The Carefree Traveller
Munich , Bavaria (München, Bayern)
München literally means
"Monks". The figure on
Munich's coat-of-arms is
a monk, and is referred
to as the Münchner Kindl,
the child of Munich.
Munich (München), the capital of the state of Bavaria, is Germany's
third largest city and one of Europe's most prosperous. The city has
a population of about 1.3 million (as of 2006) and the Munich
Metropolitan Area is home to around 2.6 million people. The Greater
Munich Area (including Augsburg, Ingolstadt, Rosenheim, Landshut
and Landsberg) is home to over 5 million people.
Munich is located on the River Isar, on the elevated plains of Upper
Bavaria, about 50 km north of the northern edge of the Alps.


The Inner City
At the center of the city is the Marienplatz, a large open square with
was once a salt and grain market. It was named after the
Mariensäule, a Marian column in its centre - with the Old Town Hall
(Altes Rathaus) and the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)
The Neues Rathaus has a 260-foot tower which houses the world
famous Rathaus-Glockenspielcarillon.
The figures of the carillon show parts of Munich’s history. A joust is
displayed in the upper part which was arranged for the marriage of
duke Wilhelm V. and Renata of Lothringen. The lower part of the
carillon shows a famous dance of Munich, the “Schäfflertanz”.
Please note: due to renovation, the carillion will not be fully active from May to
November 2007. The restoration works will be finished before Christmas Market
2007.
The Peterskirche close to Marienplatz is the oldest church of the inner
city. The Frauenkirche (Dom zu unserer Lieben Frau - Cathedral of
Our Lady) is the most famous building in the city center and serves as
cathedral for the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. The nearby
Michaelskirche is the largest renaissance church north of the Alps,
while the Theatinerkirche is a basilica in Italianate high baroque
which had a major influence on Southern German baroque architecture
The Royal Avenues and Squares
Four grand royal avenues of the 19th century with magnificent official
buildings connect Munich's inner city with the suburbs:
The neoclassical Brienner Strasse, opens into the impressive
Königsplat, home to the Kunstareal, Munich's gallery and museum
quarter. Ludwigstrasse also begins at Odeonsplatz and runs from
south to north. Maximilianstrasse starts at Max-Joseph-Platz, where
the Residenz and the National Theatre are situated, and runs from
west to east. After crossing the river Isar, the avenue circles the
Maximilianeum, home of the state parliament. Prinzregentenstrasse
runs parallel to Maximilianstrasse. Many museums can be found along
this avenue.
Castles and Palaces
Schloss Nymphenburg (Nymphenburg Palace), some 6 km north
west of the city centre, is surrounded by an impressive park and is
considered to be one of Europe's most beautiful royal residences.
Schloss Blutenburg (Blutenburg Castle), an old ducal country seat
with a late-Gothic palace church, is 2 km north west of Nymphenburg
Schloss Fürstenried (Fürstenried Palace), a baroque palace of
similar structure to Nymphenburg but of much smaller size, is in the
south west of Munich.
Schloss Schleißheim (Schleissheim Palace), located in the suburb of
Oberschleissheim, is the second large baroque residence. The palace
complex encompasses three separate residences: Altes Schloss
Schleißheim (the old palace), Neues Schloss Schleißheim (the new
palace) and Schloss Lustheim (Lustheim Palace). Most parts of the
palace complex serve as museums and art galleries















Nymphenburg Palace, around 1760, as painted by Canaletto.
Badenburg
Royal Bath House
Schloss Nymphenburg
was commissioned by
the electoral couple
Ferdinand Maria and
Henriette Adelaide of
Savoy to Agostino Barelli
in 1664 after the birth of
their son Maximilian II
Emanuel. The centre
pavilion was completed
in 1675.
The palace was the
summer residence of the
rulers of Bavaria. King
Max I Joseph died there
in 1825, and his
great-grandson King
Ludwig II was born there
in 1845.
Nymphenburg is open to
the public, but also
continues to be a home
and chancery for the
head of the house of
Wittelsbach, currently
HRH Franz, Duke of
Bavaria


The Parks
Munich is a green city with numerous parks.
Englischer Garten, close to the city centre and covering an area of 3.7 km², is
one of the world's largest urban public parks (5km by 1.5km) , and contains a
nudist area, jogging tracks, bridle-paths. and beer-gardens. It was designed
by Friedrich von Sckell in the Serpentine Style. The central feature is the circular
Monopteros Temple. It stands on a mound and overlooks the park. It was
intended to be, and is, a real people's park 'for the purpose of exercise and
recreation'. Today it is one of Europe's largest city parks
Other large green spaces are the modern Olympic Park and Westpark as well
as the parks of Nymphenburg Palace (with the Botanical Garden to the north),
and Schleissheim Palace. The city's oldest park is the Hofgarten, near the
Residenz, and dating back to the 16th century. Most known for the largest
beergarden in the town is the former royal Hirschgarten, founded in 1780 for
deer which still live there. Another notable park is Ostpark, located in
Perlach-Ramersdorf area which houses the swimming area, Michaelibad, one of
the largest in Munich.



