BMW Museum, Munich (must see)

The BMW Museum, situated in Munich near the Olympiapark, is dedicated to showcasing the rich history of BMW, the automobile manufacturer. It holds a prominent position among the museums in Munich. The museum houses an impressive collection spanning the past five decades of BMW's contributions to the automotive industry. Visitors can explore a diverse array of displays, including classic cars, concept vehicles, airplanes, interactive simulators, and motorcycles.

Established in 1973, the museum underwent significant renovations from 2004 to 2008, coinciding with the construction of the BMW Welt, located directly opposite it. The museum officially reopened its doors on June 21, 2008.

Designed by the architect Karl Schwanzer, who also designed the BMW Headquarters, the museum is recognized for its striking silver futuristic structure, often referred to as the "salad bowl" or "white cauldron." The building's circular base has a diameter of 20 meters, and its flat roof spans about 40 meters. The entrance is situated on the ground floor and includes a cloakroom in the basement and a reception area.

Upon entering, visitors embark on a spiraling ascent through the building to explore the exhibits. Inside the museum, there are four "islands" housing slideshows and smaller, in-depth exhibits. After completing the circuit of the main exhibition, visitors arrive on the upper floor, which features individual exhibits, a small cinema hall, and several interactive displays that provide further insights into the technology behind BMW's creations. To conclude their visit, an escalator takes visitors back to the ground floor.

Why You Should Visit:
While this is totally BMW propaganda, it really shows a commitment to the quality of the automobiles and bikes they make, and even more so, to their workers.

Tip:
BMW Welt (showroom) is free and good for buying any type of memorabilia; the museum has two types of tickets (don't leave without checking out the "Art Cars" section!) and you also can get on the factory tour which you have to book ahead (and you can't take photos in there).

Tuesday - Sunday: 10am-6pm