Airport

Munich has one airport (Franz Josef Strauss International Airport) with two terminals, located 30 km north of the city center.

The fastest way to reach the city center is by suburban train: the S1 and S8 lines have separate stops at the airport, departing at about 10-minute intervals. Both stop at Marienplatz and Hauptbahnhof (main station) as well. The journey time is approximately 40 minutes.

The S8 train operates between 4 AM and 1 AM. Exact timetables can be found here (enter „S8” on the Timetable page)!

The city tickets are not valid for these trains, you need an AirportPLUS-Ticket, which can be purchased online, via mobile application, and at ticket machines.

The Lufthansa Express Bus is a direct bus service between the airport and Munich Hauptbahnhof. It runs every 20 minutes every day, with a journey time of about 45 minutes. All information (timetable, ticket prices, etc.) can be found here!

Additionally, the airport can also be reached by Flixbus and regional trains from other cities. All options are summarized here!

Munich City public transport

Munich’s public transport system consists of four types of vehicles: U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (suburban train), tram, and bus.

Munich is divided into zones: tourists will mostly need the central city zone, Zone M. (The airport is not included in this zone.)

Ticket types

Travel is free for children under 6 years! Discounted fares apply for ages 6-14.

A single trip ticket (Einzelfahrkarte) is valid for one journey. There is also a „Kurzstrecke,” valid for 1 hour (recommended for city center travel). Tickets bought on trams or buses are valid for that journey only and do not require validation.

The day ticket (Single-Tageskarten) applies to a calendar day. It is valid on the day of validation and until 6 AM the following day.

The group day ticket (Gruppen-Tageskarte) is also valid on the day of validation and until 6 AM the next day. Up to 5 adults can travel with it, but 6-14-year-olds count as half. Ideal for families. (For example, two adults and four 6-14-year-olds can travel together.)

There is also a child day ticket (Kinder-Tageskarte) for 6-14-year-olds. This is worth buying for one adult and one child. It is valid on the day of validation and until 6 AM the following day.

Prices of tickets

Ticket purchase

Ticket machines are available at every subway station, offering all types of tickets.

Tickets can also be purchased via the MVV-App, available for iPhone and Android.

Tickets can be purchased from machines located on buses and trams as well.

All information (ticket prices, journey planner, etc.) can be found here!

Tourist passes

There are two good options for those who want to visit multiple paid attractions.

Both options can be combined with free public transport in the city center.

With the Munich Card, you can purchase tickets at discounted prices at listed locations.

The Munich City Pass allows free entry to many places and discounted entry to others.

All information can be found here! (The list of attractions is under the Attractions menu.)

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Best museums in Munich

Deutsches Museum (German Museum)

Located on Museum Island, this is the world’s largest museum of technology.

The museum boasts a collection of about 28,000 items. In the gigantic building, you can trace the development of mining as well as astronomy, and even see the first German submarine, cut open to reveal its inner workings. A main attraction of the museum is a realistically constructed underground mine.

All information can be found here!

Alte Pinakothek (Old Picture Gallery)

Founded in 1836, this picture gallery is housed in a large neoclassical building and contains nearly 900 paintings.

The displayed paintings range from the works of medieval painters (14th century) to the mid-18th century, considered one of the best museums in the world in its field. The collection was established in the 16th and 17th centuries by Bavarian dukes, particularly with works by Albrecht Dürer.

Significant are the works of 15th-16th century German masters, including Stephan Lochner, Hans Memling (who painted the life of the Virgin Mary), Michael Pacher, Martin Schongauer, Hans Holbein, Matthias Grünewald, Albrecht Altdorfer. The collection is rich in Italian and Netherlandish works, including more than 30 paintings each by Tiziano Vecellio, Rembrandt, and Van Dyck.

All information can be found here!

Neue Pinakothek (New Picture Gallery)

Located opposite the Old Picture Gallery, it primarily focuses on 19th-century European fine arts.

