Area Attractions

A must-see for design lovers: Opened in 2002 and designed by Stephan Braunfels, the Pinakothek der Moderne is a firm favourite for Munich's vernissage-goers. The building, with its minimalist facade, is home to four museums: The Collection of Modern Art, the Bavarian Graphic Collection, Museum of Architecture and the Neue Sammlung. The Neue Sammlung was founded 100 years ago and is said to be the oldest design museum in the world. Today the museum houses the biggest design collection in the world with 80,000 exhibits ranging from industrial design and applied arts to graphic design.

German painter Franz von Lenbach had this Italian renaissance style villa built in the 19th century overlooking the Königsplatz. Today the palazzo houses the art works of the Blauer Reiter: Franz Marc, Wassily Kandinsky, August Macke, Paul Klee and Gabriele Münter. With the picturesque garden and the “Ella” restaurant housed in the impressive extension from 2012, the Lenbachhaus belongs to the firm favourites of Munich's residents.

A cultural visitor magnet inmidst of the cool shopping-world of Fünf Höfe. The Kunsthalle is located in the second floor of the stunning building by reknowned architects Herzog & de Meuron and hosts ever-changing exhibitions focussing on interdisciplinary topics from fashion, pop culture and contemporary art.

The museum, originally constructed by the Nazis, focusses on social topics and hosts political discussions. In recent years it has hosted exhibitions by Ai Weiwei, Gilbert & George and Andreas Gursky. The building became famous housing the legendary P1 nightclub and being located next to the Eisbachwelle, where Munich's surfers brave the water in summer and winter.

“Schwabing isn't a place but a condition.” Writer Franziska zu Reventlow used these words to describe the lively area of Munich in the early 20th century. Schwabing is the home of Munich's artists, writers and bon vivants. This is where the individualist artists of the Munich Secession celebrated roaring parties in their studios, Bohemians held heated debates, and emancipated women hosted gatherings. Back then Munich was the most important art-hub in Europe alongside Paris – today Schwabing, with its many bars, galleries, cabaret stages and boutiques resembles a modern version of this Bohemian lifestyle.

In Buddhism “Tantris” describes “the search for perfection.” This aim was obviously achieved in the Schwabing restaurant: It has been honoured with at least two Michelin Stars since 1974 and is thus considered to be amongst the fifteen best restaurants in Germany. The building, in which Munich's legendary chef Eckart Witzigmann learned his trade, is listed and just as legendary as its interior design.

Have you ever wondered where you can find a two-star restaurant in a car showroom? In Munich, of course! In Käfer's Esszimmer, located on the third floor of the BMW Welt, you can look across the car manufacturer's exhibition whilst enjoying excellent food. Embedded in modern architecture, its warm colours and classy interior design lead to a perfect mix of luxury and cosiness.

This is what the atmosphere on a luxury liner of the Hamburg-America-Line must have been like: The Goldene Bar at Haus der Kunst invites its guests to indulge in gold, mahogany and warm light. The name of the bar refers to paintings of Karl Heinz Dallinger from 1937 lining its walls. The garden terrace overlooking the Englischer Garten was already popular back then – and has remained so in the 21st century, with hip, cosmopolitan guests starting their day here with a good breakfast or enjoying cocktails on summer nights.

The bar shares its name with the brand of a whole generation. Anyone who was involved in design, art or media in the 80s – or wanted to be – spent their evenings in the bar of bon vivant Charles Schumann. Today the owner and inventor of the Swimming Pool Cocktail is the subject of books and films. But Schumann stayed Schumann. Even though his bar moved to the Hofgarten – a location much more royal than the Maximilianstrasse and the perfect place for the king of bar culture.

The shopping arcade between the Theatinerstrasse and Prannerstrasse with its light-flooded courtyards was designed by Swiss star-architects Herzog & de Meuron. With over 60 stores, restaurants and cafes to explore, it's not just a tip for rainy days.

One of Munich's oldest streets, located between Marienplatz and Neuhauser Strasse, the Kaufingerstrasse is a great mix between big fashion chains and established Munich department stores such as Hirmer, Kaufhaus Oberpollinger and Sport Schuster. We highly recommend taking a walk down the street in the evening, when the stores have closed and countless buskers turn the pedestrian zone into a casual open-air concert.

Lavish, royal urban planning gifted Munich with one of its most beautiful and most luxurious shopping streets: In 1850 King Maximilian II launched an architecture competition to design the entire street. In the following decades stately buildings in the Gothic Revival and Renaissance style were built, lining the street between the Residenz and the Isar river. Today the street is home to all global luxury brands and Munich’s No. 1 shopping street.

A sun- filled place to take a step back and relax: Where men and women are equally welcome 365 days of the year. Located on the 5th and 6th floor of the West Building, our 2000 s qm Spa offers locally inspired treatments for both genders in six exclusive treatment rooms. Dive into the 17 m pool with two jacuzzi tubs, book a private sports lesson in our 24-hour gym, or simply follow your own fitness routine. Our lavish rooftop sundecks await you in warmer months, making you want to stay outdoors all night gazing at the stars.

Hidden away behind the venerable walls of the Alte Börse is Munich's first Private Member Club with the Circle Bar by Cihan Anadologlu, hot dance floors and private lounges in the city. Visit the „Kitchen“ restaurant to enjoy Dominik Käppeler's culinary delights or dance the night away on the terrace facing beautiful Lenbachplatz.

Schwabing has been brought back to life! The former underground car park of Helene’s Restaurant is the place to go for hot dance moves in pop-art-interior, phantastic light and sound systems inspired by DJs from allover the world.

At 2,962 metres, the Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain. Catch a gondola directly next to the tropically blue Eibsee to comfortably cover 2,000 metres of height. The “Panorama 2962” restaurant at the peak of the mountain allows for gorgeous alpine views across four countries.

The rolling hills and shimmering lakes around Munich are leftovers from the last glacial period. The picturesque mountain scenery of the Tegernsee and its traditional villages are the main reasons for being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. Starnberger See, the biggest lake around Munich and Empress Sissi of Austria’s birthplace was popular amongst Bavaria's kings. Chiemsee with its Herrenchiemsee Palace built by King Ludwig II. excites visitors from near and far with amazing alpine views, secret swimming spots and its rich cultural treasures.

This place in the Allgäu Alps is something straight from a fairytale. King Ludwig II ordered the construction of a medieval-style castle in 1869, died before its completion, however. Neuschwanstein became famous worldwide after Walt Disney used it as an inspiration for the movie Cinderella and turned the castle’s silhouette into Disney’s iconic brand logo. Don’t miss to climb the canyon for a superb view of the castle and the Alps.