My Photography & Travel Guide to Munich, Germany
Munich is the largest city in southern Germany and the capital of Bavaria. I always enjoy returning to it. It has so much to offer visitors and is an incredible base for visiting other places in Bavaria and Austria. I recommend a three-day stay.
So why do I recommend visiting Munich? It has stunning architecture, from Gothic cathedrals to Baroque palaces and modern buildings. The city has so many wonderful parks like the Englischer Garten, and the Alps are nearby. There is also the world-famous Oktoberfest. Finally, it is a city steeped in history and culture, with fantastic museums, churches, and royal palaces. Did I mention surfing? Yes, you can go surfing in Munich.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Munich largely depends on your preferences and what you want to experience. Here's a breakdown of each season:
1. Spring (March to May): Spring brings mild temperatures and blooming flowers to Munich. It's a great time to explore the city's parks, gardens, and outdoor attractions without the peak summer crowds. Plus, you might catch the famous cherry blossoms in bloom.
2. Summer (June to August): Summer is the peak tourist season in Munich, thanks to warm temperatures and longer days. It's perfect for outdoor activities, beer gardens, and festivals like Oktoberfest. Be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices, especially during major events.
3. Fall (September to November): Fall offers crisp air, colorful foliage, and fewer crowds than summer. It's an ideal time to visit and experience Oktoberfest without the peak crowds. Plus, you can enjoy seasonal specialties like roasted chestnuts and freshly pressed apple cider.
4. Winter (December to February): Winter in Munich brings festive markets, cozy beer halls, and the possibility of snow. It's a magical time to visit if you love Christmas markets and winter sports like ice skating and sledding.
Where to stay?
My recommendation is to stay in the Altstadt-Lehel (Old Town). You'll find iconic landmarks like Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt, and the Hofbräuhaus within walking distance. It's a great choice for first-time visitors who want to explore Munich's historic center.
View from the Mandarin Room
Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski: Located on Maximilianstraße in the city center, this elegant hotel offers impeccable service.
Mandarin Oriental, Munich: This is my favorite hotel in Munich. It is located in a historic building near the famous Hofbräuhaus. You are steps away from Marienplatz. The rooms and service are fantastic.
The Charles Hotel: Located near Munich's Old Botanical Garden. It's located about 10 minutes from Marienplatz. I really loved the hotel. The rooms, views, and restaurant are wonderful.
Where to Eat?
Munich is made for food lovers. There is so much variety. Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Munich that you shouldn't miss:
Dallmayr: This historic delicatessen/food hall and restaurant is a Munich institution renowned for its gourmet food and elegant ambiance. I always stop here a few times during my stay.
Augustiner am Platzl: This restaurant serves Bavarian cuisine and is one of Munich's oldest beer halls. The classics include schnitzel, sausages, and pretzels, accompanied by the freshest Augustiner beer straight from the barrel.
Hofbräuhaus: No visit to Munich is complete without dining at the iconic Hofbräuhaus. This historic beer hall has been serving Bavarian food and beer since 1607. You can find dishes like pork knuckles and sauerkraut.
Schwarzreiter Tagesbar & Restaurant: Located in Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, Schwarzreiter is a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its modern take on Bavarian cuisine.
Mandarin Hotel Lounge - a fantastic spot for a drink, tea, or delicious cakes.
Viktualienmarkt: This is the city's largest food market. Lots of variety of wonderful food, fresh produce, aromatic spices, and a great spot for street photography. You can try local specialties and take photos of traditional Bavarian snacks like pretzels and Weisswurst.
In the food hall, you can enjoy simple plates of cheese, bread, and all sorts of local specialties.
Brenner Opengrill is another go-to restaurant in Munich. This place is terrific for Lunch or Dinner. It’s a great place to people watch.
Make sure to try the Cafes in Munich like Schmalznudel - Cafe Frischhut, Bar Centrale and Eiscafé Eismeer.
Finally, don’t miss the fantastic bakeries in Germany!
Photography Gear
For Munich a 16-35 mm wide-angle lens and a medium telephoto like a 70-200mm are perfect. You could also just use a 24-105mm. You probably do not need a Tripod of ND Filters for Munich.
Photography Locations
Marienplatz & RATHAUS
I would make sure to visit Marienplatz in the heart of Munich. This is a must!! This square is great for Street Photography and you can also shoot the Rathaus (Town Hall) and the Marian Column.
If you walk into the courtyard behind the Glockenspiel, you will find a beautiful spot with almost no people.
Glockenspiel
The Rathaus-Glockenspiel is a large mechanical clock located in Marienplatz Square. It is famous for its life-size characters. Don’t miss the daily movement of the characters which happens at 11 am and midday (and 5 pm between March and October.
The characters reenact a royal wedding, a jousting tournament, and a dance.
Nymphenburg Palace:
Schloss Nymphenburg — also known as Nymphenburg Palace — is one of Munich’s top attractions. It is located about 8 kms from the city center.
Theatine Church – Theatinekirche
Named after the former concert hall, the Odeon, Odeonsplatz is a lovely city square surrounded by grand historic buildings, including Feldherrnahalle and Theatinerkirche. The square is the entryway to the popular Hofgarten and Dianatempel.
Saint Michael’s Church
St Michael's Church is one of the world's biggest and most striking Jesuit churches. Built-in the 16th century, St Michael's Church in Munich is a magnificent Jesuit temple known for being the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps.
The Surfers in EISBACHWELLE
There is a very famous surfing spot right in the heart of the city. It’s called Eisbachwelle (“ice creek wave”), and you will find surfers there almost all year round (yes, even in winter). It’s a very popular spot to end your walk through Englische Garten.
