Best Things To Do in Munich

Munich is the most important city in the Bavarian part of Germany and both Munich and the surrounding area have a lot to offer the traveller. The more you wander around Munich, the more sights you'll discover, but if you're short on time and spoilt for choice, here's what not to miss:

In my opinion, this is a must-do activity, as few experiences will give you a more complete view of the place you are visiting. Guided tours of Munich are walking tours (although bicycle tours are also very popular) led by an expert guide who shows you the main sights of the city while telling you about its history.

Guided tours have always existed, but they used to be reserved for "wealthy" travellers whereas now there is a wide variety of routes and prices. What you will learn during these tours has little or nothing to do with the fact-filled version in the history books; it's a much closer look at history, legends and local customs.

Itinerary

The route of each tour is different, but most of them cover the main points of interest of the city:

Other tours

The city of Munich has a lot of history and many sights to see, but the surrounding area is also worth a visit. In any case, with a guided tour you can get to know Munich and its surroundings without having to worry about the logistics of transport, schedules, etc. Here is a list of the ones that were the best for me: Best Tours and Day Trips from Munich.

If you're short on time and want to make sure you don't miss a corner of the city, buying a pass for the Munich sightseeing bus is the most practical option. A bus with panoramic views and audio commentary will take you around the city's main sights quickly and without a lot of walking.

You can use this service in two ways: by taking the full route to see the city or by using the free stop option to travel between the main sights in a time and effort saving way. You have at your disposal a pass for one or several days and by paying a fixed amount you can use the tourist bus as many times as you want. In this article I'll tell you a bit more about it: Munich Hop on Hop off Bus Tours.

Places you'll see along the way

The history of Germany is inevitably linked to the Nazi regime. The concentration camps established by Adolf Hitler across Europe are famous throughout the world; today many of them function as memorial museums that are there to remember the horror of this period of history and to perpetuate the memory of the victims. During your trip, you can book a guided tour of the Dachau concentration camp from Munich.

Dachau is located about 13km from Munich and can be reached by train or car. There are various organised tours that include transport to and from Munich and the services of a guide in English and Spanish for the entire visit. Although you can also visit the camp on your own, I recommend the latter option.

At the Dachau camp you will see places such as the monument to the unknown soldier, the count square, the SS training buildings, the barracks and the crematorium. Admission to the former concentration camp is free and the visit is not recommended for children under the age of 14. You can read more about my experience in my article about the camp: Guide to Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp.

Germany is not only a region of big cities, but also of beautiful mountains and breathtaking landscapes. If you take a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the best castles you can visit from Munich, you will see this first hand.

Along with Linderhof Castle (there are also tours to visit both), Neuschwanstein Castle is Germany's most popular castle and, although you may not know it, one of the most famous in the world. Walt Disney was responsible for the latter, who was inspired to design Sleeping Beauty's castle.

A visit to the castle of the so-called "Mad King" (if you book a guided tour, they will tell you the whole story) is worthwhile in itself, but don't forget to enjoy the surrounding landscape crowned by the breathtaking Bavarian mountains. If you're looking for a contrast to the cityscape of Munich during your visit, this tour is the best way to round off your trip. To help you organise your trip with all the details you need to know, here is my article on How to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle.

The city of Munich has many places to visit and an unquestionable historical and cultural value, but another advantage is its geographical position. Many European cities can be reached quickly and easily from Munich, either by private transport or by train, and one of the most popular with travellers is Salzburg.

You can get to Salzburg from Munich on an organised tour or on your own, but if you are short on time and want an expert guide to guide you through your visit, I recommend the former.

The Austrian city of Salzburg is located two hours from Munich and has places to visit such as its famous cathedral, the Mirabell palace and gardens and Mozart's birthplace. If you have seen the film "The Sound of Music" you may well be familiar with many of these places.

