Visiting Munich on a Sunday and worried nothing will be open? Think again! This guide shares the MANY things to do and see in Munich on Sundays.
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Sundays in Munich are perfect for reading at a cafe, exploring new neighborhoods, or visiting one of the city’s many museums.
Because here’s the thing: there are SO many awesome things to do in Munich on Sundays!
If you’re visiting the capital of Bavaria for the first time and part of your trip falls on a Sunday, know in advance that the main attractions will be open. (Mondays are when museums and other tourist attractions are usually closed.)
Grocery stores and shops are closed on Sundays, but there’s plenty more to do and see that will keep you busy all day long.
Table of Contents
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Visit a Museum
Holing up at one of Munich’s many fantastic museums is especially perfect on cold or rainy Sunday afternoons.
I love fueling up at a local cafe before visiting a new museum. Some favorite stand-bys of mine include:
- Deutsches Museum — 15 Euros; book tickets here. Munich is home to the world’s largest museum of science and technology. Whether you’re traveling solo or with family, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the wide variety of exhibits.
- Deutsches Verkehrsmuseum — 8 Euros. AKA the German Transport Museum. This is a sister museum to the Deutsches Museum and is where you’ll find the collection of vintage automobiles, trains, and more!
- Haus der Kunst — 9 Euros. Munich’s modern and contemporary art museum.
- Jewish Museum — 6 Euros. A museum dedicated to Jewish history and culture.
Claire’s Tip: Pay Just 1 Euro on Museum Sunday!
Munich’s 1 Euro Museum Sundays make visiting the city’s most popular museums so much more affordable! Every Sunday, the following museums charge just 1 Euro to enter:
- Pinakothek Museums — There are three Pinakothek art museums, the “Old,” the “New,” and the “Modern.” The Alte Pinakothek’s collection of European paintings from the 14th through 18th centuries is my favorite, but check out the Pinakothek museums website when deciding which to visit this Sunday.
- Museum Brandhorst — An art museum showcasing works from the 1960s onwards. This museum has the largest Andy Warhol collection in Europe!
- The Schack Gallery — Boasts a large collection of 19th century German paintings.
- Bavarian National Museum — An excellent museum dedicated to the history and culture of Bavaria.
- Glyptotek — Munich’s oldest museum displays only antique sculptures.
- State Museum of Egyptian Art — A sizable museum with 5,000 years worth of Egyptian artifacts.
- Museum Fünf Kontinente (Museum of Five Continents) — Germany’s first ethnological museum.
Relax in One of Munich’s Many Parks
Sunny Sundays in Munich are best spent outside laying on the grass, biking along the Isar river, or picnicking under a shady tree.
Some of my favorite parks in Munich for meeting friends or relaxing include:
- Hofgarten — The former court garden on the edge of the Old Town is a small but lovely oasis in the middle of the city. There are plenty of benches here, so bring a good book and claim a spot!
- English Garden — Munich’s largest public park is known for its beautiful “Chinese Tower” beer garden and blocks upon blocks of rolling green grass. Consider booking a guided bike tour that takes you through the English Garden so you can stretch your legs and learn something new about the city!
- Luitpold Park — This is more of a local’s park that few visitors know about. In the middle of the 33-acre park rises Luitpold Hill, also known as the “Rubble Mountain.” You’d never know by looking at it, but the rose-covered hill was created using rubble leftover from the Allied Air Raids in World War II.
Tour the Royal Residence
Munich’s former royal palace lies in the heart of the Old Town. Whether you live here or are visiting for the first time, this is a must-see attraction in Munich — Sunday or not!
From 1508 to 1918, the Residence served as the seat of government and home of the Wittelsbach family.
The Antiquarium is a show stopping Renaissance banquet hall that you see very early on during your tour, but there are more than 100 rooms to visit in the Residence.
Believe it or not, the Residence just gets better and better after that!
