Nymphenburg Palace

Nymphenburg Palace in Munich is one of Europe's grandest baroque palaces and was the summer residence of Bavaria's Wittelsbach rulers for two centuries. Its long white facade, ornate state rooms, King Ludwig I's famous Gallery of Beauties and a museum of gilded royal carriages make it one of the top things to do in Munich. Behind the palace stretches a 445-acre (180 ha) park dotted with lakes, canals and charming garden pavilions.

Where it is and how to get there

The palace lies in the Nymphenburg district, a few miles west of Munich's old town. From Munich Hauptbahnhof (main station), tram 17 takes you straight to the „Schloss Nymphenburg“ stop. Alternatively, ride the U-Bahn to Rotkreuzplatz and change to the tram, or take the S-Bahn to Laim and continue by bus. The Deutschlandticket is valid on all local transit. Drivers will find about 450 free parking spaces at the palace.

A brief history

In 1664, Elector Ferdinand Maria began building a country house for his wife, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, to celebrate the birth of their heir, Max Emanuel. Over the following decades, architects Agostino Barelli, Enrico Zuccalli and Joseph Effner expanded it into a vast ensemble. From 1715 to 1918, it served as the summer residence of Bavaria's electors and kings. King Ludwig II, the builder of Neuschwanstein, was born here on August 25, 1845.

What to see

• Great Hall (Steinerner Saal): a three-story banquet hall with a sweeping ceiling fresco by Johann Baptist Zimmermann
• Gallery of Beauties: 36 portraits of women commissioned by Ludwig I, including the dancer Lola Montez
• Marstallmuseum: royal coaches and sleighs, including Ludwig II's spectacular state carriages, plus a museum of Nymphenburg porcelain
• Amalienburg: a dazzling rococo hunting lodge by François Cuvilliés in the park
• The park: canals, lakes and smaller palaces such as the Badenburg and Pagodenburg

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the Bavarian Palace Administration:

• April to October 15: daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• October 16 to March: daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the park pavilions are closed in winter
• Closed on January 1, Shrove Tuesday, and December 24, 25 and 31
• Palace only: 10 EUR; combined ticket: 20 EUR in summer, 16 EUR in winter
• Under 18s enter free

There are no regular guided tours, but you can rent an audio guide for 3.50 EUR. Buying tickets online helps you skip the line. The park is free to enter.

Exploring the park

The park is free and worth at least an hour on its own. A long central canal runs straight west from the garden parterre to a cascade, revealing the strict baroque layout. Hidden in the landscaped woods on either side are the small palaces: the Badenburg with its remarkable heated bathing hall, the Chinese-inspired Pagodenburg, and the Magdalenenklause, built as an artificial ruin and hermitage. Wear comfortable shoes, as distances are long.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you want a calmer alternative to the crowded old town. Plan about 90 minutes for the main palace and half a day if you add the carriage museum and a walk in the park. Families save money because under 18s go free, and kids usually love the carriages. Next door you will find the Munich Botanical Garden and the historic Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory.