Epic Places In Munich Every Local Is Proud Of

Steeped in history, Bavaria’s capital is packed full of stunning buildings, areas of natural beauty, and historically significant places. If you’re visiting Munich, it can be hard to know where to start in a city with so much to offer. Covering everything from the well-known Christmas markets and Oktoberfest celebration, to the more subtle tributes to those who resisted the Nazis, here are the must-see places in Munich that locals are proud to share.

The Englisch Garten

Park

Oh you thought Central Park was a big deal? The 900-acre Englisch Garten in Munich has it beat in terms of size; in fact it’s one of the biggest urban green areas in the world. The record-breaking park stretches almost from the city centre to the edge of Munich. Still not convinced Munich has its stateside competitor beat? The Englisch Garten has a Japanese teahouse, two beer gardens, and river surfers pulling off crazy tricks. And you can sunbathe naked.

BMW Welt and Museum

It might seem strange that Müncheners are proud of a company headquarters, but it’s true. BMW actually stands for the Bayerishe Motoren Werke, and as the capital city of Bavaria, Munich is intensely loyal to the brand and its HQ which has been in the city for over 40 years. BMW World has taken that pride and turned its HQ into a hub for the city; as well as the practical things like offices and a sales centre, it regularly hosts events and exhibitions, as well as family days with reduced entry and child-friendly activities.

Frauenkirche

Cathedral, Church

If you’ve seen a postcard of Munich, you’ve seen Frauenkirche. With its two iconic onion domes, it’s the most distinctive part of the Munich skyline and symbol of the city. Construction started in 1468, however it was badly damaged by airstrikes in World War II and has been gradually restored. Look round the small inner chapels, and you’ll also find the grave of Holy Roman Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian. You can climb the south tower for views across Munich and on a clear day you can see right across to the Alps.

Viscardigasse

While most people admire the front of the Feldherrnhalle at Odeonsplatz, it has a chequered past. Under the Third Reich it was used as a monument to members of the Nazi party who had died in the Beer Hall Putsch, and residents were supposed to salute the monument as they walked past. For those who could not bring themselves to make the Nazi salute, they used to nip down a small side street that runs behind the monument to avoid it. With just this small act of defiance they were risking a beating or even the concentration camp. Today, there’s a series of gold paving stones that marks both the route they took and their bravery.

Anywhere along the Isar

Müncheners love to be outdoors, and take pride in having a green city that allows them to do just that. There are many beautiful spots along the Isar to sit back and enjoy the sun. One of the most picturesque is near the Müller´sches Volksbad and Muffatswerk, just off Ludwigsbruke. Head to the Deutsches Museum tram stop, then follow the smell of BBQs and sound of swimmers down to the riverside. As you eat and relax, wave to the tubers and boaters that float past. To complete your picnic in true Münchener style, cool your crate of Augustiner beer in the river!

Oktoberfest

Though there’s a lot of grumbling about prices, lost traditions and drunk stag parties when Oktoberfest starts, it is a core part of Munich’s identity and something the city is incredibly proud of. The festival has been going for over 200 years and has grown from a modest event to celebrate a king’s marriage, to the biggest festival in the world. Each year, over 6 million people descend on Bavaria’s capital to eat, drink, and be merry. The fact that the city manages to pull it off is a testament to both German efficiency and Bayerisch hospitality.

Deutsches Museum

Museum

It’s not enough that the city already has a whopping 80 museums, Munich is also home to the largest science and technology museum in the world. A record-breaking 1.5 million people each year come to discover the Deutsches Museum’s 28,000 exhibited objects on everything from amateur radio to nanotechnology. Though you can’t always count on English translations for many of the displays and captions, most exhibitions have strong visual elements, and there’s a host of interactive presentations such as the lightening show and stereotypical wacky scientists with foaming test tubes. Decide which of the 35 sections you’d like to see before you visit!

Olympiapark

Park, Stadium

Frei Otto - Roofing for main sports facilities in the Munich Olympic Park

It can be easy for shiny new Olympic facilities to fall into disuse after the glitz of an Olympics has gone, but 45 years later, Munich’s Olympiapark is still in everyday use. Its iconic wavy-roofed stadium currently hosts the highest number of national and international competitions of any venue in Germany. The nearby Olympic Halls regularly give the city a 15,000 seat concert venue ready to welcome international acts. The park is also the venue for Europe’s longest music festival and regular flea markets. It might be a child of the 70s, but it’s very much part of city life.