16 Must Do Things in Munich
(2025 Guide)
Munich is a beautiful city in Southern Germany that is famous for its mountains and Oktoberfest, but has so much more to offer. I spent many years living here and love the city dearly, so here are all the must-visit places in Munich!
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How to get to Munich?
There are three main ways to get from the airport to the city centre:
- S-Bahn (train) – takes around 40 minutes and costs 15.50€ for a day ticket across all types of transport – you need to buy a Zone M-5 day pass (or free with Germany ticket – see below)
- Lufthansa Express Bus – takes about 45 minutes and costs 12€ one way or 19.30€ return (or free with Germany ticket)
- Taxi – takes about 40 minutes and is pretty pricy at around 100€ for one way
Where to stay in Munich?
Best hostels in Munich for backpackers:
Best hotels in Munich:
$$ Hotel NH Collection München Bavaria
If you are coming for Oktoberfest, check out my “Wiesn” accommodation guide here.
Top things to do in Munich
1. Marvel at the impressive Frauenkirche
One of Munich’s main landmarks that you can see from all over the city are the towers of the “Cathedral Of Our Dear Lady” in the distance, locally referred to as Women’s Church (Frauenskirche).
From Karlsplatz, follow the main road towards the beautiful Cathedral and marvel at the two towers that shape Munich’s skyline. It has an incredibly interesting history and lots of legends attached to it, so a must-visit during your time in Munich.
Tickets cost 7,50 € and you can buy them at the door. There is a tour at 11.30 every day.
2. Explore Marienplatz and the New Town Hall
Another must-visit in Munich is Marienplatz, which is the central square of the city. Here, you will find the New Town Hall and its famous Glockenspiel. Every day at 11am and 12pm, as well as 5pm from March to October, crowds gather as the bell tower plays a melody and figurines can be seen depicting two events:
- A knight tournament for a wedding
- The Schäfflertanz – a dance by coopers who were the first to dance in the streets after the pest
3. Delight your inner child at the Toy Museum (the Old Town Hall)
Right by Marienplatz is Munich’s old Town Hall, which is now an small but beautiful toy museum.
Even if you don’t head inside, go and admire the stunning, detailed exterior. The building is gorgeous, dating back as far as the 14th century. They have special exhibitions on, at the moment it is a Barbie special. Tickets are 8€.
4. Explore Munich’s most well-known church, St. Peter
Also lovingly referred to as “Old Peter” by Munich locals, St. Peter is Munich’s oldest Catholic church. From the 56m tall viewing platform of the tower, you have incredible views over Munich, on good days even as far as the Alps in the distance.
Entry to the tower costs 5€ for adults and you will need to climb 306 steps to get to the top.
The tower is special as it holds an impressive 8 bells, the exact reason why so many remains unknown. The bells are the oldest in Munich.
5. Taste local delicacies at Viktualienmarkt
Right by St. Peter’s Church is Munich’s historic market Viktualienmarkt where you will find fruit, meat, local delicacies and lots of souvenirs.
With its history dating back to the original city market in 1807, it is a crucial part of Munich and the perfect spot to stop and re-energise. Whether you are looking for finger food, a beer garden or local specialities, the Viktualienmarkt has it all.
6. Marvel at the golden Asamkirche
You cannot miss a visit to arguably the most impressive church in the city – the Asamkirche. It is meticulously decorated, every inch covered in gold, decorations and figurines.
Built between 1733 and 1746, the church measures only 22 x 8 metres. It was originally meant to be a private church, hence the meticulous and breath-taking design, however, was made public after push-back by the public.
The church is designed so that the bottom part, representing earth and suffering, is dark and gloomy, while the top becomes lighter and heavenly, something you will strongly feel when standing at its centre.
7. Grab a beer at Hofbräuhaus München
One of the most famous restaurants in Munich as well as one of the top beer brewers is Hofbräuhaus. The food here is super delicious (if a little on the pricy side), with many traditional Bavarian dishes on the menu.
The brewery dates back to 1608 and has been in the Platzl area since then. If Oktoberfest isn’t on, this is the closest you can get to the experience.
8. Explore the fascinating buildings of Maxvorstadt
Maxvorstadt is an area of Munich that feels a little different. It is home to the university and hence attracts a younger crowd, trendy shops and some delicious restaurants.
However, it is also where you will find some of the most stunning buildings of Munich. Start at Odeonsplatz, one of Munich’s most impressive squares that is surrounded by incredible architecture from different eras.