Spend the Day at Nymphenburg Palace
Another fabulous place to visit on a Sunday is the Italianate-style Nymphenburg Palace. (Book your tickets in advance to save time when you arrive!)
The palace is just 30 minutes outside the city center and is easily accessible via public transportation.
Personally, I thought the 18th-century Great Hall was the crowning jewel of the entire complex. It hasn’t been remodeled since it was finished in 1758, and the vibrant ceiling fresco is simply breathtaking.
Claire’s Tip: Entry to the palace not in your budget? The vast Baroque-style gardens behind the palace are free to enter and you can easily spend 3+ hours visiting the Old Pump House, the Great Cascade, and the additional attractions scattered around the gardens.
Admire the City’s Churches Between Services
Whether or not you’re religious, Munich’s historic churches are well worth visiting on a Sunday between services.
Some of my personal favorite churches in Munich are:
- Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady) — Legend has it that the architect made a pact with the Devil so he could finish the soaring cathedral in just 20 years. The architect managed to trick the Devil so he could finish the cathedral quickly, but not according to the deal they made. When the Devil found out he’d been duped, he stomped his foot at the entrance of the cathedral … and you can still see his footprint today.
- Alter Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church) — Munich’s oldest church was actually founded before the city itself was! If you have the time and desire, I highly suggest paying to climb St. Peter’s tower for an epic view of Munich from above.
- Asamkirche (Asam Church) — This small but intricate church was built as a “showroom church” by the Asam brothers. The brothers were architects and wanted to use this compact space to demonstrate their skills to prospective clients.
Picnic on Olympic Hill
The 60-meter tall Olympic Hill is located within Munich’s Olympic Park.
One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday is pack some snacks, a fun beverage, and a good book, then head to Olympic Hill to enjoy my spoils with a lovely view.
On a clear day, you can actually see the Alps from this hill!
Claire’s Tip: Olympic Park was originally built for the 1972 Olympics. While you’re here, wander around the park too!
Learn About All Things BMW at the BMW Museum or BMW World
Bavarian Motor Works is headquartered in Munich, and even if you’re not a car fanatic I still highly recommend visiting either the BMW Museum or BMW World.
The BMW Museum covers all things BMW — from the brand’s founding to its most unique inventions, you’ll definitely leave with a deeper appreciation for German engineering!
BMW World (aka BMW Welt) is a free, multi-level showroom that exhibits the latest cars and motorcycles from the BMW brand. I had so much fun sitting in the various cars and playing with the controls; it’s a great place to visit on Sundays when you want to get out of the house but don’t want to spend hours in a museum!
Pay Your Respects at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp, the first and longest operating in Germany.
I’ve visited Dachau a couple times, and the experience has been saddening each time.
The basic layout of the camp and a handful of the original buildings have been preserved, some of which now house exhibitions sharing the history of the camp and biographies of some of the people who were murdered here.
Claire’s Tip: The Memorial Site is free to enter and takes about 45 minutes to reach from the city center. You can either use public transportation to reach Dachau, or you can book a guided tour which includes transportation from Munich.
Enjoy Kaffee und Kuchen with the Locals
Ask any local what they have planned for this Sunday, and I bet a high percentage will simply say, “Kaffee und Kuchen” — coffee and cake.
The hallowed German tradition of enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee (or tea!) and a thick slice of cake on a Sunday afternoon is one of my favorites.
Even if you’re just visiting Munich, I highly suggest slowing down on Sunday and treating yourself to some cake in the afternoon.
One of my favorite cafes in Munich is Tante Emma Cafe (Destouchesstraße 63), but Cotidiano is also very good and has locations throughout the city.
Explore a New Neighborhood
There are so many beautiful areas to explore in Munich, and Sundays are ideal for setting out with no specific plan in mind.
- Old Town — Munich’s historic city center is chock-full with attractions, museums, historic sites, you name it. I have a detailed guide to Munich’s Old Town that shares my many recommendations on things to do here!
