Very few attractions in Germany are as spectacular as the Residenz Palace in Munich.
Boasting architectural styles that remind one of the Renaissance to the Neoclassical, the Palace—also known as the Munich Residenz—was the seat of government and residence of the Bavarian dukes, electors, and kings from 1508 to 1918.
This article covers everything you must know before booking Residenz Munich tickets.
Top Residenz Palace Tickets
# Residenz Palace, Museum, and Treasury Private Tour
# Private Tour with Artist Paul Riedel
# Munich CityTourCard
Table of contents
- What to expect at the Residenz Palace
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Residenz Palace Munich ticket price
- Residenz Palace tickets
- How to reach the Residenz Palace
- Opening hours of Residenz Palace
- How long does the tour take
- Best time to visit Residenz Palace
- Reviews
- Restaurants near the Munich Residenz
- FAQs about the Residenz Palace
What to expect at the Residenz Palace
Once the regal residence of Bavaria’s Wittelbach monarchy, the Munich Residenz Palace remains Germany’s largest city palace ever.
The Palace comprises three main parts: the Königsbau, the Alte Residenz, and the Festsaalbau, housing the four-floor, red and gold-decorated Cuvilliés Theatre.
It is also home to the Herkulessaal—the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra’s primary concert venue.
The Byzantine Court Church of All Saints and the court-riding school Marstall are also located within the attraction.
The Palace treasury is a vibrant collection of paintings, sculptures, and royal regalia that offer visitors a glimpse into the Renaissance, the early Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical art styles.
The Palace and its 139 rooms suffered extensive damage during the Second World War. What you see today is a faithful reconstruction of what it once was from 1508 to 1918.
| Ticket | Cost |
|---|---|
| Residenz Palace, Museum, and Treasury Private Tour | €209 |
| Private Tour with Artist Paul Riedel | €237 |
Where to book tickets
Tickets for Munich Residenz are available online and at the attraction.
Online prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Visit the Residenz Munich ticket booking page, select your preferred date and number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
Once you purchase your tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get ticket printouts.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.
Residenz Palace Munich ticket price
The standard Residenz Palace ticket for an adult is priced at €10 for all visitors.
Children under 18 years old and students with valid student ID cards can enter the attraction for free.
If you prefer a much better experience, we suggest the Residenz Palace private tour ticket, priced at €475 for a family of four.
Or you can opt for the 2-hour private tour led by artist guide Paul Riedel, which costs €282 for a group of up to four.
Residenz Palace tickets
There are several ticket options to choose from when you visit the Residenz Palace.
You can book the Palace, Museum, and Treasury Tour or the Private Tour with Artist Paul Riedel.
Residenz Palace, Museum, and Treasury Private Tour
These Munich Residenz ticket options have varying durations for a more rewarding experience.
If you have bought a group ticket for a 2-hour tour, your guide, who is fluent in English, will take you through the Residenz Palace, Museum, and Treasury.
When you opt for the 3-hour tour, you will be guided through the Cuvilliés Theatre, the Palace, the Museum, and the Treasury.
The tour also includes visits to the Hofgarten, and the Bavarian Government and State Opera.
The 5-hour guided tour includes visiting the Old Town, Cuvilliés Theatre, Residenz Palace, Museum, and Treasury.
You can also see the Hofgarten, State Opera, Frauenkirche, and Marienplatz when you opt for this ticket.
Apart from the above, there’s a 3-hour Residenz Palace tour with transfers.
This option includes 1-hour roundtrip transfers and a guided tour of the Palace, Museum, and Treasury.
While these tours are conducted in English, you can also request a guide who is fluent in Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Polish.
Note: All these guided tours start at 12.30 pm and have a common meeting point. Please ensure you are present at least 15 minutes before the tour begins.
Ticket Prices
Residenz: €475 for a group of four
Residenz and Cuvilliés Theatre: €614 for a group of four
Residenz, Cuvilliés Theatre, and Old Town: €657 for a group of four
Residenz with Transfers: €804 for a group of four
Private Tour with Artist Paul Riedel
If you want a more immersive experience, you can opt for a 2 or 3-hour private tour led by artist guide Paul Riedel.
This tour looks into the fascinating history of Munich, the Palace’s former residents, and how the Oktoberfest is connected to the Residenz.
Reidel’s tour is available in English, German, Portuguese, or Spanish.
This tour is unsuitable for kids younger than ten years old.
