Lenbachhaus

Lenbachhaus, set in a grand Florentine-style villa in Munich's Kunstareal district, is one of Germany's most important art museums. Its core collection focuses on the Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter) movement, featuring masterpieces by Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, Gabriele Münter, and Paul Klee. The museum also displays 19th-century Munich art, international contemporary works, and rotating exhibitions. The building itself is a work of art, originally built as a residence for painter Franz von Lenbach. A modern extension, opened in 2013, provides a sleek contrast to the historic villa, with galleries flooded with natural light. Visitors can explore the evolution of expressionism through vivid, emotionally charged paintings that capture the spirit of early 20th-century avant-garde. The museum's garden café offers a pleasant spot to reflect on the art.

Don't miss

• Kandinsky's 'The Blue Rider' (1903) and other iconic expressionist works
• Franz Marc's vibrant animal paintings like 'The Large Blue Horses'
• Gabriele Münter's colorful landscapes and portraits
• The historic villa's ornate interiors and the modern wing's architecture
• Rotating contemporary art exhibitions in the underground gallery

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Lenbachhaus

Cheapest way inMunich Card with public transport: Save at attractions & tours!4.2★ · 11 travelers24-120 hoursFree cancellationFrom$20 per personSee dates →Best full dayNeuschwanstein Castle & Linderhof Day Tour from Munich4.4★ · 7,468 travelers~11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$86 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleMunich Private Tour with a Local – Highlights & Hidden Gems4.9★ · 518 travelers2-6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$111 per personSee dates →

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Getting there

Know before you go

• Download the museum's free app for audio guides and additional context on key artworks.
• Audio guides are available in multiple languages, including English and German.
• Photography without flash is allowed in most galleries, but some special exhibitions may restrict it.
• The museum café serves coffee and light meals, a good break mid-visit.

A bit of history

The villa was built in 1887–1891 for the painter Franz von Lenbach. It became a public museum in 1929, focusing on Lenbach's work and later expanding to include the Blue Rider collection, donated by Gabriele Münter in 1957.