10 Beautiful Places in Munich for First-Timers and Explorers
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When people ask me whether they should spend more time in Bavaria or southern Germany, I always tell them to head straight to the Bavarian Alps. That’s where you’ll find some of the most stunning views in the country. Or, if they’re into fairytale towns, I’ll recommend Franconia.
But if they ask where to start or end their trip, I don’t even hesitate—I say Munich. It’s not just a transportation hub with flights and train connections everywhere. Munich is beautiful, and it’s absolutely worth taking the time to explore.
Munich has so much to offer, from a small but breathtaking church to huge, scenic parks, charming squares, modern museums, and incredible palaces. A few of these places really surprised me—I didn’t expect Munich to be so beautiful and amazing. Let me tell you about some of the best spots I found.
Let me take you to Marienplatz, the heart of Munich since 1158 and one of my favorite spots in the city.
This square has been the center of life here for centuries, hosting everything from lively markets to the famous Christkindlmarkt during the holidays. The mix of incredible architecture, historic landmarks, and modern shopping makes it so special.
But honestly, it’s the buildings that really steal the show. To the north, there’s the stunning Neues Rathaus, and to the east, the charming Altes Rathaus. Right in the middle, you’ll find the Fischbrunnen fountain and the Mariensäule column, which give the square such a magical feel.
Among the landmarks in Marienplatz, Neues Rathaus stands out as the most incredible. Completed in 1905, it’s a stunning example of Neo-Gothic architecture, with a facade so detailed it feels like it’s telling a story. Statues of princes, knights, bishops, and saints are tucked between the windows, adding to the building’s charm.
The real magic happens when the Glockenspiel chimes. The figures come to life in a way that feels straight out of a storybook, creating a moment you won’t forget. The performances at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm are a must-see, and from March to October, there’s an extra one at 5:00 pm. It’s one of those experiences that sticks with you long after the visit.
If heights don’t faze you, the 85-meter tower of Neues Rathaus offers an amazing view of Munich. And no need to worry about climbing stairs—there’s an elevator to take you right to the top.
Inside the New Town Hall, the rooms are worth exploring. The interiors have a magical feel, like something straight out of a Harry Potter movie, with towering ceilings and intricate windows that look like they belong in a fantasy world.
One room that stands out is the small conference room of the Magistrate. The chandeliers, wooden chairs, and a painting of Monachia’s coronation give it a mystical vibe.
You can also learn about the city and its history when visiting Neues Rathaus. The Town Hall Gallery has exhibits that dive into Munich’s past. For more information about Neues Rathaus, check out the official website at muenchen.de.
Just a short walk from Marienplatz is Peterskirche, Munich’s oldest church, even older than the city itself.
The 90-meter tower, called “Alter Peter” or “Old Peter” by the locals, might not catch your eye at first, especially with the grand Neues Rathaus nearby. But once you step inside and climb the tower, the view of Munich’s skyline is breathtaking. You can see Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus from up there.
Despite the plain exterior, Peterskirche offers one of the best experiences in the city. The interior is stunning, with frescoes on the ceiling and beautiful stuccoes. The golden sculptures and white walls create a peaceful, elegant atmosphere.
On sunny days, the sunlight streaming into the Baroque choir makes it look almost heavenly. The choir is definitely worth seeing for two reasons: the 300-year-old high altar and the golden statue of Saint Peter, one of Munich’s most famous religious treasures.
For more information, here’s the official website of Munich.
Just a five-minute walk from Marienplatz in Munich, there’s a hidden gem on Sendlinger Street: the Asamkirche. It’s a small church, not as grand as the Neues Rathaus or as big as Peterskirche, but there’s something about it that really stands out.
When you step inside, it’s a total surprise. The Asamkirche is a Baroque church from the mid-1700s, built by the Asam brothers. At first, it was just meant to be their private chapel, but it eventually became a public place of worship. Now, it’s one of the best examples of southern German Late Baroque architecture.
The interior is a masterpiece, with every inch filled with intricate details, murals, and frescoes. The church’s stunning beauty is thanks to the Asam brothers—Egid Quirin, a sculptor, and Cosmas Damian, a painter. Together, they created something extraordinary.
The chancel area is especially breathtaking—it’s probably the most impressive part of the whole church. And the way the light pours through the windows, especially the one above the altar, creates this almost otherworldly feeling that makes the space even more magnificent.
