Things to do in Munich

Activities, attractions and tours

A historic city square with a prominent cathedral featuring twin towers and a tall spire.
A historic building with ornate architecture, a prominent 'Ledewaren' sign, and a bustling public square with cafes and pedestrians.
A large stone archway with inscriptions and sculptures, surrounded by buildings and trees.
A serene lake surrounded by autumn-colored trees and a grassy area.
A densely packed cityscape with a variety of colorful buildings and red-tiled roofs.

Things to do

Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

Royal Castles - Day Trip to Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Palace from Munich

€77
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Royal Castles - Day Trip to Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Palace from Munich
Fast Track Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Full-Day Premium Tour

Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Full-Day Premium Tour incl. Castle Tickets

€194
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Full-Day Premium Tour incl. Castle Tickets
PEPPA PIG Park Günzburg Admission Ticket

PEPPA PIG Park Günzburg Admission Ticket

€19
per traveller
PEPPA PIG Park Günzburg Admission Ticket
From Munich: Dachau Memorial Site Day Tour

From Munich: Dachau Memorial Site Day Tour

€47
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
From Munich: Dachau Memorial Site Day Tour
Hop on Hop off Tour of Munich

Hop-On Hop-Off Tour CitySightseeing Munich

€25
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Hop-On Hop-Off Tour CitySightseeing Munich
Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trip from Munich

€79
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trip from Munich
Munich: Magic Bavaria Upside Down Experience Museum Ticket

Munich: Magic Bavaria - Museum of Fun, Selfies and Illusions

€23
per adult
Munich: Magic Bavaria - Museum of Fun, Selfies and Illusions
Salzburg, St.Wolfgang & Salzkammergut Lake District Day Tour

Salzburg, St.Wolfgang & Salzkammergut Lake District Day Tour

€72
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Salzburg, St.Wolfgang & Salzkammergut Lake District Day Tour
Hard Rock Cafe Munich Dining with Priority Seating

Hard Rock Cafe Munich Dining Experience

€29
per traveller
88% of travellers recommend
Hard Rock Cafe Munich Dining Experience
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Top places to visit

1. Marienplatz

Considered the heart of Munich, Marienplatz is a busy square full of pedestrians, street performers and tour groups. Peaceful protests often take place here, as do rowdy celebrations when one of the local soccer teams wins.
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A historic city square with a prominent clock tower, surrounded by colorful buildings and a clear blue sky.

2. BMW Welt

BMW World is administered by BMW, or Bayerische Motoren Werke (“Bavarian Motor Works”). This company has been involved in the manufacture of automobiles, motorcycles and engines since 1916. The BMW headquarters are housed in the landmark four-cylinder tower near Olympia Park in the north of Munich. The BMW Plant, the BMW Museum and BMW World are situated next to the headquarters, and BMW encourages visitors to tour these in order to experience the history, the reality and the future vision of the brand.
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A modern indoor car display with a prominent orange vintage car and several other vehicles.

3. Olympic Park

Olympic Park was built for the 20th Summer Olympic Games, which Munich hosted in 1972. The site chosen for the event lies around 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) northwest of Munich’s city center. A massive tensile roof canopy links many areas of the park, including the 69,000-seat Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Hall and the Olympic Swimming Pool. Today, the Park continues to host German and international sporting events. The outdoor Olympic Stadium and the indoor Olympic Hall are also venues for regular international concert acts.
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A cityscape with a prominent tower, a park with trees, and a body of water.

4. Hofbräuhaus

The Hofbräuhaus was founded all the way back in 1589. When the royal court in Munich became dissatisfied with the local beer, Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V agreed to establish a brewery that would produce beer especially for the court.
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A crowded square with historic buildings, a prominent 'HB' sign, and people gathered around.

5. Viktualienmarkt

In 1807, King Maximilian I decreed that Munich’s food markets needed to be moved from the Marienplatz to a larger area, which is now known as the Viktualienmarkt. Viktualien is an old German word meaning “victuals” or “provisions.” Today, this market is still the place to stock up, although there is now a much wider range of provisions to choose from.
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A bustling square with historic buildings, including a church with a tall tower and a market area with shops.

6. English Garden

The genesis of the Englischer Garten came in 1789, when a wild area along the River Isar was set aside to become gardens. The garden’s current look can be attributed in large part to the landscape gardener Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell, who envisioned a garden with sweeping English landscape components. The English Garden runs from the city center to the northeastern limits of Munich, covering a total area of around 1.4 square miles (3.6 square kilometers).
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A park with a white monument on a hill, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage.

