10 Masterpieces You Can Only See in Munich
Though the stereotypical Munich tourist is a eBay-lederhosen-clad beer lover, it’s actually a fantastic city for art and culture lovers. With over 80 museums – many of which are just €1 on Sundays – as well as contemporary galleries, you can explore anything from ancient sculpture to cutting-edge contemporary design. Such extensive collections mean there are a range of masterpieces you can only see in Munich. Here are the top 10 to put on your list.
Honeysuckle Bower by Peter Paul Rubens – Alte Pinakothek
Honeysuckle Bower by Peter Paul Rubens – Alte Pinakothek
With Honeysuckle Bower, Peter Paul Rubens was announcing his marriage and introducing his wife to the world – the 17th-century equivalent of posting wedding pictures on Facebook. The rich oil painting is a self-portrait of the Flemish master with his first wife, Isabella Brant. Produced in 1609, the opulently dressed newlyweds pose hand-in-hand in front of a honeysuckle bower, which symbolises their love. Head to the Alte Pinakothek to admire this beautiful Baroque masterpiece.
Alte Pinakothek, Barer Str 27, Munich, Germany, +49 89 23805216
The Beauty – Antike am Königsplatz
Never mind the Chinese Terracotta Warriors, see a terracotta figure from the 3rd-century BC right in the heart of Munich at the State Collection of Antiques. The delicate figure is one of the best-preserved terracotta figures in the world and still has its distinctive colour. Though its provenance isn’t certain, statues like this were usually found by graves in ancient Greece, but historians still aren’t sure what purpose they served or what they may have symbolised.
Antikensammlungen, Königsplatz 1, Munich, Germany, +49 89 59988830
View of Arles, Flowering Orchards by Vincent Van Gogh – Neue Pinakothek
View of Arles, Flowering Orchards by Vincent Van Gogh – Neue Pinakothek
This beautiful riverside view was painted by Van Gogh as part of his Flowering Orchards series, create while living in the south of France in the spring of 1889. The gnarled yet colourful trees in the foreground give way to a view across the canal with the historical town of Arles in the background – it’s even possible to spot some of the town’s famous buildings such as Saint Trophime and the College of St Charles. Find this masterpiece on the walls of the Neue Pinakothek.
Neue Pinakothek, Barer Str 29, Munich, Germany, +49 89 23805195
Two Heads II by Jean-Michel Basquiat – Museum Brandhorst
Building, Museum
The Tower of Blue Horses by Franz Marc – Pinakothek der Moderne
The Tower of Blue Horses by Franz Marc – Pinakothek der Moderne
This striking expressionist painting features four blue horses, with bold brush strokes and strong lines with an almost mechanical quality are set against an abstract background of reds, oranges and yellows. The painting has a chequered history, having first been banned by the Nazis then it was re-adopted and lost at the end of the war. For years after there were sightings of the painting, but it’s never been found. The Pinakothek der Moderne has the artist’s initial study as well as a collection of works by contemporary artists exploring the myth of this painting.
Pinakothek der Moderne, Barer Str 40, Munich, Germany, +49 89 23805360
A Golden Diadem from the Black Sea – Antike am Königsplatz
Few works in gold have survived from antiquity, but this diadem displayed at the State Collection of Antiques is an exception. Elaborately decorated, it was made on the Crimean Peninsula in around 150 BC. The front of the headdress is decorated with beautifully tasselled pendants, with a distinctive Hercules knot in the centre that looks almost like a coiled snake, and the top has two sea dragons on either side of the goddess Nike. Incredibly intricate, each part was designed and constructed separately before it being assembled.
Antikensammlungen, Königsplatz 1, Munich, Germany, +49 89 59988830
The Guardian of Paradise by Franz Stuck – Museum Villa Stuck
Museum
Waste by Damien Hirst – Museum Brandhorst
Building, Museum
The Poor Poet by Carl Spitzweg – Neue Pinakothek
The Poor Poet by Carl Spitzweg – Neue Pinakothek
It’s not too often that the world of art and science collide, but Carl Spitzweg was one of those few polymaths that bridged the gap. As well as being a talented painter, he also had a day job as a pharmacist. This 1839 oil painting was a tongue-in-cheek reminder to other artists not to take themselves so seriously; the suffering poet at the centre of the picture warms himself by a fire, a parody of the cliché that artists must suffer for their work. You’ll find it at the Neue Pinakothek.
Neue Pinakothek, Barer Str 29, Munich, Germany, +49 89 23805195
Villa by the Sea by Arnold Böcklin – Schackgallerie
Villa by the Sea by Arnold Böcklin – Schackgallerie
There’s a strong contrast between the title of this piece and what’s on the canvas. You might expect to see a cheerful seaside scene, but Swiss symbolist painter Arnold Böcklin turns that on its head; the dark canvas shows an overgrown house and a lonely, mysterious figure on the beach. The bending trees in the background and crackle of orange across the dark sky give the painting a stormy feel that draws in viewers at the Schackgallerie.
Schackgallerie, Prinzregentenstrasse 9, Munich, Germany, +49 89 23805224
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.