedensengel. Other places: Bogenhausen Cemetery, Chinese Tower and Monopteros in the English Garden, Milchhäusl, University of Munich, White Rose Memorial, Alte Pinakothek, Königsplatz, the Lenbachhaus mentioned below, Hubertusbrunnen and the Nymphenburg Palace with palace garden (one of my top sights in Munich)
- You can also book the city hike through Munich East-West Passage with a guide here on the Munich Tourism website (duration 3 hours, costs 25 euros per person with a stop at the Milchhäusl and a drink of your choice)
Rose Garden
Everyone in Munich knows the English Garden. Sure, because the Eisbach wave with the surfers is no longer an insider tip. Just as little as the great Fräulein Grüneis kiosk, where you can buy an ice cream or a cool drink. You can find more about this in the article for the sights in Munich.
My best tip as an alternative to the English Garden: The Rose Garden
The beautiful small park right next to the Isar is very well maintained and hardly known to tourists (not yet). The garden was originally created to grow plants and trees. The park was opened to the public in the late 1980s. Since there are signs with the names of the varieties on all plants and roses, you can spend a lot of time here looking for the most beautiful rose.
Many tourists pass by the entrance, which is difficult to find (especially for cyclists). Therefore, things are more idyllic here than in other parks. Everywhere there are benches and chairs that invite you to linger. Take a walk and sniff the fragrant roses. A great alternative to the English Garden.
One of the most beautiful places in Munich for me. I especially liked the garden of poisonous plants with its small stream that meanders through it. You can also read on the boards which plants you should not eat.
Well-known alternatives to the rose garden are the English Garden and the Olympic Park.
Information about the rose garden
- Opening times: April to September from Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. From October to March from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Admission is free
Werksviertel-Mitte
The history of the Werksviertel-Mitte is fascinating to me and describes it in three words: multifunctional, urban, and international. Behind Munich’s Ostbahnhof, where the Pfanni company produced its dumplings, mashed potatoes, and ready-to-eat mixes for almost 70 years, a new trendy district is growing: the Werksviertel-Mitte Munich. The area is still privately owned and should be included in your itinerary for Munich.
Great importance is attached to sustainability. Houses are built gradually, not at the same time. The Umadum Ferris Wheel or the Container Collective with bars and small shops are currently located in the fallow areas.
There are offices, an inclusive restaurant next to star cuisine, hotels, and hostels. A great after-work and party location thanks to the Container Collective with great shops and bars. Sheep, quail, and bees even live on the roof of Plant 3. Next to it is an alpine hut. In the middle of the city.
In the old potato silo of Plant 4, you will find the Heavens Gate climbing hall, which has designed its routes upwards in the old silos. I was allowed to take a look and am really excited. A large area for bouldering and walls with 30-meter-high climbing routes make the heart beat faster.
One thing that must not be neglected: is gastronomy. Many great locations from coffee roasters to authentic Thais and street food atmosphere. This a great neighborhood to explore on your next trip to Munich. The prerequisites for a neighborhood where you have everything in place. Super exciting!
Eating Tips
- Tips for eating out in the Werksviertel-Mitte: Mun (Sushi Gourmet Street Food), Khanittha (very authentic Thai Street Food), Aleppo Grill
- Breakfast: Coffee Roastery, Boulangerie Dompierre, Mariss Bar next to the Gambino Hotel
- Bars: Bar of Bel-Air (Container Collective),
- Book a tour in the Werksviertel-Mitte to get to the sheep in Plant 3 on the roof including the Stadtalm.
Umadum Ferris Wheel
The world’s largest mobile Ferris wheel with a height of 80 meters is circling again. I was allowed to drive it the day before the official reopening. The ride takes 30 minutes, at the valley station you can stock up on drinks and snacks before the ride. When the weather is good and the view is clear, you can not only see the entire Munich skyline but also have a panoramic view of the Alps.
