Things to do · Munich · Germany
18 best things to do in Munich
18 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The essential sights in Munich are Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus, Frauenkirche and Englischer Garten. Of the 18 picks below, 6 are free, 6 work on a rainy day and 7 suit children. Allow about 4 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus
- Free sights
- 6
- Good on a rainy day
- Munich Residenz
- Time to see the highlights
- 4 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus | Altstadt | 45 minutes | Free |
| Frauenkirche | Altstadt | 30 minutes | Free |
| Englischer Garten | Schwabing | 2–4 hours | Free |
| Viktualienmarkt | Altstadt | 1 hour | Free |
| Hofbräuhaus | Altstadt | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Munich Residenz | Altstadt | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Nymphenburg Palace | Nymphenburg | 3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Deutsches Museum | Museumsinsel | 3–4 hours | Mid-priced |
| BMW Welt and BMW Museum | Olympiapark | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Olympiapark | Olympiapark | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| Alte Pinakothek | Maxvorstadt | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Pinakothek der Moderne | Maxvorstadt | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Asamkirche | Altstadt | 20 minutes | Free |
| St. Peter's Church tower | Altstadt | 45 minutes | Low cost |
| Odeonsplatz, Theatinerkirche and Hofgarten | Altstadt | 45 minutes | Free |
| Hellabrunn Zoo | Thalkirchen | 3–4 hours | Mid-priced |
| Allianz Arena | Fröttmaning | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Lenbachhaus | Maxvorstadt | 1.5 hours | Low cost |
The 18 best things to do
Landmark · Altstadt
1.Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus
Munich's central square has been the heart of the city since the Middle Ages. The neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus fills its north side, and its tower Glockenspiel re-enacts a 16th-century royal wedding and the coopers' dance with 32 life-size figures, usually at 11am, with extra performances in summer. A lift climbs the tower for views of the square.
Arrive ten minutes early and stand towards the back of the square near the Fischbrunnen fountain, where the view up to the tower is clearer than from under it.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Religious site · Altstadt
2.Frauenkirche
The late-Gothic brick cathedral with two onion-domed towers of about 99 metres is the symbol of Munich; the city still limits buildings in the centre so they do not exceed its height. Inside, look for the 'Devil's Footstep' imprint near the entrance and the tomb of Emperor Ludwig IV.
Stand on the Devil's Footstep at the entrance; from that spot, the side windows are hidden by the pillars, as the legend describes.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
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Park · Schwabing
3.Englischer Garten
Larger than New York's Central Park, this 18th-century park stretches north from the Altstadt along the Isar. Highlights include the Monopteros temple viewpoint, the Chinesischer Turm beer garden under a wooden pagoda and the Kleinhesseloher See lake with rowing boats. Locals sunbathe, cycle and swim in its streams in summer.
Rent a bike to cover the length of the park, stopping at the Chinesischer Turm for a beer and pretzel.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
- Iconic
Market · Altstadt
4.Viktualienmarkt
Munich's main open-air food market has been trading next to Marienplatz since 1807, with stalls of produce, cheese, sausages, flowers and honey around a tall painted maypole. Its central beer garden serves beer from Munich's breweries in rotation.
Build a picnic from the stalls and eat it in the beer garden, where bringing your own food is allowed.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Iconic
Historic site · Altstadt
5.Hofbräuhaus
The famous beer hall on the Platzl dates from the brewery founded by the Bavarian duke in 1589. Its vaulted ground-floor hall fills with long wooden tables, a brass band and litre mugs of Hofbräu beer, served with roast pork, sausages and pretzels.
Look for the regulars' tables (Stammtisch) marked with signs; don't sit there unless invited.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Food
- After dark
- History
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Palace · Altstadt
6.Munich Residenz
The former royal palace of the Wittelsbach rulers is one of Germany's largest palaces, with more than 100 rooms open to visitors, including the Renaissance Antiquarium hall. The Treasury displays crowns and jewels, and the rococo Cuvilliés Theatre can be visited separately.
Buy the combined ticket for the Residenz Museum and the Treasury, and allow a full afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Art
Palace · Nymphenburg
7.Nymphenburg Palace
The Wittelsbachs' baroque summer palace, about 5 km west of the centre, has the Gallery of Beauties commissioned by King Ludwig I, the Marstallmuseum of royal carriages and sleighs, and a vast park with canals and smaller pavilions such as the rococo Amalienburg. King Ludwig II was born here.
Take tram 17 from the Hauptbahnhof and walk along the canal to the palace for the classic approach.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- Couples
Museum · Museumsinsel
8.Deutsches Museum
On an island in the Isar, this is one of the world's largest museums of science and technology, with aircraft, ships, mining tunnels, early computers and hands-on exhibits for children. Its branch museum on Theresienhöhe covers transport, and a further aviation collection is at Schleissheim.
