Munich: City History, Culture and Green Spaces
Accommodation in Munich
Discover Munich through a wide range of experiences: historic buildings, exhibitions, market life and green spaces each offer a different focus. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you would particularly like to experience the city’s history, spend time at exhibitions, or combine outdoor activities with time spent outdoors.
The Residenz and the city’s history
From 1508 to 1918, the Munich Residenz was the seat of government and residence of the Bavarian dukes, electors and kings. Its long history offers a tangible insight into Bavaria’s political and courtly past. The Court Garden beside the Residenz was laid out between 1613 and 1617, modelled on an Italian Renaissance garden. Elector Karl Theodor opened it to the public in 1780; admission is free today. As a green park on the edge of the historic Old Town, it particularly appeals to travellers who would like to include a park visit alongside architectural and urban history.
Marienplatz has been at the heart of the city since Munich was founded by Henry the Lion in 1158. The tower of the New Town Hall houses a carillon with 43 bells. The Gothic Frauenkirche also tells the story of Munich’s architecture: it was built in the 15th century and was completed in 1488, apart from the spires of its two towers. These places offer different starting points for a visit, from the development of the city centre to its distinctive buildings.
Exhibitions, markets and distinctive details
The Deutsches Museum invites visitors to explore 20 permanent exhibitions across 20,000 square metres. This makes it possible to plan a visit to an exhibition as a central part of the trip, rather than treating it as a brief stop. The entrance on Museum Island is next to Cornelius Bridge. If you are interested in visiting, you can use this specific landmark to help with your plans.
Around 100 stalls at Viktualienmarkt sell, among other things, fruit and vegetables, fish and meat, bread, spices and delicatessen. Its variety makes the market a place to visit for travellers who want to discover Munich’s food offerings and regional market life. Fountains featuring statues also commemorate Munich folk singers and comedians: Karl Valentin, Weiss Ferdl, Liesl Karlstadt, Ida Schumacher, Elisa Aulinger and Roider Jackl. As well as its goods, the market therefore offers a connection to well-known figures from Munich’s entertainment history.
Green spaces, views and activities
In the English Garden, the Monopteros was built by Leo von Klenze between 1833 and 1837. From there, the view stretches across the meadows in the southern English Garden and the silhouette of Munich’s Old Town. Among the sights are the Frauenkirche, the New Town Hall and the Alter Peter. If you enjoy including a viewpoint in your city visit, this offers a different focus from museums or historic interiors.
In the Olympic Park, the freely accessible Mental Fit Path combines advice on dealing with mental health problems with a range of sports exercises at eight stations. These stations give the route a distinctive educational and active character. The Olympic Stadium is also notable for its design: its sweeping tent roof and architectural lightness became emblematic of the cosmopolitan and democratic ideals of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. These two aspects show different sides of the Olympic Park—outdoor activity and architecture with a clear historical connection.
Another specific option for a visit is the south tower of the Frauenkirche: the climb involves 89 steps up a spiral staircase to a landing; from there, an elevator for up to four people takes you to the tower room. The sequence of stairs and elevator is relevant to your plans if you would like to include this climb in your itinerary.
When choosing your holiday apartment, you can focus on the kind of stay you want: would you like your trip to centre more on city history and exhibitions, or would you also like to include market visits, green spaces and outdoor activities? Munich offers specific attractions for these interests, without requiring you to settle on just one focus for your visit.
More areas of Munich
If you would like to explore more areas of Munich, you can find the districts of Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied, Milbertshofen-Am Hart and Pasing here: Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied, Milbertshofen-Am Hart and Pasing.
For the overall travel overview: Munich.
More destinations
More places in the same destination:
