We provide the low-down on our featured city – this month, our focus is on Munich…
As Germany’s third largest city, after Berlin and Hamburg, Munich is also the Bavarian capital.
With a diverse array of attractions, from museums to the regal architecture of palaces and cathedrals, Munich is also a sociable city with many biergartens and bierkellers serving world-famous beer.
An excellent public transport system allows easy access to the beautiful natural surroundings on the city’s outskirts and beyond.
Summary: Visitor-friendly Munich is a quintessential German city which offers culture, entertainment and facilities for all types of traveler, from leisure to corporate.
Munich is ideal for:
- Leisure groups
- Students
- MICE
- FITs
Munich Factfile
Population of Munich: 1.45 million
Location: Situated on the River Isar, 30 miles north of the Bavarian Alps
Nearest airport: Munich International Airport, 20 miles from the city
Getting around Munich:
- Many of Munich’s sights and museums are in the heart of the city, within short walking distance of each other
- Munich’s public transport system is modern and comprehensive, with a network of clean underground (U-Bahn) and suburban (S-Bahn) trains, as well as trams and buses
- Most of central Munich is cycle-friendly, with widespread bike lanes and rentals
Munich’s top 12 must-visit landmarks and attractions:
- Hofbräuhaus am Platzl – a three-storey beer hall dating back to 1589, complete with oompah band and waiters in lederhosen
- The Eisbach (‘Ice Stream’) and Englischer Garten – skilled surfers master the waves of this manmade section of the Isar River; the verdant gardens provide a peaceful spot for contemplation
- Marienplatz – an historic cobblestoned square in the heart of Munich’s Old Town with restaurants and shops nearby
- Müllersches Volksbad – a beautiful swimming pool in a restored Art Nouveau enclosure with Roman steam baths and aromatic Finnish sauna
- Midnightbazar – a fortnightly indoor night market, selling vintage clothes, records, and decorative curiosities, in addition to live DJs or bands, street food stalls, and cocktail vendors
- Glockenbachviertel – one of the prettiest and most vibrant areas of Munich, with independent boutiques, quaint cafes and buzzy bar life
- Viktualienmarkt – an open-air farmers market offering fresh and gourmet produce and a superb al fresco beer garden
- BMW Welt (BMW World) – tours of BMW’s factory and museum provide an insight into this iconic and progressive German brand
- Museums – Munich offers world-class science museums and art galleries, such as Haus der Kunst, as well as some more niche and obscure themes, including Das Kartoffelmuseum(the Potato Museum)
- Frauenkirche or Münchner Dom (Munich Cathedral) – the late gothic-style cathedral is a landmark and symbol of the Bavarian capital city; Catholic Mass is still held here
- FC Bayern Munich Football Club & Museum – tour the arena and learn about the club’s history
- Schloss Nymphenburg – a Baroque palace, featuring ornamental gardens, a science museum, and indoor botanical gardens
Munich’s top 3 events and festivals:
- Oktoberfest – paying homage to Bavarian history and culture, the celebration spans music, parades, fairground rides, food, and – of course – beer
- Tollwood Festival – twice yearly (summer and winter) celebrates art and nature, and offers food stalls, a circus, live music, theatre productions, and comedy shows
- Christkindlmarkts – Munich hosts various festive markets in the run up to Christmas; head to Marienplatz or the medieval market on Wittelsbacherplatz
What to eat in Munich:
Weisswurst (pale Bavarian sausage made from seasoned minced veal) with a soft brezn pretzel and sweet mustard, only served before 12pm; along with traditional Bavarian dishes such as schnitzel, potato salad and sauerkraut.
What to drink in Munich:
Beer is the order of the day – choose from Weissbier – a pale wheat beer; ein Helles – light beer; or ein Dunkles – dark beer.
Weather/seasons in Munich:
Munich has a temperate climate, with four seasons.
The hottest and sunniest month is July, average 18-19°; the coldest month is January, average -1- 0°; March can be windy; and May can be fairly wet.
Visit Munich in May and June for: sunnier days without summer’s peak visitors
Visit Munich in late September/early October for: the epic Oktoberfest celebrations
Visit Munich in late November and December for: peaceful snow drifts and Christmas markets
Nearby attractions:
- Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castleis a few hours from Munich
- The German Alps and Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, can be enjoyed as a day trip
- Salzburg, Austria is just under two hours away
- Historic Nuremberg is an hour and a half from the city of Munich
We’ve been sharing our passion for European travel for over 40 years – please get in touch to discuss a bespoke itinerary or one of our individual services.
