_png.png)
Fun Things to do in Munich
Bavaria
Search activities
city guide
Munich, or M_nchen (Home of the Monks), traces its origins to the Benedictine monastery at Tegernsee, which was probably founded in 750 CE. In 1157 Henry the Lion, duke of Bavaria, granted the monks the right to establish a market where the road from Salzburg met the Isar River. A bridge was built across the Isar the following year, and the marketplace was fortified.
Best time to go
The best time to visit Munich is from March to May: fall's crowds have long since departed, and summer's peak season hasn't yet hit. But if you're one of the millions who want to party at Oktoberfest, you'll need to pack a coat. Average temperatures drift between the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit.
Fun city facts and activities
- Located in the German state of Bavaria is the city of Munich, which is also the states capital as well as one of the most visited cities in all of Europe. Its easy to see why this is the case; Munich is known for its rich history, world-class museums, iconic architectural wonders and some of the best beers you will ever taste in your life! No matter your interests, youll surely enjoy spending some time in this vibrant city.
With its popularity, however, its no secret that Munich can be quite expensive; after all, it is the capital of Germanys wealthiest state and a popular holiday destination in Europe. While it is true that the Bavarian capital isnt exactly a bargain city, there are still plenty of free activities and hidden gems that won't break your bank.
From the Baroque architecture of the Asam Church to music and theatre to experiencing your first Oktoberfest, there is plenty to see year round in this exciting destination. Find Munich's museums with free entry or relax in Marienplatz Square. Drop your extra gear at one of our luggage lockers in Munich, hop on public transport and take the U Bahn or the S Bahn you may even hear the popular glockenspiel as you tour. Browse an outdoor market, try to locate the oldest buildings if youre a budget traveler looking to make the most of your trip, don't worry there are many free things to do in Munich!
Neighborhoods to explore
- Altstadt
Maxvorstadt
Neuhausen
Westend
Giesing
Schwabing
Glockenbachviertel
Haidhausen
Restaurants
Food Specialties
- Heres hoping youve got an appetite when you rock up to one of the best restaurants in Munich because they certainly dont skimp on the portions here. Munich gets a lot right, but the community-centric heart that beats within is best felt in the citys cuisine. Everything from Michelin star fine dining to communal chompers can be found, each as delicious as the last.
Eating well is one of the best things to do in Munich, full stop. A Village of a Million People doesnt run on air, after all. Youll need plenty of energy to visit the world-class museums and concert halls, so stock up on sustenance at these magnificent restaurants.
Munich Offbeat activities
Free or cheap things to do
1. Visit the Englischer Garten: Take a stroll through the Englischer Garten, the largest park in Munich. Enjoy the beauty of nature, take a boat ride, or relax with a beer at one of the many beer gardens.
2. Check out the Viktualienmarkt: Explore the vibrant Viktualienmarkt, full of local produce and delicious food.
3. Take a tour of the Deutsches Museum: Tour the worlds largest science and technology museum, with over 28,000 artifacts.
4. Head to the Marienplatz: Explore the bustling Marienplatz, the central square of Munich. The Glockenspiel, a clock tower with life-size figures, is a must-see.
5. Visit the Bavarian National Museum: Learn about Bavarian culture and history at the Bavarian National Museum.
6. Explore Nymphenburg
Fun things to do in with kids
Free or cheap things to do
1. Sea Life
Take the little ones on a voyage beneath the waves at the Sea Life M_nchen museum, which opened in 2006. Over 10,000 creatures of the deep reside in over 30 large tanks.
Visitors explore the popular "Tropical Ocean" tank from an underwater glass-topped tunnel. Its in Munichs Olympic Park.
2. Fairytale fun park
What kid hasnt already heard of classic German fairytales like Snow White, H_nsel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood?
At the Freizeitpark M_rchenwald (Fairytale Forest) over 20 fairytales on display which the little ones can bring to life with the press of a button.
Great for younger kids.
3. Watch the surfing
Take them to see the surfers cutting the standing breaker in the Englischer Garten park.
4. Circus
Munich is home to Europes biggest circus, the Zirkus Krone. You could attend a show with acrobats, clowns and animals, or go along to the petting zoo where kids can get to know said animals.
5. Toyshop
Your kids could find seventh heaven in Munichs Obletter Spielwaren.
Its probably the citys most famous toy store and spreads out over several levels at the Karlsplatz-Stachus central square.
6. Zoo The Munich Zoo (Tierpark Hellabrunn) is one of Germanys biggest with over 450 species of animals. Theyre grouped continentally into Africa, Europe, America, Asia, Australia and even Antarctica. It's a highlight of Munich for kids of any age.
