The capital of Bavaria, situated on the Isar river, is Germany’s third largest city and an attraction for tourists from all over the world. Here you can experience German tradition at its most Bavarian: leather trousers and Bavarian veal sausages, dirndl dresses and pretzels, beer gardens and “a Maas Bier” (a litre of beer).
The landmark of the city, the Frauenkirche cathedral, is located in the midst of the historical city centre. The central pedestrian zone lends itself to shopping, a stroll and a pause in one of the numerous pubs or restaurants. And on a promenade through the immediate vicinity, you can explore Marienplatz with the new and old town hall, Viktualienmarkt (food market), the Residenz, the Bavarian State Opera as well as the baroque Theatinerkirche (church).
Munich is definitely worth a visit if you are interested in arts and culture. The city offers three painting collections (Alte and Neue Pinakothek, as well as the Pinakothek der Moderne), the new Museum Brandhorst with some of the finest art of the 20th and 21st centuries (think Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst), the largest technical museum in Germany – the Deutsches Museum, or the gallery in the Lenbachhaus. The well-known quarters Schwabing and Maxvorstadt, with the Ludwigstraße (between Siegestor and Feldherrenhalle) are the places where students and culture buffs meet to enjoy an evening pint.
The Theresienwiese “meadow” is not only an attraction while it hosts the Oktoberfest (from mid-September), but also in April during annual Spring Festival and in winter during the Tollwood Festival, where you can enjoy theatre, music, delicious food and original handicraft stalls. During the summer, the Tollwood Festival can be found on the extensive grounds of the Olympic Park.
Munich is a paradise for athletes. The new Allianz Arena - the 2006 football World Cup venue and host of the 2012 Champions League finals - is a must for football fans. The English Garden is a 4 km2 large public park in the city centre where cyclists, skaters, and nature lovers can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. On a sunny day in the park, you can take a pedal or canoe boat ride on the idyllic Kleinhesseloher See (lake), quench your thirst in one of the many beer gardens, and welcome the sunset with a trip to the meadows at the foot of the Monopteros Temple, where an African drumming troupe grooves away every day. Only a few kilometres outside of Munich, the pre-alpine region features a myriad of lakes, including the Starnberger See and Chiemsee … and come winter, the Alps are the perfect skiing and snowboarding getaway.