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Visiting Viktualienmarkt: The Stomach of Munich

We love visiting open-air markets especially in Europe. It’s a great way to see where the locals shop and see diverse samples of local cuisine and produce. Munich’s Viktualienmarkt (literally, victuals market) certainly didn’t disappoint with over 140 booths and farm stands. Victual is the Latin word for food. Come take a stroll with us through this bustling market and one of Munich’s top attractions. There’s a reason this is known as “the stomach of Munich”.

Viktualienmarkt crafts

Viktualienmarkt is Munich’s oldest farmer’s market and was founded in 1807 by King Maximillian I. This market replaced the smaller food market in Marienplatz, Munich’s central square. It isn’t too far from the Marienplatz and Glockienspiel. Located in the city center, it was easily accessible. A variety of designated halls, unique elements, stands and pavilions were added over the years. This sprawling market now occupies about 22,000 square meters (about 5.5 acres).

Viktualienmarkt fruits

We visited twice during a Sunday morning but it was closed and during a weeknight late afternoon. We decided to stay away during the lunch hour rush but it probably would have made for fun people watching activity. Its convenient location makes it a very popular gathering place for locals and tourists.

There is no shortage of food options at this market. No matter what your preferences or dietary restrictions are, you’ll be sure to find something here to satisfy everyone. It’s such a great place to stroll and explore the booths. We never knew what greeted us around the corner. It’s not often you see rows of meat purveyors with hanging sausage garlands.

Viktualienmarkt sausages

Viktualienmarkt was such a foodie’s paradise. The fruits and vegetables were fresh and stacks of German cheese were all waiting to be sampled. We could smell the newly baked bread. There was even a whole store dedicated to honey.  Walking around here almost made me wish we were in an apartment instead of hotel. I don’t cook during vacations but seeing all these gourmet goodness was so inspiring.

Viktualienmarkt cheese

Despite Munich being a landlocked city, the seafood selections looked pretty good.

Viktualienmarkt seafood

I loved their diverse flower and plant stalls too. It’s always a joy to see flora from other areas of the world. All these colors were enough to brighten our day amidst the overcast skies.

Viktualienmarkt flowers

It was a surprise to see these chili pepper ristras I’ve only seen in New Mexico.

Viktualienmarkt peppers ristras

One of the first things we noticed when we first entered the market was the 36m tall Maypole in the center. A Maypole or Maibaum (May tree) is a tall, wooden pole used to usher in Spring. It is decorated with carved figures, colorful ribbons, paintings and flowers representing their locations.

Maypole Viktualienmarkt

This particularly one showed crafts and trades common to Munich. We also found smaller and more colorful Maypoles as we drove through the Bavarian countryside.

Viktualienmarkt maypole

The left decoration panel below pays homage to Munich’s breweries.

Viktualienmarkt Maypole

We also found unique arts and crafts stalls throughout the market.  I loved seeing these decorations.

Viktualienmarkt crafts

Anyone fancy some adorable squirrels and sheep? I was very tempted to buy these cuties.

Viktualienmarkt squirrels

Since it’s a German market, it’s no surprise to find a beer garden in the middle of it all. Chestnut trees provided shade throughout the beer garden with about 1,000 seats. We liked that there were many food choices surrounding the garden including Bavarian specialties. It was a wonderful place to rest while sightseeing and shopping.

Viktualienmarkt Beer garden

Like some parts of Munich, Viktualienmarkt was damaged during World War II. The city and its citizens saw this repair as an opportunity to enhance the market by adding fountains and memorial wells for local comedians and folk singers. I’m not sure how drinkable the water was so we passed on trying them.

Viktualienmarkt fountain memorials

One of the great things about this market is the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. There is a mix of locals and tourists mingling with each other especially in the beer garden. We loved the lively atmosphere. Don’t miss this when visiting Munich – eat, shop, drink and be merry at Viktualienmarkt.

Viktualienmarkt wines

Visiting Viktualienmarkt Tips and Basics

  • Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10AM – 6PM; Saturday 10AM – 3PM; closed on Sundays. Some stalls may open earlier or close later than others.
  • Public transport S-Bahn lines 1-8, U3 or U6, Bus 52 to Marienplatz; Walk towards Tal and turn right behind St. Peter’s church.
  • Have cash handy. It’s easier and more convenient with transactions. There are several cash machines nearby.

Have you visited Viktualienmarkt? What are your favorite markets?

