The motto of the capital of Bavaria is "Munich loves you". Every tourist who comes here feels the friendly atmosphere of the city. Holidays in Munich are attractive to many foreigners. Guests are impressed by the beautiful sights, cultural activities and shopping opportunities.
Briefly about the city
The first mention of the city appeared in 1158, then it was called Villa Munichen. It was not until 1175 that Munich was walled and received city status. The origin of the name is from the Old German Mönche (monks). According to legend, it is believed that this settlement was founded by Benedictine monks.
Munich is not only the capital of Bavaria, but also the third largest city in Germany, located at the foot of the Alps on the banks of the Isar River.
Almost everyone knows the stable phrases "Munich beer" and "Munich sausages". They became popular primarily because of the Oktoberfest beer festival (with German Oktoberfest - “October Festival”).
Munich is often called the city of museums and art galleries. In them you can see the works of the great masters of Europe: Leonardo da Vinci, Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn.
The special pride of Munich is the BMW plant. You can see it with a guided tour, and it is interesting to trace the history of creation and development in the museum of the BMW concern.
Every year the city is visited by 6 million tourists from different countries, and everyone finds entertainment suitable for themselves. Some are relaxing in cozy cafes, enjoying the local cuisine and beautiful views of the city, while others strive to have time to see the sights, visit the most interesting places in Munich, and there are a lot of them here.
What ways can you get
You can get to Munich on your own or with the support of a tour operator. Those who travel abroad for the first time usually choose organized tours. Both the first and the second methods have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will try now to evaluate.
The main advantage of an organized tour is the simplicity of travel arrangements. It is necessary to collect the necessary documents and transfer them to the travel company. The rest of the worries fall on the shoulders of the tour operator: booking tickets, booking a hotel, making insurance.
For all these services, of course, you have to pay. If a budget travel option is preferable, then you should choose a bus tour. True, in this case, it will take a lot of time on the road.
When contacting a tour operator, you should understand that when buying air tickets, companies do not track the location of the airport that is most convenient for you and the time of departure. The choice of a hotel and a room may not always please you, and this despite the fact that you definitely overpay for the hotel, entrusting the booking to a travel agency.
But perhaps the biggest drawback of organized tours in Europe is the limited time. Tourists are forced to literally rush through the city, catching a glimpse of the sights and quickly buying souvenirs with little or no choice.
However, if you are traveling to Munich for the first time, then it is quite possible to purchase a weekend tour for a general acquaintance with the city, so that you can then go there on your own.
On an independent journey, no one limits the freedom of action. You can find all the necessary information about the country, book flights and a hotel room via the Internet. It is advisable to draw up routes for walking around the city in advance.
The main advantage of such a trip is cost savings. With early booking, you can find a cheap plane ticket, choose not the most expensive hotel, but with a convenient location relative to attractions.
The only negative is the language barrier. The traveler must be able to speak at least English.
The most convenient way to get to Munich is by air. From Moscow fly 3 hours 15 minutes, and from St. Petersburg - 2 hours 45 minutes. Flights from Aeroflot, Lufthansa, S7, AirBerlin and other airlines fly to Munich.
You can fly to the capital of Bavaria from many cities in Russia, but with a transfer in Europe.
You can get to Munich from the Russian capital by train. However, there are no direct routes in this direction; they will have to change somewhere in Europe. The most popular connections are in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, Prague, Mannheim and Hanover.
Residents of the western outskirts of Russia can travel to Munich by car. For example, the road from Moscow to the Bavarian capital will take 28-30 hours. The path will go through the Brest region, Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Prague - quite interesting cities for excursions.
There is another option - to go through the north. This is the territory of Belarus, Lithuania, Kaliningrad region and Poland.
Best time to visit Munich
The capital of Bavaria is beautiful at any time of the year. We can say that Munich is located in the green zone. Each district has its own park and many small squares. For this reason, summer is the most popular time for tourists.
During the summer months in Munich you can not only enjoy nature, but also swim. There are many outdoor pools, each with its own flavor. At this time of the year, the Opera Festival, famous throughout Europe, takes place.
