As a family, we had decided to head to Germany as part of a six-week trip to Europe. With Berlin already decided, Munich was the obvious next stop. We only had a few days, so we had to discover the best things to do in Munich.
The city has a lot of things to offer from museums, palaces, beer halls, amazing scenery and a friendly population. Jacqui and I and the girls had already been once, but the attraction was strong to head back again.
So, let’s dig a bit deeper and investigate what makes Munich tick.
Getting There
Munich is a hub, which is a bit unfair. It makes it sound as if it’s a place you go to on the way to somewhere else, but that’s not the case.
Munich airport has flights everyday going to all points of the globe. And, depending on where you’re coming from, it can save you some money starting in Munich.
From Australia, it’s a much shorter trip which works well if you’re using frequent flyer points. And if you’re not including London in your travels, then it makes sense to start your journey on the continent.
The rail service throughout Europe is very well developed and getting to and from Munich by train is a very convenient way to go. Depending on how far you’re traveling it can be a lot less exhausting than going by car.
There are several bus companies that service Germany and make stops in Munich. Busabout is the first name that springs to mind, but I’m sure there are others.
Last, but certainly not least, is hiring a car. Germany set the standard with the Autobahn, and most other first world countries do their best to model their motorways on them.
It’s fair to say though, that the Autobahns are not suitable for timid drivers. With many vehicles driving in excess of 200km/h(140mph), you really need to have your wits about you and have a reasonable level of confidence.
For further information about getting around Europe check this other blog. How to travel around Europe.
When To Go To Munich
We’ve been to Munich in both summer and winter and to be honest I’m struggling to pick a winner. Jacqui will undoubtably say that summer is best. But that’s because she hates the cold.
This might stem from that time in Munich when she was pouring water onto the windscreen to try and melt the ice. Unfortunately, I turned the wipers on which just covered her in iced water. Things turned a whole lot colder then.
As Aussies, we’re used to the heat, and I do like the longer days and shorter clothes. In winter, we got to experience snow for the first time and saw magnificent snow-covered scenery. Plus, the Christmas market stalls complete with mulled wine.
But the days are much shorter, and you need more clothes. As for Oktoberfest, well, most of that happens in September and only a couple of days in October.
I haven’t been to Oktoberfest, but it’s tough to imagine the beer flowing any more freely then it does the rest of the year.
Beer Gardens/Halls
Munich is known for its beer and so naturally, the best place to drink it is in a Beer Garden or Beer Hall. The Hofbrauhaus Beer Garden is one of the most popular Beer Gardens in Munich. The beer garden is located right next to the Hofbrauhaus Brewery and is open all year round. It’s also open from 8am-1am which makes it perfect for those late-night adventures.
It offers a large outdoor patio where you can enjoy your beers with friends and family and listen to live music while you’re there. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, they also offer indoor seating as well as an English garden where you can find trees and flowers.
Now, I love the Hofbrauhaus. It has a magnetism that I find irresistible when I’m in the city. It is probably the best known, and to be honest, it’s a little touristy. That doesn’t stop me going in for a beer of course. I’m not that principled.
Go Local
But these days I tend to look more for the local beer halls, full of local people. A lot less big signs, but I find they have a better atmosphere.
Huge pine tables, with either chairs or benches down either side. You may end up sharing the table with new friends. Singing starts up at one table and the other tables join in. If you don’t know the words, just stamp your feet to the beat.
With the singing getting closer to our table, we made a plan. We went with Slim Dusty’s, “I’d love to have beer with Duncan”. We sang at the top of our lungs, and the rest of the hall stamped and clapped along.
Now, I know that Beauty and the Beast is set in France. But if you ever wanted to feel like Gaston, sitting at a huge table, with a mountain of food in front of you and an enormous beer in your hand, then a local beer hall in Munich is where you need to be.
Not only is the food and drink excellent, but more importantly there’s no aggression. In Australia, there would be security on the door, and a few fights would be accepted as par for the course.
In Munich, there’s no security, because people are just there to have a good time. We’ve never seen a fight in a beer hall, and we’ve made 3 separate trips to Munich now.
Museums
Munich has an abundance of museums. There are many for you to choose from.
For example, the Bavarian National Museum displays the rich cultural heritage of Bavaria with about 1,400 exhibits. You can visit the museum to learn about everything from archeology, language, and politics to science and technology.
My favourite museum is the Deutsches Museum. It is designated as a science and technology museum and it is vast. So many aircraft are in there from the earliest to the latest. But it’s so much more.
I think I spent about 3 hours in there last time, and I could have doubled that easily.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Don’t think of this as just a castle. In reality, it’s a village, two castles, and the story of a man.
The village of Schwangau lies about an hour’s drive from Munich and the scenery on the way is absolutely stunning. Passing through picture perfect Bavarian villages, rolling fields and snow-capped mountains. The urge to take photos at every turn is strong.
Hohenschwangau was the family residence which was restored by king Maximillian. This is a great castle to visit, because it’s not too big. Big castles are certainly imposing but I sometimes find them hard to get my head around them.
When their son Ludwig took over the throne, he made plans to build Neuschwanstein on the mountain opposite Hohenschwangau. There is still a telescope set up in his bedroom so that he could observe progress.
The village of Schwangau sits between the two castles.
Sadly, Ludwig never got to live in his new castle. He died in mysterious circumstances before it was completed. Unfortunately, he was apprehended and being brought before a doctor to test his mental competence.
He broke away and jumped into a lake where he was drowned. He was known to be a strong, confident swimmer, so a drowning raised many questions.
Ever since he has been known as Mad King Ludwig.
Neuschwanstein is best known as the fairy tale castle that Walt Disney modelled his Cinderella Castle on. It’s one of the most famous castles in the world and it’s worth visiting for that reason alone.
Before you go though, make sure you buy tickets ahead of time because they often sell out quickly and the lines are huge. Check their website here for up to date information.
Dachau
Dachau is certainly not a feel-good attraction. But it is well worth visiting. Most of the accommodation huts have been removed, but their foundations are still maintained, so you can get an idea of the scale of the place.
The museum/memorial is set throughout the administration buildings and tells the tale of Hitlers rise to power, and the terrible consequences that followed.
This was not an uplifting experience, but we all got a much clearer understanding of what it means to be free.
Marienplatz
The Marienplatz is the main square in Munich and it’s a gathering place. The main building here is the town hall which looks as if it is hundreds of years old, and possibly baroque.
It’s actually only a little over a hundred years old, and little more than a façade. But the effect is magnificent.
Every hour the main clock chimes, and with that the characters around the clock come to life in a procession. If you need to get a photo of a smartphone, this is your best chance.
Just around the corner from Marienplatz are the old markets. These are well worth a stroll.
Conclusion
I love Munich. I feel very comfortable there each time we go back. The city is easy to get around, the people have always been friendly, the food is huge and hearty, and the beer is delicious.
We will go back to Munich again; I have no doubt of that.
You should give it a try as well.
If you’re heading towards Munich, why not check out these posts as well.
The best things to do in Berlin.
Cheers and happy travels