MUNICH - If you could only visit one - Nymphenburg Palace or The Residenz (Residenz Munchen)

I visited both places in 1988. The only one I have returned to is Nymphenburg. 'Nough said?

The two are totally different experiences. There is probably more to see at the Residenz, but, quite frankly, I got very tired of seeing over-the-top, gaudy Rococo rooms. Nymphenburg has a lot of park-like grounds, fountains, and pools.

I have to agree with Lee. I loved the extensive grounds at Nymphenburg. I've seen a lot of palace interiors so that now I often forego the interior in favor of wandering around outside and photographing the exteriors and the grounds. I did go in the Nymphenburg palace inside but it was one of the first ones that I toured when I started going to Europe. I was kind of bored in the Residenz, but it's nice if you've not toured other 'over the top' palaces.

Nymphenburg. Definitely. Wonderfully situated. Gardens and parks around. In comparison the Residenz is uninspiring and boring.

Thanks to all of you for the feedback, it really helps!

Thanks for asking this question. I put it on my Munich "must do" list!

I agree with the other posters as well. After the palace and grounds, we walked right into the botanical gardens and spent a few hours there. Had something to eat in the garden's cafeteria and then visited the gardens. It was a nice day with easy connections to/from the city.

Often overlooked are the colorful Schleißheim Palaces, summer home of the Wittelsbachs. Take S1 to Oberschleißheim, then a 5-10 minute walk. Aviation history buffs will enjoy Flugwerft Schleißheim, aviation branch of the Deutsches Museum, just a short walk beyond the palaces on a small airfield that dates back to before WW1.

"... easy connections to/from the city"

The number 17 tram stops on the main street (Menzinger Str.) in front of the palace (although it's still a ¾ km walk to the front of the palace). You can catch the #17 trams on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof (Anulfstrasse) or at Karlstor or Sendlingertor. From downtown, it's a one zone ticket, 2,70€ per adult each way or with a Tageskarte (6,40€ Single, 12,20€ Gruppen).

Just my opinion, but if I were you and could only see one, I would definitely choose the Residenz over Nymphenburg. Nymphenburg only has about 20 rooms from the 1700’s to view, while the Residenz has 130 rooms that span several hundred years of architectural styles. The Antiquarium, Kaisersaal, Ancestral Gallery, Porcelain Cabinet, stone rooms, etc are all not to be missed. Besides the rooms, you can visit the Bavarian State Treasury (see the Bavarian crown jewels, the inspiration of the Hofbräuhaus logo) and the Cuvilliés-Theater (the most important rococo theater in Germany).

If you’re really wanting to go to see formal gardens, than I would also suggest taking the trip up to Palace Schleißheim. It’s going to take you roughly the same amount of time from downtown, but both the palaces (there are three) and the gardens are significantly nicer at Schleißheim. If it’s a nice day, the Biergarden in the Altes Schloss is very nice.

If you do decide to see Nymphenburg, I would highly suggest stopping by the botanical gardens next door. You can enter through the Nymphenburg park gardens after passing the Schlosscafé and the Magdalenenklause. It is one of the overlooked sites in Munich.

I had already visited Nymphenburg many years ago so didn't plan to go again this trip but I did visit the botanical gardens and I highly recommend them if you like gardens. They were a pleasant surprise and one of the hilights of my visit to Munich. It was interesting and fun to see so many species of flowers that I had never seen before. As the other poster said it is often overlooked so was very uncrowded which was nice because I was there in mid-summer high season.

"the Residenz has 130 rooms"

That's my point. It seemed to me like an endless procession of rooms. 130! If you spend just 2 minutes in each room, you'll be there over four hours. After a while, everything just ran together, and nothing had meaning anymore.

If you go to Oberscheißheim, be aware that it is in the second zone, so from downtown you will need 2 zone ticket, 5,40€ for an adult, or an XXL Tageskarte, 8,60 Single, 15,40 Group.

I would visit Nymphenburg and skip the Residenz Museum, but I would visit the Treasury at the Residenz.