Our city guide Munich is for foodies, culture vultures, adventurous travellers and anyone who is curious about Munich insider tips from locals. Even if you’ve never been to Munich, you’re sure to know these sights: the Oktoberfest, the English Garden, the Hofbräuhaus and the Deutsches Museum. But what about the Werksviertel, where night turns into day? Or the MUCA, Germany’s first museum of urban and contemporary art? The Umadum Ferris wheel, giving you a fantastic bird’s-eye view of Munich? Or the majestic Nymphenburg Palace? We have some really great Munich insider tips in our city guide Munich that we’d love to share with you. You can find a teaser here.
Rhythm is a dancerDance like nobody’s watching
Pleasure meets leasureAge ain’t nothing but a number
You and the cityIt’s all about the gram
Foodie’s love languageThrough the stomach, to the heart
Leopoldstrasse has always been known as Schwabing’s nightlife district. If you take a few steps into the basement of house number 49, you will end up in a brick vault – and seemingly right in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
The inspiration for the interior and the way of presenting the cocktails comes directly from the Asian mega-metropolis. In the red light of the bar, you can make yourself comfortable in the lounge and standing areas as well as in small seating niches. The later the evening, the more palpable the DJ music becomes. Just like the drinks on offer, it is varied and ensures that everyone has a good evening at Café Bangkok. Beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks and, of course, cocktails in porcelain coconut or pineapple vessels are on the drinks menu. The motto ‘yes to all’ applies to the music, the guests and the drinks.
The Wallace Bar was named after Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction and has exactly the dignified ambience you would expect from a classic bar, such as those often found in Anglo-American countries.
Dark wood panelling and dark-green bar stools, lots of brass and a large selection of cocktails. A DJ plays at the weekend, but the bar never turns into a club. The focus is clearly on liquid delights. Some signature drinks are named after Tarantino films, but there are also classic cocktails, a selection of whiskies and wines and a monthly changing menu with specials. A few nibbles are also on offer. The bar is located in the heart of Altschwabing, close to Münchner Freiheit underground station. So you can definitely have another drink.
Legendary, an institution, iconic – Schwabinger 7 belongs in Schwabing’s Feilitzschstrasse like the statue of Bavaria on the Theresienwiese. Even though the bar had to move a few blocks away to number 15 back in 2011, at its heart, the establishment is still a slightly dressed-up but honest place with rock ’n’ roll flair and many regulars.
You’ll find lots of beer as well as live music and highly philosophical conversations at the bar with authentic characters. The later the evening, the more of it. This traditional Boazn is one of the few bars in the area around the Münchner Freiheit that has managed to retain its calm and down-to-earth character. Hipster vibes abound – but neither the guests, nor the selection of drinks in the Schwasi are much impressed by this.
Wacky, that’s one word to describe the style of Call Soul. Drinks that are theatrically presented and an interior à la Breaking Bad are certainly not an everyday sight in the Munich bar scene.
You can enjoy cocktails and food both inside the listed villa that is home to Call Soul and outside. Indulgence is 100% accurate, as the liquid creations are classics and new interpretations prepared with great attention to detail and presented in an extravagant way. Call Soul is based on Adnan Alija’s concept, which sees modern nightlife as a holistic form of entertainment – with a club atmosphere, bar vibes, cabaret and an interior that will delight you each time you visit. In combination with the drinks, you can look forward to a real experience.
Things are happening at Munich’s Ostbahnhof railway station: the Werksviertel with its hip Container Collective is like a small world of its own, where everything that is fun is bundled together in a manageably sized urban district.
The area is home to artists, various catering concepts such as an Alpine hut, bars and dance clubs, a few shops and leisure facilities. Just a few years ago, potato dumplings from a large food manufacturer were produced here. Now the area is home to creatives, after-work revellers, clubbers, business people, architecture fans, curious locals, people looking for a future home and tourists who want to get to know Munich from a completely different and exciting perspective. Two-hour guided tours of the Werksviertel-Mitte are also regularly offered.
Have you always wanted to take a look behind the scenes of a film production? And see the set of your favourite series? Over 100 years ago, the first film studio in southern Germany was established. Today, Bavaria Filmstadt is a modern, moving film campus and temporary workplace for numerous national and international stars.
