Discover Munich’s attractions

Base yourself in this beautiful modern city to enjoy all of the cultural, gastronomic and sporting delights Bavaria has to offer.

The thriving capital of Bavaria, Munich is a beautiful city that lies astride the River Isar. It’s bustling with no end of activities to keep locals and visitors occupied and entertained. Although acutely conscious of its history and traditions, the city has cleverly embraced modernity with enthusiasm and enjoys the consequent prosperity and success. It has also avoided some of the obvious errors that have spoilt other historic cities – you’ll notice and appreciate a lack of high-rise buildings.

In Munich, whatever the season, there’s always something to celebrate. That’s not to say Münchner (inhabitants of Munich) are frivolous folk. Far from it, they work hard and take their responsibilities seriously, but they know how to let their hair down. Sport is hugely important, especially skiing, cycling, football and, of course, golf.

Bayern Munich is the most successful club in German football history, having won the league no fewer than 27 times and the European Cup/champions’ League five times. Why not take in a match and watch Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski slice through their opponent’s defence? The 75,000-seater Allianz Arena is about 20 minutes from downtown Munich on the excellent subway system. Bayern’s previous home was the iconic Olympiastadion, which hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics. The lightweight tent construction with large sweeping canopies of acrylic glass stabilised by steel cables was revolutionary. The sweeping transparent canopy symbolised the new, democratic and optimistic Germany. It’s on the north side of town and is worth visiting as it was here on September 1, 2001 that England beat Germany 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier. Happy days!

Just over the road from the Olympic Park, occupying a magnificent modern building, are two adjacent attractions that will delight motor enthusiasts. Both belong to BMW, comfortably the largest employer in Munich and a hugely important influence. BMW Welt (World) is a gleaming assembly of all the current car and motorcycle models manufactured by BMW. Petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid… they’re all here to be drooled over by those of us who limp along in beaten up old bangers. Test drives and factory tours are also available.

Rather more evocative and nostalgic is the adjacent BMW Museum. Imaginatively laid out so that you can stroll through time, there’s a wide selection of some of the famous vintage vehicles and racing cars manufactured by this historic marque.

For those more into retail than sport, Munich offers a huge range of shops and a whole host of fascinating market places. With so many nationalities resident in the city, there’s an enormous range of great restaurants. And, as you would expect of a cultured city that has produced so many famous composers, artists and performers, there’s no shortage either of concert halls, museums and galleries and parks, the most famous of which is the Englischer Garten, one of the world’s largest urban public parks.

There’s heaps of history here, from the colourful Wittelsbach era with its king and queens to the dark days of the Third Reich. Rather than seek to bury them, Munich has creditably confronted its demons and both the Jewish Museum and the Munich Documentation Centre for the History of National Socialism are fitting memorials.