History
Pharaohs, knights, coffee-house tales and a "Musäum" spelled with an Ä: if you'd rather dive into times gone by, this is your night. Eight houses between the Kunstareal, the old town and the English Garden tell stories of Egypt and Bavaria, of Munich originals and of cultures from all over the world.
Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst
Set almost entirely underground in the Kunstareal, this museum is an experience in itself. Fourteen themed rooms take you through 5,000 years of art and culture from ancient Egypt and ancient Sudan, from figures of gods to everyday objects. For a quick overview, join one of the short guided tours of the permanent collection's highlights.
Address: Gabelsbergerstraße 35
Bus tour: 90 Linie Zentral, 93 Tour Schwabing
Accessibility: accessible
More info: Programme at the Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst
Sammlung Café Luitpold
Munich's smallest museum packs a punch: in the Luitpoldblock, the collection tells the story of the legendary Café Luitpold, which has been shaping coffee-house culture here since 1888. History and architecture meet the present day, as a window looks straight into today's bakery. Small but a real experience, and perhaps the perfect excuse for a slice of cake along the way.
Address: Luitpoldblock, Maximiliansplatz 10
Bus tour: 91 Tour Innenstadt
Accessibility: accessible
More info: Programme at the Sammlung Café Luitpold
Infopoint & Münchner Kaiserburg
The Alter Hof was once the residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty and the imperial castle of Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian; this is where Munich's story as a seat of power began. The Münchner Kaiserburg exhibition tells this history with multimedia inside the historic walls. The Infopoint also has tips on around 1,300 museums, palaces and exhibitions across Bavaria. Currently visiting is the Stadtmuseum Burghausen, home of the world's longest castle, and a knight with a sword and real armour brings the Middle Ages to life.
Address: Alter Hof 1
Bus tour: 90 Linie Zentral, 91 Tour Innenstadt
Accessibility: partially accessible
More info: Programme at the Alter Hof
Münchner Stadtmuseum
The Münchner Stadtmuseum is the city's memory, and even while the main building is being renovated, you can experience it in the Historisches Zeughaus. The interim exhibition "What the City. Perspectives on Our City" asks the big questions in ten chapters: safety, poverty, equality, tradition and growth. Munich residents speak for themselves, and at interactive and media stations every visitor can add their own point of view. The exhibition is in German.
Address: Historisches Zeughaus, St.-Jakobs-Platz 1
Bus tour: 90 Linie Zentral, 91 Tour Innenstadt
Accessibility: accessible (details as PDF)
More info: Programme at the Münchner Stadtmuseum
Jüdisches Museum München
On St.-Jakobs-Platz, the Jüdisches Museum forms an ensemble in the heart of the old town together with the Ohel Jakob synagogue and the community centre. The permanent exhibition tells the story of Jewish history and culture in Munich. In "Yalla. Arabisch-jüdische Berührungen" (Arab-Jewish Encounters), seven women artists with family roots in North Africa and West Asia explore Jewish identities. Short introductions to "Yalla" take place at 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 pm, and to the permanent exhibition at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 pm. On the hour from 7 to 10 pm, Jessica Bonamy-Pergament performs with oud and voice, and the Coucou Food Market serves culinary specialities in the foyer and on the terrace.
Address: St.-Jakobs-Platz 16
Bus tour: 90 Linie Zentral, 91 Tour Innenstadt
Accessibility: accessible (details as PDF)
More info: Programme at the Jüdisches Museum München
Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum
Yes, with an Ä, and that's on purpose: the "Musäum" in the towers of the Isartor is dedicated to comedian Karl Valentin and his stage partner Liesl Karlstadt. After almost two years of fire-safety renovation, it's finally open again. Brand new is "Liesl Karlstadt – Flug zum Mond" (Flight to the Moon), which also shows the private side of the actress. "Sturzflüge in den Zuschauerraum" (Nosedives into the Audience) about Karl Valentin has been restaged with original props and miniature stage sets, and "An jedem Eck a Gaudi" (Fun on Every Corner) tells the story of Munich's folk singers. 98 steps further up, the freshly spruced-up tower room awaits. The exhibitions are in German.
Address: Isartor, Tal 50
Bus tour: 91 Tour Innenstadt
Accessibility: not accessible
More info: Programme at the Valentin-Karlstadt-Musäum
Museum Fünf Kontinente
The Museum Fünf Kontinente on Maximilianstraße is one of Germany's oldest ethnological museums and opens a window onto the cultural diversity of the world. A special exhibition is dedicated to the beloved Hindu deity Krishna, with short guided tours in German and English. There's also ikebana by Japan's two largest schools of flower arranging, and an open block-printing workshop with artist Anvita Jain where you can make your own souvenir. A poetry slam, a Bollywood party in the foyer and Indian specialities in the museum café make it a feast for all the senses.
Address: Maximilianstraße 42
Bus tour: 90 Linie Zentral, 91 Tour Innenstadt
Accessibility: accessible; step-free entrance via Knöbelstraße with registration at +49 89 210136100 (details as PDF)
More info: Programme at the Museum Fünf Kontinente
Archäologische Staatssammlung
The Archäologische Staatssammlung is Bavaria's central museum of archaeology, covering everything from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. Tonight it's all about "All about Love!": still looking for company? Grab a pink wristband and see what happens. The curatorial team offers themed archaeological tours every hour from 7:30 pm, and Duo Fajora plays fitting (love) songs on the hour from 7 pm to midnight. The SÔLA bar serves a special drink, and in good weather the roof terrace is open until 10 pm.
Address: Lerchenfeldstraße 2
Bus tour: 90 Linie Zentral, 94 Tour Ost
Accessibility: accessible (details as PDF)
More info: Programme at the Archäologische Staatssammlung