Museums in Altstadt (München)

Kunsthalle der Hypo-Kulturstiftung

Located in downtown Munich, this gallery, run by the HypoVereinsbank Stiftung (a cultural foundation established by one of Germany's biggest banks) hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions of painting and sculpture,from the arena of contemporary art  and cultural history. Experience the true meaning of art as you explore the works of numerous contemporary artists and indulge your artistic streak.

Münchner Feuerwehrmuseum

Discover all that you need to know about Munich's fire brigade and the history of its fire fighting. Located in the headquarters of the municipal fire brigade, the museum is a storehouse of all the paraphernalia related to the field , dating back from the 18th century. You can also find out why fires occur and what it can lead to.

Spielzeugmuseum

It is a shame that they are all stored in show cases behind thick panes of glass, because the teddy bears, puppets, miniature cars and train sets (plus all the other toys you could conceivably imagine) are just crying out for visitors to pick them up and play with them. Located in the Old Town Hall, the Toy Museum is popular with both children and adults. The permanent exhibition features a display of toys from 1780 to the present day. The museum also puts on temporary exhibitions.

Valentin Karlstadt Musäum

This small, humorous museum is dedicated to the comedian and actor Karl Valentin (1882-1948), one of the country's most famous names, who was also much admired by more 'serious' colleagues, such as playwright Berthold Brecht. Some rooms describe his unforgettable stage partner Liesl Karlstadt and others are dedicated to Munich's folk singers. All of the exhibits reveal Valentin's dadaist and often subtle humour, such as his great 'winter toothpick' wrapped in fur.

Staatliche Münzsammlung

This is more than a collection of old coins. The State Coin Collection, the largest of its kind in Germany, illustrates the development of different forms of payment over the centuries. The huge collection (250,000 in stock; 2,500 on display) was begun by Duke Albrecht V, who started collecting Roman coins in the 16th century. Greek and Celtic coins were later added, as were antique intaglios. There is also a huge library containing over 14,000 books about money and coins.

ZAM - Zentrum fur Aussergewohnliche Museen (Centre for Unusual Museums)

Where else in the world would you find such a medley of cultural exhibits? Seven museums under one roof show a collection of articles from kitsch to fine art: chamber-pots, pedal scooters, locks, Easter bunnies, perfumes, and memorabilia from Empress Sissi. Each museum is the only one of its kind in the world. Admission: DEM 8 (EUR 4); concessions DEM 5 (EUR 2.50).

Deutsches Theatermuseum

Munich's first museum dedicated to the history of theatre was inaugurated in 1910. The collection is a bequest of Clara Ziegler (1844-1909), a famous Bavarian court actress, who gathered the pieces in her villa in the English Garden. The house was destroyed by bombs in 1944, and the museum was relocated to the Hofgartenarkaden after the War. In 1979, the museum was taken over by the Bavarian state and a collection of posters, costumes, programmes, records and photographs were added, as was a Richard Wagner collection (the second largest in the world after Bayreuth). There is no permanent exhibition, but regular temporary exhibitions.

Kinder und Jugendmuseum

Kinder und Jugendmuseum is just a few steps away from the Hauptbahnhof. The different sections of the museum were all conceived with children in mind but are by no means childish. Each part is an experience for the senses and succeeds in sparking off curiosity about a number of subjects. The best thing about the museum is that everything is allowed and participation is the name of the game. There is no permanent collection, just various temporary exhibitions.

Galerie Arnoldi-Livie

This gallery offers an intimate setting in which you can explore and discover the grandeur of old masters, ancient drawings, graphics and quaint water colours right from the 16th century . The bulk of the art work on show dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Look out for famous classic as well as modern names . Some of the artists on display are Gustav Klimt and Lovis Corinth.  Admission is free.

Galerie Schüller

Explore at leisure the native paintings of Munich dating from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries . Whether you are an art enthusiast or an amateur , whether you are looking for seascapes from the Scholle group or pictures by Bavarian impressionists, you will find them all at Schüller's. Regular temporary exhibitions show the different aspects of this gallery, which is housed in one of Munich's best hotels -Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Admission is free.

Rathausgalerie

The Rathausgalerie, located in the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), presents exhibitions of local art and culture, particularly by groups of local artists. The winners of the Munich Art Prize also have their work shown here. Admission depends on the exhibition but is normally free.

Artothek Städtischer Bildverleih und Galerie

The concept of borrowing art like you would borrow a book from a library has become popular in many German cities. The Artothek (Art Library) sees itself as a forum for contemporary art and has been going strong since 1987. There is a huge selection of art by well-known artists from Munich (e.g. Stefan Huber, Flatz, Rupprecht Geiger, Aribert von Ostrowski) and the rest of Germany (Joseph Beuys, Günther Förg, Thomas Huber, Gerhard Merz, Gerhard Richter). A wide selection of work by international artists can also be hired. The collection contains many signed drawings, and all pieces can be bought after the lending period. The Artothek also organises monthly exhibitions by local artists.