Munich, after Berlin and Hamburg, is Germany’s third largest city by population and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe.
It’s a place of cobbled streets, palaces, important works of art and is ideally located for day trips at destinations like Salzburg.
Transportation in Munich
We went from Berlin to Munich by train, but there are direct flights from Greece.
Munich has good public transport system with frequent metro, bus and tram routes. During my vacation in Munich I chose to explore the city on foot.
I only used a day pass on the last day, which included the airport zone and cost 14.80€.
Accommodation in Munich
Cocoon Hauptbahnhof
In Munich there are three hotels of the Cocoon brand and I stayed at the Hauptbahnhof. The Cocoon Hauptbahnhof is a beautiful hotel that transport you to the Alps with its decor and is located almost next to the main train station in Munich.
The room we stayed in looked like a lovely wooden chalet. It was huge with great details, like the wooden dining table with fluffy cushions. We were greeted with a basket of fresh fruit, chocolate and board games!
Also, the breakfast at Cocoon Hauptbahnhof is perfect for all. You will find a wide variety, in cold cuts and cheeses, and of course there are eggs, sausages, cereal and puff pastries.
Sightseeing in Munich
Marienplatz
In the heart of the city is Marienplatz, a spot you’re sure to find several times while you’re in Munich. This is also where the City Hall is located. Around the middle of the building you will also see one of Munich’s most famous attractions, beautiful clock known as the Glockenspiel.
An impressive sculpture with a traditional character which depicts the figures of German barrel makers who come to life and start spinning 3 times every day.
St. Peter’s Church
The tower of St Peter’s Church, which stands 91 metres high, is a major attraction in itself, with the climb up the 300 steps to the top being an amazing experience.
St Peter’s is, according to official local documents, the oldest church in the city and for this reason it has been the nucleus around which the social fabric of Munich has gradually developed.
Frauenkirche
The impressive Frauenkirche Cathedral is one of Bavaria’s best-known and most photographed attractions.
This impressive church, with its two bell towers reaching a height of 99 metres, was built of red brick in the Gothic style over a period of 20 years, from 1468 to 1488.
Heilig Geist
Another beautiful Catholic church is the Heilig Geist, a 14th-century Gothic church with ornate 18th-century work on the vaulted ceiling.
Bavarian State Opera
The imposing building dates back to the 1650s and houses the national theatre.
Residenz
The magnificent Residenz Palace was built in 1385 as a castle on the northern side of Munich, and has since undergone significant architectural modifications and extensions through the years, especially from the 16th century onwards.
It has been the seat of the Bavarian government from time to time, and the palace has been the official residence of Bavarian kings until the end of World War I in 1918.
The Bavarian Chancellery
The beautiful building that houses Bavaria’s highest governing body is located next to the Hofgarten park and behind the Residenz Palace.
In front of the entrance is a memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives in the war.
Odeonsplatz
Odeonsplatz is one of Munich’s most famous squares, surrounded by ornate buildings. It is definitely worth a stroll through there.
Sendlinger Tor
Sendlinger Tor is a restored 14th century red brick gate with two towers, in front of an old town square. Around it there are many shops to do your shopping and restaurants.
Karlsplatz
Another busy square is Karlsplatz, which is surrounded by historic buildings, a fountain and many shops.
Nymphenburg Palace
The Nymphenburg Palace is located about half an hour outside the city centre.
It is a beautiful palace with huge gardens and lakes that is definitely worth a visit, especially during the spring and summer months.
Allianz Arena
Of course, the list can’t be without Germany’s most famous attraction, the Allianz Arena.
Millions of tourists visit the Bayern stadium every year. We booked a ticket that costs 25€ and included a one-hour tour of the stadium, changing rooms, stands, pitch and press room.
In addition to the tour, this ticket also gets you into the Bayern museum, where you can stay for as long as you want.
If you travel to Munich, you can’t miss a visit to the Allianz Arena.
Restaurants in Munich
Hofbräuhaus München
The Hofbräuhaus beer hall is probably one of the most famous restaurants in the world. It’s an impressive huge store with plenty of beer, traditional Bavarian dishes and live music. Before you enter through the main entrance, you’ll also find a shop on the right with tourist items, such as huge beer glasses with the restaurant’s logo.
We tried a Hofbräu Original beer (0.5L), Bavarian schnitzel with potato salad and pork with marinated sauce and potato dumpling. For these – plus a soft drink – we paid about 43€.
There are several women walking around the place selling huge pretzels. You can pay for them only with cash and one pretzel cost 5,30€.
Max’s Beef Noodles
We walked next to Max’s Beef Noodles and were intrigued by the chef who was making the handmade noodles in seconds and throwing them in the pot to boil.
We visited the next day and were not disappointed. We tried the gyoza, which are fried stuffed noodles, noodle and beef soup and chicken noodles – some of the best I’ve tasted.
For the three dishes including two refreshments we paid 33€. The service was very quick, as in less than ten minutes we had our dishes brought to us. Finally, it is worth noting how when we entered the restaurant was full and while we waited to be seated we were served hot tea.
Der Kleine Flo
Der Kleine Flo is a restaurant that serves delicious mini burgers with beef, chicken, and vegan options.
It has a menu for €9.90, which includes two burgers, a side dish, a dip and a soft drink, and for €12.50 there is the same menu but with three burgers.
I tried a classic hamburger, chicken Caesar and chicken cheddar, along with fries and truffle mayo.
What you need to know before your trip to Munich
- Take an umbrella and warm clothes, because it rains all the time in Munich.
- The time in Germany is one hour behind that of Greece.
- Germany’s currency is the euro.
- Mobile data is available for roaming in Germany.
- In Munich many restaurants and shops only accept cash.
If you want to see more of my trip to Munich, visit my Instagram profile.
