Munich is the capital and heart of Bavaria. A city of contrasts, combining modern infrastructure with the influences of the past. It is strict in German and at the same time authentic, varied and harmonious. This metropolis will find something to surprise even an experienced traveler. The many sights of Munich are famous not only in Europe but all over the world. Among them are modern interactive museums, art galleries, architectural monuments, a vibrant metro and, of course, traditional restaurants and pubs. All this is the heritage of the culture and traditions of southern Germany.
The cultural program
Munich is an extremely developed city with a vibrant cultural life. A variety of attractions for every taste allows each tourist to independently choose the most interesting places for themselves and draw up their own route for a pleasant and informative walk.
Before traveling, check out the list of public holidays and days off in Bavaria when all attractions and most shops are closed.
For example, on Sundays only restaurants, bakeries, small shops and markets at gas stations and train stations are open.
List of popular attractions in Munich
Munich has a lot to see. Visiting this city, you will get a lot of fresh impressions and see many interesting places, historical and cultural.
A favorite place for tourists and residents of the city is the large-scale Olympic Park. As the name suggests, its construction was timed to coincide with the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
While in the park, you will not pass by a particularly tall building: its silhouette, which stands out clearly against the background of the sky, is clearly visible from afar. This is the famous Olympic Tower or Olympiaturm. Its height is 291 meters, and inside there is a rock museum, a restaurant, a bar and various souvenir shops.
In the northern part of the city there is a unique sports facility - the Allianz Arena stadium. It attracts visitors with its unusual design. The design of the stadium vaguely resembles a spaceship.
The Viktualienmarkt food market is located in the city center, which is a must-see if you want to recharge with the atmosphere and plunge into the local flavor. Here you can taste a variety of dishes on the shelves, buy fresh farm products, and also taste draft beer.
The Hofgarten city park, decorated with sculptures and arches, is striking in its beauty. It houses the famous German Theater Museum and the exquisite Temple of Diana Pavilion.
The next attraction will attract the attention of tourists of all ages. This is Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo, which is considered one of the best in Europe. The territory of the zoo is large, so we advise you to set aside a whole day so that you can enjoy the walk pleasantly and without haste.
The famous architectural structure is the Victory Gate. This triumphal arch attracts tourists with interesting sculptures and bas-reliefs that are worth admiring.
| Sight | Working hours | Ticket price | How to get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Park + Olympiaturm | Daily from 09:00 to 00:00 | Adult - 7 euros, children (up to 16 years old) - 5 euros. | Metro lines U3 and U8 to Olympiazentrum station |
| Allianz Arena | Daily, 10: 00-18: 00 | Regular ticket - 10 euros, reduced - 9 euros, school (6-13 years old) - 6.5 €. | From Marienplatz by metro U6 to the Fröttmaning stop |
| Viktualienmarkt | On weekdays 10: 00-18: 00, on Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00, Sunday is a day off | Free admission | Metro lines U3, U6 to Marienplatz station; bus number 52 to the stop Viktuakenmarkt |
| Hofgarten park | Around the clock | Free admission | By bus lines 41, 100, 45, 153. By metro to Odeonsplatz station |
| Hellabrunn Zoo | March 24 to October 20: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm; from October 29 to March 31: 09: 00-17: 00; for Christmas holidays from 9:00 to 16:00 | Adult ticket - 15 euros, children (4-14 years old) - 6 euros. | Take subway line U3 to the Thalkirchen (Tierpark) stop. By bus # 52 to the Tierpark stop. |
| Victory Gate | Around the clock | Is free | By metro U3, U6 to the Universität stop |
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the material "Excursions in Munich" so that you have a more complete idea of the possible options for walking, bus and car tours.
Munich's main square: Marienplatz
It is from here that the acquaintance with the Bavarian capital usually begins, which is not surprising. Marienplatz Square (Maria Square) is the symbol of Munich and its heart. It is the most lively area and the center of cultural life. The square existed in the XII century, that is, since the founding of the city.
The central square houses attractive cafeterias and restaurants, a sophisticated column crowned with a statue of the Holy Virgin Mary, buildings of the Old and New Town Halls, as well as numerous shops and fountains.
