When people think of Munich, they often think of the Oktoberfest beer festival, which takes place from mid-September to mid-October and attracts thousands of tourists and party-goers each year, or of a famous football club. However, Munich is much more than that!
Munichen means “monks” in German, as it was Benedictine monks who founded the city.
Munich is located in Bavaria and makes a wonderful stop on your tour of castles, lakes, and the Romantic Road. We spent an entire day there wandering through the streets, admiring the main square and its famous clock. Even in the rain, the city is beautiful, pleasant, and very clean!
What to do in Munich
There are so many things to see and do in Munich that one day is not enough; we recommend spending at least a weekend there.
The Munich Residence: The Wittelsbach family began construction of this palace in 1385 and lived there until World War II. During your visit, you may be surprised by the immaculate or even new condition of some parts of the palace. This is because most of the palace was destroyed during World War II and then rebuilt after the war. The visit is conducted with audioguides in your language. After touring the palace, continue your visit to the museum and the treasures.
The magnificent Marienplatz: The new neo-Gothic town hall is stunning. You can see statues of the Wittelsbach family on the facade and the famous Glockenspiel! It chimes three times a day (11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 5 p.m.), so don’t miss it; it’s truly a sight to see.
The Englischer Garten: This public garden is one of the largest in Europe. A true green lung of the city, Munich residents gather here to walk, exercise, have a drink, and grab a bite at the foot of the Chinese Tower, or even more surprisingly, surf! At the south end of the park, come see the surfers on an artificially created wave on the Eisbach, which flows through the English Garden.
The Viktualienmarkt: A large open-air market where all the German and Bavarian specialties come together. Stroll from stand to stand, between cheeses and charcuterie, and enjoy a beer at the Biergarten located in the center.
The Old Town: From Marienplatz, wander through the lively streets of Munich and get lost to better explore the city and visit one of its many museums:
- The Jewish Museum
- The Beer Museum
- The Bavarian National Museum, which gives an overview of Bavarian art and craftsmanship
- The Memorial to the Victims of Nazism, established since 2014
- The German Museum, an immense museum that will take you several hours to visit! It’s a museum about technology and science, from their origins to the present day. A museum that will delight both young and old! A great visit to do with children, as they can touch, manipulate, and experiment.
Where to park and stay in Munich with a campervan
The easiest way to visit Munich is to park at the campervan area located at the foot of the Allianz Arena. Admittedly, it’s not the most glamorous spot we’ve seen, but it has the advantage of being there and allows travelers to visit the city without any hassle!
You will find all the necessary services for 20 euros per night. The metro station is about a 25-minute walk away and takes you to Marienplatz in 10-15 minutes by metro. We spent the night there without any issues and without noise.
You can also easily find parking spots during the day on the outskirts of the city, but you won’t be able to stay there overnight.
What to do around Munich
- Allianz Arena: For football fans, a must-visit built in 2006 for the World Cup and designed by Herzog & de Meuron! Don’t forget to visit the museum and take a guided tour of the stadium in English, and a quick stop at the shop is always enjoyable.
- Dachau: We intentionally decided not to visit Dachau or any other World War II-related sites simply because we have very young children. Dachau is located 19 km northwest of Munich and is also accessible by bus. You can choose between an English guided tour or a French audioguide.
- Nymphenburg Palace and Park: Once the residence of the Bavarian kings, plan a full day to explore. Between the palace, the park, and the various museums, there’s plenty to see and do.
- BMW Museum: Here, you’ll find collections from the inception of BMW to the present day.
- Hellabrunn Zoo: Another fantastic visit to enjoy with children in Munich.
Our recommended spots
During your stay in Munich, we highly recommend dining at Zum Franziskaner restaurant. It’s a delightful Bavarian brewery that serves only traditional dishes at very reasonable prices. We thoroughly enjoyed every bit of our meal! The lively, noisy, family-friendly atmosphere where everyone eats at communal tables added to the experience.
Visit the Viktualienmarkt and after purchasing some specialties like the famous white sausage (a must-try because it’s so delicious), settle down at the Biergarten and enjoy (in moderation) a refreshing Radler!
