The capital of Bavaria and one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, Munich is a fascinating destination. Huge bike paths, beautiful pedestrian streets decorated with blooming flower beds and lush green parks. The Isar River flows alongside historic buildings and one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe. A little further away, glass skyscrapers house large businesses, while in the background the power plant, one of Germany’s modern technological achievements, dominates.
Munich is every year very high on the list of the best cities in the world to live in. It is one of the most beautiful and best organized destinations in central Europe. A jewel in the crown of European entrepreneurship and a charming destination full of fairytale castles and palaces, important works of art, as well as a museum that will delight young and old visitors.
Traveling to Munich, you will see this unparalleled quality of life that everyone is talking about reflected in almost every aspect of the Bavarian capital. It is as if the entire city has been built to make the lives of its residents more beautiful, easier, more practical, safer. From the doll-like old town, with the ancient and impressive Marienplatz square, where you will see the most famous attraction of the area, the Glockenspiel clock, spinning around your head, to the countryside around the city with the magnificent Neuschwanstein castle, Munich really seems to have come out of a fairy tale. A fairy tale that lives both in the past and in the present.
What will you see?
- The central square Marienplatz
An old, thoroughly historic square, which is the center and “heart” of this ultra-modern, beautiful German city. Marienplatz is the point in Munich where you will wander many times during your stay in the Bavarian capital, staring each time, as if it were the first, at the imposing, majestic building of the Town Hall, which the locals call Neues Rathaus.
Approximately in the middle of the building, you will see one of the most famous sights of Munich: the melodious and beautiful clock, known as the Glockenspiel. It is a puppet sculpture with a traditional character, which depicts figures of German coopers. The figures come to life and begin to rotate three times every day. One of the big “musts” on a visit here is to take the elevator to the highest floor of the building, to enjoy the most beautiful view of all of Munich.
- Peterskirche Church with 302 Steps
Speaking of places from which to enjoy the most impressive version of Munich, the tower of St. Peter’s Church, which reaches 91 meters in height, is in itself a major attraction of the city. Climbing the 300 steps that lead to the top is an amazing experience.
St. Peter’s Church is, according to official local documents, the oldest church in the city. Around it gradually developed the social fabric of Munich, making it the core of its historical identity. The view from the top floor of the tower is magnificent and will remain unforgettable, while the entrance ticket costs only 3 euros.
- Viktualienmarkt Food Market
If you are traveling to Germany with the aim of getting to know as much as possible about the unique local gastronomy, then you have no choice but to try the exquisite local products that you will find in abundance at Munich’s central food market, the Viktualienmarkt. Cheeses, cold cuts, beers, honey and sweets are spread out across more than 140 stalls at this beautiful market.
Viktualienmarkt is open all year round, from Monday to Saturday, and also includes stalls with fresh flowers. You will see small statues and fountains throughout the market, while its most characteristic element is the Maypole column in its center.
- Frauenkirche
A symbol of the city and one of the most beautiful churches in Germany, the grand Frauenkirche Cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Munich and is one of the most famous and photographed sights in Bavaria.
This impressive church, with its two steeples reaching a height of 99 meters, was built of red brick in the Gothic style in just 20 years, from 1468 to 1488, when Munich was a small town of about 13,000 inhabitants. When you are there, there is one thing you must do: climb the highest bell tower (it is open to visitors) to enjoy a panoramic view of Munich, which extends to the Alps.
- Nymphenburg Palace
Summer residence of the House of Wittelsbach, the former royal family of Bavaria, Nymphenburg Palace, also known as the “Bride’s Castle”, is an architectural masterpiece built in the Baroque style, about half an hour outside the city center.
Many see Nymphenburg Palace as a worthy rival to the French Versailles, with the palace’s large gardens, designed in a French style, having little to envy from the famous palace of Marie Antoinette.
The halls of the palace host important examples of German visual arts that are worth seeing up close, while the lakes located within the grounds of Nymphenburg are also beautiful. The largest of them is located right in front of the palace, like a private, small sea in the heart of Munich.
- For coffee and dessert at the legendary Café Luitpold
Munich’s historic Café Luitpold first opened its doors in 1888 and was one of the largest cafés in all of Europe. With more than 15 impressive rooms and 16 billiard tables, it attracted a loyal following, who considered it their second home.
The café’s most loyal customers included several important intellectuals, such as Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee, who founded the unconventional Blue Rider movement there in 1911.
Although the bombings of World War II largely destroyed the café, it reopened in 1948. Since then, it has undergone several renovations, with the latest in 2010 largely restoring its classic elegance.
- Neuschwanstein
If looking at the breathtakingly beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle, built in an idyllic location in the German Alps, reminds you of something, then your mind will surely travel to the Disney movie “Sleeping Beauty”.
This famous attraction, just outside Munich, is indeed the palace that inspired the creators of the 1959 animated film to design a castle identical to the 19th century Neuschwanstein. A palace as beautiful as a fairy tale, with high-ceilinged halls and tall windows overlooking the lush Hohenschwangau valley.
Make sure to book your tickets online in advance, because the lines are truly enormous. Otherwise, you will need to arm yourself with patience to get in. You can get to Neuschwanstein by bus or train, but the best way is to rent a car, which will give you the opportunity to drive along one of the most exciting and greenest routes in all of Europe.
- The magnificent Munich Opera House
A 17th-century Baroque building, the Nationaltheater is one of Munich’s most famous landmarks and one of the city’s most impressive buildings.
An evening at the opera is a must if you’re visiting the Bavarian capital to enjoy a performance, even if you don’t speak German. In the huge main hall of this fascinating theatre, you’ll be amazed by the dazzling décor, the impressive semicircular atriums and the crystal chandelier hanging from the ornate ceiling.
Founded in 1653, the Munich Nationaltheater is renowned for its excellent productions. This is one of the reasons why many theatre and music lovers choose Munich as their favourite destination. Just be aware that tickets sell out quickly and are hard to come by. Therefore, make sure to book your place online in advance.
Three food suggestions
1. Pfistermühle
A super elegant Bavarian setting, set in an old mill dating back to 1573. At the excellent Pfistermühle restaurant, which is located in a central location of the city, you will have the opportunity to try the most refined and modern version of the local cuisine. The menu experiments creatively, but always maintains its ties to tradition. The fixed lunch menu “Pfistermühlen Brettl” (Monday-Friday), with four small dishes – including vegetarian options – is an excellent choice, offering very good value for money.
2. Schreiberei
In the heart of the city, just a few steps from Marienplatz, the Schreiberei restaurant is housed on the ground floor of a stunning listed building. The interior is reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie, but on nice days, make sure to grab a table on the sheltered courtyard terrace. The space is truly beautiful and extremely welcoming. All the dishes on the menu are delicious and made with fine ingredients, such as the veal cheeks with truffle polenta, a dish that stands out for its rich flavor.
3. Trichards
This stylish and modern restaurant-wine bar is located in the Lehel district. At Trichards, the menu has a strong French influence, thanks to the owner’s origins, who aimed to create a balanced French restaurant with modern dishes in the German countryside. Trichards’ culinary offerings are mainly seasonal, made with fresh, local ingredients. It’s also worth trying a bottle of wine from the excellent wine list, which includes selections from all over the world.