Inquisitive and thrifty tourists visit Munich in winter as well. The climate here is very mild, so the temperature rarely drops below zero.
Oktoberfest is the main event of the fall, which takes place in the last two weeks of September and attracts a large number of foreign guests.
Prices in hotels in the city rise on the eve of the beer festival. But at the height of summer and in winter, you can relax here for a more affordable price.
Thus, the choice of time to visit Munich largely depends not on the weather, but on the activities, preferences and financial capabilities of the tourist.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the article "Weather and climate in Munich" before traveling to the capital of Bavaria.
The most interesting sights
You should start exploring Munich from the legendary Marienplatz square. Street performers perform here in any weather. The square is the heart of the city. It houses the Fischbrunnen fountain and the building of the New Town Hall, from the observation deck of which an extraordinary view of the city opens.
The Odeonsplatz square, which is designed in the Italian style, is also striking in its beauty. And on the Königsplatz square, architectural structures have been preserved that resemble ancient temples.
Munich is called the city of palaces and residences. Beautiful buildings are located not only in the center, but also in the vicinity of the Bavarian capital.
Munich cathedrals are no less attractive. You should definitely visit Peterskirche, Frauenkirche, Theatinerkirche. Each church is beautiful in its own way.
The Bavarian Opera and National Theater are both beautiful buildings and must-see sites.
The modern look of the city is largely shaped by the Olympic Park, which was built back in 1972. However, its revolutionary architecture still looks fresh.
Excursion programs
The capital of Bavaria has a large selection of excursions in Russian. The city offers a variety of programs:
- survey;
- historical, cultural (visiting museums);
- gastro-beer;
- around the neighborhood;
- in Germany;
- to other countries.
You can order an excursion when visiting Munich on your own in several ways:
- at the hotel reception;
- in travel agencies of the city;
- through the Internet.
In the latter case, it is possible to book excursions at home.
Those who have come to Munich for the first time can go on a sightseeing tour of the city. It is inexpensive, held in any weather and with any number of participants. No less interesting, but much more expensive, is an excursion to the Munich residence.You will visit one of the most important museums in Europe, see a palace with 130 rooms and even the crown of the Bavarian kings.
Excursion to the castles of Bavaria is one of the most popular group excursions. Participants will see the most unique European castles, including the fabulous Neuschwanstein. There are many rave reviews about the excursion to the “Bavarian Versailles” on the Chiemsee lake.
It is noteworthy that as part of a one-day excursion from Munich, you can visit other cities in Germany and Austria - Nuremberg, Regensburg, Salzburg.
If you are going on an independent trip, we recommend that you read the publication "Excursions in Munich".
Shopping is an indispensable feature of a trip to the Bavarian capital. All conditions are created for successful shopping in Munich. The city has entire shopping streets inviting pedestrians to shop. Large trading houses and popular chain stores are concentrated around the Marienplatz square. The souvenir shops, jewelery and perfume shops in the vicinity of Sendlingerstrasse are also great places to stroll.
Tourists who are ready to spend a large amount of money in Munich should definitely walk along Maximilianstrasse - the most expensive street in the city. There are luxury boutiques, art galleries, expensive restaurants and famous jewelry houses here. But specific shops where you can find unique gizmos are hidden in separate quarters.
The shopping centers of Munich are worthy of attention of travelers, where a wide selection of goods is presented. Shopping malls are mostly located in the city center. Those wishing to explore other parts of Munich can go to certain neighborhoods, where shopping is perfectly combined with a walk.
How can you relax with children
Munich is great for families. There are several amusement parks for children, including Germany's Europark and Legoland. In addition, with little tourists, it is worth visiting the toy museum, zoo, aquarium, circus and other interesting places. They will be interested in many museums in Munich, where dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian sarcophagi or old railway transport are exhibited.
There are no special conditions for children in the hotels of the main city of Bavaria. You will not find special pools or playrooms here. However, for travelers with babies, a cot is installed in the room and provided with everything necessary to prepare baby food.
It is interesting to come with a child during the beer festival. The weather at this time is good. The city hosts costumed processions and festival attractions.
