When people think about Germany, what usually comes to their minds is the image of German people dressed in traditional dresses, holding a beer stein in one hand and a pretzel in the other. What they do not realize is that this image does not represent the entire German culture, but only one state, Bavaria.
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria, and wouldn't it be illogical to come all the way to Germany and not experience the rich culture of Bavaria that we often see portrayed in the media?
I was lucky enough to have a few friends here, and they showed me around some of the coolest parts of why they made Munich their homes. So, I decided to compile a list of unique things to do in Munich, as well as some of the unmissable things to do in and around Bavaria. Without further ado, here are the 10 best things to do in Munich for solo travelers.
Munich Things to Do Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | St. Peter's Church |
|---|---|
| 💎 Hidden Gem: | The Crazy Ice Cream Maker (Der Verrückte Eismacher) |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Neuschwanstein Castle |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | MEININGER Hotel München Olympiapark |
10 Best Things to Do in Munich
1. Climb Up St. Peter's Church
- 📍 Location: St. Peter's Church [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Apr - Oct: 9 AM - 7:30 PM; Nov - Mar: Mon - Fri 9 AM - 6:30 PM, weekends/holidays 9 AM - 7:30 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 5 EUR
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "The tower is well worth the climb. You get a great view over the city center."
A good rule of thumb for finding the best viewpoint in any old European city is to look for some sort of clock towers or cathedrals where one can usually climb up and get a nice view of the city, and Munich is a prime city for that.
St. Peter's Church is one of the best places to do just that. Considered to be the oldest church in Munich, St. Peter's Church is also one of the most important landmarks in the city.
It is well located right in the center of Marienplatz, the old town area, and it has a 56-meter-high lookout tower with a 360° platform that will allow you to admire the beauty of Munich from above.
- Wombat's The City Hostel Munich Hauptbahnhof (Budget)
- MEININGER Hotel München Olympiapark (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- BEYOND by Geisel (High-End)
- Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castle Small-Group Premium All-Inc Tour from Munich (10 hours 30 minutes) 🏅 Top Pick
- Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace Day Tour from Munich (10 hours 30 minutes)
- Private Neuschwanstein Castle skip the line Tour in Mercedes Van (8 to 10 hours)
In order to access this platform, you will have to pay 5 EUR to enter the tower and then brave your way up the 306 steps until you reach the top.
It is pretty demanding, but trust me, the view is worth every single drop of sweat you shed climbing it. The church itself is free to enter, while the lookout tower costs 5 EUR per person. The tower is generally open from 9 AM, with later closing times in summer than in winter, and it closes on a handful of holidays, so it is worth checking the current hours if you are visiting early or late in the day.
Where to Stay in Munich?
2. Explore Marienplatz
- 📍 Location: Marienplatz, Munich [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you're there three weeks before Christmas, don't miss the Munich Christmas Market; it's legendary."
Marienplatz is Munich's city town square where all the cool architecture is concentrated. It is truly a paradise for architecture lovers here.
From left to right, you will be surrounded by all kinds of cool historic buildings. Munich's old town was heavily damaged during World War 2, and several landmarks around Marienplatz were later restored or reconstructed, including the Old Town Hall after severe bomb damage in 1944.
Right at the center, you will also find Mary's Column, from which the square got its name. The monument was erected in 1638 to commemorate the end of Swedish occupation, and it is now one of the main features of this beautiful square.
3 weeks before Christmas, the famous Munich Christmas Market will take place in Marienplatz, and you can stroll around, buy some Christmas goods, and enjoy foods and drinks all around.
It really is the heart of Munich, and it would be a shame if you didn't get to see it while you are in Munich. If you are looking to dive deeper into the history of Munich during the Third Reich, I highly recommend you go on the Hitler and the Third Reich Munich Walking Tour, which will help explain what happened in Munich during World War 2.
3. Picnic at the Olympic Park
- 📍 Location: Olympic Park [Map Link]
Olympic Park is the site of the infamous 1972 Summer Olympics Game that was overshadowed by the Munich massacre, in which eleven Israeli athletes, coaches, and a West German police officer at the Olympic village were killed by Palestinian Black September members.
The place has a dark history behind it, but the current state of the place is far from what it once was, with its vast grassland full of trees being converted into a recreational park for locals and tourists to enjoy.
The park sports the iconic "tent-style" roofs that are definitely ahead of their time. The idyllic grassland is also dotted with small ponds, lakes, and rolling hills where you can picnic and enjoy a nice summer day.
The park is located on top of the highest slope north of the city. To get there, you have to either take a tram or the metro by following the instructions here.
