We really love returning to places we’ve visited before and experiencing them in a different way. Sometimes you see familiar streets with new eyes. Other times, you seek out something entirely new and let the place reveal another side of itself.
Our previous visit to Munich had been wrapped up in Christmas markets — a trip marked by freezing temperatures, holiday crowds, and one memorably chaotic bus ride. This time, arriving in the height of summer, the focus shifted completely. Staying cool became the priority, especially after dealing with heat exhaustion the day before. I was far more mindful of how much time we spent outdoors and how we paced ourselves.
The one thing firmly on our list for this visit was the Munich Residenz. Knowing that much of the experience would be indoors made it feel like the perfect plan for a hot summer day. If we managed to fit in another museum or site along the way, it would be a bonus — but beyond the Residenz, we kept our plans intentionally loose. Over a couple of days in Munich, we only visited a handful of places, choosing depth and ease over trying to see everything.
Lady Bavaria & Oktoberfest
On our first day in Munich, we managed to get a little turned around with our directions. We boarded a different train than we intended, and instead of hopping off at the next stop, we decided to simply stay on and see where it would take us. Sometimes the best thing you can do while traveling is embrace the detour and discover what’s waiting there.
That unexpected turn brought us to the Oktoberfest grounds.
In the middle of summer, it is exactly what it sounds like — a wide, open field with little to hint at its world-famous transformation. There are no towering beer tents, no long wooden tables packed shoulder to shoulder, no dirndls or lederhosen in sight. But standing there, it was easy to imagine how dramatically this quiet space would change in just a few months. Soon it would be filled with music, laughter, clinking steins, and thousands upon thousands of people gathering for one of the most iconic festivals in the world. The contrast between its calm emptiness and its future energy was almost surreal.
At the far end of the field stands a far more permanent presence — the towering statue of Bavaria, often called Lady Bavaria. Commissioned by King Ludwig I in 1837 as a centerpiece to the Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame) behind it, the statue was designed to embody the strength and cultural pride of the Bavarian kingdom.
The project took thirteen years to complete, in part because artisans revived ancient bronze-casting techniques to create it. Neither King Ludwig I nor the architect overseeing the project lived to see it finished. Today, Lady Bavaria stands watch over the festival grounds — a powerful symbol of regional identity in a place that, for most of the year, appears surprisingly quiet.
Bavarian National Museum
The Bavarian National Museum is considered one of Europe’s great museums for art, culture, and folklore. Founded by King Maximilian II in 1855, it has grown into a remarkable treasure trove of decorative arts and historical artifacts. Today, it houses extensive art historical and folklore collections that span from the medieval period through the modern age.
- TICKETS: Tickets are €7/adult, free for children and youth under 18
With more than forty rooms spread across three floors, the museum is both impressive and, at times, overwhelming. Entire galleries are dedicated to specific eras — Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism, and Art Nouveau — allowing visitors to move steadily through the evolution of artistic style and cultural life. Each room feels like stepping into a different chapter of history.
One of the museum’s greatest points of pride is its collection representing “courtly culture.” Hundreds of finely crafted objects — carved ivory, porcelain, textiles, glass painting, and intricate metalwork — once adorned the homes of Europe’s elite. Many of these pieces came from the Wittelsbach family, Bavaria’s powerful ruling dynasty. Because of their influence, the museum’s significance extends far beyond the region. Some items were even diplomatic gifts from major historical figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte.
What we loved most was the incredible range of objects on display. Renaissance board games immediately caught our attention — the detail and craftsmanship in the tiny carved figures were astonishing. The musical instrument collection was another favorite, filled with beautifully preserved pieces that hinted at the sounds of centuries past.
Some galleries were closed during our visit, likely for rotation or inventory, which was a small disappointment. But even so, there was more than enough to take in. Several period rooms combined architecture and artifacts to create a fuller sense of the time. In one gallery, suits of armor stood beneath Gothic vaulted ceilings, immersing visitors in the aesthetic of the era rather than simply displaying objects behind glass.
By the end, the museum felt like a comprehensive — and deeply layered — art history lesson. It was thoughtful, expansive, and far more engaging than we expected.
English Garden
Any opportunity to walk through the English Garden should be taken. This sprawling park is one of the largest urban green spaces in the world, and it feels like the city’s collective backyard. In the summer, everyone — and I truly mean everyone — seems to gather here to cool off and unwind.
Every corner of the garden was alive. People swam in the river, floated lazily along the current, stretched out on blankets in the grass, tossed frisbees, played music, and rode their bikes along shaded paths. The energy was relaxed but vibrant — the kind of atmosphere that makes you slow your pace without even realizing it.
We didn’t brave tubing down the Eisbach or try surfing the famous river wave (which is wild to see in the middle of a city). Instead, we wandered until we found a quieter stretch of water. There, we slipped off our shoes and dipped our feet into the cold current. On such a hot summer day, the icy water felt almost medicinal. We sat for a while with our feet in the river, letting the coolness sink in, watching the current move steadily past us.
It was simple, but it was perfect — a small pause in a warm and busy city.
The Residenz
The Residenz is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. But calling it a palace almost feels too simple — it is an entire complex of buildings, courtyards, halls, chapels, and galleries that evolved over centuries. This was the place in Munich we most wanted to see on this visit, and it easily became where we spent the majority of our time in the city.
We wandered through its rooms for hours on the first day and returned the next for more. Even then, I left feeling like I had only skimmed the surface. The Residenz unfolds room after room, each space revealing a different artistic era and royal ambition. You can see the shifting influences clearly — Renaissance symmetry giving way to Baroque drama, Rococo elegance softening into Neoclassical restraint. Each generation of Wittelsbach rulers shaped the palace to reflect the tastes and values of their time.