The English Garden is a massive park that offers numerous places to picnic, hike, and relax.
Waiting their Turn
There’s also a great beer garden in the center too with a Chinese tower (a wooden building resembling a pagoda).
Frauenkirche
Frauenkirche, is Munich's most recognizable landmark. I love capturing the twin towers of this Gothic cathedral against the backdrop of the city skyline. You can also climb to the top for panoramic views of Munich and the Alps beyond.
ludwig kirche münchen
The Catholic Parish and University Church St. Louis also referred to as Ludwigskirche is located along Ludwigstrasse in Munich. This is a a large Neo-Romanesque style church built by German architect Friedrich von Gärtner between 1829-44.
Hofbräuhaus
Experience Munich's beer culture at the legendary Hofbräuhaus. You have to experience the lively atmosphere, traditional Bavarian music, and locals dressed in lederhosen and dirndls. Enjoy a stein of beer.
Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum
I love this museum and highly recommend visiting. The Deutsches Museum includes a huge exhibit science and technology objects. It is one of the most important museums of science and technology anywhere in the world. Among the highlights, are the first motorized aircraft built by the Wright brothers, the U1 submarine, the first program-controlled computer (Conrad Zuse’s Z3), and Diesel’s original engine on the island; the first motorcar by Karl Benz in the transport museum; the Douglas DC3 at Schleißheim; and the first Fischer wall plug in Bonn.
The Glyptothek
The Glyptothek (German: [ɡlʏptoˈteːk]) is a museum in Munich, Germany, which was commissioned by the Bavarian King Ludwig I to house his collection of Greek and Roman sculptures
Asamkirche
St. Johann Nepomuk, better known as the Asam Church, is a Baroque church in Munich, southern Germany. It was built from 1733 to 1746 by a pair of brothers, sculptor Egid Quirin Asam and painter Cosmas Damian Asam, as their private church.
it is a very small church but incredible.
St. Paul’s Church
St. Paul’s Church is located on the northern end of Theresienwiese. The church is built in a neo-Gothic style and designed by the same architect who designed New City Hall on Marienplatz, Georg Ritter von Hauberrisser.
Street Photography
I always love taking photos of everyday life in a city. The cobbled streets and historic buildings offer a picturesque backdrop for candid shots of locals. I would highly recommend walking down the Neuhauser Straße & Kaufingerstraße.
How fun is it to see someone playing his piano on the street.
SIEGESTOR
Paris, Milan, Berlin, Rome – almost every European city has a big victory arch and Munich is no exception. The mighty Siegestor stands at the end of a beautiful grand boulevard lined by historic city palaces. Munich’s University (LMU) is right behind it creating a very imposing panorama.
Juristische Bibliotek
The Legal Library, founded in 1843, is by far one of the most beautiful (& insta-worthy) spots in München. Cost is free, but access to the reading room is not available during opening hours. The reading room can be viewed as part of a town hall tour.
UMSCHREIBUNG
If you are a fan of architecture and art, then you should definitely consider visiting the so-called Umschreibung. It’s an endless staircase sculpture in an office complex in the west of Munich. “Umschreibung” is best translated as circumlocution and it’s quite apparent what the artist Olafur Eliasson tried to achieve with it.
SUBWAY STATIONS MARIENPLATZ & WESTFRIEDHOF
Subway stations, everyone seems to love subway stations these days. As a local, I actually find this trend a bit peculiar, because usually, subway stations are places you want to leave as quickly as possible. Still, a couple of them are quite beautiful. Marienplatz and Westfriedhof are the most impressive ones.
The Best Day Trips from Munich?
Munich is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Bavarian countryside, charming towns, and historical landmarks. These day trips from Munich offer diverse experiences, from fairytale castles and breathtaking scenery to poignant historical sites and charming towns, making them perfect for exploring Bavaria and beyond. Here are some of the best day trips from Munich:
1. Neuschwanstein Castle - Located only 2 hours from Munich is the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most iconic castles in the world. This stunningly gorgeous castle is straight out of a fairytale. This stunning palace inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Idyllicly set atop a dramatic mountainside, the castle shines with its white stone walls and turrets towering toward the sky.
Neuschwanstein Castle
On the drive to the castle I would stop in Oberammergau. This is such a beautiful small town in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
King Ludwig II built Neuschwanstein Castle as a retreat from public life. His goal was to create a show-stopping scene that would provide an opportunity to romanticize the Middle Ages. And King Ludwig certainly met his goal!
2. Salzburg, Austria: My Photography & Travel Guide to Salzburg - A short train ride from Munich transports you to the picturesque city of Salzburg, a place steeped in history and culture. This is the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the beloved musical, 'The Sound of Music.' Immerse yourself in the historic Old Town, visit Mozart's birthplace, marvel at the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress, and savor the delights of Austrian cuisine and pastries.
3. Berchtesgaden and Eagle's Nest: Journey to the scenic Bavarian Alps and visit Berchtesgaden, a picturesque town in the mountains. From there, take a bus or special shuttle to Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), Hitler's former mountain retreat, which offers stunning views of the surrounding Alps.
4. Regensburg: Discover the medieval charm of Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located along the Danube River. Explore the well-preserved Old Town, admire the historic architecture, visit the imposing Regensburg Cathedral, and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the riverbanks.
5. Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Zugspitze: Escape to the Bavarian Alps and visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a charming mountain resort town. Ride the cogwheel train to the summit of Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, for panoramic views of the Alps and unforgettable outdoor adventures.
Munich is a wonderful place to visit. If you have the opportunity to go, do not miss it!!
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