What to do in Munich

Advice on what to do in Munich, including culture, relaxation, nightlife, sport and food.

Cultural attractions in Munich

One of the many must-see sights in Munich is the tower in the Marienplatz, based in the centre of the city. Inside the tower is the Rathaus-Glockenspiel, an impressive and ornate clock that contains mechanical, life-sized figures acting out scenes of a medieval jousting tournament, as well as the Barrel Makers' Dance.

Technology fans are in for a treat with a visit to the Deutsches Museum, the largest museum of technology and natural sciences in the entire world. You should ensure you set aside a day for walking round the museum's exhibitions, which are spread across the site's 13 acres. Engineering classics meet with newer technologies, with a fully reconstructed coal mine sitting alongside space travel techs.

The former favourite of Wagner, the Nationaltheater is well worth a visit. These days it is home to the Bavarian State Opera, where music lovers are treated to grand productions in the building's grand surroundings. It has been the stage where works from the likes of Strauss have also been premiered.

Relaxation in Munich

In spite of being a large city, Munich rarely feels overwhelming, but if you do feel the need to unwind, one of the most pleasant ways of doing it is on a boat, floating along in the Kleinhesseloher Lake. With a group of friends or perhaps relaxing on your own with a book, boats can be hired from the shore, leaving you to take in the picturesque surroundings of the Englischer Garten.

Indeed, the Englischer Garten, or English Garden, is a massive expanse of greenery, stretching from Munich's centre to the north-eastern city limits. In fact, it is so big, it is bigger than even New York's Central Park. Inside, there is a wide array of gardening and ornamental styles on display, with a Japanese garden, a giant Chinese Turm, like a pagoda, and the Monopteros, a Greek-style temple. Also, if you fancy getting closer to nature, there is the Schönfeldwiese, where lots of Germans like to partake in a little nude sunbathing.

Munich Zoo is a great family day out, featuring leopards, gazelles, dwarf goats, and kangaroos. Kids are well catered for with camel and horse riding, a special petting area and the adventure playground in the children's zoo.


Nightlife in Munich

Sip a few in an arch-arty bar with some similarly chin-stroking hepcats at Alter Simpl. The likes of Hesse and Mann used to socialise here, and now it is awash with silky jazz rhythms and perfumed by smoky haze of cerebral counterculture.

Augustiner Keller has a brilliantly bushy beer garden and everything is big, from the beers to the venue itself – it can hold 5,000 happy revellers. It is fun for children as well, with a large playground to keep them entertained while their parents enjoy a stein or two.

Sport in Munich

A game of football can be caught with Bayern Munich or TSV 1860 Munich at Munich Allianz Arena.

Recommended restaurants in Munich

There is little worse than a poorly-cooked wurst, but there is little chance of encountering one of those at the Bratwurstherzl. Grilled over an open fire, there is a large variety of wurst on offer, the food and beer is good value and the atmosphere is cosy and inviting.

Savour the seclusion and the taste of hearty of Bavarian food at the hill-top monastery of Braustubl. Devour chunks of rugged and locally baked bread, and ripe cheeses, washed down with the beer of the Andechs monks.