In the approx. 1.5-hour guided tour, you will explore part of the site that is more than 300,000 square metres in size. But the film and television studio also includes the Filmstadt 4D cinema and a Hologate virtual reality game. The films and series that were filmed here in full or in scenes include the live-action adaptation of Michael Ende’s classic book Jim Knopf und Lukas der Lokomotivführer, Die Rosenheim-Cops, Das Boot and Fack ju Göhte.
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Hellabrunn Zoo: a wickedly wild journey around the world
A kingdom for around 18,500 animals – or rather, an entire nature reserve. Situated in the Isar floodplains and easily accessible by public transport, Munich’s Hellabrunn Zoo, founded in 1911, is one of the most renowned scientifically managed zoos in Europe.
Over 500 animal species inhabit the area in natural communities that are organised by continent: from the polar regions to Africa, from Europe to Asia, and from America to Australia. Introduced in 1928, this division makes Hellabrunn the first geo-zoo in the world. Marvel at the animals – from giraffes and llamas to the green anaconda – at your own pace or on a guided tour of the 40-hectare zoo. You can also take part in training sessions and feedings of the animals. Of course, there is also a shop and a range of culinary offers to enjoy!
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Planetenweg: a short journey into outer space along the Isar
Admittedly, in the space of a planet, 4.5 kilometres is not even worth mentioning, but on earth it’s a good distance for a nice walk. The so-called Planet Trail from the Deutsches Museum to Hellabrunn Zoo is all about the sun – and there is a small version of it in the courtyard of the renowned technical and scientific institution.
Starting from the sun, you walk southwards along the Isar from planet to planet and learn interesting facts about the solar system on information boards. Along the way, you’ll encounter Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. And speaking of distance: to cover one kilometre on this route, we would have to travel 1.29 billion kilometres in space. Once you arrive at the zoo, you can stop for refreshments or take the underground back.
Umadum – for all those who have not yet taken a ‘Bavarian for beginners’ course, here’s the translation into High German: ‘rundherum’, meaning ‘all around’. This refers not only to the ride, but above all to the view from a height of almost 80 metres.
Each of the 27 gondolas offers magnificent panoramic views of Munich, including landmarks such as the Frauenkirche and the Olympic Tower all the way to the Alps. The ride in a gondola takes around 30 minutes. On request, not in the standard model – and only if booked in advance – you can enjoy sitting in your own exclusive gondola capsule with up to seven people. There’s a table and chairs and even an optional drinks package to choose from. And if you really can’t get enough of the Bavarian lifestyle, then you can book the ‘Exclusive Gondel Bavaria’ with traditional Weißwurst (Bavarian veal sausage). Enjoy the local delicacy and the ride!
Things are happening at Munich’s Ostbahnhof railway station: the Werksviertel with its hip Container Collective is like a small world of its own, where everything that is fun is bundled together in a manageably sized urban district.
The area is home to artists, various catering concepts such as an Alpine hut, bars and dance clubs, a few shops and leisure facilities. Just a few years ago, potato dumplings from a large food manufacturer were produced here. Now the area is home to creatives, after-work revellers, clubbers, business people, architecture fans, curious locals, people looking for a future home and tourists who want to get to know Munich from a completely different and exciting perspective. Two-hour guided tours of the Werksviertel-Mitte are also regularly offered.
One letter makes all the difference – replace the ‘t’ in ‘tapas’ with a ‘b’ and you have a local version of the small appetisers that are eaten in Spain.
Here in Munich, at Bapas, Bavarian tapas are served from morning to night – of course, with beer or beer pairing. The small dishes are perfect for those who like to try everything. For breakfast, there are sweet and savoury dishes; at lunchtime, meat loaf, ox shreds in a pretzel and pulled pork burger in a pretzel roll, for example; and in the evening, salmon, cheese spaetzle, roast pork and edamame falafel. Our tip: make sure you leave room for dessert! And if you do start to feel full, the Leopoldstrasse invites you to take a stroll.
Leopoldstrasse has always been known as Schwabing’s nightlife district. If you take a few steps into the basement of house number 49, you will end up in a brick vault – and seemingly right in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
The inspiration for the interior and the way of presenting the cocktails comes directly from the Asian mega-metropolis. In the red light of the bar, you can make yourself comfortable in the lounge and standing areas as well as in small seating niches. The later the evening, the more palpable the DJ music becomes. Just like the drinks on offer, it is varied and ensures that everyone has a good evening at Café Bangkok. Beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks and, of course, cocktails in porcelain coconut or pineapple vessels are on the drinks menu. The motto ‘yes to all’ applies to the music, the guests and the drinks.
