Two men are looking at exhibits in the Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum in Munich.

Munich's museums

Top-class exhibitions in the city centre

From the Residenz to the Bier- und Oktoberfestmuseum: Munich's city centre is a paradise for museum lovers. An overview.

The Residenz palace on Residenzstrasse is the former home and ruling seat of the Wittelsbach family that once ruled over Bavaria. Its highlights include the Grottenhof (Grotto Courtyard), the Renaissance Antiquarium Hall, the Baroque Imperial Hall, the ornate Rococo-period Rich Rooms, and King Ludwig I’s neoclassical State Apartment. The Cuvilliés Theatre hosted the première of Mozart’s opera Idomeneo in 1781. The palace’s treasury is home to around 1,500 pieces, including royal regalia belonging to the Bavarian royal family.

Kunsthalle München on Theatinerstrasse is one of Germany’s leading exhibition venues. It hosts three major exhibitions each year. Its exhibitions range from pre-history and ancient to the modern day. It showcases art and culture from across the globe and covers painting, sculpture, graphic design, photography, arts and crafts, and design.

The historical buildings located at Jakobsplatz are home to the Münchner Stadtmuseum (Munich City Museum). “Typically Munich” is a permanent exhibition that uses select items to bring Munich’s history to life. The museum also features permanent exhibitions on music, puppet theatres and fairground attractions, the history of National Socialism in Munich, special collections on fashion, graphic design and photography and the film museum with its own cinema programme.

Video: Arts & Culture

Paying important testament to reconciliation and integration in the city are the main synagogue “Ohel Jakob”, which opened in 2006, the Jewish civic centre and the Jüdische Museum (Jewish Museum), which sheds light on Jewish culture and history in Munich.

Adults wishing to relive their childhood should stop by the Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum) in the tower at the Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall) on Marienplatz.

Stuffed animals displayed in their natural environments and the mysterious Wolpertinger (a mythical creature similar to a jackalope) draw the crowds to the Jagd- und Fischereimuseum (Hunting and Fishing Museum) in the pedestrian zone on Neuhauser Strasse.

At Isartor gate, the Bier- und Oktoberfest Museum (Beer and Oktoberfest Museum) invites you to explore one of Munich’s oldest buildings (dating back to the 14th century), while immersing yourself in the world of beer, brewery, beer barons and Oktoberfest.

At the end of 2017, Germany’s first ever Museum of Urban Art (MUCA) opened in a former municipal substation right in the heart of the old town. It showcases street art that is worthy of a museum.

Guided tour of the Residenz Palace

Take a tour with an official city tour guide of Munich and visit the Residenz Palace - one of the largest city palaces in Germany. Read more 

The Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum (Valentin-Karlstadt Museum) at Isartor gate takes a unusual, unique approach to its exhibits. Dedicated to the Munich-based comedian Karl Valentin, this museum’s pieces are overflowing with the comic’s humour and whimsical creativity. A perfect example of this is his winter toothpick.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Oskar von Miller founded the Deutsche Museum (German Museum), one of the world’s most important natural history and science museums. He set up his museum on an island in the Isar River, an area now known as Museumsinsel (Museum Island).

The Alpine Museum is located on the neighbouring Praterinsel island. In this museum, you get to experience the Alps right in the heart of Munich, exploring the worlds of science, history, tourism, sport and art.

On Maximilianstrasse you can visit the Museum Fünf Kontinente (Five Continents Museum). Visitors to this museum take a journey around the entire world: Exhibits from Africa, North and South America, India, East Asia and Oceania are on display here.

For further information about visiting Munich's museums, please see www.museen-in-muenchen.de.

 

 

Text: München Tourismus; Photo: Christian Kasper; Video: Redline Enterprises
A man and a woman record a podcast in a laundromat.

A feast for the ears

Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. An overview.

Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. Here we present a few examples that are particularly worth listening to.

Black and white photo of a woman holding two magnifying glasses in front of her eyes.

Hungry for art

You’ll definitely want to catch these exhibitions in Munich’s museums and galleries in 2023!

From the Old Masters to the new young things: Munich’s museums showcase art from all branches and eras. Here are some exhibitions that you’ll definitely want to catch in 2023!

Exhibition room with paintings in the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.

Discover Munich's arts and culture online

Corona does not mean that you have to do without Munich's great cultural attractions: We have collected the best digital offers.

Corona does not mean that you have to do without Munich's great cultural attractions: We have collected the best digital offers.

Munich Impressions, by Matilde Minauro

From contemporary art to graffiti

Munich is known for its great museums, but there are also plenty of young galleries and art venues in the city that are worth a visit.

Munich is known for its great museums, but there are also plenty of young galleries and art venues in the city that are worth a visit.

A wall with graffiti in Munich.

Get graffitiing!

Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

A woman in a coat and an artist with a paint bucket smile into the camera in Munich.

A stroll through the Werksviertel with Loomit

Our author meets Munich personalities on a walk. This time: street art artis Loomit shows us around his Werksviertel-Mitte.

Our author meets Munich personalities on a walk. This time: street art artis Loomit shows us around his Werksviertel-Mitte.

Curator Judith Csiki in front of the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich.

Curators present their personal highlights

Lenbachhaus, Museum Brandhorst, Pinakothek: We asked three museum professionals to introduce us to some of their favourites.

Lenbachhaus, Museum Brandhorst, Pinakothek: We asked three museum professionals to introduce us to some of their favourites.

Fountain in Grottenhof of the Residenz photographed through a window of the Residenz in Munich.

Bisou, Bisou with the Sun King

The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Royal wanderlust

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Endless Staircase in Munich.

At second glance

Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

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.