If you ask Munich about the most beautiful city in the world, the answer is clear: Munich, of course! You have to decide for yourself whether that’s true or not. I had real problems with the city at the beginning. I really like the Bavarian metropolis now. One of the most beautiful places for a city trip in Germany.
The best way to enjoy life is in one of the beer gardens, cafés, on the Isar, or in the English Garden. You cover the cultural spectrum in the many events and museums. Great art museums such as the three Pinakotheken, the Deutsches Museum, or modern architectural highlights such as the Olympic Stadium, BMW World with a museum, or the Allianz Arena (home of FC Bayern Munich).
Annual attractions such as Oktoberfest attract nearly 400,000 visitors every day. Oh yes, dear Munich, you are a cosmopolitan city with a heart. In addition a cozy one!
Are you visiting the Bavarian capital Munich for the first time? Then I’ll tell you which places you absolutely have to visit and what the must-sees are in this overview for your city trip.
After reading you will know:
- What you can do in Munich
- What are the main attractions
Enjoy reading our highlights for Munich.
- Here you will find insider tips for Munich if you have already seen the sights
- Our Munich City Pass test: Is it worth it?
- Excursion destination from Munich: Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
Why Go to Munich?
Munich isn’t just a cultural hit, it’s also a real hit when it comes to food! One highlight follows the other because the Bavarian cuisine mixed with international highlights is really good!
I really like the city with all my heart now and I always love to come back!
The top 10 most important sights in Munich as a list
You should not miss the following top sights in Munich:
1. Marienplatz and the New Town Hall
2. Frauenkirche
3. Alter Peter
4. Viktualienmarkt
5. Residenz
6. Feldherrnhalle
7. Theatinerkirche
8. Hofgarten
9. Nymphenburg Palace
10. Englischer Garden
Most important top sights in Munich
1. Marienplatz & New Town Hall
The centrally located Marienplatz is the hub of downtown Munich. In addition to bourgeois houses, there are the old and new town halls. The centerpiece is the gilded Marian column.
The representative New Town Hall was built in the 19th century in the form of the Flemish Gothic style. The glockenspiel is particularly famous . The best view of the town hall and Marienplatz is from the tower of Old Peter .
Interesting: Marienplatz served as the starting point for the survey of Bavaria.
Tip: Every day at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. you can experience the carillon in action. 43 bells ring out, while 32 figures turn in the central tower of the building and show a wedding and the coopers’ dance.
In the evening at 9 p.m. the Munich Kindl shows up . These most beautiful sights in Munich are extremely popular. Be here at least 30 minutes before the show to secure a good seat!
2. Frauenkirche
It is without a doubt Munich’s most striking landmark: the Gothic cathedral “To Our Lady”, as the Frauenkirche is officially called. The 37 meter high and 109 meter long Cathedral of the Archbishop of Munich was built in the 15th century by Jörg von Halsbach, a master builder from Munich.
The Frauenkirche ” To Our Lady” has the most imposing double onion towers in Germany. The cathedral is the tallest building in the city center because no other building is allowed to tower over this building in the city center.
The southern tower is open to visitors. You can climb the tower on foot, passing seven bells along the way. From the top you have a great view of Munich.
Inside the church you will find a footprint in the entrance hall . Rumor has it that it belongs to the devil. Because he is said to have bet with the master builder that there are no windows to be seen in the church. Test it from the point of the footprint and tell us your result.
Information about the visit:
- Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays and public holidays 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last ascent is at 4.30 p.m
- Entrance fees:
- Adults: 7.50 euros, children from 7 to 16 years: 5.50 euros and children up to 6 years: free entry
- Tickets for the ascent are only available in the cathedral shop in the south tower chapel.
- Note : Unfortunately , access to the south tower is not barrier – free . It leads first via a spiral staircase and an elevator.
3. Old Peter
The tower of the parish church of St. Peter, which the locals call Alter Peter, can be climbed over 306 narrow steps. As a reward, a great view of Marienplatz, the New and Old Town Hall and the Frauenkirche awaits you. In good weather you can even see the Alps from here!
- Admission to the viewing platform: 3 euros adults
4. Viktualienmarkt
The Viktualienmarkt is the center of culinary activity in Munich. For more than 200 years, around 110 traders have been selling a large selection of groceries and specialties at the former farmers’ market in Munich city center.
