Move over Berlin, Munich is Germany's secret capital. The gateway to the Bavarian Alps and home of (arguably) Europe’s best beer scene, the city oozes charm. DK Eyewitness Project Editor Lucy Sara-Kelly takes a look at the very best things to do in Munich...
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Munich
View BookTry the beer
In need of a thirst-quencher? You’re in the right place. Munich is the undisputed home of the cold brew, hosting tons of traditional taverns and lively beer halls (Hofbräuhaus am Platzl is particularly iconic). Come autumn, there’s even more on offer. The world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest, takes over the city and sees millions of revellers knocking back the good stuff.
Catch a soccer game
Where better to watch Germany’s most successful soccer team (FC Bayern Munich) than at their home ground? And what a home ground it is. The Allianz Arena features a luminous, colour-changing exterior which can sometimes be seen all the way from Austria’s mountains. Inside, the scenes are just as good: picture 75,000 ecstatic fans cheering on the home team.
Relax in the English Garden
Rolling tracts of greenery, classical temples, beer gardens and (wait for it) a surfing wave: Munich’s favourite public park really has it all. Whatever the weather, this central green space is packed with locals enjoying the sun, sledging down the hills or surfing on the man-made Eisbach rapids. After a day of exploring the city, it’s the perfect place to relax.
Explore the Olympic park
Considered a masterpiece of modern architecture, Munich's Olympiapark was created in preparation for the 1972 Olympic Games. A communications tower offers fantastic views over the city, while on the ground you'll discover facilities for swimming, skating, cycling and tennis. As well as sporting events, the Olympiapark hosts open-air concerts in the summer months including the SUPERBLOOM Festival which debuted in 2022.
Venture to the Alps
Landscapes don’t get more fairytale than this. Just over an hour from the city centre, the Bavarian Alps make for the ultimate countryside escape. Here, snow-dusted peaks and sparkling lakes form the backdrop for some of Europe’s most beautiful castles. The best? Neuschwanstein. Commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in honour of Richard Wagner, this romantic castle sits atop a rocky ledge and wears a crown of stylised turrets and towers.
Lose yourself in the art galleries
Art fan? Add Munich’s big three galleries – the Alte Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne and Museum Brandhorst – to your hit list. A day exploring these creative hubs (all within walking distance of one another) promises a journey through the history of art: from the Middle Ages right up to the contemporary era. Be sure to check out the Museum Brandhorst’s CY Twombly collection as well, it’s the largest outside the US.
Be a royal for the day
Walk in the footsteps of Bavaria’s former kings in the Residenz. This is the largest city centre castle in Germany and within its vast expanse you’ll find a Rococo theatre, multiple courtyards, a huge Renaissance ballroom and a coin museum. Looking for another royal residence? Stroll around Schloss Nymphenburg, a Baroque palace that was once a summer retreat for Bavaria’s rulers. This scenic complex features gorgeous gardens as well as its very own canal – complete with gondola rides in the summer.
Taste the food
For a true taste of the city, pair your local brew with some Bavarian cuisine. Dumplings and sausages are mainstays here, while freshly salted pretzels are most commonly served as snacks (with beer, of course). To try a range of local specialities, foodies should make for Viktualienmarkt. This old farmers’ market hosts a range of regional food stalls, as well as a sprawling central beer garden.
Head to a museum
This culture-loving city isn’t short of museums. Here you’ll find the fascinating Deutsches Museum, one of the world’s largest museums of science and technology; exhibits cover everything from mining to musical instruments, astronomy to aerospace. Other museums worth visiting include the BMW Museum, the Jüdisches Museum München and Bayerisches Nationalmuseum.
Check out the churches
Fairytale castles and royal palaces may steal the spotlight in Bavaria, but don’t overlook Munich’s gorgeous churches. The city’s oldest, Peterskirche, looms over Marienplatz and features a dazzling golden interior. Talking of dazzling interiors, Asamkirche really takes the cake with its excessive stucco work and beautiful frescoes. For a masterclass in sheer size, head to Frauenkirche. The domes atop this cavernous church dominate the city’s skyline – no buildings are permitted to be built higher.
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