Munich’s Pinakothek in the background of the Future House display ()
November in Germany can bring chilly rain, fluffy snow or sunny skies, and sometimes all three in one day. It’s the time of year many of us retreat inside, making it a great month to explore the world-class museums Munich has to offer. Spend a day enjoying the displays, learning something new and avoiding the unpredictable weather.
It takes an all-day excursion to visit the world’s largest science and technology museum which takes up most of Munich’s Museumsinsel, an island in the Isar river. The Deutsches Museum has something for everyone, and displays are in both German and English. You can walk through the human body, discover the details of the model railway, try the hands-on atomic physics exhibits, see historical robots or wander in and around space labs and airplanes. The Deutsches Museum App can help you get the most out of your visit with self-guided tours, in-depth additional information and an interactive map. There are also fun scheduled workshops that are included in your admission and a planetarium show at an extra cost. To break up the day, there are two restaurants and a picnic area. Entry costs 15 euros for adults and eight euros for those under 18.
BONUS: If the natural sciences are more your style, try a visit to the Museum Mensch und Natur (man and nature) for animal dioramas, minerals on display and a hands-on space called BIOTOPIA, a preview of how the museum will be reworked in the future.
The Pinakothek is an art lovers’ journey through time. This conglomerate of five museums houses old artworks from the Middle Ages, masterpieces by Rubens, Manet and Van Gogh, and contemporary art by Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly. The art is sorted across the museums by time period. The Alte Pinakothek houses the oldest masterworks and is also currently home to the impressionist works that usually belong in the Neue Pinakothek, which is under construction. The Pinakothek der Moderne Kunst displays modern art, including an original Futuro House in the gardens, while the nearby Brandhorst focuses on contemporary pieces. The fifth museum, the Sammlung Schack is devoted to German 19th century fantasy works. You can buy tickets to individual museums online, or visit in-person for a day pass to all museums for 12 euros. People under 18 are free. Many of the state-run museums in Munich, including the Pinakothek, cost only one euro on Sundays.
BONUS: The Kunstareal (art district) around the Pinakothek museums houses lots of other museums devoted to classical art and antiquities like the Glyptothek and its displays of Greek and Roman sculpture or the Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst which showcases Egyptian art.
In northern Munich, near the Olympic Park, is the headquarters for the Bayerisches Motoren Werke, or BMW. For those who like all things new, visit the free BMW Welt (world) where you can check out the latest models of BMW cars and motorcycles. You can also book ahead for a guided tour of the main BMW manufacturing plant whose campus is located across the street. For a more in-depth look at this iconic brand, take the futuristic pedestrian walkway to the BMW Museum (admission 10 euro, with discounted family tickets available). Divided into different ‘houses’ dedicated to the history, design and unique series of BMW vehicles; this slick museum is a must-see for any car enthusiast. You can explore nearly every model ever made, including legendary Formula One champions. The company doesn’t shy away from its exploitative history, either, with its no-holes-barred Place of Remembrance exhibit. When you are ready for a break, there are numerous restaurants and shops to choose from at the BMW complex.
Bonus: If you cannot get enough vehicles, the Deutsches Museum also manages the Verkehrszentrum branch, a massive museum full of cars, trains, airplanes and more.
