Geeky, Nerdy and Unusual Things to do In Munich

I may earn income from affiliate links or partnerships in this post. I spend time to curate tours or products that align with my values. Thanks for supporting my work, at no additional cost to you. All words and images on this website are created by real people.

Are you a curious geek visiting Munich and looking to enjoy the alternative scene? This guide will enable you to find all the best geeky, nerdy and unusual things to do in the city!

Being a geeky expat or traveler in Munich is tough. As a certified geek who lived in Munich for nearly seven years, it took me at least two years to figure out where all the geeks were hiding.

All it took was learning enough German to dig into the dark depths of the internet and find the events. With hardly any documentation of what geeky and nerdy things there are to do in Munich, I had all but just settled into a life of normality. But who wants to be normal when you can be a geek?!

After a lot of hunting, digging, and awkward encounters, I have compiled a list of geeky, nerdy, and unusual things to do in Munich. This list includes something for everyone, from video and board game geeks, tech geeks, car geeks, history buffs, and much more. 

All curious geeks are accepted and loved here at Curiosity Saves Travel. So, no matter how far from home you are, you’ll feel right at home with your type of people, and this geek and nerd guide to Munich will give you a helping hand.

Geek Out in Munich: Geeky and Nerdy Things to Do

1. Visit Elbenwald

While nothing can replace the beloved local Item Shop that sadly closed recently, Elbenwald will have to do. Elbenwald is a regional store operating in Germany, Austria, and The Netherlands, and geeks can visit their store in Munich’s old town for all their favorite fandoms. 

Photos are from Item Shop that recently closed :(

Shop books, gifts, toys, and collectables, home decor, and more featuring all your favorites from Naruto, Zelda, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, World of Warcraft, Doctor Who, and much, much more. 

The shops are cozy and give you that instant dopamine shot of nostalgia that only your favorite fandom can bring.

2. Explore The Deutsches Museum

The ultimate playground for geeks and nerds alike, this is the largest science and technology museum in the WORLD. You heard me right, the world! 

Housed in a gorgeous historic building, you can explore floors and floors of nerdy goodness – starting in the basement with a mining exhibit, traveling through naval and air flight, physics, maths, and astrophysics exhibits, all leading up to a planetarium dome and a sundial garden on the roof.

Be sure to check the rotating exhibits and the daily schedule for fun, interactive presentations, such as the high-voltage show. There is something for everyone here. You could easily spend all day, if not several, so plan accordingly. Be sure also to check out their shop for awesome, geeky gifts to take home.

3. Visit Other Museums

If visiting the largest science and technology museum in Munich is not enough to satisfy your never-ending need for education, then check out any of the other museums, from Geology to Ancient Egypt and all types of art.

Munich has more than 50 museums in total, and a large portion of them are discounted to 1 Euro or free on Sundays.

Check out the full list of discounts here.

4. Read at Comic Book Stores in Munich

I visit a comic store in just about every city I visit. There is something about buying a comic in the local language that makes a unique addition to your comic collection. Munich isn’t overflowing with comic book shops but the small selection it has are quality. Check out:

Comic Company – A small, independent shop featuring a wonderful collection of graphic novels, Disney comics, Tintin, Manga, and action figures. When you walk in, the section to your right is all in English, and the rest of the store features primarily German books.

This is the best comic store in Munich, and if you’re looking for a great experience, I highly recommend visiting Comic Company for its excellent staff and extensive selection. If you live in Munich, the owner will order comics for you, if their selection is missing specific numbers in sequences.

Hugendubel – Has several stores around Munich and features a dedicated shelf for comics and graphic novels. I picked up The Legend of Zelda in German from here, and it has been fun learning German by reading Zelda comics.

Neo Tokyo – Stuck in Munich, but wishing you were in Japan? Neo Tokyo is your place to go. They have everything you need to obsess over Manga, K-pop, and Anime, and to dress up in cute costumes for your night out at the Japanese Disco. This is a cozy shop with a decent selection, and the staff are just lovely.