The Wallace Bar was named after Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction and has exactly the dignified ambience you would expect from a classic bar, such as those often found in Anglo-American countries.
Dark wood panelling and dark-green bar stools, lots of brass and a large selection of cocktails. A DJ plays at the weekend, but the bar never turns into a club. The focus is clearly on liquid delights. Some signature drinks are named after Tarantino films, but there are also classic cocktails, a selection of whiskies and wines and a monthly changing menu with specials. A few nibbles are also on offer. The bar is located in the heart of Altschwabing, close to Münchner Freiheit underground station. So you can definitely have another drink.
What’s important in Italy? That’s right: family, pizza and pasta. So it’s no wonder that FAMI guarantees a great (culinary) mood for all generations. The casual restaurant has super-high ceilings and lots of tables, which are even suitable for large families, also on the terrace.
In addition to zuppa, antipasti and salads, you can choose from three different types of pizza: Standard (e.g. Margherita), Tradizionale (e.g. Vesuvio) and Specialita (e.g. Tirolese with air-dried South Tyrolean bacon). There are also meat and fish dishes, a delicious selection for vegetarians and Gnocci a la Norma – a classic and a literal masterpiece all in one. Finally, you should definitely try FAMI’s chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream, fruits-of-the-forest ragout and gremolata.
‘Ja’ (or ‘yes’) for Japan, ‘Vi’ for Vietnam. Double the culinary delights. But the experience at JaVi starts with something for the eye: an interior inspired by sakura, the Japanese cherry blossom.
The elegant interior, furnished in dark wood, is brightened up by blossoming cherry tree decorations. The indirect lighting in the evening, which is modelled on the Japanese night-time lighting yozakura, will transport you directly to the land of the rising sun. As soon as the sushi and other Far Eastern specialities are served, you are sure to be completely immersed in the authentic Japanese and Vietnamese feeling. Spring rolls, mango salad, rice noodles, soups, meat, fish and vegetarian dishes – the selection is so large and delicious that you should actually stop by twice.
The name lives up to its promise! In the Blue Nile One restaurant, African art matches the menu that concentrates on meat and fish. Beef, chicken and lamb are traditionally prepared and are a real addition to the Munich food scene.
The East African specialities are served on large platters and are perfect for sharing. If you want to enjoy the local flavours, eat with flatbread instead of cutlery. But if you are vegetarian or vegan, you don’t have to avoid Blue Nile One. On the contrary, you should take a seat and try the delicious dishes featuring vegetables and pulses. Desserts on the menu include baked African plantain with honey as well as millet with cardamom, cinnamon, mint and fruit.
Legendary, an institution, iconic – Schwabinger 7 belongs in Schwabing’s Feilitzschstrasse like the statue of Bavaria on the Theresienwiese. Even though the bar had to move a few blocks away to number 15 back in 2011, at its heart, the establishment is still a slightly dressed-up but honest place with rock ’n’ roll flair and many regulars.
You’ll find lots of beer as well as live music and highly philosophical conversations at the bar with authentic characters. The later the evening, the more of it. This traditional Boazn is one of the few bars in the area around the Münchner Freiheit that has managed to retain its calm and down-to-earth character. Hipster vibes abound – but neither the guests, nor the selection of drinks in the Schwasi are much impressed by this.
Wacky, that’s one word to describe the style of Call Soul. Drinks that are theatrically presented and an interior à la Breaking Bad are certainly not an everyday sight in the Munich bar scene.
You can enjoy cocktails and food both inside the listed villa that is home to Call Soul and outside. Indulgence is 100% accurate, as the liquid creations are classics and new interpretations prepared with great attention to detail and presented in an extravagant way. Call Soul is based on Adnan Alija’s concept, which sees modern nightlife as a holistic form of entertainment – with a club atmosphere, bar vibes, cabaret and an interior that will delight you each time you visit. In combination with the drinks, you can look forward to a real experience.
There’s a home for wines and one for wine lovers in the heart of Schwabing. The latter can either take a seat in the urban, cosy interior or in the relaxed outdoor area when the weather is nice.
