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Nestled in the heart of southern Germany, Munich is famous for its stunning architecture, numerous beer gardens, and Bavarian culture. Here’s a bucket list to make sure you experience all that Munich has to offer!
Marienplatz
Marienplatz is the main city square, serving as the cultural heart of Munich with plenty of attractions, shops, and restaurants nearby. We recommend making Marienplatz your first stop when exploring Munich’s Old Town. The most famous building at Marienplatz is the Rathaus (Town Hall). Located in the center of the Rathaus’ facade is the Glockenspiel, a large mechanical clock known for its life-size figures. At 11 AM and noon, the Glockenspiel reenacts scenes from Munich’s history. There is also an additional show at 5 PM from March to October.
St Peter’s Church
Located right next to Marienplatz is St Peter’s Church, Munich’s oldest church. The tower at St Peter’s, known as Alter Peter, offers a panoramic view of the Old Town and surrounding area. Entry to the viewing tower costs 5 Euros per adult. Inside the church you’ll find plenty of beautiful sculptures and art pieces, including a 300-year-old Baroque altar.
Eat and drink at the beer gardens
Of course, no trip to Munich is complete without experiencing the iconic beer gardens! These beer gardens are great places to relax and socialize while enjoying a pint of world-renowned German beer and Bavarian cuisine. Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner-Keller, and the beer garden at the Chinese Tower are popular options.
Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg Palace is a stunning Baroque palace that served as a summer residence for the Bavarian rulers. There are over 20 rooms to explore within Nymphenburg Palace, including the iconic Great Hall and Gallery of Beauties. Along with touring the palace, make sure to budget time to also wander through the expansive gardens. More information, including how to buy tickets, can be found at this link.
Asamkirche
Tucked away with the many shops and restaurants in Old Town is one of Munich’s most beautiful churches: Asamkirche. Completed in 1746 by a pair of brothers, the church is a famous example of the German Late Baroque (Rocco) style. Entrance into the church is free.
Munich Residence
Step into a world of regal elegance at the Munich Residence. The Residence served as the seat of the Bavarian government from 1508 to 1918 and is the largest city palace in Germany. Visitors can wander through the ornate Antiquarium, Ancestral Gallery, and Royal Apartments. We recommend budgeting 2-3 hours for the Munich Residence.
Explore the English Garden
The English Garden is one of the world’s largest urban public parks and is a must-visit while in Munich. Walk or bike along the trails to see the Monopteros Temple, Chinese Tower, and even surfers catching waves on the Eisbach!
BMW Museum and BMW Welt
For the car fanatics out there, make sure to visit the BMW Museum. The museum recaps BMW’s history and future vision. Located opposite the BMW Museum is BMW Welt, which showcases the latest BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce models. Entrance to BMW Welt is free. If you’re interested in renting a BMW while in Germany, check out CarVia.
Olympic Park
Munich’s Olympic Park was the site for the Summer Olympics in 1972. Visitors can now visit the park for a variety of recreation activities, to tour the Olympic Stadium (you can climb on the roof too!), or to see the view from Olympic Tower – the tallest building in Munich!
Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
Depending on how much time you have in Munich, we highly recommend taking a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle! Neuschwanstein Castle is the iconic fairytale castle nestled in the Bavarian Alps. You might recognize it as the castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle is located about 1 hour and 45 minutes southwest of Munich. You can get there as part of a group tour, by taking public transportation, or renting a car.
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited May 2025 | Posted June 2025
