New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)
The construction of the town hall began in 1867 and ended in 1881. This magnificent building built in Flanders Gothic style features a strikingly elaborate façade. Its 260-foot tower is one of the most distinctive features of the city’s skyline and can provides a spectacular view of Munich. Also worth seeing is the tower alcove with the world-famous Glockenspiel carillon, which is heard daily at 11am, 12pm and 5pm. The Glockenspiel figures reenact two Munich stories from the 16th century.
Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady (Frauenkirche)
With its two onion-shaped twin towers, the Frauenkirche is the tallest building of the city centre. A major landmark and popular tourist attraction, this Catholic cathedral comes with its own mythical story. The Teufelsschritt, or Devil’s Footstep at the entrance, is a black mark resembling a footprint with a small hooked tail at the heel. According to legend, the devil made a deal with the builder: no windows were to be built in the church. However, the clever builder tricked the devil by positioning columns so that the windows were not visible from the spot where the devil stood in the entrance. When the devil discovered that he had been tricked, he could not enter the already consecrated church, so could only stand there and stomp his foot furiously, leaving the dark footprint that remains still visible today.
The south tower can be climbed and offers a unique view of Munich and the nearby Alps.
Die Residenz
This palace, which showcases Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Classicism styles, is the former seat of the Bavarian nobility, and the largest inner city castle in Germany. The many splendid rooms, courtyards, living quarters and the royal porcelain collection from East Asia can be viewed in the Residence Museum. Do not forget to stroke the two bronze lions' noses at the entrance to the imperial court – they bring good luck!
The Treasury contains one of the most precious goldsmithing art collections from the early Middle Ages to Classicism - from jewelry and cameos, to ceremonial swords and cups.
Also worth seeing is the Cuvilliés theater, located in the pharmacy floor of the Residenz. This architectural gem has rightly earned its position as the most important theatre in the Rococo style.
Monopteros
With an area of 3.7 km2, the English Garden is the largest park of the state capital. The best view of the English Garden can be seen from the Monopteros. This round temple, built in the Greek classical style, was erected in the first half of the 19th century.
Chinese Tower (Chinesischer Turm)
This 25m high wooden tower built in the style of a Chinese pagoda rises above the surrounding chestnut trees. Feast on Bavarian beer and cuisine in Munich’s 2nd largest beer garden, while the kids romp in the adjacent playground and traditional carousel. On sunny days, you can even catch an authentic Bavarian brass band playing in the Chinese Tower. During the Christmas season a Christmas market takes place, and horse-drawn carriage rides are on offer all year round.
Allianz Arena
For some it is the "Red FC-Bayern Cathedral" - for others, the "Cave of the Lions" - at the Allianz Arena football, takes centre stage. The most beautiful stadium in the world not only offers an incredible experience at home games - on all other days, the stadium designed by the Swiss star architects Herzog and de Meuron opens its doors for visitors. Apart from on match days, the 75-minute long Arena Fan Tour offers fascinating insights behind the scenes.
www.allianz-arena.de / www.arena-one.com
Schloss Nymphenburg mit Schlosspark
This large Baroque castle was built as a summer residence for the Bavarian prince elector in the west of Munich. Its ornate interior and King Ludwig I’s “Beauty Gallery” (Schönheitsgallerie) make Nymphenburg castle one of Munich’s most popular sights. The Castle Museum features the room where Ludwig II was born and the multi-storey ballroom with fantastic ceiling frescos by Johann Baptist Zimmermann.
In the northern wing of the castle lies the Hubertus Hall, where the aristocratic Wittelsbach family already held celebrations in the 18th century. Today, this beautiful pastel green hall is still a popular event space and regularly hosts classical concerts.
Court Garden (Hofgarten)
Der Garten ist nach Muster der italienischen Renaissancegärten im 17. Jahrhundert entstanden. Er ist eine Innenstadtoase mit malerischem Blick auf die Theatinerkirche. Für die Münchener und ihre Gäste dient der Park als Refugium aus dem Trubel der Innenstadt. Sehenswerte Punkte sind die Arkadengänge mit insgesamt 125 Bögen und der oktagonale Pavillon im Mittelpunkt des Gartens. Heute ziehen außerdem der Biergarten, ein Café und Boulespieler auf der Nordseite des Gartens die Besucher an.