Incidentally, “Umadum” is Bavarian for “all around”. The Ferris wheel has 27 gondolas, each of which can hold 16 people (only 8 during Corona).
Information about the Umadum
- Opening timing: Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm
- Entry Fee: adults 12 euros, children and young people (6 – 15 years) and seniors from 65 years: 9 euros
- Free with the Munich City Card (with the Munich Card – 20 % discount)
Discover street art and visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MUCA)
Compared to other German metropolises, you won’t find as much street art in Munich. However, if you know where to find street art, there is a lot to see.
My tip: book a street art bike tour at MUCA
During the penultimate visit to Munich, we explored street art on our own. Now I took part in a bike tour with Stefanie from MUCA. The tour was great because I was able to learn a lot of facts and backgrounds for works of art. If you haven’t had that much contact with graffiti and stencils, you’ll learn everything about the creation of graffiti and the artists’ techniques!
If you want to explore Munich in alternative (bicycle) ways, you have to book this entertaining tour. I enjoyed it very much. The best thing was that you could still go to the MUCA Museum for free afterward. For me a real insider tip for Munich.
Places for street art in Munich:
- Tumblers Hall of Fame
- Old cattle yard and signalman Thiel
- Thalkirchner Strasse, kiosk opposite the MS Utting beginning the walls in the direction of the slaughterhouse
- Underpass Friedensengel
- Corneliusbruecke (Cornelius Bridge)
- Werksviertel-Mitte
- candid place
- Muffathalle
MUCA
At the latest after visiting the MUCA you will be a fan of the icons of urban art: Banksy, Os Gêmeos, Shepard Fairey, or Swoon. In the rooms of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MUCA) you can admire the originals of contemporary art in Munich. The exhibition “Icons of Urban Art” shows original works of art of the now world-famous greats. The current special exhibition of an icon from the 1970s shows the shadow men of the “Godfather of Street Art” Richard Hambleton. The title of the exhibition is “Richard Hambleton – the forgotten shadow man”.
The bunker next door will soon open. More works of art and installations will be on display there over a larger area. I was allowed to take a look in advance and I have to tell you: It’s worth it.
Be sure to visit this hotspot for the street and urban art scene. For me the best of all alternative sights in Munich. By the way: The MUCA owns the largest Banksy collection in Europe and exhibits over 20 originals by the street artist.
Information about the tour and the MUCA
- Address MUCA: Hotterstrasse 12, 80331 Munich
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed on Tuesdays
- Street Art Bike Tour with a visit to MUCA: from 25 euros, bookable here on the MUCA website
- Duration of the tour by bike: approx. 3 – 3.5 hours
- Buy this guide: Streetart Munich: Guide for Munich, with many illustrations and stories of the development
- You can also take part in graffiti workshops
Tasting tour of the Viktualienmarkt
As they say? Testing is above studying. I, therefore, advise you to definitely take a test tour of the Viktualienmarkt. The market has been supplying Munich residents with all kinds of culinary delicacies and delicacies since 1807. In addition to historical information, you will also be told the history of many of the shops around it. For example, since the tour I have known which is the most frequented bakery in Germany.
If you want to know where to get the best coffee, the tastiest pretzels, and the best cheese, this tour is for you.
Of course, there are also some specialties to try: From cheese to freshly squeezed juices, Franconian sausage specialties to pretzels.
Information about the tasting tour
- Can be booked directly on the Simply Munich website
- Duration about 2 hours
- Cost 30 euros
- The tour is conducted by officially trained guides from the state capital of Munich
Gans Woanders / Gans am Wasser
Some call it a witch house, others tree house. It doesn’t matter, because this place awakens every childhood dream of your own tree house (which I never had, but my best friend did). In Giesing at Goose Woanders, you can sit in the witch’s house between trees in a really cozy atmosphere.
Goose Woanders has been thought through down to the smallest detail. Go inside and explore the individual rooms. I liked it best under the roof of the piano.
