My Travel Guide to Munich
*All work including photos and writing on this page is my own, except the link to the Expedia video, freely available on Youtube.
Munich or Munchen as the Germans call it, meaning town of the Monks, is situated in the region known as Bavaria, close to the Austrian Border. It is famous for the Oktoberfest Beer festival, which encapsulates all that Bavaria is known for, the Lederhosen clothes, the Beer and what it was originally created for, to bring everyone together and enjoy the local traditions and customs. It now attracts people from all over the world.
Although Munich was badly damaged during World War Two, the city was rebuilt and restored to it's former glory and now is a very attractive city. Munich is one of the wealthiest cities in Germany, with big businesses such as BMW, Siemans and Allianz insurance all with their head offices here. This is probably why it feels a very safe city.
Munich is a majestic city, which flows naturally out towards the mountains, for you to explore, hike and cycle around the beautiful city and explore the countryside and mountains. It is clean and well organised. People follow the rules, only crossing on a green light for example. The public transport is as you would expect very efficient. The underground network is cheap and easy to use and there are trains to other German cities from the city centre or to other European cities.
Unlike what some media sources would have you to believe, there are no problems with the refugees here. The people here are very tolerant of other people and there are plenty of jobs, so they are very much welcomed.
Although Munich was badly damaged during World War Two, the city was rebuilt and restored to it's former glory and now is a very attractive city. Munich is one of the wealthiest cities in Germany, with big businesses such as BMW, Siemans and Allianz insurance all with their head offices here. This is probably why it feels a very safe city.
Munich is a majestic city, which flows naturally out towards the mountains, for you to explore, hike and cycle around the beautiful city and explore the countryside and mountains. It is clean and well organised. People follow the rules, only crossing on a green light for example. The public transport is as you would expect very efficient. The underground network is cheap and easy to use and there are trains to other German cities from the city centre or to other European cities.
Unlike what some media sources would have you to believe, there are no problems with the refugees here. The people here are very tolerant of other people and there are plenty of jobs, so they are very much welcomed.
Below is a tourist guide to Munich
Things to do
1) MarienPlatz
This is the main square in the Old Town, where you will find the Town Hall and the famous Glockenspiel clock.
1) MarienPlatz
This is the main square in the Old Town, where you will find the Town Hall and the famous Glockenspiel clock.
This is one of the largest City Parks in the world and well worth a visit on a sunny day. It is shaded for most of the path way, so it is still pleasant on a hot day. You can walk or cycle around it. It is also great place for a picnic. You can often see surfers here too in the river. There are cafes all around it, which enables you spend a whole day there if you have the time.
3) The BMW Museum
3) The BMW Museum
If it isn't sunny enough for the English Garden, then this is a very popular day out for anyone interested in BMW's, which stands for the Bavarian Motor Company.
4) The Deutsches Museum
4) The Deutsches Museum
This is a great interactive science museum, especially for children, but suitable for everyone. Allow 2-4 hours to visit this museum. It is great for a rainy day, although you can go for a nice walk along the river too if it is dry weather. We particularly enjoyed the boats and planes exhibition.
5) The Sandemans free walking tour of Munich.
This seemed too good to be true, a free tour of Munich, visiting all the top tourist destinations, but I decided to try it anyway. I am so glad I did. Our tour guide Tom was great, very informative and funny. You just pay them a tip of whatever you feel you want to pay at the end, there was no pressure to give at all though and no pressure to try and get you to book a tour that you do pay for, so I would recommend it. It is around 3 hours, so wear comfortable shoes, although you will not be constantly walking.
5) The Sandemans free walking tour of Munich.
This seemed too good to be true, a free tour of Munich, visiting all the top tourist destinations, but I decided to try it anyway. I am so glad I did. Our tour guide Tom was great, very informative and funny. You just pay them a tip of whatever you feel you want to pay at the end, there was no pressure to give at all though and no pressure to try and get you to book a tour that you do pay for, so I would recommend it. It is around 3 hours, so wear comfortable shoes, although you will not be constantly walking.
6) The Nymphenburg Palace
7) OlympiaPark
8) For shopping go to Maximillianstrasse
9) There are of course the world famous Beer Houses and Beer Gardens all over the city. Below is the most famous, the Hofbrauhaus.
There are lots of Museums to visit as well. For the Football fans you can go to the Bayern Munich Stadium too.
9) There are of course the world famous Beer Houses and Beer Gardens all over the city. Below is the most famous, the Hofbrauhaus.
There are lots of Museums to visit as well. For the Football fans you can go to the Bayern Munich Stadium too.
Places to visit from Munich
1) Neuschwanstein Castle, A beautiful Fairytale castle, every photographers dream! We adored this place. We took a Sandemans tour, but you can drive there or take a train to Fussen station, a cute little town, just a 2 hour journey on the train, then a 10 minute bus ride to the castle. I would recommend having lunch in Fussen.
The castle was designed for and by King Ludwig, a lover of fairytales. It was also a monument to his favourite composer Wagner. The castle inspired Disney's Castle in Disneyland. It is worth the steep climb up the hill to go inside it. (There are horse drawn carriages that can take you up there as well though.) |
Austrian restaurantFood and Drink
Although not top of the world's Culinary league tables, Bavarian food is good and there is also a growing selection for Vegetarians as well. Food is simple here, but there is something interesting about simple home cooked food nowadays, when most people seem to want to do something fancy with their food. Salads are popular, with potato and cabbage salads the most popular. The most famous bread is pretzel bread, a salty bread that is sold everywhere! Meat is very popular here and every part of the animal is used. Offal features very heavily in their diet. Cheese and cream feature heavily in Bavarian dishes. Of course you have to try the sausages too. Some restaurant recommendations: Chopan Schwabing Afghan restaurant Risotto Restaurant Italian restaurant Vu Jaa Restauarnt Vietnamese restaurant Restaurant Pils Corner Balkan restaurant Nur Einmal Leban Greek restaurant. Broeding Austrian restaurant Essence Restaurant French restaurant Trattoria Il Buco Italian restaurant Little London Bar and Grill British Restaurant. Far East Vietnamese restauant. |
Where to stay
Any of the city centre hotels around MarienPlatz, Isartor or Rosenheim Platz stations are good locations. I have stayed in the Hilton and Holiday Inn City hotels, which are great as they have a direct underground access to the Subway stations.
Any of the city centre hotels around MarienPlatz, Isartor or Rosenheim Platz stations are good locations. I have stayed in the Hilton and Holiday Inn City hotels, which are great as they have a direct underground access to the Subway stations.
2) Salzburg. The home of Mozart, an hour and a half drive from Munich.
Below is a typical Bavarian town just outside Munich in the Autumn.
To get to and from the airport the easiest is way is to take the S8 train, which takes around 40 minutes to get to Rosenheim Platz station and costs Eur 13 in 2022
To find more information on Munich take a look at this
Website. Munich
To find more information on Munich take a look at this
Website. Munich
Here is a link to the Guardian article on Munich too! Munich