If you’re planning a trip to Munich, Germany, and you’re interested in history, art, or just love beautiful architecture, then the Munich Residenz Palace should absolutely be on your itinerary. I visited this incredible historical site with my 13-year-old son during our Bavarian adventure, and we were both captivated from the moment we stepped through its grand entrance.
I like visiting palaces and museums and I have to say that I did not see all the palaces I wanted in Munich. The reason is simple: too few days for all the grandeur this city has to offer + a trip that was planned around our son’s 13 years birthday so when I created my itinerary there were many places I included for him.
When we went to the Residenz Palace, we had 2 places we wanted to visit that day. But the second one I knew was open after 5PM, so we did not rush (not really) through the palace.
I am including below our experience, but also tips and tricks to make your visit perfect!
Why You Must Visit the Residenz Palace in Munich – My Family Travel Guide
How do I get to the Residenz Palace in Munich
Frankly, getting there is easy by public transport. The address is Residenzstraße 1 – and we used the public transportation app to plan our trip a day in advance (see what type of ticket would be the best based on our planned places to visit + how long it takes to get there and different options we had.)
We (I had it on my phone as I have a great mobile data plan with enough roamin data available) used also Google Maps – from the subway station to the palace. It is actually veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery easy – just a few meters – but as I did not have a printed map, I did not want to waste time + I had enough data, I used maps with directions for pedestrians.
Visit the Residenz Palace in Munich
The stricking thing – for me – was that from the street, you will not guess that it is a palace there. It is a building in between other buildings. I know – not the perfect picture – but I do not have another one :))
Only after entering – and getting into the interior court – you start to see it as a palace.
Unlike the more famous Nymphenburg Palace on Munich’s outskirts, the Residenz feels like a secret hiding in plain sight. “It’s like stepping into another world,” my son remarked, and he wasn’t wrong.
And there is a nice statue – here it is up close:
What Is the Residenz Palace in Munich?
The Residenz Palace is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. Located in the center of Munich, it’s the largest city palace in Germany and today it houses multiple museums and attractions, including:
- The Residenz Museum – with all the special rooms, including churches
- The Treasury (Schatzkammer)
- The Cuvilliés Theatre (if open!)
The Residenz is known for its mix of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architecture and interiors—and trust me, walking through it feels like stepping into another era.
A Brief History of the Residenz Palace
The Munich Residenz began as a modest fortress in the late 14th century (in 1385 the Neuveste or “new fortress” was built,) but over the centuries, it grew into the sprawling royal palace we see today. It served as the official residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty, which ruled Bavaria for over 700 years.
From the Renaissance to the Baroque and Neoclassical periods, each generation of rulers expanded and renovated the palace to reflect their power, wealth, and the styles of the time. The result? A one-of-a-kind mix of architecture and interior design that tells the story of Bavaria’s royal past.
Despite being heavily damaged during World War II, the Residenz was carefully restored and reopened to the public—so what you see today is both authentic and a testament to Munich’s dedication to preserving its history.
A Few Personal Notes About Visiting the Residenz Palace
Before getting into what was like for us to visit the palace, I want to make a few important comments.
First of all, you do not need a reservation.
We bought the tickets on the spot.
Then you will need to leave your luggage (bigger than a purse) at the entrance. I had a backpack – not big – but we had a power bank in it, water, a hand fan, and a few other small items – we had to leave them in a locker.
Wehn you buy a ticket, you are asked if you want an audio guide. SAY YES! I trully recommend this – even if you will most likely not listen to all the details about all the pieces/rooms in the palace, when something is of interest to you, it comes in handy to have the audio guide with you.
Also, as they will tell you, after you finish a section, you must get back to them to set the audioguide to the next section you will visit. (more about this and extra tips below).
It is very big – so you can also consider a guided tour.
What Can You See Inside the Residenz Treasury?
We started our visit with the Treasury, and wow—it’s an unforgettable collection of glittering history.
Why did we visit the Treasury first?
It was not a matter of choice. This was the instruction from the ticket office.
So, as mentioned, we started our visit with the Treasury (Schatzkammer), and this turned out to be the perfect introduction to the grandeur that awaited us.
Housing one of Europe’s most significant collections of royal jewels, crowns, and ceremonial objects, the Treasury proved to be my son’s unexpected favorite part of the entire visit.
Inside, we saw:
- Jeweled crowns and royal regalia (my favourite!)
- Ornate crosses and reliquaries
- The stunning St. George statue, made of silver, enamel, and semi-precious stones
- various items – including swords, a special traveling set, decorative objects, and more
Even my son—who’s not usually into historical artifacts—was totally engaged. He kept pointing things out, especially the elaborate swords and armor. I’d recommend spending at least 45 minutes to an hour here, and don’t skip the audio guide—it adds great context.