What to do in Munich

Stay near popular Munich attractions

A historic city square with a prominent clock tower, surrounded by colorful buildings and a clear blue sky.

Marienplatz

9.4/10 (12,469 reviews)
Munich's central square showcases the Gothic Neues Rathaus with its famous animated Glockenspiel show. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere while sipping coffee at an outdoor café as the medieval figures dance above.
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Where to stay in Munich

Find the best Munich areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Munich
Learn more about Munich
A cityscape with historic buildings, a prominent church with a red roof, and a tower with two green domes.

Altstadt-Lehel

Marienplatz and Old Town Hall are top sights in Altstadt-Lehel, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Lenbachplatz Tram Stop or Karlsplatz (Stachus) Station to see more sights in the area.

A modern building with a colorful facade and a large glass window.
Photo by German National Tourist Office
Open Photo by German National Tourist Office

Maxvorstadt

Travellers love Maxvorstadt for its popular shops, and you can see more of Munich by jumping on the metro at Schellingstraße Station or Pinakotheken Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Alte Pinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne.

A historic archway with inscriptions, surrounded by city buildings and a busy street at dusk.
Photo by German National Tourist Office
Open Photo by German National Tourist Office

Schwabing

Travellers choose Schwabing for its picturesque gardens. Hop aboard the metro at Parzivalplatz Tram Stop or Schwabinger Tor Tram Stop and check out top sights like Leopoldstrasse.

A river with a bridge, a historic building with a clock tower, and trees along the riverbank.

Au-Haidhausen

Known for its interesting museums and fantastic breweries, there's plenty to explore in Au-Haidhausen. Top attractions like Nockherberg Paulaner Brewery and Gasteig are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Rosenheimer Platz Station or Wörthstraße Tram Stop to see more of the city.

A Gothic cathedral with twin spires, large rose windows, and intricate stone carvings.

Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt

Known for its fantastic breweries and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt. Check out top attractions like Theresienwiese and German Theater, and jump on the metro at Goetheplatz U-Bahn or Sendlinger Gate U-Bahn to see more of the city.

A historic cityscape with prominent Gothic architecture, including a tall spire and a clock tower.

Unterhaching

A cityscape at sunset with a prominent tower, a stadium, and a lake.

Hallbergmoos

A lakeside town with colorful houses, a church steeple, and a dock with boats.

Wessling

A calm lake with reflections of the sky and surrounding vegetation.

Eching

A bronze statue of a woman in a skirt and dress, standing on a pedestal in a garden with lush green foliage in the background.

Gruenwald

A building with large windows and a wooden facade.

Ismaning

A wooden cabin with a sloped roof, surrounded by a lush green meadow, with mountains in the background.

Sauerlach

A cityscape at sunset with a prominent tower, a stadium, and a lake.

Haar

Frequently asked questions

Is Munich worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Munich is explore BMW Welt. Tick this major attraction off your to-do list, then experience more of the area's bars and pubs and dining.
How do I spend a day in Munich?
When you've checked off leading attractions like BMW Welt and Marienplatz, spend some time exploring the retail and food options in Munich.
What is the top tourist attraction in Munich?
The top tourist attraction in Munich is BMW Welt, so be sure to include it on your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Munich?
You can easily visit leading sights like BMW Welt, Marienplatz and Deutsches Museum with a three-day break in Munich. On average, many travellers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so linger longer and venture to Oberding.
Is Munich a walkable city?
It depends on what you'd like to see and do in Munich. Several key attractions, such as Marienplatz and Deutsches Museum, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Munich's best neighbourhoods, Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt is 2 kilometres away from downtown, while Bahnhofsviertel is 2 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Munich with kids?
Deciding what to do in Munich with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're getting away with teenagers or toddlers, there are lots of family-friendly attractions to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in Munich for adults?
Lowenbrau and Nockherberg Paulaner Brewery are just two of the things to do in Munich. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Munich?
In Munich, Marienplatz is a must-see spot for anyone looking to experience the city without taking their wallet out. Also, stroll around the local neighbourhoods and parks, and ask a local tour guide for recommendations. It's a top way to learn about the best free things to do in Munich.

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