Munich’s BMW Visitor’s Center

While many of my days in Munich were nice and sunny, one, in particular, was rainy and miserable. Christine and I were looking for something to do and ended up at the BMW Welt Visitor’s Center, one of the city’s top attractions. BMW was founded here in 1917 and the company recently opened a plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

I’m not shy about the fact that I don’t understand luxury cars. I drive a 2002 Honda Accord and wouldn’t trade it for anything. But when in Munich, you have to visit the home of Bavarian Motor Works because of the place their cars hold in popular culture. Everyone from James Bond to the cast of The Italian Job to celebrities have driven the cars.

I loved seeing all the BWM vehicles, from convertibles to SUVs to motorcycles, like the one I posed on above. BMW also owns Mini and Rolls Royce, so the center displayed many of their cars as well.

I found the design of center the most interesting, as the sleek buildings look like a cross between an airport hangar and a silver bullet. BMW fans can purchase all sorts of memorabilia in the gift shops.

I was also impressed at the fine dining restaurants within the BMW Welt complex. If money is no object, you can pick up your very own BMW at the visitor’s center.

If You Go

The BMW Welt is open daily from 7:30 am to midnight. The BMW Museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm and closed on Tuesdays. Plant tours run from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday. The Welt is free to visit, but the museum and exhibitions have additional costs.

From central Munich, take the U3 to the Olympiazentrum station. Parking is available for €1.50 per hour.