4. Try the beer-flavored ice cream at the Crazy Ice Cream Maker (Der Verrückte Eismacher)
- 📍 Location: The Crazy Ice Cream Maker (Der Verrückte Eismacher) [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Hours vary by location and season
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I recommend trying the beer-flavored ice cream. If you are adventurous, you might want to give kebab-flavored ice cream a go."
The Crazy Ice Cream Maker (Der Verrückte Eismacher) is a charming little ice cream place that is popular among students and locals who live around the Universität area, and they don't serve your typical ice cream flavors.
My local friend took me to this place, and she told me to try out some of the weirdest ice cream flavors they serve here, like the beer-flavored ice cream, which was surprisingly great. Then, I tried the kebab-flavored ice cream, which was as weird as it sounds.
The beer flavor was actually really good, but I can't say the same for the kebab flavor. Somehow, my brain just couldn't register the fact that a white scoop of ice cream that looks sweet could taste so... beefy.
It was definitely interesting and a unique thing you can do in Munich, and if you are looking for something fun to do, come enjoy the weird-flavored ice cream at Der Verrückte Eismacher.
5. Visit the Nymphenburg Palace
- 📍 Location: Nymphenburg Palace [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: Palace: 10 EUR; combination ticket: 20 EUR Apr - Oct 15 / 16 EUR Oct 16 - Mar
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "You'll likely need at least half a day to cover the vast grounds of the palace."
Nymphenburg Palace is a royal residence of former rulers of Bavaria located just outside of Munich. It boasts a 200-hectare area, lavish decor, and a vast symmetrical baroque garden that will blow your mind away when you see it.
The interior and exterior of the palace are lavishly decorated with rococo-baroque architectural style throughout. You will likely need at least half a day to cover the vast grounds of the palace, so be sure to spare some time.
Surrounding the palace is also a massive landscaped palace park that extends as far as the eyes can see. It is one of the most elaborate gardens I've seen so far. Its idyllic vibe is perfect for a peaceful stroll and plenty of photo opportunities.
Best of all, it is free to enjoy the garden, and you can walk as far and wide as you wish. However, if you want to see the stunning interior of the palace, you are going to have to pay the entrance fee to get inside. If you have a few hours to spare in Munich, be sure to drop by Nymphenburg Palace.
6. Stroll around the English Garden
- 📍 Location: English Garden, Munich [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a great place to escape the bustle and hustle of the city and be surrounded by nature. Be sure to check out the Chinese Tower."
Right in the middle of Munich, you will find a nice green space that is the English Garden, where one can escape the bustling city of Munich and be among nature.
This expansive urban park was constructed in the 18th century, and it stretches across the city from the city center all the way to the city's northern limit, covering more than 910 acres of area. This is incredible for such a big city like Munich.
Within the park, you will find over 78 km of cycling and jogging trails across the entire park, with many landmarks and recreational areas you can explore while you are in Munich. You will also find beer gardens here in the summer if you wish to take a break in between jogging with a beer stein 😂.
All in all, the English Garden is truly the lungs of Munich, and if you are craving some nature in this vast city, I highly recommend you spend a few hours at the English Garden while you are in Munich.
7. Drink at the Hofbräuhaus
- 📍 Location: Hofbräuhaus [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Daily 11 AM - Midnight
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's very touristy and always full, but it does have a fun, lively vibe. Not very local, though."
I know, I know, this is as touristy as it can get when it comes to things to do in Munich, but if you want to get the Bavarian traditional experience of slamming 1-liter beers in 5 seconds and eating an oversized pretzel among large lively crowds of people, Hofbräuhaus is still the best place to be.
The atmosphere at Hofbräuhaus in the evening is extremely lively and cheerful, with people drinking, socializing, and enjoying the live traditional music playing in the background.
They serve your stereotypical German foods and beers at a tourist price, but you don't really go there for the food. You go to Hofbräuhaus for the fun vibe, and if that is what you are looking for, you are going to love Hofbräuhaus.
One problem I found is that it is always crowded, so be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes finding people who are about to leave, and you can swoop in before they are taken. If you don't want to deal with all the hassles of finding places to eat in Munich, a better option is to go on the Bavarian Beer and Food Evening Tour and rely on a local guide to take you through the culinary scene in Munich.
8. Spend a day at Neuschwanstein Castle
- 📍 Location: Neuschwanstein Castle [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 9 AM - 6 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 21 EUR (~24 USD)
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you don't have a lot of time, I'd recommend going on an organized day trip from Munich."
