What to See in Munich, the City of Oktoberfest

When we think of Munich, the first thing that comes to mind is undoubtedly the Oktoberfest. The world’s most famous beer festival began over 200 years ago and attracts countless tourists who travel to the city to participate in this grand event.

Munich is a multifaceted city that will win you over with its history, culture, and entertainment. It’s one of the most popular destinations in southern Germany. Its standout features include a vibrant atmosphere, a charming old town, and outstanding museums. In this guide, we’ll help you plan your visit and show you what to see in Munich during your stay.

Munich, the capital of Bavaria (Germany), is welcoming and lively all year round. Its city center is entirely walkable, weaving together palaces, monuments, and churches dating from the Middle Ages to the Rococo. Take a break in one of the historic beer gardens (like Augustiner, HB, Paulaner—all featuring cozy restaurants), and enjoy a typical brezen, the salty Bavarian pretzel, with a cold mug of golden beer. Or, gaze up at the beautiful tower of the New Town Hall so you don’t miss the spectacle of the Glockenspiel, the famous clock with its chiming figurines reenacting key scenes from the city’s history.

Families with kids shouldn’t miss the Deutsches Museum, one of the biggest science and technology museums in the world, with hands-on exhibits especially for children.

The innovative BMW Museum, right next to the headquarters of the famous carmaker, showcases its fascinating world and prestigious models. The city also features a zoo, sprawling gardens, the Botanic Garden, and the Nymphenburg Palace, complete with park and pretty lakes. For convenience, many hotels around the main train station are just a short stroll from the city center, such as Conrad Hotel de Ville, www.conrad-hotel.de, where rooms with breakfast start from 98 euros per night.

The History of Munich

In 1158, Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, destroyed the original bridge on the ancient salt road and ordered a new one to be constructed further south, near the monastic settlement of Munichen. This ensured his right to collect tolls on this major trade route.

This act was officially recognized by a document signed by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa on June 14th the same year, granting Munich rights to hold a market and mint coins. From then on, the city began its extraordinary economic, social, and cultural growth, reaching where it is today.

Things to Do in Munich: Places of Interest

Exploring the main streets and neighborhoods of Munich, you immediately notice the city’s unique duality: a capital of innovation that’s also rooted in tradition. It’s a melting pot of flavors from across the world and a stronghold for beer and salty pretzels. Munich is also a city of bridges, crossing the turbulent Isar River, and these played a crucial role in its founding.

Visiting Munich is always an extraordinary experience: old and new blend everywhere, making the city truly unique. If you’re short on time, here’s our top recommendations for what to see in Munich in one day so you won’t miss the best sights.

1 Marienplatz

The Old and New Town Halls are among Munich’s most iconic buildings and are both located in Marienplatz, the central square surrounded by period buildings, with the Mariensaule (Mary’s Column) at its heart, featuring a golden bronze statue of the Virgin Mary.

2 Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall’s Gothic lines and striking tower are the prelude to the New Town Hall’s impressive silhouette, with its spires dominating the northern side of the square. Beneath the clock tower, visitors gather to admire the enchanting Glockenspiel: at 11am and 12pm (and at 5pm in summer), its figures rotate and perform scenes from Munich’s history. It’s a must on every “What to see in Munich” list.

3 Munich Residenz

Inspired by Florence’s Palazzo Pitti, the Residenz is one of Europe’s most spectacular royal palaces. For centuries, it was home to Bavaria’s dukes, princes, and kings—today it houses the Residenz Museum.

4 Kunstareal—The Art District

This art district is home to Munich’s three major Pinakothek galleries, where you’ll find masterpieces spanning the Renaissance to modern art. The Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, and Pinakothek der Moderne are among the city’s key landmarks.

5 English Garden

The English Garden is the city’s green oasis stretching for 4km—perfect for a relaxing break, and beloved by both locals and visitors.

6 Nymphenburg Palace

Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) is a magical Baroque residence, once the summer retreat of Bavaria’s royalty.

7 Museums of Munich

Art lovers will find Munich to be a paradise of museums, galleries, and collections. Just the three Pinakothek galleries, especially the Alte, compete with the great museums of Vienna and Madrid and are worth a trip in themselves.

8 Museum Brandhorst

The Museum Brandhorst on Theresienstrasse houses a major collection of Andy Warhol works, as well as temporary exhibitions and a focus on sustainable solutions. Close to the Alte and Neue Pinakothek, it was established to showcase the modern and contemporary art collections of Udo and Annette Brandhorst. The building itself, designed by Berlin architects Sauerbruch Hutton, is a visual wonder with a façade clad in 36,000 colorful ceramic rods for both sound insulation and style. Inside, state-of-the-art ecological systems ensure perfect lighting and climate control. The collection spans the 20th and 21st centuries, with a strong showing of Andy Warhol, as well as works by Joseph Beuys, Jannis Kounellis, Georg Baselitz, Mario Merz, Damien Hirst, Cy Twombly, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
There’s also a collection of illustrated books by Picasso and Miró.

9 Oktoberfest

Who hasn’t heard of the Oktoberfest, Munich’s iconic beer festival, drawing crowds from all over the globe into its lively beer gardens? Munich is world-renowned for this and is a favorite destination especially among Italian travelers.

If your stay is a bit longer, consider these other things to do in Munich as well.

10 Top Activities in Munich

• Explore the Deutsches Museum: The world’s largest science and technology museum and a must for anyone in Munich—put it on your “what to see in Munich” list.
• Enjoy a night at Kultfabrik: This 60,000 m² entertainment district offers everything: food, art exhibitions, shows, and even nightlife. Munich’s nightlife is centered here.
• Visit the Münchner Stadtmuseum: The city’s historical museum often hosts major temporary exhibitions. The most fascinating sections include the Puppet Museum and the Musical Instruments Museum.
• Go shopping downtown: Munich’s shopping scene is vibrant, with plenty of stores to choose from. Shopping in Munich is a delight.

Quick Travel Info: Where to Stay, Getting There, Getting Around, and Where to Eat in Munich

11 How to Get to Munich

The best way to reach Munich is by plane. From the airport, you can get downtown in about 40 minutes thanks to two efficient metro lines.

12 Getting Around in Munich

To get around Munich, we recommend exploring on foot as much as possible to savor city life and spot hidden details. However, you can easily travel across the city using the metro, buses, and trams. With the City Tour Card, one ticket covers all public transport.

13 Where to Eat in Munich

Try to seek out local restaurants serving authentic Bavarian dishes. Don’t miss out on Weisswurst (the typical Bavarian sausage), bretzel (the iconic pretzel bread), and Steckerlfisch (seasoned grilled mackerel). And of course, enjoy a cold mug of beer—the city’s true symbol!

14 Where to Stay in Munich

When booking your hotel in Munich, we recommend choosing an area within walking distance of the center. This way, you experience the full charm of Bavarian life with minimal travel.