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Munich City GuideIf you are looking for things to do in Munich and want to discover just why the city is Germans most popular tourist destination then this is the place for you. But just why is Munich so very popular with European and North American visitors? It could be because the city and its citizens are just so chilled out. Munich is more Mediterranean than German and its location as the last major city before the Alps helps to bring some of that laid back Italian style into the city. But I think that probably that the attraction of the city is that there are such an amazing variety of events in Munich together with friendly, open people and a cosmopolitan lifestyle that embraces everything that is great about the Bavarian and Germany culture but also draws on so many other European influences. And, it has to be said, the Munich transport system is second to none though the visitor who doesn't mind battling the one way system could also use one of the many Munich car rental companies if they wish. And, as you expect, there is no shortage of good quality Munich Hotels for the visitor to choose from. We have already mentioned that the city is the most popular tourist destination in Germany but it also tops the charts as the place that most German people would like to live. Considering the culture, entertainment and ambiance of the city that isn't surprising.
Mention Munich to most people and the first thing they will think of is usually Oktoberfest. An incredible two week celebration that draws visitors from around the world Octoberfest in Munich is just one of the many festivals celebrated in the city and of course in the Munich Hofbrauhaus!
There is a word in German 'Gemutlichkeit' which doesn't have any direct English translation but in effect means comradeship or fellowship. This warm and feel good spirit runs through Munich and its culture. For classical music lovers Munich is home not only to concert halls and the magnificent opera house, but also to the word famous Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, and is the leading German city for performances of great composers such as Mozart and Wagner. Wagner of course is inextricably linked with Munich and Bavaria thanks to the patronage of King Ludwig ll but great music lives on and is the heartbeat of the city which annually celebrates the Munich Opera Festival. As well as his love of Wagners music Ludwig ll was responsible for shaping the worlds view of Bavaria by building his amazing fairytale castles such as Neuschwanstein Castle but it was the mad kings grandfather, Ludwig l, who established the citys reputation as a centre for the arts. The first King Ludwig purchased huge amounts of art and built galleries to house them in. That legacy is still evident today with some magnificent collections of paintings including the old masters housed in Alte Pinakothek. More contemporary works are housed at Museum Brandhorst but Munich does more than just display art; it attracts some of the countries and Europe's finest artists to live, exhibit and work there with Schwabing being the artistic quarter of the city. There are also some incredible Munich museums that the visitor must take time to see. Film and publishing have also played an important role in the culture of the city and, of course, we can't write a Munich city guide without looking at the beer halls and gardens that are, in many peoples eyes, the trademark of the city. No Munich city guide could be complete without mentioning Oktoberfest which is of course the leading beer festival in Europe. But the every day beer halls or Brauhaus are very much embedded in the culture of Munich and provides fantastic entertainment for locals and tourists alike.
Following the devastation of the Second World War Munich, in common with all the major German cities, needed to be rebuilt. But, unlike cities such as Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg which reinvented themselves with modern architecture Munich choose to restore and reconstruct its wonderful buildings in the old city. The post war architects also left monuments such as the Victory Gate and of course there is plenty of excellent modern architecture but the old city is full of magnificent buildings. An important element of Munich is how it blends the urban and the rural. Many locals leave the city at the weekend to spend a couple of days in the country but the city itself is home to one of the most spectacular parks in the whole of Europe. The English Garden Munich, or Englischer Garten, is quite simply amazing. Larger than Central Park in New York this public park is a microcosm of the laid back Bavarian spirt and offers everything from relaxation in the Japanese teahouse, beer in the Seehaus, nude sunbathing along the Eisbach stream and even surfing!
The heritage of the city is a long and proud one though of course, like many wonderful places, Munich has seen some episodes, such as Hitler's beer hall putsch, that it would sooner forget. You can learn more about the city's past by reading our History Of Munich pages. Finally, no Munich city guide could be complete without mentioning the wonderful Christmas Market or the close proximity of the Bavarian Alps. And no visitor to Munich or elsewhere in Bavaria should miss out on seeing the beautiful mountains. Related Articles
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