DE
Munich
Beer Gardens, Baroque and the Alps
Beer Gardens, Baroque and the Alps
Marienplatz is the historic heart of Munich: a square surrounded by the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall, 1470) and the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall, 1909, neo-Gothic, 85 metres high). The Glockenspiel on the Neues Rathaus tower rings daily at 11am and noon (also 5pm May–October), with 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures re-enacting a 16th-century knights’ tournament and a coopers’ dance that was performed to celebrate the end of the plague in 1517. The Ratskeller (below the Neues Rathaus) and the Hofbräuhaus (a 5-minute walk) are the two best-known beer halls in Munich.
💡 The Glockenspiel performs at 11am, noon and 5pm (May–Oct). Climb the Neues Rathaus tower (€6.50; 360° view) rather than watching from the square — the elevated view is far better than standing in the crowd below.
Neuschwanstein (1869–1892) was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a personal retreat and theatrical fantasy, never intended as a functional palace. It was opened to the public after his mysterious death in 1886 (he drowned in a lake two days after being declared mentally unfit to rule, having spent only 172 days in the castle). The Disney Sleeping Beauty Castle is based on it. Entry by timed ticket only (€18; book at ticketsystem.bayerische-schloesser.de weeks ahead in summer). The 30-minute guided tour covers the throne room, grotto and Singers’ Hall. Walk up from Hohenschwangau village (20 min) rather than taking the horse-drawn carriage.
💡 Book at neuschwanstein.de well ahead — day-of tickets are rarely available in summer. The interior tour (45 min; €19) runs on timed slots. Walk up from the ticket office to the castle (30 min) for the views — the horse-drawn carriage adds nothing.
The Englischer Garten (1789) is one of the world’s largest urban parks: 3.7 km², larger than Central Park, with four beer gardens, an artificial river, a Japanese tea house and a Chinese pagoda. The Eisbach stream at the southern entrance (near the Haus der Kunst) generates a standing wave that has been surfed year-round since the 1970s — often 10–15 surfers queuing for a 30-second ride. Watch from the bridge above for free. The Chinesischer Turm beer garden (7,000 seats) in the park is the largest beer garden in Munich and serves Märzen, Weissbier and Radler under the chestnuts from May to October.
💡 The Eisbach surfers ride the standing wave at the Prinzregentenstraße bridge continuously. The Chinesischer Turm beer garden (15 min walk north) is the finest in the English Garden — all major Munich breweries on tap.
Nymphenburg Palace (begun 1664) was the summer residence of the Bavarian Wittelsbach kings and is the largest Baroque palace complex in Germany after Versailles. The canal leading to the palace facade runs 1.7km from the city; the formal gardens extend 200 hectares behind. The palace interior includes the Gallery of Beauties — 36 portraits of beautiful women commissioned by King Ludwig I, including a portrait of a shoemaker’s daughter that caused a scandal when she became his mistress. Entry palace + carriage museum €15; grounds free. 8km west of Marienplatz by tram or U-Bahn.
💡 Nymphenburg is far less crowded than the Residenz or Alte Pinakothek. The palace gardens (free; 200 hectares) include the Amalienburg hunting lodge — arguably the finest rococo interior in Bavaria, included in the combined ticket (€17.50).
Munich food begins with the Viktualienmarkt: an outdoor food market on a 22,000m² site 200 metres south of Marienplatz, open Monday–Saturday, selling cheese, sausage, bread, fish, wine and seasonal produce from Bavaria and the Alps. Lunch at the market (a bench with sausage and bread, €6–10) is the best-value and most Munich-specific eating experience. Weisswurst (white veal sausage) is eaten by tradition before noon — served in hot water with sweet mustard and a pretzel, the skin sucked or peeled before eating — at the Hofbräuhaus or any Bavarian breakfast place. Weisswurst after noon is technically a social error.
Beer garden etiquette: you may bring your own food to most Munich beer gardens (a specific Bavarian right protected by city ordinance since the 19th century) but not your own beer. The Augustiner Keller (5,000 seats, Arnulfstraße, less touristy than the Chinesischer Turm) is the preferred local beer garden. The Augustiner Bräustuben (also on Arnulfstraße, same brewery, indoor) is the best traditional Bavarian restaurant in Munich for Schweinsbraten (roast pork) and Knödel (bread dumplings). Tantris (Schwabing, 2 Michelin stars, one of Germany’s oldest fine-dining institutions, open since 1971) is the correct choice for a celebration dinner.
The MVV network (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, bus) covers the city comprehensively. A day ticket (€9.20 inner zone, €16.60 for the outer zone including the airport) is the correct choice for a full day. The U-Bahn covers the main tourist areas: U3/U6 for Marienplatz, U3 for the English Garden (Universität stop), U1 for Nymphenburg (then tram). The S-Bahn runs to Dachau (S2, 20 min to Dachau station then bus), Neuschwanstein (S9 direction Buchloe, change at Kaufbeuren) and the airport (S1 or S8, 40 min). The Altstadt is compact and entirely walkable.