From Munich there are many other places to visit such as Berchtesgaden or Rothenburg. To help you choose which one fits best in your trip I leave you these two posts about The best excursions to Rothenburg from Munich andThe best excursions to Berchtesgaden from Munich.

When you visit a city, there is always one place that sticks in your memory and another that you remember above all others as a landmark.

In Munich, both are probably the same. Marienplatz is not only the nerve centre of Munich; this square is also the soul of the city and a place full of life that lends itself to being visited again and again during your stay in the city. Each time you do, you'll discover something new.

The iconic Gothic-style building that crowns this square is Munich's City Hall, and if you visit as part of a guided tour you're sure to be given plenty of directions to get lost in contemplation of its façade.

Also, don't miss the 17th-century St. Mary's Column in the centre of the square or the carillon clock. If you visit Munich at Christmas, you will find one of the most charming Christmas markets in the country at Marienplatz.

From the 16th to the 20th century, this palace was the official residence of the Bavarian royal family. Today it has been converted into a museum, so you can visit it during your stay in Munich and marvel at its architecture.

What personally impressed me most were the vaulted ceilings decorated with paintings. Walking through its corridors is like entering a different dimension where time stands still and it is a sensation you should not miss if you visit the German city.

The Residenz is open to the public all year round until 5 p.m. (last entrance at 4 p.m.) in winter and until 6 p.m. in summer. I recommend purchasing the audio guide in your own language before you start your visit.

Just one kilometre from Munich's Old Town lies what many consider to be the best park in the city. In the English Garden you can take a pleasant stroll no matter what time of the year it is, and you can also see a Chinese tower or a Japanese tea house.

At every turn of the garden you'll find small lakes, sculptures, and picnic spots if you're visiting in the summer. When you want to reconcile with nature and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, don't forget to visit this park.

The monuments and history of Munich will certainly impress any traveller, but what about the soul of the city? Where is the best place to get a closer look at the daily life of its inhabitants and, in short, to breathe the true essence of Munich? For me, that place is undoubtedly the Viktualienmarkt, and if I highlight it as a must-visit area, it is because I hope it is for you too.

This open-air food market is located in the old town and is open every day of the week except Sunday. It's a great place to meet up with the locals and the locals and it's a great place to chat with them. My advice is to buy the product that catches your eye and try it while you sit on one of the nearby terraces and watch the bustle of the area. Read more here: Visit the Viktualienmarkt in Munich

It would not be unreasonable to say that German beer is part of the idiosyncrasy of the country and an essential element of its gastronomy. Leaving Munich without tasting its beer is considered an affront, so it's best to choose the ideal place for this "must" before returning from your trip. That's why there are plenty of beer and food tours in Munich to choose from.

Any tavern will serve you a great beer, but if you go to a brewery like the Hofbräuhaus, you'll also be breathing in a bit of history. The Hofbräuhaus is one of the most visited places in the city today. It had its dark period when Hitler started giving speeches there to cement the Nazi party, and during the Second World War it was destroyed and later rebuilt.

Today, the Hofbräuhaus is one of the best places to enjoy a mug of beer and a regional dish in a typical local atmosphere. If you visit during Oktoberfest, the experience becomes even more authentic. Here is our post on how to get your Oktoberfest tickets in Munich.

Any time of the year is a good time to visit this amazing city. However, because of the charm and the magical atmosphere that runs through its streets in the cold of winter, I would go so far as to say that this is the typical time of year to go.

If you are travelling to Munich with children, then Christmas is a special time when Munich also has a lot to offer, and they will love the Christmas markets!

Another plan that might interest you to go with the kids, regardless of when you travel, is the city's aquarium, which is why I also leave you with our article on how to get tickets for the Sea Life aquarium in Munich.

Finally, as a recommendation for your trip to Munich, I'll tell you that a few days' break will be enough to explore its main attractions. To help you with your itinerary I leave you with this definitive guide with the best things to see and do in Munich during two days that we have created so that you don't miss anything and your trip to Munich is perfect.