There is a petting zoo, pony and camel rides for children.
MORE: Munich Zoo information and photo gallery of some of its cutest animals
7. Church towers
Why not take the kids up to one of Munichs church tower lookouts at the Frauenkirche or the Alte Peter?
The views are great and the climb up the hundreds of wooden stairs might wear them out enough for you to catch your breath!
8. Beer gardens Munich beer gardens are designed to be family friendly and many have playgrounds to keep the kids happy while the grown-ups are enjoying a drink.
The Hirschgarten even has a petting zoo with little bambis running around and the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) has a magnificent old-fashioned carousel.
9. Boating
Just near another beer garden, the Seehaus in the Englischer Garten, is a lake where you can rent out paddle boats and go for a spin around a trio of mini-islands.
Museums in Munich for kids
1. Deutsches Museum The worlds biggest science and technology museum has hundreds of interactive displays and 'Childrens Kingdom' for the little ones.
2. Nature Kids can explore the natural world at the Museum of Humankind and Nature (Museum Mensch und Natur) which has displays stuffed with animals, dinosaurs and fauna.
It's in Nymphenburg Palace.
3. Movies Munichs Bavaria Filmstadt film studios has lots to interest children including the sets from the Asterix films, a stunt show and a 4D cinema.
4. Dinosaurs The Paleontological Museum Munich has a nice collection of dinosaur skeletons and exhibits.
5. Aeroplanes The Deutsche Museums Flugwerft Schleissheim exhibits dozens of aircraft for kids who want to spread their wings. Children can get into a real cockpit to wiggle the landing flaps and learn about the history of flight at a 'Flying Circus'.
It's in Munich's north separate from the rest of the Deutsche Museum.Visit its website here.
6. Toys There is a dedicated toy museum in the tower of the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) on Marienplatz. Exhibits are for looking, not touching, and your kids might get a bit edgy.
There are thousands of old toys and special exhibits on Barbie, robots and teddy bears.
7. Cars and motorbikes The space-aged BMW Welt dealership has a few nice interactive displays and motorbikes kids can sit on and pretend theyre Valentino Rossi.
Seasonal events in Munich for kids
Ice skating In December theres an ice skating rink set up just for kids above the fountain at Karlsplatz-Stachus.
Festivals Annual Munich festivals including the Oktoberfest, Auer Dult and Spring Festival all have rides and carousels to keep the young ones entertained, but its best to keep them away from the beer tents in the evenings.
Things for kids around Bavaria
Neuschwanstein Want to see the building that Disneys Sleeping Beauty Castle is based on? Neuschwanstein Castle south-west of Munich is surely one for the whole family.
Legoland Theres a theme park built from over 50 million of the classic bricks two hours west of Munich in the city of G_nzburg.
There are rides and roller coasters, a "pirate land" and a "knights kingdom".
Theres also a "mini-land" in Lego recreating some of Europes highlights including Venice, Dutch windmill-filled landscapes and Neuschwanstein Castle.
ะป Bayernpark This all-round fun park has an indoor pool with slides, an elevated railway, a climbing wall and a plethora of rides for kids.
Its about 90min north-east of Munich.
Playmobil Fun Park Playmobils popular toys take centre stage at a huge theme park next to Nuremburg in Bavarias north.
City data and FAQ
Is Munich worth visiting?
Munich is absolutely worth a visit. There are so many amazing tourist attractions, important historic sites, beautiful parks and castles, an active nightlife, good shopping opportunities, and amazing festivals.
Is 3 days enough for Munich?
How many days in Munich do you need? As a general rule of thumb, three full days in Munich is enough to see the most important highlights in Bavaria's capital. You will have enough time to explore the old town, some of the most important museums, the fabulous Nymphenburg palace, the BMW world, etc.
What is Munich most known for?
The city has several of the largest breweries in Germany and is famous for its beer and its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Munich is a major tourist destination and a convention centre. Book publishing and printing and television production are also important.
Is Munich a walkable city?
Munich is one of the most walkable cities in Europe, but it also has a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.
Is Munich Tourist friendly?
Tourists should know that Munich is a very safe city both for its residents and travelers. When you take into consideration the whole of Germany, it is one of the safest cities where violent crime is extremely rare and even can be said that it does not exist at all.
What is a typical Bavarian breakfast?
Weisswurst Fr_hst_ck, the traditional Bavarian breakfast, includes boiled sausages served with loads of sweet mustard, freshly baked pretzels and a refreshing Weissbier (wheat beer). In fact, the sausages without the beer, mustard and pretzels might be slightly frowned upon by the locals!
