Germany · City break
Munich City Guide
Munich is Bavaria's cosmopolitan capital between tradition and good living: the Gothic Frauenkirche with its onion domes, the Marienplatz with its glockenspiel, the Wittelsbach royal palaces, beer gardens under chestnut trees and surfers on a river wave in the middle of the city. On the horizon the Alps greet you. Ready-made routes for two days take you from the old town through the English Garden to the big sights on the edge - with no planning needed.
🗺️ Open Munich interactively – map & navigationOur walks through Munich
Two routes open up Munich: the first leads on foot through the old town - from Marienplatz with its glockenspiel via the Viktualienmarkt and the Frauenkirche to the Wittelsbach Residenz, then through the English Garden with surfers on the Eisbach wave and the Chinese Tower to the Hofbräuhaus and the Alte Pinakothek (10 stops, approx. 5.5 km). The second links Nymphenburg Palace, BMW Welt with its museum and the Olympic Park with its tower (5 stops, approx. 4 km). The highlights:
Altstadt, Könige & Surfer
Day one begins at Marienplatz with its glockenspiel, leads over the Viktualienmarkt to the Gothic Frauenkirche and the Wittelsbach Residenz, across the Odeonsplatz with the Feldherrnhalle and through the Hofgarten to the Eisbach wave, where surfers ride in the middle of the city. On into the English Garden to the beer garden by the Chinese Tower, into the rustic Hofbräuhaus and, as an art alternative, the Alte Pinakothek.
- Marienplatz / New Town Hall – The walk begins at Marienplatz, Munich's heart since the Middle Ages. Above the square rises the richly decorated neo-Gothic façade of the New Town Hall with its tall tower. At 11 am and noon (also 5 pm in summer) the famous glockenspiel springs to life: 32 life-size figures turn in tournament and coopers' dance while the crowd on the square looks up. Come early to have the square almost to yourself.
- Viktualienmarkt – A few steps on lies the Viktualienmarkt, Munich's great open-air food market for over 200 years. Colourful stalls offer fruit, vegetables, cheese, flowers, spices and delicacies from around the world, plus small food stands. A maypole stands in the middle, and under chestnut trees a small beer garden invites a first Bavarian snack: a pretzel, an Obatzda and a cool beer - right in the market's bustle.
- Frauenkirche – The Frauenkirche with its two distinctive onion domes is Munich's landmark, visible across the whole city - no new building may rise above it. The plain Gothic brick church of 1488 feels bright and spacious inside. Famous is the Devil's Footstep in the entrance, a footprint the devil is said to have left. Climb the south tower to look over the old town and, on clear days, to the Alps on the horizon.
- Munich Residenz (Courtyards) – The Munich Residenz was for centuries the city palace of the Wittelsbachs, the Bavarian dukes and kings, and is today one of Europe's most important palace museums. The full interior with state rooms, treasury and the Antiquarium easily takes two to three hours - for the day a stroll through the splendid, freely accessible courtyards will do, past the Grottenhof with its shell-lined walls.
- Feldherrnhalle / Odeonsplatz – The wide Odeonsplatz forms the grand transition from the old town to the royal boulevard Ludwigstraße. On its south side stands the Feldherrnhalle, an open loggia modelled on the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence, with two bronze lions and statues of generals. Beside it glows the yellow Theatinerkirche with its Baroque dome. A broad, dignified square - and a popular meeting point.
- Hofgarten – Behind the Residenz spreads the Hofgarten, a strictly geometric Renaissance garden of the 17th century. At its centre stands a delicate pavilion, the Diana temple rotunda, from which gravel paths radiate to flower beds and shady arcades. A calm, well-kept passage where boules is often played - and the ideal way on towards the English Garden.
- Eisbach Wave – At the southern edge of the English Garden, the Eisbach wave provides one of Munich's most unusual sights: where the Eisbach shoots out from under a bridge, a standing river wave forms on which surfers in wetsuits ride - in the middle of the big city and all year round, even in winter. From the bridge you look straight down at the wave riders, who jump onto the water one after another. A fascinating, typically Munich spectacle.
- Chinese Tower (English Garden) – In the middle of the English Garden, one of the world's largest city parks, stands the Chinese Tower, a 25-metre wooden pagoda of 1790. Around it lies one of Munich's finest and liveliest beer gardens: at long benches under chestnut trees thousands sit over a Maß and a snack, while a brass band often plays up in the tower. The wide park then invites you to stroll, cycle or simply lie in the grass - green space in the middle of the city.
- Hofbräuhaus – To round off, the Hofbräuhaus, perhaps the world's most famous beer hall, founded in 1589 as a ducal brewery. Under the vaulted, painted ceiling of the great Schwemme hall, locals and guests from around the world sit at long tables while a brass band in lederhosen plays. It's touristy and loud, but the hall with its Maß of beer, pretzels and Weißwurst is an experience to have had at least once.
- Alte Pinakothek – As an alternative to the English Garden - or a crowning finish for art lovers - the Alte Pinakothek beckons, one of the world's most important painting museums. In the Neoclassical building hang the Old Masters from the Middle Ages to the Rococo: Dürer's self-portrait, an incomparable Rubens collection, Rembrandt, Raphael, Titian and works from Leonardo to Van Dyck. On Sundays entry is just one euro. Closed Mondays.
