*Updated July 2026
Looking for the best things to do in Munich? We spent just under five full days in the city and visited a great mixture of famous landmarks, museums, parks, and tried inexpensive food, free attractions, and spotted quirky hidden gems.
Munich was very easy to explore, especially around the city center, and it never felt overwhelmingly large or crowded. Five days gave us enough time to see the major sights, visit several museums and parks, take a day trip to Dachau, and still leave a few things for our next visit.
I’ve already written diary-style recaps of our Munich adventures, complete with lots of pictures:
- Our First 2 Days in Munich: Alte Pinakothek, BMW Welt & the Devil’s Footprint
- Visiting Dachau Memorial from Munich with Kids: What to Expect + Practical Tips
- Munich Itinerary Days 3–5: Dachau, Marienplatz, Glockenspiel & Westpark
But for anyone who prefers a condensed planning guide, here are our favourite places to see, eat, and explore in Munich.
Best Things to Do in Munich at a Glance
Our top family-friendly Munich attractions were Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel, the Devil’s Footprint at Frauenkirche, the view from St. Peter’s Tower, BMW Welt, Motorworld, Viktualienmarkt, Westpark and the giant Sweet Brown Snail.
Most of the historic attractions in central Munich can be combined into one or two walking days. BMW Welt, Motorworld and Westpark are farther out, and Dachau requires at least half a day.
How Many Days Do You Need in Munich?
For us, four to five days in Munich felt ideal.
You could certainly see many of the Old Town highlights in one or two days, but the extra time gave us time to visit Dachau, explore lesser-known areas and fit in some downtime.
Would I recommend spending several weeks in Munich? Probably not. But it was a comfortable, walkable city with lots of interesting history, beautiful architecture, and some fun surprises.
Best Historic Things to Do in Munich
1. Watch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel at Marienplatz
Marienplatz is Munich’s central square and one of the first places most visitors head.
It’s surrounded by historic buildings, shops and cafes, but the main attraction is the enormous New Town Hall and its famous Rathaus-Glockenspiel.
The Glockenspiel performs daily at 11 am and noon, with an additional 5 pm performance from March through October. You can confirm the current schedule on the official Munich Glockenspiel page.
Tip: Arrive at least 10–15 minutes early if you want a good view. Walking tours tend to schedule their visits around the performances, and the square gets BUSY.
We bought pastries from nearby Rischart and ate them while waiting for the show. Historic landmark + chocolate cake is a very solid combination.
Marienplatz is also a convenient starting point for Frauenkirche, St. Peter’s Church, Viktualienmarkt and several of the other attractions on our list.
Find the Devil’s Footprint at Frauenkirche
The twin-domed Frauenkirche is one of Munich’s most recognizable landmarks.
Of all the churches we visited in the city, this was probably my favourite. It’s enormous without feeling overly cluttered, and the distinctive brick towers are visible from most parts of central Munich.
Inside, make sure to look for the famous Devil’s Footprint, or Teufelstritt.
According to legend, the devil believed the church had been built without windows. When he discovered he had been tricked, he stamped his foot in anger and left a permanent footprint behind.
Whether or not one believes the story, the kids were VERY invested in photographing the footprint.
You can see more pictures and read about our first visit to the church in my post about our first two days in Munich.
Climb St. Peter’s Tower for Panoramic Munich Views
St. Peter’s Church—often called Alter Peter—is just off Marienplatz.
A total of 306 steps lead to the viewing platform, and there is no elevator. The stairway is steep, narrow, and a bit awkward when people are travelling in both directions, but the panoramic views are fantastic.
From the top, you can see the New Town Hall, Frauenkirche and miles of Munich rooftops. On a clear day, you can often see the Alps.
Check the official St. Peter’s Tower information before your visit for current admission prices and opening hours.
I’m glad we did it, but this is not an attraction I would recommend to anyone who hates stairs, enclosed spaces, or heights. You get all three!
Tip: Climb up near sunset for golden-hour lighting or to see the Christmas markets in December.
Step Inside the Tiny but Elaborate Asamkirche
Asamkirche is tucked between ordinary buildings on Sendlinger Straße, making its elaborate exterior feel surprising.