It was the first fine arts museum in the world to collect and display contemporary artists’ works. Notable are the works of Munich painters.

Today, the collection of about 6,000 paintings and sculptures spans from the Enlightenment, with works by Goya and Jacques-Louis David, to Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne, covering the late 18th century to the early 20th century. The main artistic movements represented are Classicism, Romanticism, Art Nouveau, and Impressionism.

All information can be found here!

Pinakothek der Moderne

One of Munich’s most significant modern and contemporary art museums, comprising four different museum institutions: Modern Art Collection, International Design Museum, New Collection (Sammlung Moderne Kunst), and Graphic Collection.

The museum’s vast collection spans artworks from the early 20th century to the present day. Included are works by well-known artists such as Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, and Andy Warhol.

The design section features significant works by designers like Eames, Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier.

All information can be found here!

Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum)

One of Germany’s largest art museums, divided into two main groups: art history and ethnographic collections.

The art collection displays artifacts in more than forty rooms, ranging from Late Antiquity and Romanesque art to Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, and Art Nouveau. The museum’s western wing houses the Bollert collection with late medieval sculptures.

The museum is particularly renowned for its collection of carved ivory, goldsmith works, textiles, stained glass, tapestries, and altarpieces.

All information can be found here!

Lenbachhaus

Primarily focuses on 19th and 20th-century arts. The museum is named after Franz von Lenbach, a famous 19th-century German painter, whose neo-baroque home and studio were transformed into a museum.

Its significance is largely due to the „Der Blaue Reiter” expressionist art group. This collection includes works by Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, August Macke, and Paul Klee, which had a significant impact on modern art.

The museum also features works by 19th-century Munich painters, as well as other modern and contemporary art pieces.

All information can be found here!

BMW Museum

Presents the history of the BMW car manufacturing company over 5000 square meters, with more than 120 exhibits.

The building itself is futuristic, designed by Karl Schwanzer, a professor from Vienna, who also designed the BMW headquarters. The roughly circular base is only 20 meters in diameter, with a flat roof extending about 40 meters.

The museum exhibits include engines, turbines, airplanes, motorcycles, and vehicles, with many real models on display.

All information can be found here!

Bier- und Oktoberfestmuseum (Beer and Oktoberfest Museum)

Since Munich hosts the world’s largest beer festival, naturally, a museum was established for it.

The long history of beer brewing in Munich is showcased, along with its process. There’s also a tavern for thirsty museum visitors.

A separate floor is dedicated to the more than 200-year history of Oktoberfest, with impressive exhibition items waiting for visitors.

All information can be found here!

Best museums in the world

There are many great museums in the world. Here are some of the best!

Read More

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Munich is one of Germany’s economic, transport and cultural centres and one of Europe’s most prosperous cities. Famous for its football team, beer and white sausage.

Find out more about public transport in Munich (ticket types, prices, etc.).

Attractions in Munich

Marienplatz

Marienplatz is Munich’s main square, located in the heart of the old town.

Its most beautiful building is the New Town Hall. The neo-Gothic building was constructed by Georg Hauberrisser between 1867 and 1908.

The facade features statues of Bavarian kings, electors, and allegorical figures symbolizing Munich. The facade facing the square is about 100 meters long, and the tower is 85 meters high. The tower houses one of Europe’s largest carillons, featuring over 30 figures on its balcony.

On the eastern side of the square is the striking, white Old Town Hall. Built in the 15th century in Gothic style, it was later remodeled in various styles. It currently houses a toy museum (Spielzeugmuseum).

St. Peter’s Church

Located on a street opening from Marienplatz, this church is built in the Bavarian Romanesque style.

Notable features include the altar of Christ, the protective altar of Mary, and Erasmus Grasser’s Aresinig epitaph. Another curiosity is the jeweled skeleton of Saint Munditia.

The tower also serves as an observation deck, offering a fantastic panorama of the immediate downtown area. All information can be found here!

