4 Things To Do When You Visit Munich, Germany
There’s plenty of things to see and do when you visit Munich. Here are just a few things you should definitely make time for in Bavaria‘s capital city.
Top Things to Do in Munich
1. Climb the Tower of St. Peter’s Church
The Roman Catholic St. Peter’s Church is the oldest church in Munich. The 299 ft spire was built in the 17th century and a climb to the top offers the best views of Munich. There are 306 steps to get to the viewing platform at the top of St. Peter’s Church, and there is no lift, so you’ll have to make the long climb up and down in the narrow stairwell.
It can be a crowded climb and you may have to coordinate with other travelers about who passes first, although it’s kind of a sweet instance of language barrier with everyone saying “excuse me,” “sorry,” and “thank you” in their own languages. You never know what nationality you’ll encounter on the next landing, and it’s kind of fun!
2. Take a Look Around Marienplatz
Marienplatz, or St. Mary’s Square, is the main square in Munich. Marienplatz is mostly known for the Glockenspiel in the tower of Neues Rathaus, or New Town Hall. The Glockenspiel has a show every day at 11 a.m. and noon of 32 life-sized figures reenacting historical Bavarian events. There are also shops and places to eat around the square.
3. Shop at Viktualienmarkt
The market place that used to be at Marienplatz in the Middle Ages was moved to a new square when it got too big, and that new square is known as Viktualienmarkt, or victuals market. In this market, you’ll find crafts, fresh foods, exotic ingredients, and other local goods. It’s a great place to grab some lunch in Munich.
4. Take a Day Trip to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
The magnificent castles are the main reason I like to visit Germany, and of course Neuschwanstein Castle was at the top of my bucket list. The great thing about taking a day trip to the town of Hohenschwangau is that you can visit two castles: Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle. You’ll also be taking an amazing train ride through the Bavarian Alps to get to the castles, and that in itself is a bucket list item.
About Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is a fairy tale castle built by King Ludwig II, and Hohenschwangau Castle is the summer home he grew up in. He really built his own castle just down the street from his parents’ castle.
Neuschwanstein is fantastical, with all of its decorations inspired by Richard Wagner’s operas. Ludwig created a literal man-cave off of his bedroom where he would sit and listen to Wagner’s operas, and he designed the Singer’s Hall as the perfect place to perform Wagner’s operas.
About Hohenschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle is much smaller by comparison, but Ludwig’s father King Maximilian II put his own fantastical elements into this castle. For instance, there is a mural of the night sky in his bedroom that has “stars” lit by lights outside and a figure of the moon over his bed with a cover that a servant had to move a little each day so it mirrored the phase of the actual moon.
I know Neuschwanstein Castle can get overcrowded, but it is so worth a visit. If you can, aim to visit during the off-season and purchase your tickets ahead of time online.
Where to Stay in Munich
- Top Hotel: The Charles Hotel
- Great Value: Hotel Metropol by Maier Privathotels
- Unique Stay: Hotel Laimer Hof
Read next: Top 5 Tourist Destinations in Germany
More Germany Itineraries
- What to Pack for Winter in Bavaria, Germany
- A Magical Winter Vacation in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- How to Spend 1 Day in Frankfurt, Germany
- How To Spend a Day in Mainz, Germany
- A Day Trip to Trier, Germany’s Oldest City
- Top Things to Do in Kaiserslautern, Germany
Ready to visit Munich, Germany? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Munich using Booking.com.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
Cheers!
Paige
Have you visited Munich, Germany? Let me know your favorite things to do in Munich below!