Tour Munich In Ease and Comfort:
Evening Tour of Munich - Munich By Night & Dinner at Hofbräuhaus
Passing by the beautifully illuminated monuments, fountains, and buildings of
Munich, you will arrive at the Hofbräuhaus. At the world famous Hofbräuhaus
you will be treated to an evening of Bavarian entertainment with music, a show
and dinner.
This tour must be booked at least 24 hours in advance of your travel date
Confirmation of this product will be received at time of booking
Tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated
Munich Sightseeing - Munich Grand Hop on Hop off Tour
Discover the highlights of Munich with our comprehensive Hop on Hop off tour in
open air double-decker buses. Tour includes all the major historical as well as
modern attractions of Munich.
Board the bus at any one of the stops around the city. Upon boarding the bus,
present your Voucher in exchange for hop on hop off ticket.
Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking
Tour is operated in English


Munich Markets & Shopping
The Viktualienmarkt is a daily food market in the center of Munich, covering an
area of 22,000square meters.
Over the years Viktualienmarkt has evolved from a farmers’ market to a popular
market for gourmets. The selection, variety and exclusiveness of the products
offered contribute to the market’s special flair. 140 stalls and shops offer
flowers and plants, fruit, vegetables, exotic fruit, venison and poultry, eggs,
butter, honey, fish, meat and sausages. Nowhere else in Munich can you find a
greater variety of fresh food and delicacies. Many of the stalls open as early as
5.30 am and most of the shops are open until 8 p.m. (Monday to Saturday)
The market also hosts a number of traditional and folkloric events such as
weighing celebrities, brewers’ day, gardeners’ day, opening of the asparagus
season, summer festival, dance of the market women on Shrove Tuesday, etc.
The Viktualienmarkt, which has been a pedestrian zone since November 6, 1975
is a popular plalce to meet and socialize.




You can easily combine shopping with sightseeing in Munich because most
places of interest in the Old Town are within walking distance of each other.
Some popular Munich stores:
Kaufhof Kaufingerstraße 1-5 Munich, BY 80331
Located in Munich's most popular shopping district, the pedestrian zone
between Marienplatz and Karlstor, Kaufhof has a hideously ugly exterior but
offers an unrivalled choice of goods. Spread over five floors, this huge
department store contains almost everything, ranging from clothes to consumer
electronics. The food hall in the basement is one of the best in the city.
Hallhuber Kaufingerstraße 9 Munich, BY 80331
Hallhuber sells a wide range of fashionable clothing, shoes and accessories at
affordable prices. Most of the goods are from their own brand, but they also
stock a selection of clothes by Calvin Klein and Strenesse.
Lesslyn Marienplatz 1 Munich, BY 80331
Three big panther statues guard the entrance hall, which also boasts an
original Wurlitzer jukebox. Lesslyn caters to a more mature clientele. Those in
the know come here to get their clothes tailor made. Customers can choose any
material, colour or size and the order will be completed within three days
Loden-Frey Maffeistraße 7-9 Munich, BY 80333
The selection at this renowned Munich clothing store is huge and ranges from
traditional Bavarian costumes to modern leisurewear. Many of the clothes are
made by the company itself. The quality is fantastic for men, women and
children, including accessories, shoes, etc. The service is excellent and friendly.
World's Most Famous beer Hall
The Munich Hofbräuhaus am Platzl, the world's most famous beer hall, was
founded by Duke William V of Bavaria in 1589. On September 22, 1897, the beer
palace on the Platzl was opened: the Hofbräuhaus as we know it today.
Whether in the taproom, the saloon or under the shady chestnut trees in
the beer-garden, the Hofbräuhaus is a great place to be whatever the
season, whatever the weather and whatever the time of day. Bavarian
specialties are served from dawn till late at night, but the main attraction is the
classic "Hofbräu Original" lager beer.
No visit to Munich is complete without a stop at the Munich Hofbräuhaus
Parking There are no parking lots available at Viktualienmarkt. The underground car park of Schrannenhalle which is directly next to Viktualienmarkt offers a small number of parking lots. (open 24 hours, price: €2.5 per hour, access via Prälat-Zistl-Straße)
Public transport (MVV) All S-Bahn lines to Marienplatz U3 and U6 to Marienplatz Bus 52 to Viktualienmarkt
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