The fine wines served here are the creations of innovative, cool young winemakers hailing from Germany and Austria. Small culinary delicacies are also available to accompany the white and red wines. If you like the team’s wine selection, you can take a tasting box home with you. The boxes are available in three versions: filled with six red wines, six white wines or six bottles of rosé. You should also keep up to date with the programme of events. Das Weinheim regularly organises events with winegrowers under the motto ‘A glass with …’.
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Gans Woanders: Hexenhäusl with a cultural programme
When people in Munich talk about the Hexenhäusl, everyone knows about it: the name refers to Gans Woanders, a meeting place and cultural cafe in a former kiosk under the railway bridge in the Giesing district.
If your imagination is now running at full speed and you’re picturing a small multistorey fairy-tale house with a pointed roof surrounded by trees, you’re … exactly right! In the little house, narrow stairs lead up several floors – there are small balconies on the sides for sitting outside. The courtyard has much more open space. With the sound of pebbles under your feet and surrounded by lush trees, you’ll completely forget that you are eating wood-fired pizza, chips and delicious cake from the in-house bakery right in the heart of the city. A diverse cultural programme is also served.
To reach the Bavarian Observatory in Munich, you have to climb 35 metres to the top of a listed former bunker on the edge of the Werksviertel district. From the roof – even without a telescope – you have a wonderful view over Munich and, on a clear day, also over the mountain panorama.
But the best view opens up at night: millions of light years into space. The Münchner Sternstunden evening tours take place almost every evening at the observatory, which was founded in 1947. Tour guides tell you all about the planets, comets and constellations. A total of five large, permanently installed telescopes with a mirror aperture of up to 80 centimetres or the ZEISS planetarium are bound to give you a completely new perspective on the universe. Courses, lectures and workshops are also offered, especially for children.
Read more
Planetenweg: a short journey into outer space along the Isar
Admittedly, in the space of a planet, 4.5 kilometres is not even worth mentioning, but on earth it’s a good distance for a nice walk. The so-called Planet Trail from the Deutsches Museum to Hellabrunn Zoo is all about the sun – and there is a small version of it in the courtyard of the renowned technical and scientific institution.
Starting from the sun, you walk southwards along the Isar from planet to planet and learn interesting facts about the solar system on information boards. Along the way, you’ll encounter Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. And speaking of distance: to cover one kilometre on this route, we would have to travel 1.29 billion kilometres in space. Once you arrive at the zoo, you can stop for refreshments or take the underground back.
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Schleißheim Palace: baroque architecture and garden art
The Schleißheim Palace complex consists of the Old Palace, the New Palace, Lustheim Palace and a park. The significance of the park is in no way inferior to that of the buildings, as the greenery forms one of the most important baroque gardens in Europe.
The water features, fountains, cascades and so-called broderies (stylistic elements of baroque French garden design) epitomise the landscaped areas of this period. To this day, the main features of the 17th- and 18th-century gardens remain almost unchanged and can be visited as part of themed tours for children and adults. Between April and September, fascinating 30-minute water displays are held daily. And if you want to take a piece of history home with you, why not buy a bottle of Schleißheim Palace brandy in the shop?
The New Town Hall in Munich is not only FC Bayern’s favourite place to celebrate its championship title from the balcony, but also the mayor’s workplace.
The building, designed in 1905 in the neo-Gothic style, has 400 rooms, and you can visit selected historical rooms as part of a guided tour. Highlights include the impressive Law Library and the panoramic view from the tower. But the building doesn’t have to hide from the outside either: the facade and the Glockenspiel are worth a stop to marvel and take in. At least twice a day, 43 bells, which are powered by solar energy, play different melodies in the town hall tower to mark two events from Munich’s city history. One of them is the Schäfflertanz (or coopers’ dance).
The Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus und Kunstbau is definitely one of the cultural institutions in the Bavarian capital that should be on every culture lover’s bucket list. Perhaps its best-known argument, the world’s largest collection of works by the Blue Rider group of artists with over 1,000 works, is just one of many reasons.
The oil paintings, drawings, watercolours and other works of Munich art from the 19th century, New Objectivity and international contemporary art are also worth the short trip to Königsplatz. The art is housed in the historic Tuscan-style villa of the ‘painter prince’ Franz von Lenbach. Right next door, in a modern new building, is the ELLA restaurant with a great terrace where you can enjoy a drink in the summer and reflect on the wonderful art you have just experienced.
