Things to Visit in Munich: Beer Halls, Palaces, and Parks
Experience Munich's legendary beer culture, Bavarian palaces, and one of Europe's largest urban parks. Covers Marienplatz, Nymphenburg, the English Garden, museums, and local food.
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Historic Center and Landmarks
Watch the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz
The mechanical clock in the New Town Hall tower performs daily at 11 AM and noon (plus 5 PM March-October). The show lasts about 12 minutes with jousting knights and dancing coopers. Arrive 10 minutes early to secure a viewing spot.
Climb the tower of St. Peter's Church (Alter Peter)
The oldest parish church in Munich has a 306-step tower climb (no elevator) rewarding you with the closest aerial view of Marienplatz and the Alps on clear days. Entry is about €5. More intimate than the Frauenkirche towers.
Visit the Frauenkirche (Cathedral)
Munich's iconic twin-onion-domed cathedral is a city landmark visible for miles. Look for the 'Devil's Footstep' — a dark mark in the floor near the entrance where, according to legend, the Devil stamped in frustration. Free entry.
Tour the Munich Residenz
The former royal palace of Bavarian kings has over 130 rooms open to visitors, including the stunning Antiquarium hall (the largest Renaissance room north of the Alps). Entry is about €9. Allow 2-3 hours for the full circuit.
See the Antiquarium Renaissance hall
Visit the Treasury (separate ticket, about €9)
Palaces and Gardens
Tour Nymphenburg Palace
The Baroque summer residence of Bavarian royals sits in a 200-hectare park with canals, pavilions, and formal gardens. The palace tour costs about €8; a combined ticket covering all park buildings is €15. Take tram 17 directly from the city center.
Walk through the Baroque park and canal system
Visit the Amalienburg hunting lodge (rococo masterpiece)
Explore the English Garden
One of the world's largest urban parks at 375 hectares — bigger than Central Park. Watch surfers ride the standing wave at the Eisbach river entrance. The Chinese Tower beer garden seats 7,000 and serves half-liter steins. Rent a bike to cover the full length.
Watch the Eisbach river surfers
Have a beer at the Chinese Tower beer garden
Walk to the Monopteros hilltop temple for city views
Museums
Visit the Deutsches Museum
The world's largest science and technology museum sits on an island in the Isar River, with 28,000 exhibits across 73,000 square meters. A full visit takes a full day; prioritize the mining section, aviation hall, and planetarium. Entry is about €15.
Explore the Alte and Neue Pinakothek
The Alte Pinakothek holds Old Masters (Dürer, Rubens, Rembrandt) while the Neue next door covers 18th-19th century art (Monet, Van Gogh, Klimt). Each costs about €7, or €12 for a day pass covering all three Pinakothek museums. Sundays are €1 each.
Visit the BMW Museum and BMW Welt
BMW Welt (the showroom) is free and houses current and concept cars in a futuristic building. The museum next door (€10) traces BMW's history from aircraft engines to electric vehicles. The factory tour (€11, book weeks ahead) shows the production line.
Visit the Dachau Memorial
The former concentration camp is 16 km northwest of Munich (S-Bahn S2 to Dachau, then bus 726). Admission and audio guides are free. Plan 3-4 hours minimum. The memorial is a sobering and important visit. Closed Mondays.
Beer Halls and Bavarian Food
Drink a Maß at a traditional beer hall
A Maß is a 1-liter beer stein — the standard serving in Bavarian beer halls. The most famous hall seats over 3,000 inside plus a 3,000-seat beer garden. A Maß costs €12-14. Locals share long tables with strangers — sit down and start talking.
Visit the Viktualienmarkt
Munich's premier open-air food market has operated since 1807 with over 140 stalls selling cheese, sausages, fresh produce, and prepared food. The central beer garden serves beer from a different Munich brewery every 6 weeks. Open Monday-Saturday until 6 PM.
Try a Weisswurst breakfast
White sausages are traditionally eaten before noon with sweet mustard and a soft pretzel, paired with a Weissbier (wheat beer). The sausage skin is not eaten — either peel it or 'zuzeln' (suck the meat out). Costs about €8-10 at a traditional restaurant.
Eat Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle)
A massive roasted pork knuckle with crispy skin, served with potato dumplings and sauerkraut. One Haxe feeds 1-2 people and costs €16-22. The skin should shatter like glass when you cut it.
Visit a beer garden
Munich has over 60 beer gardens — by law, you can bring your own food to any beer garden (just buy drinks there). Augustiner's beer garden near the Hauptbahnhof and the Seehaus in the English Garden are local favorites. Peak hours are sunny weekday evenings and weekend afternoons.
Day Trips and Excursions
Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle is about 2 hours south by train and bus. Timed-entry tickets (€15) must be bought from the ticket center in Hohenschwangau village — they can't be reserved online far in advance. Arrive before 9 AM. The Mary's Bridge viewpoint above the castle has the iconic photo angle.
Visit Salzburg, Austria
Mozart's birthplace is 90 minutes by regional train (€30 round trip with a Bayern ticket that also covers buses). The old town, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and Mirabell Gardens are all walkable. The Bayern ticket covers up to 5 people for €29+€10 per additional person.
Visit Olympiapark
Built for the 1972 Olympics, the park features a tent-like roof structure that was revolutionary for its time. Climb the Olympic Tower (€13) for a 360-degree view reaching the Alps. The park hosts concerts and events; the adjacent Sea Life aquarium is good for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Munich?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including historic center and landmarks, palaces and gardens, museums at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Munich?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Munich?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Munich?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Munich?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.