Munich is a rich and prosperous city, with a mixture of gothic, renaissance, baroque and neo-classical architecture influenced by the Wittelsbach dynasty who ruled the kingdom of Bavaria until the end of World War I. Well known as a cultural centre it has special seasons for opera, concerts, theatre and ballet. Culture seekers flock here for these and the numerous museums and art galleries.
Renowned for it's shopping and its cultural resources, Munich combines cutting edge technology and modern style with a proud sense of tradition and history - earning it the nickname “the city of laptops and lederhosen". Dining out in cafes, bars and restaurants is a pivotal part of life, but Münchners also love to take advantage of healthy, outdoor pursuits such as hiking or skiing. The 800 year old city is located in the north of the Bavarian Alps, and close enough to the nearby alpine villages to visit their stunning mountain scenery. Sights not to miss are the Alte Pinakothek and Neue Pinakothek art museums, The Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady), the Deutsches Science Museum and the Rathaus, the Gothic city hall where glockenspiel performances are held. Kaufingerstrasse is ideal if you want to shop and the Schwabing District with its artistic ambience has elegant boutiques, antique shops, a lively nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs.
Top Things to do in Munich
Visit chic Leopoldstrasse in Schwabing for people-watching and café heaven; this formerly bohemian and arty district now teems with fabulous shops and great places to eat and drink. Try nearby streets such as Gedonstrasse for wonderful examples of Jugendstil, Germany's version of Art Nouveau architecture.
The Englischer Garten is one of the biggest city parks in Europe. This beautiful 18th century park in the Schwabing district is a popular spot with locals who come to row on its lakes, cycle, or simply sunbathe in the summer months. Prudes be warned; naked sunbathing is acceptable here! Landscaped and filled with architectural follies and the obligatory beer gardens, this former hunting ground is a superb spot to hang out with a beer. Also, try the pretty former hunting lodge, the Aumeister.
Stroll down the Maximilianstrasse, one of Munich's richest and grandest streets, with its designer shops and gothic and renaissance buildings. It also houses theatres such as the Kammerspiele and Nationaltheater.
Marienplatz is the iconic square at the heart of the Aldstadt. This pretty square brims with shops and cafes; try Café Glockenspiel for views of the famous glockenspiel performances.
Outside the city centre is the royal palace Schloss Nymphenburg, a glorious baroque confection once used as a summer residence for royalty that now houses a collection of museums.
Eating
Munich lays claim to being the gourmet capital of Germany, and its eating scene ranges from haute cuisine in Michelin-starred establishments and hotels to more traditional Bavarian taverns that are mainly fined dotted around the Aldstadt (Old Town); it also has its fair share of international and ethnic eateries. Try one of the branches of fast food chain Vinzenzmurr for Weisswurst, the local sausage made from veal and herbs, or go to Weisses Bräuhaus for an authentic Bavarian experience. For late night and ethnic choices, go to Schwabing as Mama's Kebap Haus is a budget favourite. At the other end of the scale is Tantris, the innovative Michelin-starred establishment presided over by head chef Hans Haas, or Pfistermuhle, for classic Bavarian cuisine with a contemporary twist in charming Aldstadt surroundings. For glorious coffee and pastries or picnics par excellence, visit Alois Dallmayr, the city's finest deli and a Munich institution.
Arts and Entertainment
From classical opera in baroque splendour to a thriving alternative nightlife scene, Munich is renowned for its cultural pursuits, entertainment, both high and lowbrow and everything in between. The Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) has been a renowned institution for centuries with its performances from Monteverdi to Mozart, but also features contemporary works. In summer, it hosts the celebrated Opernfestspiele with performances at the National Theatre. From the innovative Deutsches Museum to the medieval Altes Rathaus, Munich's museums are as diverse as they are excellent. Aside from the old European masters on offer at the Alte Pinakothek, try the Museum Brandhorst for a wonderful private collection of modern art (including Picasso), or the amazing Museum Villa Stuck, a Jugendstil former private home housing different exhibits. Petrol heads may enjoy a trip to the futuristic BMW Museum that opened in 2008, while young children (up to age 8) should be delighted by the interactive KinderReich with its fabulous - and noisy - exhibits. The extensive Münchner Stadtmuseum is a perfect place to wile away a rainy day, with its historic exhibits and speciality floors that include the Puppentheater-Museum, which has a vast collection of marionettes and dolls, and the retrospective pieces in the Foto (Photography) Museum.
Bavarian Beer
Munich is most famous for its 'Oktoberfest.' Lasting for around 2 weeks it is packed with 'oompah' bands, rides and attractions, whole oxen roasting on giant spits, and beer tents. The city is awash with authentic beer gardens and brewpubs; the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm is about as traditional as it gets, set in the famous Chinese towers of the Englischer Garten, and the Augustiner Keller Biergarten offers a truly authentic experience. In the city centre proper is the Biergarten am Viktualienmarkt, set within this wonderful food market offering high quality fresh produce. The Unionsbräu Haidhausen is a fashionable brewpub, where you can tuck into delicious meat platters while drinking the locally brewed beer. For a completely different experience, the Bräustübl is a beautiful rococo monastery with lovely terraces and home-brew courtesy of the Benedictine monks. Hardcore beer fans might like to try the organised Beer Tour that includes free beer plus entry to the city's notorious Pub Crawl, which takes in various bars and clubs and is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Outside of the city proper, there is the charming Hirschgarten, close to the stunning Schloss Nymphenburg royal palace. This is also a city to enjoy a coffee and cake or hot chocolate in one of the many cosy cafes and bars, such as Trachtenvogl. For kitsch, take on the whole Bavarian experience complete with a cuckoo clock.
Munich Hotels
As you would expect from such a world-class and cosmopolitan city, there is accommodation to suit all budgets. Since this is a city specialising in trade shows, there are plenty of smart and comfortable hotels with bargains to be nabbed outside of the big events, so if you can avoid the main trade events and Oktoberfest, prices will drop accordingly. There is a plethora of hotels around the city centre and Aldstadt (old town) from deluxe five-star grandeur to boutique charmers. For cheap accommodation including hostels, look to districts such as Ludwigsvorstadt or Isarvorstadt for bargains, or try plush residential Lehel for upmarket elegance.