"GrussGott"- that is the greeting you will hear wherever you go when you visit the fascinating city of Munich.
The town situated on the River Isar against the backdrop of the Alps was and still is a popular destination for kings, state presidents, popes, old primadonnas, great writers and composers.
The city is named after the Munichen Monks, who settled near the banks of the Isar River more than 1200 years ago. Munich is the capital of Bavaria and a sprawling city of about 1.3 million of which approximately 20.5% are foreigners. Munich is the third largest city in Germany, and is an important center of trade, manufacture and fashion. You will find such industrial giants as BMW and Siemens here.
Munich is a striking city, largely the product of the exuberant imagination and aspirations of past Bavarian kings and rulers. Royal residences, majestic museums, steepled churches, and ornate monuments celebrate architectural styles from baroque and gothic to neoclassical and postmodern. Add wide boulevards, spacious parks, thriving nightlife, and at least six breweries and you have what amounts to one of Germany's most interesting, exciting, and festive cities in the world.
Munich's most famous event is the "Oktoberfest", held from the middle of September to the first Sunday in October. The celebration began in 1810 to honor King Ludwig I's marriage. Everyone had so much fun that they had it over and over again, and today "Oktoberfest" has become the largest festival in the world. Every year the festivities get under way with a parade on the first Oktoberfest Sunday, with almost 7000 participants marching through the streets in folk costumes.
Most activities are sponsored by the local Munich breweries which dispense beer, complete with Bavarian bands and lots of singing. Each tent holds about 6,000 people, which should give you an idea how crowded things can get. During the 16-day period of the Oktoberfest, an estimated 6 million visitors drink over a million gallons of beer, eat about 700,000 broiled chickens, and about another 200,000 pair of pork sausages. Pure gluttony, but, sure a lot of fun.
There are about 70 theaters, 50 museums, 25 tradefairs and 10 universities in Munich, not to mention the European Patent Office, the German Fiscal Court and the Goethe Institute. Take a walk through this attractive town which is referred to as the Village with a Population of a Million and the Metropolis with a Warm Heart.
One of the largest museums in Europe is the Alte Pinakothek which houses one of the greatest painting collections in the world. Here you will find pictures from the 14th to 18th century, it would be a shame to miss this when visiting Munich, it is located on Barer Strasse 27. It began as the private collection of the Wittelsbach family in the early 1500's. It has one of the largest collections of Rubens (61 works), not to mention galleries filled with German, Dutch, Flemish, Italian, Spanish and French Masterpieces. Represented here are Dürer, Rembrandt, Raphael just to mention a few.
On to the Neue Pinakothek. Munich's museum of the 19th century, with its paintings and sculptures in a sort of modern Merlin's Castle. It is located right across the street from the Alte Pinakothek. You will find a collection strong in German Romantics and French Impressionists such as Goya, Manet, Monet, van Gogh, Renoir, Cezane and many more.
The largest and oldest technological museum in the world is the Deutsches Museum on Museuminsel 1 (Ludwigsbrücke). The museum is divided into 30 departments, including those relating to physics, shipping, rocks and minerals, vehicles, musical instruments, glass technology, writing and printing, photography, textiles, weights and measurements. There is also a planetarium here. If you followed the guideline that runs through the museum, you would walk about 10 miles, so if you go there, which you really should, wear comfortable shoes. What makes this museum so
fascinating for young and old alike is that there are buttons to push, gears to crank, and levers to pull. You will also be able to see the first Benz ever built in 1886.
Some of the other attractions are: Nymphenburg Palace and Marstallmuseum, Amalienburg, and the Royal Pavilions located at Schloss Nymphenburg 1. Nymphenburg Palace is the largest baroque palace in Germany, it is the former residence of the Wittelsbach Family.
You could spend a whole day in just the sculptured garden, with its statues, lakes, and waterfalls not to forget its parks pavilions, each a miniture palace in itself.
Outside the main palace is the Marstallmuseum with its splendid collection of state coaches, carriages, and sleds used for weddings,coronations and special events. Then there is the Amielienburg, a delightful small pink hunting lodge unlike anything you have ever seen. The first few rooms are simple, but, then the rooms take off in a flight of fantasy, with an amazing amount of decorative silver, which cover the walls with vines, grapes and cherubs. Its Hall of Mirrors is as splendid a room as you're likely to find anywhere, far surpassing anything in the main palace. There are also three pavilions in the park, the Magdalenenklause, which is designed as a meditation retreat, the
Pagodenburg, an elegant two-story tea pavilion, and the Badenburg, this qualifies as Europe's first indoor pool.
