Just outside the historic center of Munich is Nymphenburg Palace (“Castle of the Nymphs”) a Baroque structure that was a favorite summer residence for Bavarian rulers. Nymphenburg Palace was built in 1664 following the birth of Max Emanuel, son of Elector Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria and Henriette Adelaide of Savoy. It was enlarged over successive decades and centuries and remained a popular summer retreat for Bavarian rulers. The enhancements included wings to the main palace as well as pavilions, various waterworks, and buildings scattered around the expansive property. One of those is the Marstallmuseum which houses the opulent carriages and sleighs that were used for coronations and to simply enjoy outdoor rides.
Today, it’s a wonderful place to reflect on early Bavarian rulers’ lives, tastes, interests, and opulent lifestyles. My husband and I visited Nymphenburg Palace on our first day in Munich. The palace and its outbuildings are impressive, and the palace grounds invite visitors to stroll along the many tree-lined paths, the lake, and the various buildings (most of which are open to visitors). The grounds are open to the public at no charge, so you’ll find kids playing, moms pushing strollers, people discretely picnicking, and others simply enjoying strolls around the lakes and through the many shaded walking trails.
Nymphenburg Palace | Schloß Nymphenburg 1, Munich, Germany | +49 89 17908-0
Highlights of a visit to Nymphenburg Palace
Palace
Probably the most impressive space in the palace is the Great Hall – the main room of the palace and the setting for dining and family celebrations. Here, King Ludwig II was christened the day after his birth in August 1845. Johann Baptist Zimmermann’s ceiling fresco showcases Greek gods and some trompe l’oeil (optical illusions) hiding in its borders. This light-filled room treats visitors to vast views of the Grand Canal and the grounds.
Other notable spaces are the Palace Chapel, the Queen’s Apartment where King Ludwig II was born, and the Hall of Beauties, which showcases the 36 portraits of attractive women that King Ludwig I commissioned, including one of his wives. The wings include paintings and furnishings in the antechambers (where visitors would wait to meet the ruler) and royal apartments. Note that photography is limited inside.
Marstallmuseum (Museum of Carriages & Sleighs)
- In the entrance hall is a carriage with the honor of carrying Karl Albrecht Wittlesbach to his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor in Frankfurt in 1742. Behind the carriage is a painting showing that momentous event. Note that Karl’s carriage is #159 in the painting. His carriage was pulled by eight horses, a number denoting an emperor is in the carriage – as opposed to a king who’s carriage is pulled by six horses.
- Two wings house coaches that spanned hundreds of years and, over time, technology and comfort upgrades.
- A room showcasing Ludwig II’s love of riding with paintings and carriages.
- An area upstairs displaying porcelain used at Nymphenburg Palace, dating to the 1700s.
Amalienburg Hunting Lodge
- In 1734, Karl Albrecht built this lodge for his wife, Maria Amalia.
- Inside are several rooms, each richly decorated: A large salon, doghouses, a gun storage area, a bedroom; paintings of palace events, including hunting parties, and a kitchen
Other Buildings Outside the Palace
- Pagodenburg, a Chinese-inspired pavilion adjacent to Pagodenburg Lake (on the grounds)
- Badenburg, an ornate bathhouse and banquet hall adjacent to Badenburg Lake (on the grounds).
- Magdaleneklause (Magdalene Hermitage), with stately furnished apartments.
Nymphenburg Park (Palace Grounds)
The outside is such an appealing part of the visitor experience. Here are:
- Formal manicured gardens, canals, lakes, and fountains.
- Gondola rides are available on the middle channel from April to October.
Hours of Operation and Admission
The Palace
- Open daily 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (though small palaces and other outbuildings may close in the winter)
- A combination ticket to visit all the buildings (open to the public) is €15 from April to October; ticket prices are reduced from mid-October to the end of March.
- Individual ticket prices: €8 for the palace; €6 for the royal stables museum; €5 for the park palaces (buildings outside the main palace)
- Children under 18 are free.
- A palace audio guide is €3.50.
NOTE: Please check online to verify current hours of operation and admission costs.
The Park
- Open daily 6:00 am to dusk
- No cost to enjoy the park
Tips for Your Visit to Nymphenburg Palace
- Parking is free.
- This is a self-guided tour through the palace. Purchase the audio guide to get the most out of your visit.
- Informational signs are displayed in several languages, including English.
- A café on the palace grounds serves lunch and munchies. Other dining options are available, too.
- Restrooms are at the main palace entrance, with ticket counters and a gift shop.
- Leashed dogs are allowed on the palace grounds but not in any of the buildings.
- There is a museum gift shop.
How to Get to Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg Palace is 3 miles northwest of Munich’s center. You can reach the palace by rental car, taxi, or a ride-share (about a 15 to 20-minute ride); tram (about a 15-minute ride aboard the train, not including getting to the train station); bus (about a one-hour ride); or bike. If traveling on public transportation, get off at the Schloss Nymphenburg stop. From the tram stop, walk about 10 minutes to the palace. My husband and I took an Uber ride because we wanted to make the most of our time.
Map of Nymphenburg Palace
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Final Thoughts
We took a taxi from our hotel near Marienplatz to Nymphenburg Palace the same afternoon we arrived in Munich. It was a relaxing way to learn more about Munich’s history leisurely. We spent 3 hours here, but you could have easily spent more!
After walking through the palace using the audio guide (rented after purchasing our tickets), we walked the grounds and stopped in to see some of the palace’s outbuildings, including our favorite, the impressive Martelsmuseum, which had grand carriages used by royalty. Seeing the opulent carriages and sleighs – including one designed to carry musicians and another that served as a hearse – reinforced the opulence with which the early Bavarian royalty lived.
Other palace buildings are on the grounds, including the Amalienburg Hunting Lodge and the Pagodenburg. I especially liked our stroll around the Grand Canal (sheltered from the sun by giant shade trees), along lakes, by the Palace outbuildings, and past the Grand Cascade (at the end of the Grand Canal). The experience brought to mind what life here must have been like to live or visit here centuries ago. It would have been easy to while away the hours on the beautiful grounds then — as visitors still do today.
Comments?
Feel free to share your experiences at Nymphenburg Palace and/or suggestions for other places to visit in Munich. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
