City trip to Munich? Germany has several cities that are great for a city trip. One of these cities is Munich. In just an hour and a half by plane, you can reach this vibrant German city.
The great thing about Munich is that you can plan a city trip here all year round. In the warm months, you can enjoy the various beer gardens with cozy terraces, and in the colder months, you can visit castles, museums, and cafes.
There is always something to do. There are also plenty of sights to visit. Think of Königsplatz, Ludwigstraße, and Englischer Garten. The Old Town is also perfect for a walking or cycling tour. But more on that later.
If you’re looking for a European city trip destination and don’t want to fly far, Munich is a great option.
Munich is the Bavarian capital and the second most important city in Germany. The city has just under 1.5 million inhabitants, but there is one month when the number of people is 4.5 times the number of inhabitants. This is during Oktoberfest!
Oktoberfest
When you think of Munich, you quickly think of Oktoberfest. And we understand that. This Bavarian capital is the city where Oktoberfest originated. As the name suggests, this festivity takes place in October. However, a bit misleading, it actually starts in the second week of September.
Oktoberfest is the largest international festival in the world. The festival attracts about 7 million visitors annually. These are visitors from all over the world who travel to Munich to participate in the beer festivities. Originally, it was organized only in the month of October. Due to weather conditions, it was decided to hold most of Oktoberfest in September. September is just a bit warmer, and since many activities take place outside, this was a bit more pleasant.
Visiting museums in Munich
Munich is an incredibly cultural city. There are many museums that are well worth a visit. The nice thing about Munich is that it is also a very child-friendly city. This is reflected in the restaurants and activities the city offers. A special museum to visit with children is the Altes and Neues Rathaus. The Altes Rathaus, the old town hall, was built in the 15th century.
A few centuries later, in the 19th century, the Neues Rathaus was added. In the tower of the Neues Rathaus, a historical toy museum has been created. Cartoonist Ivan Steiger’s work is central here. From his dollhouses to model trains and from his stuffed animals to dolls. Super fun for young and old.
Another nice museum, although actually three museums, are the three Pinakotheken. Each museum shows you a different time and a different art movement. The museums you can visit are:
- Alte Pinakothek
- Neue Pinakothek
- Pinakothek der Moderne
The Alte Pinakothek is the largest of the three. It is also the oldest museum in all of Munich. You can admire paintings by Da Vinci, Rubens, and Titian.
The Neue Pinakothek focuses on a different art movement. Here you can admire works by Monet and Courbet, among others. Then there is the Pinakothek der Moderne. This museum focuses on modern art and also provides a platform for new talent.
Explore Munich by bike
Would you like to explore the city by bike first, then we advise you to take a guided bike tour.
When you visit a city for the first time, you don’t really know where to go. Understandable. It’s handy to explore the city with a tour guide. This way, you get a good impression and can also make a list of places and sights you would like to visit again during your Munich city trip.
You can book a guided bike tour in Munich through Baja Bikes. The guided bike tour via Baja Bikes lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours.
You visit about ten Munich attractions, see the section below. There are also stops during the cycling, and there is plenty of time to take some nice photos.
Is Munich a safe city for cyclists?
Many German cities are not very bike-friendly. There are few or no bike paths, and cycling doesn’t feel very pleasant. Fortunately, Munich does not have this problem.
You might almost think you’re in the Netherlands, there are so many bike paths. It is also a real cycling city. The bike paths are mainly laid out next to the pedestrian paths.
Therefore, be careful not to deviate from the bike path. Space has been created for everyone, and it works very well side by side. As long as you stay on the bike path, there is nothing to worry about. This way, you can explore the city wonderfully and without any problems.
Sights in Munich
- Königsplatz
- Schwabing
- LMU University
- Ludwigstraße
- Odeonsplatz
- Max-Joseph-Platz
- Maximilianstraße (the famous shopping street)
- Englischer Garten
- Hofgarten
- Beer Garden of the Chinese Tower (depends on the weather)
- Old Town
Interesting city trip facts about Munich that are fun to know
– Oktoberfest has been celebrated for centuries. The first Oktoberfest took place on October 12, 1810. The crown prince named Ludwig married princess Teresa. To celebrate this grandly, all breweries were called upon to contribute to the festivities. Foreign products or products from other German cities were forbidden. Only beer and local products from Munich itself were allowed. The tradition of Oktoberfest was born. What began as a large wedding party for the crown prince and princess grew into a large national and later international festival.
– The name Munich translates to ‘by the monks’
– Munich is lovingly called the ‘beer capital’ of the country by the German people.
– Munich has the largest beer restaurant in the world. The Hofbräuhaus has been in the Bavarian capital for over 4 centuries.
– Munich is a very diverse city. Less than half of all residents were actually born in Munich.
– Currently, the number of beer gardens in Munich stands at 67.