Attractions in Munich - The Top 10 Most Popular Attractions

The heart of Munich is the famous Marienplatz, located in the middle of the Old Town. Since 1158, it has served as the urban center and transport hub of the Bavarian metropolis.

The square features additional landmarks such as the New and Old Town Hall. The Marian Column and the Fish Fountain are popular meeting spots. The Glockenspiel of the New Town Hall attracts over 5 million tourists each year.

In winter, Marienplatz hosts the renowned Christkindlmarkt, which, with 140 stalls, is one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany. Its versatility makes Marienplatz our number one must-see attraction in Munich.

Tip: Just about a 2-minute walk away, you can also admire the city's landmark, the Frauenkirche.

Visitors to Munich can find sports and relaxation in the English Garden, our second-ranked sight in Munich.

Covering an area of approximately 375 hectares, it features meadows, streams, jogging paths, bike trails, and beer gardens.

For locals, the garden is a green oasis in the midst of the metropolis, while tourists discover notable attractions such as the Chinese Tower, a Japanese tea house, and the Monopteros built in 1831.

In good weather, travelers can spend hours following the paths and winding trails of the English Garden, experiencing the most relaxed side of Munich. This earns it our second place on our top ten list of Munich attractions.

Tip: In summer, you can refresh yourself in the Eisbach River or go pedal boating at your leisure.

There are several Frauenkirchen in Germany, but the Munich Frauenkirche, with its distinctive towers, is among the city's most famous landmarks and is also referred to as the Cathedral of Our Dear Lady in Munich.

The church owes its name to its patroness, the Virgin Mary. Built in 1525 by the Munich architect Jörg von Halspach, this splendid building now serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Munich.

From the south tower, you can enjoy the best view over the city by the Isar River. And this will likely remain unchanged: Thanks to a public referendum in 2005, no buildings taller than the Frauenkirche are allowed to be constructed within the city limits.

Did you know? With around 1.5 million residents, Munich is the third largest city in Germany. The English Garden covers a total area of 4.17 square kilometers, making it larger than Central Park in New York.

For sports fans, our number four sight in Munich, the former Olympic city and home of FC Bayern Munich, has much to offer.

This includes the Allianz Arena, which with 75,000 seats is among the most impressive stadiums in the world. Opened in 2005, this modern stadium is where FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munich play their matches.

Equipped with numerous fluorescent tubes, the exterior façade shines in various colors depending on the occasion. During matches of the German national team, it is lit up in white. Guided tours give short-term visitors and tourists a behind-the-scenes look at the world of football.

Did you know? Three gates from the former city fortifications have survived to this day: the Karlstor, Isartor, and Sendlinger Tor.

On Munich's Museum Island, you will find the German Museum, the largest science and technology museum in the world.

Every year, more than 1.5 million visitors come to see 28,000 exhibits from 50 fields of natural sciences. On 5 floors, you'll learn about everything from mining and pharmacy to atomic physics and renewable energy. You also have the opportunity to admire the first car or the first motor aircraft here, all explained in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

The founder and director of this unique institution was Oskar von Miller, who left a lasting impact on the German Museum until his retirement in 1933.

Tip: The lightning show! A unique experience for the whole family.

No visit to the automotive town of Munich is complete without a trip to BMW World. This combination of exhibition, museum, and event venue was opened in October 2007 and invites brand enthusiasts to take a tour.

The exhibition was designed not only for buyers who can pick up their BMW here but also attracts automotive novices with its outstanding design and integration of ecological innovations.

We rank BMW World sixth on our list of Munich's most popular attractions.

Opening hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Did you know? There are over 60 beer gardens in Munich.

The second sports venue: The Olympiapark was the site of the Olympic Games in 1972.

Today, the 850,000 m² area is used for sporting events like European and World Championships. The entire Olympiapark includes the stadium of the same name, the Olympiahalle, the park, and the Olympic Press City.

The former Olympic Village is now a popular residential area for students and young people in Munich. From the Olympic Tower, you can see the whole area and the city. The area can be explored independently or discovered on a guided tour, with suitable themed tours for every taste. One of the most impressive attractions in Munich!

Oktoberfest: Everyone knows it, the Wiesn. Bavaria's most famous folk festival offers an excellent atmosphere, delicious culinary delights, and legendary live music. Oktoberfest is a must-do event and is also great for families with rides, haunted houses, and more.

Tip: Tuesdays are family days, so discounts are available on rides. Despite its name, most of Oktoberfest actually takes place in September, so the first week of October usually marks the end of the Wiesn.

Nymphenburg Palace is located in the west of Munich, in the district of Neuhausen-Nymphenburg.

To celebrate the birth of the heir to the throne, the Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria gifted the palace to his wife Henriette Adelaide, and it was completed in 1679. For a long time, it served as a summer residence for the House of Wittelsbach.

Up to 300,000 guests from around the world visit the main palace and the accompanying palace park each year. Since 2004, the Nymphenburg Palace concerts have also taken place in the spring, becoming a fixed part of Munich's music and cultural scene.

As a place of tranquility just minutes from Munich's center, the princely palace earns eighth place in our top ten list of Munich attractions.

Tip: Have you always wanted to explore a fairy tale castle from the inside? Then you now have the opportunity at Neuschwanstein Castle, located about 2 hours from Munich, perfect for a unique day trip into breathtaking scenery.

Munich residents love tradition and good food. They find both at the Viktualienmarkt.

Located at Marienplatz, tourists cannot miss the Bavarian specialties. In the heart of the Old Town, there are regional products and exotic goods on 22,000 m² for over 200 years.

The market's name comes from the Latin word victus, meaning 'provisions' or 'food'.

From Monday to Saturday, Munich tourists and locals can buy fruits, vegetables, flowers, and cheese.

Tip: A definite spectacle in Munich are the Eisbach surfers. Right at the entrance to the English Garden, you can see talented and relentless wave riders day in and day out, regardless of the weather conditions. You might feel tempted to slip into your wetsuit and catch the next wave.

The Isar River, which runs right through the city, is omnipresent and worth seeing.

The many small beaches and gravel banks along the river make the Isar one of Munich's main attractions. You can enjoy views of the Isar for about 14 km, as it flows through Bavaria to Tyrol.

Since the river's renaturation, people are even allowed to swim at certain designated spots. The water quality and the love of the people of Munich for their river make the Isar our number ten on the top ten attractions in Munich.

Tip: Are you looking for relaxation? Then Therme Erding is just the right place. In the largest thermal spa in the world, there is something for everyone: from swimming classes to a paradise of slides to saunas, there's definitely something for everyone.

In the Royal Day Spa, you can enjoy a pampering treatment or a relaxing massage. In Galaxy, Europe's largest water slide world, you can feel weightless and try out the enormous selection of slides.

Munich has more to offer than just Oktoberfest. From unique museums to fascinating nature and excellent shopping opportunities, there is something for everyone.

With its diverse cultural offerings, inviting green spaces, good beer, and friendly Bavarian mentality, a city trip to Munich is definitely recommended.