11 Top Free Things to do in Munich (Including a Free Walking Tour)

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, offers many historical attractions and has beautiful parks, gardens, and palaces.

If you intend to visit the city, below you will find a list of 11 suggestions of free things to do and attractions to include in your travel itinerary.

Free Things to do in Munich

1. Join a Free Walking Tour

Photo Credit: ian kelsall

Nothing better than starting to explore the city with a Free Walking Tour, where you can understand and discover the German culture and history of the place.

The tour is in English and lasts approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Click to Book a Free Tour in Munich

2. Explore the Marienplatz and Admire the Neues Rathaus Architecture

Top Free Things to do in Munich – Photo Credit: Daniel Seßler

Marienplatz is the heart of Munich’s Old Town.

The square is home to one of the most emblematic buildings in the city, the Neues Rathaus, a building with a neo-Gothic facade built in the second half of the 19th century.

The Mariensäule monument and the Fischbrunnen fountain are also located on the square.

Take the opportunity to appreciate the architecture of the place and take lots of pictures.

3. Relax at Englischer Garten

Top Free Things to do in Munich – Photo Credit: Unsplash

The English Garden is Germany’s largest urban park and the ideal place to relax in Munich.

The park is considered the green lung of the city and is crossed by several streams.

The park is home to beer gardens, most notably the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm.

4. Admire the Hofgarten Gardens

Photo Credit: Marcel Schachinger

The Hofgarten is an urban park with ornamental gardens, fountains, fruit trees, and a central pavilion.

The pavilion with its 8 arches reflects the division of the garden divided by diagonal paths.

5. Enjoy the Views from Olympiapark

Top Free Things to do in Munich – Photo Credit: Tuguldur Baatar

Olympiapark is another famous park in Munich, ideal for relaxing, and offers some paid attractions such as the Olympic Tower and a brewery, Olympiaalm.

6. Visit the BMW Welt

Top Free Things to do in Munich – Photo Credit: Julian Hochgesang

Located next to Olympiapark, the BMW Welt is a must-see free attraction for car lovers.

The place has different spaces and architecture with a glass facade with several cars of the brand on display.

The BMW Museum, on the other hand, is a paid attraction.

7. Explore the Schloss Nymphenburg Gardens

Photo Credit: Sid Saxena

Schloss Nymphenburg is one of Munich’s must-see attractions. And although the entrance to the palace is paid, visiting its gardens is free.

The palace is located in the western part of Munich, 15 minutes from the city center.

8. Enjoy the Banks of the Isar River at Maximiliansanlagen

Top Free Things to do in Munich – Photo Credit: Jan Antonin Kolar

Maximiliansanlagen is a park located on the banks of the Isar River, very popular with locals, especially in the hot summer months.

It’s a beautiful place to relax and enjoy on the banks of the river.

9. Stroll along Maximilianstrasse

Photo Credit: Antonio Grosz

Maximilianstrasse is the most elegant street in Munich. It is an unmissable place to see the fashion trends at the shop windows of luxury brands and parked luxury cars.

10. Participate in the World’s Largest Beer Festival

Photo Credit: Kimia

Munich’s Oktoberfest is the most popular beer event in the world. It takes place every year from mid-September to the first week of October and receives approximately 6 million visitors from various countries.

The event is free, and only beers consumed and ride-on attractions are paid for.

11. Enjoy the Most Beautiful Time of the Year at a Christmas Market

Photo Credit: Daniel Seßler

Germany is home to some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

In Munich, there are numerous options for Christmas markets, which start around the end of November and until the end of December.

If you intend to visit the country at that time, be sure to include this event in your itinerary.

Cheap Hotels Options in Munich

And if you still haven’t opted for accommodation in Munich, below you’ll find some suggestions for cheap hotels in the city for you to save even more.

The Ibis chain is always a great option for a more economical hotel that offers modern and comfortable accommodation. The Ibis Muenchen City Ost is highly rated by many travelers and is located just 20 minutes from Munich Central Station. Book Here.

The Tulip Inn München Messe is a budget hotel option located in the Bogenhausen district, a 5-minute drive from the Munich Messe Exhibition Center and 30 minutes from the Central Station by public transport. Rooms are equipped with a TV and a work desk. Book Here.

The Hampton By Hilton Munich City Center East is a 3-star hotel with modern facilities and great value for money. The hotel is located just 12 minutes by public transport from Marienplatz. Rooms have a flat-screen TV and a kettle. Book Here.

The Novotel München City is a 4-star hotel option that also offers great value for money. Rooms are modern and have a TV, electric kettle and work desk. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool. The hotel is in a great location, just 10 minutes by public transport from Marienplatz and a 7-minute walk from the Deutsches Museum. Book Here.

The Super 8 by Wyndham Munich City West is a modern, budget hotel option located next to Schloss Nymphenburg and 20 minutes by public transport from central Munich. The rooms have a TV and a work desk. Book Here.

Featured Photo by Sandra Grünewald

Book Your Trip

Book Your Accommodation

Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights to Germany by using Momondo. Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many budget carriers.

Book a Train Ticket

Check the train routes and schedules with Omio. Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com.