Relish the sights, smells and sounds of a traditional German market filled with Bavarian specialties and handcrafted works of art.
The Viktualienmarkt is a vast market with hundreds of stalls dedicated to local and international food, souvenirs and works of art. Come to buy fresh produce, meats and bread for a picnic in one of Munich’s spacious gardens.
The market’s name translates as “supply market”. It has been running since 1807, when King Maximilian I declared that the city’s food market needed to be moved to a larger area than the previous site of the Marienplatz. The Viktualienmarkt is now the go-to place for a wide range of provisions.
Chat with vendors about the array of delicious foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, honey, spices and seafood. The market is well known for stocking rare and exotic ingredients that are hard to find elsewhere. Try Bavarian cuisine as you work your way through the 140 stalls. Don’t leave the market without leberkäse, which is a meatloaf sandwich and a Bavarian specialty.
The tall maypole at the centre of the market is made of wood and coated in traditional Bavarian shades of blue and white. Maypoles are an important part of German market culture as they used to indicate which crafts and industries were practised in the region.
Many traditional events take place in the square year-round. Attend the annual May Day celebrations on the first day of May to revel in traditional Munich celebrations, such as songs and dances. Take part in the “dance of the market women” on Shrove Tuesday, when female stallholders dance around the maypole.
Sip a locally brewed cold beer in the beer garden. The market’s expansive seating area, which has enough space for hundreds of revellers, is renowned as one of Munich’s most iconic beer gardens. Feel free to bring your own snacks, such as a piece of local cheese or sausage, to enjoy alongside your drinks.
The Viktualienmarkt opens daily except on Sundays. It is a short walk from the Marienplatz in the city centre. Entry is free.