Asamkirche is open every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and there’s no entry fee. Since it’s a consecrated church, Catholics can attend Holy Mass here. Mass is held on Sundays at 10:00 am. For more details, visit alterpeter.de.
The Munich Residenz, right in the heart of the city, is one of the most beautiful palaces you’ll find in Germany.
It is the largest city palace in Germany and it’s full of things to discover. From the architecture to the royal artifacts, from the decorated rooms to the lush gardens, it’s easy to get lost in the splendor. You can almost picture what royal life must have been like.
The Residenz was once the home of Bavarian royalty, and every inch of it was designed to impress. The walls and ceilings, all elaborately decorated, show how much thought went into making it magnificent. The design pulls from different styles—Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassicism. And believe it or not, this palace has been standing for over 600 years, since 1385.
There are three parts of the Munich Residenz that really make it a must-see: the Antiquarium, the Treasury, and the Bronze Hall.
Out of all the places in the Munich Residenz, the Antiquarium stood out the most.
The hall is massive—69 meters long—and it’s filled with stunning Renaissance art. Statues line the sides, and the walls and vaulted ceilings are covered in amazing paintings. It has a similar feel to the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and the room is perfect for photos. To really appreciate it, stand in the center of the hall and take in the scale and the repeating designs all around.
The Munich Residenz Treasury, on the other hand, feels like stepping into a medieval fantasy, especially for anyone who loves movies or TV shows set in the Middle Ages. It’s full of the most valuable treasures of Bavarian royalty.
One of the most incredible sights is the actual crown worn by the kings of Bavaria—it’s something you’ll never forget. If you’ve never seen such precious artifacts, this is a rare chance. You’ll also find the crown of an English queen, the Toison of the Golden Fleece, and many other royal treasures.
The Treasury also has some amazing artworks, like the Statuette of Saint George. It’s a 50 cm figure from 1586, showing Saint George slaying the dragon, and it’s decorated with gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opals, pearls, and more—truly a masterpiece.
The Munich Residenz isn’t just about royal artifacts. The Bronze Hall is something you have to see, with over forty bronze sculptures of mythical characters. It has one of the most impressive collections of European bronze art you’ll ever come across.
You can check the official website of Munich Residenz to learn more about the palace. Are you planning to visit? All that you must know are on this page from residenz-muenchen.de.
The second palace that really shows off Munich’s beauty is Nymphenburg Palace. Built in the 17th century, this stunning Baroque masterpiece was the peaceful retreat and escape for Bavarian monarchs. It’s one of Europe’s most impressive royal residences.
What’s amazing is that Nymphenburg has a facade even wider than Versailles in France! It’s massive, stretching about 700 meters, or roughly 2,000 feet. Standing there and taking it all in? It’s definitely going to take some time.
Surrounded by a huge park with gardens and canals, the beauty feels almost too real to believe. As you wander the grounds, hidden treasures like fine porcelain collections, royal sleighs, and other unexpected artifacts pop up around every corner. Inside the palace, a peaceful lake, charming temples, and grand pavilions add to the magic.
With so much to explore, it’s easy to see why you could spend an entire day here, taking in everything this incredible place has to offer. When you explore, there are five places I suggest you don’t miss seeing.
- Great Hall (Steinerner Saal) — Step into this awe-inspiring hall where three floors tower above, adorned with Johann Baptist Zimmermann’s colorful frescoes. High above, you’ll see Helios in his sun chariot, surrounded by divine figures, all part of the lavish late court Rococo style by François de Cuvilliés.
- Marstall Museum — Inside the south wing of Nymphenburg Palace, the Marstall Museum occupies what was once the royal stables. Here, you’ll find one of the world’s finest collections of historic carriages, with the star being the coronation coach of Emperor Charles VII.
- Amalienburg — In the palace gardens, Amalienburg stands as a jewel of Bavarian Rococo. The highlight here is the Hall of Mirrors, where light dances off countless mirrors, creating a dazzling effect. It’s like a scene from a fairy tale, where every angle reflects luxury and elegance, designed by François de Cuvilliés for hunting and intimate gatherings.
- Badenburg — Nestled in the park, Badenburg is all about the luxurious bathhouse experience. The focal point is the octagonal bathing hall, where the walls and ceiling are adorned with intricate frescoes depicting water scenes. It’s like stepping into a serene, mythological world, where the art and architecture blend to offer a tranquil retreat.
