Experience Munich's top sights: from the magnificent Residenz to the lively Marienplatz – the Bavarian state capital inspires with culture and plenty of nature. Discover Nymphenburg Palace, stroll through the world-famous Pinakothek museums or relax in the Englischer Garten (park). The Olympiapark (Olympic Park) attracts visitors with exciting activities and breathtaking views. Munich offers all guests an unforgettable experience.
- Marienplatz (main square)
- Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)
- Frauenkirche (cathedral)
- Viktualienmarkt (food market)
- Hofbräuhaus (beer hall)
- Residenz (city palace)
- English Garden
- Eisbachwelle (river wave)
- Kunstareal (Art Quarter)
- Olympiapark (Olympic Parc)
- Allianz Arena (football stadium)
- Schloss Nymphenburg (Nymphenburg Palace)
Marienplatz has been the vibrant centre of Munich since the city was founded in 1158. Surrounded by historic landmarks such as the Neue Rathaus (New Town Hall) and Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), it is a popular meeting place today. Sightseeing tours usually start here at this historic location. Around the square, visitors can enjoy a cosy coffee, explore the Fussgängerzone (pedestrian street) or shop at the Viktualienmarkt (food market) just around the corner.
The Glockenspiel (carillon) in the Neues Rathaus is a major attraction, as is the golden Mariensäule (Mary's Column) in the centre of the square. You can also book exclusive tours of the Neues Rathaus at the tourist information centre in the Neues Rathaus directly on Marienplatz. The viewing platform of the Alter Peter (church) and the tower of the Neues Rathaus offer a beautiful view over the old town.
The impressive Neues Rathaus on Marienplatz is characterised by its neo-Gothic façade and was built between 1867 and 1909 by architect Georg von Hauberrisser. A highlight is the daily Glockenspiel in the tower of the Neues Rathaus, which attracts visitors from all over the world. The Glockenspiel depicts two important events from the city's history: the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and the Schäffler dance.
The Münchner Kindl is enthroned at the top of the tower as the city's landmark, while you can enjoy a magnificent view over the old town from the viewing platform. On a tour of the town hall, you can explore representative rooms and reach the town hall balcony, where FC Bayern's championship celebrations take place.
The imposing twin towers of the Frauenkirche characterise the silhouette of Munich's old town. With their height of around 100 metres, they influence urban planning decisions: No building within the city centre ring road is allowed to tower over the towers of the Frauenkirche. The Gothic cathedral and parish church “Zu Unserer Lieben Frau“ was built in the 15th century by master builder Jörg von Halsbach and impresses with its characteristic “Welsche Hauben“, which were only added in 1525, almost forty years after the end of the construction period. From the viewing platform of the south tower, you have a panoramic view over the entire city. Tickets for the ascent are available here.
Today, the Frauenkirche is the cathedral church of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising. There is a footprint in the stone floor in the entrance area. Legend has it that it was made by the devil and was the result of a bet against the master builder Jörg von Halsbach. The legend of the “devil's footprint“ still fascinates the many visitors to the church today.
Discover the diversity and vibrancy of the Viktualienmarkt in Munich. Here you will find around 100 stalls with a rich selection of fresh food and regional specialities. The market is also rich in gastronomy, with a central beer garden and various food stalls, cafés and bars. On a Viktualienmarkt tasting tour, you can sample the flavour and quality of the produce at the stalls and chat to the market traders.
Special sights on the market are the neighbouring Heilig-Geist-Kirche church, the traditional maypole and the charming fountains with Munich originals such as Karl Valentin, Weiß Ferdl and Liesl Karlstadt.
The Hofbräuhaus is probably the most famous pub in the world and played an important role on Munich's way to becoming a beer city. Beer has been brewed here since 1607 and it was declared a public pub in 1828. Empress Sisi and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were guests here. To this day, it attracts travellers from all over the world, but not only them. Around half of the daily visitors are regulars.
In the so-called “Schwemme“, you can also visit the vault of these regular pub visitors as part of a guided tour of the Hofbräuhaus. Bavarian pub music is also played there almost every day. In the warmer months, you can sit in the pub's own garden in the inner courtyard.
Dukes, electors and kings: From 1508 to 1918, the Bavarian rulers controlled the destinies of their subjects from the Residenz. In the beginning, it was a small moated castle outside the city fortifications of the time. Today it is Germany's largest city centre palace, where the splendour of past centuries can be discovered in an inimitable way.
