"München loves you" - a slogan that captures the feelings of residents and visitors of this city. The Bavarian capital, also referred to as a "village of a million," combines tradition, modernity, and a great deal of joie de vivre. Whether you are a culture enthusiast, enjoy being in nature, or want to experience the famous Bavarian coziness - Munich has something to offer for everyone.

1. Marienplatz and New Town Hall: The heart of the city, where the Glockenspiel in the New Town Hall attracts hundreds of visitors daily.
2. English Garden: One of the largest urban parks in the world, perfect for walking, surfing, and relaxing.
3. Viktualienmarkt: A culinary meeting point where you can find fresh produce and Bavarian delicacies.
4. German Museum: The largest science and technology museum in the world, a highlight for tech enthusiasts.
5. Nymphenburg Palace: A baroque masterpiece with expansive gardens, perfect for a day trip.

• Area: 310.7 km²
• Population: Around 1.5 million (as of 2023)
• Foundation: 1158 by Heinrich the Lion
• Rivers: The Isar flows through the city from south to north
• Economy: Munich is considered one of the strongest economic locations in Germany
• Events: Millions of people visit the Oktoberfest annually
• Tallest building: The Olympic Tower with a height of 291 meters
• Football: FC Bayern Munich is world-renowned
• Famous landmarks: Frauenkirche, the Hofbräuhaus, and the BMW Museum
• Education: Munich is home to several prestigious universities, including Ludwig Maximilian University

The history of Munich begins in 1158 when Henry the Lion († August 6, 1195) founded the city as a trading post on the Isar River. This was primarily done for strategic reasons: he wanted to secure control over an important salt route that led from Reichenhall via the Isar to Augsburg. By establishing a bridge over the river and shifting trade from Freising to Munich, Henry strengthened the economic significance of the new city. These measures led to conflicts with the Bishop of Freising, who had previously held the trading monopoly. In 1180, Henry the Lion lost his power, but Munich retained its importance as an emerging trading center. Already in 1175, the city was granted city rights, which further facilitated its growth.

The Role of the Wittelsbachs

In the 13th century, Munich came under the rule of the Wittelsbach dynasty, which guided the city's fate for centuries. Munich was expanded into a residence city, which can still be seen today in the splendid buildings such as the Munich Residenz and Nymphenburg Palace.

Industrialization and Rise to a Major City

With the industrialization in the 19th century, Munich developed rapidly. Railways, factories, and the establishment of companies promoted growth. However, World War II also left its mark here, and many historical buildings were destroyed. After reconstruction, Munich became a modern metropolis, known today for its high quality of life.

GOOD TO KNOW: The name "Munich" is derived from the Old High German "Munichen," which means "by the monks," as a monastery stood at the founding site.

Munich is divided into 25 districts, each with its own charm and character. But what exactly are they known for and what can you discover there? The following overview provides insights.

