Munich, the vibrant capital of Bavaria, is a city brimming with history, culture, and a unique blend of tradition and modernity. From exploring grand palaces to relaxing in beer gardens, these best things to do in Munich will make your visit to Bayerns capital unforgettable.
This guide offers a glimpse into the best things to do in Munich, from exploring historic sites and castles to enjoying the city’s famous beer gardens. Whether you’re staying in Munich or planning day trips, this vibrant city has something to offer every traveler.
Before diving head first into the best sights and activities, make sure you search through this map to get familiar with the city.
Map of Munich
Good to know before diving into the best things to do in Munich
How to Get to Munich
Central Bus Station Munich, Germany
Munich is easily accessible from all major European cities. The Central Bus Station (ZOB) is a major hub, conveniently located near the city center and connected to the public transportation network. Whether you’re arriving by bus or taking a day trip, the ZOB makes travel in and out of Munich easy.
How go get around while exploring the best things to do in Munich.
When to Visit Munich
The best times to visit Munich without the crowds are during spring and autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant. Oktoberfest in late September to early October is a major highlight, and the Christmas markets in December offer an amazing experience with lots of things to do in Munich. Munich is also a hub-spot for festivals and big sporting events, so make sure you check the city calendar before visiting.
How Long to Stay in Munich
To fully explore Munich and its attractions, a stay of 3 to 4 days is ideal. This allows you to experience the city’s main sights, enjoy local food and beer gardens, and take a day trip to nearby castles or scenic spots.
Drive in a panoramic hop-on hop-off tour of Munich by double-decker bus to get views of the city and easier access to the sights.
Audio guide included!
21 Best Things to Do in Munich, Germany
Walk Around the Old Olympic Village
Olympia park is the place to be during summer, as a series of festivals, concerts and activities are being held here. Built for the 1972 Olympics, Munich’s Olympiapark is a must-visit and a hub-spot for sports! The Old Olympic Village is a must-visit for anyone who wants to experience the best things to do in Munich!
You can walk above the Olympic Stadium, Rent a boat, SUP board or Kayak to cool down on the hot summer days! See prices here, play mini-golf or watch a football game – all in the same park!
When not under restoration, you can visit the tallest building in the city – Olympic tower – standing at 291 metres with a panoramic view of Munich. They also have a restaurant at the very top of the tower. See more information here.
Watch Surfers on the Eisbach – one of the most fun things to do in Munich
Head to the English Garden to witness an extraordinary sight: surfers riding the artificial wave on the Eisbach river. It’s one of the most fun things to do in Munich, even if you’re just watching and Munich has become infamous for the surfers on Eisbach!
If you’re an experienced surfer you can even jump on the wave yourself – completely free of charge! Just remember your wetsuit and board!
Go for a Dip at Müllersches Volksbad
Opened in 1901, the Müllersches Volksbad is one of the most beautiful indoor pools in Europe. Still housing its original murals, statues, and old changing cabins, this historic bathhouse offers a relaxing time in its pools and spa area.
Opening hours
Monday to sunday: 7.30 am to 11pm (sauna opens at 9am)
Entrance fees (Bath only)
Normal price: €5.50
Munich Pass holders: €3.70
Price with use of sauna: €22
See more about the bathing house here.
Watch the Glockenspiel on Marienplatz – the most touristic things to do in Munich
Marienplatz is Munich’s central square and home to the famous Glockenspiel (Clock-chime), where 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures reenact historical events daily. Grab a coffee, find a good spot, and enjoy this charming spectacle – it’s not only the most touristic things to do in Munich but also a fun experience.
Climb the tower of the town hall
To get a nice panoramic view of Munich city centre, you can visit the observation deck at the top of the city town hall. There’s two elevators transporting you all the way (be aware that they’re quite small so if you suffer from claustrophobia, don’t take the ride). Due to the small space, only a maximum of 30 people are allowed on the tower platform at a time, so you can only book a visit to the tower during specified time slots. You can book your slot online HERE or buy a ticket by the entrance. The price is €6.5.
A must things to do in Munich is to view the city from above from one of the many rooftop terraces! The most famous terrace is the tower of the new town hall, but you can also climb the south tower of Frauenkirche or St. Peter Church.
