- Marvel at German engineering at BMW Welt
- Explore the Olympic Park
- Soak up the atmosphere in Marienplatz
- Relax in the English Garden
- Awaken the senses at Viktualienmarkt
Marvel at German engineering at BMW Welt
Obviously, Germany is famous for its engineering, so don't miss the opportunity to visit BMW Welt on your school trip to Munich (especially because it's free).
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's also a restaurant and merchandise shop (if you do feel like spending some money or desperately need some BMW-branded merch).
Entry to BMW Welt is free, but if you want to visit the BMW Museum next door, you'll need to buy tickets.
Explore the Olympic Park
In 1972, Munich hosted the Summer Olympics, and the main stadium is now a city park that's a real focal point for cultural, social and religious events in the city.
There’s loads to see and do in the Olympic Park, including some of 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 (great for enhancing students' cultural knowledge).
Entrance to the park itself is free, but 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, so it’s the perfect place to soak up some of the local culture. All the city’s most important streets lead to this very square (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 (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 (considered the go-ahead for Nazi officials to start the pogrom that became known as 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 (so, although it looks completely natural, it has actually 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
In our opinion, checking out the local market is almost always one of the best activities, wherever you are. You can learn so much about the local culture and everyday life at the market (and sometimes you might be lucky enough to get to try some of the local delicacies, too).
Munich's main market is called Viktualienmarkt, and it's no exception.
Right in the heart of Munich, Viktualienmarkt really is a must-visit. It's obviously 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 – and 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.
And if your students are learning German, why not challenge them to go and chat to the stallholders, who'll be pleased to tell them about their produce?
Ready to start planning your school trip to Munich?
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