From cake to rosemary fries to pizza (vegetarian and vegan from 5 p.m.) you will also get your fill of culinary delights here. For me the most beautiful place to go out and not nearly as well known as Bahnwärter Thiel or the MS Utting.
By the way, the counterpart goose by the water is said to be just as great. Some even say they like it better. Due to heavy rain, I was not able to cycle to Gans am Wasser. Will definitely make up for it on the next visit to Munich!
- Address: Pilgersheimer Str. 13, 81543 Munich
- Opening hours: Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday – Wednesday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight. Food is always served until 11 p.m., Sundays until 10 p.m
- view website
Organic bakery Julius Brandtner
What is more important than having a good breakfast with rolls or bread in the morning? You can get all of this from Julius Brandtner in his glass organic bakery. You can see through the glass panes from the outside that everything is made by hand here.
“It is my passion to bake with the best organic raw materials from the region.”
-Julius Brandter
The philosophy: everything organic, everything by hand. So you can watch how the roll and the bread are kneaded and folded. An art in itself. Also, there are only five products. That’s enough, I think because they’re all great. I had the pleasure of trying everything. My conclusion: The fluffiest rolls and the best bread I have eaten so far!
During my visit, I got feedback from many of you that this really is by far the best bakery in Munich. Be sure to try the bread and rolls when you are in Munich! My favorite: is Organic bread craft 25 consisting of organic wholemeal wheat flour, organic rye flour, and organic natural sourdough made from wholemeal rye. Delicious!
- Address: Nordendstraße 23 (Schwabing)
- Pop Up in the Aroma coffee bar: Tuesday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m
- You can read more about the philosophy on the website
- Follow Julius and his team on Facebook and Instagram
Art Museum in the Lenbachhaus
The Städtisches Galerie im Lenbachhaus is an art museum in the Bavarian capital of Munich with changing special exhibitions. It is located in the Lenbachpalais, the former villa of the painter Franz von Lenbach. The listed villa has a great courtyard garden that you should not miss. Currently, this can also only be visited with a ticket.
The Lenbachhaus has the world’s largest collection of “The Blue Riders”, one of the most important groups of artists of the 20th century. Above all, works by Wassily Kandinsky, oil paintings, drawings, watercolors, sketchbooks, and reverse glass paintings are among them. You can also take a closer look at other important artists such as Franz Marc, August Macke, or Paul Klee. A really great museum!
information about the visit
- Address : Luisenstrasse 33, 80333 Munich
- Opening timing: Tuesday – Sunday 10 am to 6 pm, except Thursday until 8 pm. closed on Monday
- Included in the Munich City Pass (The Munich Card only offers discounts)
- Entry Fee: 10 euros
Palaeontological Museum Munich
Just a few meters away from the Lenbachhaus you will find another secret tip: the Paleontological Museum Munich. A free and publicly accessible part of the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology in Kunstareal Munich.
Here you can embark on a journey into prehistoric times and see the remains of long-extinct animals. The imposing skeletons of a pterosaur, the largest Bavarian dinosaur, Plateosaurus, the Mühlendorf Urelefant, or the skull of a three-horned dinosaur are quite impressive. Just like the skeleton of a giant deer and a fish dinosaur.
Would you have thought that you would find dinosaur remains in the middle of Munich? For a moment I felt like I was in the movie “Night at the Museum”.
- There are also guided tours for families
- Admission free
- Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Open every first Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
- See more info on the official website
More tips for Munich and alternative highlights on your next visit:
- Olympic Park and summer and winter rabies
- Bathing at the Flauchersteg and then to the Zum Flaucher beer garden
- Instead of the Hofbräuhaus, head to the Augustiner-Keller or Hofbräukeller
- The varied Türkenstraße with great cafes, restaurants and shops
- Take a trip to one of the five lakes: Ammersee, Starnberger See, Wörthsee, Pilsensee and Wesslinger See
Café in the Vorhoelzer Forum of the Technical University of Munich
Note: Currently closed for renovations. In addition, the lease with the old operator had expired.