Stroll the English Garden – the most scenic of things to do in Munich
The English Garden, one of the world’s largest urban parks (It measures 375 hectares), is perfect for a walk or a picnic. Visit the Chinese Tower, or relax in one of the park’s beer gardens. The lake also offers pedal boating, concerts and food festivals during the summer – making the English garden THE place to be when discovering the best things to do in Munich.
Monopteros: The green view on Munich’s skyline
Speaking of the best things to do in Munich, you have to grab a picnic and climb the Monopteros Hill in the English Garden for a perfect sunset picnic or just a relaxing view away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Monopteros reminds me of Primrose hill in London, and is a great free viewpoint of the city.
Visit the BMW Museum – one the most german things to do in Munich
Even if you’re not a car enthusiast, the BMW Museum in Munich is worth a visit. This state-of-the-art museum shows the history and evolution of BMW and engineering.
BMW WELT Opening hours
Monday to Saturday 7.30am – midnight
Sundays and holidays 9am – midnight
BMW MUSEUM Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (last admission at 5:30 pm).
Entrance fee: €12
See more about guided tours of the museum HERE.
How to get to the BMW museum from Munich city centre:
Take the subway U2 in the direction of Feldmoching to the Scheidplatz stop. Change to the U3 in the direction of Moosach or the Olympia shopping centre (Olympiaeinkaufszentrum) and get off at the Olympiazentrum station. From here it is only a few more steps to the entrance of BMW Welt (15-20 min.).
Discover Munich’s dark side and learn the history of the Nazi Movement in Munich on this walking tour with a Live tour guide.
Duration: 2.5 hours
FREE cancellation up to 24 hours before
Spend the Day in Hellabrunn Zoo
As one of Europe’s largest zoos, Hellabrunn Zoo is home to over 19,000 animals across 700 species. It is also the world’s first ‘geo-zoo,’ as it organizes animals by their geographic habitats.
Opening hours
March-october: 9am to 6pm
November-february: 9am to 4pm
Entrance fee:
Adult: €18
Children (up to 14y): €7
Munich Residence – a must things to do in Munich
The Munich Residence is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria from 1508 to 1918. This huge complex is filled with luxurious rooms, chapels, a stunning collection of art, and a treasury, making it a must-visit thing to do in Munich, Germany. Make space for at least 2 hours to visit all rooms of the palace!
The Munich Residence has been open to the public as a museum since 1920 and is today one of the most important palace museums in Europe.
Audio Guides are free!
Opening hours
The residence and treasury
23 March-20 October: daily 9 am-6 pm (last entry: 5 pm)
21 October-22 March: daily 10 am-5 pm (last entry: 4 pm)
Admission fees
Residence Museum
Adult: €10
Treasury
Adult: €10 euros regular
Combination ticket: Residence Museum + Treasury
Adult: €15 euros regular
Alte Pinakothek
Art lovers should not miss the Alte Pinakothek, one of the oldest galleries in the world. It houses an impressive collection of European paintings from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, including works by masters like Dürer, Rubens, and Rembrandt.
Opening hours
Tuesday+wednesday: 10am-8pm
Friday-sunday: 10am to 6pm
Entrance fee
Adult: €9
On sundays: €1
Frauenkirche – an often overlooked things to do in Munich
The Frauenkirche, also known as the Cathedral of Our Dear Lady, is one of Munich’s most iconic landmarks. Its twin onion-domed towers can be seen from miles away, and stand in big contrast to many other skyscrapers in the city. Built in the late Gothic style, the cathedral is renowned for its stunning architecture and historic artworks.
You can even climb the south facing tower via 89 steps and a ride in the lift, to get a 360 degree view of Munich. Price is €7.50.
Psst don’t miss the mysterious “Devil’s Footprint” near the entrance.
Opening hours
The cathedral: daily 8am to 8pm
The south tower: mon-sat 10am to 5pm + sunday 11.30am to 5pm (last ascent is 4.30pm).
Unusual things to do in Munich, Germany
Der Verrückte Eismacher
This ice cream shop feels like stepping into Alice in Wonderland, where Ice cream is made from all sorts of food and drinks mixed in weird combinations like currywurst and beer. You can even make a request for an ice cream flavour. They also make vegan (and normal) ice cream.
