This is the first of my city guides, and it’s one of my favourite cities in Europe – Munich! There are so many great things to see and do in Munich, as I discovered when I visited Munich for the first time last March. I had an amazing time soaking in the sights, sampling local cuisine (and many steins of beer!) and experienced both sun and snow!
I was also there for the St Patricks Day party, in which a parade travels down the grand boulevards of Leopold and Ludwig Strasse to Odeonsplatz, before erupting into a festive street party of live music and traditional dancing, crazy costumes and of course lots of food and drink!
I was there for 4 days/3 nights. This was a great amount of time for a laidback pace of sightseeing and exploring. You could see the main attractions and soak up the culture in fewer days if you have greater time constraints. Or stay for longer and explore more things to see and do in Munich and surrounding areas!
Note: to be as authentic as possible, all photos in this article are my own pictures! You can probably find better photos online if you wish! This post also contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
Munich
Munich is famous for its rich history, Bavarian culture and beer. The streets are steeped in tradition yet bustling with vibrant energy. There is an array of attractions to suit every interest, from architectural grandeur and iconic landmarks, vast green spaces and lively beers gardens. Not to mention the amazing Bavarian food on offer and ever-lasting infatuation with football (be prepared for rowdy scenes if you’re out and about after a Bayern Munich win).
With something for everyone, it’s truly a must visit destination for overseas travellers. With an arrary of things to see and do in Munich, here is a sample of my favourite sights:
Marienplatz and Old Town
Marienplatz, the centre city square of Munich, lies at the heart of the city and is a constant hub of activity. It is home to the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) – one of my favourite gothic buildings in all of Europe. An absolute must-see is the iconic Glockenspeil clock tower, which features a charming show of bells and moving life size figures that depict scenes from Munich’s history, multiple times a day.
The square is ideal to have a coffee and people watch, take in the history and architecture on offer and enjoy street performers. It also hosts Munich’s famous Christmas markets and Bayern Munich’s championship celebrations (although no Bundesliga crown this year!).
Surrounding Marienplatz is Munich’s charming Old Town, with its narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and traditional beer halls. There are landmarks like Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady) and Viktualienmarkt, a bustling open-air market offering fresh produce and local delicacies.
Englischer Garten (English Gardens)
Just outside the city is the wonderful Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world. On nice days, the park will be busy with locals and tourists alike escaping the city buzz, playing outdoor sports or enjoying a picnic. A great spot for a change of scenery.
Within the Englischer Garten, you will find the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) beer garden – offering a quintessential Bavarian experience with great beer and a lively atmosphere.
A must visit spot at the entrance to the park is the Eisbachwelle, a city centre location to watch surfers riding artificial waves. I had no knowledge of this and stumbled upon it when leaving the gardens after a picnic but was enthralled watching scores of wetsuit-clad adventure seekers skilfully surf the waves. A must-see all year round!
Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg Palace, located on the outskirts of Munich, is a stunning Baroque palace and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Built as a summer residence for the Bavarian rulers in the 17th century, Nymphenburg Palace impresses visitors with its grand architecture, lavish interiors, and extensive gardens.
Highlights of the palace complex include the lavish State Apartments, the Gallery of Beauties, the Marstallmuseum (Carriage Museum), and the picturesque parklands dotted with fountains, sculptures, and pavilions. The Palace is an interesting glimpse into Bavaria’s royal heritage and is a great destination for those seeking history, culture, and natural beauty.
Beer Halls
Traditional beers halls are one of the staples of Bavarian culture and a great place to sample authentic dishes like schnitzel and sauerkraut while enjoying steins of beer and live music. Here you will find the traditional long tables, great for grabbing a beer and making new friends, and the waiters may even be bringing around massive pretzels for purchase!
Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner-Keller are popular beer halls to visit but can get crowded and busy depending on when you go, but the city is full of great establishments. I find that it’s fun to take a walk around old town in the evening (or lunch time) and head into wherever takes your fancy!
Special Mentions
- Allianz Arena – home of Bayern Munich, this is a great attraction for football fans to catch a game or tour the modern stadium.
- Dachau Concentration Camp – for a sombre day trip just outside of Munich, the former holocaust concentration camp turned memorial is a chilling and profoundly moving delve into a dark chapter of history.
- Michael Jackson tribute – truly a weird sight to stumble upon, but Munich clearly continues to love the King of Pop and covers this makeshift memorial in candles, photos and hand-written notes! Found just across from the Bayerischer Hof hotel.
Where to Stay?
I stayed in the H+ Hotel München which was just outside the Old Town. It was a nice hotel with friendly staff and can have no complaints. It was about 20 mins walk to the heart of Old Town or easy access via the metro. I would recommend checking out Booking.com for hotels.
Munich was one of my first cities to visit from Australia so I wanted to have a hotel booked. For the majority of my stays in other cities, I stayed in hostels and would recommend this form of accommodation if you are travelling on a budget or looking to meet like-minded travellers. Check out my guide to hostel travel here. Or to browse countless amazing budget-consious hostel options, check out Hostelworld here!
Summary – things to see and do in Munich
In summary, there are so many great things to see and do in Munich. Whether it’s your first or tenth time travelling to the Bavarian capital, this vibrant city offers up an enticement of top attractions, old world charm, welcoming culture and amazing cuisine. I will definitely be visiting again when next in Europe. Enjoy!