There are a few tours that you can use to discover the Viktualienmarkt. You have the chance to try a lot of delicious things. In addition to all sorts of interesting stories, the food is of course not neglected. You can skip breakfast to try more.
The Viktualienmarkt is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. In the early hours, you have it all to yourself and can stroll around the square in peace.
We did this Viktualienmarkt 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
5. Residence and Odeonsplatz
The building complex consists of several courtyards. If you want to see the Bavarian royal crown (yes, there is one), you have to explore the treasures in the Renaissance building. We only looked at the treasury because this entry was included in the Munich City Pass. Otherwise, 9 euros would have been too much for us.
Information about the visit:
- Residence Museum: 9 euros for adults
- Treasury: 9 euros for adults
- Cuvilliés Theater: 5 euros for regular adults
6. Feldherrnhalle
The steps of the Feldherrnhalle are popular with Munich residents and tourists, especially in summer. Either to take a break from sightseeing and people watch over ice cream.
You will find the Feldherrnhalle at the beginning of Ludwigstraße, at the southern end of Odeonsplatz. The building was built by Friedrich von Gärtner on behalf of King Ludwig I in the mid-19th century. It was to be an open hall modeled after the Florentine Loggia Dei Lanzi.
Note: If you want to photograph this place without people, you have to get up early!
7. Theatine Church
The Theatinerkiche (so-called by the people of Munich, officially the Catholic court and collegiate church of St. Kajetan ) is also located on Odeonsplatz. With its yellow facade even a little color between the old stone buildings. Enter the church and be amazed by the beauty inside. The interior of the Baroque church shines with a soothing shade of white.
You should pay attention to the facade. It is said that it is one of the most beautiful in the city. The towers are very distinctive and you can see them from afar.
8. courtyard garden
Between the resistance and the Temple of Diana behind the Odeonsplatz, you will find the courtyard garden belonging to the residence.
This park really invites you to relax, no matter what time of year you visit the city. Here we were really amazed and just thought it was nice to escape the hustle and bustle for a short time. We walked along the gravel paths and past fountains and flower beds. If you find a free bench, sit down and just enjoy the flair!
9. Nymphenburg Palace
Elector Ferdinand Maria gave this castle to his wife Adelheid von Savoyenin because he was so happy about the birth of his son!
It is one of the largest royal palaces in Europe and is home to four museums. The Natural History Museum of Man and Nature, the Marstall Museum, the Porcelain Museum, and the Erwin von Kreibig Museum. The interior of the castle with a lot of sprawling rococo can also be visited.
If you want to see everything, including the 229-hectare park, you need more than one day. The park has a very special charm. You can lose yourself on the small paths and discover many beautiful things such as B. Figures, bridges, artificial lakes, and smaller park castles and palaces.
Just a stone’s throw away is the botanical garden with a small garden café. We just wanted to stop by and ended up spending a few hours in the castle gardens.
The hop-on hop-off bus also has a stop here and the entrance fee to the palace is included in the Munich City Pass. As always, the recommendation here is that it’s worth coming early, before the obligatory coaches arrive.
10. English Garden
Did you know that the English Garden is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world? It’s even bigger than New York’s Central Park.
The largest beer garden in the English Garden is right next to the Chinese Tower, one of the garden’s landmarks.
The prices here really pack a punch. If you want to visit a beer garden in Munich, you will be much fuller in the smaller ones outside for little money. Nevertheless, in the English Garden, the Chinese tourist sits peacefully next to the man wearing a traditional costume and both enjoy their pretzels. You should still make a stopover here.
Also world famous is the temple of Monopteros.
11. Art area and the three Pinakotheks
Pinakothek der Moderne, Alte Pinakothek and Neue Pinakothek
You should visit the three most famous of all Munich museums on the Kunstareal if you still have time. If you are short on time, be sure to visit the Pinakothek der Moderne and the Brandhorst Museum for contemporary art just a few meters away. The newest of the Pinakotheken (Pinakothek der Moderne) houses sculptures and works of classical modernism, contemporary art, and many installations. I found the “New Media” and photography collection particularly interesting. It’s definitely not boring here.
In the old pinakothek next door, you will find old masters from Rubens to Dürer, Rembrandt and Titian. In the Neue Pinakothek, there is a concentrated load of French Impressionists and German Expressionists. Since I have an art degree, I know almost every one of these works. I was particularly interested in van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.”
A small insider tip is the art museum in the Lenbachhaus. You can find all information about this great museum in my article on insider tips for Munich and the alternative sights.