Umschreibung
A stairway to heaven, or rather nowhere at all. This art installation is made from two spiral staircases that interlock, creating a loop.
Lady Bavaria
This massive statue is the personification of Bavaria and the first colossal statue of the modern period composed of bronze.
Did you know, you can actually climb inside the statue and look out through her eyes?
Psst with the 14 day bayern castle card, you can climb Lady Bavaria fore free.
Asamkirche
Asamkirche (official name is St.-Johann-Nepomuk-Kirche) is a small yet stunning Baroque church in Munich, built by the Asam brothers between 1733 and 1746. Its insane interior, with stucco work and dramatic frescoes, is a masterpiece of religious art and architecture and a must things to do when in Munich, Germany.
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 7pm
Entrance is FREE.
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Castles Near Munich, Germany (best things to do near Munich)
Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg Palace is a massive Baroque palace that once served as the summer residence for Bavarian royalty. After 10 years of marriage, Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria and his wife, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, finally got a son, and to celebrate they started building Nymphenburg in 1662. Its big gardens, 4 pavilions, and a horse carriage museum, make it a highlight of any things to do in Munich, Germany.
Schleißheim Palace
Just outside Munich, the Schleißheim Palace complex consists of three Baroque palaces surrounded by beautiful gardens. Barely anyone visits this complex so you get to wander freely and take in the beauty of the complex by yourself.
Psst this was my favourite castle in Germany, and in my opinion the best thing to do in Munich.
Schleißheim palace complex was founded by Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria who built a small estate here in 1598, which was surrounded by small hermitages and forest chapels. From 1617 his son, Duke Maximilian had his father’s manor replaced by a palace which is the present Old Palace. Sadly most of it was destroyed during the Second World War.
Day Trips from Munich, Germany
Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle, the fairytale fortress that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, is just a 2 hour day trip from Munich. Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, this iconic landmark offers stunning views and a glimpse into King Ludwig II’s romantic vision.
Explore the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle and the bavarian countryside on a daytrip from Munich with this tour providing pick-up and drop-off.
Included
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
Duration: 10 hours
Free Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Optional castle entry
Herzogstand Gipfel
For those who love nature, a day trip to Herzogstand Gipfel is perfect. Located in the Bavarian Alps, this mountain peak offers breathtaking panoramic views and is a great spot for hiking.
Take the Herzogstandbahn Cable car up (One way costs €10, round-trip is €18) and hike up to summit cross (about 45 min. uphill) From the summit (1,731 m), the view extends over Munich, Lake Starnberg and Lake Kochelsee in the north to Lake Walchensee, the Zugspitze and the Tyrolean mountains in the south.
See the operation hours of the cable car here.
How to get to Herzogstand
By car: Take highway 95 from Munich towards Garmisch-Patenkichen, take exit Murnau/Kochel. Now follow the signs to „Kochel am See“ and drive towards „Walchensee“. The trip takes about 1,5 hour.
Address of the parking lot: Parkplatz Talstation Herzogstand, 82431 Kochel
Parking costs €9 for a full-day ticket
By public transportation: Take bus RB66 from Munich central station to Kochel, where you get off at the end station and change to bus 9608 towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen and get off at Walchensee. From here the Cable car is only 100m walk.
Chiemsee
Chiemsee, Bavaria’s largest lake, is another fantastic day trip from Munich. Explore the stunning Herrenchiemsee Palace, take a boat ride around the lake, or simply relax and enjoy the nice surroundings.
The big Chimsee ferry tour costs €18.60 and a round-trip to Herreninsel (where Herrenchiemsee Palace is located) is €10.90.
See ferry fares HERE.
Visiting Herrenchiemsee Palace can only be done with a guided tour (approx. 40 min). Read more about Herrenchiemsee Palace here.
How to get to Chimsee from Munich
By car: Take the highway A8 towards Chimsee harbor. The trip takes about 1,5 hours. There’s a big parking lot with a fee of €2 an hour.
By public transport: Take bus BRB RE5 from Munich central station towards Salzburg and get off at Prien am Chimsee. Change to bus 481 towards Prien (harbor). From here the ferry is about a 200m walk.
