Things to Do in Munich: The Sights Most Guides Agree On, With Hours
Marienplatz, the Englischer Garten, the Viktualienmarkt and the Hofbräuhaus are named by nearly every guide. Here are the picks, with hours, prices and what's closed.
Start on Marienplatz, then spend an afternoon in the Englischer Garten. All 21 guides Roam Munich read name Marienplatz, and 20 name the Englischer Garten, the Viktualienmarkt and the Hofbräuhaus. They were written in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian. Most of the central picks are free to look at from the street, and the paid ones have their own pages with hours and prices. Those details below come from the official pages, not from the guides, so check them on the day.
The picks follow how many guides name each one, and it’s a rough guide to what’s worth your time. A place named by only a few is called a less common pick. Every place is on the map, and the events page shows what’s on during your dates.
The short list
| Pick | Guides naming it (of 21) | From its own page |
|---|---|---|
| Marienplatz and the New Town Hall | 21 | Glockenspiel at 11:00 and 12:00 |
| Englischer Garten | 20 | Free |
| Viktualienmarkt | 20 | Closed Sundays |
| Hofbräuhaus | 20 | Open daily from 11:00 |
| Schloss Nymphenburg | 19 | Winter hours 10:00 to 16:00 |
| BMW Welt | 19 | Free |
| Olympiapark | 19 | Olympic Tower closed |
| Deutsches Museum | 18 | €18 |
| Frauenkirche | 17 | Open 8:00 to 20:00 |
| Kunstareal | 16 | Closed Mondays |
| Alter Peter | 15 | Tower €5 |
| Residenz | 14 | Open daily |
Marienplatz and the New Town Hall
Recommended by 21 of 21 guides read.
The square in the Altstadt is where most visits begin. The Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall plays at 11:00 and 12:00, and also at 17:00 from March to October, according to the city’s page. Watching from the square costs nothing. The tower has a lift to a viewing platform, open daily from 10:00 to 20:00 with the last ride at 19:40, and tickets start at €7 for a 20-minute slot. It’s closed on 1 and 6 January, Shrove Tuesday, 1 May, 1 November and 25 and 26 December.
Englischer Garten and the Eisbach
Recommended by 20 of 21 guides read, and 19 name the Eisbach wave.
The park covers 376 hectares and, per the city’s page, entry is free. The Monopteros is a small temple on a hill with a view back to the centre, and the path up is steep. The Chinesischer Turm beer garden has around 7,000 seats. At the southern edge, the Eisbach wave is where surfers ride the river. The city’s page says it suits experienced surfers only and tells you to follow the signs on site, so watch rather than try it unless you’ve surfed rivers before, and don’t expect a beginner’s wave.
Viktualienmarkt
Recommended by 20 of 21 guides read.
A food market a few minutes from Marienplatz. The city’s page gives Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00 and Saturday from 8:00 to 15:00, with no market on Sundays. It’s free to walk through. The beer garden sits between the stalls, and you can bring your own food as long as you buy your drinks there. It’s weather dependent, so don’t count on it in the rain.
Hofbräuhaus and the beer gardens
Recommended by 20 of 21 guides read for the Hofbräuhaus, and 16 for beer gardens in general.
The Hofbräuhaus is at Platzl 9. Its own site says it’s open every day from 11:00 to midnight, the kitchen closes at 22:00 and last call is at 23:30. For a garden instead, try the Königlicher Hirschgarten or the Augustiner-Keller, though some gardens close for winter.
Schloss Nymphenburg
Recommended by 19 of 21 guides read.
The baroque summer palace is in the west of the city. The palace’s hours page gives 9:00 to 18:00 daily from April to 15 October and 10:00 to 16:00 from 16 October to March. The park pavilions are closed through the winter. Everything is shut on 1 January, Shrove Tuesday and 24, 25 and 31 December, and the Lacquer Cabinet stays closed until the end of 2027 for restoration.
BMW Welt and Olympiapark
Recommended by 19 of 21 guides read for each.
The two sit across the road from each other. According to BMW Welt’s site, entry is free, with hours of 7:30 to midnight Monday to Saturday and 9:00 to midnight on Sundays and holidays. The BMW Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 and costs €17, or €9 reduced. The Olympiapark is the 1972 Games site. Its Olympic Tower has been closed for renovation since 1 June 2024, and the park expects to reopen it in October 2027. Some guides still describe the view from it, so you’ll see it in older write-ups.
Deutsches Museum
Recommended by 18 of 21 guides read.
The science and technology museum is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, per its admission page. A day ticket is €18, or €11 reduced. It closes on 1 January, Good Friday, 1 May and 25 December. You’ll want most of a day.
Frauenkirche and Alter Peter
Recommended by 17 of 21 guides for the Frauenkirche and 15 for Alter Peter.
The cathedral is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00. Its south tower is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Sundays from 11:30, with the last ascent at 16:30 and a ticket of €7.50. Alter Peter is the tower of the Peterskirche. You’ll climb 306 steps for €5, or €3 reduced. The tower is open from 9:00 to 19:30 in summer, and in winter it closes at 18:30 on weekdays. It’s shut on 25 December, 1 January, 9 February 2027 and 26 March 2027.
Kunstareal
Recommended by 16 of 21 guides read.