The Glypthotek located am Koenigsplatz 3, resembles a Greek Temple, the story behind that was that King Ludwig I's dream was to transform Munich into another Athens and that is why the resemblance.
Other attractions are the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (National Museum of Bavaria) on Prinzregentenstrasse 3, the BMW Museum on Petueilring 130, Munchener Stadtmuseum on St. Jakobsplatz 1, and who can forget the Munich Zoo on Siebenbrunner Strasse 6, which is the home to about 5,000 animals, which includes the Elephant House, built in 1913, an aviary and an aquarium. This is a great place to take the kids, for it also has a petting zoo and playgrounds. State Gallery of Modern Art on Prinzregentenstrasse 1. is in the west end of the massive columned Haus der Kunst (House of Art, 1937).
The building is the product of Hitler's Regime and now displays much of the modern art Hitler tried to suppress. It is devoted to the art of the 20th century. Some of the artists who have their work on display there are: Dali, Kandinsky, Picasso (14 works), Warhol and many more.
The English Garden is one of the largest parks in Europe. Despite the name, it actually owes its existence to an American rather than an Englishman. Benjamin Thompson, was instrumental in the park's creation and landscaping. It stretches 3 miles along the Isar River right in the heart of the city.
It offers 4 large beer gardens, sunbathing (don't get shocked, but, this includes nude sunbathing, which believe it or not, you will find in alot of states in Europe) and recreation, and unlimited space to walk.
The Hofgarten located right off Odeonsplatz, with its arcades, fountains, gardens and a magnificent view of the Theatinerkirche (Theatiner Church) is a must sight to see.
Nymphenburg Park located by the Nymphenburg Palace, the park consists of 500 acres and is adjacent to the Botanical Garden, which is one of the largest botanical gardens in Germany with plants from all over the world in outdoor displays and hothouses.
The River Isar with its deliciously cold green water which flows down from the mountain and divides Munich into east and west. The Isar is famous for its color which, depending on the weather and rainfall, varies from smokey Pernod-with-water to the deepest emerald. It really is very beautiful.
Schwabing is one of the places to go out. It is Munich's Latin Quarter it's kinda like a combination of Greenwich Village and Soho. Nevertheless, Schwabing, by day or night, has an atmosphere all its own. Schwabing begins north of the Siegestor (Victory Gate). Its main boulevard is the tree-lined Leopoldstrasse. Here and on the small streets branching off to both sides, you will find amusement and night-life, cafes, bars, restaurants, jazz spots, discos (yes, they still have them), and artists selling their work from improvised stands, and most of all lots and lots of people. Without a doubt, the Hofbrauhaus on Platzl 9, is the world's most famous beer hall, as a matter of fact in 1989 it celebrated its 400th birthday. The tables are usually packed with friendly Germans singing and with linked arms swaying back and forth, and you know, it doesn't matter if you speak the language or can sing along, no one cares it's just a great place to be and have fun. If you haven't been to Oktoberfest, because you were not able to make it during that time, you will get a taste of it here.
The Mathaser Bierstadt, on Bayerstrasse 5, is massive with various rooms, but, just follow the oompahpah music, it caters more to the locals than to tourists.
As Germany's fashion Center, Munich has many upscale boutiques, department stores and designer names, these are primarily located in the pedestrian-zoned Alt Stadt (Old Town). If you're interested in souvenirs, like beer mugs, the blue and white simple pottery of Bavaria, porcelain, your best bet in terms of price are the department stores such as: Hertie across from the train station, Karstadt on Karlstor or maybe the Kaufhof, Karlsplatz 21-24.
Another good place to hunt for German and Bavarian souvenirs is along Orlandostraße, that is located near the
Hofbrauhaus, that way you can shop and have a beer too.
This is a small pedestrian area where you will find things such as T-shirts, beer steins (a must to bring back home), dolls dressed in their native Bavarian costumes, pipes and of course we can't forget the postcards, so you can tell everyone at home what a great time you're having.
Munich's most famous market is the Viktualienmarkt (Food Market) dating back to the early 1800s. Here you can buy cheese, bread, honey, cakes and so much more. Then in the summer time students set up a market to sell their art work at the Schabinger Art Market located on the east side of Leopoldstrasse, between the Munchener Freiheit and Siegestor.
Should you happen to be visiting Munich around Christmas time you must go see the Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, a colorful hodgepodge of stalls selling everything from Bavarian foods to Christmas decorations. If you are into flea markets, this is a must, the Auer Dult, this flea market lasts 8 days, can you imagine running around a flea market for 8 days, it is great. This flea market is held 3 times a year, April, July and October. This has been a tradition for over 600 years. Here you can buy everything from spices, leather goods, jewelry, antiques to kitchen gadgets, and if you have kids there is even an amusement park and rides for them. It is located at Mariahilfplatz.
