BMW Welt and the BMW Museum sit across from Munich’s Olympic Park, bringing together futuristic architecture and a century of automotive design. BMW Welt, opened in 2007 and designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, is a dramatic showroom and events space anchored by a twisting double-cone structure. Across the road, the museum’s distinctive bowl-shaped building houses displays of historic cars, motorcycles and engines.
BMW’s roots in Munich reach back to the early 20th century, and the neighbouring four-cylinder headquarters has become a landmark of the city’s industrial identity. The museum traces the company’s development from aviation engines to motorcycles and cars, offering a window into changing engineering and design as well as the history of the brand.
You don’t have to be a car enthusiast to enjoy the contrast between the two spaces: BMW Welt is as much about architecture and spectacle as it is about new vehicles, while the museum presents its collection with an eye for design. Entry to BMW Welt is free; the museum requires a ticket. Take the U3 to Olympiazentrum, allow around two hours for the museum, and check opening days before visiting. Olympic Park makes an easy next stop.