Pick two or three sections; it is impossible to see everything in one visit.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Olympiapark
1.BMW Welt and BMW Museum
Next to BMW's four-cylinder headquarters tower, BMW Welt is a free showroom with a swirling glass and steel roof, displaying current cars and motorcycles. Across the road, the bowl-shaped BMW Museum covers a century of the company's cars, engines and design.
Visit BMW Welt for free, then decide whether the museum interests you; combine with the Olympiapark next door.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Park · Olympiapark
2.Olympiapark
Built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, the park is known for its sweeping tent-like acrylic roofs over the stadium and arenas. The Olympic Tower has a viewing platform over the city and, on clear days, the Alps. The hill and lake are popular for walks and summer concerts.
Go up the Olympic Tower on a clear day for the Alpine panorama, or join a guided climb across the stadium roof.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Architecture
Gallery · Maxvorstadt
3.Alte Pinakothek
One of the world's great Old Masters galleries, with European paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries, including Albrecht Dürer's 1500 self-portrait, one of the largest Rubens collections anywhere, and works by Rembrandt, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci.
Visit on a Sunday, when Bavarian state galleries charge a symbolic entry fee, but expect more visitors.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Gallery · Maxvorstadt
4.Pinakothek der Moderne
Four museums under one roof cover modern and contemporary art, architecture, design and works on paper. The design collection's cars, computers and furniture are a highlight, and the central rotunda is an architectural sight in itself.
Start with the design collection in the basement, especially if you are visiting with teenagers.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Religious site · Altstadt
5.Asamkirche
Built in the 1730s and 1740s by the Asam brothers as their private church next to their home, this narrow church on Sendlinger Straße is an explosion of late-baroque gold, marble and stucco packed into a tiny space.
It is easy to walk past; look for the rocky facade between the shopfronts on Sendlinger Straße.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Viewpoint · Altstadt
6.St. Peter's Church tower
Munich's oldest parish church, known locally as Alter Peter, has a tower reached by about 300 steps. The platform looks straight down on Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche, and on clear, dry days with a föhn wind the Alps appear on the horizon.
Climb when the weather report mentions föhn; it brings crystal-clear views of the mountains.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Active
Architecture · Altstadt
7.Odeonsplatz, Theatinerkirche and Hofgarten
Odeonsplatz is framed by the Feldherrnhalle loggia, modelled on Florence's Loggia dei Lanzi, and the ochre baroque Theatine Church. Next to it, the formal Hofgarten has hedged paths, a central temple and arcades where locals play music on summer evenings.
Walk from here up Ludwigstraße to the Siegestor and on into Schwabing.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Couples
Zoo · Thalkirchen
8.Hellabrunn Zoo
Munich's zoo on the banks of the Isar was one of the first to group animals by continent. Polar bears, elephants, gorillas and a large children's zoo with farm animals fill a long walk through riverside woodland.
Combine it with a walk or bike ride along the Isar back towards the centre.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Architecture · Fröttmaning
9.Allianz Arena
FC Bayern's stadium, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, is wrapped in inflated panels that glow red at night on match days. Arena tours visit the dressing rooms and players' tunnel, and the FC Bayern Museum tells the club's story.
Book a tour on a non-match day, or watch the arena light up from the U6 station after dark.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Tours and match tickets sell out; book through the official club site well in advance.
- Architecture
- Kids
- After dark
Gallery · Maxvorstadt
10.Lenbachhaus
The Italianate villa of the 19th-century painter Franz von Lenbach, extended with a modern wing, holds the world's largest collection of works by the Blue Rider group, including Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc and Gabriele Münter.
Head straight for the Blue Rider rooms, then enjoy the villa's garden and café.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Munich Residenz, Deutsches Museum, BMW Welt and BMW Museum and Alte Pinakothek |
| History | Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus, Frauenkirche, Munich Residenz and Nymphenburg Palace |
| Views | Olympiapark and St. Peter's Church tower |
| Outdoors and nature | Englischer Garten, Nymphenburg Palace, Olympiapark and Hellabrunn Zoo |
| Food and markets | Viktualienmarkt and Hofbräuhaus |
| After dark | Hofbräuhaus and Allianz Arena |
| With children | Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus, Englischer Garten, Deutsches Museum and BMW Welt and BMW Museum |
| On a rainy day | Munich Residenz, Deutsches Museum, BMW Welt and BMW Museum and Alte Pinakothek |
What to book ahead
- Allianz Arena: Tours and match tickets sell out; book through the official club site well in advance.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Munich?
Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus. Munich's central square has been the heart of the city since the Middle Ages.
+What can you do for free in Munich?
Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus, Frauenkirche, Englischer Garten, Viktualienmarkt and Asamkirche. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Munich when it rains?
Head indoors to Munich Residenz, Deutsches Museum, BMW Welt and BMW Museum and Alte Pinakothek.
+What is there to do in Munich at night?
Hofbräuhaus and Allianz Arena are best after dark.