5. Buy Games at a Video or Board Game Store

Germans are quite into board games, so there are a few places you can buy, trade, or swap new or used board games or pick up figurines for your next D&D campaign. Even though you can get a lot of video games online these days, I still enjoy going to a physical store from time to time and coming home with a new or used PS4 game.

Warhammer – A great place to buy figurines for board games, especially if you are into painting your own. They also have a wide selection of fantasy-style board games.

GameStop – There’s a GameStop in just about every city, so I know it’s a bit basic, but they are a staple in my video game life. No matter where I go, I know there is a GameStop with the latest games. Some great people run the store in Munich, and I like to head there on the weekends in winter to pick up a video game to get me through the snowy months.

Nippon Dreams – I know, I think of the Nopon when I read the name too. Sadly, they are not Xenoblade themed, but they do know how to take care of vintage games and have a selection of new and old video games and staff who know their shit. They usually have someone there who can speak English.

Heimspeil Games – This is a spot I have yet to check out, and they have mixed service reviews, with some people very happy and others disappointed. They offer a selection of used board games alongside their new inventory, which might be worth checking out.

6. Participate in Quidditch Training

Support Munich’s own Quidditch Team at one of their matches, or join in one of their training sessions! The Munich team came in 4th in the German national tournament, so they’re pretty fun to watch.

You can find their games and training sessions on their Facebook Page. Seeing one of their games or joining in on training depends on when they are playing a home game and the current season. Thanks to Munich Quidditch for the photo!

7. Get Weird at Kaizoku Club

When I say get weird, I mean get weird. This Japanese Disco, gaming, and cosplay event venue is for everyone from furries to cosplayers and Japanese J-Pop fanatics, depending on the night.

Check out the events over at Kaizoku Club. The massive geek event happens about 1-2 times a year, so if you are in Munich for one of these epic parties, you are in for a weirdly good time. The rest of the time, this event space is reserved for a Japanese-style disco.

8. See the MVG Museum

Didn’t I already cover museums twice? Well, yes, but I know you train geeks are in a league of your own, so here is a section just for you. This museum showcases all aspects of public transportation in and around Munich, from new to historic.

See over 25 real trams, subways, and buses. There is a cinema and a subway simulator. If you’re like me and find trains and public transportation a bit boring, you can check out their annual whiskey festival held in the museum, so you can get drunk and look at tram cars.

More information about that can be found in my Munich nightlife guide.

9. Go Trainspotting

MVG museum not geeky enough for you? Watch real trains head off into the sunset at Hackerbrücke. A popular activity in Munich is to grab a beer and hang out on the bridge over the main set of train tracks, watching arrivals and departures as the sun sets over the tracks.

10. Attend a Board Game Convention

Have you ever heard of “Spiel des Jahres?” If you love board games, I bet you have played one of these award-winning games.

Well, this award and name have German origins, so there is no doubt that Germans are passionate about their board games. If you are in Munich for the Board Game Convention happening every year in the middle of November, you’re in luck.

This convention features new games for purchase, as well as games that can be played on location. This is a family-friendly event featuring a variety of games suitable for children and adults alike. You can book tickets here.

11. Catch Pokémon in Pokémon Go

The city of Munich is an ongoing battleground for trainers and Pokémon. While it might not be as popular a city to play in as some, we still have fabulous finds and some tough gyms.

The best places to catch and battle Pokémon are some of the major tourist sights, including the Hofgarten and Stachus. There are even some obscure areas that are great, such as the Rose Garden along the Isar and the Old South Cemetery (Alter Südfriedhof).

12. Attend German Comic-Con in Munich

Get your costume ready and head to the German Film and Comic Con. With celebrity appearances, art displays, cosplay contests, and everything you find at any other comic con. This event typically takes place once a year in Munich, and tickets can be purchased on their website. 

If going once a year to Munich isn’t enough, feel free to travel to Berlin, Frankfurt, and Dortmund for more geeky Comic Con goodness.

