Munich - It’s Truly Unique
Our next stop from Copenhagen was to Munich, the capital of Bavaria and the largest city in southern Germany well-known for its annual beer festival, Oktoberfest.
However, Munich is much more than just a place where beer is brewed. It is a vibrant city with a rich history and beautiful scenery consisting of old churches, large gardens, and parks, as well as friendly residents. While settlements in the area date back to the Bronze Age, the city of Munich as we know it today traces its roots back to 1158. The city has a lot to offer visitors and serves as an excellent base for exploring other parts of Bavaria.
Hofbräuhaus München :
A trip to Munich isn’t complete unless you step inside the Hofbräuhaus, one of Munich’s top attractions and the world’s most famous beer hall, which is a must-see for beer lovers.
The Hofbräuhaus was founded in 1589 as the court brewery by Bavarian Duke ‘Wilhelm V’. While much of the beer hall was damaged or destroyed during WWII, reconstruction in 1958 helped to restore the building to its original style.
It’s loud, crowded, and full of tourists. However, it is also brimming with beer and a fantastic way to experience the atmosphere of Oktoberfest at any time of the year. The hall is densely packed with large wooden tables, some of which have been there since 1897. Some tables have signs indicating that they are reserved for the institution’s regulars. It was previously used to brew beer in the court brewery and can now seat up to 1,300 people under painted cross vaults.
Most evenings, the restaurant is packed, and it’s a ‘seat yourself’ establishment, so expect to make a few rounds in search of an open table. You’ll also notice a band performing traditional Bavarian music from a podium in the center of the hall, which created the feel of being in an Oktoberfest beer event. Throughout the day, the Hofbräuhaus is either crowded or highly crowded. We were lucky to get in just before dinner time and it was only slightly crowded.
Beer is served in giant mugs at räuhaus and comes in four varieties: light, dark, sparkling, and non-alcoholic, but who wants that?
Here are some images from our meal..
Neuschwanstein Castle :
The next day we set out to visit Neuschwanstein castle, it is considered as Germany’s most famous sight – so famous that it inspired Walt Disney when he designed the Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
Every day, approximately 1.3 million people visit the castle. It appears majestic from the outside and has an intriguing backstory. You can also find a second castle within walking distance, allowing you to stay in the area for the entire day without getting bored.
How to get here from Munich?
The A7 highway is the most common route heading from Munich to Neuschwanstein. It’s only a two-hour drive and can be done as a day trip with a rental car. From Munich, you can also join a group tour or take the Flixbus, which will be a 3 hours ride.
Tickets to the castle can only be reserved and purchased in advance or on the same day of your visit at the ticket office in Hohenschwangau. During peak season, it is best to book your tickets in advance. But most times, it’s often possible to buy tickets on the same day if you come early.
Before we get into the details, let’s go over the castle’s history. King Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned its construction in 1869, unfortunately he could not see its completion as he would’ve wanted it.
In 1886, after having lived in the half-finished castle for 172 days, he died. In just a few weeks after his death, the castle was opened to the public and quickly became one of the region’s most popular tourist attractions. Even today, many rooms inside remain unfinished.
The Castle tour only took us about 35 minutes. A guide will lead your group through the castle, where you will learn about the history of Neuschwanstein and King Ludwig II. It was beautiful to see the inside of this magnificent castle and admire the Bavarian charm built by the mysterious king.
After the castle tour, you can explore the surrounding areas if you wish, such as Füssen, Hohenschwangau Castle, Museum of the Bavarian Kings and St Coloman Church. We had a great time wandering around and photographing the castle.
Some Interesting facts about Neuschwanstein Castle :
- The castle was solely built for King Ludwig II to enjoy his private time (he didn’t want anyone to visit the castle).
- Neuschwanstein is one of the world’s most photographed places.
- More than 14.5 million euro is spent on maintenance each year.
- Photography and Video is not allowed inside the castle.
Exploring Munich :
Glockenspiel show at Marienplatz :
The next day, we planned to explore all major sites of the city starting from the Glockenspiel show at Marienplatz.
Marienplatz is the center of Munich, where all roads collide and from where you can venture outwards onto your next adventure. Every day the city’s central Marienplatz square is crammed with onlookers with their faces looking at the sky. They’re watching one of the city’s most beloved oddities, the Munich Glockenspiel, or carillon.
The Glockenspiel is made up of life-sized figures that move in the same direction three times a day, accompanied by folk music played by the chimes. At 11am and midday (5pm between March and October) the Munich Glockenspiel recounts a royal wedding, jousting tournament and ritualistic dance – all events which have etched a mark on Munich’s popular folklore.
The show lasts about 15 minutes and ends with the golden bird on top emerging and chirping three times. The clock’s 43 bells play various tunes that are a delight to hear.
St peter’s Church :
The locals affectionately refer to Saint Peter’s church as ‘Alter Peter’ or also known as ‘Old Peter’.
It is the oldest recorded church in all of Munich where the clock tower stands at 91 meters (298.5 feet) tall. Right beneath the clock is a spectacular viewing platform that provides a marvelous 360° view of Munich’s old town.
From its founding in 1158, the church has endured a dramatic history. It was rebuilt in 1368 following a fire, and then again after it was almost completely destroyed in World War II.
Thanks to the alterations and renovations undertaken during the rich history of the Church, today the shrine looks spectacular in its appearance and architectural style. Don’t forget to climb the church’s tower for a panoramic view of Munich.
Viktualienmarkt :
Our next stop was to Viktualienmarkt. I know this sounds strange, because it’s not a natural tourist spot to visit while in Munich. We had heard so much about this market that my mommy instinct compelled me to see how fresh their items truly are. As everyone we met praised the quality and freshness of the produce at this local market.
As a tourist, I got an opportunity to sample the full range of Bavarian cuisine and even partake in a bit of their tradition!
Eisbachwelle :
Our next stop from Viktualienmarkt was to ‘Eisbachwelle’, it is considered one of Munich’s top attractions for sports fans and tourists alike. It is the largest and most consistent city center location for ‘river surfing’.
For more than 40 years the waves of Eisbach river have attracted surfers and onlookers from all over the world. The man-made Eisbach river emerges from underground just a few steps away from the Haus der Kunst (art gallery) on Prinzregentenstrasse in the Lehel district.
A stone step near the outlet creates a half-meter-tall standing wave. Visiting the spot to watch the action is recommended at any time; however, only experienced surfers should attempt to ride the waves because the spot is not easy or risk-free and is not suitable for beginners.
My kids loved watching the professionals surf and they had an exciting time here.
BMW :
It doesn’t matter if you’re a car enthusiast or not, I will highly recommend visiting the BMW museum.
It displays the company’s oldest as well as future models that are designed by them.
Apart from this, they have a separate section which explains the working of the cars and other mechanics. If you’re more into history, then I’ll definitely suggest visiting their auditoriums, as they display old documentaries and movies about the company.
Final Thoughts :
Munich is truly unique, its style, architecture and history is parallel to none. Having enjoyed our trip, we move to our next destination, Florence, Italy.
Stay tuned for my next blog about travel in Italy.