- Gärtnerplatz — A trendy area known for its independent shops and nightlife, and for being LGBT+ friendly. (It’s also just really pretty in this area!)
- Schwabing — A popular neighborhood whose entrance is marked by a copy of a Roman triumphal arch.
Take a Guided Tour of the City Center
If you don’t know what else to do in Munich this Sunday, go ahead and book the tour you’ve had an eye on!
Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer to tour cities on my own two feet (I always worry I’m going to fall off a bike or scooter..) and this WWII and Third Reich walking tour is very well done.
Or, book a Night Watchman Tour to learn about Munich’s history after dark.
Relax at a Beer Garden
Since beer gardens originated in Bavaria, it’s only fitting to spend Sunday at your favorite one!
There are so many wonderful beer gardens in Munich (many of which are attached to restaurants and / or sell food from the grill in addition to various beverages).
A few of my favorites are Schwabinger Osterwaldgarten, a lovely shaded beer garden attached to a traditional German restaurant, and Hopfengarten, which has more of a local feel to it and has live music throughout the summer.
Claire’s Tip: My friend Natalie has a detailed guide over on her blog where she shares her top Munich beer garden recommendations!
Attend a Performance or Concert
Munich’s theater and opera scene is one of the best in the country, in my humble opinion.
There are a number of incredible venues that stage operas, plays, ballets, classical and choral concerts, and more.
- National Theater — The primary venue for the Bavarian State Opera, Bavarian State Ballet, and Bavarian State Orchestra.
- Reidenz Theater — Where the Bavarian State Theater company performs.
- Gärtnerplatztheater — A smaller venue whose program typically includes operettas (a lighter and funnier form of opera), musicals, and dance performances.
Take a Day Trip
There are lots of amazing — and easy! — day trips from Munich that don’t require a car. Some of my all time-favorite day trip destinations include:
- Neuschwanstein Castle — Arguably the day trip to take from Munich. You can reach “Mad King” Ludwig’s fairytale castle using public transportation or book a guided tour that includes transportation and also takes you to the smallest of Ludwig’s palace, Linderhof Palace. (I’ve visited Neuschwanstein both on my own and on a guided tour; both days were amazing, so choose whichever option sounds best to you.)
- Salzburg, Austria — The hills are alive with the sound of … Salzburg! This charming city was Mozart’s birthplace and it was also used as a backdrop for many scenes in The Sound of Music. (I sincerely regret not taking The Sound of Music guided tour when I was last there!) Either plan your day trip yourself or book a guided tour that takes you from Munich to Salzburg and back.
- Nuremberg — Nuremberg has it all! The Imperial Palace was once where the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire met. Just down the street from the palace is the home of the famous German Renaissance painter Albrecht Dürer. And come December, Nuremberg hosts the most famous Christmas market in Germany! I have a detailed guide to Nuremberg’s Old Town that will give you lots more info. Or, book a guided tour to Nuremberg and call it good.
Bonus: Seasonal Sunday Activities
If you’re lucky enough to have your visit to Munich fall on a Sunday and it’s during a special event — count your blessings!
The most famous event that Munich is known for is Oktoberfest. It’s the world’s largest folk festival and locals and visitors alike flock to the Theresienwiese to eat, drink, and be merry in the massive beer tents.
Read more: A First Timer’s Guide to Oktoberfest – Practical Tips and Info for Planning Your Visit
The other major seasonal event I look forward to each year are the Christmas markets. There are seven amazing Christmas markets in the city center alone, plus many more throughout the rest of Munich.
My favorite Christmas market is the traditional market at Marienplatz, but a close runner-up is the medieval market at Wittelsbacherplatz.
Read more: Munich Christmas Market Guide – What to Do, See & Eat
Enjoy Your Sunday in Munich!
No, Munich doesn’t shut down on Sundays! There are so many fun things to do and places to visit, so take advantage of the many historic and cultural attractions that Munich has to offer.
As always, drop me a comment below if you have any questions about planning your visit to Munich.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!
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