AUGUST 2024
If you are visiting Munich you definitely should not skip a visit to Nymphenburg Palace. Besides the main palace there is an enormous park which features several buildings, that you can visit if you buy the most extensive entrance ticket. We absolutely fell in love with the grounds of Schloss Nymphenburg and especially with all the little buildings that are scattered through the park. These buildings are called “Parkburgen” and they can only be visited for a few months a year, I highly recommend to do so if you are visiting in the right period.
Practical information
Schloss Nymphenburg is located just a bit out of the city center of Munich. From the city center you can take a tram or you can visit by car. We visited with a small campervan and found that there was sufficient parking available in a weekend in June. Parking is free, so it was very convenient. You can buy tickets with which you can only visit the main palace or buy an extensive ticket which also gives access to the “Parkburgen”. The Parkburgen are the real hidden gem of Schloss Nymphenburg, we noted that only a few visitors buy entrance to these interesting buildings and that you could enjoy them in peace and quiet. The main palace was quite busy during the weekend, with lots of tour groups making it difficult to enjoy at a leisurely pace.
Despite it being a busy place, no need to buy your tickets in advance. Tickets for the Parkburgen are about € 5 extra, but they are only open during spring-summer-early autumn. On the grounds there are two restaurants, of which the Schlosscafe im Palmenhouse was especially pretty. There are plenty of picknick spots in the park, so that is an option as well.
Nymphenburg Palace
Nymphenburg was founded as a summer palace of Max Emmanuel. It was finished around 1679, but it underwent some renovations after that. It long remained the palace for the Bavarian royal family and the famous Ludwig II was born here. It definitely isn’t as crazily decorated as the Ludwig II palaces, most rooms are quite modest. The entry hall is absolutely stunning though, with a gorgeous fresco on the ceiling and the most beautiful marble details and chandeliers. I must admit I prefered Das Residenz which you can find in the center of Munich, but the real showstoppers of Nymphenburg Palace are the Parkburgen, which I have yet to show you.
Parkburgen
In this chapter I will give a short outline of the Parkburgen which you can find scattered throughout the Nymphenburg Park.
Amalienburg: Amalienburg was built for Maria Amalia, the wife of Elector Karl Albrecht in 1734. It is a really tiny palace, with a beautiful feminine touch. I loved the pink exterior, the blue kitchen, as well as the mirrored hall inside. In 2024 it was undergoing construction, so I am sure it will be even prettier in the future.
Badenburg: Badenburg is where the bathing complex is located. Again, a gorgeous entryway with dark wood windows… It leads you to an opulent bath.
Pagodenburg: The Pagodenburg is a sort of garden room with a possibility to stay overnight. Lots of stunning Chinese wallpapering as well as a Delft blue ceiling.
Magdalenenklause: This is the chapel of Nymphenburg. From the outside it looks a bit like a ruin and from the inside there are details that make you think it is a cave. This is the real showstopper!
Palmenhaus: This is not a Parkburg, but the main restaurant/cafe, but this is the most interesting part of when you are into flowers, so I didn’t want to keep it from you.
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