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Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA): a celebration of graffiti
A premiere in Germany – the MUCA is Germany’s first museum of urban and contemporary art. In the heart of Munich’s old town and just a few minutes from Marienplatz, street and urban art enter into a dialogue with other genres of contemporary art and provide plenty of opportunities for discussion.
Showing art in the 2,000-square-metre space is only one aspect of the undertaking – it’s also about mediating art and making it interactive, for example, through readings and guided tours, including ones tailored to families and children. One thing’s for sure: the topic of graffiti, from its origins to the techniques used, takes centre stage at the MUCA. A street art bike tour along the Isar and workshops are also on offer.
Umadum – for all those who have not yet taken a ‘Bavarian for beginners’ course, here’s the translation into High German: ‘rundherum’, meaning ‘all around’. This refers not only to the ride, but above all to the view from a height of almost 80 metres.
Each of the 27 gondolas offers magnificent panoramic views of Munich, including landmarks such as the Frauenkirche and the Olympic Tower all the way to the Alps. The ride in a gondola takes around 30 minutes. On request, not in the standard model – and only if booked in advance – you can enjoy sitting in your own exclusive gondola capsule with up to seven people. There’s a table and chairs and even an optional drinks package to choose from. And if you really can’t get enough of the Bavarian lifestyle, then you can book the ‘Exclusive Gondel Bavaria’ with traditional Weißwurst (Bavarian veal sausage). Enjoy the local delicacy and the ride!
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Statue of Bavaria and the Hall of Fame: how far can you see?
Whether you’ve been to Munich before or not. Even if the whole of Bavaria is foreign to you. There’s one place you’re guaranteed to know: the Theresienwiese. Never heard of it? Then how about the Oktoberfest? The Oktoberfest takes place right here on this ‘meadow’.
And no matter how wild it gets here from the end of September, one lady always keeps an overview of things: Bavaria, a bronze statue 18 metres tall, the secular patron saint of the Free State, which was completed in 1850 and now towers over the Theresienwiese. She not only has an imposing exterior, but you can also go inside to climb to the top via a spiral staircase – the viewing platform provides a stunning view of the area. Behind the Bavaria statue is the Hall of Fame, an impressive columned building that houses the busts of important Bavarians.
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Hellabrunn Zoo: a wickedly wild journey around the world
A kingdom for around 18,500 animals – or rather, an entire nature reserve. Situated in the Isar floodplains and easily accessible by public transport, Munich’s Hellabrunn Zoo, founded in 1911, is one of the most renowned scientifically managed zoos in Europe.
Over 500 animal species inhabit the area in natural communities that are organised by continent: from the polar regions to Africa, from Europe to Asia, and from America to Australia. Introduced in 1928, this division makes Hellabrunn the first geo-zoo in the world. Marvel at the animals – from giraffes and llamas to the green anaconda – at your own pace or on a guided tour of the 40-hectare zoo. You can also take part in training sessions and feedings of the animals. Of course, there is also a shop and a range of culinary offers to enjoy!
The Alte Pinakothek is one of Europe’s most notable gallery of paintings and is an iconic landmark among Munich’s museums. The world’s largest collection of European painting from the Middle Ages to the mid-18th century comprises over 700 exhibits – including paintings by Raphael and Titian, Van Dyck and Rembrandt.
The gallery commissioned by King Ludwig was opened in 1836 – today it is the heart of Munich’s artistic centre and part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. A tip for all culture vultures: there’s a great shop selling art prints, postcards and souvenirs. Tip for foodies: the museum cafe is the ideal place to treat yourself to some cake. There are also guided tours and audio guides as well as the Alte Pinakothek Unframed web app, which provides detailed information relating to the old masters.
Walking along the Nymphenburg Canal, you can see the imposing scale of Nymphenburg Palace particularly well from a distance. The building was once the summer residence of the Bavarian electors Ferdinand Maria and Henriette Adelaide of Savoy.
Various aristocratic patrons extended the palace and also commissioned numerous restoration measures inside, giving the complex its current appearance. After Bavaria became a kingdom in the early 19th century, the local kings, in particular, took a liking to the palace and the park. You can visit the magnificent landscaped garden free of charge and get an insight into the rooms during a guided tour. The Marstallmuseum (Museum of carriages and sleighs) and the Museum Nymphenburger Porzellan (Museum of Nymphenburg porcelain) are also part of the complex and can be visited separately.
