Museum Funf Kontinente (Five Continents Museum), Munich

Museum Funf Kontinente (Five Continents Museum), Munich

Founded in 1862 as the Royal Ethnographic Collection for the purpose of displaying non-European artworks and objects, the Five Continents Museum's outstanding historical and contemporary collections show the uniqueness and diversity of cultures from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Orient, Oceania, and Europe.

With a collection of over 200,000 objects and an exhibition area of 4,500 square meters, this is the second largest museum in Germany, outnumbered only by Berlin. Though founded in 1868, the collection's history started much earlier with the Wittelsbach dynasty that ruled Bavaria for over 600 years. It was, arguably, however, the purchase of a large collection from India and Oceania by King Ludwig I in 1830 that provided the catalyst for placing exhibits in the present building, originally intended for the Bavarian National Museum and designed in the Perpendicular English Gothic architectural style.

Head trophies from Brazil, colorful Indian deities, and the oldest surviving North American kayak are all on display here, but in many cases the exhibits include artifacts from contemporary cultures as well – such as African masks made out of discarded items. It's lovely to get such an in-depth insight into other parts of the world. This museum is for all ages!

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Munich. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Museum Funf Kontinente (Five Continents Museum) on Map

Sight Name: Museum Funf Kontinente (Five Continents Museum)
Sight Location: Munich, Germany (See walking tours in Munich)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Munich, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Munich

Create Your Own Walk in Munich

Creating your own self-guided walk in Munich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Walking Tour

Old Town Walking Tour

The Old Town of Munich, sprawling on the west bank of the River Isar, is a treasure trove of architectural splendor and cultural heritage. Also known in German as Altstadt, this medieval area forms the historic core and cultural heart of the Bavarian capital. The entire Old Town is listed as a historical monument and is a living museum – “where the past harmonizes with the present in a grand...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Munich Introduction Walking Tour

Munich Introduction Walking Tour

Straddling the banks of the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps, Bavaria’s capital Munich is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous attractions.

The city was first mentioned in 1158. Its name is usually interpreted as the Old/Middle High German term Munichen, which means "by the monks", deriving from the monks of the Benedictine order, who ran a monastery at the place that...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Third Reich Munich Walking Tour

Third Reich Munich Walking Tour

In the first quarter of the 20th century, the capital of Bavaria, Munich, was ill-fated to become the birthplace of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (aka NSDAP or Nazi Party) and the site of its early activities. The city played a significant role in the rise and consolidation of power of the Nazi Party and, ultimately, the establishment of the Third Reich.

The Third Reich went...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shops

Old Town Souvenir Shops

"Collect moments, not things," wise men say. In reference to travel, this may be interpreted as the prevalence of experiences and memories over material gains. Still, when it comes to travel mementos, albeit material they are, memories and experiences are primarily what these little (or not so little) tokens are all about.

And it would be a pity to leave Munich without bringing home...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


12 German-Made Things to Buy in Munich

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