These are 48 things to do in Munich as a tourist. Whether if you are going during summer vacation, a weekend, or just a few days, you have to do any of these “48 things to do in Munich”.
Note: Some things are better to do during the summer. For example, Summer in der Stadt which is a summer festival, only available during summer vacations.
The Ultimate Travel Guide of Munich, Germany
1. Old Botanical Garden
The Old Botanical Garden is a hidden park in Munich that is perfect to take a break and chill. For example, rest your feet, drink some water, do a picnic. Moreover, the best part is that it is close to Hauptbahnhof (The Train Station) and Marienplatz. This basically means that it is close to downtown and other touristic places in Munich, a.k.a. it is well located.
2. The Ring
Before recording this Youtube video, I had no idea there was a Ring sculpture in Munich. I found it while I was leaving the Old Botanical Garden to head to my next destination. While I was doing my research, I learned that “The Ring” is :
- A sculpture by Marco Staccioli
- Diameter: 12 meters
- Weight: 14 tons
- Constructed in 1996
- Value: €102,000
3. Underground Shopping Center
When going to Karlsplatz, you will find an underground shopping center as well as the metro station. If for any reason you are looking for something to eat, here you will find small restaurants, a Supermarket (Edeka), a drugstore, clothing stores, and access to a departmental store.
4. Kaufingerstraße (shopping streets)
Kaufingerstraße is the street where you will find a lot of clothing stores. For instance: H&M, United Colors of Benetton, Zara, Saturn, Reserved, TK Maxx (you will find really good bargains here). On the other hand, if you are in the need of going to a mall and have the time, I recommend you to go to Olympia Einkaufszentrum. There is a Primark, H&M, DM, Douglas, C&A, Levi’s, and moooore!
5. Karlsplatz
When you go to Karlsplatz or also known as Stachus, you will find a gothic gate that was demolished. It dates back to medieval times. In front, you will be able to see a fountain. Next to which you can sit, chill, and as some people do, grab a bite.
6. New Town Hall
7. Marienplatz
The best way that I can describe Marienplatz is as “the heart of Munich”. Everything is close to Marienplatz! It is the place where metro lines meet, there are so many different shops, museums, the opera… If you go to Munich, you will definitely come here.
Also, fact of the day, this is the meeting point for free walking tours.
8. Rathaus Glockenspiel
The Rathaus Glockenspiel is one of the top touristic attractions. It is a clock built by King Ludwig II, also known as “the mad king”. The clock plays every day at 11am, 12pm, and 5pm (except November- February).
9. Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall used to be the seat of the Munich Municipality until 1874. Now it is the office of the city council as well as a Toy Museum.
10. St. Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Church is located a few meters away from Marienplatz. If you are looking for love, you definitely have to visit Saint Munditia’s relics. Word has it if you pray and leave some coins at her coffin, you will find love!
Interesting fact: she has golden teeth.
11. Viktualienmarkt
Viktualienmarkt is a food market located downtown, a few steps away too from Marienplatz. You can find it all, beer, food, juices, vegetables, cheese… If you are hungry, you can eat here. However, I recommend you to do otherwise. Food can be expensive at this market and not the best food, to be honest. There are other places where you can find some pretty good Bavarian food.
12. Frauenkirche
Frauenkirche is a church that is well-know for The Devil’s Footprint.
13. The Devil’s Footprint
The Devil’s Footprint is a legend that tells that the architect of the Frauenkirche, Jorg von Halspach needed money to finish the construction of the church. As a result, he made a pact with the devil in which he accepted to build a church without windows. However, he did add windows to the church. And when the devil found out, he was furious and quickly went to the Frauenkirche. You can find his footprint on the floor from when he stepped into the church.
14. Rent a Bike
The 14th recommendation I have for you out of the 48 things to do in Munich, Germany is to rent a bike. You can rent a bike for less than 12€ per day at the MVG, which is the company responsible for public transport in Germany. All you have to do is download the MVG more app, find a station, create an account and you’re good to go!
To download the MVG app:
In this video, I show you how to rent an MVG app step-by-step :
15. Nymphenburg Palace
The Nymphenburg Palace is a must! It is a baroque palace and one of the premier royal palaces in Europe. I know! That is pretty cool!
16. Nymphenburg Palace Park
The great part about the Nymphenburg Palace is its park. You can go for a run, take a walk, grab a bite at the park.
Fact: if you rent a bike, you are not allowed to ride on it in the park. It is forbidden. But, you can park it at the entry.
17. Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is located at the Nymphenburg Palace. Unfortunately, I could not visit it because there were no tickets left. This was mainly due to the current sanitary situation. Entries to the botanical garden were limited so if you want to visit during the pandemic, please buy your tickets online. Also, check their website to make sure that it is open.
If you are wondering if the entry is free, it is not. You are required to pay a fee.
18. Chinese Tower
The Chinese Tower is located at the English Garden. It is a great place where can drink beer and have a great time with your friends.
19. English Garden
The English Garden is an amazing place to sit down and chill, chat with friends, drink a beer, play volleyball, take a bath… If you need a break, you will love it there!
