A baroque masterpiece, visiting Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) was a highlight of my trip to Munich. The palace impresses both inside and out, from its manicured gardens to its unbelievable interior design. It doesn’t take long to understand why this was the chosen summer residence of royalty!
Table of contents
In this post, I’ve set out absolutely everything that’s on offer to you when visiting Nympehnburg Palace to make sure you don’t miss out!
Nymphenburg Palace in Munich: All you need to know
What you need to know
- Is it worth going to Nymphenburg Palace? Absolutely! I loved visiting, both the interior and exterior of the palace are incredible and I really enjoyed learning its history.
- Does anyone live at Nymphenburg Palace? Yes! It’s the home of the Duke of Bavaria.
- Can you take pictures inside Nympehnburg Palace? You’re able to take pictures for personal use. Photography and film permits are also available.
- Can you tour Nymphenburg Palace? While you are able to go inside, there are no official guided tours. Audioguides however are available for a small price and give a really great rundown of the site’s history!
- Who owns Nymphenburg Palace? It’s currently owned by the state.
How to get there
Getting to Nymphenburg Palace is really easy, here’s how to find it!
- By public transport: You can take the S-Bahn to the stop ‘Laim’. Most S-Bahn lines pass through here. From Laim you can walk around 20 minutes to the Palace or take a bus to the stop ‘Schloss Nymphenburg’. There’s also a tram stop right outside the Palace which is what I took.
- On foot: The Palace is located a little way out of the city centre, so if that’s where you’re staying it isn’t really convenient to walk there unless you’re looking for a long walk. I’d recommend driving or taking public transport!
- By car: There are 450 free parking spaces at Nymphenburg Palace making it ideal to get to by car.
Opening times
Nymphenburg Palace has the following opening hours:
- 28th March – 15th October: Daily 9 am – 6 pm
- 16th October – 27th March: Daily 10 am – 4 pm
The Palace is closed on January 1st, December 24th, 25th and 31st as well as Shrove Tuesday. Do be sure to check the website ahead of visiting for any unforeseen closures/opening time changes.
Entry fee
Tickets are available online or from the ticket shop at the cash desk. There are several different admission fees for Nympehnburg Palace, these are:
Nymphenburg Palace
- Adult: €8
- Under 18s: Free
Nymphenburg Porcelain Museum
- Adult: €6
- Under 18s: Free
Park castles
- Adult: €5
- Under 18s: Free
There is also a combination ticket which includes entrance to all 3 areas of the park. Note that the park castles are closed over winter.
- April 1st – Mid October: €15
- Mid October – 31st March: €12
My tips for visiting
- Grab an audioguide: While the information boards are in English too, I really enjoyed the audioguides here. They were great value and explained the history of Nymphenburg Palace in great detail.
- Get there early: If you want all the best crowd-free photos or just enjoy the place being quieter, be sure to get there earlier to beat out the tourists!
Nymphenburg Palace history
Construction of Nymphenburg Palace began in 1664 and the initial version was completed in 1679. It was built as a summer residence for Elector Ferdinand Maria, his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, and their son and heir to the throne, Max Emanuel by the designs of architect Agostino Barelli. Under Max Emanuel’s supervision, and with the help of Joseph Effner, Nymphenburg Palace began to evolve into the baroque masterpiece we see today. He added pavilions, royal apartments, and more, significantly enhancing the palace’s grandeur.
The legacy continued with Karl Albrecht, the Elector Max Emanuel’s son, who further developed the palace. Following him, his son Maximilian III Joseph also made significant contributions. This continuous enhancement of Nymphenburg Palace turned it into a true family affair, with each generation adding to its splendour.
Nymphenburg Palace is also the birthplace of the ‘mad king’ Ludwig II 1845.
Nymphenburg Palace interior
The interior of the palace is a showcase class baroque style with Rococo and Neoclassical design incorporated. The finest architects and artists were brought together throughout the years to turn the Palace into the grand masterpiece that it is today. Here are some of my favourite parts of the palace:
- King Ludwig I’s Gallery of Beauties: Once a dining room, this particular Gallery of Beauties now features 38 portraits of beautiful women. The paintings show women from different walks of life, reflecting King Ludwig’s personal taste.
- Great Hall: I’ve been to a lot of German palaces and castles, but this is a room I’ll always remember. The Great Hall is a true rococo wonder, intricate stuccos and frescos by Johann Baptist Zimmermann line the walls and frame the incredible ceiling painting. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling with large windows light up this magnificent room.
- Queen’s Bedchamber: The Queen’s Bedchamber, the birthplace of the future King Ludwig II, features original luxurious furniture that reflects the Queen’s high status. Additionally, children’s furniture is present, highlighting the historical significance of the room and its connection to the royal family.
Nymphenburg Palace Park
The grounds of Nymphenburg Palace are just as fit for royalty as its beautiful interior. Covering around 180 hectares, the park is a picturesque landscape filled with streams, lakes, sculptures, fountains, flowerbeds, and wildlife. Large parts of the grounds have been left to become wild, meaning there’s a high chance of spotting deer, rabbits and even foxes wandering around. From April to October, visitors can enjoy the unique experience of floating down the central canal in a gondola, adding a touch of Venetian charm to this Bavarian gem.
Park Palaces
Within the grounds of Nymphenburg Park, there are 4 smaller buildings, or ‘palaces’, to be explored, these are:
- Amalienburg: Amalienburg Palace, built as a hunting lodge for Elector Karl Albrecht’s wife, is a true celebration of the Rococo style. Its interior boasts incredible stucco and intricate carving work, epitomizing the opulence of the period. One of the highlights is the Hall of Mirrors, a mesmerizing room with alternating large windows and mirrors that create an illusion of endless space.
- Badenburg: This palace is best known for its heated indoor bathing space, considered one of the earliest examples of its kind. There’s also no shortage of lavish furnishings and beautiful ceiling paintings, maintaining the elegance of the entire park.
- Pagodenburg: The Pagodenburg is heavily influenced by Chinese and Indian styles in its interior design, featuring unique Chinese wallpaper and intricate figurines. This unique blend of aesthetics creates a distinctive and captivating look.
- Magdalenenklause: Built to be a quiet retreat, the Madalenenklause houses the Grotto Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene. This palace isn’t as exuberantly furnished and decorated, reflecting its purpose as an escape for those residing at Nymphenburg Palace.
Marstallmuseum – Museum of carriages and sleighs
Housed in the former stables of Nymphenburg Palace, the Marstallmuseum showcases the most luxurious coaches, riding equipment, and accessories used by royalty. The highlight is undoubtedly the coronation carriage of Emperor Karl VII. This is an incredible collection of gold-guilded, elegant riding equipment, it really feels like stepping into a treasure trove!
Nymphenburger Porzellan – Porcelain Museum
Within the Marstallmuseum, you’ll also find the Porcelain Museum. Since 1747, Nymphenburg Palace has been renowned for it’s high-quality, handmade porcelain manufactory. The Porcelain Museum exhibits items from the palace’s private collection, featuring everything from delicate porcelain flowers and elegant dinnerware to intricate animal figures and sculptures.
Museum Mensch und Natur – Natural History museum
This museum is a great visit, especially if you’re with kids! It features nine themed areas including the history of earth, and the world of minerals and even has an earthquake simulator to try out! There’s lots to see and do and admission is free for those under 18s.
Summary
I absolutely love Nymphenburg Palace, it really is like something out of a story book. The interiors are well-maintained and even feature some original furnishings. It really feels like stepping back in time and getting to experience life as a royal, even if just for a while!