Of particular interest is the Fish Fountain, which was recreated in 1954 by the sculptor Josef Henselmann. During the reconstruction, the original parts of the previous fountain, destroyed during the war, were used.
Walking along Marienplatz, you can admire the magnificent architecture, visit a cafe, drink real Munich beer with schnitzel and freshly baked pretzels, and buy a couple of souvenirs.
Any time of the year is suitable for visiting the square. However, winter is considered the best when the fabulous Christmas market takes place.
A spruce tree is set up on Marienplatz, everything sparkles with bright lanterns and garlands. The fair offers numerous toys and handmade gifts.
The most convenient way to get to Marienplatz is on the U-Bahn lines U3 and U6, as well as on the S-Bahn lines of all lines except S5. The desired stop is called Marienplatz.
Or you can get to the square on foot, having examined the ancient and monumental structure - the Charles Gate - along the way. To do this, you need to take metro lines U4 or U5 to the Karlsplatz station, then cross the Karlsplatz square itself, go through the gate and move along the Kaufingerstrasse street to Marienplatz.
Attractions Marienplatz: New and Old Town Halls
On the main square, visitors are especially attracted by the beautiful architectural structure in the Gothic style - the New Town Hall. It is the administrative center: from here, the leadership controls the city. The new town hall is crowned with an exquisite clock tower. Every day at 11:00 and 12:00 hours, and during the high tourist season at 17:00 and 21:00 a small puppet show depicting historical scenes from the life of the city is played.
Find out more information about the building, its history and guided tours in the article "New Town Hall in Munich".
The Old Town Hall building is located on the right side of the New Town Hall. The old town hall has existed since the 14th century. It is noteworthy that it has never been empty, remaining the focus of the economic and cultural life of Munich. Now the premises of the Old Town Hall houses the Toy Museum, which boasts unique exhibits from its extensive collection.
You can learn about the history and opening hours of the museum from the material "Old Town Hall in Munich".
Munich Residence: the epitome of royal luxury
The largest palace complex in Bavaria, the abode of nobles, luxury embodied in a material shell - this is how they say about the Munich residence.
The age-old residence of the Bavarian kings is one of the most visited attractions in Munich. You can spend several days on its inspection and study, since the area in front of the complex is immense.The Munich residence includes 10 courtyards and 3 palace complexes.
The museums of the royal residence are considered the richest in Europe, among them: Silver and Porcelain Chambers, Treasury with Jewels, Antiquary.
Read about this palace, its features and all the museums in it that are worth seeing with your own eyes in the thematic article "Munich Residence".
The King's Hunting Lodge: Blutenburg Castle
Blutenburg Castle, which once served as a hunting lodge for King Albrecht, is an extraordinary structure, matching the man who ordered it to be built. It is located in a picturesque area: it is surrounded by the Wurm River and two lakes. In summer, the surrounding area is ideal for hiking, as the entire castle is surrounded by a riot of greenery.
Walk up to the castle and admire the late Gothic main chapel. The interior of the chapel is luxurious, the center of the room is an exquisitely decorated altar.
Also in the castle is the International Youth Library, where you can see many rare and valuable editions of books that have been published for children of all ages in different countries of the world.
Entrance to Blutenburg Castle is free. Opening hours: daily, from 10:00 to 18:00.
Address: Seldweg 15. You can get there by buses numbered 56 and 143, the desired stop is Schloss Blutenburg.
Bavarian State Opera: House of High Art
The Bavarian State Opera was founded in 1653 and since that time has been one of the leading opera houses in Germany. More than three hundred performances are held here every year. The opera building was renovated in the 1960s.
Since 1875, the Bavarian Opera has been famous for hosting the world-famous event within its walls - the Munich Opera Festival. The event is attended by the State Orchestra of Bavaria.
Find out more about opera, ticketing and repertoire in the Bavarian Opera article.
Glyptotek: a journey into the world of antiquity
Munich is home to one of the most unique and oldest museums in Europe, which will allow you to plunge into the past and get acquainted with the art of two ancient states, Rome and Greece.
The name "Glyptotek" is translated from Greek as "storage for sculptures." It accurately reflects the essence of the museum: the exposition consists exclusively of samples of antique sculpture.
