The "Infinite Staircase" by Olafur Eliasson in Munich.

Ólafur Elíasson

Playing with the elements

Ólafur Elíasson works with elemental materials such as light, water, air and temperature. The Icelandic-Danish artist is represented in Munich's public spaces with impressive works.

Sphere

The eight-tonne spiral ball Sphere in the downtown shopping centre Fünf Höfe is not to be missed: if you stand below it and look up, you are looking into a distinct space, the interior of the ball. Ólafur Elíasson wanted this work to symbolise the interconnectedness of our world.

Location: Fünf Höfe, Theatinerstraße 15, 80333 München

 

Wirbelwerk

Wirbelwerk is the title of the spectacular spiral that Ólafur Elíasson has created for the atrium of the new Lenbachhaus art museum. The gemstone-like kaleidoscopic sculpture spirals down from the ceiling. The work is made up of approximately 450 coloured glass and metal platelets, which reflect the light onto the surrounding walls in bright spots.

Location: Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Luisenstraße 33, 80333 München

 

Doppelhelix

For the new German headquarters of auditors KPMG in the Westend, Elíasson designed an up-and-down pair of staircases, endlessly cycling in double helix form, titled Doppelhelix.

Location: Ganghoferstraße 29, 80339 München

 

Bühnenfenster

His "Bühnenfenster" on the rehearsal building of the Staatsoper (State Opera) on Marstallplatz reflects the sky, the building, the square as well as the people on the square, creating a dialogue between reality and illusion. "I've tried to make it possible to experience this public space more intensely," commented Ólafur Elíasson, talking about his work.

Location: Probengebäude am Marstallplatz, Marstallplatz 5, 80539 München

 

Mooswand

With the living moss wall on the façade of Munich Re (the insurance company: Münchener Rückversicherung) Elíasson brings nature directly into the day-to-day working life of the company's employees. The Italian tufa stone was injected with mosses from Brittany. As the seasons pass, the plants change colour and therefore so does the façade.

Location: Gedonstraße 8, 80802 München, near Englischer Garten

 

 

Photo: Werner Böhm
A woman and a man in a coat in front of the shop of Eduard Meier in Munich

A visit to the former Purveyors to the Court

We visited the former Royal Bavarian Purveyors to the Court and did some shopping in the old town - from porcelain to perfume.

We visited the former Royal Bavarian Purveyors to the Court and did some shopping in the old town - from porcelain to perfume.

Our author wears a dirndl in the store of Gottseidank in Munich

Vintage Dirndls and Hirschlederhosen

From Second-hand to a traditional store – we made our way through Munich's selection of traditional dress. 

Second-hand, a local label, a traditional store and a hire service – we made our way through Munich's selection of traditional dress.

A man tries on a brown traditional leather shoe

Haferl shoes and Dirndl bags

We visited some traditional shops and young designers in Munich to explore their traditional costume accessories.

It's not just dirndls and lederhosen: We visited some traditional shops and young designers to explore their traditional accessories.

Two women stand in front of three large wooden doors in Munich.

A walk through Glockenbachviertel: Saskia Diez

Munich's districts through the eyes of Munich personalities: This time jewellery designer Saskia Diez shows us her Glockenbachviertel.

Munich's districts through the eyes of Munich personalities: This time jewellery designer Saskia Diez shows us her Glockenbachviertel.

Best place if longing for Italy, Mrs. Wetterich?

The fashion designer Rahmée Wetterich in our questionnaire.

The fashion designer Rahmée Wetterich her sister run the "Noh Nee" label, tailoring clothes that combine both Bavarian and African influences.

Flowerbed at Gärtnerplatz in Munich.

Around the Gärtnerplatz

Shopping far from the major department stores: at Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbachviertel individuality counts. A shopping tour.     

Shopping far from the major department stores: at Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbachviertel individuality counts. A shopping tour.     

A view of a church reflected in a shop window in Munich.

Shopper's paradise

Shopping in an architecturally impressive atmosphere: a stroll through the inner city of Munich.

Shopping in an architecturally impressive atmosphere: a stroll through the inner city of Munich.

View of house facades at Maximilianstrasse in Munich reflected in the shop window of Valentino.

Chic flagship stores and premium brands

The density of international luxury labels in combination with long-established traditional brands is almost unique worldwide.

The density of international luxury labels in combination with long-established traditional brands is almost unique worldwide.

The Hanging Gardens in the Fünf Höfe shopping arcade

Hanging gardens and noble architecture

Explore Munich's elegant designer shops next to cafés, bars and restaurants in an extraordinary shopping ambience.

Explore Munich's elegant designer shops next to cafés, bars and restaurants in an extraordinary shopping ambience.

Pedestrian zone in Munich with one of the two towers of the Frauenkirche in Munich.

Everything under one roof

Anyone who wants to explore Munich's long-established department stores starts the shopping tour in the city centre.

Oberpollinger, Ludwig Beck or Konen – anyone who wants to explore Munich's long-established department stores starts the shopping tour at Karlsplatz-Stachus or Marienplatz.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

A man drives his rickshaw and guests through the Olympic Park in Munich.

Pedicab Tour S Olympiapark

Our guide pedals you between the green hills of the Olympic Park and along the Olympic Lake from sports venue to sports venue. The perfect exploration tour!

Book now for only 95 €!

Our guide pedals you between the green hills of the Olympic Park and along the Olympic Lake from sports venue to sports venue. The perfect exploration tour!

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Panoramic view of the Neues Rathaus in Munich with the Frauenkirche in the background.

Visit of the New Town Hall Balcony

Join us on the famous balcony of the New Town Hall, where FC Bayern has celebrated a triumph many times - and enjoy the beautiful view over Marienplatz.

Book now for only 6,50 €!

Join us on the famous balcony of the New Town Hall, where FC Bayern has celebrated a triumph many times - and enjoy the beautiful view over Marienplatz.