We used the audioguide to find out more about many of the items. As a note: there are some items that do not have details in the audioguide.
Now, I have to add that I really like jewelry (especially royal) and that this part of the palace was truly special for me. I also discovered many interesting items – perhaps not so famous (a traveling set for a queen was spectacular).
I would have spent more time here. But I knew we have the palace to visit too and we had other places to go to during that day (as I mentioned, we needed a longer stay in Munich – definitely next time!)
I loved the treasury and here you only see a few of the items. There are maaaaaaaaaaaaany more – different objects, splendid, all with a special significance.
Tip for families: The Treasury can be like a treasure hunt. Teens and kids will enjoy picking out the most extravagant piece in each room.
Extra tip for you: this comes from my son (who, I have to admit, after a few rooms and many details about items exhibited, was getting tired of hearing audioguide explanations): if you want to know more about the items exhibited in a room, check to see the code for that room. It gives you an idea about the objects exhibited in that room and you will only listen to explanations about items you find really interesting.
What Are the Most Impressive Rooms in the Residenz Palace?
After the Treasury, we moved into the Residenz Museum (after having our audioguides changed), which is enormous and filled with room after room of lavish interiors.
The Ancestral Gallery: Who Were the Wittelsbachs?
Walking through the seemingly endless corridor of the Ancestral Gallery, we were fascinated by the portraits of generations of Wittelsbach rulers staring down at us.
This is the first room you will visit (after the Treasury). This magnificent gallery was commissioned by Elector Karl Albrecht (later Emperor Charles VII) in the 1730s.
The portraits are stack – 3 rows – and there are both women and men from the Wittelsbach history. A very impressive room.
What I found most interesting was how the gallery served as political propaganda of its time—a visual testament to the dynasty’s legitimacy and power. You’ll notice the richly decorated rococo style with its white and gold ornamentation that creates a truly regal atmosphere.
It is an impressive gallery!
At one point, there is a door to a smaller room called The Porcelain Room – there are display cassings with several porcelain sets – elegant, beautiful! A joy!
What Makes the Grotto at the Residenz So Special?
One of the most surprising spots we discovered was the Grotto Courtyard.
Yes, a courtyard INSIDE the palace.
It’s an outdoor space tucked between the palace walls. The walls are completely covered in shells, stones, and crystals. It’s unlike anything I expected to find in a royal palace!
My tip: spend some time looking closely at the details of the fountain. Everything is made from shells – and the result is truly impressive!
We both loved walking slowly through the courtyard, noticing new little details the longer we looked. The Grotto adds a playful, almost dreamlike break from the opulence of the grand rooms inside the Residenz, and it’s definitely worth taking a few extra minutes to enjoy.
The Antiquarium: Is This the Most Beautiful Hall in Germany?
Next in the Residenz Palace is the breathtaking grandeur of the Antiquarium. This 69-meter-long Renaissance hall dating from 1568-1571 is the largest and most lavish Renaissance hall north of the Alps.
Ok, I knew it from photos I have seen prior to my visit – when I did my research on places to visit in Munich. But being there was a special experience.
I also have to add that I knew – from the photos on the official website, but also from other bloggers – that the decor is yellow. It is NOT. It is as you see it in the pictures below.
It is beautiful, the room is spectacular, but it is not that yellow as in the pictures seen online.
Oh. I forgot to tell you that it was NOT crowded. We visited early July and it was OK! It was a surprise – as it was also the football championship – but we were very happy.
Of course there were people visiting the palace. Do not imagine it being empty.
But it was not as crowded as I was expecting and I simply loved this!
Getting back to the Antiquarium, apart from being impressive in size, it is impressive in the paintings and statues.
Make sure you look at the intricate frescoes depicting Bavarian towns, while classical busts line the walls.
Originally built to house Duke Albrecht V’s collection of antique sculptures, the hall later served as a banquet room. You do not even need to know this in advance – it would be clear as soon as you enter it.
I could almost hear the echoes of centuries-old festivities as we strolled its length. And I could imagine balls – men in elegant costumes, ladies in superb dresses… an orchestra…
And yes, I love wide and tall spaces. I feel like home in a palace!
If you visit the Residenz, this room alone is worth the price of admission. The remarkable preservation despite WWII damage makes it all the more impressive.
The Rooms: How Did Bavarian Royalty Live?
We were particularly impressed by the Rich Rooms (Reiche Zimmer), which showcase the height of rococo extravagance with their red silk damask walls and gilded ornaments.
These state apartments offer a glimpse into the daily lives of Bavarian royalty that fascinated both me and my son.
I am leaving below some of the pictures I took. They are of just a few rooms or details.
