A Weekend In Munich: 20 Unique Things To Do

Hello and welcome back to another blog! This week, I will talk to you about the beautiful city of Munich, the capital of Bavaria. I will share the best ways to spend 2 days or a weekend in Munich. Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of breathtaking architecture, world-class museums, and a delightful mix of traditional and trendy experiences.

Wandering through its streets, we’ll discover the heart and soul of Bavaria. Explore the city’s iconic landmarks such as the majestic Nymphenburg Palace and the iconic Frauenkirche, or stroll through the bustling Viktualienmarkt, where the aromas of fresh food will awaken your senses. And let’s not forget about Munich’s legendary beer culture, an experience not to be missed at the lively beer gardens! So are you ready? Let’s dive into the captivating allure of Munich!

pLAN yOUR ROAD tRIP TO bAVARIA, GERMANY

Book your flights with Skyscanner.com
Book your car with Rentalcars.com
Find the best places to stay with Booking.com
Get reliable travel insurance.
Find the best activities to do like this full-day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle.
Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots, a rain jacket, and a power bank.
Read Munich and the Bavarian Alps as a preparation for your trip and Walking in the Bavarian Alps to choose the best hikes.

FOR A MORE DETAILED PLANNING, READ MY POST ABOUT PLANNING A TRIP TO BAVARIA

Interesting Facts about Munich

Munich, with 1,500,000 inhabitants is the largest city in Bavaria and its capital. Here are some interesting facts about this beautiful city.

In Munich, they take beer very seriously! In fact, beer is considered food! There are over 60 different beer gardens in the city, with some of them being actual breweries.
Every year, it hosts the largest beer festival in the world. Who hasn’t heard about the famous Oktoberfest?
And speaking of Oktoberfest, did you know that during this festival, city escalators speed up?
It is BMW’s hometown. The letters of the famous car brand stand for “Bayerische Motoren Werke”.
The hill in Olympia Park was created with rubble left over from World War II.
It is possible to go surfing in Munich. Yes, you heard it right. Even though there is no sea, you can practice surfing in the middle of the city.

How much time do you need to visit Munich?

The time you need to visit Munich will depend on your interests and what specific things you want to see. Ideally, I recommend spending a minimum of two days here to be able to see at least the highlights of the city without having to rush from one place to the other.

However, if you only have one day to allocate, I would not discard it either. You’ll still be able to visit most of the things in the Altstadt, the historic part of the city.

How to move around Munich?

Moving around Munich is quite easy and they have good public transport with Metro, Tram, and Bus services. Everything within the historic part of the city is within walking distance but, if you intend to visit things outside the Altstadt, then you will have to use public transport.

The official website for public transportation in Munich is also available in English and here you will be able to check the following information:

Route Planner: https://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/index.html
Different kinds of available tickets and fares: https://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/tickets-and-fares/tickets-daytickets/index.html

Where to stay in Munich?

The best area to stay in Munich is probably the Altstadt neighborhood. This will grant you being able to reach most of the sightseeing places in this city on foot. However, prices in this area can be a bit high. Here are some accommodation suggestions in this area.

If you’re looking for a more budget neighborhood that is not far from Altstad, then you should check Bahnhofsviertel

In my case, since I was traveling by car, I needed to choose a hotel that could offer parking. I stayed in the area of Perlach. This area is a bit further away from the city center but it is connected by metro in only 15 minutes.

Ibis Styles Muenchen Perlach

A Weekend In Munich: 25 Unique Things To Do In Munich

1. Be impressed by Marienplatz

Every visit to Munich should begin in Marienplatz. Marienplatz has been the heart and soul of Munich since the city’s foundation. Originally, this square was called Schrannenplatz but was renamed to Marienplatz to ask the Virgin Mary to protect the city against cholera.

Among the many highlights located in this square are:

Mariensäule or Column of St. Mary. This is a column erected in the middle of the square as a celebration of the end of the Swedish occupation. The column is topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by 4 cupids.
Neues Rathaus or the New Town Hall. A Neo-Gothic building that houses the city government since 1874.
Rathaus Glockenspiel. The Town Hall tower has a “cuckoo clock” with 43 bells and 32 figures that re-enact the city story every day at 11 am, 12 pm, and 5 pm.
Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall. Former government building.

