Hotels in Munich

Verified by Pablo Aznar Cristeto
from the blog Aprendizaje Viajero

As well as being the capital of the state of Bavaria, Munich is the third largest city in Germany. Located in the very south-east corner of the country, Munich stands on the River Isar, just north of the Bavarian Alps.

Unlike so many great European cities, Munich doesn’t have an ancient history. Its roots are in the Middle Ages but that notwithstanding, today’s Munich is an economic and cultural powerhouse with a very high standard of living, regularly reaching the top three in various surveys of best cities to live. It’s also very multi-cultural. 37 per cent of Munich’s residents are non-Germans.

The German Alpha City has hosted many notable residents in its history including Adolf Hitler, Vladimir Lenin, Albert Einstein, Richard Wagner, Mozart, and Freddie Mercury.

With its splendid 18th century architecture, host of excellent museums and as the gateway to the Black Forest Munich attracts many visitors who are able to find plenty of affordable hotel accommodation.

Neighbourhoods of Munich

The neighbourhoods of Munich are packed with personality. Those to prioritise on your itinerary are:

• Altstadt: Munich’s Old Townoozes charm and romance. Centred on the Marienplatz, the city’s most central square, the neighbourhood is loved by foodies. The best photo opportunities are the magnificent Neo-Gothic New Town Hall and St. Peter’s Church.
• Maxvorstadt: The cultural heart of Munich, this is where two universities find home as well as a clutch of the city’s excellent museums including the Glypotek, a collection of ancient Roman and Greek statues. Maxvorstadt is also a great place for boutique shopping.
• Neuhausen: One of Munich’s most eclectic neighbourhoods has a pocket of Buddhism among its throng of quirky and interesting coffee shops.
• Schwabing: Formerly a Bohemian quarter, Schwabing is home to two of the city’s major green spaces, the Englisch Garden and Luitpold Park. The latter is huge and includes a maze.
• Haidhausen: The music quarter is home to the classical music hall, the Gaisteig and the Muffatwerk, a cultural centre housed in a converted power station. Munich’s smallest food market, the Weiner Markt is also here.

What to see and do in Munich

So much to see and do! Lovers of architecture and history should add Münzhof, the arcaded Court of the Old Mint, Frauenkirche, the Cathetral of Our Dear Lady, the Hofbräuhaus, the world's most famous beer hall, and Stadtschreiberhaus, the Town Clerk's House, one of the oldest buildings in Munich to their list. Shoppers should head to Maximilianstrasse, while the Nationaltheater - Bavarian State Opera House will be of interest to music lovers. Culture vultures can revel in 80 museums and for something different there’s the Circus Krone.

What to eat in Munich

Bavarian food dominates in Munich with the local speciality being weisswurst, the white sausage that was invented here in 1857. It’s traditionally served with a freshly baked pretzel and sweet mustard. Other dishes to try are spatzle little noodle dumplings, schweinshaxe which is a roast pork knuckle, and schnitzel, a breaded pork escalope. Also look out for schmalznudel, Munich’s version of a doughnut, and germknodel, a steamed yeast dumpling.

Typical events and festivals in Munich

Everyone knows about the world famous Oktoberfest but there are other beer festivals too. Starkbierfest celebrates the city’s strong beers in March/April and Frühlingsfest in April/May celebrates light beers. It isn’t all about the beer. Other events include Auer Dult, Europe’s largest Jumble Sale in May, August, and October, the Kocherball in The English Garden in July, and Tollwooda fine and performing arts festival each July and December. Munich’s Christmas Market is also a special event.

How to move around in Munich

Munich’s extensive public transportation system consists of a network of suburban trains (S-Bahn), underground (U-Bahn), trams and buses. Tickets are interchangeable on all forms of transport. There’s also plenty of taxis.

The climate in Munich

Although the weather is variable due to climatic influences over the centre of Europe, Munich has warm summers and cold winters with the warmest month being July. June tends to be the rainiest month.