It’s been a while friends, but Travel Tips Tuesdays is BACK! I’m really excited about this new batch of travel tips and I think you’re really going to enjoy them, too. There are some amazing bloggers giving their best advice on their favorite cities. One of those amazing bloggers is Corinne of Reverberations, where she talks about her love for the German culture and language. Today, she’s taking us on a trip to her favorite city. Take it away Corinne!
Thanks, Camille! I appreciate you letting me share!
We all have that one friend that adores Paris or know someone that wants to run away to NYC. But it’s Munich that has stolen my heart. I first visited in 2011 and I will return for the third time this spring. And I simply can’t wait!
Everything you likely consider to be stereotypically German — lederhosen, pretzels, beer, quaint cities — is pretty much from the German state of Bavaria. Munich is the capital of Bavaria. Due to the rebuilding after World War II, it’s quite a modern city but it’s reserved much of its old charms.
Munich is a wonderful city to hang out in or to use as a headquarters for trips to nearby locations, such as fairytale castle Neuschwanstein.
Must do and see:
If you’re a soccer fan, you can’t visit the city and not see an FC Bayern game. The team are one of the most successful in the country and do pretty well on the European scene, too. There’s a really nice museum, FC Bayern Erlebniswelt, in the stadium.
If you’re into cars, BMW has a showroom and museum that isn’t to be missed.
If you’re into art, the city’s Pinakothek Museums run the gambit from the Old Masters to modern masterpieces.
If you’re into castles, the Residenz in the heart of the city is a lavish palace that takes hours to walk through as there’s so much to see. Nymphenburg Palace, once the summer home of royalty, is a must see as is the surrounding park.
If you’re into churches, you’ve got a few to see. Most notably, the Frauenkirche. In the back of the church is a spot where the Devil is said to have stood. You can even see his footprint!
If you’re into surfing, check out the Eisbach in Englischer Garten. The rock formation in the river causes the water from the Isar to create a perfect wave! Surfers line-up to take their turn year round. Even in the snow and ice!
Perhaps the most touristy thing that you have to do is go to Marienplatz, the city’s main square, and see the Glockenspiel. Two to three times a day, the clock will chime and the characters will spin around to delight crowds.
Where to eat:
As a tourist, you can’t visit Munich and not go to a biergarten. Hofbräuhaus is one of the best known. You’ll get the full experience there: women in dirndls walking around selling pretzels and Lebkuchen hearts (those heart-shaped cookies with lovely designs on them in icing), a brass oompah band, liter-sized glass beer mugs.
My favorite biergarten is Hirschgarten in the western portion of the city. It claims to be the largest biergarten in the world! It sits on the edge of a park of the same name. It’s usually full of families and businesspeople on their way home after work. It’s just got a great neighborhood feel.
Augustiner is largely accepted by locals as the best brew. If Hofbräuhaus is too crowded, try the Augustiner am Platzl restaurant across the street. There’s no open-air biergarten but it’s a cozy wood paneled taste of Bavaria!
Regardless of which biergarten you visit, German tradition is to sit wherever you see a free spot. You’ll likely make some new friends with others at the table!
Why you love this city/favorite thing about it:
While I like to visit cities, at heart I’m not a big city girl. Munich’s sometimes referred to as a toy town for its small town feel and its quaint architecture. I love that it’s a large city with lots of incredible museums and castles. But you can also sneak away to quieter spots. It has a balance of big and small that really appeals to me.
Anything a first timer visiting this city should know?
Munich is an extremely warm and friendly city. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Thanks for sharing Corinne! Don’t forget to check her out her blog Reverberations and follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
Leave a Reply to CamilleCancel reply