Munich

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is all palaces, Baroque churches, beer halls and huge parks. We spent two days here.

Where to Sleep?

We stayed at Hotel Cocoon Hauptbahnhof, next to the main station.

Tip: The prices and opening hours here are the ones we noted when we planned the trip. Check them before you go.

Day 1 - The old town

1. Marienplatz

The heart of Munich, with the Old Town Hall and the New Town Hall, finished in 1905. You can go up the New Town Hall tower for a view over the old town (€4, €3 for students). Its Glockenspiel, with 43 bells and 32 figures, plays every day at 11am and noon, and at 5pm from March to October. In the middle of the square, Mary's Column, from 1638, celebrates the end of the Swedish occupation in the Thirty Years' War.

2. St Peter's Church

The oldest church in Munich. Climb the 306 steps of its tower for one of the best views of the city, and time it for the Glockenspiel. The tower was €3 (€2 for students).

3. Viktualienmarkt

Munich's food market, with around 140 stalls of cheese, wine, spices, flowers and food from all over, plus a beer garden. Open every day.

4. Asam Church

A tiny 18th-century Baroque church with an interior that leaves you speechless. Free.

5. St Michael's Church

A Jesuit church with a huge golden altar. Free.

6. Frauenkirche

The Cathedral of Our Lady, whose two towers, almost 100 meters tall, are the symbol of Munich. Free.

7. The National Theatre and Odeonsplatz

The opera house, and the square with the Feldherrnhalle and the yellow Theatine Church.

8. The Residenz

The former royal palace of the Bavarian kings, a mix of Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical. Don't miss the Antiquarium, the Treasury and the red and gold Cuvilliés Theatre. The museum and the treasury were €9 each, the theatre €5, and free for students.

9. Hofgarten and the English Garden

The Hofgarten, with its Temple of Diana, leads into the English Garden, one of the largest city parks in the world, bigger than Central Park. At the entrance, watch the surfers on the Eisbach wave, then find the Japanese Teahouse, the Monopteros temple, the lake and the Chinese Tower.

10. Hofbräuhaus

Munich's oldest beer hall, with Bavarian music and one-liter glasses of beer (about €9.20). Try the Surhaxe, a huge pork knuckle with sauerkraut, the sausage platter, or a giant pretzel with obatzda cheese.

Day 2 - Palaces, cars and the Olympic Park

1. Nymphenburg Palace

A Baroque summer palace in a huge park in the west of the city. Don't miss the Amalienburg, a Rococo hunting lodge, and the Badenburg, by a lake full of swans with the Temple of Apollo on its shore. The combined ticket was €15 in summer (€12 in winter), free for students. Allow at least two hours.

2. The Botanical Garden

Right next to Nymphenburg Park. Entrance was €7.20, free for students.

3. BMW Welt and the BMW Museum

BMW Welt is a free showroom of the latest BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars. Next door, the BMW Museum (€10) tells the story of the brand.

4. Olympic Park

Built for the 1972 Olympics. Climb the hill for a view over the lake, the Olympic Tower and the stadium's famous tent-like roof.

5. Allianz Arena

The home of Bayern Munich, the inflatable stadium that changes color at night.