Nearby is also the Munich Residence a must-visit! The impressive exterior is a mix of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassicism and used to be home to Bavarian rulers until 1918. The interior is just as grandiose with tickets starting at just 10€.
You should pay a visit to the neighbouring Bavarian State Opera too, which is beautiful inside and out. Lastly, check out the New and Old Pinakothek, as well as the Pinakothek der Moderne. Together, these three are home to an incredible collection of art from all different times, a must for any art lover.
9. Go on a Daytrip to the Alps for a Hike
You can get from Munich to the Bavarian Alps in just under an hour by car and about 2 hours by train. There, you will have endless options for hikes, alpine lakes and exploring the cute, rural towns sprawling along the mountainside. One of my personal favourites is Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Other great hikes would be Wank, Herzogstandgipfel and Oberammergau. I’d recommend you google “Münchner Hausberge” (directly translates to Munich house mountains) and use Google translate to find some of the most beautiful routes reachable from Munich.
10. Visit the English Garden and watch some River Surfing
A local favourite hangout spot, the English Garden is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world (beating even New York’s Central Park). Here you will find beer gardens, attractions like the Chinese Tower and the famous 2 river waves frequented by surfers. Watching them brave the icy water and current is worth a visit alone.
The Eisbach, which flows all throughout the English Garden, is named that way because it is freezing cold. In summer, you will see many people jumping in and floating along the rapids, though I wouldn’t recommend joining – it is pretty dangerous and things happen every year.
11. Visit the Botanic Gardens and Schloss Nymphenburg
The Botanic Garden in Munich is one of my favourite things to do in the city and is super affordable at just 5.50€ per adult. It always has stunning collections of flowers and plants, seasonal exhibitions and more. The green houses especially are amazing with tropical plants and even some fish, turtles and butterflies.
Schloss Nymphenburg is a stunnning castle right near the centre and right around the corner from the Botanic Gardens. My favourite part of this palace are the gardens with lakes, fountains and gorgeous flower arrays.
Top Tip: there is incredible ice cream nearby at Patagon Helados Romanplatz.
12. Go on a daytrips to one of the beautiful lakes around Munich
Munich has so many incredible lakes and in summer, everyone heads to their local one for a swim and tan. Some of the biggest lakes close to Munich are the Starnberger See, Ammersee and Chiemsee, all within 1-2 hours of Munich by train.
Whether you are looking to do some water sports, go for a walk along the water or go on a cruise across the lake, the lakes are a must-visit for anyone heading to Munich.
13. Visit the impressive “Deutsches Museum”
If science and technology are your thing, this museum is a must visit! After all, it is one of the largest in the world with many fascinating exhibitions and displays.
It is almost impossible to see everything in this museum in one day and they also offer free guided tours and science shows. Tickets start at 15€ for adults and can be bought here.
14. Bike along the Isar
The Isar starts in the mountains of Austria, makes its way through the Alps and flows right through the middle of Munich. It is an integral part of life here, from hikes along the river to swimming (though beware of the currents!- check out good swimming spots here) to barbecuing.
One of the best ways to explore this beautiful river is by bike, whether on a tour or by renting one in Munich.
15. Visit Dachau Concentration Camp
Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp is an important and horrific part of German history that can never be erased. A visit to this Memorial Site site should hence be on your Munich to-do list.
A tour is a great way to do this in a more structured manner and it will often include a guide who can explain the history in detail and answer any questions the site may bring up. You should be aware that this is a difficult visit and one that leaves many emotionally exhausted.
16. Check out one of the local festivals
The countless events/festivals going on in Munich is one of my favourite things about the city. If you head to this website, you will find all of the current events listed. I also find the Instagram account @rausgegangenmuenchen really great for finding new events.
Oktoberfest is just one of the many events in Munich every year, and obviously a crowd favourite. You can find all my Oktoberfest guides here.
You also have Tollwood festival, Fasching (which is Germany’s Carnival in February), BMW Open, Munich Film Festival, Christkindlmarkt (the famous christmas markets), Kocherlball and so much more.
How many days do you need in Munich?
You can see the main sights in central Munich in 2-3 days, though I would recommend adding a few more for day trips and visits to the Alps/lakes of Munich.
5-6 days is a great amount for those wanting to do most of the things mentioned on this list as well as maybe an additional visit to Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Is Munich a walkable city?
Yes, Munich is very walkable and has actually been crowned the “most walkable city in the world“.
The inner city is actually a car-free zone and hence amazing for sightseeing on foot. If you fancy longer walks or hikes, you have the Isar river and Alps right outside Munich.
Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
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