Things to do in Munich

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Marienplatz featuring landscape views, a city and a sunset
Karlsplatz - Stachus which includes heritage architecture, a city and street scenes
Siegestor which includes outdoor art, a city and heritage architecture
English Garden featuring a pond
St Peter\'s Church showing a church or cathedral, a city and heritage architecture

Munich Attractions

Munich, Germany, is one of those cities which seems ripped from a fairy tale. Charming architecture dominates the streets, castles perch in the distance, and ages-old folklore is just as relevant as modern amenities. Want to spend some time discovering the top sights? Pick up a Munich map, and let us help you put together an unforgettable itinerary.

This gorgeous region is home to a variety of stately places and ornate castles, and one of the best things to do in Munich is spend an afternoon exploring the majesty. Start your Munich excursions with a trip to the Schloss Nymphenburg palace and museums, and then head to the Residenz for a look at its castle, halls, and galleries. You can even venture beyond the city’s borders to regal sights like the Schloss Dachau — several Munich tours can get you to the area — but you’ll find plenty of must see tourist attractions in Munich itself.

If you’d rather spend your time browsing art collections, check out the city’s network of museums. Munich was once the art centre of Germany, so you’ll discover several places to view a world of masterpieces. Museum Brandhorst is home to an exciting array of modern art, the Glyptothek focuses on Greek sculpture, and Pinakotheken is made up of three museums dedicated to works ranging from the 15th to 20th centuries.

Of course, Munich is so charming, you’ll have just as much fun simply strolling the local streets. Residents and travelers alike refer to the city as Toytown due to its quaint atmosphere and clean aesthetic, and you’ll find examples of this character in nearly each of its neighborhoods. Schwabing is one of the top spots to browse boutiques and sample the regional cuisine, and Maxvorstadt is a tree-lined university district that features several cultural Munich activities. No matter where you go, you’ll find something to grab your attention. That’s the magic of Munich.


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Munich must see attractions

1. BMW Welt

BMW World is administered by BMW, or Bayerische Motoren Werke (“Bavarian Motor Works”). This company has been involved in the manufacture of automobiles, motorcycles and engines since 1916. The BMW headquarters are housed in the landmark four-cylinder tower near Olympia Park in the north of Munich. The BMW Plant, the BMW Museum and BMW World are situated next to the headquarters, and BMW encourages visitors to tour these in order to experience the history, the reality and the future vision of the brand.
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BMW World showing modern architecture

2. Marienplatz

Marienplatz (Mary's Square) is the pivotal main square of Munich, where pedestrians, street performers and tour groups gather to enjoy the atmosphere or see the city’s sights. Considered the heart of Munich, this square often hosts peace protests or rowdy celebrations when the local soccer team is victorious.
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Marienplatz featuring landscape views, a city and a sunset

3. Olympic Park

Olympic Park was built for the 20th Summer Olympic Games, which Munich hosted in 1972. The site chosen for the event lies around 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) northwest of Munich’s city center. A massive tensile roof canopy links many areas of the park, including the 69,000-seat Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Hall and the Olympic Swimming Pool. Today, the Park continues to host German and international sporting events. The outdoor Olympic Stadium and the indoor Olympic Hall are also venues for regular international concert acts.
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Olympic Park which includes landscape views, a monument and a city

4. Hofbräuhaus

A family of discontented royals founded the Hofbräuhaus in 1589. Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V voiced a court-wide dissatisfaction with the quality of local brews and agreed to establish a brewery that would produce refined beer exclusively for Munich’s elites.
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Hofbrauhaus which includes street scenes, a city and heritage architecture

5. Viktualienmarkt

In 1807, King Maximilian I decreed that Munich’s food markets needed to be moved from the Marienplatz to a larger area, which is now known as the Viktualienmarkt. Viktualien is an old German word meaning “victuals” or “provisions.” Today, this market is still the place to stock up, although there is now a much wider range of provisions to choose from.
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Viktualienmarkt showing street scenes, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

6. English Garden

The genesis of the Englischer Garten came in 1789, when a wild area along the River Isar was set aside to become gardens. The garden’s current look can be attributed in large part to the landscape gardener Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell, who envisioned a garden with sweeping English landscape components. The English Garden runs from the city center to the northeastern limits of Munich, covering a total area of around 1.4 square miles (3.6 square kilometers).
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What to do in Munich

Free Things to Do in Munich

Leave your purse in the hotel room. It's easy to have fun in Munich without surrendering a cent.