2. Get beautiful views of Marienplatz and Munich from the Neues Rathaus

While you’re at Marienplatz if you want to get great views of Munich, then you can go up the Neues Rathaus tower. In addition, you will not have to make a big effort as there is an elevator that will take you all the way to the top.

The only bad thing about this viewpoint is that you will not be able to see the breathtaking city hall from here.

Good to know: Neues Rathaus Tower tickets can be bought at the tourist office located right on the left of the city hall archway.

3. Get to the top of Alter Peter

Right next to Marienplatz, you will find St Peter’s Chruch. This a Roman Catholic church famous for its 91 m high tower, known as “Alter Peter” (Old Peter), that offers some of the best views over Munich.

The church is free to visit but if you want to go up the tower you will have to pay 5 euros. Opening times are between 9 am to 7:30 pm from April to October and between 9 am to 6:30 pm from November to March.

Good to know: There is no elevator to go up Alter Peter. You will have to climb 306 steps. However, from here, you will be able to admire the architectural gem that is the city hall.

4. Admire Frauenkirche, the cathedral of Munich

The Cathedral Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) is Munich’s most famous church and its two towers (just under 100 m high) are an unmistakable landmark of the city. The church is built in the late Gothic architecture style from the 15th century.

The most particular characteristic of this church is its two towers. But did you know they are not exactly identical? The north tower is slightly higher than the south one. Another difference between them is the number of bells in each one. The south tower has a total of 7 bells whereas the north one only has 3 bells.

It is possible to go up the Frauenkirche South Tower to get beautiful views of the city as well. Admissions are between 10 am to 5 pm and it costs 7,5 euros.

5. Visit the gates of the old city: Karlstor, Sendlinger Tor & Isartor

Karlstor, Sendlinger Tor, and Isartor are the 3 gates within the medieval city walls that are still standing in Munich. They limit the old historic city center or Altstadt.

Karlstor was the west gate of the city, Sendlinger Tor the south gate, and Isartor the east one. There was a north gate too at Odeonplatz but it doesn’t exist anymore.

6. Be impressed by Asamkirche

Asamkirche or the church of St. Johann Nepomuk, is a Baroque church in Munich that was built by the Asam brothers, the sculptor Egid Quirin Asam and painter Cosmas Damian Asam.

This church was not commissioned, but built as a private chapel for the greater glory of God and the salvation of the builders.

This church, though small is really impressive and worth including in your itinerary.

7. Explore Bavarian Gastronomy at the Viktualienmarkt

Viktualienmarkt is a fresh food market located very close to Marienplatz. This market will be a treat for your senses with the appealing food stalls.

This market will be the perfect place to get a tasty bite for lunch, buy some local produce to bring back home as a souvenir, or enjoy a beer in its bustling beer garden. Like all beer gardens, you will be able to identify it for its Maypole in blue and white.

Even if you’re not intending to buy anything, it is worth checking out Viktualienmarkt.

8. Enjoy a beer at Hofbrauhaus am Platz

If you’re looking to taste Munich’s famous beer, why not do it at the brewery that saved the city? Yes, you read this right, Hofbrau beer saved the city of Munich from being destroyed. When Sweden occupied Munich during the 30-Year War, 344 buckets of Hofbrau beer were traded as an agreement for Sweden not to destroy the city.

9. Visit the Residenz

The Residenz is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. It began in 1385 as a castle in the northeastern corner of the city but was transformed by the rulers over the centuries into a magnificent palace, with its buildings and gardens extending further and further into the town.

Unfortunately, most of the Residenz was destroyed during the Second World War and was gradually reconstructed from 1945 onwards. Today it acts as a museum in which visitors can admire the rooms and displays from the former rulers of Bavaria.

Practical information: If you want to visit the Residenz, check the official website for opening hours and ticket fees. It is not possible to buy tickets online.

9. Attend a concert at The Residenz

If you’re looking for a more special activity than just visiting The Residenz Museum then you can get yourself tickets for a concert there. There are several different options depending on your budget and the location of the concert.

10. Odeonplatz

Odeonplatz is one of Munich’s main squares dating from the 19th Century. This square’s main attraction is the Feldherrnhalle, a loggia modeled after the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. It was commissioned in 1841 by King Ludwig I of Bavaria to honour the tradition of the Bavarian Army.