You shouldn’t miss that either
In addition to the Munich sights mentioned above, there are also a few classics that we consider to be part of a Munich city trip.
And no, Oktoberfest is not one of them. I attended this annual event once and that’s enough for me (as a woman standing in line for hours at the toilet in the marquee is just no fun).
These attractions are much more worthwhile:
1. Surfers on the Eisbach
Surfing in the city center is only possible in Munich. People surfed in Munich as early as the 1970s, albeit at the Floßlände, where things are much more relaxed. The Eisbach is only for absolute professionals. You can only ride the Eisbach wave after many compulsory lessons in the rafting area. This is the unwritten law of surfers.
We could have watched the whole thing for hours. The warmer the temperatures, the more surfers wait patiently at the edge for their turn. Just as many onlookers crowd the banks of the park around the Eisbach to watch the spectacle.
The best way to do this is with a cold drink from Fräulein Grüneis, a former toilet block, which is now used as a kiosk and is characterized above all by a large range of organic products. You won’t find a normal Coca-Cola here, but homemade cakes.
- Address: Eisbachwelle at the English Garden in Munich, Prinzregentenstrasse 1
2. The Mad Ice Cream Maker
Greetings from Alice in Wonderland. This is where it gets really crazy. The first branch of the crazy ice cream maker is located directly behind the LMU. The queue was already quite long in March, but thanks to two counters and many quick hands, we were served relatively quickly.
The flavors here are really crazy, crazy delicious. Whether it’s Augustiner Helles, Obazda, or Caprese, everything really goes into the ice cream machine here. But don’t worry, even the not-so-brave will find something here. Classics like vanilla and chocolate are also on the menu here.
Nevertheless, we recommend trying at least one of the extraordinary varieties. The experience is really unique. If you can’t make it to Amalienstraße, you can also pay a visit to the crazy ice cream maker at the Viktualienmarkt or directly on Fraunhoferstraße on the Isar.
3. Reichenbach Bridge
As soon as the temperatures rise, Munich residents are drawn to the banks of the Isar. The Reichenbach Bridge with its kiosk is particularly popular with young Munich residents. It is also traded as a secret date hot spot.
There you can get the essentials 23 hours a day and sit on the shore with a cold drink. The beer selection is particularly large, but we would still recommend staying with the Augustiner. Nowhere does it taste as good as here.
4. Site of the slaughterhouse
The grounds of the slaughterhouse on Tumblingerstraße. Graffiti spraying is still allowed here. Unfortunately, the Grossmarkthalle restaurant is no longer an insider tip. If you want to eat delicious white sausage here, you should definitely make a reservation.
5. Maximilianstraße (who says it)
The Maximillianstrasse is the street of the rich and famous, where one luxury shop follows the next. Here you can really only be amazed at what money can buy. The density of luxury cars is particularly high here. When we were in Munich, the street was unfortunately a complete construction site and we couldn’t observe the typical “see and be seen”.
6. Jewish Museum Munich
In one of the most architecturally beautiful buildings in the city, located in the historical part of the city, it is mainly about two stories: on the one hand the history of the Jews in Central Europe from the Middle Ages to modern times, on the other hand, their persecution – mainly by the Germans.
There are always special exhibitions. A visit is always worthwhile and offers many opportunities to think and think further.
⚠️ With the Munich City Pass: Free entry to the Jewish Museum
7. Umadum, the Ferris wheel in Munich
The world’s largest mobile Ferris wheel with a height of 80 meters circles in the Werksviertel-Mitte and is one of the newer Munich sights. 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 times: Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm
- Prices: 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)
⚠️ With the Munich City Pass: Admission to the Umadum Ferris Wheel is free
The most beautiful vantage points
What would Munich be without the beautiful views and panoramas? Here you will find what I think are the most beautiful places for great views!
1. Luipold Park
The hill in Luitpoldpark offers you (in my opinion) the most beautiful panorama in Munich when the visibility is good. Climb the Luitpold hill (always 37 meters high) in the park of the same name in Schwabing. You can admire the Alps, especially in foehn weather and sun (winter). These seem within reach!
2. Olympic Tower in the Olympic Park
Outside the city at the BMW Museum is the Olympic Park. Right in the middle is the Olympic Tower, the second tallest building in Bavaria at 291 m. An elevator takes you 185 m up and you have the opportunity to enjoy the view over Munich and the Olympic Village, the stadium and the park from three different viewing platforms.
