10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Munich

The grand palace of Munich Residenz is one of Bavaria’s most impressive structures. You can spend hours exploring many 14th-century buildings, courtyards and gardens. There are 130 rooms inside the palace, including a museum, a 2-storey court chapel, an ancestral gallery, a treasury, and a banquet hall. Many of these rooms are furnished with antique furniture, frescoes, and tapestries dating back to the Renaissance, Neoclassical, and Baroque eras. From Marienplatz Square, you can easily walk the 1 km to Munich Residenz. 

The Englischer Garten is an 18th century city park in central Munich. Covering an area of 50,000 square metres, it’s a popular spot for relaxation and activities such as jogging and cycling. One of its most significant attractions is a 25-metre-tall Chinese tower called Chinesischen Turm. To enjoy the view, Munich’s 2nd largest beer garden is nearby, which has almost 7,000 garden benches facing the tower. An authentic Japanese teahouse is set on an island located at the southern end of Englischer Garten, where you can enjoy traditional tea ceremonies. 

On warm days, you may stumble upon a crowd of nude sunbathers in Schönfeldwiese, a green expanse beside the Japanese teahouse. This is a common sight during summertime, so give it a try if you’re feeling adventurous. 

Nymphenburg Palace is a grand baroque landmark that served as a summer residence for Bavarian royalty. You can explore luxurious rooms within the 18th-century palace, including the rococo-style Great Hall for its ceiling painting of the Olympian heaven. Max Emanuel's Great Gallery of Beauties has 6 paintings of ladies at the court of Louis XIV. Outside, Nymphenburg Park features landscaped gardens with canals lined with follies. During the summer season, you get to enjoy gondola rides on the central canal from 10am onwards. The 30-minute ride costs around €15 per adult.

Müller’sches Volksbad is one of Europe’s most beautiful wellness centres. Founded in 1901, it features an Art Nouveau design with wrought iron banisters, stucco ceilings, marble columns, and whimsical motifs. Facilities include a Finnish sauna and a Roman steam bath with an open-air courtyard. Go for a refreshing dip in the cold-water plunge pool or enjoy massages during your visit. Water gymnastics take place at Müller’sches Volksbad’s indoor swimming pools. 

The Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) is a late Gothic structure with over 20 individual chapels dedicated to various saints, apostles, and guilds. Check the tomb of Empire Ludwig the Bavaria, bronze figures of Dukes Wilhelm IV and Albrecht V, and a 15th-century painting of the Virgin of Mercy. Located in Frauenplatz, Frauenkirche’s distinguishing feature is the 2 domed towers, both of which loom over Munich at almost 100 metres in height. Guided tours of the cathedral are typically held on Thursdays at 3pm, but it’s best to check with the parish office. 

Peterskirche (St Peter’s Church) looms 91 metres above Munich’s Old Town, providing an outstanding view from its steeple. The Romanesque structure dates back to the 12th century, and is one of the oldest buildings in Germany. Many attempt the 306-step climb to the top of the church tower as you get to see the city’s skyline and, on sunny days, the frosted peaks of the Alps. Inside the church, you can see a glass case that houses the bejewelled remains of Christian martyr, Saint Munditia. 

Munich’s Botanical Gardens has over 14,000 plant species from all over the world. There’s a glasshouse complex that spans 4,500 sq m, where you get to see more than 2,000 orchid species, palm trees, carnivorous plants, and cacti, as well as animals like iguanas, frogs, and koi fish. Stop by the garden cafeteria to enjoy light bites and coffee – the terrace offers views of lush gardens. Each month, guided tours in German take place every 2nd and 5th Sunday at 10am. Admission to the Botanical Gardens costs around €4.50 for adults and free for those below 18 years old.

Lake Starnberg, 35 km southwest of Munich, is one of the largest lakes in Germany. A trail circles this freshwater lake and spans over 46 km in length, which you can attempt to finish on bike or foot. If you’re looking to explore Lake Starnberg in a more leisurely way, pedal boats are available for rent during the summer. Ferries can take you to Rose Island, where the royal villa of King Ludwig II of Bavaria is located. 

Nationaltheater Munich is the principal venue for Germany’s top classical troupes, including the Bavarian State Opera, Bavarian State Ballet, and Bavarian State Orchestra. This lavish concert hall hosts classical performances all year round, including theatre, dance, and orchestra. You can also explore the neoclassical building by joining a guided tour for about €10. Available in English, German, Italian, French, Hungarian, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian, a staff takes you to its lavish halls and the auditorium while sharing facts about the history and notable icons of Nationaltheater Munich.

The Alte Pinakothek Gallery showcases over 700 artworks, including Old Masters paintings by the likes of Da Vinci, Titian, El Greco, Rubens, and Rembrandt. Founded in 1836 by King Ludwig I of Bavaria, it’s one of the world’s oldest art museums. Admission to Alte Pinakothek costs around €7 (€1 on Sundays) and free for people under the age of 18. If you want to learn about the paintings displayed in the gallery’s permanent collection, audio guides are available in German, English, French, Italian, and Spanish.