9 Must See Museums in Munich

The city of Munich, in Germany, is the culmination of a distinct blend of culture and modern technology. The stylish cosmopolitan city is overflowing with cultural attractions, traditional and modern styles of dress, incredible beer gardens, and top notch publishing houses.

There is quite a bit to see and do in Munich but if you’re trying to figure out where to start you’ll want to make a few stops at some of Munich’s finest museums. You’ll be amazed at just how much you learn.

9. Jewish Center Munich

Towards the center of the city you’ll find the Jewish Center Munich in Jakobsplatz square. Inside you’ll find a museum outlining how Jewish history has evolved in Munich as well as a kosher restaurant and a synagogue. You can get a free guided tour of the synagogue but it is very busy so you’ll need to make a reservation as far in advance as possible.

8. Buchheim Museum

Located on the shores of the lake, the Buchheim Museum is home to an incredibly large collection of expressionist artwork. Inside you’ll find dozens of watercolors, prints, paintings, and drawings created during the Brucke movement which occurred between 1905 and 1913. You’ll also find some stunning examples of African and Bavarian artifacts and artwork. Artists featured inside this museum include Karl Schmitt-Rotluff, Otto Dix, and many others.

7. Museum Villa Stuck

Museum Villa Stuck is actually a house in the Royal Munich section of the city. The villa was once the home of Franz von Stuck, a well known artist who lived from 1863 until 1928. During your tour you’ll see his home as well as some of his humorous and erotic pieces of artwork.

6. Haus der Kunst

Haus der Kunst is also located in the Royal Munich section of Munich and is a stunning example of the architectural style that existed during the Hitler era. Fuhrer Hitler himself opened the gallery and only allowed works that reflected the Nazi mindset to be shown there. After the war, the museum made itself popular by creating a collection of artwork that had previously been banned.

5. Neue Pinakothek

The gorgeous Neue Pinakothek museum opened in 1981 at the request of the royal family. The previous home of the royal art collection was destroyed during the war and the new building was designed to mimic the older, Italian style building. The museum is home to dozens of French impressionist paintings, including those from Monet and Degas, as well as the works of several 19^th century German artists.

4. Glyptothek

The Glyptothek gallery is located in the Maxvorstadt section of the city and is home to one of the finest collections of Green and Roman sculptures you’ll find in the city. After touring the gallery you might want to take a few minutes to sip a cup of coffee in the adjacent courtyard while watching young artists practice their handiwork.

3. BMW Museum

The BMW Museum is a fun stop for car lovers, especially since Munich is the home of the famous automobile manufacturer. The museum features a large collection of old and new vehicle as well as displays outlining the history and development of the automobile and the company itself. If you visit during the week, make sure you make advanced reservations to tour the actual BMW factory plant as well.

2. Alte Pinakothek

Alte Pinkaothek is considered one of the most treasured art galleries in the world. The enormous brick building was built in the early 1800’s by Leo von Klenze, originally to house the massive collection of artwork that Duke Wilhelm IV was gathering. The collection here includes works from Rembrandt, Rubens, Murillos, Durer, and Titian, amongst many others. A trip to this museum will be your only opportunity to see many of these incredible pieces.

1. Deutsches Museum

In the center of Munich you’ll find the astounding Deutsches Museum. The museum features more than 12 miles (or 19 km) of hallways spread out over 6 floors and sorted into 30 different sections. The Deutsches Museum is home to one of the best planetariums in Europe, an amazing Kinderreich for children, and a stunning collection of exhibits outlining the development of the transportation industry.

The city of Munich is overflowing with stunning museums. Ask your Munich hotel concierge for information on how to get to these and others throughout the city. You’ll enjoy the time spent exploring.