Last updated on at 07:44 am
We visited Munich in a beautiful summertime when the weather stayed perfect the whole week we were there: not too hot, with always a cool breeze in the air.
This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you buy via them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see our Disclosure for more info.
We were then nearing the end of our month-long trip around Europe, with Munich being our second-to-last stop. So we didn’t do the usual touristy things we normally would have done, because by then we felt that we already had our fill of palaces, museums, churches and whatnots—maybe enough to last us a lifetime, heh. Well, not really; just enough for that trip is more like it. Anyway, we opted instead to experience and enjoy Munich, a city we’ve heard so much about, like a local would: we went further than the tourist spots.
For those who aren’t yet familiar with Munich, here are some quick facts to help you get acquainted with this multifaceted city. These also might help you understand why it deserves a spot on your Europe bucket list.
Related Reads
About Munich
- Munich is the capital city of Bavaria, the largest state in Germany in terms of land area. Bavaria is located in the south, with Munich somewhat being on the southmost of Bavaria. Other well-known cities in Bavaria include Nürnberg (a.k.a. Nuremberg) and Augsburg.
- Munich in German is München. It is pronounced as Mewn-shin.
- It is said that many Germans consider Munich the best place to live in Germany and regard it as the country’s secret capital. Being Germany’s third-most populous place, there must be some truth to that.
- Munich is the venue of the famous Oktoberfest—the beer festival that takes place beginning September of every year, lasts for 16 days, and draws about seven million participants each time. As the people of Munich like to celebrate, they also have the Fasching or a carnival where parades, balls, and other forms of merrymaking take place.
- Munich residents love to congregate in beer gardens and beer halls, drinking beers in tall beer mugs while listening to the oompah rhythm.
- More than anything else, Munich is a prosperous, cosmopolitan city that boasts of exquisite architecture, beautiful palaces, world-class museums, fine culture, and a booming business landscape.
Places to Visit in Munich
- Munich Residenz, a royal palace that was once the former official residence of the rulers of Bavaria;
- Alte Pinakothek (Old Masters Gallery), an art museum where paintings from the 14th century to the 18th century by European artists are on display;
- Schloss Nymphenburg (Nymphenburg Palace), the beautiful summer palatial residence of the previous rulers of Bavaria;
- Neue Pinakothek (New Masters Gallery), an art museum where you can find European artworks from the 18th and 19th centuries;
- Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum), where you can find the exceptional historical and artistic treasures of Bavaria;
- Deutsches Museum (German Museum of Science and Technology), one of the most popular attractions in Munich where you can find a vast collection of scientific and technological artifacts;
- National Theater, one of the most famous opera houses in the world;
- Pinakothek der Moderne (Galley of Modern Art), a museum for modern and contemporary art;
Munich Top Attractions
- Do some shopping at Viktualienmarkt, a bustling outdoor market;
- Spend time at Marienplatz, the square limited only to pedestrians and located in the Altstadt;
- Watch the Glockenspiel—a mechanical clock in the Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) that conducts a little tournament—in action;
- Drink mugs of beer at Hofbräuhaus, a well-known beer hall located at Platzl Quarter;
- See Olympia Park, the location of the 1972 Olympics;
- Relax at Englischer Garden, the oldest public park in the world, by going for a walk, sitting beside the lake, or, if the weather permits, dipping in for a swim;
- Drink beer at an outdoor Biergarten;
- Visit Theresienwiese, the location of the annual Oktoberfest;
- Try their homemade dumplings, sausages, and other specialty Bavarian dishes.
What is Munich famous for?
Munich is famous for its rich cultural heritage, including Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival; stunning architecture such as Marienplatz and Nymphenburg Palace; vibrant arts scene with renowned museums like the Alte Pinakothek; and its status as a hub for technology, innovation, and industry in Germany.
Visiting Munich
There were three places we frequented when we were in Munich: the areas in and around Marienplatz, downtown Munich, and the Englischer Garten.
Marienplatz
In Marienplatz, we viewed the Neues Rathaus on the north portion of the plaza with its 19th-century neo-Gothic architecture.
And waited for the Glockenspiel to do its captivating show of knights engaged in a jousting tournament, followed by a dancing jig from colorful characters as the second act. It was an amusing spectacle that lasted for around fifteen minutes.
During the day, we mostly went around admiring architectural structures like interesting-looking monuments, amidst a thickening crowd. It was summer when tourist visits were aplenty, so that was to be expected.
There were beautiful doors, too, that got our attention.
The shops lining the streets didn’t escape our curiosity.
When we wanted to take a respite from all the walking, sightseeing and window shopping, we would go to an inner courtyard that was quite secluded and quiet.
Or sit at this shaded oasis.