Our Lady’s Church (Frauenkirche)

Not far from Marienplatz, you’ll find one of Munich’s oldest and largest churches.

Its distinctive features are the two tall towers topped with green domes. The royal crypt, accessible by stairs, contains the tombs of Bavarian rulers from Louis IV to Louis III of the Wittelsbach dynasty in the 20th century.

Isar Gate

Approaching from the direction of the Isar River, this is one of the four main gates of the medieval city wall.

It served as a defensive fortress and is the easternmost of Munich’s three remaining Gothic city gates. A museum dedicated to comedian and actor Karl Valentin is currently housed in the building.

Sendling Gate

Located at the southwestern end of the old town, this is another important former city gate.

It acquired its current appearance in 1906, when the previous three-arched wall was replaced with a large archway flanked by two side towers.

Victory Gate (Siegestor)

Originally dedicated to the glory of the Bavarian army, this three-arched gate now serves as a reminder of peace following its post-World War II restoration.

While some find it a bit characterless, it’s worth a visit when on Leopoldstrasse as a southern closure to the street.

Munich Residence

The former palace of the Bavarian dukes, electors, and kings is located in the northern part of the old town.

This building complex is Germany’s largest city palace and one of Europe’s largest art museums. It features a mix of architectural styles: Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Classicism.

The palace complex surrounds ten courtyards and consists of three major building groups: the Königsbau (or „King’s Building”) facing Max-Joseph Square, the Maximilianische Residenz or Alte Residenz with a façade opening onto Residenzstraße, and the Festsaalbau facing the Hofgarten park.

A significant portion of the palace’s vast interior is occupied by the Residenzmuseum, with 130 rooms open to visitors.

Hofgarten

The garden behind the Munich Residence is a charming park and a popular relaxation spot.

At the center of the garden is the pavilion dedicated to the goddess Diana, from whose eight arches pathways radiate outward. There is also a fountain located here.

The Church of the Theatines

Located next to the Hofburg on Odeonsplatz, this church was built as a result of a vow.

Henrietta Adelaide of Savoy, wife of Elector Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria, made the vow in 1659, wishing to express her gratitude for the birth of the heir to the throne by building a court church. An Italian architect was commissioned, making it the first Italian late Baroque style church built north of the Alps.

It became the burial place for the Wittelsbach Bavarian ruling house, currently housing 47 of its members, including several Bavarian electors and kings, in its crypt.

Englischer Garten

Located to the north of the old town, along the Isar River, this 417-hectare city park is the largest of its kind in Europe, even larger than New York’s Central Park.

Created in 1789 by American Benjamin Thompson, known as Count Rumford, during the reign of Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria and the Palatinate, the park’s name „English Garden” refers to its style of layout.

The park houses several decorative buildings, including the Monopteros, a Roman-style circular temple with Ionic capitals, and the so-called Chinese Tower, surrounded by a beer garden.

Maximilianeum

Located along the Isar River, this beautiful building serves as the home of the Bavarian state parliament.

It originally housed a foundation supporting talented students. Severely damaged in World War II, it became the seat of the parliament in 1949.

The Angel of Peace (Friedensengel)

Next to the Luitpold Bridge over the Isar River stands a 38-meter-high Corinthian column, topped by a six-meter statue of the Angel of Peace.

The statue commemorates 25 years of peace following the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War. The monument features portraits of notable figures, including Emperor William I, Bismarck, and Frederick II.

Golden mosaics in the column’s base hall depict allegories of war and peace, victory, and culture.

Nymphenburg Palace

Located west of the city center, this palace is one of Munich’s most impressive buildings. It was built in the 17th century by Elector Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria as a summer residence for the Wittelsbachs.

The palace complex includes several buildings with the central part open to visitors. A vast park with multiple lakes and connecting canals surrounds it.

One wing houses a carriage and sleigh museum, and there’s a porcelain museum on the upper floor.