Modelled according to Italian Renaissance gardens, this garden was created in the 17th century. An inner city oasis with picturesque views of the Theatiner church, the Court Garden serves as a haven from the downtown hustle and bustle. Go visit the arcades, with a total of 125 arches, and the pavilion in the centre of the garden: a favourite haunt of excellent street musicians due to impressive acoustics. The beer garden, a café and pétanque players on the northern side of the garden are also popular.
Hofbräuhaus
This lovely beer hall has existed since 1644 and lives up to its reputation: beer, food, tourists, oom-pah music, drunken revelry and Lederhosen. Check out the wall of beer steins, personalised and locked away for their owners. Please note: Tables labelled with "Stammtisch" are reserved for regulars (this is true for all Bavarian restaurants).
Viktualienmarkt
The Victuals Market, only a few steps from Marienplatz, is Munich's most popular open air market. A walk across the "Victuals Market" can be a sensual pleasure. Stalls not only offer the freshest fruits and vegetables in Munich, but traditional Bavarian Schweinshax'n and Speck, sea food, delicious cheeses from all over Europe, herbs, honey products, sushi and hand-made straw puppets are all for sale. Not simply a place where food is traded: the market also hosts a number of traditional and folkloric events, such as the colourful carnival (Fasching) festivities and the masked dance of the market women on Shrove Tuesday.
Mo - Sa until 8 pm
Sea Life Center
Discover over 150 species of fish indigenous to the Isar river, the Danube or the Mediterranean Sea. Its special highlight is the 10m-long tunnel, which runs directly under the Mediterranean aquarium. The acrylic tunnel enables visitors to stroll carefree through the underwater world of the Mediterranean.
Surroundings of Munich:
Chiemsee
The largest lake in Bavaria is located approximately 80km away from Munich towards Salzburg. After Lake Constance and Lake Müritz, the Chiemsee is the third largest lake in Germany and can be driven on by the large ships of the Chiemseeschiffahrt fleet. One of its three islands is the Women’s Island (Fraueninsel), which is home to a nunnery and the Herrenchiemsee Castle. This castle, which was built by the Swan King Ludwig II, is modeled after the Versailles Palace.
Starnberger See
Located only 27 km south of the inner city, Starnberger See is Munich's closest neighbouring lake. With a maximum depth of 127 metres, covering 57 squared km, and offering a view of the Alps, this lake is quite a sight to behold. Apart from swimming, you can rent a boat and explore the lake with friends. For those who just want to sit back and relax, a guided boat tour is also on offer.
Starnberger See can be reached by car from the A95 Munich-Garmisch, by taking the “Starnberg” exit. It is also accessible by the S6 suburban train towards Tutzing. Starnberg is a quaint and upmarket Bavarian town with lots of shops selling traditional Bavarian clothing, many cafés and restaurants. The forest around Possenhofen is perfect for a romantic walk.
Schloss Neuschwanstein
Seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886, Neuschwanstein was opened to the public. The shy king had built the castle in order to withdraw from public life – now vast numbers of people come to view his private refuge. Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular European castles. Every year, 1.3 million people visit "the castle of the swan king". In the summer, around 6,000 visitors wander through the rooms that were intended for a single inhabitant every day. The setting of Neuschwanstein could not be more idyllic. King Ludwig II was a great nature-lover and his greatest concern was not to disturb the beauty of the surrounding forest by building Neuschwanstein Castle. As you approach the castle, it is obvious just how well he succeeded. The view of Neuschwanstein Castle from behind the bridge is particularly impressive and the views from the castle's many windows are like framed landscape paintings. Furthermore, Neuschwanstein castle was Walt Disney’s inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castles in Disneylands all over the world.
Königssee
The Königssee is a 10 km long emerald-green mountain lake, known as the pearl of the Berchtesgadener Land. Some of the most magnificent panorama views across all of Bavaria can be found here. To preserve the purity and tranquility of the water, only electrically-powered boats have been allowed on the lake since 1909.
By car, take the motorway Munich-Salzburg to Berchtesgaden. By train, get off at Berchtesgaden Station.