If you live in Munich and need some suggestions for places to get a costume together, send me an email and I’ll share my favorite sewing and craft stores. If you’re traveling to Munich for this event, consider bringing your favorite cosplay outfit or creating one from items found at one of our thrift stores. Either way, you’re sure to have a great time.

*Please note, as of 2024, this event has left Munich; however, it is easily accessible by train in Düsseldorf, and has been rebranded as the German Film and Comic Con from local Comic Cons (i.e., Munich Comic Con).

13. See a Geeky Show at the Theater

The Gasteig, or Munich’s concert hall, features some interesting shows that come through. My latest obsession has been watching the Harry Potter movies with a live symphony. The first four movies rolled through, and I hope the rest follow.

Final Fantasy in Concert and Kingdom Hearts in Concert also played this year, and both were equally amazing. 2018 might have just been an epically nerdy year at the Gasteig, but it is always worth checking out what they have showing.

14. Attend a Board Game Meetup

Finding a solid group of gamers is hard in any city. Trust me, I just went through a failed attempt at putting together a D&D group here in Munich; fingers crossed it actually works out.

Attending a board game meetup might be just the thing you need to meet some great people and get a consistent gaming experience. They welcome people from all skill levels and interests, so it is worth checking out.

15. Experience BMW World

If you haven’t seen a car made from start to finish, well, you are missing out. No matter what kinda geek or nerd you are, the BMW world will blow your mind. The factory is run almost entirely by robots, so if you haven’t seen how far robotics has come, then you’re in for a surprise.

Tickets sell out months in advance, so if you’re planning to attend within the next three months, you will want to look at tickets now. Make sure you book the BMW World tour, however, the museum is pretty cool and is always free and available to walk in.

16. Learn about WWII and the History of Munich

This is for any history enthusiasts in Munich who want to learn more about Munich’s history or war buffs curious about the city’s significance during World War II. I always suggest taking a walking or guided tour, as you can learn more than on a self-guided tour. Check out these top picks:

Or visit Dachau on your own, with my guide.

17. See the Castle that Inspired Disney

It’s widely known that the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle served as the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland. Well, if you want to see the real thing, you can easily visit Neuschwanstein from Munich!

This day trip from Munich is well worth it, if you’re a Disney geek, a castle geek, or just love awesome things. Read more about this day trip here. Or check out these tours:

18. Watch the Rocky Horror Film

The Museum Lichtspiel has shown the OV Rocky Horror every Saturday for the last 30 years. There is no better place to watch this cult classic than in one of Munich’s oldest theaters, dating back to 1910.

It is located in a lovely part of Munich near great restaurants and along the Isar. It is a great way to geek out on a Saturday night.

19. Check out Munich’s Stunning Libraries

Munich has some of the most amazing libraries. While most of them, like the Bavarian State Library, are practical in design, they are teeming with top-notch journals, math and science books, and great working and reading spaces.

Some of them, like the legal library (pictured), are housed in the bones of the New Marienplatz Townhall and are stunning to look at. Most libraries are free and easy for the public to enter, but you do need to have some money to check your bags at the door and some wits about you to pretend you’re a legal student.

20. Attend Comic Festival

Did you know that Bayern has its very own comic book hero? Tracht Man! He makes an appearance at Munich’s Comic Festival, your go-to event for all things comic-related, featuring meet-and-greets with artists, workshops, comic book sales, and art exhibits. 

This event is usually in July, and you can find out more information on the Munich Comic Fest website.

Share the Geekiness!

Hopefully, this guide has shown you how many very cool, geeky, and nerdy things there are to do in Munich so that you can geek out on your next trip.

Make sure you pin this to your favorite Germany, Munich, or geeky Pinterest boards so you can remember all these great spots and share this guide with anyone you know who would love to check out the geeky side of Munich with you!

Additionally, I am always looking to expand the number of geeky and nerdy activities available in Munich, so if you have a suggestion, please send it my way.