The church was built as a private chapel by the Asam brothers and is relatively tiny inside—but every available inch seems to be covered in frescoes, marble, carvings, gold or some other wildly ornate detail!
It is almost the opposite of Frauenkirche. Frauenkirche feels huge and open; Asamkirche feels small and packed with decoration.
It’s free to enter and doesn’t take long to visit, making it an easy addition to a walk through central Munich.
See the Bright Yellow Theatinerkirche
The Theatinerkirche is easy to spot because of its sunny yellow exterior overlooking Odeonsplatz.
The interior is almost entirely white, with enormous columns and highly detailed stucco work. The contrast between the bright exterior and calm, monochromatic interior makes this church especially memorable. This was my 11-year-old’s favourite church in Munich.
It is also close to Viscardigasse, the Feldherrnhalle, Hofgarten and the Munich Residence, so there are plenty of other things to see nearby.
Munich Hidden Gems and Unusual Attractions
Explore the Justizpalast
The Justizpalast, or Palace of Justice, was one of my favourite Munich hidden gems.
It’s a working courthouse near Karlsplatz, but visitors can enter after passing through security. Inside is a spectacular central staircase surrounded by columns, arches, and balconies.
It was almost completely empty when we visited, admission was free, and there were clean public bathrooms. (Basically the travel trifecta.)
Security did require us to remove belts and jackets. Open water bottles had to be emptied—or we could prove the contents were harmless by taking a drink.
This is one of those attractions I probably never would have known about without doing a LOT of advance research, but it ended up being one of my favourite buildings in Munich.
Walk Through Viscardigasse, or Shirker’s Alley
Viscardigasse is a narrow alley near Odeonsplatz with a fascinating history.
During the Nazi era, pedestrians passing the nearby Feldherrnhalle were expected to give the Nazi salute. Officers were stationed there to enforce the requirement.
Some citizens avoided the monument by taking this alternate route instead. The alley eventually became known as Shirker’s Alley.
Today, a trail of bronze cobblestones commemorates their refusal.
It’s a small and easy-to-miss memorial, but it was one of the most interesting places we encountered in Munich. Quiet historical details like this are basically my catnip when exploring a new city.
See Vintage and Luxury Cars at Motorworld München
Motorworld München is an enormous industrial-style space filled with vintage vehicles, sports cars and luxury automobiles.
Entry was free when we visited, and there were restaurants, cafes, and public bathrooms inside. This was especially popular with the car enthusiasts in our family, though even I enjoyed looking around.
You can check events and visitor information on the official Motorworld München website.
Motorworld is outside the central tourist area, so it makes the most sense if you have several days in Munich or a particularly car-obsessed travel companion.
Best Museums and Indoor Attractions in Munich
Visit BMW Welt for Free
The BMW Welt is free to enter and should not be confused with the nearby BMW Museum, which requires a ticket.
We stuck with BMW Welt and enjoyed wandering among the displays and sitting in cars we most certainly were not going to purchase.
You can also book guided tours and factory experiences. Some require advance reservations, so check the official BMW Welt and BMW Museum website before visiting.
This is a particularly good option for a rainy day!
See Van Gogh at the Alte Pinakothek
Munich has several Pinakothek art museums. We chose the Alte Pinakothek because selected works from the closed Neue Pinakothek were temporarily being displayed there.
The staircase alone is beautiful, especially when afternoon sunlight streams through the tall windows.
We kept our visit relatively short and focused on the paintings we most wanted to see. This worked well with children who were not desperate to spend four hours studying European art. Haha.
Regular adult admission is currently €9, while Sunday admission is €1. Admission is free for visitors under 18. The Neue Pinakothek is expected to remain closed for renovations until 2029, so check the official Pinakothek visitor information before going.
Naturally, we visited on a Sunday. I enjoy Van Gogh, but I enjoy Van Gogh for €1 even more
Consider the Deutsches Museum
We heard nothing but wonderful things about the Deutsches Museum but didn’t manage to fit in a visit.
It’s a huge science and technology museum with 20 permanent exhibitions covering aviation and astronomy to robotics, chemistry, health and agriculture.
The museum is open daily, but ticket prices and hours can change. Visit the official Deutsches Museum planning page for current information.