May–September for beer gardens and outdoor life. Oktoberfest late September to early October (book accommodation a year ahead). December for the Christmas market on Marienplatz (one of Germany’s finest). Winter for the ski day trips (Zugspitze 1.5h, Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1.5h).
Munich is the most expensive city in Germany, though significantly cheaper than London or Paris. Beer garden meals are good value (€8–15). Neuschwanstein and the Residenz are the main paid attractions. Per person per day.
The English Garden, Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt are all free. A full beer garden evening with a Mass and Brotzeit (bread and cheese board) costs €18–25.
The Bayern-Ticket (€29 for 1 person, €6 per additional person) covers all regional trains in Bavaria for one day — correct for the Neuschwanstein day trip.
The Atelier at the Bayerischer Hof (1 Michelin star, Jan Hartwig) is the finest restaurant in Munich. Book 4–6 weeks ahead.
Three days covers central Munich, a Neuschwanstein day trip and the English Garden at a comfortable pace.
Marienplatz and Glockenspiel (11am chimes). Viktualienmarkt for lunch (sausage bench, €8–12). Residenz Palace and Treasury (the most important royal palace in Bavaria, €9). Hofbräuhaus for a Mass in the evening. Weisswurst breakfast the next morning at the beer hall is the correct introduction to Munich food culture.
💡 The Viktualienmarkt beer garden serves all major Munich breweries by the Mass (1L; €12–14). Order Weißwurst before 11am — Bavarian tradition says they must be eaten before noon.
Eisbach surf wave at 9am (watch from the bridge, free). Chinesischer Turm beer garden for Weissbier and pretzels under the chestnuts. Tram to Nymphenburg Palace (afternoon; €15 palace + grounds free). BMW Welt on the way back (free; 1 stop U-Bahn from Nymphenburg).
💡 Rent an MVG Rad bike (€1/30 min) to cover the English Garden — it’s larger than Central Park (370 hectares). The Monopteros temple at the south end at sunset is one of Munich’s finest viewpoints.
Hauptbahnhof S9 to Füssen (2h, change at Buchloe; buy the Bayern-Ticket, €29 for 1 person, covers all regional trains). Bus 73/78 from Füssen to Hohenschwangau (10 min). Walk up to the castle (20 min). Timed entry tour (30 min inside). View the exterior from Mary’s Bridge (Marienbridge) above. Return to Munich by 7pm.
💡 Pre-book the Neuschwanstein ticket online — day-of queues run 2 hours in summer. The Romantic Road Bus (Munich–Füssen; €26 return) is more relaxing than the train–bus combination.
Neuschwanstein entry is by timed ticket only (€18; ticketsystem.bayerische-schloesser.de). In July–August, the next available slot is often 3–4 weeks out. Book before you book your accommodation.
Munich city ordinance permits visitors to bring their own food to most beer gardens (but not beer).
Weisswurst (white veal sausage, boiled, served in hot water) is by Munich tradition eaten only before noon.
Oktoberfest begins the third Saturday of September (not October) and runs for 16 days. Every hotel within 30 minutes of the Theresienwiese fills completely.
Dachau concentration camp memorial (KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau) is 45 min by S-Bahn (S2 to Dachau station, then bus 726). Entry is free. Allow 3 hours.
BMW Welt (2007, Coop Himmelb(l)au) is a free exhibition and delivery centre for BMW vehicles: a vast double-cone glass structure next to the Olympic Park (10 min from Nymphenburg by U-Bahn).
Official Munich public transport app: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram and bus. Covers day ticket purchase, real-time departures and journey planning. Also covers airport S-Bahn connection.
Free
Regional trains: the Bayern-Ticket (€29 for 1 person) covers all Bavaria regional trains in one day — used for Neuschwanstein, Salzburg, Berchtesgaden and Dachau. ICE trains to Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg.
Free
Official booking app for Neuschwanstein and all Bavarian state palaces. Timed entry tickets for Neuschwanstein (€18), Linderhof (€10) and Nymphenburg (€15). Book weeks ahead in summer.
Free
Official Munich Oktoberfest app: tent reservation status, real-time tent occupancy, route to the Theresienwiese, beer price tracker and history of the festival. Download before the festival starts.
Free
Booking and audio guides for the Deutsches Museum (the largest science museum in the world), the Alte Pinakothek and the Neue Pinakothek (European art, 14th–20th century). All on Museum Island Munich.
Free
Download Munich offline. The U-Bahn map and the route from Hauptbahnhof to Marienplatz (10 min walk, no U-Bahn needed) are the most-used navigation features.
Free
Discover more of Germany’s great destinations.