The bustling Viktualienmarkt , Munich’s best open-air daily market, is located in the heart of the city’s Altstadt (Old Town). Over 200 years old, it is a must-see in Munich and an attraction for locals and tourists.
History of Munich’s Viktualienmarkt
This market is older than your current location. The market started in the city’s main square, Marienplatz, but quickly outgrown space. King Maximilian I decreed that it be moved to this nearby square in 1807, making it the oldest farmers market in Munich. Its name is derived from the Latin word victualia , which means “edible.”
During World War II, the market was badly damaged and the city was unsure whether it would be rebuilt. A boost from the public with a considerable amount of donations saved the site and added items such as a commemorative fountain.
On November 6, 1975, the area was designated a pedestrian zone, making it an ideal meeting point and place for people watching. It has been enlarged several times and covers an impressive 22,000 m 2 (240,000 square feet). Now there is a butcher room, bakery, fruit vendors and a fish room.
What to get at the Munich Viktualienmarkt
The Viktualienmarkt is Munich’s main place to buy fresh produce, dairy, bread and Bavarian specialties. Locals, tourists, and the city’s best chefs come here to fill their baskets with everything from fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood, to pastries, honey, spices, flowers, and fresh-squeezed juices.
Navigating the Viktualienmarkt is a feast for all the senses. Six days a week you can sample over 140 stalls and farm stalls. Each is beautifully decorated with garlands of sausages, mountains of vegetables, cascading flowers, and pyramids of fruit.
The best food stalls on Viktualienmarkt :
- Karnoll’s Backstandl – You can’t go to Munich without having a Brezen (pretzel) and Karnoll’s serves the best.
- Kafferösterei on Viktualienmarkt – Opened in the 1990s, this permanent store was ahead of the curve. A daily stop for many locals. The owner, Christian Müller, roasts the beans nearby and his dedication to green electricity, organic milk, and recyclable cups ensure their continuation in the future.
- Wurststandl Teltschik – The market place for lunch, Bratwürste , Weißwürste (only until noon, as tradition says), and many other essential sausage experiences can be had here.
- Münchner Suppenküche: For more than 30 years, the “Soup Kitchen” has been dominating classics like Leberknödel and Pfannkuchen . Have a bowl for only 2.80 euros.
- Honighäusl am Viktualienmarkt – Visit the honey house to enjoy the sweetest sweets in town. Everything from shampoo to mead to candles has been touched by the golden things.
Beer garden at Viktualienmarkt
In the heart of the Viktualienmarkt, you will find a beer garden. In the shade of centuries-old chestnut trees, this is a wonderful place to take a break from shopping and observe the bustling market scene all around you.
The beer garden, which houses more than 600 people, features some of the best breweries in Munich. About every six weeks a different beer is offered from one of the legendary breweries such as Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbräu, Hofbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. Order a standard .5, or go for the big type, a full liter called Mass . The beer garden is also open during the winter, and now sells Glühwein in addition to beer.
Also try the hearty Bavarian specialties, such as Schweinshaxe (roast pork knuckle) with sauerkraut and meatballs, warm potato salad or a simple Brotzeit platter with cold cuts and homemade artisan cheese. You can also bring your own food.
The beer garden at the Viktualienmarkt is part of our list of The Best Beer Gardens in Munich. Find out what to expect in a German Biergarten.
Christmas market en Viktualienmarkt de Munich
For Christmas, the Viktualienmarkt turns into the Alpenwahn. Handmade items, Christmas carols and delicious sweets fill the market in good spirits every day.
Visitor Information : November 17 – January 1; 14:00 – 23:00; closed from 24 to 26 December
Other events held at Munich’s Viktualienmarkt
The market is an important stage for many other events throughout the year. Bavaria’s agenda is full of folk festivals like the Day of the Brewers, besides being the place of opening the season Spargel (white asparagus), the summer festival and dancing women in Weiberfastnacht market.
Viktualienmarkt Visitor Information
Opening hours:
Viktualienmarkt: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Beer Garden: Summer, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Winter, Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Viktualienmarkt address: Viktualienmarkt, 80331 Munich
How to get to Viktualienmarkt: all S-Bahn lines or U3 and U6 to “Marienplatz”