This will be high on our list for a return trip.
Where to Eat in Munich with Kids
Eat Lunch at Viktualienmarkt
Viktualienmarkt is an open-air market near Marienplatz with produce, baked goods, sausages, cheese, flowers and plenty of prepared food.
This was one of our favourite places for a relatively inexpensive lunch. We could each choose something different, eat outside and avoid the time and expense of a full sit-down restaurant.
The market stalls generally operate Monday through Saturday, although individual hours vary and some stalls close on Mondays. Check the official Viktualienmarkt visitor information when planning your visit.
We tried currywurst with fries, which was a hit with the kids.
Other Munich Food Favourites
Julius Brantner: A blog reader recommended this bakery, and I’m so glad she did. The pretzels were fresh, chewy, salty and AMAZING.
Thi Minh: We had a delicious Vietnamese lunch here while visiting Riem Arcaden.
Hans im Glück: A whimsical burger restaurant decorated with birch trees. The food was tasty, reasonably priced and very family-friendly.
Loqma Churros: These were some of the best churros we’ve had anywhere in Europe—and yes, that includes Portugal and Spain!
Rischart: An excellent place for pastries, particularly if you eat them near Marienplatz while waiting for the Glockenspiel.
Parks and Quirky Photo Stops in Munich
Climb the Giant Sweet Brown Snail
The giant Sweet Brown Snail sculpture was an unexpected hit with our kids.
It’s just outside the Deutsches Museum.
We spent longer here than anticipated, mostly because one child was determined to climb as high as humanly possible on the snail.
Eventually, success!
Sometimes the free, random sculpture beats the world-famous landmark. Travel is funny that way.
Find Munich’s Endless Staircase
The sculpture Umschreibung, commonly called the Endless Staircase, consists of two looping steel stairways that appear to continue forever.
It’s located in the courtyard of an office complex.
Construction limited our view when we visited, but it was still an unusual and photogenic stop.
Walk Through the English Garden
The English Garden is enormous, so you could spend several hours exploring it.
Our highlights included the Monopteros temple and the Eisbachwelle, a standing river wave used by experienced surfers.
The wave was closed when we visited, so we didn’t get to see anyone surfing. Because access and conditions can change, check current local information before going specifically for the surfers!
Even without them, the river, bridges, pathways and green spaces make the English Garden a lovely break from sightseeing.
Photograph the Siegestor
The Siegestor is a large triumphal arch near the English Garden.
It reminded us of the Arc de Triomphe, though the surrounding area was considerably less chaotic.
It’s an easy photo stop while walking between central Munich and the park and doesn’t require much additional time.
Spend Time at Westpark
Westpark was another surprise favourite.
The kids loved the enormous metal slides, while I was particularly taken with the gardens and Thai pavilion.
The long slides were very fast and looked vaguely hazardous, which naturally made them even more appealing to the kids.
Westpark is outside the main historic center, but it’s an excellent option when everyone needs space to run around after several days of churches and museums.
You can see more of Westpark, Marienplatz, Motorworld and Justizpalast in my recap of our final three days in Munich.
Taking a Day Trip to Dachau from Munich
Visit Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
Dachau was the only day trip we took from Munich.
The memorial is about 20 kilometers northwest of the city and can be reached using public transportation.
Entry is free, and they suggest visitors allow approximately half a day. Check the official Dachau Memorial opening hours before visiting.
The memorial’s official guidance notes that some of the content may not be appropriate for children under 13 and so all educational programs and guided tours are intended for visitors aged 13 and older.
We visited with our kids (14 and 11) and put a great deal of thought into how to prepare them, which parts of the site to include, and how to discuss what they were seeing.
I wrote a separate, detailed post about visiting Dachau Memorial with kids, including considerations for families with younger kids.
Practical Tips for Visiting Munich
Getting Around Munich
We found Munich very easy to navigate using a combination of walking and public transportation.
Many major attractions are clustered around Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, and the Old Town. BMW Welt, Motorworld, Westpark, and Dachau require more travel time, so grouping attractions by area will save a lot of backtracking.