District	Description	Known for
Old Town-Lehel	Historical center of Munich, characterized by impressive architecture and cultural hotspots	Marienplatz, Frauenkirche Viktualienmarkt Maximilianstraße (luxury shopping)
Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt	Vibrant neighborhood with cultural offerings, popular nightlife spots, and the world-famous Oktoberfest	Oktoberfest (Theresienwiese) German Museum Glockenbachviertel (popular nightlife district)
Maxvorstadt	Academic district with universities and numerous museums, a center for art and education	Universities (LMU, TU Munich) Pinakotheken (art museums), Königsplatz
Schwabing-West	Trendy neighborhood with a student vibe and a vibrant café and bar scene	Leopoldstraße Englischer Garten Art and culture scene
Au-Haidhausen	Historic district with cozy streets, popular markets, and a diverse cultural offering	Gasteig (cultural center) Muffathalle Auer Dult (traditional fair)
Sendling	Residential and commercial area with plenty of green spaces, especially along the Isar and the Flaucher, a popular recreation spot	Munich Wholesale Market Flaucher (Isar riverside), historic Sendlinger Tor
Sendling-Westpark	Quiet residential neighborhood with Westpark, one of the largest and most beautiful city parks in Munich	Westpark (large city park with lakes and sculptures), residential area
Schwanthalerhöhe	Former workers' district with industrial heritage, now a growing residential and cultural area	Traffic center of the German Museum Augustiner-Bräu Residential area with industrial history
Neuhausen-Nymphenburg	Noble and quiet district with a lot of green spaces and historic significance, particularly due to Nymphenburg Palace	Nymphenburg Palace Botanical Garden Hirschgarten (largest beer garden in the world)
Moosach	A quiet district in the northwest of Munich, known for its residential areas and shopping options	Olympia Shopping Center Borstei (well-known residential complex) Olympia Press City
Milbertshofen-Am Hart	Site of the Olympic Park, characterized by large residential complexes and sports facilities	Olympiapark BMW Welt BMW Museum
Schwabing-Freimann	Combination of traditional Schwabing and modern Freimann, with a mix of culture, residential areas, and sports	Allianz Arena (FC Bayern) Student district Schwabing Englischer Garten
Bogenhausen	Elegant residential area in the east of Munich with magnificent villas and cultural institutions	Angel of Peace Villa Stuck Arabellapark
Berg am Laim	Former workers' district that has developed into a popular residential area	Old slaughterhouse Iconic bars and clubs
Trudering-Riem	Suburban district with a large exhibition center and many new buildings	Munich Exhibition Center Riemer Park (former BUGA site) Shopping center Riem Arcaden
Ramersdorf-Perlach	Residential area with a mix of old and new buildings and green suburbs	Michaelibad Perlachpark, shopping center PEP
Obergiesing-Fasangarten	Traditional Munich district characterized by residential areas and small-scale development	St. Quirin Square Green district with parks
Untergiesing-Harlaching	Quiet, upscale residential area in the south of Munich, known for its proximity to the Isar and its green spaces	Zoo Hellabrunn Flaucher Menterschwaige
Thalkirchen-Obersendling-Forstenried-Fürstenried-Solln	Extensive residential area in the south with many green spaces, traditional and modern housing	Zoo Hellabrunn Siemens site Forstenrieder Park
Hadern	Primarily a residential district in the west, known for the Klinikum Großhadern and the adjacent forest	Klinikum Großhadern Forest cemetery, quiet residential area
Pasing-Obermenzing	Independent district with a historic city center, modern residential buildings, and large park areas	Pasinger Viktualienmarkt, Pasinger Fabrik (cultural center), Blutenburg Castle
Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied	Rural residential district with a village character in the western part of Munich	Langwieder See Recreation facilities Quiet residential area
Allach-Untermenzing	Industrial and residential district in the northwest of Munich with large factory sites (e.g. MAN)	MAN plant Residential area with plenty of greenery
Feldmoching-Hasenbergl	One of the more rural neighborhoods of Munich, characterized by agriculture, residential settlements, and the Fasaneriesee	Fasaneriesee Lerchenauer See Residential area
Laim	Former workers' district, which is now mainly known as a quiet residential area with good transport connections	Laimer Platz Friedenheimer Brücke Historic Laim

Famous Actors from Munich

Name	Lifetime	Awards/Honors	Reason for Fame
Helmut Fischer	1926–1997	Bavarian Television Award (1996)	Monaco Franze
Moritz Bleibtreu	1971-	German Film Award (1997, 2001) Jupiter (2002) Emder Acting Award (2023)	Lola rennt Der Baader Meinhof Komplex Keinohrhase Zweiohrküken
Gustl Bayrhammer	1922-1993	Bavarian Poet Taler (1982) Bavarian Order of Merit	Meister Eder in “Pumuckl” Tatort Die Schwarzwaldklinik
Michael Bully Herbig	1968-	Nine-time Bavarian Film Award Bavarian Order of the Constitution	Director, author, producer, and actor „Der Schuh des Manitu“ „Erkan & Stefan“.

 

Famous Musicians from Munich

Name	Lifetime	Awards/Honors (Selection)	Reason for Fame (Selection)
Konstantin Wecker	1947–	Erich Mühsam Prize (2016) Bavarian State Prize for Music (2017)	Songwriter Political activist
Ralph Siegel	1945–	Federal Cross of Merit (2010)	Composer Known for ESC Songs

 

Famous Artists from Munich

Name	Lifetime	Awards/Honors	Reason for Fame
Franz Marc	1880–1916	Munich Secession (1909)	Painter Co-founder of the “Blue Rider”
Gabriele Münter	1877–1962	Honorary member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts	Painter Co-founder of the “Blue Rider”

Munich is known for a variety of landmarks that shape its skyline and attract visitors from around the world. They range from historical buildings to modern attractions and reflect the culture and history of the city. These landmarks are not only popular sights but also an important part of Munich's identity. They give the city its unique character and make it a special travel destination.

• Frauenkirche: The landmark of Munich with its distinctive onion domes.
• Marienplatz and Old Town Hall: The historical center of the city.
• Viktualienmarkt: A famous market in the heart of the city.
• English Garden: One of the largest urban parks in the world.
• BMW Museum: The history of the Bavarian automobile manufacturer in impressive architecture.

