🇩🇪Germany · Places to discover
What to see in Munich?
25 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Munich operates by its own rules: a Bavarian capital that embraces its traditions without staging them for tourists. Marienplatz remains the city's centre of gravity, but it's in the beer gardens of the Englischer Garten, beer in hand on a Tuesday afternoon, that locals reveal their true philosophy of life. Neoclassical architecture sits alongside world-class museums as if no one finds that remarkable at all.
Spring (April–May) and autumn outside Oktoberfest season offer the city at reasonable temperature and without saturation. Three days suffice to grasp the essentials; the U-Bahn network covers distances efficiently. Don't concentrate your stay around the old town: Munich is better understood by moving away from Marienplatz towards Schwabing or Haidhausen.
Landmarks & heritage
6 places
1Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Landmark
Glyptothek
The museum of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures on Königsplatz, housed in a neoclassical building from 1830. The Aegina room with its archaic warriors restored by Thorvaldsen is a rare moment.
2Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Königsplatz
The neoclassical square nicknamed Athens on the Isar, framed by the Glyptothek and the Propyläen. In summer, open-air concerts are held here – a unique atmosphere between Greek temples and live music.
3Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Maximiliansstraße
The royal boulevard laid out by Maximilian II blends Neo-Gothic architecture with luxury shops, and also the Maximilianeum, seat of the Bavarian Parliament. An exceptional architectural promenade.
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Residenz München
The former residence of the Dukes of Bavaria is Germany's largest urban palace, with 130 rooms open to the public. The Royal Treasury houses crown jewels of breathtaking beauty.
5Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Marienplatz and Neues Rathaus
Munich's central square with its neo-Gothic town hall and the Glockenspiel carillon that comes alive at 11am and 12pm. Climb the tower for a panoramic view over the rooftops and the Alps on clear days.
6Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Asamkirche
Perhaps Germany's most stunning church: a late Baroque jewel from 1746 designed by the Asam brothers for their private use. Tiny (28 metres long) and of absolutely breathtaking decorative richness.
Museums
3 places
7Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Museum
Deutsches Museum
The world's largest science and technology museum, housed on an island in the Isar since 1925. From reconstructed mines to early rockets, a full day is insufficient.
8Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Museum
Pinakothek der Moderne
The museum of modern art, design, graphics and architecture brings four collections under one impressive roof. The industrial design collection is among Europe's richest.
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Museum
Museum
Alte Pinakothek
One of Europe's most important art museums, with exceptional works by Rubens, Dürer and Rembrandt. On Sundays, entry is €1 – a secret that Munich locals guard jealously.
Religious sites
1 place
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Religious site
Religious site
Frauenkirche
The cathedral with two bulbous twin towers is the absolute symbol of Munich, visible from across the city. A law prohibits any construction taller than it in the centre—a detail that says everything about how fiercely Munichs cherish their skyline.
Castles & fortresses
1 place
11Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5Castle
Nymphenburg Palace
The summer palace of the Wittelsbachs extends over 200 hectares of parkland with canals, pavilions and formal gardens. Less crowded than Versailles and equally sumptuous, especially in autumn.
Nature
2 places
12Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5Nature
Westpark München
The west park, created for the international garden exhibition of 1983, features authentic Japanese, Thai and Nepalese gardens. Far less crowded than the Englischer Garten, it is the neighbourhood locals' secret.
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Nature
Nature
Isar Flaucher
The Isar's pebble beach south of the city is Munich locals' favourite spot for swimming and barbecuing in summer. Clear cold water, relaxed atmosphere, virtually no tourists – authentic summer Munich.
Parks & gardens
3 places
14Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Park
English Garden
World's largest urban park, surpassing Central Park. Locals gather here to surf the Eisbach, swim at Kleinhesseloher See or drink beer at Chinesischer Turm. Essential visit in any season.
15Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Park
Schlosspark Nymphenburg
The palace park of Nymphenburg, with frozen canals in winter where Munich residents spontaneously ice skate. In summer, locals picnic here away from the crowds of the city centre.
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Park
Park
Olympiapark München
The 1972 Olympic park with its revolutionary glass tent structures remains an architectural masterpiece. The Olympic Tower offers the finest views over the city and the Bavarian Alps.
Viewpoints
3 places
17Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Viewpoint
Theresienwiese – Outside Oktoberfest
Theresa's meadow, famous for Oktoberfest, is home to the colossal Bavaria statue (18m) and a neoclassical hall. Outside festival season, it's a peaceful space with panoramic views over the city often overlooked by visitors.
18Wikimedia CommonsViewpoint
Olympiaturm
The 291-metre television tower offers the clearest panorama over Munich, with the Alps as a backdrop on föhn days. The revolving restaurant at the summit has been a local institution since 1968.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Alter Peter (St. Peter's Church)
Munich's oldest church, whose red bell tower offers the best views over Marienplatz and the old town rooftops. The 306 steps are worth every effort, especially at sunset.
Activities
2 places
20Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5Activity
Eisbach Wave Surfers
A permanent artificial wave in the heart of the English Garden where surfers compete year-round, even in the snow. Hypnotic spectacle and 100% Munich, overlooked by most guidebooks.
21Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5Activity
BMW Welt
The BMW exhibition centre is an architectural feat in itself, with its spectacular double cone. Free entry to discover the latest models and the brand's history in a world-class museographic space.
More to discover
4 places
22Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Place
Sendlinger Tor and Sendlinger Straße
The medieval Sendling gate marks the entrance to a lively and authentic shopping street, a popular alternative to the touristy Kaufingerstraße. Independent shops, cafés, and the magnificent baroque Asamkirche just around the corner.
23Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Place
Schwabing – Leopoldstraße
Munich's bohemian boulevard, heart of the artists' and students' quarter since the late 19th century. Independent cafés, galleries and quality bookshops, far from tourist hustle.
24Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Place
Viktualienmarkt
Munich's lively food market since 1807, surrounded by maypoles and an open-air beer garden. Bavarian charcuterie, local cheeses, flowers and spices: the edible soul of the city.
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Place
Place
Haidhausen – Wiener Platz
The market square of the Haidhausen district with its neighbourhood cafés and weekly market. One of the rare places where Munich still resembles a village, just two U-Bahn stops from the centre.
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