Munich is no less attractive for children on Christmas Eve, when famous fairs open and funny performances and contests are held on the main square. For small tourists and residents of the city, there are also master classes on creating gifts.
It is better to come with a baby to the capital of Bavaria in the spring, when there are few tourists in the city, and the days are sunny and not very hot.
Munich cultural program
Oktoberfest is the main cultural event in Munich, which has been held in the city for over 200 years in a row. International guests flock to the Bavarian capital for a special festival beer. The drink has a distinctive malt flavor due to its long aging and strength, and is only made at this time of year.
The unusual Tolwood Festival is one of the most important artistic events not only in Germany but throughout Europe. Participants of the event will be able to see amazing installations, theatrical performances and shows, performances by famous rock musicians. The festival is held twice a year - in winter and summer.
On New Year's Eve, after the clock strikes midnight, the streets of Munich are filled with crowds of people. The Germans celebrate this holiday not with their families, but in the streets and squares. At the fairs, not only trade shops operate, but also performances for children and adults, music programs and various shows are arranged.
The Munich Opera Festival lasts a whole month. Its events cover the largest cultural venues in the city. In fact, it is a kind of showcase of the best works of the Munich opera stage in recent seasons. The culmination of the holiday is the vocal marathon "Opera for All".
Municipal transport
Munich is a compact city that is easy to travel with public transport. Most of the attractions are located in the center, while the rest are easy to reach. The main features of Munich city transport are punctuality and short driving intervals.
Buses and some trams run around the city around the clock. The metro is closed for only 3 hours at night, and on weekends the break is 2 hours.
It takes no more than half an hour to move from one point of the city to another. All municipal transport, including city trains, is united into a single network, so it runs accurately on schedule and works smoothly.
The most popular bus route is No. 100, also called the Museum Route. The path runs past 24 museums in the city.
To travel around Munich and all of Bavaria, it is advantageous to purchase a “Bavarian ticket”, which gives the right to travel in all types of transport, except high-speed trains. Interestingly, the travel document also applies to suburban trains that go to neighboring federal states and even to Austria.
Where to stay overnight in Munich
The most convenient areas for tourists are located within walking distance from the main attractions. The most expensive, but convenient for living is the Old Town. There is a large selection of comfortable hotels: from old family-run hotels to hotels modernized with the latest technology.
There are many pensions for young people with a low cost of living in the city center:
- Am Markt. Small family guesthouse. The rental price starts from 120 euros per day.
- Platzl Hotel. A VIP-class hotel located in the city center.
- Gspusi Bar Hostel. Economical housing with common facilities. The hostel is located next to Sendlinger Tor Underground Station and within walking distance to the train station.
If you come to Munich with your family, you can rent an apartment.
It is better to book your accommodation in advance, especially if you are visiting Munich during festival days or during high season. This can be done on various sites:
- www.booking.com,
- www.airbnb.ru,
- www.wimdu.ru and others.
Travel Tips
Some useful life tips for those who are going to visit Munich:
- the most economical way to get around the city is by metro;
- it is profitable to buy products on the Viktualienmarkt market. You can buy everything here, including exotic fruits;
- You should always have enough cash with you, since not all shopping malls accept credit cards;
- You must always carry a copy of your passport or hotel card with you;
- in beer bars you can not only drink beer, but also dine. Prices in such establishments are much lower than in restaurants.
Note that the largest influx of travelers occurs during the Oktoberfest days. Therefore, if you just want to calmly see the sights, go leisurely shopping, it is better not to come during this period. But for lovers of a foamy drink and fun festivities, the festival is an ideal time to visit Munich.
Finally
The capital of Bavaria is renowned for its hospitality. Munich welcomes travelers at any time of the year, and every season the city is interesting in its own way. You can come here with a group of friends, on your own and with your family. Munich has many beautiful old buildings, temples and various museums. The capital of Bavaria hosts famous festivals throughout Europe, such as Oktoberfurst, Tolwood and others.
You can have a good time in Munich even with a minimal budget, because the city has enough inexpensive hostels, and municipal transport works well, with the help of which it is easy to get anywhere in the village.
