Munich City Breaks
A hub of culture and tradition
As Germany’s third largest city, Munich is a hotbed of culture, great food and fantastic traditions (read Lederhosen). Founded in 1158, the city has far from rested since then, defining itself as a central part of Bavarian culture. Beer-drinkers and culture vultures step this way, we think you’re going to love a holiday in Munich City.
In truth, Munich is one of Germany’s most interesting places to visit because it’s a city of two halves. Partly a haven for arts and technology, and partly a place of history and tradition. One of its funnest customs is Oktoberfest, the largest beer festivals in the world. With a vibrant and hearty nightlife, and the finest restaurants in southern Germany, as well as a city full of interesting and fun things to do, it’s clear why so many travel here.
Explore our map of Munich City
Your Munich City questions, answered
Once night falls, make your way to Ludwigvorstadt in the centre of the city for your choice of lively bars and clubs.
It has two to choose from: a Munich Card and a Munich City Pass. The first will allow you reduced admission to museums and attractions and free travel on public transport. It’ll also get you discounts in several shops and restaurants throughout the city. The City Pass includes free admission to over 45 museums and sites, free travel on public transport, and even greater reductions in restaurants and shops. They run from one to five days and are a good choice to see as much of Munich as possible.
The ‘wurst’ sausage has been a major part of the Bavarian diet for hundreds of years. Round off yout meal with a sticky kuchen cake.
This is a good choice for a city break because it’s a city that captures so much. Packed with history and steeped in tradition, it also has a modern side. Whether you’re after shopping, museums, culture or grand architecture, you’ll find it in Munich. The Bavarian capital is often referred to as the northernmost city of Italy – it’s so far south in Germany you’re only a couple of hours from the Italian border. And Italy’s influence is felt in Munich with beautiful Renaissance and Baroque stylings.
You'll be able to see most of the city's star attractions on foot while Munich's excellent public transport will get you anywhere else.
Definitely, and there’s plenty to do here that kids will love. A good starting point is the huge animated clock at the Neues Rathaus with its 32 dancing characters acting out scenes from Bavarian history. The English Park is a vast area with a network of woodland walks leading to a boating lake. Use the opportunity to take a little tour of the world and hunt down a Japanese Pagoda and a Greek Temple in the park. There’s also a zoo and an aquarium and countless museums with interactive exhibitions for kids to enjoy.
It’s most famous for its annual raucous Oktoberfest beer celebration. The beer halls are crowded chaos, celebrating the many breweries around the city. Outside of this festival, you’ll be able to access the world’s largest beer garden with space for up to 8,000 eager drinkers. But Munich is more than beer. It’s a city of extraordinary beauty with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces. And, if you’re looking for a day trip, an hour and a half’s drive away sits the ultimate fairy-tale castle. Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Bavaria is a must-see for lovers of fantastic tales.
A weekend here is enough for a glimpse of the city but, if you have the time, it’s worth staying for longer. You could easily fill four or five days here, there are so many museums and sites. And take a week if you’re planning to add some day trips to see the idyllic pastoral scenes of the Bavarian countryside.
While German is of course the main language, English is taught in German schools and most people will have a basic understanding. You can expect to find menus in English in many of the restaurants, especially in the tourist areas. As ever when you’re heading overseas, try to learn a couple of basic phrases in the language and the locals will be much happier to respond in the English that they have.