Nightfall is one of my favorite parts of the day. It is when we can finally binge eat on some Bavarian specialties. We would choose a table outside where we can people-watch when we’re not busy munching Knödel or Schweinebraten.
Downtown
There are days when we would explore downtown and see how the locals live. Here are some shots from downtown.
Englischer Garten
On other days, we’d hang out at Englischer Garten, where we would sit at an outdoor Biergarten, drinking beer and people-watching.
We’d often run across friendly locals who were happy to share and swap stories.
Mostly, we went for walks on these heavily wooded trails to burn off those beer calories.
Often stopping by these mini streams to cool down.
Then go on to watch people lounging in the grass or going for a swim in small ponds.
That’s how we spent our time in Munich.
Best Day Trips from Munich
Munich is also the gateway to two noteworthy places to visit in Germany: Neuschwanstein Castle and the concentration camp in Dachau.
1. Neuschwanstein Trip from Munich
Neuschwanstein Castle is said to be the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. It’s a whimsical, romantic-looking manor in the Bavarian Alps near Fussen, Germany built by Bavaria’s King Louis II (Mad King Ludwig).
Beautiful with its dreamy spires, turrets, and ramparts, it is one of the most visited attractions in Europe. You can visit it on a day trip from Munich, or stay in the town of Fussen overnight if you want to go early or have a more relaxing time visiting.
What is the best way to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich?
The best way to reach Neuschwanstein from Munich is by train. Take the train from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Füssen, then transfer to a bus to reach the castle. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.
Guided tours in German and English for about 30 minutes are available daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter until December 30.
Convenient Guided Tours
An easier way to make a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle is through the guided tours below that already pick you up from Munich and take or transport you to Neuschwanstein on board a luxury coach and then back to Munich at the end of the trip. The fee already mostly includes entrance fees to the castle, a professional guide during the trip and tour, an audio guide, skip-the-line service, WIFI, snacks and drinks, parking fees, and of course the air-conditioned luxury coach/vehicle. We love availing of these tours because they’re very convenient, hassle-free, and informative and make our trip a more enriching experience.
Is it worth it to go inside Neuschwanstein?
Yes, it’s worth going inside Neuschwanstein Castle to experience its fairy-tale charm and learn about its fascinating history. The interior showcases lavish decorations, intricate craftsmanship, and breathtaking views, offering a glimpse into Bavarian royalty and Ludwig II’s imaginative world.
2. Hohenschwangau Castle
Another castle in the same area that you might want to see as well is Hohenschwangau Castle. It is a 19th-century palace in the town of Hohenschwangau. Gothic in style and built on the ruins of another castle by Louis II’s father, Crown Prince Maximilian II of Bavaria, it is where King Louis II spent his childhood.
45-minute guided tours in German and English are available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until winter and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. onwards. Audio guides in other languages are also available.
3. Dachau Concentration Camp
A more sobering place to visit near Munich is the concentration camp on the outskirts of Dachau, a city northwest of Munich. Dachau is the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany established in 1933, just a few weeks after Adolf Hitler became chancellor. It takes about 20 minutes via a train ride to reach Dachau from Munich.
You can visit Dachau with a small group and with a competent guide who has a vast knowledge of its history and information, for a richer experience. The tour takes around five hours and leaves at Marienplatz.
Related Posts
Munich Guided Tours
For a richer Munich experience, check out these guided tours in and around Munich that you can book well ahead of your trip.
Munich Hotels
Here are some great and highly-rated accommodations in Munich located in the center of the city.
Final Thoughts
We hope you find this little segment of ours about Munich, Germany’s most desirable and culturally rich city, helpful. And if you get to visit (whether soon or in the not-so-distant future), we hope you’ll have a lovely time.
Lastly, if you like this post, don’t forget to share or save it for later. As always, happy travels!
Follow me on:
Such a gorgeous city, and lots to see and so without powering through another museum or gallery. I really hope that travel becomes easier very soon. Your post has given me wanderlust!
It is and interesting, too. I hope for that as well; I miss the old days when you can travel without so much worries and hassles.
This is a really comprehensive list, and I have bookmarked it for future use. I guess I didn’t realize there was so much to do in Munich! What, in your opinion, is the number one thing to not be missed if a person only had one day there?
Thank you, I’m glad you find it helpful.
For me, it’s spending time in a beer garden, especially the outdoor ones, and sampling their sausages, dumplings, other local dishes, and beer. You sit at this big table and get to meet locals and other tourists. Eating at an outdoor beer garden is a Munich tradition and it’s a great way to get a glimpse of the Bavarian culture. There’s an outdoor beer garden in the Englischer Garten and another in Nymphenburg Park.
Wow, Munich looks like a lovely place to visit. I’ve got to put it on my list of places to visit. Thanks for sharing. 😍