- Schlossgartenkanal — This canal’s highlights include its scenic route through the park, offering gondola rides in summer, and connecting the palace to the grand cascade, all while reflecting the palace’s beauty.
Visiting the palace? Different parts of Nymphenburg Palace and Park have various opening hours. It goes the same with the admission fees. You can find all the exact information on the Bavarian Palace Administration website.
Munich has plenty of surprises, and one of the best is discovering it doesn’t just have one or two stunning palaces—it has three. The third, Schleissheim Palace, is an incredible place to visit. Interestingly, it is not just a single building; it’s an entire complex made up of three separate palaces.
Once the summer home of the Bavarian Royals from the House of Wittelsbach, Schleissheim is one of the most beautiful and historic places just outside the city. It was founded over 400 years ago by William V, who built a small Renaissance retreat near Dachau. Over time, it grew into something remarkable, with the final palace added in the 18th century by Zuccalli.
Today, its grand halls, detailed architecture, and vast gardens make you feel like you’ve stepped into another time.
With so much to see, you could easily spend an entire day exploring all three palaces—Old Schleissheim Palace, New Schleissheim Palace, and Lustheim Palace.
One of the highlights of the palace is the State Gallery of European Baroque Painting. Here, you can explore a vast collection of Baroque art, including stunning works by artists like Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Joachim von Sandrart.
Let me tell you more about what to expect when you visit New Schleissheim Palace and Lustheim Palace, where I think you’ll find the most interesting discoveries inside the entire Schleissheim Palace complex.
Schleissheim Palace complex has different parts, and each has various opening hours. Please check the palace’s official website if you want to know all the visiting information about the Schleissheim Palace complex.
Munich’s green spaces and calm blue areas really make the city feel special. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these spots are perfect for unwinding or taking some great photos.
The parks here are something special—each one has its own unique vibe. WestPark, for example, is huge, covering 720,000 square meters. It’s one of the best places to spend time outdoors, with something new to discover around every corner.
Some people even say walking through WestPark feels like stepping into Asia, thanks to its variety of landscapes and features. You can spot structures there inspired by Thailand, Nepal, China, and Japan.
What else to do in West Park?
If you’re there with kids, the playground and water games in the summer are perfect for some family fun, and in the winter, tobogganing down the artificial hills is a real thrill. For art lovers and curious visitors, the park’s fountains and sculptures are really something to see, like the Japanese-style “Good Day Fountain” and the moving “Spherical Fountain.” There’s also the historic “Bayerwaldhaus,” a 17th-century farmhouse with a beautiful traditional garden.
And if you’re lucky, you might even catch cool events like the Buddhist Vesakh festival in May, outdoor movie nights with “Kino, Mond und Sterne,” or the Musical Wine Festival.
You can visit WestPark anytime you want. It is open for everyone 24 hours, 7 days a week.
I can’t say it’s “more beautiful,” but Munich’s English Garden is huge and famous, ranking as one of the city’s largest parks. In fact, it’s even bigger than New York’s Central Park, covering a massive 375 hectares (910 acres). It’s one of the biggest urban parks in the world.
The park has around 78 kilometers of cycling and jogging paths, and if it’s not winter, you’ll see plenty of both casual and serious athletes training, along with triathlons.
But it’s not just about green fields and trees. There are cool attractions to check out, too. For example, surfers can ride waves in the park’s streams, and adventure lovers can try balancing on tightropes between trees. A big draw is Eisbachwelle, a popular spot for year-round surfing on the Eisbach River.
Fun fact—well, not sure how “fun” this is—but did you know the English Garden is one of the few places in Germany where it’s legal to swim nude? It’s been that way since the 1960s, and it’s part of what makes this park so famous.
Plus, there are plenty of other cool sights and experiences to explore in the park: Eisbachwelle, Monopteros, Japanese Teahouse, and Chinese Tower. Learn more.
The English Garden runs as a vertical stripe on the map. The three attractions I mentioned are located in the southern part of the park, which is also the most popular area. Of those, Eisbachwelle is the easiest to get to. It’s at the southern tip of the park, just a short walk from the National Museum bus stop and tram station.
If you want to watch some impressive surfing, you can catch the action from the bridge or the riverbank with other spectators. However, keep in mind that a law passed in 2010 allows only experienced surfers to ride the waves at Eisbach. Also, swimming or bathing in the water is not allowed, since it’s usually pretty cold.
