The BMW Museum in Munich, Germany, is one of the most famous automotive museums in the world. Located next to BMW Welt and the BMW headquarters, this iconic museum showcases the history, technology, and design evolution of Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW)—one of the most prestigious car manufacturers.

From the company’s origins in aircraft engines to its dominance in automobile and motorcycle production, the BMW Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore over 100 years of engineering excellence.

History of the BMW Museum

The Origins of BMW (1916–1920s)

BMW was founded in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG, specializing in aircraft engines. After World War I, the company shifted its focus to motorcycles (1923) and eventually automobiles (1928). The first BMW car, the BMW 3/15, was produced in 1929.

The Idea of a BMW Museum (1970s)

By the 1970s, BMW had established itself as a global leader in automotive innovation. To celebrate its rich history and achievements, the company decided to build a museum near its headquarters in Munich.

In 1973, the BMW Museum was officially opened, coinciding with the construction of the BMW Headquarters (the "Four-Cylinder" building).

The Museum’s Major Expansion (2008)

In 2008, the museum underwent a significant expansion, growing from 1,000 square meters to over 5,000 square meters. This renovation introduced:
✔ Modern exhibition halls
✔ Interactive displays
✔ A chronological showcase of BMW’s most iconic vehicles

Architectural Highlights of the BMW Museum

The BMW Museum is known for its futuristic design, featuring:

  • A circular, bowl-shaped building, symbolizing a spinning engine piston

  • Metallic and glass interiors, representing BMW’s sleek engineering

  • A seamless connection to BMW Welt, the company’s interactive showroom

The museum’s layout includes permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, offering an immersive experience into BMW’s legacy.

What to See at the BMW Museum

The museum is divided into multiple themed sections, covering BMW’s history, technology, design, and motorsport success.

1. The Early Days: BMW’s Origins in Aviation & Motorcycles

✔ Aircraft engines from World War I and World War II
✔ The BMW R32 (1923) – BMW’s first motorcycle
✔ Classic pre-war BMW cars, including the BMW 328 Roadster (1936)

2. The Evolution of BMW Cars

✔ The BMW 501 & 502 ("Baroque Angels") – Luxury cars from the 1950s
✔ The legendary BMW 2002 – The car that made BMW famous in the 1960s
✔ The first BMW 3 Series (E21) – The model that redefined sports sedans

3. The BMW Motorsport Collection

✔ Formula 1 BMW engines & race cars
✔ BMW M models, including the iconic BMW M1 and M3
✔ Le Mans-winning BMW race cars, such as the BMW V12 LMR

4. Future of BMW: Sustainability & Electric Vehicles

✔ BMW i8 & i3 – The company’s first hybrid & electric cars
✔ Hydrogen-powered engines & sustainability projects
✔ BMW’s vision for autonomous driving

5. BMW Concept Cars & Design Innovations

✔ Prototypes & concept cars showcasing futuristic designs
✔ The evolution of BMW’s signature kidney grille & aerodynamic shapes
✔ Interactive exhibits on car design & aerodynamics

Special Exhibitions & Interactive Experiences

The BMW Museum frequently hosts special exhibitions, featuring:
✔ Limited-edition BMW models
✔ Art cars painted by famous artists like Andy Warhol & Jeff Koons
✔ Virtual reality experiences, allowing visitors to "drive" classic BMWs

Visitors can also:
✅ Sit inside historic and modern BMWs
✅ Explore the sound of BMW engines in an interactive audio exhibit
✅ Take guided tours with BMW experts

How to Visit the BMW Museum

📍 Location: Am Olympiapark 2, 80809 Munich, Germany

⏰ Opening Hours:

  • Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  • Monday: Closed

🎟️ Ticket Prices:

  • Adults: €10

  • Students & Seniors: €7

  • Children under 6: Free

🚆 How to Get There:

  • By U-Bahn (Subway): Take U3 to Olympiazentrum Station

  • By Car: Parking is available near BMW Welt

Why Visit the BMW Museum?

✅ See legendary BMW cars & motorcycles
✅ Experience over 100 years of automotive history
✅ Explore the future of BMW with electric & autonomous vehicles
✅ Perfect for car enthusiasts, engineers, and design lovers

For anyone interested in automotive innovation, the BMW Museum in Munich is a must-visit destination!

