3. The Old and Modern Pinakothek (Alte  Pinakothek und Pinakothek der Moderne)

Art lovers look no further. There is little that cannot be found between these two art world heavyweights. The Old Pinakothek has everything from Rubens to Rembrandt, along with a vast collection of Spanish, Dutch and Italian masters. What makes it unique is its collection of German masters. Alter pieces by Michael Pacher (15th c.) and Lucas Cranach the Elder (16th c.) and numerous works by German Renaissance Painter Albrecht Durer (15th c.). Matthias Grunewald, Albrecht Altdorfer. The list goes on and on.

The Modern Pinakothek is Germany’s largest modern art museum. It houses four different collections: 20th century art, applied design, a graphics collection and an architecture museum—each one capable on its own of creating a great number of blisters on your feet. Besides being world class cultural bastions, the Old and Modern Pinakothek have two other things going for them. They are a one-minute walk apart and both have lovely museum cafes.

4. The Residenzmuseum

Home to the Wittelsbach Dynasty, one of Europe’s longest ruling royal families, their former Munich residence is the town’s primary attraction. Think of all the trappings and treasures you could amass in over 700 years of dynastic rule! This is exactly what you will find at the Residenz Museum. Highlights abound, but don’t miss the beautifully executed, albeit gory, Perseus Fountain and the Antiquarium, the giant hall built to hold the family’s antique collection, itself a marvel of the Renaissance world. Count on two hours to see the highlights.

5. Schloss Nymphenburg

Need a break from the city? Five kilometres northwest of Munich sits the Wittelsbach’s former summer retreat. (Was its construction due to the royal family having grown tired of sunbathing in the nude with the plebs in the English Garden? Who’s to say?) This sprawling baroque masterpiece has everything you could possibly want to enjoy on a warm summer day. Shaded alleys, enormous basins reaching symmetrically to the horizon, horse stables, trompe l’oeil frescos, as well as the world’s largest collection of German porcelain. Other highlights include a collection of royal coaches and riding paraphernalia fit for kings, including Mad King Ludwig II’s famous rococo ride built for his nocturnal Song of the Nibelungs inspired outings. The current head of the Wittelsbach family, Franz Duke of Bavaria, has an apartment here. Wave if you see him.