Without a doubt, you have the most beautiful view of Marienplatz from Alter Peter r. But if you want to enjoy a great view of the entire Munich skyline, I recommend the café in the Vorhoelzer Forum on the roof of the TU Munich. From the roof, you have an excellent view of the Königsplatz to the Frauenkirche, Theatinerkirche, and the Olympiaturm. In foehn weather, you even have a view of the Alps from here.
In the café, you can eat cheaply and have a coffee. You can’t eat cheaper in downtown Munich and have such a great view at the same time.
How to get up:
The entrance is a little hidden. They want to leave the café primarily for the students, so you won’t find any signs in the building. Use the entrance on Arcisstraße. Go left inside the building until you get to the elevators. Drive to the 4th floor, because you usually have to walk the last floor up (floor 5).
Opening hours:
- In summer (May-August) from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m
- In spring and autumn (March – April, and September – October) from 9 am to 9 pm
- In winter (November – February) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Map for Munich with all tips of the city
Open the map on your smartphone to quickly navigate through Munich. In this map, you will find all insider tips and sights for Munich. In addition, the recommended places, hotels, museums and restaurants, and beer gardens.
Useful tips for Munich
Arrival to Munich
Do you live in Germany? Then travel (also for environmental reasons) by train. Alternatively, you can travel by long-distance bus Flixbus, which always has bargains on offer.
In addition, parking spaces in Munich are rare and underground garages are expensive (at least 15 euros per day).
Hotel tip
For the places mentioned in this article, I can highly recommend the Gambino Hotel in the Werksviertel-Mitte. Book a room with a view of the Umadum Ferris wheel (category: CLASSICO Ferris wheel). The view is exceptionally beautiful.
The location in the new up-and-coming area is ideal because here you have many options for food, breakfast, street art, and even a climbing hall with 30-meter-high walls.
First impression & Orientation
The 19 tram line is also known as the sightseeing line. It is part of the public transport network in Munich and passes all the important Munich sights.
You can get an initial overview of the price of a normal ticket. The tram starts in Passing and ends at the Berg am Laim stop and then returns. Do you have a Munich City Card with public transport? Even better, then you drive here for free.
A ride takes about an hour.
Cycling in Munich
I love exploring Munich by bike. The bike paths are great. in the city center, there are separate bike lanes that you can use.
In the Isar, you can drive beautifully in the countryside. When the weather is good, you can see a lot more of the city by bike and get from A to B faster.
Alternatively, there are also e-scooters from many providers in Munich. However, the trips quickly become expensive.
Best guide
I’m a fan of the small and compact travel guides Dumont Direct. As always, the Munich edition prepared me well for the trip. Absolute purchase recommendation!
As a supplement, I bought Dumont’s picture atlas for Munich. This not only offers tips for great places but also little stories that we like to read again and again to prepare for our trip.
You can find some of the places mentioned here in the Glücksorte in Munich travel guide. Here are real insider tips from locals.
Eat Drink
In addition to the goose somewhere else, I also visited a few places to eat during this city trip to Munich. Some of the tips for good food and bars can be found under “Werksviertel-Mitte” and the others are here:
- Alte Utting: Especially beautiful here at sunset. I can highly recommend the pizza from the wood-fired oven (I had the vegetarian one).
- Fresh Beer: Homegrown beers and craft beers galore to try. Close to signalman Thiel and Alte Utting.
- Blitz Restaurant: Ingenious mix of vegan-vegetarian-Mexican. There is also street art on the walls. In Mexico style, of course. Be sure to reserve a table in advance (preferably via the App Fork).
- Of course, also at the Viktualienmarkt, e.g. at Kaspar Plaut z (everything with potatoes)
What are your “must-see places” and insider tips for Munich? Tell us about your experience!
Leave us a comment at the end of the article and tell us how your visit was. I’m looking forward to more insider tips for the next city trip to the Bavarian capital Munich. You can find the most important sights here in my Munich Sights post.