Of course, your visit to Munich wouldn't be complete without visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, King Ludwig II's spectacular 19th-century fairy-tale palace. Disney has identified Neuschwanstein as an inspiration for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, which is probably why the place feels so familiar even on your first visit.
Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the 19th Century by order of King Ludwig II, and it is located on top of a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen, Bavaria.
The castle is open to the public, but the interior can only be visited as part of a timed guided or audio-guide tour, which takes about 30 minutes. Tickets cost 21 EUR in 2026, plus a 2.50 EUR booking fee if you buy through the official online shop. You can also walk to the viewpoints around the castle for those classic views from afar.
You can visit Neuschwanstein independently by public transport, but it makes for a long day from Munich with several connections. If you do not have a lot of time, I would recommend going on an organized Neuschwanstein day trip from Munich instead. Just check exactly what your chosen tour includes, as castle admission is not included with every day-tour ticket.
9. Visit Linderhof Palace
- 📍 Location: Linderhof Palace [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Apr 15 - Oct 15: 9 AM - 6 PM; Oct 16 - Apr 14: 10 AM - 4:30 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: Palace: 11 EUR; palace + Venus Grotto: 18 EUR in summer
Another stunning royal palace that you should visit while you are in Munich is Linderhof Palace, the smallest of King Ludwig II's three major palace projects and the only one he lived to see completed.
Despite its size, the palace still boasts an extravagant facade design, a ton of lavishly decorated rooms and chambers, as well as elaborate symmetrical gardens that you can stroll in.
Getting there by yourself is not worth the effort, but if you are already visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, most organized tours will also include a stop by Linderhof Palace, and I think this is the most convenient way to see the place.
10. Visit Eagle's Nest, Hitler’s famous mountaintop retreat
- 📍 Location: Eagle's Nest [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:50 PM
- 💰 Bus + Elevator: 34.70 EUR round trip in 2026; no separate admission fee
If you are looking for a unique day trip from Munich that combines stunning alpine scenery with an important chapter of 20th-century history, head to Berchtesgaden and visit the Eagle's Nest, or Kehlsteinhaus. It was built in 1937-38 as part of the Nazi complex at Obersalzberg, although Hitler himself visited it only rarely.
The Kehlsteinhaus sits on Mt. Kehlstein at 1,834 meters above sea level, high above Berchtesgaden. Today, it operates as a mountain restaurant and historical site, with a terrace overlooking the surrounding Bavarian Alps.
The site still retains much of its historic structure, and there is a small historical exhibition on the terrace. For deeper context on the Nazi history of Obersalzberg, the Documentation Obersalzberg museum below is the more comprehensive stop. The Eagle's Nest is seasonal, generally operating from May into October or early November depending on weather and snow conditions.
Germany Travel Video
How to Get to Munich?
The easiest way to get here from abroad is to fly directly to Munich Airport, one of Germany's main international hubs. If Munich is part of a longer Germany or Central Europe trip, the city is also well connected by train and long-distance bus from places like Berlin, Frankfurt, Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to compare flights and find the option that best fits your itinerary.
Trains operated by Deutsche Bahn (DB) are very accessible in Germany through online payments via their website or mobile app. The train stations are also centrally located in the city center, so if you want the easiest option, go with the trains.
For the cheapest option, I always go with the bus operated by Flixbus. They are reliable, on time, and usually cheaper than others. Munich is a big city, so coming here with a bus is probably not too difficult.
To book a train, you can either load the DB Android app/iOS app or book it through their website.
For Flixbus, you can easily book it on their website, and you should get the ticket through your email, where you can show it to the driver at the specified bus stop. Make sure to check where the bus pick-up and drop-off spots are before you book anything. The good thing about Flixbus is that they always include maps of both pick-up and drop-off spots in their email receipt, so you don't have to look it up.
How to Get Around Munich?
Most of the central sights in this article are walkable, while Munich's U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses make it easy to reach places farther out such as Nymphenburg Palace and Olympiapark. In 2026, a standard Zone M single ticket costs 4.20 EUR, while a Zone M day ticket costs 10.10 EUR and is usually better value once you are making several rides in one day. The castles and Berchtesgaden are day trips outside the city and require separate regional transport or an organized tour.
Daily Budget
Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
First Published:
Last updated:
2 Comments
So in love with your video! You really capture the mood and makes me excited going to Munich soon!! Thanks for the insider tips as well! :))
Thank you for the comment and the kind words Oflavia :) You will love the city! :)
If you have more time in germany, you should also check out other cities like Dresden and Berlin too :)