Oktoberfest

Munich’s, and perhaps Germany’s, largest event is the Oktoberfest beer festival held in autumn at Theresienwiese.

This event attracts millions from around the world. For this occasion, Munich breweries brew a special beer (Wiesnbier), stronger than usual.

I spent a few hours there and felt the effect of two liters of beer quite well. Attractive ladies serve beer to singing guests on tables in the tents. It’s worth experiencing the atmosphere at least once.

Bavaria Statue

Located on the Theresienwiese grounds, this bronze statue represents Bavaria’s homeland, strength, and glory.

The 8.9-meter-tall figure stands on a 9.6-meter stone base, weighing approximately 87 tons. Created in the 1840s, it’s the first colossal statue made entirely of cast bronze since classical antiquity and is still considered a technological masterpiece.

An internal spiral staircase leads to an observation point in the statue’s head, offering views of Theresienwiese and Munich’s downtown. All information can be found here!

Olympiapark

This city park hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics, with the venue’s facilities still standing and currently used for events, concerts, and sports activities.

The park’s most famous building is the Olympiastadion, once home to Bayern Munich.

Additionally, it’s worth visiting the 290-meter-tall Olympic Tower for fantastic city views. All information can be found here!

Best museums in Munich

Munich is one of the most important cities in Europe, so it’s no surprise that it is home to numerous museums. Here are eight exciting museums to explore!

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Germany is not only one of the leading countries in Europe, but in the world. Its history goes back a long way, symbolising its status as a great power. Many of its buildings and sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its castle and fortress architecture should be highlighted. Its land borders are Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France and the Benelux countries to the west.

Best places in Germany

Berlin

Berlin is a significant European center of politics, media, culture, and science, no wonder the capital is packed with attractions.

The city’s present is defined by its history: the Brandenburg Gate, a section of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Holocaust Memorial all recall slices of the past.

Culture is also an integral part of the city. There are numerous museums in Berlin, most of which are on the specially designed Museum Island. Besides the „traditional” ones, several focus on the last hundred years, such as the Stasi Museum or the GDR Museum.

Berlin attractions

Black Forest

Located in southwestern Germany, it’s the country’s most important tourist region and most popular resort area. The Danube River also originates from here.

The name probably makes many think. The mountain range got its name from the dark color of the numerous coniferous trees found here.

There are countless waterfalls, gorges, and hiking trails in this area, making it a perfect spot for those who enjoy active excursions.

Munich

The capital of Bavaria is one of the world’s most livable cities. It’s best known for Oktoberfest and the Bayern Munich football team.

Besides its charming city center, the Nymphenburg Palace attracts tourists. Built in the 17th century in Baroque style, both the building and its park are must-see sights in the city.

The aforementioned Oktoberfest is one of the world’s largest folk festivals, held since 1810. For this occasion, breweries brew special beers, which should be consumed cautiously due to their high alcohol content. After consuming two one-liter beers, I felt quite good. 🙂

Munich attractions

Best museums in Munich

Neuschwanstein Castle

Who hasn’t seen this wonderful castle in pictures! The 19th-century Bavarian castle is among the world’s most famous.

The building, located in the southern part of Germany in the municipality of Schwangau on a rock in the Pöllat Gorge, was commissioned by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, to realize his childhood dreams. Due to his admiration and respect for Richard Wagner, some rooms and decorations in the castle are themed after the characters in Wagner’s operas.

Neuschwanstein inspired the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, Los Angeles, and was the basis for the castle in the Cinderella animated film.

Saxon Switzerland National Park

The name might be misleading, as the park is not in Switzerland but on the border with the Czech Republic. It got its name because Swiss painters traveled here and named the region.

Its most famous natural formations are the sandstone table mountains. Among these, the most famous is Bastei, which rises about 200 meters above the Elbe. We can admire the rocks closely from a bridge.