Schloss, Autos & Olympia
Day two takes the big sights on the city's edge: the Baroque summer palace Nymphenburg with its extensive park, the futuristic BMW Welt and the BMW Museum, and to finish the 1972 Olympic Park with the 190-metre Olympic Tower and the famous sweeping tent roof.
- Nymphenburg Palace – Day two begins at Schloss Nymphenburg, the Baroque summer palace of the Bavarian kings. The broad, strictly symmetrical palace front mirrors in a long canal running dead straight towards it - a magnificent picture. Inside, the great hall and King Ludwig I's Gallery of Beauties beckon. The real treasure, though, is the vast, free palace park: an expansive area of meadows, canals, small pleasure palaces and old trees.
- BMW Welt – By the Olympic Park lies the BMW Welt, the glass delivery and experience centre of the Munich carmaker, a futuristic building with a sweeping, cloud-like roof. Entry is free: inside gleam the current models from small cars to motorbikes and electric vehicles, plus cafés and restaurants. A good, relaxed lunch stop - even those not keen on cars marvel at the architecture.
- BMW Museum – Opposite, in the silver, bowl-shaped building at the foot of the BMW skyscraper, lies the BMW Museum. Over about 90 minutes it tells the brand's story, from its beginnings in aero-engine building through legendary classics and racing cars to motorbikes and future concepts. Elegantly staged on spiral ramps. Optional - anyone left cold by cars can skip it and head straight on to the Olympic Park. Closed Mondays.
- Olympic Tower – In the Olympic Park the Olympic Tower rises 291 metres, Munich's tallest observation tower. A lift takes you in seconds to the platform at 190 metres. From the top opens a grand panorama over the whole city, the sweeping tent roof of the Olympic Park at your feet and, on clear days, the snow-capped chain of the Alps on the southern horizon. Up top there's also a restaurant and a small rock museum.
- Olympic Park – To close, the Olympic Park, site of the 1972 Summer Olympics and still an architectural masterpiece. Over the stadiums and hills sweeps the famous transparent tent roof like a glass spider's web - revolutionary for its time and still astonishingly light. Around the lake with the mirrored tower, wide lawns invite you to stroll, cycle and, in summer, enjoy open-air concerts - a green, spacious close to the two days.
Getting there & around
Munich's old town is compact and very walkable; for the outlying sights one of Germany's best transit networks runs: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses (MVV) mesh closely. You're most flexible with a day ticket or contactless. Payment is in euros. And very Munich: settle into a beer garden where you may bring your own snack, try Weißwurst with sweet mustard (traditionally before noon) and a Maß of beer - and watch the surfers on the Eisbach wave.
Going out & nightlife
Rooftop bars
- Blue Spa Bar (Bayerischer Hof) – On the roof of the grand Hotel Bayerischer Hof in the heart of the old town sits the Blue Spa Bar with its glass lounge and terrace: a view over the roofs and towers of Munich to the Frauenkirche, with cocktails in an elegant setting. A stylish rooftop moment in the heart of the city.
Nightlife quarters
- Gärtnerplatz- & Glockenbachviertel – South of the old town, around the Gärtnerplatz, lies the Glockenbachviertel, Munich's liveliest and most open-minded going-out quarter: charming squares, hip bars, cafés and small restaurants, plus the heart of the city's queer scene. Relaxed, mixed and lively until late - this is where Munich most likes to go out.
- Münchner Biergärten – No Munich evening is more genuine than one in a beer garden. Under old chestnut trees, students, families and pensioners meet at long benches, each as they please. The special thing: at the self-service tables you may bring your own snack, with a Maß of beer to go with it. Classics are the vast Augustiner-Keller, the Hirschgarten and the beer garden by the Chinese Tower - Munich cosiness under the open sky.
Food & restaurants
- Augustiner-Keller – The Augustiner-Keller near the main station is a Munich institution: a tradition-rich tavern brewery with one of the city's finest and largest beer gardens, under ancient chestnut trees. Augustiner flows from wooden barrels, with Bavarian classics to go - roast pork, pork knuckle, Obatzda and pretzels. Rustic, sociable and authentic - this is the taste of Munich.
- Wirtshaus in der Au – In the Au district, a little off the tourist trail, the Wirtshaus in der Au has kept Bavarian tavern cooking for over 100 years - famous above all for its dumplings in every variation, plus roast pork with dark gravy, pork knuckle and seasonal dishes. Cosy wooden ambience, warm service and real, down-to-earth food away from the bustle. Booking advisable.
Bars & clubs
- Werksviertel & Blitz Club – Around the Ostbahnhof, the Werksviertel, an old factory site, has turned into Munich's club centre: techno and electro in venues like the Blitz Club or the container setting of Bahnwärter Thiel, plus bars and concerts. People dance here until morning, raw and modern - the loud counterpart to beer-garden cosiness.
Stage & concerts
- Bayerische Staatsoper – On Max-Joseph-Platz stands the Nationaltheater, home of the Bavarian State Opera - one of the world's most important opera houses. Beneath the Neoclassical columned portico and in the sumptuous auditorium, opera and ballet are given at the highest level, plus the renowned Munich Opera Festival in summer. A festive evening in the heart of the royal city.