Contents
Munich | Introduction
Munich is the capital of Bavaria in Germany and the third-largest city in the country. It combines a rich cultural heritage, modern urban landscape, and traditional beer culture. This city is renowned not only for its historic buildings and museums but also for its diverse culinary options and vibrant nightlife. When visiting Munich, it is recommended to plan at least a two-day, one-night stay in the city center.
Munich | Transportation
Most of the major attractions in Munich are concentrated in the city center. In fact, most of the major attractions in Munich are within walking distance of each other. Transportation in Munich is very convenient, and there are well-developed U-Bahn, S-Bahn and bus networks covering the whole city and the surrounding areas. Renting a car is not recommended in Munich as it is more difficult to find a parking space and may be a waste of time.
Munich | Accommodations
If it's your first time visiting Munich, the most recommended area to stay in is the Old Town. This is the historical center of Munich, close to Marienplatz and the Munich City Hall, making it very convenient to access the main attractions. If you are using Munich as a base to visit other nearby attractions, there are also plenty of accommodation options near the Central Train Station (Hauptbahnhof), ideal for travelers who want convenient and quick transportation.
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Munich | City Attractions
Marienplatz
A visit to Munich wouldn't be complete without stopping by Marienplatz. It is the central square of Munich and is considered the heart of the city. The New Town Hall and the Gothic-style Town Hall Tower on the square are the most famous landmarks. Every day, you can watch the renowned Rathaus-Glockenspiel performance on the Town Hall Tower.
Neues Rathaus
The New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) is a magnificent Neo-Gothic building, completed in 1874, replacing the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) on the other side of the square. Despite its name, the New Town Hall is over two hundred years old and is considered a historic monument. It serves as the office of the city government and features luxurious interior decorations.
Directly in front of the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) is the Marian Column (Mariensäule) in the center of the square. This column on Marienplatz was erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of Swedish military occupation. The golden statue atop the column is a statue of the Virgin Mary, while the base features bronze statues of four small angels, each defeating a creature representing war, plague, famine, and heresy.
The clock tower on the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) is one of the highlights to visit, featuring the largest glockenspiel in Germany. The life-sized figures of the glockenspiel perform a musical historical play every day at 11 AM and 12 PM. The scene depicts the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V in 1568. Before the performance, the square is filled with tourists, all holding their cameras and waiting in anticipation. The chimes before the performance are quite long, lasting several minutes.
Altes Rathaus
On the other side of Marienplatz, to the left in the middle, stands the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), a much older building that showcases Munich's medieval architectural style. The Old Town Hall served as the town hall until 1874, after which it was used by city council representatives. Although its exterior does not appear very old, it was first documented in 1310 and has undergone many renovations and reconstructions. The infamous speech that marked the beginning of Kristallnacht (considered the start of the organized massacre of Jews) took place here. Today, it is used as a Toy Museum, exhibiting a rich historical and cultural heritage.
Odeonsplatz
Odeonsplatz is a historic and significant square in the center of Munich, located south of Marienplatz. It is home to many important and monumental buildings, including the Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshals' Hall) and the Theatine Church (Theatinerkirche).
Feldherrnhalle
The Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshals' Hall) is located at the southern end of Ludwigstraße and is the main landmark of Odeonsplatz. This Italian-style loggia serves as a symbol of honor for the Bavarian army. In 1825, Ludwig I built the Feldherrnhalle to foster internal unity and national consciousness within the kingdom. The two bronze statues standing inside, one on the left and one on the right, represent two Bavarian heroes: Count Johann Tilly, commander during the Thirty Years' War, and Duke Karl Philipp von Wrede, who led the Bavarian army during the Napoleonic Wars. These statues give the Feldherrnhalle its unique military significance.
The Feldherrnhalle has witnessed many historical events in Bavaria. As a symbol of nationalism, it was where Germans celebrated the founding of the German Empire. Adolf Hitler was arrested here during the early Nazi movement, and after World War II, the site transitioned from a symbol of Nazi spirit to one of anti-Nazi sentiment.
Theatine Church
The Theatine Church (Theatinerkirche) is an Italian Baroque-style building located next to the Feldherrnhalle. It is a religious symbol of Bavaria, built by the Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria from 1663 to 1690 to celebrate the long-awaited birth of the royal heir, Prince Maximilian II, in 1662. Its yellow façade and lavish interior decorations, including a magnificent altar and ceiling frescoes, are quite spectacular.
