Whether you’re marvelling at Munich’s medieval beauty or tucking into hearty Bavarian fare.

Discover Local in Munich

You can find out more about both the festival and beer itself at the beer and Oktoberfest museum in the oldest townhouse of Munich dating back to 1340. We love the old recipe for beer on display. Barley malt, hops, water and nothing else! It is the instruction from a Munich brewery dating back to 1487 and prescribes, these, and only these, as the ingredients for beer brewing. The instructions were adopted throughout Bavaria in 1516 as the Purity Law – the secret of success for Bavarian beer. All of this information, and more, can be found at the museum. But that’s not all. We can’t drink beer without counting down the months until Oktoberfest, where Bavarian beer is celebrated to its fullest. So of course, the concept earns a big spot at the museum. Today, Oktoberfest attracts visitors from all over the world and has become the flagship of Germany's culture of beer and traditional festivals. Almost seven million visitors have enjoyed the festival in recent years. Did you?

Go to the beer and Oktoberfest museum

We think a visit to Munich is not complete without a visit to BMW Welt & Museum, as the famous car brand has its roots in Munich. Did you know the official founding date of the motor vehicle manufacturer is 7 March 1916, when an aircraft producer called Bayerische Flugzeugwerke was established? This company was renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) in 1922. This and many more interesting facts are offered at Am Olympiapark. The museum brings to life over 100 years of automotive fascination, innovation, dynamism and the joy of driving, while BMW Welt combines futuristic architecture with fascinating insights into the present and future of mobility. And other good news: it’s free of charge!

Car lovers go to BMW Welt & Museum

The English Garden is also known as the green lung of the city and is the perfect place for recreation, to have a drink in one of the beer gardens or to run or cycle down the 78 kilometres of tortuous paths. The park is called English Garden because it was not laid out as a meticulously geometrically-designed French baroque garden but in the style of an English landscape park. We like to visit the park in spring, summer and fall when tightrope walkers stretch their slacklines between trees, frisbee players throw their discs and amateur kickers meet for a game of football. Our favourite spot is at the southern end of the river Eisbach, where surfers challenge the Surfer Wave. Only experienced surfers are allowed to hit the waves and their tricks attract many spectators.

Take a stroll down the English Garden

The Viktualienmarkt has been held daily since 1807, except on Sundays and public holidays. Over the years, the market has evolved from a farmers' market to a popular place to buy fresh food and delicacies. We like to go there to buy exotic ingredients that are not available anywhere else in the area. But the market vendors are selling more than just foreign goodies. They have everything food and market lovers need: from fresh fruits and vegetables to honey, herbs, wine, spices, and delicatessens, including an array of fresh regional produce, with specialities including speck, Schweinshaxe (ham hock), the love-it-or-hate-it Weißwurst, and locally foraged mushrooms. Experience locality at its best at the Viktualienmarkt. Make sure to stop at Karnoll's Standl and get a Bretzn - they are said to have the best in town.

Grab some food at the Viktualienmarkt

St. Peter is the oldest parish church in Munich with the oldest bells and the first tower clocks in the city. The weathered grave slabs on the outer walls of the church take you on a journey back in time. We especially love the 300-year-old baroque high altar as it is one of Munich's best-known religious art treasures. Also, the relics of St. Munditia or the remains of the catacomb saint are a must-see. The saint lived in Rome around 250 and arrived in Munich in the 17th century as a gift. Alter Peter will definitely evoke your spirit, or your nerves, as you climb the 306 steps up to the viewing platform, at a height of 56 meters. It will be worth it, as it offers a great view in all directions - including Marienplatz with the city hall and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) behind it.

Climb Old Peter

The Spielzeugmuseum has a big collection of toys, from antiquity to the present. The museum is interesting for both children and grownups who are curious to see how the play doll evolved over the years for example, or watch wooden and tin toys. But also modern toys like robots are on display on four floors in the tower of the old city hall. You’ll find anything here, from teddy bears to trains, aeroplanes and little kitchens. This one is for the curious and the explorers who like to experience something different and dive into the(ir) past while making new memories. We can’t get enough of it.