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VIKTUALIENMARKT Munich

34 thoughts on “Visiting Viktualienmarkt: The Stomach of Munich”

  1. What great photos of an amazing market. I want to go there now! Fantastic to have a beer garden in the middle. I love markets and always go to them wherever I’m traveling. Favourite ones? Valbonne in the south of France, Boqueria in Barcelona, Dong Xuan in Hanoi.

  2. I was wondering if you were going to get a post out with the fire – and you did. Hope all is well at work and on the home front. What a fantastic market Mary and the quality of your photos just keeps going up and up. I love the fact that you can buy wine and sit and have a beer at this market. I’d love a big hunk of German cheese.

  3. I simply love exploring places like this! My favourite one was farmers’ market in Prague, Czech Republic and floating market in Bangkok, Thailand. I see Munich has a lot to offer in terms of fresh fruits and veggies. There are so many great organic products and a lot of cheese! :-O <3

  4. I absolutely love visiting markets on holidays – they’re so beautiful and full of colour, and they tell me a lot about the place I’m visiting. Your photos are so evocative, and I’m sorry I missed seeing the Munich market. The maypole outside is gorgeous, too.

    As for my favourite markets, the Night Market in Beijing is something I’ll never forget, but my all-time favourites were the wonderful souks in Marrakech.

  5. I love visiting European markets and this one looks wonderful! I love the Maypole too – I have never seen one before and didn’t picture them being beautifully decorated! Stay safe – hopefully those fires will be out soon – can’t imagine how stressful it is for everyone especially the kids!

  6. Hi Mary! This market looks amazing. I’ll take some cheese and wine. Reminds a little of the market in Budapest, which I loved.

    Thanks for linking up to Travel Photo Thursday this week!

  7. Oh my, markets are my favorite destinations in new cities and this post will be a reference guide when we finally get there. Oh my . . .I shouldn’t have read this while awaiting the dinner hour as you are about to send me to the kitchen to forage!

  8. What a lovely and diverse market, Mary!
    I was surprised to see the Maypole. Very imaginative, not like any Maypole I’ve ever seen. Thanks for the tour.

  9. Oh yes, I have visited the Viktualienmarkt and thought it was The Best! There’s also markets in Budapest that I think you’d really enjoy. But a daily market like this, I have yet to find one that beats it!
    Have a great Sunday,
    Esther.

    (Found you through #SundayTraveler)

  10. Hey you should have told me you were visiting, I would have done you a guided tour! :D I love the Viktualienmarkt, I am not sure what I would do without it to be honest (the supermarkets here leave a lot to be desired sometimes!)… I hope you didn’t touch any produce though, that always gets you told off! :D

  11. Mary, I love Munich and the Viktualienmarkt! It’s a great place to visit, and there is an abundance of choice. I try to stay at apartments sometimes so that I can cook, just so I can take advantage of the local cheese and produce. Yum!

  12. I LOVE markets like this! I like shopping at Farmer’s Markets at home so it would be awesome to take a look around at a market like this! I love all of the fresh produce and those flowers are so pretty!

  13. Ohhhhhh what a market. You know as I have said it a gazzilion times before, I love markets and food. So you’d find me in that beer hall drinking and eating before and after a wander about. As always thanks for linking up with us for #SundayTraveler

  14. I would not have expected the market to be 5.5 acres, but I suppose that’s how they fit such incredible variety into the mix. Those sausages scream “German” whereas I’m equally surprised to see those chili ristras. I thought Germans didn’t like spicy. I never knew that Maypoles were decorated like that on top. I always imagined something simpler. This looks like an excellent stop, as long as it’s not after 3pm on a Saturday or anytime on a Sunday.

  15. Open-air market is the one place I visit everywhere I travel. Munich’s Viktualienmarkt looks really interesting, and really huge with over 140 boots and stands. I could spend a day just exploring it. The cheese stands look awesome.

  16. What a cool looking marketing. I really like that Maypole and of course they would have something beer related :). Those sheet and squirrels looks adorable. I probably would have gone home with one.

  17. I absolutely LOVE markets, food markets and arts and craft markets (even though I never buy anything because I have no room in the backpack)! I try to visit them wherever I go. This one looks amazing! This is definitely on my list now, for whenever I make it to Munich.

  18. Wherever we live or travel, visiting a weekend market is a treasured tradition. There’s nothing like a market for finding a taste of home…or abroad, and nowhere better to get fresh fruits and veggies.

  19. Did you visit thr Hofbrauhaus in Munich or other famous beer hall restaurants for dinner? If not, where did your family have dinner each night and would you recommend any restaurants in Munich?

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