Munich
Beer halls beneath Alpine skies
Munich pairs Bavarian tradition with effortless wealth and a love of the outdoors. You'll clink liter steins under Hofbräuhaus chandeliers, watch surfers ride a river wave in the English Garden, and glimpse Alpine peaks on a clear day. Conservative, comfortable, and quietly fun.
How long to stay?
Two days centers on Marienplatz and its glockenspiel, the Frauenkirche's twin domes, and a stein at the Hofbräuhaus. Then wander the vast English Garden, watching surfers tackle the Eisbachwelle wave before a beer-garden afternoon.
Four days adds depth: tour the Munich Residence and baroque Nymphenburg Palace, geek out at the Deutsches Museum or BMW Welt, stroll Olympiapark, and use Munich as a base for a Neuschwanstein or Bavarian Alps day trip.
Polished, traditional, and outdoorsy. Munich is Germany's well-heeled south, where lederhosen aren't ironic and beer gardens are a way of life. Orderly and clean, yet warm once the steins start flowing, especially during festival season.
Altstadt-Lehel around Marienplatz puts the sights on your doorstep. The Glockenbachviertel is trendy and nightlife-rich, Maxvorstadt is the museum-and-student quarter, and Schwabing offers leafy, cafe-lined streets beside the English Garden.
Skip the touristy Hofbräuhaus crowds for an authentic beer garden like the Chinesischer Turm in the English Garden, where you can bring your own picnic. Always reserve well ahead if visiting during Oktoberfest.
Late spring through early autumn is glorious for beer gardens and day trips. Oktoberfest runs mid-September to early October. December's Christmas markets enchant, but book early; the city fills fast around major festivals.
Munich Airport (MUC) links to the center in about 40 minutes via the S1 or S8 S-Bahn lines. The central Hauptbahnhof offers fast ICE connections across Germany and direct trains to Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
Germany uses the euro, and cards are accepted in most places but carry cash for beer gardens and markets. Shops close Sundays. Bavarians value politeness and punctuality; a friendly 'Grüß Gott' goes a long way here.
