The Most Impressive Buildings In Munich

Munich is home to plenty of beautiful buildings, from the imposing Neo-Gothic architecture of the Neues Rathaus that dominates Marienplatz to the many pretty Neoclassical churches and contemporary edifices. Here, Culture Trip has whittled it down to the best of the bunch – so grab your camera, put on your comfy trainers and start exploring the streets of Munich.

1. Asam Church

Church

This tiny chapel was built between 1733 to 1746 by the Asam brothers, sculptors and architects, as their personal chapel – through its construction they hoped to secure their salvation, and the interior of the church conveys this message: the lightest part of the church is the top section symbolising the salvation of heaven, while the pews representing this earth are mostly in darkness. Packed full of ornate marble work and statues, it’s an unexpected find tucked in between the buildings on Sendlingerstraße.

2. Neues Rathaus

Building, Concert Hall, Architectural Landmark

The Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), Marienplatz, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

The New Town Hall is at the very heart of Marienplatz, and as a result it has become one of the most famous buildings in Munich. Built in the late 1800s, it covers a staggering 9,159 square metres (98,600 sq ft) and has over 400 rooms. It was designed by Georg von Hauberrisser, who won a competition for the honour. Today, it’s still a working office for the city council and mayor – not to mention home to the balcony where football club FC Bayern greet fans when they celebrate winning the Bundesliga, Germany’s football league. Keep your eye on the time when you visit: one of its most famous features is the elaborate Glockenspiel cuckoo clock where a carousel of figures dance at 11am, 12pm and 5pm.

3. Herz-Jesu-Kirche

Church

The Catholic Herz-Jesu-Kirche (Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Munich is a fantastic building that will impress everyone, religious or not. The massive blue glass cube encapsulates another hidden wooden cube, and has the largest church doors in the world. If you’re lucky enough to visit Munich on high feast days, you might experience the entire front of the building opening up, but normally, you just enter through a smaller pair of front doors. It was completed in 2000 to replace the church that had previously stood in the location, which had been destroyed in a 1994 fire. The church is a truly remarkable place of worship – a design feat that is well worth a visit.

5. Nymphenburg Palace

Memorial, Park, Building

Nymphenburg Palace Munich, Germany, Europe.

Nymphenburg Palace was built in 1675 to celebrate the birth of the Bavarian heir Max Emanuel to the throne. With its beautiful gardens and grand rooms, it soon became a favourite of Bavarian rulers, several of whom were born or died here. Sadly, not all the rooms of the palace are open to tourists; but once you’ve seen everything inside, head outdoors to admire extensive formal gardens. There’s even a dedicated app that uses augmented reality to help visitors learn more about what they’re looking at.

6. Theatine Church

Church

Right next to the Odeonsplatz U-Bahn station stand the distinctive 66-metre-high (217-foot-high) towers of the yellow Theatinerkirche. This 17th-century Catholic church was built by a Bavarian nobleman to give thanks for the birth of his long-awaited heir to the throne. Its Italian architect, Agostino Barelli, brought a touch of the Mediterranean to Munich with the high-Baroque style, ornate interiors and yellow Rococo-style exterior of the church. The Theatine is incredibly beautiful inside – make sure to look up into the 71-metre-high (233-foot-high) dome to admire the stucco work and sculptures.

7. Pinakothek der Moderne

Art Gallery, Building, Museum

The Pinakothek der Moderne Munich, a modern a modern art museum, in Munich?s Kunstareal, museum quarter

Munich’s museum for modern art, architecture and design is in a suitably eye-catching building – Stephan Braunfels’ design features a 25-metre-high (82-foot-high) glass dome, as well as large picture windows and delicate, yet towering pillars. The rotunda fulfils the function of an Italian piazza and is the starting point for all tours of the museum. Inside, the spacious, white halls are a joy to wander around, and function as a beautiful blank slate for the art. Don’t miss the only remaining fragment of the former Prince Arnulf barracks, set between the new Pinakothek and the Museum Brandhorst, inside of which you can admire artist Walter de Maria’s striking Large Red Sphere.

8. Justizpalast

Building

The Palace of Justice (Justizpalast) in Munich (Bavaria, Germany)

Situated near the city’s central train station, Justizpalast has been home to the Bavarian Department of Justice and District Court I since its completion in 1897. It’s best known for being the location where the White Rose resistance group was tried in 1943, and room 253, where the trial took place, now houses a permanent exhibition on the Scholl siblings and their fight against Nazism. Constructed by architect Friedrich von Thiersch, the Neo-Baroque building features an intricate glass dome in the centre of the ceiling, which illuminates the majestic interior during the day. Justizpalast is free to enter, and often holds exhibitions about the justice system at the main entrance.

9. Munich Residenz

Memorial, Park

Though it had humble beginnings as a relatively modest castle in 1385, today the Residenz is a symbol of prestige; its grand palace is now thought to be one of the largest museum complexes in Bavaria, hosting numerous art collections and exhibitions about Bavaria’s history, as well as the occasional classical music concert and competition. While it shuts on certain public holidays, it’s usually open until 5pm (6pm in summertime), but if you’re planning a visit, it’s worth noting there’s a strict rule about bringing large bags into the building.

10. Museum Brandhorst

Building, Museum

The Brandhorst Museum and modern art gallery, Munich, Germany.

Even before stepping inside Museum Brandhorst, it’s evident that that gallery brings a distinctly modern edge to Munich’s art scene; the building’s exterior is covered in 36,000 tubes glazed in different colours, producing a spectacular kaleidoscopic effect. Inside, vast white walls and open spaces house permanent exhibitions featuring works by modern art icons such as Damien Hirst, Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol. The latter’s famous Marilyn portrait is one of the museum’s biggest draws.

Additional reporting by Cajsa Carlson.

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.