It can be difficult knowing where to eat, what to see, and where to go when traveling to a new city. Munich is such a large city with so many world-class attractions that it can be difficult to focus. For that reason, I wanted to put together a list of some of my Munich tips: favorite places to eat, things to do, and places to see in the Bavarian capital. I have included links to places I have already blogged about and descriptions for places I haven’t. Now on to my Munich tips!
Table of Contents
Munich Restaurants
The beer halls tend to be touristy, but you will also find many locals eating there, too. But there are more than just beer halls to consider among Munich restaurants. Here are a few of my favorites!
- Hirschgarten
The largest biergarten based on the number of seats, Hirschgarten has a suburban feel to it. It is located on the edge of a park of the same name and with a large herd of namesake deer in a fenced-in area. The beer flows freely and the food is always served quickly and tastes delicious.
Hirschgarten 1, 80639 Munich, Germany - Augustiner am Platzl (Above)
More than one Munich local has told me that Augustiner is their favorite city brewery. So instead of facing the crowds at Hofbräuhaus or Hard Rock Cafe, walk next door to the Augustiner am Platzl. The cozy restaurant offers friendly service and serves large portions of wonderful food.
Orlandostrasse 5, 80331 Munich, Germany - Alter Simpl
Maxvorstadt is a popular area for museums as well as young people, with universities in the area. Alter Simpl is my favorite place for lunch with their sidewalk seating. Historically, the restaurant was a favorite of artistic, creative, and radical types. Today, it’s a great place to stop for a meal or a drink and meet friends.
Türkenstr. 57, 80799 Munich, Germany
And be sure to save room for the Bavarian breakfast of champions: Münchner Weisswurst (Munich white sausages).
Read More: 10 Munich Biergarten & Wirtshaus for Bavarian Food
Munich Cafes
- Brown’s Tea Bar (Above)
Part of the Victorian House chain of tea shops, restaurants and cafes throughout Munich, Brown’s Tea Bar is a small cafe with a big personality. The shop has a large selection of loose teas and a selection of homemade cakes that are served in generous portion sizes. The staff is also super friendly. Stop in for a drink to go or get a tea and a slice of pie and settle in. Brown’s is one of my top Munich tips for tea lovers!
Türkenstr. 60, 80799 Munich, Germany - Cafe Maelu
Eating at Maelu requires some patience as the cafe is popular and often crowded. But their fancy pastries are practically art.
Theatinerstrasse 32, 80333 Munich, Germany
Read More: 6 Delicious Munich Bakeries & Pastry Shops
Munich Shopping
- Dallmayr (Above)
A Munich tradition that was founded in the late 1600s, Dallmayr is a high-end delicatessen and gourmet food store. They also have a restaurant and cafe for those looking to indulge on the spot. The deli, as they call it, has an impressive selection of teas as well as a large pastry and sweets not to mention a wide variety of pretty much anything else you’re looking for. The Dallmayr brand is also especially known for its coffee. Each section is individually staffed so you’re always promised personal attention when shopping.
Dienerstrasse 14–15, 80331 Munich, Germany - Musicandbooks
Local chain MusicAndBooks — they have two locations, one in Nuremberg and one in Munich — buys and sells books, CDs, vinyl and DVDs. Clear your schedule and make some time to comb through the crates of records or the shelves of books. You’ll be sure to find some hard to find favorites or a good deal. It’s definitely worth a look as you never know what you might find.
Kreuzstr. 13, 80331 Munich, Germany - Globetrotter
You’ll find outdoor store Globetrotter in locations throughout Germany. If you’re looking for outdoor gear and can’t find it here, it most likely doesn’t exist. The store is 6,500m² and even has an indoor pool for trying out kayaks or other water-related products. It’s also a really fun place to browse.
Isartorplatz 8 – 10, 80331 Munich, Germany - Manufactum
Located just next door to Dallmayr, Manufactum is a department store with everything you can think of for your home. The items for sale are high quality and they really have a little of everything.
Dienerstraße 12, 80331 Munich, Germany
Munich Parks
- Nymphenburg Palace & Park (Above)
- Englischer Garten
One of the most famous Munich parks needs little introduction. And it’s one of the most popular for a reason. This huge, sprawling park has a little of everything.