Finding Free Bathrooms in Munich
These bathrooms were free when we visited:
- Ludwig Beck department store near Marienplatz
- Justizpalast
- Motorworld München
- The Mercedes-Benz café near Odeonsplatz
There are also paid public toilets in some transit stations and major squares. Restaurants may charge a small fee, although some provide a voucher that can be applied to a purchase.
Policies can change, but knowing a few possibilities in advance was extremely helpful.
Popular Things We Didn’t Do in Munich
- A Munich walking tour
- Deutsches Museum
- The interior of the Munich Residence
- Olympic Park and stadium tours
- The BMW Museum and factory tour
- Day trips to Salzburg or Neuschwanstein Castle
Is Munich Worth Visiting with Kids?
I thought Munich worked extremely well as a family destination.
It was walkable, easy to navigate and filled with a good mixture of historic sites, museums, parks, relatively inexpensive food, and unusual little surprises.
We had just under five days, which felt like the perfect amount of time to see the highlights without pushing everyone past their limits.
Munich may not require an extended stay, but it makes a comfortable and interesting stop on a longer European trip.
For a more personal—and somewhat less practical—assessment of our time in Germany, you can also read my Top Five/Bottom Five: Germany and Vienna Edition.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Things to Do in Munich
How many days should a family spend in Munich?
Just under five full days felt like the sweet spot for us. Munich has plenty of history, culture, and hidden gems to keep you busy, but it’s not a city that demands a week-long stay. Three days would cover the highlights; five lets you add a day trip like Dachau and still wander without rushing.
Is Munich good for kids?
Yes! It has a small-city feel — walkable, not overwhelming, and never felt horrifically crowded even at the popular spots. Free attractions like Motorworld and BMW Welt are great for burning energy, and the English Garden and Westpark (giant slides!) give kids room to run.
What are the best free things to do in Munich?
Good free options include Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, Asamkirche, Theatinerkirche, Justizpalast, Viscardigasse, BMW Welt, Motorworld, the English Garden and Westpark.
Dachau Memorial is also free to enter, although transportation, parking, audio guides and guided tours may involve additional costs.
What’s the best day trip from Munich?
We only did Dachau, but Salzburg and Neuschwanstein Castle are the two most popular options if you have extra time.
Can children visit Dachau Memorial?
It depends on their age and how they handle heavy history—I go into a lot more detail in my full post on visiting Dachau with kids. One practical note: guided tours aren’t available for anyone under 13.
More Posts About Munich
- Our First 2 Days in Munich: Alte Pinakothek, BMW Welt & the Devil’s Footprint
- Visiting Dachau Memorial from Munich with Kids
- Munich Itinerary Days 3–5: Dachau, Marienplatz, Glockenspiel & Westpark
- Top Five/Bottom Five: Germany and Vienna Edition
- 50+ Foods to Try in Europe: What We Loved (and Didn’t)
Feel free to add any of your highlights from Munich in the comment section for anyone who might use this post as a planning resource!
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Goodness, you write such great travel guides. You always make Nova Scotia sound amazing and give such practical information, and now you do the same for Munich!
Best wishes for continued safe travels!
Awww. Thanks. I’m trying to make things a bit more focused in a central/singular review of each place so it’s easier for people who might want to get some ideas!
Munich is great, but I still have a soft spot for Nova Scotia 😉
This is a nice recap! When I was in Munich I did take a side trip to Salzburg. It was fun, you can see where Mozart was born and also some of the scenes from The Sound of Music, but other than that I don’t remember much. I think you did well by staying in Munich for the whole five days.
I don’t think we’re going to manage Salzburg this time but I’d love to go someday.
I LOVED The Sound of Music as a kid, though I think I’d be looking for a very young Julie Andrew’s all over the city!!
Aww, what a fun recap.. I love Munich and can’t wait to be back there. I am actually going to fly into Munich on Wednesday one my way back home (and I will probably get a Salzbretzel at the airport as a welcome treat!).
I am so glad you checked off so many amazing sights already… but you should definitely check out the Olympic Park next time and we always like to have dinner at „The Pschorr“ (near the Viktualienmarkt!)
Thanks for the food rec. We will have one last night in Munich, though bases out of an airport hotel so not sure how much exploring we’ll manage…?
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