Want to visit Munich on the cheap?
Then follow this Top 15 of free tours, museums and activities to do in Munich that we’ve created so you can enjoy without breaking the bank.
Table des matières
The Cathedral of Our Lady (Frauenkirche)
This cathedral, even if it has nothing to do with the one in Paris, is a place to see at all costs if you go to Munich
Located at the Weinstrasse, it is recognizable with its bulbous domes. You will also have the chance to discover the Theatinerkirche while walking down this street
Also, don’t miss to visit the Teufelstritt or “devil’s footprint” in this beautiful cathedral
Why this name? In fact, legend has it that the devil himself entered this church and believing himself to be invisible, he thought he could do absolutely anything he wanted. However, a ray of sunlight came through one of the windows and burned him, leaving a footprint on the floor.
Website: https: //www.munich.fr/cathedrale-munich.
See Mary’s Square (Marienplatz)
This square is simply considered the historical heart of the city of Munich: many monuments and buildings are concentrated here and it is the meeting place of all Munichers
Marienplatz is recognizable by its neo-gothic style and the imposing town hall
And what about the sound of the chimes several times a day, which will surely enchant you? We urge you to experience this!
Visit the BMW museum for free
Car lovers will be served! Munich presents you the temple of the German giant BMW and not only that
Indeed, this museum located halfway to the Olympic Stadium/BMW contains in particular cars of the BMW brand but also those of Rolls Royce and Mini – BMW Welt
The latter is essentially a car showroom and is free of charge unlike the BMW museum which has an entrance fee and contains tons of information on the history of the car company from its first models to its future creations…
Website : https://www.muenchen.de/int/fr/curiosites/musees/musee-bmw.html.
Take part in the Oktoberfest or Beer Festival
How to talk about Munich without mentioning the famous Oktoberfest which takes place every year?
The Oktoberfest takes place in the second half of September just before the beginning of October. This event is not to be missed and is of great importance to experience the Munich atmosphere
This is something that the big local soccer club (Bayern Munchen FC) knows and does not fail to use the magic of this festival to strengthen the team spirit of their players
This huge beer festival attracts about 6 million visitors every year in a very warm, friendly and family atmosphere. You will have the opportunity to taste local specialties and to honor the roasted chicken and sauerkraut
If you visit the beautiful city of Munich outside of the festival periods, opt for the Oktoberfest and Beer Museum; a consolation prize that will teach you a bit more about the world event and the local drink!
The Olympic Park of Munich
The Munich Olympic Park is a 3 km² complex located in the north of the city and is easily spotted thanks to the Olympiaturm (a tower within the city that is over 290 meters high)
The park is open to everyone and contains not only large areas of grass but also the city’s Olympic swimming pool, the Olympic Stadium Munich and other facilities such as running tracks and a beautiful ice rink, an artificial lake and many restaurants and bars
In addition, the park often hosts festivals and concerts, ideal for dance and music lovers.
Website: https: //www.munich.fr/parc-olympique.
Gasteig
Lovers of opera, art and classical music will be delighted!
The Gasteig is a splendid cultural venue in Munich. It is the venue for classical music concerts, theaters and orchestra rehearsals
The access is for all the concerts is paying. However, the good news is that the rehearsals are free and therefore accessible to the general public, even those of the Philharmonic Orchestra. Also, it can host some exhibitions that are open to everyone.
Website: https: //en.gasteig.de/.
Theatinerkirche
Located on the Odeon square in the very heart of Munich, the Theatinerkirche or Theatiner Church is a 17th century building built for a religious order created in 1524 called “the Theatiner fathers”
During the Second World War, it was partially destroyed but the church was quickly rebuilt in 1955 and could be used again
It is a very imposing monument that has an impressive dome whose interior will make you lose your balance both by its structure, its height and its multiple decorations
Moreover, the adjoining crypt of this church is one of the most incredible of the city, because it contains more than 46 tombs of the members of the Wittelsbach family.
Website: https: //www.munich.fr/eglise-theatins.
Englischer garten
The English Garden of Munich or Englischer garten is a park that covers almost 375 hectares and is located in the northeast of the city
Lucky for you, it’s completely free to enter and is considered a very accessible visit in Munich. It is a breath of fresh air after a long day in the city center.
Its large expanses of greenery hide a multitude of constructions such as the monopteros which is a completely circular temple, a Japanese tea house where tea ceremonies are held on a regular basis but also the imposing Chinese tower, a wooden pagoda of more than 25 meters high
Thus, it is a multi-faceted place and you will need much more than one visit to visit and know all the secret nooks and crannies.
It is important to note that during the summer and since the 1960s, the lawns of the park are often occupied by nudists.
Website: https: //www.muenchen.de/sehenswuerdigkeiten/orte/120242.html.
Eisbachwelle
Eisbachwelle is an excellent destination if you are in need of a thrill during your stay in Munich and want a free sport activity
This wave created by a rock in the artificial stream that runs through the Englischer Garten is perpetual and will allow extreme sports lovers to experience just the right amount of excitement.
Website: https: //www.monnuage.fr/point-d-interet/surf-no-eisbach-a2214912.
Attend FC Bayern Munchen training sessions
Tickets for official matches are terribly expensive and rare. So if you are a soccer fan or even a fan of Bayern Munchen FC, the best thing to do is to watch the team’s wizards and stars dribble, pass, tackle and score during the training sessions that take place several times a week at the Bayern headquarters located about six kilometers south of the city center.
The Viktualienmarkt or food market
Since the beginning of the 19th century, the Viktualienmarkt has been the largest food market in Munich. It is worth noting that there is a large beer garden or biergarten which offers you the opportunity to enjoy, while tasting, the ambient and warm atmosphere.
Address: Viktualienmarkt 3, 80331 Munich, Bavaria Germany.
Website: https: //www.munich.fr/viktualienmarkt.
Visit the Pinakothek
This is the largest museum complex in the world, with the Pinakothek der Moderne, the Neue Pinakothek and the Alte Pinakothek, all of which are dedicated to contemporary art
Whether you like European art of the 16th or 17th century or that of our days, painting of the 14th century or whether you want to discover all the trends of the 20th century; whether it is architecture in the field of design or painting with graphic arts but also all artistic expressions, it is in the Pinakothek of Munich that you must go.
Website: https: //www.muenchen.de/int/fr/curiosites/musees/les-pinacothques.html.
Museum Lenbachhaus or villa Lenbach
This municipal art gallery, which owes its international reputation to its magnificent collection, is the perfect place for all art lovers.
All these works belong to the “blue rider” movement, which is an artistic movement whose foundations come from what we call nowadays abstract art
You will have the opportunity to discover the relevant and majestic works of Macke but also of Kandinsky or Klee.
Website: https: //vivreamunich.com/musee-lenbachhaus-galerie-contemporaine-et-expressioniste.html.
Staying in the Maxvorstadt district
This district of Munich, located to the north of the old town, was named after Maximilian of Bavaria
It is the favorite district for all lovers of old and beautiful books, but also for bookshops, clothes shops, picturesque restaurants and cafés
You can’t miss this wonderful Munich atmosphere if you decide to stay here!
Beer tasting in the Hofbräuhaus
How can you talk about Bavaria without mentioning the “tavern” of Munich? This mythical brewery offers you the best sausage in town and the best beer in town. We advise you to make a detour there. It’s really worth it!
Website: https: //www.muenchen.de/int/fr/curiosites/attraction/hofbraeuhaus.html.
It is clear that Munich is an idyllic destination with many wonderful surprises in store. We really hope that our selection of the best free things to do in Munich will help you have a memorable stay!