29 September 2022

Free Things to Do in Munich!

Heading to Munich on your next school trip? Want an action-packed itinerary but keen to keep costs to a minimum? You’ll be pleased to discover that the Bavarian capital has plenty of free things to do – here are just a few of our favourites:

Marvel at German engineering

Germany is famous for its engineering, so you can’t pass up an opportunity to visit BMW Welt on your school trip to Munich.

BMW was founded in Munich in 1916 and originally produced aircraft engines. Now, it’s one of the leading names in luxury cars and motorbikes.

BMW Welt is the most-visited tourist attraction in Bavaria and offers an interactive experience showcasing the brand’s latest vehicles. There is also a restaurant and merchandise shop if you feel like purchasing a BMW-branded souvenir.

Entry to BMW Welt is free, but please note that if you want to visit the BMW Museum next door, charges do apply.

Explore the Olympic Park

In 1972, Munich hosted the Summer Olympics, and the park remains a focal point for cultural, social and religious events in the city.

There’s lots to see and do in the Olympic Park. You can see the venues built here to host the Games, including the Olympiastadion which is famous for its tented roof, the Olympiahalle and the Olympic swimming hall.

There’s also a Sea Life Centre, the Theatron with its impressive lake stage and the Munich Olympic Walk of Stars, where you’ll see the handprints of some of the biggest names in music and sport!

Please note that while entrance to the park itself is free, there may be charges to visit some of the attractions.

Soak up the atmosphere in Marienplatz

This square is at the very heart of Munich and so it’s the perfect place to soak up some of the local culture. All the city’s most important streets converge here, which is why it’s such a popular meeting place for locals.

There’s always something going on here, whether it’s the Christmas markets in December or celebrations of the footballing success of local giants FC Bayern.

The focal point of Marienplatz is the Mariensäule, which is a column topped with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary portrayed as the Protector of Bavaria. It was erected in 1638 to celebrate the city’s liberation at the end of the Thirty Years’ War.

Also on the Marienplatz is the impressive neo-Gothic New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus in German) and the lovely Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus in German). It was in the Grand Hall of the Old Town Hall that Joseph Goebbels made his speech on 9th November 1938 which is now considered the instigation for Kristallnacht.

Relax in the English Garden

The English Garden, or Englischer Garten in German, is a lovely park in the centre of Munich and a fantastic place for you and your group to catch your breath and reflect on everything you’ve seen and done in Munich.

It’s called the English Garden because its landscaping is very informal, in the style made popular by Capability Brown in England in the mid-18th to 19th centuries.

Although it looks completely natural, it has been carefully designed to give that impression!

There’s plenty to see in the park, from a Japanese teahouse to a Chinese pagoda and even a Greek temple. And make sure you head over to one of the streams in the garden where, if you’re lucky, you might see people surfing!

Awaken the senses at Viktualienmarkt

We would highly recommend a visit to Viktualienmarkt to learn more about the local cuisine and for the fantastic opportunity to practise your German skills while speaking to stallholders about their produce.

Right in the heart of Munich, Viktualienmarkt really is a must-visit. It is completely free to explore the market, although we can’t guarantee your group won’t be tempted to spend their money on the many delicious treats sold here – if you do fancy a quick snack, this is one of the best places to go in Munich.

This is where the gourmets of Munich come to buy their produce and you’ll find all sorts here from cheese, meats and game to spices and exotic fruits. Make sure you stop by the maypole at the centre of the market, which has figures representing a number of trades and crafts from this part of Germany.

Ready to start planning your school trip to Munich?

Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information or to request a tailor-made quote.