Top 15 things to do in Munich – Germany

After Berlin, the city of Munich is often considered the next most important city in Germany, but above all the key capital of the country: indeed, this town is as much appreciated by its inhabitants as by tourists due to its monuments, its amazing museums, and its department stores. The architectural design of the city oscillates between the rococo of the 18th century and the neo-classicism of the 19th century. The city was marked by the Wittelsbach family, who left their mark on Nymphenburg Castle (their summer house ) and the residential palace in the center of the town. Visiting Munich, finally, is also about the joie de vivre that’s confirmed on each street corner. How can we not mention Munich without mentioning the famous Beer Festival that happens there in October?

What to do in Munich? What to visit? What to see? Here’s a small, Non-exhaustive list of all of the sights in the city you shouldn’t miss. Note that you shouldn’t be afraid to rent a bicycle to discover the city center, the city is filled with bicycle paths to travel and circulate in quiet and peace.

1- Discover the Olympic Park

This park is a vast complex that has been built for the 1972 Olympic Games And is recognizable from afar as a result of its 290-meter high TV tower. It’s possible to visit its summit to enjoy a stunning view of the Alps.

2- View the Marienplatz (Mary’s Square)

2- View the Marienplatz (Mary's Square)
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This is the historical heart of Munich: many monuments and buildings Are concentrated here and it’s often the meeting place for all Munich residents. Marienplatz is acquainted with the imposing Town Hall and its neo-Gothic style. And what about its carillon, which seems several times each day and is guaranteed to captivate you?

3- Our Lady’s Cathedral (Frauenkirche)

3- Our Lady's Cathedral (Frauenkirche)
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Nothing similar to the one in Paris, however, this palace is a place to see. Recognizable with its bulbous domes, it may be located on Weinstrasse. The Theatinerkirche with its normal rococo facade can also be viewed on this street. Don’t miss to find the Teufelstritt (the”Kick” or”Footprint” of the devil) in the palace. Legend has it that the devil himself entered this church and because he could not be seen (at least he thought he could)he believed he could do anything he wanted. However, a ray of sunlight entered through one of the windows and burnt him leaving a footprint on the ground.

4- The food market (Viktualienmarkt)

4- The food market (Viktualienmarkt)
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It’s surely the biggest food market in Munich, it has been around since The start of the 19th century. There’s a huge backyard called a beer garden (Biergarten) that provides you the chance to quietly enjoy the surrounding air.

5- Taste the beers at the Hofbräuhaus Brewery

5- Taste the beers at the Hofbräuhaus Brewery
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This is Munich’s “tavern”, the place to be for beer and the best Sausage in town. You’ll be welcomed in a large room (with a capacity of 1000 people) with a singular ceiling.

6- The Renowned Nymphenburg Palace

6- The Renowned Nymphenburg Palace
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Schloss Nymphenburg, literally”Nymphenburg Castle”, is the summertime residence of the Wittelsbach family. Allow at least half a day to walk around the fantastic, gigantic baroque construction. The design is a cheerful combination of Rococo, neo-classical and Baroque, with a beautiful gallery, a Chinese cabinet, and an English garden.

7- The Pinakotheques (Pinakothek der Moderne, Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinkothek)

7- The Pinakotheques (Pinakothek der Moderne, Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinkothek)
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It’s the most important museum complex that includes the older Pinacoteca, the new pinacoteca, and the contemporary pinacoteca, places entirely dedicated to modern art. Whether you love 14th century or contemporary painting, whether you would like to find European art of the 16th or 17th century or all of the artistic expressions and styles of the 20th century, whether, in architecture or painting, design or graphic arts, the Pinakotheken in Munich is the place to be.

8- The Lenbach Villa (Lenbachhaus Museum)

8- The Lenbach Villa (Lenbachhaus Museum)
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For many art lovers, this is the municipal art gallery and it owes its Global popularity to its formidable collection of works of art that belonged to the artistic present called”The Blue Rider”, establishing the basis of what we call abstract art. You are going to see imperial and relevant works by Kandinsky naturally, but also by Klee or Macke.

9- The Königsplatz

9- The Königsplatz
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It’s a vast esplanade That’s surrounded by 3 very important Buildings, such as 2 museums’ home imperial collections of antiquity. This square was made by the architect von Klenz. This square is famous for its concentration of museums but additionally, it marks the entry to the most attractive areas of the city of Munich. A magical place, tasty, somewhat bourgeois, and pleasant to go to.

10 — The Maxvorstadt district

10 -- The Maxvorstadt district
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Located north of the old city, this district (which takes its title From Maximilian of Bavaria) will suit all fans of old and beautiful books. It’s the district of the bookshops but also of those clothing shops, picturesque cafés, and restaurants. It’s not possible to overlook this Munich atmosphere!

11- Bavaria Film Studios (Bavaria Film)

11- Bavaria Film Studios (Bavaria Film)
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Perhaps You don’t know it, however, Munich was also among the most Important movie studios in Europe. Today, a couple of TV series are still taken there, but many prestigious directors like Hitchcock, Orson Welles, and actresses such as Romy Schneider have regularly set foot on its soil.

12- The BMW Museum

12- The BMW Museum
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Car lovers, how do you not visit the museum devoted to the BMW brand?

The museum retraces the history of the car from its first Models to its prototypes, but in addition, it talks about current events, the effect of BMW in the automotive world, and its connection with ecology. The architecture of this building is actually worth a visit, especially with its futuristic tower that doesn’t leave one indifferent.

13- The English Garden (Englischer Garten)

To unwind in the city setting, why not bask in this lovely English garden? It was laid out in the end of the 18th century and covers almost 400 hectares. Ideal for enjoying sports, resting in the grass, enjoying the casual atmosphere of this place while having a drink in one of the beer gardens of the park. Probably among the biggest parks in the world.

14- Participate in the Oktoberfest

14- Participate in the Oktoberfest
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It has been mentioned before but this occasion is of utmost Significance of living and feeling the Munich atmosphere. An enormous beer festival which brings around 6 million people in a really friendly, warm and family atmosphere. An opportunity to taste regional specialties but also to honor sauerkraut and roast chicken. The Oktoberfest takes place in the second half of September until the beginning of October.

15- More thoughts for Munich sightseeing

Watch people surfing on the Eisbach Canal…
Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
Visit Dachau Concentration Camp, 17 km northwest of Munich.
Go to the Deutsches Museum (one of the biggest science and technology museums in the world)
Attend a Bayern Munich match or see the Allianz Arena
As mentioned previously, do not be afraid to rent a bicycle to ride around town.