Places to Visit in Europe

City Guide

Munich, Germany

Munich (München) is Bavaria's elegant capital — a city of frescoed baroque buildings, world-class museums, the legendary Oktoberfest, easy access to the Alps, and a beer garden culture that turns any afternoon into a celebration. It is one of Germany's most liveable cities, with a beautiful old town, excellent art galleries, and the Isar river running right through the centre.

Best Places to Stay

  • Luxury: Bayerischer Hof, Hotel am Steinplatz, Louis Hotel
  • Mid-range: Hotel Feldkirchen, Schlickers Hostel, The Munich Edit
  • Budget: Jaeger's Hostel, Meininger München, Pension

Best Places to Eat

  • Fine dining: Showroom, Atrium, Tantris
  • Traditional Bavarian: Weisses Brauhaus, Augustiner, Hofbräuhaus
  • Markets: Viktualienmarkt (daily food market), Markt am Elisabethplatz

Best Sites to Visit

Marienplatz: The central square — watch the Glockenspiel perform at the New Town Hall. Gothic spires, iconic.

Englischer Garten: One of the world's largest city parks — surfers ride standing waves on the Eisbach river, beer gardens dot the meadows, the Chinese Tower has a famous beer garden beneath it.

Residenz: The Bavarian royal palace — extraordinary interior, courtyards, the Treasury with crown jewels.

Deutsches Museum: The world's largest science and technology museum. Full day if you're into it.

BMW Welt & Museum: The iconic double-cone building where you collect your new BMW. Museum is paid.

Nymphenburg Palace: The summer palace of Bavarian kings — stunning canal, baroque rooms, the Gallery of Beauties.

Pinakothek der Moderne: One of Europe's great modern art museums — art, architecture, design under one roof.

St. Michael's Church: Bavarian baroque at its most dramatic — the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps.

Olympiapark: Built for the 1972 Olympics — the tower gives the best aerial views over the city.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Historic Centre

Morning: Marienplatz, New Town Hall Glockenspiel, Michaels Church, Residenz. Lunch: Viktualienmarkt — food stalls from around the world and German classics. Afternoon: Deutsches Museum (2-3 hours). Evening: Biergarten at Seehaus in the Englischer Garten.

Day 2: Parks and Palaces

Morning: Englischer Garten — walk or rent a bike, watch the surfers at the Eisbach. Lunch: Chinese Tower beer garden. Afternoon: Nymphenburg Palace (allow 2-3 hours). Evening: Schwabing neighbourhood for dinner.

Day 3: Day Trip or Art Day

Option A: Neuschwanstein Castle (2 hours by train) — the fairy-tale castle that inspired Disney. Option B: Lake Chiemsee (King Ludwig's island palace). Option C: Stay in Munich — Pinakothek der Moderne + BMW Welt + Olympiapark tower.

Getting There and Around

  • By air: Munich Airport (MUC) — Germany's second busiest. S-Bahn Lines S1/S8 to city centre (40 min, €14).
  • By train: München Hauptbahnhof — major hub. Direct ICE to Berlin (4h), Vienna (4h), Zurich (4h), Frankfurt (3h).
  • Getting around: Excellent U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and tram network. Single tickets from €3, day pass is better value. City centre is very walkable.

Travel Tips and Practical Info

  • Best time to visit: May (before Oktoberfest) or September–October (Oktoberfest runs late Sep to early Oct). December for Christmas markets.
  • Beer gardens: Augustiner is the local favourite. You bring your own food, just buy the beer. This is a Bavarian institution.
  • Cash: Many beer gardens and traditional restaurants are cash-only. Always carry €50-100 cash.
  • Free: Marienplatz, Englischer Garten, Olympiapark, walking in Schwabing.

Where to Next?

  • Neuschwanstein Castle (1.5h by train) — the fairy-tale castle, must-see
  • Lake Chiemsee (1h by train + bus) — King Ludwig's island palace, less crowded
  • Salzburg, Austria (2h by train) — Mozart's birthplace, stunning old town
  • Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1.5h by train) — Bavarian Alps, Zugspitze (Germany's highest peak)