The Israel Museum (Jerusalem)
Complete List of Museums in Israel
Complete List of Museums in China
Complete List of Museums in Sweden
Video tour of the Sistine chapel
Video tour of the Uffizi Gallery
Video tour of the Louver
Video tour of the Metropolitan museum
Sistine Chapel, Vatican - address and location
Something on the Vatican Museums
St. Paul Basilica, Vatican
Titanic Museum in USA, Pigeon Forge
American Museum of Natural History, USA, NY
Brooklyn Museum, NY, USA
The Jewish Museum in New York, USA
The Holocaust Memorial museum in Washington, USA
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA
Museum of russian art, New Jersey, USA
Mutter Museum of Medical History, Philadelphia, USA
National Gallery of Art, Washington, USA
Water Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia
Best dinosaur museum in Moscow, Russia
Bread Museum in Izmailovo, Russia
Feodosia Money Museum, Ukraine
A. V. Bleschunov museum of Private Collections, Odessa
Cathedral Svyatogorsk Monastery Museum
Fire Fighting Museum in Kiev
Kerch Historical and Archaeological Museum, Ukraine
Lviv Art Gallery, Ukraine
Lviv Museum of Brewing, Ukraine
Reina Sofia art center, Spain, Madrid
Prado Museum: description, how to find it in Madrid, the location on the map
Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, Spain, Madrid
Museum Spanish Village, Barcelona, Spain
Pablo Picasso Museum in Malaga, Spain
Museums in Saint Petersburg
Museums in Moscow
Cathedral of the Annunciation, Moscow, Russia
Cathedral of the Archangel, Moscow, Russia
Cathedral of the Assumption, Moscow, Russia
Сatherine’s Palace, Pushkin, Russia
Church of the Deposition of the Robe, Moscow, Russia
City Sculpture Museum in St Petersburg, Russia
Kunstkammer, St. Petersburg (the anthropology and ethnography museum) - first Russian museum
The Literary Museum in Moscow, Russia
Monino Air Force Museum, Russia
The Armoury Chamber in Moscow, Russia
Museum of Applied Art and Everyday Life of XVII century Russia
Moscow Kremlin – Museum, Russia
Museum of Printing in Russia, Saint Petersburg
Polytechnic Museum in Moscow, Russia
Pushkin fine arts museum, Moscow, Russia
Railway Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Repin museum - Penates, Russia, Saint Petersburg
Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia
The State Hermitage Museum, Russia, Saint Petersburg
History of the State Tretyakov Gallery and its location on the map
Painter Ivan Aivazovsky biography
What can be seen in the house of Caesar
Ancient Alexandria, Egypt
Which collections assembled by Cardinal Richelieu
What was the Museion, Egypt
Academy Gallery, Venice, Italy
Axel Munthe house, Venice, Italy
Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence, Italy
Correr Museum Venice Italy
Ferrari museum in Italy, Maranello
Gallery Brera, Milan, Italy
Italian Museum of Modern Art, Rivoli, Italy
Museum furniture in Italy, Valle d’Aosta
Museum of 18th century Venice, Italy
Museum of Capodimonte, Naples, Italy
Museum Poldi Pezzoli, Italy, Milan
National archaeological museum of Naples, Italy
National Museum of Bargello, Florence, Italy
Boijmans - Van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam
Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem, Holland
Mauritshuis museum, Gaaga, Holland
Municipal Museum Amsterdam, Holland
Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Holland
The Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, Holland
Best Munich Museums & Galleries: Art, History & Culture Guide
Berlin Portrait Gallery
Bavarian National Museum, Munich, Germany
BMW Museum in Munich, Germany
German museum, Munich, Germany
Mercedes Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany - location on the map
Museum Brandhorst in Munich, Germany
Museum newspapers, Aachen - history of the museum and its description
Porcelain Museum, Munich, Germany
Toy Museum in Germany, Munich
Dresden gallery (Old Masters Pictures), Germany, address and video
Bode Museum in Berlin
Wine Museum in Paris, France
What is considered the pearl of the Louvre exhibit?
What did Napoleon do for the Louvre?
Rouen Museum of Fine Arts, France
Puppet Museum in Paris, France