Munich Travel Guide

The English Garden, Munich´s famous 900-acre park, has shaded paths, brooks, ponds and swans and is best known for its four beer gardens (Chinesischer Turm, Seehaus, Hirschau, Aumeister) and nude sunbathers. The name refers to the style of gardening; the term English garden is used outside of the English speaking world to refer to the style of informal landscape gardening which was popular in the United Kingdom from the mid 18th century to the early 19th century. The English Garden stretches from the center of the city (near Odeonsplatz) to the northern city border. Access: The best way to reach it is the bus No. 54 from Muenchner Freiheit underground station (exit at stop Chinesischer Turm)

A mecca for anyone interested in science and technology, the Deutsches Museum (German Museum) is the world's largest museum of technology and science, with approximately 1.5 million visitors per year and about 28,000 exhibited objects from 50 fields of science and technology. Covering a total area of almost 60,000m², the Deutsches Museum has an extensive and highly interesting collection of exhibits from the worlds of science and technology: from experiments that visitors can start themselves at the push of a button and presentations about cars, aeroplanes or space travel to a replica mine and much more besides. The children's world also has plenty to keep budding young scientists occupied. The museum covers everything from a prehistoric stone axe to an InterCity Express train (transport), and from a pocket sun dial (astronomical instruments) to the scanning tunnel microscope (nanotechnology).

Hours: The museum is open daily from 9am - 5pm. It is closed only on January 1, Shrove Tuesday, Good Friday, May 1, November 1,and December 24, 25, and 31.

Admission: Adults 8.50 € Children aged 6 and over 3 €.

This belover beer hall has existed since 1644 and lives up to its reputation: beer, food, tourists, oom-pah-pah music, drunken revelry and Lederhosen. Check out the wall of beer steins, personalized and locked away for their owners. Note: Tables labeled with Stammtisch are reserved for regulars (this is true for all Bavarian restaurants). Open daily 9am - 11:30pm.

Marienplatz is the central square in the heart of Munich; from here, you can explore many old and wonderful buildings, churches and landmarks. Marienplatz houses the Mariensäule, the Marian Column topped with the golden statue of Virgin Mary, and it is also home to the Old and the New Town Hall of Munich.

The tower of the New Town Hall houses the Glockenspiel, a beautiful carillon that is over 100 years old. Come here at 11am or Noon to hear the Glockenspiel chime and watch the 32 life-sized figures reenact historical Bavarian events. Look out for the golden bird that chirps 3 times to mark the end of each show.

The baroque palace in the west part of Munich was the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. Five generations of Wittelsbach rulers were involved in the construction of this stately ensemble, which houses several outstanding collections. With its lavishly decorated interior and the famous Gallery of Beauties commissioned by Ludwig I, the palace is one of Munich's favorite attractions. Among the highlights are the former bedroom of King Ludwig II and the impressive banquet hall with fine ceiling frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann.

While you're there, be sure not to miss the Marstallmuseum and the Porcelain Museum, the Museum Mensch und Natur and the Botanical Garden.

Hours: April - October 15: 9am - 6pm, October 16- March: 10am - 4pm.

Admission: Adults 5 €, Concessions 4 €.

The Munich Art Quarter is situated in the Maxvorstadt quarter, which is home to almost all of the city's important art museums and galleries. Visitors can admire masterpieces from every artistic period and take a journey through the history of art. The three Pinakothek galleries (Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne), together with the Glyptothek museum of Greek and Roman sculptures, the Collection of Antiquities, Lenbach House and the Schack Gallery, form a unique art complex covering works ranging from ancient times and through the late Middle Ages to the present day. In addition to the large museums, twelve galleries have opened their doors here over the years, making this a true paradise for art lovers.

The Glyptothek museum features ancient Greek and Roman sculptures. The Alte Pinakothek has a collection of European masterpieces dating from the 14th to 18th centuries, while the Neue Pinakothek provides an overview of 19th century European Art. The Pinakothek der Moderne, one of the largest museum buildings in Europe, houses four important collections of art, graphic art, architecture and design from the 20th and 21st centuries. The Lenbach House has an extensive collection ranging from the Gothic period through to contemporary art. The Brandhorst Museum presents works by classical modernists and artists from the second half of the 20th century.

The oldest Geo-Zoo of the world and the largest zoo in Europe invites you to a tour of the park. The zoo is divided into continents according to the Geo-zoo concept which results in 15 park areas in an area of 36 hectares. Hellabrunn is not a zoo in the classical sense. It is more of a nature preserve within the landscape conservation area of the Isar meadows inhabited by animals that live in especially large, structured enclosures. Thanks to an extensive array of ditches and a natural landscape design, the visitor can enjoy the wonderful and unobstructed view of animals that could normally only be obtained on safari.

Hours: open year-round: April - September: 8am - 6pm. October - March: 9am - 5pm.

Admission: Adults 9 €, Concessions 6.50 €, Children 4-14 years 4.50 €, Children under 4 years free.

The Victuals Market, only a few steps from the Marienplatz, is Munich's most popular open air market. Stalls not only offer the freshest fruits and vegetables in Munich, but traditional Bavarian Schweinshax'n and Speck, sea food, delicious cheeses from all over Europe, herbs, honey products, sushi and hand-made straw puppets. The Victuals Market is not only a place for buying and selling; the market also hosts a number of traditional and folkloric events, such as the colorful Fasching festivities and the masked dance of the market women on Shrove Tuesday. The market is open Monday - Saturday until 8pm.

Right next to the Victuals Market is the site of the Schrannenhalle, built under King Maximilian I according to a French model. This was a market hall over 430 m long, where grains were sold, and which burned down in 1932. Rebuilt with the original wrought-iron frames, the new Schrannenhalle was inaugurated in September 2005. Housing a market, shops, restaurants and cultural venues, the hall is a meeting place for old and young in the heart of the city.