Karnival or Fasching as it is called in Munich, is a time for real good ole German Gemütlichkeit. It is a time of dancing and flirting, with original costumes and hot rhythms. When the senses are aroused and hearts are moved, you know that you are in a town that enjoys life.
Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter), on Rindermarkt 1. This is the oldest parish church in Munich; ornate interior decorated with old masters from the 6 centuries.
Ludwigstrasse (Ludwig's Steeet) is a magnificent showpiece of Munich, extending from the Siegestor (Triumphal Arch), to the Feldherrnhalle (Commanders' Hall). Built under King Ludwig I in the first half of the 19th century, it marked the transformation of Munich from a medieval town to an imperial residence.
Ruhmeshalle (Hall of Fame), a memorial to distinguished figures of Bavarian history. There is a bronze statue in front of the hall, which represents the State of Bavaria. If you decide to go to the top, you will have a beautiful view of the city's skyline.
About 12 miles from Munich is the site of Germany's first concentration camp Dachau under the Hitler Regime and now a memorial to those who died under the Nazis. Some 200,000 prisoners passed through the gates of Dachau and approximately 32,000 lost their lives.
Visiting the Dachau concentration camp isn't pleasant, but, perhaps necessary to remind us that those who forgot the past, are destined to repeat it, and let us hope that something like this will never happen again.
Now to a brighter and happier sight, one which you should not miss, you absolutely must go to: Neuschwanstein, where you will find the world-famous fairy-tale castle built by King Ludwig II. It is built on an imposing rock in the seclusions of the mountains, and for those who do not know, this castle served as the model for Walt Disney's Castle at Disneyland.
While there, you should also check out the old castle of Hohenschwangau and the crystal clear Alpsee lake. These sights are really a must and are only about a 2 hour drive from Munich.
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The city is named after the Munichen Monks, who settled near the banks of the Isar River more than 1200 years ago. Munich is the capital of Bavaria and a sprawling city of about 1.3 million of which approximately 20.5% are foreigners. Munich is the third largest city in Germany, and is an important center of trade, manufacture and fashion. You will find such industrial giants as BMW and Siemens here.
There are about 70 theaters, 50 museums, 25 tradefairs and 10 universities in Munich, not to mention the European Patent Office, the German Fiscal Court and the Goethe Institute. Take a walk through this attractive town which is referred to as the Village with a Population of a Million and the Metropolis with a Warm Heart.
On to the Neue Pinakothek. Munich's museum of the 19th century, with its paintings and sculptures in a sort of modern Merlin's Castle. It is located right across the street from the Alte Pinakothek. You will find a collection strong in German Romantics and French Impressionists such as Goya, Manet, Monet, van Gogh, Renoir, Cezane and many more.
Some of the other attractions are: Nymphenburg Palace and Marstallmuseum, Amalienburg, and the Royal Pavilions located at Schloss Nymphenburg 1. Nymphenburg Palace is the largest baroque palace in Germany, it is the former residence of the Wittelsbach Family. 
Other attractions are the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (National Museum of Bavaria) on Prinzregentenstrasse 3, the BMW Museum on Petueilring 130, Munchener Stadtmuseum on St. Jakobsplatz 1, and who can forget the Munich Zoo on Siebenbrunner Strasse 6, which is the home to about 5,000 animals, which includes the Elephant House, built in 1913, an aviary and an aquarium. This is a great place to take the kids, for it also has a petting zoo and playgrounds. State Gallery of Modern Art on Prinzregentenstrasse 1. is in the west end of the massive columned Haus der Kunst (House of Art, 1937).
The English Garden is one of the largest parks in Europe. Despite the name, it actually owes its existence to an American rather than an Englishman. Benjamin Thompson, was instrumental in the park's creation and landscaping. It stretches 3 miles along the Isar River right in the heart of the city. 
Munich's most famous market is the Viktualienmarkt (Food Market) dating back to the early 1800s. Here you can buy cheese, bread, honey, cakes and so much more. 
Karnival or Fasching as it is called in Munich, is a time for real good ole German Gemütlichkeit. It is a time of dancing and flirting, with original costumes and hot rhythms. When the senses are aroused and hearts are moved, you know that you are in a town that enjoys life.
About 12 miles from Munich is the site of Germany's first concentration camp Dachau under the Hitler Regime and now a memorial to those who died under the Nazis.