The major attractions of the Residenz include the Grottenhof, the Antiquarium, the Ancestral Gallery, the Rich Rooms, the Cuvillié-Theatre and, of course, the Treasury with its more than 1,200 individual pieces from several centuries of collecting by the Bavarian rulers of the Wittelsbach dynasty.
The Englischer Garten (park) in Munich stretches for five and a half kilometres from the old town to the north and offers an impressive mix of nature and culture. Highlights include the Monopteros with panoramic views across the park towards the old town, the famous Eisbachwelle for surfers, the Japanese teahouse and Kleinhesseloher See lake. You can explore the park in comfort on a rickshaw tour with one of our guides.
The park was laid out by Elector Karl Theodor more than 225 years ago. With its 375 hectares, it is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. Visitors can enjoy traditional Bavarian food and drink in four large beer gardens and numerous smaller beer gardens and kiosks. In addition, annual events such as the Kocherlball in July attract thousands of smartly dressed people to dance at dawn at the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower).
The Eisbachwelle in Munich's Englischer Garten is a very special attraction that has been drawing both surf fans and onlookers from all over the world for 40 years now. The wave at the entrance to the English Garden right next to the Haus der Kunst (art gallery) is not only one of the most constant and largest river waves in a major city, but also a hotspot for all those who either just want to admire surfers or even ride the wave themselves.
However, the Eisbach wave requires a great deal of surfing experience and is not for the inexperienced, as the water is shallow and the current is extremely strong. For beginners and those with little experience, the Floßlände in Thalkirchen is a suitable place to practise, as the conditions there are less challenging.
With its 18 museums and exhibition centres, over 40 galleries, six universities and numerous cultural institutions on an area measuring just 500 by 500 metres, the Kunstareal München is one of the largest and most exciting cultural locations in Europe.
Among the most popular highlights are the Alte Pinakothek, the Pinakothek der Moderne, the Lenbachhaus, the Brandhorst Museum and the State Museum of Egyptian Art. The Kunstareal is located in Maxvorstadt, a very lively neighbourhood with many cafés, restaurants and pubs, including historical ones. With the ArtSchnitzel app, you can go on your own exciting treasure hunts through the Kunstareal, including some that are suitable for children.
The Munich Olympiapark, which was completed in time for the 1972 Summer Olympics and whose entire layout is inspired by the Alpine foothills, now serves as a recreational area for the city's residents. The numerous leisure activities such as walks, picnics and sporting activities are, of course, open to all visitors. From the Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower) or the Olympiaberg (Olympic hill), you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the city, even as far as the Alps on special days.
The Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium), which served as the main venue during the 1972 Summer Olympics, now hosts numerous cultural and sporting events. There is hardly a star from the international world of pop and rock who has not performed here. Nearby is the Olympiadorf (Olympic Village), a historic and architecturally interesting place that served as accommodation for the athletes during the Games.
The Allianz Arena, an architectural masterpiece by Herzog & de Meuron, has become a modern landmark in Munich since its opening in 2005. With a capacity of up to 75,000 seats and steep stands, it offers all spectators an excellent view of the action. The striking façade with almost 3,000 air cushions lights up in red and white during FC Bayern Munich home games, while on occasions such as St. Patrick's Day it even shines in a bright green or in all the colours of the rainbow as a symbol of a cosmopolitan and tolerant Munich. 300,000 LEDs make a total of 16 million colours possible.
An arena tour gives you the opportunity to explore the entire stadium, from the team dressing rooms to the players' tunnel and the main stand. At the FC Bayern Museum, you can travel back in time from the club's foundation in 1900 to its current successes. An extended city tour includes a visit to the Allianz Arena and the FC Bayern Museum.
Discover the royal splendour of Nymphenburg Palace in Munich. Once the summer residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty, the baroque palace with its picturesque park is a popular destination for excursions. Explore the opulent living quarters, marvel at King Ludwig I's Gallery of Beauties and explore the charming park castles. Nymphenburg Palace was built in the 18th century and, with its extensive park, is one of the largest green spaces in Munich.
The Porzellanmanufaktur Nymphenburg (Porcelain Manufactory Nymphenburg), the Marstallmuseum (Museum of Carriages and Sleighs) with a collection of over forty carriages, sleighs and riding accessories and the Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg (Munich Botanical Garden) are also located in the immediate vicinity. Nymphenburg Palace is one of the stops on the Hop On Hop Off tour through Munich. You can get off, visit the palace at your leisure and continue the tour as you wish on one of the regular tour buses.