The museum quarter in Maxvorstadt holds the Alte Pinakothek, the Pinakothek der Moderne and the Lenbachhaus, the last named by six guides. The Alte Pinakothek’s page lists it as closed Mondays and open until 20:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission is €12, or €8 reduced, while the exhibition running from 26 November 2026 to 4 April 2027 is on, and Sundays are cheaper. Under-18s go free.
Oktoberfest
Recommended by 17 of 21 guides read.
The next one runs from 18 September to 3 October 2027 on the Theresienwiese, according to the official site. For tents, dates and how to book, see the Oktoberfest guide.
Residenz
Recommended by 14 of 21 guides read.
The former royal palace has its own hours page. The Residence Museum and Treasury are open from 10:00 to 17:00 until 27 March, with the last entry at 16:00, and from 9:00 to 18:00 from 28 March to 25 October. They close on 1 January, Shrove Tuesday and 24, 25 and 31 December.
Less common picks
Fourteen guides name the Allianz Arena. Ten name the Christmas markets and the Asamkirche. Eight name the Tierpark Hellabrunn, where the zoo’s page lists adults at €24 and children aged 4 to 14 at €10, and Odeonsplatz. Five name Königsplatz. Day trips are the other big group. Twelve guides send you to Neuschwanstein and nine to the Dachau memorial, which the memorial’s page says is free and open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, closed on 24 December. See the day trips from Munich.
A first day
- Morning: Marienplatz for the Glockenspiel, then the Frauenkirche and the Viktualienmarkt.
- Midday: lunch at the market or at the Hofbräuhaus.
- Afternoon: the Residenz, then walk north to the Englischer Garten.
- Evening: a beer garden if the weather is dry.
For the rest of your trip, see where to stay in Munich, where to eat in Munich, Munich travel tips and the neighbourhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top things to do in Munich?
Marienplatz, the Englischer Garten, the Viktualienmarkt and the Hofbräuhaus. At least 20 of the 21 guides read name each of them.
Is the Olympic Tower open?
No. It has been closed for renovation since 1 June 2024, and the Olympiapark expects it to reopen in October 2027.
What time does the Glockenspiel play?
At 11:00 and 12:00 every day, and at 17:00 from March to October, per the city’s page.
Which Munich sights are free?
The Englischer Garten, Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt, BMW Welt and the Dachau memorial all have free entry. Towers and most museums charge.
When is the next Oktoberfest?
From 18 September to 3 October 2027, per the official site.
Sources: 21 guides in German, English, French, Spanish and Italian, and 16 official pages
Guides in German
- Die 15 wichtigsten Sehenswürdigkeiten in MünchenMerian
- Münchens Sehenswürdigkeiten: meine Top 10TUI
- In München Sehenswürdigkeiten entdeckenDERTOUR
- Sehenswürdigkeiten München: die Top 10Travelcircus
- Die Top 20 Sehenswürdigkeiten in MünchenUrlaubsguru
- Die 11 besten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Münchenkurz-mal-weg.de
- Die 25 Top-Sehenswürdigkeiten in Münchenmuenchen.de
Guides in English
- The 13 best things to do in MunichGirl on a Zebra
- Things to do in Munich: 22 top attractions and tips22 Places
- 20 fabulous things to do in Munich, GermanyHeather on her Travels
- How to fall in love with Munich in just 48 hoursBrogan Abroad
- Best day trips from Munich and city sightseeing: Munich first timers guidePassingThru
Guides in French
- Que faire à Munich ? Mes 20 activités incontournablesVoyage avec nous
- Que faire à Munich ? Top 15 des activitésUn sac sur le dos
- Visiter Munich : 10 incontournables à faire et voirGénération Voyage
- Que faire à Munich ? Les incontournables de la capitale de la BavièreViaMichelin
Guides in Spanish
- 23 lugares que visitar en Múnich imprescindiblesViajeros Callejeros
- 25 cosas increíbles que ver y hacer en MunichMochileando por el mundo
- Qué ver en Múnich: mi guía con los mejores lugaresGuía Low Cost
Guides in Italian
- Cosa vedere a Monaco di Baviera: must imperdibili, attrazioni gratis e mappaTravel365
- Monaco di Baviera: cosa vedere, le cose da fare, attrazioni e dintorniThe Wom Travel
Official pages
- City of Munich, New Town Hallmuenchen.de
- City of Munich, Viktualienmarktmuenchen.de
- City of Munich, Englischer Gartenmuenchen.de
- City of Munich, Eisbach wavemuenchen.de
- Frauenkirchemuenchner-dom.de
- Alter Peteralterpeter.de
- Hofbräuhaus Münchenhofbraeuhaus.de
- Munich Residenzresidenz-muenchen.de
- Schloss Nymphenburgschloss-nymphenburg.de
- Deutsches Museumdeutsches-museum.de
- Pinakothek (Alte Pinakothek)pinakothek.de
- BMW Weltbmw-welt.com
- Olympiapark Münchenolympiapark.de
- Oktoberfestoktoberfest.de
- Tierpark Hellabrunnhellabrunn.de
- KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachaukz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de
Places in this guide
Photos show the actual places, licensed under Creative Commons and credited to their photographers.
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