Munich Residenz
The Munich Residenz is located in the northeast of the city center, near Max-Joseph-Platz. It was the royal palace of the former Bavarian monarchs and is the largest city palace in Germany. The complex includes ten courtyards and several museums, with an interior that is quite luxurious, requiring at least half a day to thoroughly explore. The palace was originally built in 1385 and has undergone numerous expansions and reconstructions, showcasing a variety of architectural styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassicism. Inside, the palace's court gardens, halls, and private suites display the luxurious and exquisite court life. The interior currently houses multiple museums.
The palace garden (Hofgarten) is designed in the Italian Renaissance style. At the center of the garden stands the Temple of Diana. During clear and mild weather, the palace garden and the adjacent English Garden (Englischer Garten) are excellent places for relaxation.
Bavarian State Chancellery
The Bavarian State Chancellery (Bayerische Staatskanzlei) is the administrative center of the Bavarian state government and is located very close to the Munich Residenz. The architectural style of the Bavarian State Chancellery is Neoclassical. Although the interior is not open to the public, its unique blend of modern and classical styles is noteworthy, with its transparent glass walls symbolizing the government's commitment to transparency in governance.
St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche) is the oldest church in Munich's inner city, located behind Marienplatz. There was already a church at this site before Munich was founded in 1158. Over the centuries, the church has undergone numerous rebuilds and expansions, with the current structure completed in 1368. In the early 17th century, a 92-meter Renaissance-style spire and Baroque choir stalls were added. Visitors can purchase tickets to enter the church's bell tower, which offers a panoramic view of the Munich cityscape.
Visiting the interior of the church is free, and you are immediately greeted by a dazzling display of gold and ornate decorations. Due to the church's historical and religious significance, it is a popular wedding venue for local residents. During our visit, we happened to witness a traditional German wedding, which was a very interesting experience.
Viktualienmarkt
Another must-visit spot in Munich's city center is the Viktualienmarkt. It is a historic open-air market that originally started in Marienplatz in front of the Town Hall. Later, Bavarian King Maximilian I moved the market a few meters southeast to its current location, which is still very close to Marienplatz. Today, the Viktualienmarkt features 140 stalls and shops selling a variety of goods, including prepared foods, agricultural and fishery products, fresh flowers, beer, and organic vegetables. It's an interesting place to explore.
In addition to fresh produce, the market offers a wide range of affordable snacks for tourists. You can indulge in German sausages, pork knuckles, fish sandwiches, and more, all at prices lower than those in restaurants. For those looking to buy souvenirs, the market has specialty items such as honey and bread available.
BMW Museum
Germany's automotive industry is world-renowned, with familiar brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen all originating from Germany. The BMW Museum is located near the Olympiapark in Munich, adjacent to the BMW Headquarters and BMW Welt. You can reach it by taking the U-Bahn (U3 line) to the Olympiazentrum station. If you're driving, you can park directly in the free parking lot at BMW Welt and walk over via the sky bridge.
The cylinder-shaped building has a futuristic and technological look.
The overall display inside is organized in an interesting way, resembling a casual browsing experience, yet each area has its own theme. The museum's guide app provides basic introductions to different car types, and you can search by exhibit number. It includes various forms of information such as videos and texts, allowing visitors to understand the history of the car models, knowledge of special vehicles, or details about parts and engineering. This way, even visitors who are not familiar with cars can enjoy the experience at their own pace.
The evergreen BMW 3 to 7 Series are displayed across three floors, with detailed explanations of each series' design and target audience.
In addition to discussing the various product lines, a significant part of the exhibition covers BMW's history. BMW originally started with aircraft engines, and after World War I, when Germany was prohibited from manufacturing aircraft, they switched to making motorcycle engines. Inside the museum, there is an entire wall displaying BMW motorcycles from different eras.
Opposite the museum, BMW Welt serves as BMW's showroom. It is the largest car showroom I've ever seen, and entry is free. Visitors can test drive the cars and also check out the motorcycle section. Although most of the displayed vehicles are new models, there are also many interesting classic cars. For example, the BMW Isetta from 1955 is a notable model. It's a small car with only one door, and the door is located at the front of the vehicle.
