In a nutshell
- You’ve already checked off all the major attractions in Munich and are now looking for authentic, less touristy spots? We’ve got 10 cool tips for you.
- Whether it’s drinking a beer at an alpine hut right in the middle of Munich, eating at a traditional brewhouse, or grabbing vegan pizza in a witch’s cottage — Munich’s alternative food scene is seriously underrated.
- More into nature? You can stargaze at the Volkssternwarte, walk the Planetenweg along the Isar, or relax in the Rose Garden — all free or nearly free.
- For culture, don’t miss the free Paleontological Museum or the twice-yearly Japandult festival — two of Munich’s most underrated experiences.
Cool Spots in Munich
Snacks at the Olympia Alm
Who says you have to drive all the way to the Bavarian Alps to enjoy a cold beer at a mountain hut? You can simply climb the 60-meter-high Olympiaberg right in the middle of Munich. That’s where you’ll find Munich’s highest-elevation beer garden: the Olympia Alm.
It used to be just a small kiosk. These days, alongside the tap, there’s a grill station serving beer garden classics like currywurst with fries or traditional Bavarian Fleischpflanzerl. The Olympia Alm is honestly one of our favorite beer gardens in the city.
If all 250 seats are taken, the trip is still totally worth it: you can grab your liter of Ayinger beer and sit on the meadow next to the Alm.
Our tip: The atmosphere is especially amazing during a big concert at the Olympic Stadium. You can listen to the music while you eat.
The area is also great for an overnight stay — find the right place to sleep in our Munich hotel tips. Looking for something special? Check out our article on boutique hotels in Munich.
Classic Bavarian food at Zum Dürnbräu
Zum Dürnbräu is one of Munich’s best-kept secrets. Not far from the legendary Hofbräuhaus, you’ll find this charming brewhouse where you can sit outside in peace despite the central location. Perfect for a beautiful summer day!
The interior is rustic and typically Bavarian. Cozy atmosphere, great service, and delicious food — what more could you ask for after a day of sightseeing?
By the way, this tavern is one of the oldest in all of Munich — it dates back to 1487.
If you want to dive even deeper into Munich traditions, it’s worth checking out our article on Oktoberfest in Munich.
Looking for more great brewhouses in Munich? Feel free to browse our article on the best Munich brewhouses.
Chilling at Gans Woanders
Gans Woanders is a seriously cool, alternative spot — like an adventure playground for adults. Except instead of playing, you’re indulging in great food. We especially love the vegan pizza here — it’s simply outstanding!
The place is set up like a little witch’s cottage with an adjoining treehouse. Compared to other hip spots like the Alte Utting and Bahnwärter Thiel, Gans Woanders is still a real under-the-radar find in Munich.
The Christmas market at Gans Woanders is especially magical — it looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. The food offerings include affordable mulled wine, and in the courtyard there are stalls with typical Christmas market fare. There’s also a craft market with fire pits to warm up by.
Experience Nature in Munich
Strolling through Munich's Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is a true secret spot in Munich. Across its 4,500 square meters of garden space, you’ll find countless beautiful flowers and plants. The cherry blossom meadow in particular is perfect for a picnic.
The park also has plenty of benches and white metal chairs where you can relax. Our favorite spot is near the Wittelsbacher Bridge, which sits in the hip Glockenbachviertel neighborhood.
Admission to the Rose Garden is free.
Our tip: In June and July, well over a thousand roses bloom in every color imaginable. Small plaques tell you which variety each rose is.
Stargazing at the Volkssternwarte
Into gazing at the night sky? Then the Volkssternwarte is the place for you! Starting at 9 PM, you can enjoy a two-hour tour all about the universe.
First, you’ll get a quick introduction to planets, shooting stars, comets, and more. Then it’s on to the planetarium, where the constellations are explained in a vivid, hands-on way. The final stop is the rooftop with the telescopes.
From up there, you’ll have a stunning view over the brightly lit Werksviertel and the stars above. In summer, you might even get lucky and spot Saturn. How clearly you can see the night sky does depend a lot on the weather, though.
Tickets are available on the Volkssternwarte website. They cost just 10 euros for adults and 7 euros with a discount.
Note: The evening tours “Münchner Sternstunden” book out well in advance. That said, there are often lectures that are really interesting and include rooftop access afterward.
Our tip: If you’re flexible, call on a clear day and ask whether “telescope tickets” are available. These are cheaper than the full tour, but they still get you up to the rooftop telescopes.
Hiking the Planetenweg
From the Deutsches Museum, a path leads to Tierpark Hellabrunn, recreating our solar system at a scale of 1:1.29 billion. You start at the Sun and walk all the way to Pluto — which was still classified as a planet back in 1995 when the Planetenweg first opened.
Along the way, you’ll pass beautiful stops along the Isar. From the museum courtyard to the zoo, it’s about 5,900 steps — roughly 4.5 kilometers — a fun, compact scavenger hunt through the city.
Our tip: Wear sturdy shoes, as the path goes over rough terrain. Bring a towel too — you can dip your feet into the cool water along the way.
Art and Culture in Munich
Among the many museums in Munich is the Paleontological Museum. Compared to major institutions like the Deutsches Museum, it flies largely under the radar — which makes it one of the best hidden gems in Munich. But a visit is absolutely worthwhile.
At the Paleontological Museum, you’ll find remains of long-extinct animal and plant species you’ve probably never heard of. Did you know about the Mühldorf primeval elephant?
The Paleontological Museum is free of charge.
Visiting the Japandult
Locals love the Japandult, which takes place twice a year at rotating locations around the city — and has been doing so for ten years! It’s an event dedicated to bringing the culture of Japan to life for visitors.
There are delicious food stalls — Japanese, of course. The Japanese bakery Tanpopo, for example, offers melon pan, matcha cake, and much more. Various Japanese musical acts perform, and there are often demonstrations of traditional Japanese arts. You can also shop for handmade accessories and bento boxes from the Far East.
It’s a good idea to order the discounted online ticket on the Japandult website in advance, as demand is enormous.
Our tip: Japanese culture is celebrated beyond just this event — Munich and the Japanese city of Sapporo share a close partnership. The tea house in the English Garden and the Asian section of Westpark also have strong Japanese influences.
Getting up close with movie stars
Bavaria Filmstadt is a popular day trip destination near Munich, especially if you’re visiting Munich with kids. Over 100 years ago, southern Germany’s first film studio was established here. Today, in addition to the genuinely fascinating guided tour, there’s also a 4D cinema and a Hologate Virtual Reality game.
During the 90-minute tour, you can step into the live-action adaptation of “Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver” and its sequel, the classic film “Das Boot,” and the famous classroom from “Fack Ju Göhte.”
Bavaria Filmstadt is located a bit outside of Munich’s city center — you’ll need about 40 minutes to get back in by public transportation.
The combination ticket including the 4D cinema costs 24 euros, and 21 euros for children. You can find more information on the Bavaria Filmstadt website.
Experiencing art at Villa Stuck
Villa Stuck is a beautiful sight both inside and out. The magnificent building houses an extraordinary art museum. Alongside the historic rooms and the artist’s garden of the “Prince of Artists” Franz von Stuck, you’ll discover fascinating rotating art exhibitions.
Right next door stands Munich’s Angel of Peace, where you can sit back on a bench and relax after your museum visit.
Admission is 9 euros.
Our tip: Admission is always free on the first Friday of the month from 6 PM onward. Villa Stuck is even open until 10 PM on those evenings.
Want to experience even more of Munich off the beaten path? Check out our article on guided tours in Munich — there are a few more standout spots waiting for you there.
