Munich, the capital of Bavaria and home to buildings and museums with a long history. The city, sprawled across the banks of the River Isar, is the most densely populated municipality in Germany, with around 4,500 people per square kilometre. When visiting this beautiful city, there is no lack of attractions, sights and things to see, meaning you can easily fill up a vacation with something different every single day. If it is your first visit to Munich, we strongly recommend you carefully plan an itinerary in order to not miss out on some of the more popular events. The most popular events occur at specified times each year, although the other attractions and popular tourist destinations are available all year long.
Now, before we move onto our list of the most important things to see during your first acquaintance with Munich, allow us to tackle another important issue: airport transportation.
When arriving in any country, especially one you are visiting for the first time, planning how you are going to get to and from the airport is incredibly important. Failure to do so can lead to being stuck in long taxi lines, being overcharged for a ride, or spending hours taking the wrong buses or trains. For the most reliable method for getting around, it is recommended to book an airport transfer. A popular provider in Munich is AtoB Transfer (https://atobtransfer.com/germany/munich-airport-transfers/), who offer a wide range of cars, as well as the option to personalise your ride. What this means is that, if needed, you can choose to include one of their many extra add-ons, such as child seats, additional stops, or even bottled refreshments, if you need to wet your whistle.
With transportation out of the way, let’s introduce you to Munich!
Table of Contents
Oktoberfest
If you are a beer drinker, and haven’t been living under a rock, we’re pretty sure you have heard about this annual beer festival and travelling carnival, held in Munich every year. The celebrations one can find here range from parades, food, music, and of course beer-drinking! For the festival, a specific beer is brewed. Named the Oktoberfest Beer (very imaginative), this beer is a medium to full-bodied Lager, with a colour that can range from pale to dark. In 2014 alone, over 7.5 million litres were served. The event typically runs for two weeks, ending on the first Sunday of October, although the exact duration can vary, depending on which day the first Sunday falls upon. Nevertheless, when visiting the Oktoberfest, you can be sure to drink and eat until your heart’s content, and with a reliable AtoB airport transfer, you don’t need to worry about driving!
Marienplatz
Also named Mary’s Square, or Our Lady’s Square, it is the main square in Munich, having been designated as such in 1158. Our Lady is revered in Munich as a protector of Bavaria, thus the Column erected in her honour is deeply cherished by the locals. Aside from its religious significance, it also is the site where the annual Christmas Market (or Christkindlmarkt) is held.
If you are visiting during the festive seasons, make sure to visit this beautifully decorated square, where you can enjoy some traditional games, sip on mulled wine, and even see Santa Claus on Weihnachten (although he may be in a hurry to leave and share out presents)! What won’t be in a hurry though, will be your airport taxi driver, who will take you safely to your destination, however conveniently.
Deutsches Museum
Currently the world’s largest museum of science and technology, housing 28,000 exhibited objects from 50 fields of science and tech. The Museum sees around 1.5 million visitors per year, making it one of the busiest in Germany. It is located on the Museumsinsel, a small island in the Isar river, and was built in 1903, with Oskar von Miller heading the project.
Among the permanent exhibits currently shown at the museum, one can see things relating to Aerospace, Electric Power, Computers, Physics, Paper, as well Tunnel Technology. For those who are interested in the sciences, this is an experience you simply can’t miss. If you need directions to find the museum, you can simply ask you AtoB airport taxi driver to point it out to you on the way from the airport.
The Palace of the Munich Residenz
Located in the heart of Munich, Germany, the Munich Residenz is a magnificent palace holding great historical significance. Built first in 1385 as a modestly-sized castle, over the coming centuries it grew to become one of Europe’s largest city palaces. Serving as the residence of the Bavarian monarchs, the Residenz witnessed the rise and fall of several royal dynasties, political intrigues, and cultural transformations.
Today, it stands as a testament to the rich history and grandeur of Bavarian royalty. Visitors can explore its opulent halls, lavish chambers, and splendid gardens, marvelling at the exquisite architectural details and priceless art collections that span centuries. The Munich Residenz offers a captivating journey through time, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the grandeur and elegance of bygone eras. Whether one is fascinated by history, art, or simply seeking to experience the royal splendour, a visit to the Munich Residenz is an absolute must. Another must is an AtoB airport taxi, as you wouldn’t want to get stuck at Munich Airport!
Science Days
A four-day, yearly event, Science Days has been held in Munich since 2001, every May 5th and 6th. If you’re someone with an inquisitive mind in the STEM disciplines, whether young or old, this is certainly an experience to take part in. When visiting, you can take part in workshops and experiments, being an active participant. There are also a number of meetings, discussions and even lectures put on by academics, which will be sure to stir your scientific mind! What will also stir your mind (maybe not scientific), is an AtoB airport transfer.
That is our take on Munich for the first-time visitors. Whether you want to fill your mind with knowledge or your belly with beer and sausage, the Bavarian capital surely won’t disappoint. The city is bustling both in summer as in winter, thus no matter when you visit, you can be sure to find something to do. If you take the information in this article into consideration, in order to formulate your itinerary, we are sure that your next trip will be unforgettable.