Just north of the Japanese teahouse, there’s a large open field perfect for picnics. Here, you’ll find Monopteros, a 19th-century Greek-style temple built for Ludwig I. The temple sits on a small hill, so it’s easy to spot, even from the middle of the picnic area.
From the top, Monopteros offers stunning views of the park and the city. You can see Munich’s skyline, including its towering churches and other landmarks. Though it can get crowded, Monopteros is definitely one of the best spots in Munich to watch a beautiful sunset.
Just a short walk from Monopteros is the park plaza, where you’ll find the stunning Chinese Tower. This spot is home to several beer gardens and cafes, ideal for taking a break after a relaxing stroll through the English Garden. While Munich’s Chinese Tower might not be as grand or colorful as typical Chinese pagodas, its unique five-tier wooden design makes it a standout in Europe.
For details on the restaurant hours and seasons, visit chinaturm.de.
The Japanese teahouse is just a short walk from Eisbachwelle, tucked away on an island in a beautiful Japanese-style garden. If you time it right, you might even catch a traditional tea ceremony.
But honestly, even when there’s no ceremony, the place feels so peaceful. The benches by the lake are perfect for sitting back and watching the swans swim by. And in spring, when the cherry blossoms on the island are in full bloom, the whole scene feels like something out of a dream.
Check out urasenke-muenchen.de to learn more.
As mentioned earlier, Munich has no shortage of modern attractions and museums, and one that stands out is BMW Welt. It’s the perfect spot for car lovers or anyone looking for something different to do in the city. BMW Welt is both an exhibition space and an adventure museum, packed with cool, techy things to explore.
It’s so popular in Bavaria that it gets millions of visitors each year, just like the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps.
Inside BMW Welt, it’s like walking into a huge car show where you can check out all the impressive vehicles the company has made. They also give you a look at what’s coming next, showing off futuristic car designs they’re working on.
You’ll find a variety of luxury BMWs on display, which aren’t just known for being fancy, but also for their creativity and emotional appeal. Expect to see everything from Minis to Rolls-Royce cars, and even the BMW iX.
If you’re a car enthusiast or a BMW fan, get this: You can get up close to BMW’s production models, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent one for just under 100 EUR per hour and take it for a test drive!
For visitor’s information, please check bmw-welt.de (official website).
Munich is such a beautiful city, where modern architecture blends perfectly with nature, giving it this cool futuristic vibe. One place that really shows this off is Olympiapark. Built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, it’s now a hub for all kinds of cultural, social, and religious events.
The park covers 85 hectares and has a calm lake, tons of green spaces, and plenty of ways to stay active or relaxed during your trip. There are also amazing sports facilities and event venues to explore.
To me, however, the highlights are the following:
- If you’re looking for something different, Sea Life is a must-see—this huge aquarium is home to 3,000 animals from 260 marine species. For anyone who loves architecture, the sports buildings are incredible, especially the Olympic Stadium with its unique tent-like roof.
- Don’t miss a trip up the Olympic Tower for an incredible panoramic view of the park. At 291 meters, it’s the tallest building in Munich. The observation deck sits 190 meters up, offering breathtaking views of the city and beyond.
- Want to impress someone? The revolving restaurant at the top of the tower is a great spot for a date. From up there, you can savor Bavarian dishes while enjoying a romantic view of Munich and sharing special moments together.
- Looking for some thrills? Take a guided tour and climb to the top of the iconic Olympic Stadium. And if you’re still craving more excitement, you can zip-line all the way back down!
If you have some free time, why not try mini-golf, rent a boat, or go inline skating? You can even take a swim in an Olympic-sized pool!
For more information, please check the official website of Olympiapark.
When it comes to what a tourist or a traveler can experience in Munich, there’s definitely more than just the 10 beautiful and interesting places I’ve shared.
But like I mentioned at the start, it’s really worth spending more time in the Bavarian Alps or Franconia during your trip to southern Germany, especially if it’s your first visit. These regions make a huge impression with their preserved heritage and stunning scenery, which is why they’re so special.
Here’s the cool part: getting to the Bavarian Alps or Franconia is super easy! From Munich, it’s just a one-hour train ride to reach Nuremberg in Franconia or Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Bavarian Alps. Once you’re in either town, you can start exploring more of the area and check out amazing sights like Rothenburg ob der Tauber or Neuschwanstein Castle.
Check them out and you’ll see exactly why I think you should definitely spend more time outside of Munich. Have fun exploring southern Germany! 🙂
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