Travel Guide Munich

The largest city in the south of Germany and the capital of Bavaria, Munich, is renowned for its annual beer festival, the Oktoberfest. However, Munich is not a bar only. The town boasts of a historical city center, a castle, large parks and gardens, hearty German food, and beer halls. Apart from that, you will find Munich’s tower clock, numerous history museums, and the vast English Garden. In other words, there is something for everyone in the city. Munich is a place of beauty, art and history today. You will love traveling there. The city has a lot to offer visitors and is definitely a good starting point for visiting other places in Bavaria too. Let’s check out this travel guide and plan your next trip with ease:

Things to do and See in Munich

Here are some top things you must see and do in Munich:

See Alte Pinakothek

This significant art museum has over 800 pieces from 14th-18th century German masters. It includes one of the largest collections of Rubens’ paintings in the world and also paintings by Titian, Frans Hals, Altdorfer, Albrecht Dürer, and others. Admission is 7 EUR (1 EUR on Sundays).

The English Garden

The English Garden is the biggest park in Munich, with more than 75 kilometers of trails and plenty of spots to picnic, go hiking and just relax. At the entrance of the bridge there is a river where people can “surf” as the water flows out under the bridge. The beer garden in its middle is also great and it has a Chinese tower, a wooden building inspired by a pagoda.

 Experience Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a 14 days of drinking festival that is usually held at the end of September. Every year, about 6 million people come to the city each year in order to party in Bavarian costumes, to drink huge liter-sized beers called Maß, and to eat roasted chicken and giant pretzels. It is a giant party.

Visit Dachau Concentration Camp

Dachau was Germany’s first Nazi concentration camp, which was opened in 1933. Let me take you to this monument that reminds us of the dark side of human history. There are more than 30,000 documented deaths in the camp but the number could be greater than that. It is a place I have visited only once, but which should be visited by everyone. It’s placed at 16 kilometers (10 miles) away from the city and takes a whole day to explore. Entry is free.

Go to the Nymphenburg Palace

This Baroque palace was the summer residence of Bavaria’s kings and queens. It is adorned with opulent sculptures, a spectacular banqueting hall, and it is encircled by extensive and beautiful gardens. The second most famous feature of it is the “Gallery of Beauties” and the bedroom of King Ludwig II (1845-1886). This is a great place to take leisurely strolls across the gigantic gardens and locals are often seen having a picnic here.

Go to the Church of St. Peter

Munich’s oldest parish church stands out for its paintings from the 16th century, including its ceiling frescoes and a giant gilded altar. Another option is to climb the 299 steps to look over the city from the tower. On a sunny day, you can actually see the Alps. The entry fee is 5 EUR.

Explore the BMW museum & BMW world Munich

The BMW Museum is located next to BMW headquarters in the north of Munich. The Company was founded in 1916 and the museum has exhibits about the history of BMW cars and motorcycles with historic vehicles and prototypes, displays on alternative fuel and traffic management. It is somewhat out of the city but, nevertheless, check it out if you’re a car aficionado. The entry ticket is 10 EUR.

Visit the Hofbräuhaus

One of the most known beer halls in the world is firmly among the top Munich attractions and you are highly recommended to visit this place if you are a beer lover. The Hofbräuhaus was constructed in 1607 and it was originally a brewery, but the restaurant area was added in 1828. Beer was produced here until 1896 and then, in 1896, the brewery outgrew its original site and beer production was moved to a new, thus bigger, site in the suburbs. Although the beer hall had been significantly damaged or completely destroyed during World War II, reconstruction of the building in its original style was done in 1958. More than 100 regulars come here every day. And the age of such regulars is counted in decades. It’s also the busiest beer hall on Octoberfest and regularly entertains other year-round events and live music.

Go to the Viktualienmarkt

This market situated in the city center has been functioning for over 200 years. Featuring more than a hundred vendors, this market is the best place to get fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, charcuterie, and other antipasti. That said, it is not too pricey, hence restock here once you are cooking for yourself. The market is open Sunday-Saturday from 8am-8pm, but few stalls stay open after the official closing time. 

Visit the Deutsches Museum

One of the world’s largest technical museums, this museum houses an impressive number of exhibits dedicated to science and technology. Those students of construction, engineering, aerospace, and natural sciences must visit this place. There are sailing ships, windmills, orbiting spacecraft, robots, lifeboats, submarines, interactive devices, and others! It’s a nice place to go if you’re touring with kids. Admission is 15 EUR.

Travel Costs

If you are traveling to Munich, you need to keep a budget in mind:

Hostel rates 

 A bed in a 4-6-bed dorm costs 35-43 EUR per night, while a bed in an 8-12-bed dorm costs 18-22 EUR per night. Often, you can enjoy lower prices during the winter season. Private double rooms cost 70-100 EUR. Free Wi-Fi is available, and some hostels even include free breakfast. Kitchen facilities are not widespread in the hostels of the city so don’t forget to confirm whether you need one for your stay or not. Be prepared that prices are doubled or tripled during Oktoberfest so book in advance, at least for several months, if you are planning to come here during this time.

Budget hotel prices

 Budget hotels charge around 50-75 EUR for a double or twin room. The Internet is often provided and sometimes breakfast is included too. If you plan on hotel booking for Oktoberfest, you’d better book it in advance (as in several months ahead) since hotels sell out very fast.

In Munich a lot of Airbnb listings can be found (though they are higher priced in comparison to other parts of Germany), a private room starts at 40 EUR per night. Whole houses/apartments go as low as 85 euros per night. The prices double if you don’t book in advance. However, the best thing is to make a reservation no matter when you plan to visit.

Food 

 Food in Germany is very cheap (and hearty). Meat takes the center stage of most meals, especially sausages, and there are over a thousand different kinds of sausages in Germany Soups and stews are likewise popular choices, and so are potato dumplings and sauerkraut. Breakfast is simply made of bread, cold cuts, cheese, and eggs or sausages top the list. There is quite a variety of street food, ranging from snack bars to food carts.

Where to Stay in Munich?

There are plenty of affordable hostels in the city.

• Wombats
• Euro Youth Hostel
• Jaeger’s Munich
• The 4You Hostel Munich
• The Tent

How to Get Around Munich

Here is how you can get around Munich:

Public transport:

 Public transport in Munich is fast, reliable, and safe. One ticket can be used on all the public transportation options: like the U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (above ground, but also goes outside the city limits), tram, and buses.

Bikes:

 Munich is a bike city. To be honest, it’s considered the cycling capital of Germany as well. You will be able to rent bicycles for about 16 EUR per day.

Taxi 

 Taxi tariffs in Munich are among the highest in the country. The base rate is 5.50 EUR plus 2.30 EUR per kilometer. I’d do it if you have time to spare.

Ride sharing 

 Uber is available here but it is not that much cheaper than taxis. In short, opt for public means of transportation if you are on a budget.

When to Visit Munich?

The city of Munich is bursting with events throughout the year, so it is always a great time to come and visit. Spring is good because flea markets reopen and during this period many festivals occur which including Wannda, an arts fest. Nevertheless, the weather can be cold and wet. Summer is the season that attracts the most tourists. In this period, temperatures typically range between 24 °C (75 °F) and higher.

Moreover, as a result of Oktoberfest, autumn has become one of the top times of year to visit. From the end of September to the early days of October, millions of people come from all over the world to join millions of others in the most epic beer-drinking festival.