Catching Adele in Munich soon? You’re probably thinking of more things to do during your trip to Munich like watching the Glockenspiel in Marienplatz, having beer breakfast at Schneider Bräuhaus, or hanging around in trendy Glockenbachviertel. But how do you figure out which of these ideas are a must and which are a miss?
To help sort out all of the potential additions to your trip, we've compiled some of our favorite destinations, sights, and things to do in Munich and grouped them into interests. From there, you can pick and choose which recommendations most strongly appeal to you so that you can make this trip to Munich the best one yet!
If you enjoy exploring a new city and seeing all the sights…
Do you count yourself as one of the people who just love getting lost in a new city and discovering all the things that make it unique? If you answered yes, you should definitely think about hitting up some of the locations and activities we recommend below!
Go on a Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
For those not familiar with "Hop-On Hop-Off" tours, it's a bus system where tourists can buy a ticket that gives them unlimited rides to a bus line that goes along a route with bus stops that are deliberately placed next to or near famous local landmarks and attractions. The tourists can then "hop off" the bus, explore the area, then "hop back on" a bus from the same line as they please without having to pay for more than their initial ticket.
This is a very economical savvy, hassle-free way to see a lot of the "must-see" sights in any city, and luckily Munich has its own hop-on hop-off bus route! Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city as you explore at your own pace and visit some of Munich's most recognizable sights such as Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz, and Karlsplatz-Stachus.
If that wasn't enough to convince you to add this to your Munich itinerary, hop-on hop-off tours also come with the option to listen to a prerecorded audio clip (available in 9 languages!) that provides riders a rich and detailed explanation of Munich and its many landmarks.
Visit the Olympic Village
Photo credit: Muenchen website
Photo credit: Muenchen website
One of the city's most famous landmarks, Olympiapark is as grand as it is historic. Nearly 50 million people have visited the Olympic Tower since it first opened in 1968. Visitors can ascend the Olympic Tower from where they'll be treated to a magnificent panoramic view of Munich, the German countryside, and the Alps.
Photo credit: Muenchen website
Aside from the view, Olympiapark has also been transformed into a venue for local sports events, concerts, and leisurely activities. Guided tours all around the park showcase the many unique and noteworthy aspects of the park such as its architecture, history, and functions. You can also go on unguided tours if you'd rather explore the park on your own and discover its charm for yourself.
Munich City Pass
Make your Munich exploration all the more fun and easy with a Munich City Pass! This one-day pass will let you skip the line and get free access to over 45 of Munich's most visited destinations and attractions. You can even get up to 50% off store discounts at select Munich partner shops.
If you’re looking to learn new things…
Photo credit: Residence Museum website
Vacations don't need to be just fun- they can also be educational! Give your trip a nice change of pace and soak in all of the culture, art, and expertise that Munich has on display when you visit these incredible museums.
Pay a Visit to the BMW Museum
Photo credit: BMW Museum website
Some say that cars are a work of engineering, while others call cars a work of art. The BMW Museum in Munich asks, "Why not both?" Featuring exhibits that detail the brand's rich history as well as the latest in BMW innovations, you'll soon find out why motorheads from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Germany. Whether you love cars or don't even know how to drive, anyone will be able to appreciate the technology and innovation on display at the BMW museum!
Photo credit: BMW Museum website
And if the BMW Museum sparked your interest in cars, design, and the iconic brand, you can visit the BMW Welt which is just across the museum! The BMW Welt features the more recent designs of BMW while also functioning as an events venue.
Spend an Afternoon at The Residence Museum
Photo credit: Residence Museum website
You'll feel like you're stepping into a painting when you visit the Munich Residence Museum. Its name comes from the fact that it was used as the main residence and seat of government of the Bavarian dukes and elected officials for over four centuries, and you can see it reflected in the high quality of the architecture, furnishings, and materials that adorn this building.
Photo credit: Residence Museum website
The Munich Residence, which is also the largest palace that can be found in any city center of Germany, features work from Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicist, Historicist, Counter-Reformation, the Enlightenment, and many other major art movements.
If you always have a taste of the local delicacies…
Photo credit: Hofbräuhaus München Facebook page
No trip is complete without a food trip! Munich (as well as the rest of Germany) is famous for its beer, but, if you step out of your culinary comfort zone, you'll quickly discover that this city has a lot of incredible dishes just waiting to be tasted.
Drink Your Fill at One of Munich’s Most Famous Beer Houses
Photo credit: Hofbräuhaus München Facebook page
Many tourists are often surprised to learn that beer can actually be cheaper than water in many places around Germany! And when you're in Munich, there's no better place to grab a pint (or two or three) and try local brews than Hofbräuhaus München, one of the city's most famous beer houses.
Photo credit: Hofbräuhaus München Facebook page
Originally founded in 1589 with the purpose of exclusively supplying the royal Bavarian court with beer, the Hofbräuhaus München's centuries-old tradition of brewing high-quality alcohol can now be enjoyed by everyone! If you still aren't convinced about the pedigree of Hofbräuhaus München, then all you need to know is that this beer house participated in the very first Oktoberfest back in 1810!
Treat Yourself to a Market Full of German Cooking
Photo credit: Muenchen website
Photo credit: Muenchen website
When it comes to trying out as many dishes as you can at an affordable price in Munich, it's hard to beat the convenience, hospitality, and quality of the Viktualienmarkt German food market! Located at the heart of the old town, the market is home to rows and rows of some of the best German fare there is; currywurts, unique ice creams, fine wines, and of course, beers.
Photo credit: Muenchen website
Aside from the delectable cuisine on sale, you can also get many fun and quirky souvenirs from the shops in this area. The Viktualienmarkt market is also home to a very large and easy-to-spot maypole, which has become something of a local landmark and meeting place.
If you want to get your heart pumping…
Photo credit: Munich Travel website
Can't stand going a few days without breaking a sweat or getting your adrenaline going? Or maybe you just need a change of pace from all the beer and bratwurst? Munich isn't all leisurely tours and tasty beers- here are some activities that will bring out your sporty side!
Watch a Football Match in Person
If you're a football fan then attending a FC Bayern Munich match in person should automatically be a high-priority activity for your trip, without question! And even if you consider yourself a casual or new fan, we still highly recommend going to the Allianz Arena to experience this massive sporting event in person.
Catching a game at the sold-out Allianz Arena with its larger-than-life Bayern Munchen players and incredible, raucous crowd composed of thousands of die-hard fans is guaranteed to be an eye-opening (even life-changing!) experience. Don't be surprised if this ends up being the highlight of your Munich trip.
Go Surfing on the Eisbach
Photo credit: Munich Travel website
If you're looking for a unique adventure, the man-made river of Eisbach is a hotspot for surfing. Yes, surfing in Munich is a thing! The standing waves reach about half a meter high and when the surf's up, both Germans and tourists alike suit up for this one-of-a-kind experience in the city. If surfing isn't your thing, you can also just enjoy the scenery as the Eisbach was also voted as one of the top 100 beaches in the world.
Photo credit: Munich Travel website
Fair warning: due to its shallow nature, surfing the Eisbach isn't recommended for beginners and is a better fit for those who already have a good amount of surf experience.
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