Residenz Royal Palace, Munich (must see)
The Munich Residenz, once the official home of Bavaria's ruling Wittelsbach family and the government's base, is now a public museum renowned for its elaborate interior design. It was established as a modest castle in Munich's corner by Maximilian I in the early 1600s and later expanded to its present scale by King Ludwig I with architect Leo von Klenze. The palace suffered extensive damage in World War II and underwent restoration in the 1980s.
Now, the Residenz hosts a museum, a concert venue, the Residenz Treasury, and the Cuvilli茅s Theater. The palace's Antiquarium, a grand Renaissance hall adorned with classical statues, is noted for being the largest in Europe. With 10 courtyards and 130 decorated rooms, the complex holds significant historical artifacts, including the Wittelsbach's jeweled possessions and Albert V's vast coin collection, showcasing 300,000 coins from ancient to modern times. The surrounding French garden, complete with a fountain and a temple crowned with a Bavaria statue replica, adds to the palace's grandeur.
Why You Should Visit:
Versailles-like in its gilded opulence and glory, including the amazing courtyards.
The complex is huge, even more so now that several rooms and corridors have been renovated and opened to the public after many years.
There are an 'old' and a 'new' area to explore and a very good audio guide included with the ticket price.
Tip:
You can buy combined tickets to the Theatre and the Treasury for a complete experience.
The audio guide offers wealth of information about the artwork/rooms/historical events, so you can skip forward to the parts of the tour suiting your interest.
A full tour takes several hours, so you may want to split it into sections with a break for coffee & snacks.
Now, the Residenz hosts a museum, a concert venue, the Residenz Treasury, and the Cuvilli茅s Theater. The palace's Antiquarium, a grand Renaissance hall adorned with classical statues, is noted for being the largest in Europe. With 10 courtyards and 130 decorated rooms, the complex holds significant historical artifacts, including the Wittelsbach's jeweled possessions and Albert V's vast coin collection, showcasing 300,000 coins from ancient to modern times. The surrounding French garden, complete with a fountain and a temple crowned with a Bavaria statue replica, adds to the palace's grandeur.
Why You Should Visit:
Versailles-like in its gilded opulence and glory, including the amazing courtyards.
The complex is huge, even more so now that several rooms and corridors have been renovated and opened to the public after many years.
There are an 'old' and a 'new' area to explore and a very good audio guide included with the ticket price.
Tip:
You can buy combined tickets to the Theatre and the Treasury for a complete experience.
The audio guide offers wealth of information about the artwork/rooms/historical events, so you can skip forward to the parts of the tour suiting your interest.
A full tour takes several hours, so you may want to split it into sections with a break for coffee & snacks.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Munich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Residenz Royal Palace on Map
Sight Name: Residenz Royal Palace
Sight Location: Munich, Germany (See walking tours in Munich)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Munich, Germany (See walking tours in Munich)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Munich, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Munich
Creating your own self-guided walk in Munich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Munich Introduction Walking Tour
Straddling the banks of the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps, Bavaria鈥檚 capital Munich is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous attractions.
The city was first mentioned in 1158. Its name is usually interpreted as the Old/Middle High German term Munichen, which means "by the monks", deriving from the monks of the Benedictine order, who ran a monastery at the place that... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The city was first mentioned in 1158. Its name is usually interpreted as the Old/Middle High German term Munichen, which means "by the monks", deriving from the monks of the Benedictine order, who ran a monastery at the place that... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shops
"Collect moments, not things," wise men say. In reference to travel, this may be interpreted as the prevalence of experiences and memories over material gains. Still, when it comes to travel mementos, albeit material they are, memories and experiences are primarily what these little (or not so little) tokens are all about.
And it would be a pity to leave Munich without bringing home... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
And it would be a pity to leave Munich without bringing home... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Third Reich Munich Walking Tour
In the first quarter of the 20th century, the capital of Bavaria, Munich, was ill-fated to become the birthplace of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (aka NSDAP or Nazi Party) and the site of its early activities. The city played a significant role in the rise and consolidation of power of the Nazi Party and, ultimately, the establishment of the Third Reich.
The Third Reich went... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
The Third Reich went... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The Old Town of Munich, sprawling on the west bank of the River Isar, is a treasure trove of architectural splendor and cultural heritage. Also known in German as Altstadt, this medieval area forms the historic core and cultural heart of the Bavarian capital. The entire Old Town is listed as a historical monument and is a living museum 鈥� 鈥渨here the past harmonizes with the present in a grand... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
12 German-Made Things to Buy in Munich
The Bavarian capital Munich, much as the whole state of Bavaria, form an inseparable part of the German image, although a very unique part in its difference to the rest of the country, including the language. Bavarian beer occupies an important place in German heritage, from the infamous 1920s Beer...
Top 10 Cafes and Restaurants in Munich
While there are many restaurants and cafes in downtown Munich for a visitor to choose from, by far not all of them are truly worth visiting. Here's the solid list of quality cafes and restaurants that will add greatly to your Munich experience. Each restaurant and cafe featured here offers...