Olympic Park - You'll love this attraction if your aim is to live it up and have some fun.

European Patent Office - Architecture fan or not, you're certain to be impressed by this landmark's modern design.

Koenigsplatz - Roam around this historic site and learn a couple of secrets from long ago.

Karlsplatz - Stachus - Discover why locals and travelers alike are drawn to the vibe of this place.

Eisbach Surfing - Find a spot to sit and savor the peacefulness that goes hand in hand with being around water.

Rindermarkt - Plan a visit and learn about the significance of this place to the community.

Damenstiftskirche - No matter what you believe in, this place will inspire a sense of reverence in you.

Old Botanical Garden - Grab your picnic blanket, pack some nibbles and find a cozy spot to relish Mother Nature.

Things to Do in Munich with Kids

Munich is a terrific place for a family vacation. Bring the little ones along and enjoy these family friendly experiences together:


 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Munich? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 


 


Discover the most popular places to visit in Munich

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Munich

English Garden which includes a park and a river or creek

Munich City Centre

4/5(18 area reviews)

Famous as a shopping hub, the city also has many historical attractions. Walk down its wide boulevards and discover what it’s like to be a Münchner.

Munich City Centre
Munich City Centre featuring a city, heritage elements and landscape views

Altstadt-Lehel

5/5(367 area reviews)

Explore the arts in Lehel, with museums like the State Museum of Ethnology and Bavarian National Museum, or visit the new Jewish center and Rindermarktbrunnen.

Altstadt-Lehel
Train station food. Oh yeah, if you are in Germany. 

#GoodEats

Ludwigsvorstadt-Kliniken

German Theater and Landwehrstrasse are top sights in Ludwigsvorstadt-Kliniken, and you should be sure to explore the fantastic nightlife. Hop aboard the metro at Sendlinger Gate U-Bahn or Munich Central Station Tram Stop to see more sights in the area.

Ludwigsvorstadt-Kliniken
Kreuzviertel featuring heritage architecture and a city

Kreuzviertel

Noted for its breweries and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Kreuzviertel. Top attractions like Marienplatz and Frauenkirche are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Lenbachplatz Tram Stop or Karlsplatz (Stachus) Station to see more of the city.

Kreuzviertel
Hofbrauhaus which includes street scenes, a city and heritage architecture

Graggenau

Noted for its museums and historic sites, there's plenty to explore in Graggenau. Top attractions like Marienplatz and National Theater Munich are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Nationaltheater Tram Stop or Kammerspiele Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Graggenau
Viktualienmarkt which includes food and markets

Angerviertel

Churches, squares, markets and people-watching make this compact section of Munich’s Old Town a lovely place for an extended visit.

Angerviertel

 

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Popular day trips from Munich

Frequently asked questions

Is Munich worth visiting?
Known for its bars and pubs and dining, finding awesome things to do in Munich is a cinch. Make sure to add BMW Welt to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Munich?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to BMW Welt and Marienplatz. Then, explore other areas of Munich for local dining and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Munich?
Don't go home without exploring BMW Welt, rated the top tourist attraction in Munich.
Is three days enough to stay in Munich?
Three days will give you time to tick off popular city attractions, such as BMW Welt, Marienplatz and Deutsches Museum. The average stay in Munich is three days. If you have the time to extend your trip, Oberding isn't far away.
Is Munich a walkable city?
Some top sights in Munich, like Marienplatz and Deutsches Museum, are within walking distance. You can also explore several of the city's popular neighborhoods on foot. Only 1 mile from the city center of Munich is Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt and Bahnhofsviertel is 1 mile away.
What are some activities to do in Munich with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, an itinerary filled with fun activities is the key to a stress-free getaway. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Munich with kids.

What to do in Munich for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or fan of nature, there's no shortage of things to do in Munich for adults including Nockherberg Paulaner Brewery and Lowenbrau.
Are there free things to do in Munich?
From checking out parks to wandering around exciting neighborhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Munich. If you're in need of ideas, ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. Marienplatz is a top spot for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing activities.

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