Munich | Nearby attractions
Königssee
Königssee, located in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, boasts picturesque natural scenery. It is considered the most beautiful lake in Germany, formed by glaciers, with crystal-clear, emerald-green waters surrounded by magnificent mountains. It is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Munich. For a detailed introduction to Königssee, please see this article.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle are among the most popular tourist attractions in Germany. These two castles attract countless visitors with their fairytale-like architecture and stunning scenery. You can reach them by train, with a journey of about two hours. For an introduction to Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle, please see this article.
Chiemsee
Chiemsee, known as the "Bavarian Sea," is the largest lake in Bavaria and is renowned for its beautiful scenery. The lake features three main islands: Herreninsel (Men's Island), Fraueninsel (Women's Island), and Krautinsel (Herb Island), which is uninhabited. Located about an hour's drive from Munich, Chiemsee is an ideal destination for a day trip. For an introduction to Chiemsee, please see this article.
Munich | Cuisine
Hofbräuhaus
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
One of the meals in Munich must be at the enormous Hofbräuhaus. This historic beer hall was established in 1589. It was originally a royal brewery until 1828 when Ludwig I ordered it to be opened to the public. To this day, Hofbräu (HB) remains a famous beer brand in Germany, and you can order HB beers throughout the country. The German Workers' Party also announced its renaming to the Nazi Party in the festival hall here. It is the largest beer hall in the world, capable of accommodating 3,500 people, which is truly enormous. Inside, the atmosphere is bustling with both tourists and locals. The arched ceiling paintings as you enter immediately convey its long history and unique character. Even if you don't dine there, just visiting is a fascinating experience.
If you expect to be greeted and seated like in a typical restaurant, you might end up waiting a long time. Fortunately, we had a German colleague who advised us. Upon entering, the first thing to do is to find an available seat, and someone will come to serve you eventually. Due to the large number of people, finding an empty table is nearly impossible. Instead, everyone finds a spot at a long table and sits down wherever there is space.
When you visit Hofbräuhaus, you must order a beer. The minimum order here is a liter, but if you're not planning to drink that much, you can share a glass. The beer is incredibly delicious. Even after traveling through several German cities and drinking excellent beer daily, this place still stands out. The food is also fantastic and definitely worth indulging in. Despite having sampled many German delicacies by the time we reached Munich, we were still very impressed. It was my favorite meal in Germany.
We ordered the roast pork and the roast pork knuckle. The roast pork, with its crispy skin and perfectly seasoned meat, paired with the simplest potato side dish, became our favorite dish.
Schneider Weiss beer house
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
Another very famous beer hall in Munich is the Schneider Weiss beer house. We visited it to compare it with Hofbräuhaus. The atmosphere of the two beer halls is quite different. Hofbräuhaus feels more grandiose, while Schneider is incredibly lively, with music playing at all times. People constantly sit down at the long tables, and after a few beers, everyone starts chatting with those around them.
Next to us, a German couple and a professor from Seattle sat down. They were all very friendly. The professor had lived in Germany before and could speak German, which added to the lively atmosphere. This made our dining experience very special.
The variety of beers is extensive, and we came specifically for the famous wheat beer. We tried three different types, and eventually, the professor’s wife, who was very knowledgeable, recommended TAP6, which turned out to be the best beer we had there.
For food, we ordered the white sausages and the roast pork ribs. The roast pork ribs had a very crispy skin and a firmer, bone-in texture. Notably, the side dishes here were seasoned better than any others we had tried, making them stand out.
Viktualienmarkt
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
Besides buying souvenirs and fresh produce from various regions, Viktualienmarkt offers plenty of affordable and hearty food options, much like a night market in Taiwan. We actually went there early in the morning and ate our way from breakfast to lunch while strolling around. I especially recommend the pork chop sandwich sold at the butcher's shop; it’s probably the best pork chop sandwich I’ve ever had, and it's very inexpensive. There are also German sausages and pork knuckles available, all served in generous portions and at very reasonable prices.
Postwirt Sauerlach
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
I also want to mention Postwirt Sauerlach. This restaurant is located in the suburbs of Munich, quite far from the city center. We chose to stay at a hotel here the night before our trip to Königssee. We didn’t have high expectations and just ordered some white wine and dark beer, along with main dishes of fried lamb chops and roast pork pot with vegetables. Everything turned out to be delicious.
Because this dining experience was away from the tourist areas, it was less crowded, and sitting outdoors with a group of locals felt especially relaxing.
Further reading
- More GermanyRelated Posts
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