Munich Art District Guide - Pinakothek Bus Stop

Munich has a dedicated "Art District" called the Kunstareal. The Hop-On Hop-Off bus drops you right in the middle of a museum triangle that rivals London or Paris in quality, if not quantity.

1. Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinakothek)

• The Building: A massive brick Renaissance structure. If you look closely, you can see the bricks where the bomb damage from WWII was repaired; the architects chose to leave the scars visible rather than hide them.
• The Art: European masters from the 14th to 18th century. Dürer's "Self Portrait," works by Rembrandt, and da Vinci's "Madonna of the Carnation." The Rubens collection here is one of the largest in the world, housed in massive central halls.

2. Neue Pinakothek (New Pinakothek)

(Note: Currently undergoing renovation, some works moved to Alte Pinakothek).

• The Art: 19th-century art. Think Impressionists (Monet, Van Gogh's "Sunflowers") and German Romantics like Caspar David Friedrich.

3. Pinakothek der Moderne (Modern Art)

• The Building: A striking white concrete rotunda.
• The Art: Four museums in one: Art (20th/21st century), Design (first Apple computers, furniture), Architecture, and Graphics. It has works by Dali, Picasso, and Warhol.

Museum Brandhorst

Just behind them is the multicolored Brandhorst museum, famous for its massive collection of Cy Twombly (roses) and Andy Warhol works. The building facade is made of thousands of ceramic rods.

Tips for the Stop

• Sunday Deal: On Sundays, entry to many state museums (including the Pinakotheken) is only €1!
• Lockers: All museums require you to check backpacks. Bring a €1 or €2 coin for the lockers.
• Time: You cannot do all three in one day. Pick one era (Old, 19th C, or Modern) and dive deep.