Munich is the capital of Bavaria, known for sights of grand European architecture and being the location of the world’s biggest beer festival – Oktoberfest. Here is my journey of cool things to see around Munich while I was working for Stoke Travel!
Where to stay in Munich
Check Hostelworld for budget accommodation options or Booking.com for hotel and motel options.
Stoke Travel’s Campingplatz Obermenzing if you’re in Munich for the events! This is where I stayed for the duration of Oktoberfest. It’s a spacious campsite in a small forest area. There’s a bar/restaurant at the front that does great burgers, and vending machines for any small essentials that you might need, plus washing machines & driers that you can buy tokens for at reception.
Transport around Munich
Use the MVV App to plan and pay for your journeys or pay for tickets at transport stations.
Food & Drink
Wherever you go for Bavarian cuisine, make sure you try pork knuckle and grab a pint of beer!
A world famous tavern and brewery! One of Munich’s oldest beer halls.
Biergartens (Beer Gardens)
Beer Gardens are decorated outdoor dining spaces orginating from Bavaria. There are many of them around, part of restaurants and pubs, and they are a must visit item to try out the local cuisine and beer in Munich.
Found a spot that reminded me somewhat of home – an Australian themed bar! It’s also right next to Killian’s, an Irish pub that often has a live band playing.
Sights & Activities around Munich
Marienplatz
Marienplatz is at the centre of the city and part of the Old Town. It’s often bustling with crowds as a hub of public transport. Famous tourist sites like Hofbrauhaus, The English Gardens and many of the museums are within walking distance.
Museums
While I didn’t get the chance to go to one, many of them are heavily discounted or even free to visit on Sundays!
Hofgarten
This garden sits in the centre of the city between the Residenz and the English Gardens. I passed through here on my way to the English Gardens.
English Gardens
As you enter the English gardens, you’ll come across the Eisbachwelle, a man-made surfing wave that starts the lazy river into the rest of the English Gardens.
If you’d like to have a go at surfing here, be aware it is only permitted between 5:30 am and 10 pm and intended for experienced surfers due to the shallow water and strong current. You’re also not allowed to surf alone, and you need a self-releasing leash. If you’re new to surfing, there’s a smaller wave in Thalkirchen you can try out.
There’s rolling fields by the river to play large outdoor games on or enjoy a picnic in the sun. There’s even horse carriage rides through the park because it’s so large.
Midnight Bazar – Fleamarket
This market is every Saturday night and has an entry fee of 10 euro per person. It can get very crowded so be prepared to move through the space slowly.
There were definitely more women’s clothing and items than men’s but this can be a good spot to scout out a cheap secondhand dirndl or lederhosen for Oktoberfest as they can get quite expensive if you buy them brand new.
Dachau Memorial Site
Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp. This place can be emotionally heavy to visit but I think it is very important to acknowledge and learn from the dark parts of history.
Dachau is easy to reach via public transport, with a train station close to the site and a bus stop directly outside it.
Admission is free and there is a visitor center at the entrance with informative brochures. You can also purchase guided tours which take about 2.5 hours.
Schloss Nymphenburg
Nymphenburg Palace was commissioned by former rulers of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach for a summer residence in 1664. The palace is has over 300,000 visitors per year, and it is no wonder why with the palace’s grand baroque architecture and sprawling garden parks.
The park attached to the palace is 200 hectares. The gardens are arranged by Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell, who also designed the English Gardens. Around the park you can also find garden pavilions, each designed in a different architectural style.
It is free to walk around the park and the outside of the palace, but you can also purchase tours to see various rooms and artifacts inside the palace.
Munich – Nymphenburg Botanic Gardens
These are separate to the castle, but right next door. I found it easier to buy entry to this first and walk through it to end up in the larger park and visit Nymphenburg palace.
Regular entry fee is €5.50. However there are discounts for Munich pass holders and students, For anyone under 18 years old, entry is free.
All plants in these gardens are used for science and research. I enjoyed walking through the various greenhouses and found that some even have a few critters to say hello to.
There is a café in the centre of all the gardens, but you are also welcome to bring food in with you.
Springfest & Oktoberfest!
If you happen to be around Munich at the right time of the year, you can attend the world’s largest Volksfest (beer festival & carnival), Oktoberfest or it’s little sister event, Springfest!
Oktoberfest / Weisn takes place in mid September until the first Sunday in October. Fruhlingsfest / Springfest, the ‘little sister’ of Oktoberfest begins in mid-April and last for two weeks.
If you’re looking for a party – Stoke Travel has you covered for accommodation and fun for both events! Use my promo code JAYNEY for free unlimited beer & sangria for the first night of your stay + read all about the antics you could get up to here: Oktoberfest & Stoketoberfest – The best parties of your life…
Thanks for joining me on my journey!
If you’re keen to see more photos from this trip, check out my Munich Pinterest Board!
After attending Oktoberfest with Stoke Travel, my next journey took me to the Spring Break Experience: Fiji! blog post coming soon 🙂