These days, Odeonplatz is a common venue for festivals and events so it is very common to find a stage or similar structure built there.

11. Theatinekirche

Theatinekirche or Theatine Church is a catholic church dedicated to St. Cajetan and Adelaide that is located in Odeonplatz. Its name originated from the Theatin priests that took care of the church from 1675 to 1801.

The church was built in Italian high Baroque style, inspired by Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome. Its façade, painted in mustard yellow won’t let anyone indifferent, either you’ll love it or hate it.

12. Rest in the beautiful Hofgarten

Right next to the Residenz, you can find Hofgarten, one of Munich’s most famous gardens. In fact, Hofgarten was initially an extension of the Residenz. These days, with its beautiful pavilion, gravel paths, flower beds, and benches it is the perfect place to relax during your day visiting Munich.

13. Explore The English Garden

The English Garden is Munich’s largest park. It is actually one of the largest parks in the world and it’s one of the places you should include in your itinerary when visiting Munich.The name refers to its English garden form of informal landscape, a style popular in England from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century.

14. Surf at Eisbachwelle

The Eisbach River, located on the southern edge of the English Garden, is a popular hotspot for surfers, spectators, and photographers.

The Eisbach’s surf spot is the world’s most constant, biggest, and best river waver in the middle of a big city and has been surfable for 40 years. Because of this, you will find people surfing here all year round.

Important: The people that you will see surfing here are expert surfers. Don’t attempt to surf here if you’ve never tried it before.

15. Participate in a Tea Ceremony

In the southern part of the park, you can also find a Japanese Tea House that was built in 1972. It is situated on an artificial island in the little river “Schwabinger Bach”. Fans of Japanese culture regularly meet here for traditional tea ceremonies.

Good to know: Tea ceremonies take place at specific hours during the day, it is not possible to just walk in there and get some tea. At the Tea House gate, you will find a small piece of paper indicating the timings of the tea ceremonies and prices.

16. Enjoy a fantastic panoramic view from the Monopteros

Monopteros is a temple-like round building in the English Garden that was built in the southern part of the on top of a hill in 1836. From here, you can get a fantastic panoramic view over Munich. It is the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset on a clear day.

17. Drink a refreshing beer at the Chinese Tower

The Chinese Tower is a pagoda that rises 25 meters into the air in the middle of the English Garden.

However, this is actually another of Munich’s beer gardens. Here you will be able to enjoy a refreshing beer while you admire the building. There is often Bavarian live music, being played on the first floor of the pagoda.

18. Climb the hill at Olympia Park

Olympia Park was the green area that was built for the Olympic Games hosted in Munich in 1972. The park has many sports facilities in it such as the Olympic Stadium, an ice skating ring, a swimming pool, etc.

These days, many tourists visit the park and climb the hill at Olympia Park to get good views of the city and the Olympiaturm, a TV tower with 290 m of height.

19. Visit the BMW headquarters

Munich is the birthplace of one of the most famous car brands, BMW. These letters stand for “Bayerische Motoren Werke”, or Bavarian Motor Factories.

While visiting the city, you might want to visit their museum at the headquarters which are so big that they even have their own postal code! Here you will learn about the history of the company, check out retro models, and also learn about future projects.

You can find all information about price tickets and opening hours here: https://www.bmw-welt.com/en/index.html#tickets

20. Nymphenburg Palace

Nymphenburg Palace (or in German Schloss Nymphenburg) is a palace located in the outer part of Munich. It was the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria.

The palace is built in a baroque style and is open to visitors who want to see it inside. There are different options depending on what you want to visit. You can choose to just visit the palace itself or the park palaces as well. I only visited the palace’s main building and I really loved it.

Tickets to the palace can be bought either online or directly at the palace upon arrival.

Once you’re done visiting the palace, make sure to spend some time exploring its beautiful and big gardens which are free.

It was really peaceful to walk in these gardens and we even got to see some deer in between the trees!

MAP with locations of this blog

To help you located all the activities of this blog, I have created the map below.

And that’s it for my blog about Munich. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments. I would love to hear from you!

DISCLAIMER: Did you know? This blog uses affiliate partnerships. When you click and book or make a purchase through one of my blog posts, I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting The Travelling Hiker!