Schleißheim palace complex nearby Munich photographed from above in autumn.

Alternative attractions

Schleissheim instead of Nymphenburg

It's not always about the Frauenkirche, Englischer Garten or Nymphenburg Palace. Here are ten alternative attractions that are real hidden gems.

The Dreifaltigkeitskirche instead of the Asamkirche

Also in the Altstadt, but not nearly as well known: while the Asamkirche in Sendlinger Strasse is beloved as a tourist favourite among Munich's churches, the Dreifaltigkeitskirche on Promenadenplatz doesn’t have much of a spot in the limelight – even though it is a few years older than its celebrated counterpart and was actually the city's first Late Baroque church. The Asam brothers were involved in the building of the Dreifaltigkeitskirche as well, completing the frescoes on its cupola. Another special thing about the building is that it was the only church in Munich's city centre to survive the destruction of the Second World War.

 

Schloss Schleissheim instead of Schloss Nymphenburg

The palace complex in Schleissheim is no less beautiful than Nymphenburg Palace, but it attracts significantly fewer visitors. The two palaces even look a little similar at first glance, though Nymphenburg Palace park was modelled on Versailles, while Schleissheim was designed in the Italian villa architectural style. Lustheim Palace and the Altes Schloss (Old Palace) in particular instantly transport the observer to Italy. In Schleissheim's extensive park you can wander endlessly and without interruption, with opportunities to visit the various pavilions and palace buildings before enjoying the delights of the Schlosscafé Oberschleissheim or the Café zum Schloss. The park complex remains one of the most outstanding European Baroque gardens to this day.

The Würm instead of the Isar

Beautiful summer days and peaceful Sundays invariably draw Munich locals to the Isar river – and it can be tricky to find a quiet spot for yourself in this popular area. If you long for a quiet dip when the weather is hot, you should head to the Würm instead. It flows through the city just as the Isar does, but has its source at Starnberger See (lake) – meaning that the water is excellent for bathing. The best spots to jump in and go with the flow are at Pasing, Gauting and Stockdorf. If you prefer a little more infrastructure at your bathing sites, head to Sommerbad Gauting instead. There are also many fabulous walks along the banks of the Würm – for example at Blutenburg Palace or one of the routes through the city park at Pasing.

 

The Westpark instead of Englischer Garten

Munich's Englischer Garten – the largest and probably also the greenest park complex in the world – is popular with locals and visitors alike. Even with its generous proportions it can sometimes get a little crowded there, especially between the Chinesischer TurmMonopteros and the Eisbachwelle river wave. If you need something a little more peaceful, you will find sanctuary in the Westpark in Munich's Sendling district. You can relax in one of the park’s two beautiful beer gardens, enjoy a wonderful walk, lie in the grass and even have a barbecue at one of the designated spots. The park's east Asian gardens, which include the Thai Sala pavilion, Nepalese pagoda and a Japanese garden, are another highlight. Or you might simply sit in the colourful beer garden at Café Gans am Wasser and indulge in a spritzer on the banks of Mollsee lake!

The Wiener Platz market instead of the Viktualienmarkt

The Viktualienmarkt food market is part of Munich in the same way that grabbing a Fischsemmel from Fisch Witte is part of any local's Saturday afternoon routine. Munich's largest food market is the place to go for tasting, shopping, gossiping and beer gardening, and it is particularly busy at the weekend. To experience the Munich market atmosphere without the crowds, you would be better advised to get your Fischsemmel at the market at Wiener Platz – a mini Viktualienmarkt, as it were. This market is much more tranquil, with less hustle and bustle; and you can get your beer gardening done here too, as the Hofbräukeller is right beside it. Locals also do their shopping at the alternating weekly markets or at the market in Pasing and the Elisabethmarkt in Schwabing, but the latter is currently being renovated.

 

Weißenburger Platz instead of Gärtnerplatz

There are so many beautifully planted squares and plazas all over the city: why everyone seems to choose Gärtnerplatz as a meeting point is a mystery to many locals. Karolinenplatz in the Maxvorstadt district is almost identical to the popular square in Munich's Glockenbachviertel district, as are Maximiliansplatz, Shakespeareplatz and Kaiser-Ludwig-Platz. There is one place that really could take the title from Gärtnerplatz someday though – not least because it enjoys such a central location in Haidhausen. Located near Rosenheimer Platz, Weissenburger Platz also boasts a fountain for visitors to relax beside, as well as park benches from which to watch the world go by, not to mention stunning flowers to photograph. If that weren't enough, the square is also quieter than its buzzing counterpart.

Großhesseloher Brücke instead of Reichenbachbrücke

Reichenbachbrücke bridge enjoys a very central location in Munich's Glockenbachviertel, and is also home to the Reichenbachkiosk, which is virtually always open. These are just two reasons why there is always something going on at this bridge over the Isar, situated close to the Fraunhoferstrasse U-Bahn station – for a more scenic experience, you can also take the number 15 tram to the last stop on its route. You can enjoy a beautiful walk here and even take a dip in the Isar before returning to grab a coffee and some cake at the Isarfräulein café, not far from the bridge. If you're after a hearty meal and a beer to wash it down, you should head for the Waldwirtschaft beer garden.

 

The Auer Mühlbach instead of the Eisbach

Although around 20 streams flow through Munich, most of them are underground and therefore go unnoticed. The best-known of the city's streams is the Eisbach, which runs through the Englischer Garten, atteracting hordes of spectators to the Eisbachwelle river wave, as well as crowds of swimmers in the summer. The picturesque Auer Mühlbach, which is fed by the Isar and was previously used to power water mills, offers a much more tranquil setting. The village-like nature of this area is still evident today – for example, in the pretty façades of the houses on Mondstrasse, which stand directly on the banks of the stream. If you want to go for a walk, you can start at the Fausto coffee roasting house in Giesing and follow the stream all the way to Haidhausen, where it flows back into the Isar.

