Munich between history, culture and green spaces
Accommodation in Munich
Munich can be discovered through a wide variety of experiences: royal history and striking landmarks sit alongside museums, green spaces and the lively atmosphere of its markets. When planning your trip, it helps to start by considering what you want to shape your stay. Would you like to explore historic sites, experience the architecture, or also plan time for parks and a visit to a market? These interests give your accommodation search a clear starting point, without requiring one particular focus to suit every trip.
History in the city centre and at the Residenz
Marienplatz has been at the heart of the city since Munich was founded by Henry the Lion in 1158. The tower of the New Town Hall houses a carillon with 43 bells. The Frauenkirche is also a testament to Munich’s architectural history: it was built in the 15th century; by 1488, the building was complete apart from the spires of its two towers. By 1488, the Frauenkirche was complete apart from the spires of its two towers.
From 1508 to 1918, the Munich Residenz served as the seat of government and residence of the Bavarian dukes, electors and kings. The Hofgarten, a green park on the edge of the historic Old Town, is next to the Residenz. It was laid out between 1613 and 1617, modelled on an Italian Renaissance garden. Elector Karl Theodor opened it to the public in 1780; admission is free. Check admission information locally before your visit. The Hofgarten thus combines a clearly dated history with time spent in its own green setting.
Museums, markets and different ways to explore
The Deutsches Museum invites you to explore 20 permanent exhibitions across 20,000 square metres. If the exact figures matter for your plans, check the latest visitor information, as the number of exhibitions and the area may change. The museum is on Museum Island; its entrance is next to Cornelius Bridge. The entrance next to Cornelius Bridge is a useful landmark for your museum visit.
Around 100 stalls at the Viktualienmarkt sell, among other things, fruit and vegetables, fish and meat, bread, spices and delicatessen. The number of stalls and the selection may change over time. The market offers a different way to experience city life than the historic buildings. Fountains with statues also commemorate Munich folk singers and comedians, including Karl Valentin, Weiss Ferdl, Liesl Karlstadt, Ida Schumacher, Elisa Aulinger and Roider Jackl. The market stalls and commemorative figures give the place two distinct facets: goods for sale and public art.
Architecture and green spaces in the Olympic Park and English Garden
On a peninsula in the Olympic Park, the freely accessible Mental Fit Path offers tips on coping with mental health problems and various physical exercises at eight stations. Check that the route is currently available before your visit. At the Olympic Stadium, meanwhile, the sweeping tent-like roof and the building’s architectural lightness define its design. They became the embodiment of the cosmopolitan and democratic guiding principles of the 1972 Summer Olympics. The stadium’s closure for renovation began in September 2025; check current access arrangements before visiting. The same park thus brings different themes into focus: exercises along a path and the architecture of a stadium, linked to the 1972 Games.
The Monopteros in the English Garden was built by Leo von Klenze between 1833 and 1837. From there, the view extends across the meadows in the southern English Garden to the silhouette of Munich’s Old Town. Landmarks visible include the Frauenkirche, the New Town Hall and the Old Peter. The view connects a single building with several distinctive city skylines. Together with the Hofgarten, it offers another perspective on green spaces and Munich’s architecture, without requiring both places to play the same role in your stay.
You can use these different interests as a guide when choosing accommodation: the Residenz and church architecture offer a different focus from a museum, market or park. Consider which experiences matter most to you, and use them to guide your further search.
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