For someone who loves architecture and art history, the Residenz felt like walking through a living textbook — but far more beautiful than any page could capture. Ornate ceilings, gilded details, grand staircases, intricate inlays — it was a feast of craftsmanship from beginning to end. My nerdy heart was absolutely delighted.
A few things to keep in mind when visiting the Residenz:
- TICKETS: Tickets for the different areas of the Residenz can be purchased individually, or you can purchase a combination ticket that covers different areas. Tickets are not required for the outdoor areas.
- Residenz Museum Only- €10/person
- Treasury Only- €10/person
- Cuvilliés Theatre Only- €5/person
- Museum & Treasury Combination- €15/person
- Museum, Treasury, Theatre Combination- €20/person
- TIME CONSIDERATIONS: Be sure to give yourself enough time to go through all the areas of the Residenz. They give suggested time frames for each area.
- museum tour is 2-3 hours (but even that is taking it fast). There is a shorter tour and the a full complete tour through the museum.
- treasury tour is 1 hour
- theater tour is 20 minutes
- VISITING WITH KIDS: Seeing the Residenz should be given a few hours. But if you’re traveling with kids, they are not so jazzed about wandering through for hours. Breaking it up into shorter visits is better than doing it all at once.
- For us, we spread it out over a the two days. We bought just museum tickets the first day and did the shorter tour through the museum. The next day we bought the combination ticket and did the treasury and the theater in the morning, and then came back and did the longer tour of the museum in the afternoon.
Ancestral Gallery & Porcelain Cabinet
The first real view we had within the Residenz was the gilded Ancestral Gallery. Lines of painted portraits of the families that called this home. At the end of the hall is the porcelain cabinet. Ceiling to floor cabinets are filled with the beautiful dishes, each artistically painted.
So here’s the other nerdy thing you should know about me. I really love beautiful dishes and having an entire room dedicated to said dishes and linens would be a dream. Although, this rococo style of this porcelain cabinet is probably a little too much for me.
Hall of Antiquities
The Antiquarium, or Hall of Antiquities, was built between 1568 and 1571. This space was to house the extensive antique collection of Duke Albert V. Later the antiques were moved and the space was converted into a banquet hall. It is thought to be the largest Renaissance hall north of the Alps.
Special Collections
All throughout the palace are exhibits showing the beautiful gifts given to the family. Rows of delicate pieces line the cases, each carefully crafted and protected.
Royal Apartments
The royal apartments are beautiful to say the least. Each room is decorated with opulent details worthy of the distinction of those who lived there.
Court Church of All Saints
Compared to the rest of the rooms we had seen, the Court Church was a stark contrast. This church at one point was richly decorated in rich Byzantine style. But with WWII, bombs completely destroyed the church leaving only the outer walls intact.
The church was rebuilt after the war. Instead of trying to recreate the splendor of what it was, it was left with the stripped appearance. Today it is used mostly for concerts and events.
Stone Rooms & Trier Rooms
The rooms that were really interesting to me were what called the stone rooms and the trier rooms. The Stone Rooms are known for their detailed use of marble and other stones in the inlays around the rooms. Then in the Trier Rooms, beautiful tapestries hang from the walls displaying different themes.
Imperial Hall
The Imperial Hall was built at the beginning of the 17th century under Maximilian I. This room is all Baroque style and was built to be an important place for ceremonies and gatherings. The entire room is themed after the idea of princely rule based on reason and virtue. The tapestries and paintings all show heroic and virtuous figures from mythology and the Bible.
Rich Chapel & Rich Rooms
Going into the Rococo style are the Rich Rooms. These rooms are elaborately and extravagantly decorated with swirls of gold and rich dark colors. Even the small chapel, the Rich Chapel, is bursting with that near gaudy display of Rococo.
Treasury
We spent a good part of the first day in the museum. We came back the next day to visit the two smaller areas of the Residenz- the treasury and the theater.
The treasury is home to all the jewels over the centuries of the royal family. This collection is considered one of the most important collections in the world. It holds over 1000 years of royal crowns, swords, goblets, icons, and other treasures.
Some of the pieces include the medieval Crown of Henry II. He was the Holy Roman Emperor between 972-1024. Another famed piece is the Renaissance era jewel encrusted piece of Saint George slaying the dragon.
A glass case displayed the crown jewels of the kingdom of Bavaria. Along with the crown was the royal regalia, scepter, and orb of the monarch.
The wealth displayed in the treasury goes beyond the jewels and crowns. Exhibits show intricate works of gold and ivory, finely cut crystal and glass, and rich tableware. It is incredible to think about the skill and technique that was used to create such pieces.
The show of wealth even extended to toiletries. One of the most interesting items was the complex and ornate box of grooming and appearance tools.
Cuvilliés Theatre
Our last part of the Residenz was a visit to the theater. This theater was originally built in 1745. The rich velvet hangings, the gold details, and the painted ceiling create a lavish atmosphere. It feels like opulence suited for a palace.
We loved experiencing Munich from this new summer perspective. Where our last visit was wrapped in twinkling lights, crowded markets, and the magic of Christmas, this one felt slower and more spacious — filled with cool museum halls, shaded garden paths, and long hours wandering through royal rooms.
The museums, history, art, and quiet elegance of the city gave us a completely different appreciation for Munich. Instead of rushing from market to market, we lingered. We noticed details. We let the city unfold at its own pace.
Munich is layered in a way that makes it impossible to fully know in just one visit. There are too many rooms in the Residenz, too many collections in its museums, too many corners of the English Garden to explore all at once. It’s a city that reveals itself piece by piece — season by season.
I have a feeling we’ll keep returning, discovering it a little differently each time.
See where we’ve been and where we’re going on this trip:
Thanks for coming along on this summer visit to Munich. May summer days be filled with sunshine, history, and all that sparkles.
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