Nymphenburg Palace and Park, Munich (must see)

The Nymphenburg Palace, located in Munich's Neuhausen-Nymphenburg district in Bavaria, is a grand example of Baroque architecture. This historic palace was the primary summer home of the Bavarian monarchs from the Wittelsbach family. Now, it stands as one of Munich's most visited landmarks, showcasing an impressive Baroque exterior stretching nearly 700 meters. Inside, the palace presents a mix of original Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical interior designs.

Commissioned by Ferdinand Maria and Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, the palace's construction started in 1664, led by the Italian architect Agostino Barelli, to celebrate their heir, Maximilian II Emanuel's birth. The central part of the palace was finished by 1675 using Kelheim limestone. Over time, Nymphenburg has been expanded and remodeled, surpassing the neighboring Blutenburg Castle as the primary hunting retreat, rivalling even Schleissheim Palace.

The palace's park is a premier example of German garden art, blending structured Baroque formal gardens with the naturalistic English park style, creating a revered model of landscape architecture. The park complements the palace and its extensive grounds, providing a scenic backdrop for both locals and visitors. It connects to the palace complex on the east and is encased by its historic walls on other sides, bordering the Botanical Garden to the north and blending into the Kapuzinerhölzl forest.

Originally inspired by the iconic French gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles, the current park's design was the vision of Friedrich Ludwig Sckell, who reimagined it starting in 1799. The walled garden portion spans 180 hectares, with the total estate measuring 229 hectares.

Why You Should Visit:
Absolutely gorgeous summer retreat and park, with several museums and historical buildings on-site. The park itself sprawls across many acres, and the grounds are well-maintained and tidy.
The Carriage Museum and other side museums cost extra, while the huge gardens are free. The audio-guide is inexpensive but covers the history and details very well.
Unlike a lot of castles you may visit, this one has lots of windows and light, so you can really admire the paintings and decorations.

Tip:
Make sure it's sunny when you visit and bring water + good walking shoes.