20. Eisbachwelle
The Eisbachwelle is an artificial wave where locals go surfing. YES, SURF! According to my guide, it was created by an American that missed surfing while he was living in Munich. As a result, he came up with this project: the “Eisbachwelle”. To his surprise, locals fell in love with the idea and to this day, whenever you go to the English Garden you can see people carrying their surfing boards. Pretty cool, right?
21. Deutsches Museum
The Deutsches Museum is the world’s largest museum of science and technology! It is worthwhile visiting it!
22. Isar
You can sit next to the Isar and enjoy the sun. This is something that locals love to do!
23. Summer Festival
If you are visiting the city during the summer, definitely check out their Summer Festival. They offer so many different activities for all ages.
24. Friedensengel
Friedensengel is a monument created by the architects Heinrich Düll, Georg Pezold and Max Heilmaier.
25. Westpark
Going to Westpark is one of the 48 things to do in Munich. You can not only go for a run but also do a picnic or enjoy the sun.
26. Hofbräuhaus
The Hofbräuhaus is a beer haul located in Munich. It was built in 1589 by Maximilian I, a Bavarian duke. This is Munich’s largest tourist attraction and the world’s most famous tavern. It is open 365 days of the year.
27. Hirschgarten
The 27th attraction out of the 48 things to do in Munich is going to the Hirschgarten.
Hirschgarten is not a garden like any other, you can go there and drink beer while eating a Bratwurst or chicken. Get the full Bavarian experience (almost) at this beer garden.
28. Hofgarten
The Hofgarten is a garden located near the Residenz and the English Garden. During the summer, it is filled with beautiful flowers! You should definitely visit it on your way to the English Garden.
29. State Government Office
You will find the State Government Office near the Hofgarten and on your way to the English Garden.
30. War Memorial
If you go down the stairs that take you to the State Government Office, you will arrive at the War Memorial. It is a memorial for those who were killed during World War II.
31. Endless Staircase (Umschreibung)
The Endless Staircase or the Umschreibung in Germany is an amazing sculpture by Olafur Eliasson located in the courtyard of an office building.
Full address: Ganghoferstraße 29A, 80339 München, Germany
32. Maximilianstraße
Maximilianstraße is the most luxurious street in Munich. You will find stores like Gucci, Channel, and Burberry.
33. Government Office
34. Maximilianeum
The Maximilianeum is located at the end of Maximilianstraße near the Isar.
35. Theatiner Kirche
36. Odeonsplatz
On your way to the English Garden, you will have to walk through Odeonsplatz. A beautiful square in Munich where you can find a monument and the Theatiner Kirche.
37. Feldherrnhalle (Monument)
The 37th thing to see in Munich out of the 48 things to do in Munich is the Feldherrnhalle Monument.
38. Munich Residenz
39. Olympiapark
The 39th must-have out of the 48 things to do in Munich is going to the Olympiapark. It is a great park to go for a run, do a picnic, take a break, watch the sunset!
40. Try a Radler
A Radler or also known as panaché (in France) is a mix of beer with lemon-flavored soda. If you like sweet drinks or you don’t like beer, you have to try a Radler! You can find them at any bar, restaurant or event at the supermarket.
41. Do a Picnic
Doing a picnic in Munich and in general in Europe is something very common to do. I highly recommend you to grab a bite and take a break at Olympia Park, the English Garden, the Nymphenburg Palace Park or any other park.
42. Bavarian State Opera
The 42nd attraction out of the 48 things to do in Munich is visiting the Bavarian State Opera. The interesting part about the Opera is that it has caught flames more than two times and was reconstructed because of that. Some people will call it bad luck…
43. Bavarian National Museum
The Bavarian National Museum is one of the largest art museums in Germany. They have both an art historical collection and a folklore collection that you can visit from Tuesday to Sunday because Monday’s they are close.
44. Sendlinger Tor
Sendlinger Tor is one of the 3 remaining gothic gates in Munich. It used to be a fortification for defense during Ludwig the Bavarian.
45. Siegestor (Victory Gate)
Siegestor or also known as the Victory Gate is a three-arched triumphal arch that has a statue of Bavaria at the top. It was built in the 19th century in honor of the Bavarian army. The Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) and the English Garden are close to the Victory Gate. It is a beautiful piece of architecture that you can visit on your way to the English Garden.
46. Michael Jackson Memorial
If you are a huge fan of Michael Jackson, he has a memorial located just in front of the Hotel Bayerische Hof.
47. Hotel Bayerische Hof
Hotel Bayerische Hof is the hotel where Michael Jackson stayed when he was in Munich. According to Google, it was his favorite hotel.
48. Fünf Höfe
Fünf Höfe is a beautiful mall that has a foresty vibe. They have restaurants, clothing stores, and more. The best part, it’s close to Michael Jackson’s Memorial and downtown.
Do you want to see how this places look like?
This is how Munich looks like:
In this video, I show you all of the 48 things to do in Munich that I mentioned before. Best about it, you get to travel with me!
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