GlobalSpa
06-Nov-2025
The Bavarian capital offers a rich tapestry of culture, craft, and culinary refinement in opulent antiquity.
Munich is a city of considerable grandeur where history hums beneath its rococo domes, and luxury unravels through its rich heritage. Exploring the many facets of the town is an adventure in itself, with each new experience inciting awe- whether it be hunting for high-end fashion amidst historic structures, immersing in tradition at local venues, or steeping in culture at varied locations. Here are some ways to explore the bustling, immortal soul of the city.
Markets of Munich
The Maximilianstrasse remains the most exclusive shopping boulevard in Germany to this day. An architectural marvel blending Neo-Gothic elements with Renaissance, it houses the world’s most coveted luxury brands in 19th-century buildings. Theatinerstrasse and Residenzstrasse, on the other hand, embody personalised splendour with distinguished boutiques and galleries. The Glockenbach district attracts small boutiques and a trendy, bohemian atmosphere, offering an alternative to Maximilianstrasse’s more formal elegance. For authentic Bavarian craftsmanship, Purveyors to the Court are the places to go, including watchmaker Andreas Huber, jeweller Hemmerle, shoemaker Eduard Meier, and the prestigious delicatessen Dallmayr.
(Oktoberfest fairground, GNTB/Jens Wegener)
Pure Relaxation in Munich
(The Englischer Garten in Munich, GNTB/Dagmar Schwelle)
To unwind with a side of history, Müller’sche Volksbad, an Art nouveau bathhouse opened in 1901, features pools, saunas, and steam rooms. Contemporary grandeur is assured by Therme Erding, the world’s largest spa, located just outside of Munich. For outdoor luxury, Phönixbad Ottobrunn, located near Munich, offers an outdoor sauna garden featuring a Finnish kelo sauna, Kneipp facilities, a whirlpool, and brine baths, as well as massage and treatment services. Outside of wellness centres, the Englischer Garten sprawls with verdant harmony and riverside walks, allowing tranquility to flourish in a natural backdrop.
Dining in Munich
(Traditional meal, knuckles and beer in Munich, München Tourismus/Christian Kasper)
With 23 Michelin stars across various dining establishments, Munich is home to some exceptional culinary calibre. Tohru in der Schreiberei represents Munich’s newest three-star achievement. Chef Tohru Nakamura crafts a distinctive fusion of French, Japanese, and Bavarian cuisines. JAN stands as another three-star triumph, marking one of the fastest ascents in Michelin history. While these embody Munich’s gastronomic elegance, the Viktualienmarkt, with its very own beer garden, fresh produce and ready-to-eat stalls, propagates Bavarian specialities. Beer halls and taverns, such as the Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner-Keller, and Löwenbräukeller, are also the perfect places to enjoy a traditional Bavarian meal with a touch of contemporary flair.
Cultural Experiences in Munich
The best way to explore Munich’s old heart is to take a stroll through Altstadt, the old town, and culminate at Marienplatz, the central square of Munich. The Mariensäule at the square’s centre commemorates the patron saint of Munich and marks the city’s official centre. On the cultural side, the neoclassical National Theatre, one of the world’s largest opera houses, offers a magnificent outing to dress up and catch a performance. Meanwhile, the Alte Pinakothek, opened in 1836, houses one of Europe’s most extensive collections of paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries, featuring works by Rembrandt, Raphael, and Dürer.
(Marienplatz in front of the New Town Hall in Munich, GNTB/Dagmar Schwelle)
Hidden Gems of Munich
With a myriad of options, it is easy to overlook some of the lesser-known, equally enthralling experiences the city has to offer. For adventure, urban surfing at Eisbachwelle makes for an unusual way to experience Munich’s innovative fervour. On former railway yard grounds, the Bahnwärter Thiel serves as an alternative cultural centre, combining art, music, theatre, and subculture through repurposed industrial containers and train cars. Circling back to the Englischer Garten, its northern tip remains virtually untouched by tourism. This quieter, more peaceful realm offers miles of walking and cycling trails through magical forested landscapes.
(Eisbach wave, GNTB/Dagmar Schwelle)
Munich does not demand admiration; it earns it in moments with a perfect espresso at a marble counter, the shimmer of chandeliers before a performance, and the golden glow of evening across Marienplatz. It is less a destination than a mood: elegant, composed, and timelessly European.
Cover Image Credit- Munich Town hall, GNTB / Jens Wegener