Dresden

The city is often called the Florence of the Elbe, originally due to its art collections, Baroque and Mediterranean architecture, and its picturesque and climatically favorable location.

Dresden is internationally known as a cultural city, with numerous important buildings like the Baroque Zwinger, outstanding museums, and famous orchestras like the Saxon State Orchestra or the Kreuzchor.

Most of the city center we know today is reconstructed and renovated. This is due to the bombing of Dresden, which resulted in the complete destruction of the city center.

In 1434, one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets, the Dresdener Striezelmarkt, was established here.

Dresden attractions

Moritzburg Castle

If we’re in Dresden, we must not miss the castle 13 km away. It’s a Baroque hunting lodge built on an artificial island. A beautiful example of medieval castle architecture.

Prince Moritz of Saxony had it built in the 16th century. The castle was continuously beautified, and its park and several surrounding lakes were created in the first half of the 18th century. The main function of the castle was the nobility’s hunting, and we can still admire its splendor today.

There are more than 100 rooms, with a special feature being the leather wallpaper covering about 60 rooms. Both the castle and the park are open to visitors.

Königssee

Possibly Germany’s most beautiful lake, near the German-Austrian border. Known not only for its beauty but also for the echo that forms on the lake.

Electric boats operate on the lake, docking at two places. One of these is the St. Bartholomew’s Church, named after the saint with a special onion dome, beautifully situated on the lakeshore.

Cologne

Situated along the Rhine, Cologne, with its history spanning over 2000 years, is one of Germany’s oldest cities. This is reflected in the city’s beauty.

The city’s symbol is, of course, the Gothic cathedral, the Cologne Cathedral. A World Heritage site, it was built over a long period, from 1248 to 1880. Its towers are over 150 meters tall, and with its spires, it reaches a height of 157 meters, making it the second tallest church in Germany and the third tallest in the world.

Another distinctive religious building is the Great St. Martin Church. Its unique feature is a tower much taller than usual, significantly increasing the building’s overall height.

Cologne attractions, museums

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Located in Bavaria, near Nuremberg, in the valley of the Tauber River, this wonderful small town is part of the World Heritage.

Rothenburg is considered one of Germany’s most beautiful towns, thanks to its medieval old town. It is surrounded by a high, well-preserved medieval wall. You can walk along this wall for about 4 kilometers. Every building in the old town splendidly displays its medieval grandeur, beautifully restored.

Sanssouci Park, Potsdam

Located 40 km west of Berlin, in the city of Potsdam, this was a former Prussian royal palace complex.

The foundation of the palace and the accompanying park was laid down by Frederick the Great in 1744. Compared to contemporary European courts, it is a modest late Baroque or Rococo palace, regarded as a major work of Knobelsdorff, and was completed in two years. This residence and its gardens, often referred to as the „Prussian Versailles” were declared a part of the world’s cultural heritage by UNESCO in 1990.

The palace was smaller during Frederick the Great’s time and was gradually expanded with new parts. This was when the Peace Temple, the Orangery, and the Marly Garden were built in the garden.

If you are in Berlin and have a free day, it’s definitely worth taking a train to visit this place!

Mainau

A small island in the northern basin of Lake Constance, it is a botanical garden, a historical castle park, and a cultural center. It’s one of Germany’s most attractive tourist facilities.

The 45-hectare area is almost entirely filled with thousands of flowers, and the flowers in the park are arranged so that their wilting is not noticeable.

Another attraction is the butterfly house. Numerous colorful butterflies flutter in the air. Interestingly, the butterflies are extremely gentle and friendly.

Lake Constance and surroundings attractions, programs

Bamberg

Located not far from Nuremberg, the town’s historical center is the largest intact city core in Germany. It has been on the UNESCO German World Heritage list since 1993.

In the old town, numerous monuments can be seen. Among these, the most famous is the old town hall, which stands on a small island, providing a splendid sight. It currently houses a porcelain museum.