Where to Stay in Munich
- Hotel Laimer Hof
This family owned and operated hotel is in a quiet residential area of the city within walking distance to Nymphenberg Palace and Hirschgarten. Anyone looking to experience some personal Bavarian charm will find it here! - Holiday Inn Express Munich City West
This chain hotel is just steps from the S-Bahn making it easy to start every day of your Munich sightseeing adventure. The hotel is no-frills and a great affordable way to experience the city.
Munich Sightseeing & Attractions
Museums
- Bayerisches Nationalmuseum
- Munich Botanical Garden
- Alte Pinakothek
One of the oldest galleries and housing one of the most famous collections of paintings by the Old Masters, it goes without saying that the Alte Pinakothek has an impressive collection. It’s an art museum not to be missed.
Barer Str. 27, 80333 Munich, Germany - BMW Museum
Fans of automobiles and BMW cars, in particular, will love the BMW Museum. The high tech museum offers a look at the history of the museum, plenty of motors and different cars and even addresses the company’s questionable past during World War II. Although the museum is a little confusing to navigate, there’s lots to see and it’s very well curated.
Am Olympiapark 2, 80809 Munich, Germany - Deutsches Museum
- FC Bayern Erlebniswelt Museum
- Residenz (Above)
- Schatzkammer, or Treasury, at the Residenz
Sights & Monuments
- Alter Peter Tower Observation Deck
- Neues Rathaus Observation Deck
- Bavaria Statue & Ruhmeshalle
- Friedensengel & Maximilianeum
Day Trips from Munich
- Salzburg, Austria
Traveling to Austria from Germany is as easy as jumping on a train. There’s not even any clear signage that you’ve left one country and entered the other. At least not from Munich to Salzburg. The cities are so close that a visit to Salzburg is a must, what with its classic architecture, narrow pedestrian streets filled with shops and cafes, and plenty of Sound of Music sights for the initiated. Be sure to grab a Mozartkugel candy and a slice of Sacher Torte at the Hotel Sacher. Or enjoy a more casual break at Cafe Tomaselli. - Füssen Neuschwanstein is perhaps the most recognizable castle and most known symbol of Germany. It’s said that Cinderella’s castle in Disney World was inspired by King Ludwig II’s pet building project. Just several hours outside of Munich in Füssen are two of his castles, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. The castles are some of those bucket list favorites that you have to see at least once before you die.
- Chiemsee to see Herrenchiemsee and Fraueninsel
- Königssee (Above)
- Nuremberg
- Friedrichshafen to fly in a Zeppelin!
- Aying
- Kufstein, Austria
- Take a Danube River Cruise to Kloster Weltenburg
- Kloster Andechs: Beer & Hiking Day Trip from Munich
- Looking for more day trips from Munich? Check out my list of 9 great Munich day trips!
Munich Festivals
If you want to experience true tradition, my Munich tip is to attend a festival. The city’s festivals range from folk festivals like Oktoberfest to and events like the Maypole raising. No matter what time of year you visit, you can easily find a Munich festival to attend.
- Starkbierfest at Paulaner am Nockherberg
- Munich Frühlingsfest, the Munich Springfest Beer Festival, Carnival, Car Show, & More! (Above)
- Maypole Raising (Maibaum Aufstellen)
Ideas & Guides
Looking for more Munich tips? Here are guides and more ideas for things to see and do in the city and around the region.
- 10 Fun Things to Do In Munich Off The Beaten Path
- Sightseeing Guide to Munich’s Churches
- 10 Munich Biergarten & Wirtshaus for Bavarian Food
- 6 Delicious Munich Bakeries & Pastry Shops
- 9 Great Day Trips from Munich
- How to Spend 24 Hours in Munich
- 29 Free Things to Do in Munich
Munich Tips
- What to Expect Visiting Munich in Winter
- What to Expect Visiting Munich in Spring
- Bavaria & Munich in the Autumn
- Things to Know Before Traveling to Germany
- Tips for saving money traveling in Bavaria
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Augustiner am Platzl photo from the restaurant’s website; Dallmayr photo from the store’s Facebook page; Brown’s Tea Bar photo from the cafe’s website; Hotel Laimer Hof photo from the hotel’s website; All other photos are my own. All opinions for these Munich tips are my own.
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