Best things to do in Munich & Bavaria, Germany
UNESCO Sites in Munich and Bavaria
- Once the capital of Bavaria, the Old Town of Regensburg and Stadtamhof is a must for the traveller whose passions are ignited by the Roman Empire. Well designed, interactive exhibits bring the visitor back in time; while Mediterranean-style infrastructure like the Stone Bridge reminds the visitor of more southern climates.
- Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just two and a half hours north of Stuttgart. Because Bamberg extends over seven hills, each crowned by a church, it’s also known as the “Franconian Rome.” Travellers will enjoy the popular, local beer after a day spent perusing the architecture and unique shopping.
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s historical play, “The Master Draught” is performed 12 times per year and has earned a place on UNESCO’s Nationwide Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This quaint town is situated along the famous Romantic Road in the Franconia region of Bavaria, overlooking the Tauber River. There are many well-preserved, colourful churches and monuments, as well as museums and shops offering authentic, Bavarian wares.
Top Attractions in Munich and Bavaria
- Nördlingen and Dinkelsbühl are two charming towns on Germany’s Romantic Road well worth visiting. Nördlingen, in the Donau-Ries district, of Bavaria, Germany, was first mentioned in recorded history in 898. It’s one of three medieval walled towns on the Romantic Road, the other two being Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl.
- If you’re travelling to Bavaria in winter, you may not be cycling the Romantic Road, but you will want to go to the Christmas Markets! Whether it’s Rothenburg’s 500 years of history or The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, which is even older, but also famous for Gingerbread, you’re going to love it.
- You may be surprised by Munich’s distinctive modern design culture; it innovates in fashion, architecture, and industrial design. Munich greatly differs from Berlin, while both cities have a flair for art and design, Munich’s artistic roots seem to reach deeper than Berlin’s contemporary edginess. Signs of Munich’s artistic tradition are visible throughout the city. Make sure you incorporate contemporary exhibitions and traditional art galleries into your tours so you can experience the full range of Munich’s expression.
- The theme for my Munich visit was ‘Tradition and Design,’ two things the city is brimming with, but I want to highlight the feature of the Bavarian capital that surprised me the most – the food. Munich is a fantastic destination for foodies. In three short days, I discovered ten great foodie finds in Munich including shops, markets, and restaurants – some traditional, some modern and surprising. I even found some great options for vegetarians.
Fun Facts about Munich & Bavaria, Germany
- With a population of 12.9 million and covering 70,550.19 square kilometres (27,200 sq mi), Bavaria is the largest state by land area and second most populous (after North Rhine-Westphalia). Its capital, Munich, is the third largest city in Germany.
- Famous Bavarians include NBA player Dirk Nowitzki, denim pioneer Levi Strauss, and Pope Benedict XVI
- Munich has six significant breweries: Augustiner Bräu, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr Bräu, Spaten-Franziskaner Bräu, and Paulaner Brauerei. However, visitors can expand their horizons with hundreds of options in the state of Bavaria.
- Enjoy one of these local brews at the oldest festival in the world, Octoberfest, celebrated since 1810.
- A toilet from the 13th century was found by archaeologists, buried underground in Munich. That’s some old… well, you get the idea.
- BMW’s headquarters are in Munich, and it’s so massive it has its own zip code. Action and adventure fans must plan an afternoon at the BMW museum.
Our thoughts about Munich & Bavaria, Germany
Alison says: “Munich is a colourful city is alive with creativity and a spirit of fun. The cultural scene is rich, with dozens of museums and galleries, two exceptional palaces, and excellent shopping. However, it was the cuisine that was particularly surprising, not to mention delicious. Set in a region brimming with picturesque and colourful villages along the Romantic Road and you have a recipe for a perfect travel destination.”
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Photo 1: By Alison Cornford-Matheson
Photo 2: By Alison Cornford-Matheson