The cathedral is also worth mentioning. In the 13th-century church, there is the Bamberg Horseman statue and the marble tomb of Henry II.

Marburg

Officially known as Marburg an der Lahn, it is located halfway between Frankfurt and Kassel.

A charming town dominated by churches and a castle on a hillside, full of Gothic and Renaissance architectural memories. The preservation of the old monuments is due to the city’s decline between 1600 and 1850.

The counts’ castle was built on a 287-meter high hill and is visible from almost everywhere. It was the first residence of the counts of Hesse. It houses some of the largest Gothic halls in Central Europe in secular (non-ecclesiastical) architecture.

Famous for its medieval churches. Particularly worth mentioning is the Elisabeth Church, Germany’s oldest purely Gothic building and a symbol of the city. Here lies the final resting place of Paul von Hindenburg, the post-World War I president.

Schwerin Castle

Located in the center of Schwerin, the capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, on one of the islands of Lake Schwerin. The castle is also referred to as the „Neuschwanstein of the North”.

The building, which also houses the state parliament, operates as a museum and was previously the seat of the Obotrites (a Western Slavic tribe) for centuries. Among more than 2000 castles and manors in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the castle is considered the most famous and magnificent.

It is one of Europe’s most significant romantic historicizing buildings, gaining its current form during multiple reconstructions and renovations between 1845 and 1857.

Zugspitze

At 2962 meters above sea level, it is Germany’s highest peak and also borders Austria.

The peak can be climbed from several directions, but due to storms, it’s not easy to conquer. The peak is accessible by two types of vehicles: a cogwheel train (Bavarian Zugspitze) or a cable car (Eibseeseilbahn).

Heidelberg

The town, located in the Neckar River valley, is famous for its old town, university, and the castle towering above the city.

Its old town is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Its most beautiful sight is the church on Marktplatz, founded by Emperor Ruprecht in 1400. The tomb of the emperor and his wife can be seen in the church.

Near the city, on an extension of the Geisberg, stands the castle, most of which was destroyed in the 18th century. It has been gradually renovated since then, but a part is still in ruins. However, the view of the city is magnificent, and the castle is an imposing sight from below.

Hohenzollern Castle

Located 50 km south of Stuttgart, atop Hohenzollern Mountain at an elevation of 855 meters.

Originally built in the 11th century, it was destroyed in the 15th century. The castle gained its current form in the 19th century when it was rebuilt by King Frederick William IV of Prussia in an English neo-Gothic and Loire castle style. The last Prussian Crown Prince, William, was the only one to reside here. He and his wife, Crown Princess Cecilia, are still laid to rest here.

Not only its exterior but also its interior spaces are impressive. It has 140 rooms where you can admire golden chandeliers, sculptures, and cathedral-like ceilings.

Rakotzbrücke

This unusual bridge stands near the Polish border, in the vicinity of the town of Gablenz.

Known also as the Devil’s Bridge, it was built by the then-owner of the park, Friedrich Hermann Rötschke. The bridge is made of basalt, and its foundations resemble basalt columns.

The stone bridge spanning over Rakotzsee becomes a true Instagram spot under the right natural conditions. The nearly semi-circular bridge, reflecting on the water surface, appears to form a complete circle. It is forbidden to walk on the bridge, but this is not a big issue since the view from the side is truly spectacular.

Moselle Valley and its two most beautiful sights

The Moselle River, meandering between the Luxembourg border and Koblenz, is one of the most beautiful regions in Germany.

The most beautiful part of this hilly landscape is Cochem Castle (Reichsburg Cochem). In the town of the same name, the Moselle makes a 180-degree turn, where the castle rises above the town. Its interior is very beautiful, but its location and exterior are the real tourist attractions.

Another notable sight not far from the castle is Eltz Castle. Considered one of Germany’s most beautiful castles, it stands almost in its original state, as it was unaffected by any wars. The castle has been in the same family for 800 years, but today it is open to visitors.

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