Ticket Prices
Private 2-hour tour: €282 for a group of four
Private 3-hour tour: €130 for a group of four
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How to reach the Residenz Palace
The Residenz Palace is located in the center of Munich and is just a stone’s throw away from the Max-Joseph-Platz square.
Address: Residenzstraße 1, 80333 München, Germany. Get Directions
You can use public or private transport to reach the attraction.
By Train
You can opt for the S-Bahn (line S3) or U-Bahn (lines U3, U4, U5 and U6) service. Make sure to descend at Odeonsplatz—a 2-minute walk to the attraction, or Marienplatz—a 6-minute walk to the Residenz.
By Bus
Bus lines 100 and 153 have transport stops close to the Palace. You can alight at Odeonsplatz or Von-der-Tann-Straße—a 5-minute walk to the attraction.
By Tram
If you are catching a tram to reach the Palace, hop on trams 19, N19, and 31, and hop off at the Nationaltheater tram stop at the south end of the Residenz.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.
There are paid parking lots near the Nationaltheater.
Opening hours of Residenz Palace
The Munich Residenz opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm from 21 October to 22 March.
From 23 March to 20 October, the Palace is open from 9 am to 6 pm. This extension of hours helps it deal with extra tourists during the peak season.
The last entry is an hour before closing time.
How long does the tour take
The duration of the Residenz Palace tour depends on the ticket you buy.
It takes 2 to 5 hours to explore the Residenz Palace.
Visitors with a standard ticket manage to complete the tour in about 2 hours.
Those opting for a private tour spend 5 hours for a comprehensive one.
It’s important to note that some sections of the Residenz are closed in the morning and some in the afternoon.
Hence, it’s best you spend a few hours at the attraction to avoid missing out on anything of interest.
Best time to visit Residenz Palace
The best time to visit the Residenz Munich is when they open at 10 am.
This is when the crowd is at its minimum. You can take time exploring the exhibits and click better photographs.
It gets crowded after 11 am, and the attraction reaches its peak capacity between 12 and 2 pm.
If you can’t make it early in the morning, the next best time to visit the Residenz Munich is after 2 pm.
Reviews
The Residenz Palace is a highly-rated tourist attraction.
Check out these two Residenz Munich reviews we selected from Tripadvisor to give you an idea of what to expect at this attraction.
Visit for a history buff!
As a history buff, this place is a must-visit in Munich. Keep at least three to four hours. The level of amassed wealth and the display is quite something to behold. Although many parts of the museum were badly damaged during WW II, the place has been tastefully restored.
A must-visit in the center of Munich
A really extravagant palace that takes about two hours to really appreciate and at least an hour in the Treasury. Don’t miss the Treasury. I thought it was the best part. The audio guide was particularly good, especially for the items in the Treasury. It gave the history and context of most of the items. Easily could spend two hours here alone. A great afternoon out.
Restaurants near the Munich Residenz
The Residenz is an extravaganza of majestic tapestries, stunning frescoes, magnificent sculptures, fountains, gardens, and courtyards.
Navigating its interiors can take a great deal of time. Thus, it would help to have a snack, meal, or drink before partaking in one of these lengthy tours.
Bars and restaurants like Schwarzreiter Day Bar & restaurant, Aran, Spatenhaus, Cafe Maelu, Bar Comercial, etc., are less than 10 minutes from the attraction.
FAQs about the Residenz Palace
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the Residenz Palace in Munich.
Yes, you can purchase tickets online in advance, as this helps you skip lines and ensure your entry at the desired time.
Entry is free for students with valid IDs and children below 18. However, you still need to reserve your free Munich Residenz ticket online.
Yes, the Munich Residenz Palace offers combined tickets for the Residenz Palace, Museum, and Treasury.
Yes, you must buy a separate ticket for a private guided tour around the Residenz.
A 5-hour guided tour ticket covers the following: Old Town, Cuvilliés Theatre, Residenz Palace, Museum and Treasury, the Hofgarten, State Opera, Frauenkirche, and Marienplatz.
You are entitled to a full refund if you cancel your Residenz Munich ticket up to 24 hours in advance.
Unfortunately, the Residence Museum and the Treasury are not barrier-free. However, some pathways to the courtyards have stone slabs and small and large stone paving.
While a private guided tour follows a suggested route, visitors can explore different areas of the Residenz Palace at their own pace.
When at the Munich Residenz Museum, visit the Schatzkammer der Residenz, the Cuvilliés-Theater, the Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst, and the Hofgarten.
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