Munich – Germany’s wealthy, sophisticated city, with
a fabulous backdrop of the snow capped Alps. Famed for its annual beer festival
Oktoberfest, but there is more to Munich than beer guzzling. Munich’s charm is
its ability to be cosmopolitan and high-tech whilst at the same time having a
rustic town like charm. Visit in summer to make the best of the municipal parks
or winter for the Christmas Markets.
Not really a
garden as such but Europe’s biggest Municipal Park. With sights to explore such
as the Greek Temple, Chinese Pagoda, Japanese Tea House, a river and lake, endless
cycle paths and a great selection of Beer gardens- why would you not pay a visit?
Hot sunny days bring out the locals who prefer to sunbathe au-naturelle with
many a tourist happy to join them!
This is one of Munich’s best known landmarks, and as
you can imagine a popular place to visit in the city. There is a viewing point
on the 9th floor, which can be reached by a lift. It is a fine
example of Gothic architecture to be appreciated from afar or explored up
close.
This massive museum features four collections; art,
design, architecture and works on paper. The building in itself is interesting
taking seven years to construct, it can be by its concrete rectilinear façade.
It is the largest museum to be built in Bavaria since the end of the war.
You can actually skate on the Olympic ice rink and
swim in the Olympic pool. The 287m high Olympic Tower boasts a stunning view of
the city, here you will also find the obligatory overpriced rotating
restaurant. Pick from a selection of tours like the one that takes you inside
the athlete’s building, their locker rooms and showers, the stadium and down to
the stadium field. You will also find the massive entertainment, Olympiahalle,
featuring massive international concerts, dance performances, sporting events
and collectors’ road-shows.
This square is the heart of the city and brings
tourists time after time to soak up the atmosphere and marvel at the Gothic façade
of the New Town Hall. Try and be around at 11am or 5pm to catch the show from
the Town Hall Bell Tower, accompanied by a glockenspiel depicting a medieval
dance and the wedding of Duke William V and Renata von Lothringen. This is also
the perfect place to take a break and sample true Bavarian beer in one of the
many establishments dotted around the square.
You will find the most expensive area to stay is in
the city due to the luxury hotels and easy access to all the major attractions.
Many hostels are also found centrally and are of a good standard. Head for the
traditional Lehel area if you are looking for hotels with heaps of character.
If you are staying in Munich during any of the major festivals such as
Oktoberfest then be sure to book well in advance and expect to pay more than
outside of these events.
The inner city areas of Altstadt, Schwabing,
Maxvorstadt and Isarvorstadtare where you will find most of the good eateries.
Leopoldstrabe is lined with fashionable bars, restaurants, cinemas and shops;
this is the place to be seen in Munich. Schwabing has been Munich’s premier
entertainment district for some time; here you will find a great choice of
bars, cinemas and pubs. Munich, quite surprisingly, has a great deal of
multicultural cuisine so if you tire of the hearty traditional Bavarian fare
there is plenty of other options available.
Walking is made easy by the central pedestrian zone
from the Hauptbahnhof to Marienplatz. If you need the aid of a motor you will
find Munich’s transport system a whiz.
The underground will get you everywhere you need to go with different ticket
options such as the Stripe Ticket which will take you on a multi stop trip in
one direction or the Day Tickets with multi use all day. These can be purchased
from ticket vending machines at stations, including one at the airport if you’re
really organized.
If beer’s your thing head for Munich’s autumnal
celebration of the brown stuff in September. The weather is at its finest
between May and September, bringing tourists in their droves between these
periods. Spring makes a lovely time for a visit when it is less crowded and the
sun still shines. A winter visit is not out of the question if you can handle
the below zero temperatures.
No comments:
Post a Comment