The Frauenkirche: A Symbol of Munich

The Frauenkirche, with its distinctive onion towers, is probably the most famous landmark of Munich. It was built in the 15th century and is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The towers, which shape the Munich skyline, are 99 meters high and offer a magnificent view over the city all the way to the Alps.

The English Garden: Munich's Green Lung

The English Garden is not only one of the largest urban parks in the world but also a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike. Here, you can stroll through the expansive meadows, enjoy a Maß of beer at the Chinese Tower, or admire surfers at the Eisbach.

Rivers and Water Bodies in Munich

Munich is traversed by a river landscape that shapes the cityscape and offers many recreational opportunities. In addition to the Isar, the city’s most important river, there are several smaller rivers and lakes, such as the Eisbach, which flows through the English Garden and is famous for its renowned surf wave.

River	Description
Isar	Flows from the Alps through Munich and offers numerous recreational areas
Würm	A smaller river in the west of Munich that flows into Lake Starnberg

 

TIP: The Isar is the defining river of Munich. Along its banks, you can enjoy numerous recreational activities - from cycling to barbecuing to swimming in the summer.
 

Population Statistics of Munich

With over 1.5 million inhabitants, Munich is the third-largest city in Germany. The city is steadily growing, especially through immigration. Many international professionals, students, and entrepreneurs are drawn to Munich, giving the city an international flair.

Munich is not only known for its culture and history but also for its strong economy. The city is home to numerous international companies and is one of the most significant industrial locations in Germany. Particularly, the automotive industry with BMW, the IT and technology sector, as well as the media landscape have a strong presence here. Furthermore, the city is a hub for biotechnology and financial services, making it an economically diverse and innovative location.

Key industries include:

• Automotive industry (BMW, MAN)
• IT and technology (Microsoft, Google)
• Financial services (Allianz, Munich Re)
• Media and film (Bavarian Broadcasting, ProSiebenSat.1 Media)
• Tourism and gastronomy (Oktoberfest, Bavarian specialties)

From the world-famous Oktoberfest to the traditional city founding festival to modern cultural and music festivals, Munich offers a great variety. Culture enthusiasts can fully enjoy theater performances, concerts, and exhibitions, while sports fans can experience major events like the Munich Marathon.

Event	Period	Info	Entry
Tollwood Festival	Summer, Winter	Cultural festival with music, art, and crafts	Varies
City Founding Festival	June	Festival celebrating the city's founding	Free
Film Festival Munich	End of June	International film festival	Varies
Oktoberfest	End of September	Largest folk festival in the world	Free, tents may charge entry
Christkindlmarkt	End of November	Traditional Christmas market at Marienplatz	Free

Whether it's your first time in Munich or you're already familiar with the city, there are some highlights you shouldn't miss. A visit to Marienplatz with the New Town Hall and its famous Glockenspiel is a must for any Munich traveler. A walk through the English Garden, including a break at the Chinese Tower, offers relaxation in the greenery right in the city center. For technology and science enthusiasts, the German Museum is an unforgettable experience.

1. Hotel Bayerischer Hof – Luxury hotel in the heart of the city with a spectacular rooftop terrace.
2. Motel One Munich – Modern and affordable, perfect for city trips.
3. Schloss Hohenkammer – A bit outside, but with historic ambiance and pure relaxation.

1. Hellabrunn Zoo – A large zoo that is particularly suitable for children.
2. Sea Life Munich – Here you can explore the world of the oceans.
3. Olympic Park – Ideal for playing, cycling, and climbing the Olympic Tower.

1. Nymphenburg Palace Park – Romantic walks in a baroque garden landscape.
2. Tegernsee Valley – Culinary delights in one of the city's best restaurants.
3. Café Frischhut – One of the best places for fresh Schmalznudeln and relaxed gatherings.

1. Glockenbachviertel – The district is known for its vibrant nightlife.
2. Surfing at Eisbach – The perfect place to meet cool people.
3. Substanz Club – A trendy club for alternative music and parties.

Munich is an important center for education and research. The city is home to some of the most renowned universities in Germany, including the Ludwig Maximilian University and the Technical University of Munich. Many international companies also offer study programs and research partnerships here.

Munich is a city that has something to offer for everyone: from culture and history to green spaces and modern industry and innovation. Whether you explore the vibrant markets, stroll through historic alleys, or enjoy nature around the Isar – Munich will enchant you with its diversity and charm.