The Glyptotek consists of 13 rooms of various shapes that surround the courtyard. The entrance is decorated with Ionic columns and a sculptural pediment depicting the goddess Athena. The museum has four separate exhibitions, divided by time periods. In one day, visitors can study and enjoy in detail the works of ancient art created in the period from 650 BC. NS. to 14 A.D. NS.
Museum working hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10: 00-17: 00. On Wednesdays, the museum is open until 20:00.
Entrance tickets cost 4–6 euros. Visitors under 18 years of age can view the exhibitions free of charge.
Location of the Glyptotek: Königsplatz (Königsplatz). You can get there by metro line U2 and by buses No. 100, No. 150. The desired stop has the same name as the square.
Official website: www.antike-am-koenigsplatz.mwn.de.
Brasserie Hofbräuhaus
For a full and versatile visit to Munich, every tourist should definitely get acquainted with the national cuisine, traditional dishes and drinks that have a long history.
Bavaria is renowned among the rest of the German lands as the best producer of a variety of beers. Its capital Munich is the center of the large-scale annual Oktoberfest, which is known to many tourists, even those who do not consider themselves to be beer lovers.
At the end of your walk around the city, we suggest you visit the most popular beer restaurant in Munich - Hofbräuhaus. This institution has a long history and has existed since 1607. For four centuries it has been renowned for quality service and delicious food.
The restaurant consists of three rooms and a beer garden. The capacity of the institution is 4 thousand people. It will not be difficult for tourists to choose a treat to their liking: the waiters offer menus in many languages. There is a list of dishes and drinks in Russian.
The Hofbräuhaus is moderately priced. For only 16 euros you can taste traditional sausages with freshly baked pretzel and a portion of beer.
The establishment is located at Platzl 9. You can get there by metro lines U3 and U6 to the Marienplatz or Odeonsplatz stations.
You can get acquainted with the restaurant on the official website: www.hofbraeuhaus.de.
Top museums in Munich
In Munich there are many different museums, a visit to which will be not only educational, but also bring aesthetic pleasure.
Lovers of archeology and ancient civilizations will be interested in visiting the Bavarian Archaeological Museum. For the finest art of the Wittelsbach royal dynasty, we recommend visiting the Bavarian National Museum.
The exposition of the famous BMW Museum demonstrates the rarest and most modern car models. The museum building is known for its unusual external design and looks like a gas tank cap.
Technology and science aficionados can visit the largest science museum, the Deutsches Museum.
Popular temples, cathedrals and mosques in Munich
In Munich, pay special attention to places of worship. They all belong to different styles, have different architecture and age, and therefore each building is unique.
The most famous church is Peterskirche, the same age as the city and one of the oldest churches in Europe. Her ensemble combines four styles: romanticism, gothic, baroque and rococo.
Not less famous is the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is considered a masterpiece of the Gothic style. The history of the church goes back six centuries. In many sources you can find another name for it - Frauenkirche. This is the tallest building in Munich. Many high-rise city buildings have observation decks, and the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is no exception. The cathedral's bell tower, which rises a hundred meters, offers a magnificent view of Munich.
The Bavarian capital is home to many mosques that are fine examples of Muslim architecture. It is worth paying attention to the Freimann Mosque, located in the northern part of the city.
Places nearby Munich
There are many attractions near the capital of Bavaria, including magnificent palaces and castles, natural parks and reserves, mountain ranges and picturesque lakes.
Near Munich are the famous lakes: Ammersee, Chiemsee, Tegernsee and Schliersee. A visit to them will bring you true pleasure from the diversity of the landscape and unity with nature.
The suburbs of the German lands are famous for their luxurious castles. Near Munich there is one of the most famous and beautiful castles in the world, the abode of the "mad Bavarian king" - Neuschwanstein. The fabulous appearance of the building inspires thousands of travelers to visit this place to be convinced of its reality with their own eyes.
Breathtaking mountains and peaks are found around and near Munich. This encourages many visitors to the city to go hiking - one of the types of pedestrian sports tourism. So you can combine business with pleasure, aesthetic pleasure with moderate physical activity.
Conclusion
Munich is a special city with a unique atmosphere and soul of its own. He knows how to surprise, charm and fall in love with every visitor. Plan your trip to Munich in 2021 and visit the city's many attractions to fully experience all aspects of the cultural life of the Bavarian capital.