And the room next to it:
I also liked the Charlotte Rooms (Charlottenzimmer):
And the anterooms (there are many):
I loved the tapestries:
Another splendid bedroom:
And 2 more beautiful bedrooms:
What else do I need to know about visiting the Residenz Palace?
If you are like I was, planning your first visit to the Residenz Palace in Munich, you should know that you will be visiting MANY rooms.
And, perhaps, like me, you will not have the time to listen to the audioguide about all the rooms.
We were impressed by the furniture and decorations in many rooms – for some, as I learned from the audioguide, the furniture is not the original one, as many rooms were damaged during the war.
But if you wouldn’t know this, you would have NO IDEA because the reconstruction of the palace kept the entire charm and royal athmosphere.
What else did I like at the Residenz Palace? And what else can you visit?
There are sooo many things that impressed me while visiting the Residenz Palace, Munich.
Here are some of them:
- There is a room where the ceiling is painted in such a way that the room seems taller.
- There are many-many porcelain objects and sets (various display cassings). All splendid! (I wish I could post here all the photos i took – but the article would load too slow)
- The are MANY clocks – exquisite designs. Table clocks, clocks on walls or stand-alone pieces. Amazing – make sure to keep an eye out for them.
- Check out the tapestries – you can find them in many rooms
- Make sure you look at the paintings – not only in the rooms – there is a hallway with paintings
- There is also Court Church of All Saints – not always opeb. We did not see it
- There are 10 courtyards
- There is a Miniature room – really cool (more impressive than this photo suggests):
Can You Visit the Cuvilliés Theatre?
This is where I had a little travel heartbreak. I had really hoped to see the Cuvilliés Theatre, one of the best-preserved Rococo theatres in Europe, but it was closed on the day of our visit.
From what I’ve read, the theatre is a visual masterpiece—red velvet seats, golden carvings, and ornate box seating. It was rebuilt after WWII and is still used for concerts today. If it’s open when you visit, don’t miss it!
How Long Do You Need at the Munich Residenz?
We spent just over three hours total: about an hour in the Treasury, and two in the Museum. It was the right amount for us, but if you want to dive deeper into every room, you could easily spend 4–5 hours.
My tip: Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be doing a lot of walking on stone floors. This is one of my top travel tips, because I recommend comfortable shoes anytime – not only when travelling, but especially then. The last thing you need are sore feet.
Are Audio Guides Worth It?
The audio guides enhanced our experience tremendously. Available in multiple languages, they provided just the right amount of information without overwhelming us.
And, as already mentioned, they were included in our ticket price.
How Can You Save Money on Tickets?
If you’re planning to visit all sections (Palace Museum, Treasury, and Cuvilliés Theatre when open), the combined ticket offers significant savings.
Check the website before your visit for current pricing and special family tickets that might offer additional savings.
They also offer guided tours in English that might be worth the splurge for history enthusiasts. We saw a group with a tour guide and from what I noticed, the explanations are interesting, relevant, useful.
What Are the Essential Visitor Details You Need to Know?
Address: Residenzstraße 1, 80333 München, Germany
Opening Hours: Daily 9 am – 6 pm (April to October), 10 am – 5 pm (November to March)
Closed: January 1, Shrove Tuesday, December 24, 25, and 31
Website: www.residenz-muenchen.de – make sure to check it prior to your visit!
Nearest Public Transport: Marienplatz or Odeonsplatz (we used Odeonsplatz to be closer to the palace)
Stop at the Souvenir Shop
After recuperating my backpack, we stopped at the souvenir shop.
There are special items here – from superb mugs and plates to hand fans (I bought one), magnets, and more.
They are all Residenz-themed.
How Long Should You Plan for Your Visit?
We arrived right at around 9.45 AM – the palace opens at 9 AM, which I highly recommend if you want to make the most of your day.
I suggest planning at least 3-4 hours for the palace and the Treasury combined if you are not a fan of such palaces.
For us, it was more of a 6-hour visit – we left in the afternoon.
What Attractions Are Near the Residenz Palace?
The Residenz’s central location makes it easy to combine with other Munich highlights if you are on a vacation with a limited number of days and you want to see as much as possible.
After your visit, you can go to Marienplatz, Munich’s central square, just a five-minute walk away. The famous Glockenspiel clock tower performance made for a perfect follow-up to our royal experience. If you get to Marienplatz, there are other places you can visit too: St. Peter’s Church, Frauenkirche – The Church of Our Dear Lady and even the Munich Toy Museum.
If you’re visiting with family, I recommend planning your Residenz visit for morning, followed by lunch at the Viktualienmarkt food market, and perhaps the more kid-friendly Deutsches Museum in the afternoon. This is valid ONLY if you rush through museums and palaces – because we spent an entire day at the Deutsches Museum and we would have wanted to have more time!