The Church of St. Maximilian instead of the Frauenkirche

The Frauenkirche on Marienplatz is a true emblem of the city – that is why it is so popular with visitors. If you have already visited Munich’s best-known churches and are looking for a hidden gem, we recommend the Catholic parish church of St. Maximilian in the Glockenbachviertel district. This pretty church appears in virtually every photo of the Isar taken from the Reichenbachbrücke bridge. Its two towers were once topped by spires, but these were destroyed during the Second World War, and the “Notdächer” – emergency roofs – which were added as a temporary solution still remain in place to this day.

 

The Dichtergarten instead of the Hofgarten

The former Finanzgarten is located between the Hofgarten and Englischer Garten, a little hidden from view. It is known as the Dichtergarten, or poet's garden, today because, since the 1980s, it has been home to a number of monuments and statues commemorating various creatives and writers, among them Heinrich Heine and Chopin. In contrast to the manicured Hofgarten, the Dichtergarten is rather woody and wilder in appearance. Here, amid the hills and the trees, you can simply enjoy peace and quiet, and find a little relaxation and romance in the heart of the city.

 

 

Text: Anja Schauberger; Photos: Redline Enterprises, Frank Stolle, Sigi Müller, Dominik Morbitzer
A church window in the Salvatorkirche in Munich

Munich's church windows

The most beautiful windows of the city

Michael Mayer of Mayer’sche Hofkunstanstalt presents the most spectacular church windows.

Fascinating people for centuries: Michael Mayer of Mayer’sche Hofkunstanstalt presents the most spectacular church windows the city has to offer.

The monument to Max I. Joseph in front of the Residenz

Munich's royal monuments

Four kings and a prince regent

In Munich there are fantastic monuments to admire. Where they are and what makes them so special.

In Munich there are several fantastic monuments to admire. Where they are and what makes them so special: an overview.

The tour guide Alvestad-Aschenbrenner stands in the Museum for Abgüsse Klassischer Bildwerke Munich

Ludwig I of Bavaria

When Munich became an „Athens on the Isar“

Ludwig I of Bavaria converted Munich into his "„Athens on the Isar“, many buildings still remind us of this today. An interview.

Ludwig I of Bavaria converted Munich into his "„Athens on the Isar“, many buildings still remind us of this today. An interview with a tour guide.

Young woman sitting at a window in a tram in Munich.

Column

A vacation in my own city

Our author used to be a travel blogger. Now she has started to explore her own city: Munich!

Our author used to be a travel blogger. Now she has started to explore her own city: Munich!

View from the inside of a figure of the carillon in the New Town Hall in Munich.

New Town Hall

The Glockenspiel in ten pictures

An exclusive look behind the scenes.

The Glockenspiel on Marienplatz has been enchanting visitors and locals for over 100 years. An exclusive look behind the scenes.

Panoramic view of Karlsplatz / Stachus in Munich with the Frauenkirche in the background photographed from the air.

Munich's city centre

Classical and curiosities

Numerous Munich stories can be told along the roughly one-kilometer-long route between Karlsplatz-Stachus and Marienplatz square. A city walk.

Numerous interesting Munich stories can be told along the roughly one-kilometer-long route between Karlsplatz-Stachus and Marienplatz square. A city walk.

Weissenburger Platz in Munich photographed from above with a drone.

Haidhausen and Au

A village in the city

Haidhausen and Au have developed from working-class quarters into popular residential areas.

When strolling along the narrow streets of the districts Haidhausen and Au with small shops and green courtyards, it almost feels like being in a village in the middle of the city.

The Academy of Fine Arts in Munich in autumn.

Schwabing

From artists and writers

Around 1900, it was the artists and writers who settled around the university and the art academy and shaped the spirit of Schwabing.

In the heyday of the Schwabinger Bohème around 1900, it was the artists and writers who settled around the university and the art academy and shaped the spirit of Schwabing.

Flowerbed at Gärtnerplatz in Munich.

Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbach

Where the night begins

Independent labels, hip bars, pubs and cool inns attract the young and the young-at-heart.

The Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbach neighbourhoods are known as trendy quarters. Their independent labels, hip bars, pubs, cool inns and calm backyards attract the young and the young-at-heart.

Merchant with dried fruit on the Viktualienmarkt in Munich.
Viktualienmarkt Tasting Tour

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Book now for 40 €!

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting historical facts about Munich's most famous food market.

View of a residence serenade with candles in the court chapel.
Residenz Serenades

This Munich experience promises high culture for newcomers and enthusiasts: enjoy the popular Mozart concerts in the Residenz.

Book now from 38 €

This Munich experience promises high culture for newcomers and enthusiasts: enjoy the popular Mozart concerts in the Residenz.

Exterior view of the Munich Palace of Justice on Prielmayerstraße in Maxvorstadt.
Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for 20 €!

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

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 22 €

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.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.
Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

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...

Book now!

Street Art-Tour

Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

Experience the city's diverse art & exciting graffiti on our street art tour!

Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

View of the Salzach river and the castle in Salzburg.
Salzburg and the Lake District

Visit the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

Book now from 58 €

Visit the birthplace of composer extraordinaire Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, stroll through the Baroque old town and then relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bikes stand in the green grass in the English Garden in Munich
Rental bike 1 day

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

Book now for 26 €!

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich
Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background
Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.