Munich, Germany

Written By Emma Anderson
Scenic lake along the route to Munich, Germany, surrounded by lush green landscapes and mountain views.

Where is Munich Located?

Munich is the third-largest city in Germany, nestled in the southernmost part of the country, within the Bavaria region. This region is rich in traditions and culture, offering a stunning landscape of mountains, lush green fields, and charming small towns. Munich is also conveniently close to Austria—just an hour and a half from the Austrian border and two hours from Innsbruck, Austria. Situated near the Alps, Munich is a perfect stop on a scenic road trip, with easy access to Austria, Switzerland, the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, and picturesque glacier lakes with Caribbean-blue waters!

Map showing the location of Munich, Germany, in the southern part of the country, near the Bavarian Alps and bordering Austria.

7 Things Munich, Germany is Famous For:

  • Oktoberfest
    Munich is home to the world’s largest and most famous Oktoberfest, a beer festival that has its origins right here. Held every year in mid-September to early October, Oktoberfest attracts millions of visitors with its range of traditional Bavarian beers, mouthwatering foods, and festive stalls selling local goods. It’s a must-visit event for anyone wanting to experience authentic Bavarian culture during the fall months!

  • Christmas Market
    Munich’s Christmas Market is one of the best in Germany, and nothing says "European Christmas" quite like it! Held in the historic Marienplatz square, this market is perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. With hand-crafted goods, festive foods, and warm drinks to keep you cozy in the winter chilly air, it’s a magical place to shop and explore.

  • Marienplatz
    Marienplatz is Munich’s central square and the historical heart of the city. The square is dominated by the impressive Neo-Gothic town hall, which makes for a perfect photo stop. It’s also a great spot to explore Munich's history, take a tour of the town hall, and visit the Christmas Market during the holiday season.

  • Viktualienmarkt
    Originally a farmers’ market in 1807, Viktualienmarkt has evolved into a vibrant food market with over 140 vendors selling everything from fresh produce to baked goods, cheeses, meats, spices, and even fresh juices. It’s the perfect place to sample local specialties and experience the exciting food culture of Munich.

  • Englischer Garten (English Garden)
    One of the largest urban parks in the world, the English Garden spans over 900 acres and is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Munich. With rolling hills, large trees, rivers, and unique monuments, it's a great spot for a stroll or an afternoon picnic. This park also includes, the Eisbach, a manmade wave system that draws surfers from around the world to practice on its waves, adding a quirky twist to this otherwise tranquil park in southern Germany - quiet a ways from a real ocean.

  • Bavarian Pretzels (Brezn)
    There are a lot unique foods to the Munich area, but certainly worth mentioning - the classic Bavarian pretzel. These giant, golden-brown pretzels are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a doughy texture that's incredibly satisfying. Served with beer or non-alcoholic drinks, these pretzels are a perfect snack for any time of day!

  • Nymphenburg Palace
    Nymphenburg Palace, located just northwest of Munich’s city center, is a stunning Baroque palace with clean cut gardens. This palace was originally a summer residence for Bavarian rulers and features grand halls, galleries, and a museum showcasing Bavarian history throughout the centuries. While there is an entrance fee, it’s well worth it to experience the palace’s impressive architecture and rich cultural heritage.

What We Did on Our Quick Stop in Munich:

Our stay in Munich was short, but I loved every moment of it! After arriving from Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we took a detour to explore Linderhof Palace in the beautiful German Alps, about an hour and 15 minutes southwest of Munich. Afterward, we made our way back to Munich for the night.

Delicious Margherita pizza from Grazia Pizza Napoletana in Munich, Germany, topped with fresh tomato sauce, Fior di Latte cheese, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Plate of Spaghetti al Pomodoro from Grazia Pizza Napoletana in Munich, Germany, featuring pasta in a rich tomato sauce with garlic and olive oil.

We checked into the Residence Inn southeast of the city center, then walked 20 minutes into town for dinner at Grazia Pizza Napoletana—an Italian spot with a 4.8-star rating from over 800 reviews. Our highlights include: their pizza dough that was chewy and buttery, and the penne arrabbiata was perfectly spicy with a rich tomato base. Here’s what we ordered:

  • Margherita Pizza (Tomato sauce, Fior di Latte, olive oil & basil)

  • Insalata Pollo (Baby leaf salad with chicken breast and honey-mustard dressing)

  • Penne Arrabiata (Tomato sauce, olive oil, garlic & chili)

  • Spaghetti al Pomodoro (Tomato sauce)

  • Spaghetti Hähnchen (Chicken strips & basil pesto)

  • Pizza Stange (Olive oil, salt & rosemary)

  • Calzone (gefüllt) (Ricotta di buffalo, Fior di Latte, smoked ham, tomatoes, olive oil & basil)

After dinner, we headed back to the Residence Inn, where we enjoyed a comfy night’s sleep and a complimentary breakfast the next morning—fresh and delicious to get us ready for a full day of walking and castle touring! We ventured out to Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen, about two hours from Munich. We explored both Neuschwanstein and the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, spent time in the town center, and had lunch by the beautiful Alpsee Lake. After a full day of exploring, we returned to Munich for some shopping and more delicious food.

Here’s what we did:

  • Frauenkirche: We visited the Church of Our Lady, where King Ludwig II, the monarch behind both Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, is buried. It was a cool to learn the connection to the castles we’d just visited and this church in Munich.

  • Shopping at Zara: We always like to check out Zara stores when traveling through Europe because each location has unique styles and offerings. Munich’s Zara was another fun one to look at and see what was different.

Chicken BLT bagel from Cotidiano in Munich, Germany, featuring a sesame bagel filled with chicken breast, cream cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a fried egg.
Sunny Crunch Bowl from Cotidiano in Munich, Germany, featuring natural yogurt topped with granola, banana, berry compote, coconut flakes, and fresh fruits.
Pancake Tower Deluxe from Cotidiano in Munich, Germany, featuring layers of fluffy pancakes topped with Lotus Biscoff® cream, berry compote, nougat cream, banana, cookie crumble, and fresh fruits.
Avocado toast from Cotidiano in Munich, Germany, featuring toasted sourdough bread topped with avocado, tomato salsa, two fried organic eggs, mixed seeds, and herder’s cheese.

  • Dinner at Cotidiano: We had an amazing dinner at this all-day breakfast and brunch spot. The food was flavorful, satisfying, and perfectly balanced. One of our highlights from the meal was the Lotus Biscoff pancakes! They deserved a solid five stars! Here’s what we ordered:

    • Avocado Toast (Sourdough bread with avocado, tomato salsa, two fried organic eggs, mixed seeds & herder’s cheese)

    • Sunny Crunch Bowl (Yogurt, granola, banana, berry compote, fruits & coconut flakes)

    • Pancake Tower Deluxe (Pancakes with Lotus Biscoff cream, berry compote, nougat cream, banana, cookie crumble & fruits)

    • Chicken BLT Bagel (Sesame bagel with chicken breast, cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, bacon & fried egg)

After dinner, we headed back to our hotel for another restful night and a delicious breakfast the next morning before catching a flight from Munich International Airport to Rome, Italy. Like I said, our time in Munich was short, but I’d love to return someday—and I definitely recommend visiting, even if it’s just to enjoy the great food and do so more day trips to near by nature highlights in the Alps.

Emma Anderson
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Linderhof, Germany