Enjoying a Bavarian holiday in MUNICH

Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria in Germany, has always been synonymous with its Oktoberfest. 

However, besides the numerous beer gardens that this small city boasts of, here are many other attractions worth visiting.

On days with good weather, Munich will give you even a view of the Alps, as the city is located on the foothills of the German Alps.

 

On reaching the city, you can enjoy Marienplatz, which is the city center. It is filled with markets, churches and malls. Here you can pick up some great souvenirs to take back home.

On a more somber note, the city was also home to the infamous Dachau Concentration Camp during Hitler’s rule. Most buildings that were present during the Holocaust were destroyed towards the end of the war. It is definitely chilling and horrifying, but worth a visit.

You should also not miss an opportunity to visit Alte Pinakothek, which houses art right from the 15th century to present day. You can spend a couple of days in museum district of the city that boasts of nearly 40 museums.

When visiting Munich, visit the Nymphenburg Palace and its beautiful gardens. A walk around the gardens to admire the sculptures is a must. The palace is located towards the eastern part of the city, where the River Isar flows.

The other palaces that are worth visiting are the Residenz, which is located in the center of the city, and Schloss Schleibheim, which is located just outside the city limits, in Oberschleibheim.

The city’s entertainment district is Schwabing, where all the pubs, nightclubs and bars are located. While the rest of the city has a subdued nightlife, here you will find it to be vibrant, lively and exciting.  Those who enjoy dancing and drinking cocktails should head to Haidhauen District. This district is famous for its nightclubs, cocktails and dancing.

Those, who have come to Munich to enjoy the shopping, should head to Maximilianstrasse, Leopoldstrasse, and Hohenzollernstrasse. These streets are filled with large department stores. However, if you want a less expensive place to do your shopping, there are two open-air markets in the city, namely Elisabethmarkt and Viktualienmarkt.

The best time to enjoy the true spirit of the city is during Oktoberfest. If you cannot, there are still many pubs and bars that serve authentic Bavarian beers right round the year. Of course, while you are in the city, you should not miss a visit to the famous beer gardens in the city. Some of the best beer gardens are Waldwirtschaft, Leiberheim and Kugleralm.

There are also many parks and gardens dotting the city. One of the most popular gardens is the English Garden. It offers many bike trails, places to play soccer and walking trails. You should also not miss a visit toSeehaus Biergarten where you can just relax and watch swans swim in the lake.

Kids will enjoy themselves in the city’s zoo, which is located in a wooded area that is perfect for walking. Alternatively, you can head to the Bavaria Film Studio where children can ride on the dragon from The Never Ending Story or watch a stunts show.