Munich does not appear on the list of travellers’ destinations as often as a few other major tourist destinations such as Paris and London do. Yet, while it might just be another stop along your trip around Europe, there is nothing to say that it is a lesser tourist destination. In fact, a trip to Munich might just impress you more than you think, and change your entire view of the city.
The main attractions around Munich focus on culture, architecture and beer. Munich’s tourism structure is meant to be more of a destination where you can enjoy the European culture and heritage. Its cultural scene is second to none. Munich is a German city which has the air of a metropolis surrounding it. With the vast number of palaces and museums, it exudes an atmosphere of importance and grandeur. This is not to say that Munich is a backwater village (it’s the third largest city in Germany). Rather, the buildings and city designs have a more medieval feel to them. A walk down the streets and through the squares of Munich is like a trip back to the days of churches and cathedrals, a wonderfully magnificent way to soak up the European atmosphere. Just to be in Munich and experience the cultural atmosphere is a reason to go there for a holiday all by itself.
Despite being the third largest, Munich’s museums are so numerous that they number more than Berlin. Recommended ones include the Deutsches Museum or German Museum, located on an island in the River Isar. The few art galleries scattered around hold treasure troves of works from European artists between the 14th and 18th centuries. For art lovers, the Kunstraeal is a museum quarter dedicated to people who enjoy viewing art, regardless of its category. Within are various art galleries with different specialisations in every category. The Alte Pinakothek is one of these galleries, an art museum located within the Kunstraeal and one of the oldest and finest galleries in the world.
Another famous attraction within Munich is the Schloss Nymphenburg, or Nymphenburg museum. Originally built as a gift from Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria to his beloved wife, the palace is now open as a tourist attraction. Filled with splendour and beauty, this is the place that tourists should not miss, and should not visit without enough time to truly enjoy the atmosphere. With beautifully arranged gardens surrounding it and wide stretches of the grounds, this place is one of the best places to spend your time while walking around in Munich. Be sure to adjust the schedule to allow for more time here. More often than not, you will find yourself not being able to fully enjoy the whole place.
As a whole though, the best event to take note of is still the Oktoberfest. This time it takes place from September 17 to October 3, 2022, after a gap of two years due to the pandemic. Millions of people will come flocking to Munich to attend one of the world’s largest fairs. Non-permanent tents built specifically for the festival will be constructed, each selling its own food and drinks, most notably beer. It’s like a gigantic party with lots and lots of beer involved. Though celebrities are often invited, the main appeal is still being able to meet and hang around with so many people from around the world, all enjoying the gigantic festival. According to the surveys and calculations, the approximately 6.3 million festival visitors spent a total of around 448 million euros (per person on average 71.12 euros) directly at the Oktoberfest over the 16 days.
