Munich travel guide
The Bavarian metropolis combines a forward-looking, cosmopolitan character with a folksy, small-town atmosphere where people can sometimes still be seen unselfconsciously wearing lederhosen and dirndl, and swaying to the blast of an oompah band while swigging beer from a substantial stein.
Within sight of the Alps, and with an array of world-class museums and galleries and superb parks such as the English Garden, München (Munich) attracts not only visitors from all over the world but also would-be residents from the whole of Germany. Read more about the history and culture of Munich...
Unmissable experiences in Munich
• Share a toast with friendly locals in Munich's famously fantastic beer halls
• Feel festive with some Gluhwein and bratwurst at the cosy Christmas Market
• Breathe the fresh Alpine air and enjoy Bavaria's great outdoors
Places to visit in Munich
Munich has two enormous assets as far as the visitor is concerned. First, a large majority of the city’s museums, monuments, palaces and churches, like the magnificent Residenz and funky Pinakothek der Moderne, are concentrated in the Innenstadt (inner city), which makes Munich a great place to explore on foot. Second, Munich’s public transport, incorporating buses, trams, underground (U-Bahn) and suburban trains (S-Bahn), brings all the other sights within easy reach so there is no need for a car.
Munich long ago expanded beyond the confines of its medieval boundaries, and the old city wall long since disappeared. However, the remains of three gates survive marking out the perimeter of the inner city – Isartor, Karlstor and Sendlinger Tor – as well as Odeonsplatz, a rendezvous for salt traders setting off in the 14th century for northern Germany. Ever since Munich’s earliest beginnings, however, Marienplatz has been at the heart of it all. Here you can marvel at the grand Town Halls (there are two of them) and glimpse the imposing towers of the Frauenkirche.
And of course, no visit to Munich is complete without a trip to one of the city's fabulous beer halls.
Read more from the travel guide to Germany