There is also an open platform that is particularly good for photography. The last elevator takes you up at 11:30 p.m. Nothing stands in the way of a sunset shoot here. Admission is free with the Munich City Pass.
Those who wish can fortify themselves in their own restaurant. At lunchtime, there is classic coffee and cake and in the evening fine menus are served here.
The restaurant rotates once around its own axis in 49 minutes, unfortunately, we could not test it due to time constraints. But I can imagine that you can spend a very nice evening here.
If you still want to get a taste of rock’n’roll air, then go to the rock museum in the tower. Admission is included if you have a ticket for the viewing platform.
Special city tours
Are you only in Munich for a short time? Then I recommend that you book a city tour and/or buy a ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus. Then you definitely have the opportunity to get a compact overview of the city from a local Munich guide. I also like to go on bike rides.
I recommend the following city tours:
- Tasting tour on the Viktualienmarkt
- Street art bike tour with the MUCA: Bookable directly on the MUCA website; Costs 25 euros.
to eat and 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: Homebrew 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)
- Goose somewhere else / Goose by the water: some call it a witch’s house, others a 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. 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 (Pilgersheimer Str. 13, 81543 Munich) view website.
- Bio Bäckerei 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.
- 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)
Munich map with all places worth seeing
Travel tips for sightseeing
This is how you (like us) save money: Buy the Munich City Pass
Do you want to book many sights and museums? Then you should check whether the Munich City Pass is worthwhile for you. Actually, all the important attractions and sights of Munich are included. That means you buy the pass, pay only once, and only have to show the QR code at the entrance. Your budget will no longer be touched. Great for visitors looking to save money.
Note: Museums in Munich only cost 1 euro on Sundays. Brilliant, but unfortunately always very crowded!
My top tip: take a bike to explore!
Many hotels provide bicycles for hotel guests free of charge. Alternatively, there is the MVG bicycle rental system. We were able to discover the city for a whole day with the hotel’s rental bikes. Above all, we found interesting corners that we would not have been able to walk.
You can cycle along the Isar particularly beautifully. The English Garden is also great for this.
How much time is Munich?
For Munich you should plan at least 2 days, better 3-4 days . 2 days are enough for the most important sights in the center. But we wanted to see something more and were out and about in the city from Thursday evening to Sunday late afternoon.
Since we came by car, we were able to visit Nymphenburg Palace and the Olympic Park with the Olympic Tower (for the view) before driving home. Alternatively, you can use public transport or hop-on hop-off buses that stop at both locations.
Had we had an extra day (or had the weather been worse), we would have loved to have seen the Bavaria Filmstudios.
Best travel time
In general, I would recommend spring or autumn. But since the Oktoberfest is in October (and I don’t like this happening at all – once there was enough), I advise you to switch to other months.
Most tourists are in the city from May to September/October. Hotels often cost twice as much at Oktoberfest. As mentioned, the mass binge is not mine anyway.
Traveling in winter is ideal (tip: visit the Winter Tollwood) or in March and April, when the weather is better and, above all, warmer.
Have you already been to Munich? What are your Munich sights?
What were your highlight and which activities can you recommend to us? If you have any other travel tips, I would be happy to hear your comments at the end of this article. If you are planning your trip to Bavaria and have any questions, feel free to leave them here as a comment!
Hotel tips for Munich
I can recommend the following hotels for a city trip to Munich:
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 up-and-coming district is ideal because here you have many options for food, breakfast, street art and even a climbing hall with 30 meter high walls.
Alternative: 25h hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian at the main train station
We stayed at the 25h Hotel The Royal Bavarian directly at the main train station. We are fans of the 25h hotels, and the Munich version, as always, impresses us with its creative furnishing concept.
To the website of the 25h Hotel “The Royal Bavarian”
Short facts about Munich:
- Munich is the most expensive city in Germany, on average you pay almost 20 euros per square meter for a rented apartment.
- With 1.5 million inhabitants, Munich is the third largest city in Germany.
- Munich is the birthplace of the white sausage (1857 in the tavern “Zum Ewigen Licht” on Marienplatz).
- Unfortunately, there are many prejudices: the famous Munich chic crowd deters many from visiting the state capital of Bavaria.
- The famous evening series “Lindenstrasse” takes place on a fictional street in Munich.
- No building in Munich city center may be higher than the Frauenkirche, i.e. no more than 100 meters.
Check out the following Munich guide with tips for your tour:
