The best things to do in Munich on your first visit

Die Residenz is located right in the historic centre of Munich only a short walk away from Marienplatz. In previous times the Residenz served as the seat of government and used to be the residence of the Bavarian dukes, electors and kings for many centuries. Although much of it was destroyed during the Second World War it was gradually reconstructed after 1945. Today, with the museums of the Bavarian Palace Administration (the Residence Museum itself, the Treasury and the Cuvilliés Theatre) along with other cultural institutions, it is one of the largest museum complexes in Bavaria and is among the most important palace museums in Europe. It is definitively worth a visit, if you are interested in the different epochs of courtly architecture and interior design. The entrance to Residence Museum and the Treasury is on Max-Joseph-Platz as well as at Residenzstrasse. Free audio guides are available at the cash desk.

Die Residenz | Residenzstraße 1, 80333 Munich | More info

Right in the centre of Munich’s old town you will find Viktualienmarkt, the oldest and largest food market of the city. On an area of more than 18,000 square metres around 110 traders sell fruit, vegetables, tropical fruits, meat, game, poultry, cheese, fish, bread and baked goods, spices, flowers and much more. You’ll have a great time strolling through the market stalls and discovering local specialties and tasty snacks for in between meals.

In Munich, art traditionally plays a major role, which is shown to the public in many different museums and galleries all over the city. In the so-called Kunstareal, however, the density of museums and galleries is particularly high. Art ranging from the dynasties of Ancient Egypt to the Classical world up to modern times can be looked at in a total of 18 museums and exhibition halls, over 40 galleries, six renowned international colleges and countless cultural institutions. All places are in the immediate vicinity and easily accessible by foot. More Info

Good to know: some of the best museums in Munich have a reduced admission price of only 1€ on Sundays. However, you have to expect more visitors to the museums on Sundays than on other days.

These are some of our favourite museums in the Kunstareal area:

• Pinakothek der Moderne: Pinakothek der Moderne: contemporaray art, prints and drawings, architecture and design under one roof.
• Alte Pinakothek: paintings from the Middle Ages to the middle of the 18th century and one of the most important picture galleries in the world.
• Lenbachhaus: magnificent works by the Blue Rider group (Der Blaue Reiter), Joseph Beuys, the Dresden Romantics, the Berlin and Düsseldorf schools and the influential Barbizon school of painting.
• Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst: 5000 years of art and culture that make up Egypt’s fascinating history.
• Museum Brandhorst: pieces by artist such as Cy Twombly, Damien Hirst or Andy Warhol.

We've prepared a map with these museums:

Munich is known for its many breweries, such as Augustiner, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner among others. Most breweries run their own beer gardens where they tap their beer fresh from the barrel and offer traditional Bavarian specialties, such as Obazda and Brezn (Bavarian cheese & pretzel), sausage salad, spareribs or roast chicken.

A much-loved beer garden among local residents, which is off the beaten tourist path, is Hofbräukeller. It’s located at Wienerplatz, a bustling neighbourhood marketplace with a variety of stalls, stores and cafés located in the Haidhausen residencial district. Tucked away behind the main building of Hofbräukeller restaurant you will find a large beer garden with a capacity of 1,400 seats in the self-service section and additional 400 seats in the out-door restaurant section (service at the table is provided). Many old, large chestnut trees provide pleasant shade in summer to enjoy a cold "Maß" (1 litre of beer). You should come here to get to experience an authentic local beer garden.

Hofbräukeller am Wiener Platz | Innere Wiener Straße 19, 81667 Munich | More info

In 1972, the XX. Olympic Games were held in Munich. The construction of the Olympic Park with its sports facilities and the Olympic village for the athletes was the most significant construction project of the Federal Republic of Germany after the second world war and it was to be a symbol of Germany's commitment to peace and democracy. Even today, it’s impressive how well the huge sports facilities fit into the natural surroundings and how both are combined to form a harmonious picture. The best view of the entire site and also of Munich's skyline can be had from top of Olympic Hill (a small mountain with a short 15 minute climb) or from the viewing platform of the Olympic Tower at a height of almost 190 meters. From May to September, the annual Open Air Cinema takes place directly on the shore of the Olympic Lake as well as many more sports, music and cultural events all throughout the year.

Olympiapark | Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 Munich | More info

Allianz Arena is the home stadium of the prestigious local football club, FC Bayern München. From the outside, the imposing structure looks like an oversized pillow that is illuminated outside match days from dusk onwards for around three hours. When there is no football match, visitors can book a stadium tour with an optional visit to the club’s own museum. On the tour you can get a glimpse behind the scenes of the stadium, including a visit to the players' cabins and the players' bench directly on the pitch.

Allianz Arena | Werner-Heisenberg-Allee 25, 80939 Munich | More info

Munich’s famous Museum of Science and Technology captivates its visitors with more than 30 exhibitions spread over an area of some 25,000 square meters. Visitors can watch how artificial lightning is generated, they can get an impression of what it must feel like to work in a mineshaft, they can be amazed by the star show in the planetarium and many more exciting exhibitions. You can easily spend a whole afternoon here and still not have seen everything.

Deutsches Museum | Museumsinsel 1, 80538 Munich | More info

If you’re visiting Munich for the first-time it might be surprising to you to spot someone riding a bicycle with a surfboard tucked under the arm. However, this strange sight makes sense once you learn that surfing on river waves is a popular sport in the city. Munich is widely recognized for its great river surfing spots, first and foremost for the Eisbach river wave. Over the past few years, it has become a popular attraction for visitors to come here and watch the surfers perform. Since it’s located right next to the museum Haus der Kunst and at the entrance to the park (Englischer Garten) you can combine watching the surfers with a visit to the museum or a walk through Englischer Garten.

Eisbach Wave | Prinzregentenstraße 1, 80538 Munich | More info

There are some popular places in Munich to watch the sunset. One place where you have a particularly beautiful view over Munich's old town is the driveway of the Maximilianeum. This magnificent building serves as the seat of the Bavarian Parliament and sits somewhat elevated on the high bank of the Isar River. At sunset you can sit on the parapet of the driveway and enjoy a great view of the Maximilians Bridge and over the Maximilians Street, which leads into the old town.

Maximilianeum | Max-Planck-Straße 1, 81675 Munich