Tour guides Germany > Munich

5 ideas for sightseeing tours in Munich

• Viktualienmarkt

  

  The Viktualienmarkt is Germany’s largest weekly market and arguably the best place to sample local food, mingle with Munich’s locals and enjoy its unique open-air atmosphere.

  Located in the heart of Munich. The market is filled with 140 stalls selling food, drinks, fruit, fish and vegetables, with no less than 80 butchers and 35 bakeries.
  Let the smells and sounds of the Viktualienmarkt transport you. Located in the lively Ludwigsvorstadt district, its square is filled with more than 300 stores, cafés and restaurants.

  It is a special place dating from the 18th century and surrounded by beautiful old buildings. You can spend part of the day here whether you are interested in shopping or not and in any case its immediate proximity to the Marienplatz will allow you to reach it easily throughout your stay.

• Marienplatz

  

  Marienplatz is the main center of Munich, a lively medieval-looking square where people like to come and stroll amidst architectural gems like the new Neues Rathaus neo-Renaissance town hall with its huge 100-meter long facade and its beautiful carillon on top.

  Many of the buildings on the Marienplatz were destroyed during the bombing of World War II, but were rebuilt in an identical manner. In the middle of the 20th century, the evolution of the subway brought even more centrality to the place with no less than seven lines stopping there.

  Also worth seeing is the old town hall dating from the 15th century where the toy museum is located and of course its famous Rathaus-Glockenspiel clock which comes to life every day at 11am and 5pm representing historical scenes, in particular that of the coopers celebrating the end of the plague epidemic in 1854

• Nymphenburg Palace

  

  Nymphenburg Palace is one of the most beautiful castles in Bavaria. This baroque building, built in the 18th century, is one of eight royal palaces in the region and was the first to be built on the left bank of the Isar River. As a princely residence, it is known for its art collections, including the Kuenburg Museum.

  Rococo and romantic, Nymphenburg Palace has long been a symbol of Munich’s nobility, splendor and culture. Originally built by an Italian Renaissance architect, it was embellished by artists such as Johann Baptist Zimmermann, Dominique Girard and François Cuvilliés, before being massively rebuilt in the late 18th century.

  Today, it houses three museums featuring art collected by Archduke Karl Albrecht, who commissioned Bernd Lohausen to create a collection of sculptures to capture his vision of northern Germany. The grounds have an extraordinary English-style park stretching over 200 hectares with a lovely canal winding through it.

  It’s a great place to take a walk in the open air and wander through the garden paths where you’ll discover several buildings in various styles, most of them built in the early 17th century. Let us quote Badenburg, first covered swimming pool, Magdalenenklause place of meditation whose architecture in ruin was wanted with its construction. Pagodenburg, a former resting place for the nobles after a game of Mailspiel, a game which was the forerunner of golf.

• Englischer Garten

  

  For a little green getaway just 30 minutes from the center of Munich in the district of Schwabing; the Englischer Garten is a great place to relax and enjoy the tranquility of nature. The huge garden, larger than Central Park in New York, consists of several rolling hills, with trees and paths at every turn.

  It has waterfalls, ponds and many other surprises. The English Garden in Munich, hosts many cultural events throughout the year. Come see the park during the Oktoberfest, or stop by during a summer festival like Tollwood.

  The Englischer Garten is one of the most romantic and enchanting parks in Germany. You can reach its most famous places, which are mainly found in its southern part. The 25 meter high Chinesischen Turm (Chinese Pagoda) and the largest beergarden (open air brewery) in the city at its feet and the “Japanese Tea House” a little further away.

• Brewery Hofbräuhaus

  

  The Hofbräuhaus is one of those places that define a stay in Munich. Founded at the end of the 16th century, this legendary brewery has kept its spirit alive through the centuries. Just steps from Marienplatz, the sound of laughter and music already drifts outside before you even walk in.

  Inside, the vaulted halls echo with conversations and songs. Long wooden tables are often shared with strangers, which only adds to the friendly atmosphere. Waiters weave through the crowd carrying heavy trays of oversized beer mugs and hearty Bavarian dishes.

  The house specialty, Hofbräu Original Lager, is the star of the show. Brewed with the same recipe for over 500 years, it is served straight from the barrels, a detail that appeals to both first-time visitors and regulars.

  A stop at the Hofbräuhaus is as much about the atmosphere as the beer. Between the live music, the smell of food, and the lively chatter, many leave with the feeling of having experienced something deeply Bavarian.