Nothing could be more quintessentially German than the Bavarian city of Munich. This beautiful and picturesque city is a delightful place to spot men in lederhosen, drink a giant beer at Oktoberfest or gorge yourself on a big plate of spatzle. The most pleasant aspect of this city is its people who are by far some of the nicest people in all of Germany.
No trip to Munich or München as it is locally known would be complete without an obligatory visit to the Hoffbrauhaus. This is exactly what you would expect from a German beer hall. It is a large building in downtown Munich bustling with life. The servers are all clad in traditional Bavarian dress carrying the ubiquitous large beers. It is a sight to see somebody carry 8 litres of beer in one trip. The food is typically Bavarian and you will get the chance to sample an array of sausages, schnitzel and some delicious strudel for desert.
After such excess, a stroll through the Englisher Garten is an absolute must. This charming parkland situated in central Munich is the perfect place to go for a stroll, have a picnic or watch groups of people surf on the Isar river. There are also cafes and kiosks dotted all throughout the park for substantial refreshment.
There are a host of sights and attractions that are an absolute must on any traveler’s list: the BMW museum, the grounds from the 1972 Olympic Games and cheering on the local soccer team FC Bayern. Munich has a vibrant nightlife and you can find all manner of clubs and bars to suit your tastes. If you are looking for something a little bit different, head to beach38. It is a beach club right in the heart of the city. You can dig your feet into the sand and enjoy a hard earned cocktail or two after a long day of sightseeing.
Further afield from Munich are two very significant sites that are well worth a visit. Close to the Austrian border is the concentration camp, Dachau. A visit here is very sombre and chilling. There is a rather large museum on site that gives a detailed history of the camp’s operations as well as giving you an insight into the frightening day to day lives of the prisoners. It all seems rather out of place in the quaint Bavarian countryside.
Built for the Mad King Ludwig, the castle of Neuschwantsein is an absolutely incredible destination not to be missed. Nestled at the base of the mountains, this beautiful castle sits perched atop a hill ensuring that you are able to admire its beauty from anywhere in the valley. Driving up, you will realise that the castle exterior seems rather familiar. You wouldn’t be wrong as Walt Disney got the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle from it. The outside is simply stunning and the interior of the castle is exactly what you would expect a castle to look like, ridiculously opulent.
This city is an absolute gem in Europe. It is a modern vibrant city that has maintained its own distinct culture. Many Bavarians will tell you that they are first and foremost Bavarian and then German. This strong sense of identity is one of the things that makes this city so special.
Written by Joseph Ramsey for The Essential Destination
