Although it's easy for us to think of Munich and immediately cast our minds to images of lederhosen, dirndls, and Maßkrugs (which locals will politely tell you to never confuse with steins), the city is home to far more year-long attractions than the ever-popular Oktoberfest.
Packed with plenty of character, age-old traditions, and the friendly nature of its local residents, Munich has been handed the charming nickname Millionendorf, which translates to ‘the village of a million people.
Oktoberfest remains the German city's biggest attraction, and up to 7.2 million visitors flock to Munich each year to enjoy the 16-day festival. However, Millionendorf has plenty to offer all year round. From its striking Bavarian architecture to its vibrant central markets and history of sporting prowess, Munich truly offers something for everyone.
With this in mind, let's explore seven of the brightest examples of Munch's Bavarian magic that's open to visitors all year round:
1. Taste Bavarian Culture at Marienplatz
The heart of Munich's iconic Old Town, Marienplatz is a must-see area of the city that's rich in stunning architecture and brimful of exciting things to do.
It's impossible to miss the old Bavarian clock tower in the center of the historic square, and the open space features daily performances and plenty of places to eat and drink.
Just a stone's throw from the square is Viktualienmarkt, a 200-year-old market that's home to more than 100 stalls offering traditional Bavarian food and drink as well as fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers.
With the striking Old Town surrounding Marienplatz, it's the perfect place to discover the very best of Munich on foot as part of a walk tour of Munich, where you'll gain a deeper understanding of the city's rich and complex history.
2. Step Back in Time with a Visit to Hofbräuhaus
Located near Marienplatz is Hofbräuhaus, the iconic beer hall that seems as though it's lost in time.
While Hofbräuhaus has become synonymous with Oktoberfest, the traditional Bavarian beer hall is open all year round with live music, traditional delicacies, and all the ambiance you'd associate with the Bavarian golden age.
The location itself is adorned with color, art, and regional flags to help you feel as though you're stepping into history.
3. Take a Stroll in Englischer Garten
In a large, leafy corner of Munich, you'll find Englischer Garten. The name translates to ‘English Garden', and the space can often feel as if you're strolling through the grounds of a regal estate in Britain.
Landscaped for Prince Charles Theodore in the eighteenth century, Englischer Garten spans nearly 1,000 acres, making it one of the world's largest inner-city public parks and eclipsing the likes of Central Park and Hyde Park.
The sheer size of Englischer Garten makes it a popular place to go for a picnic, jog, dog walk, sunbathe, and even surf using Eisbachwelle, a man-made wave that flows continuously throughout the year.
There's also plenty of striking architecture, with Monopteros a Greek-themed temple from which visitors can enjoy some impressive sunset views.
4. Get a Panoramic View of the City in Frauenkirche
Frauenkirche is the most unmissable part of Munich's sprawling skyline. The 15th Century Gothic structure translates to the Cathedral of Our Lady and serves as the final resting place for many historical emperors and kings. Mythology also claims that the devil himself once paid a visit to the church.
The building itself is made all the more iconic because of its two towers, which resemble salt and pepper shakers overlooking the city's skyline. On clear days, visitors can climb the 100-meter towers to get amazing panoramic views of Munich in all its glory.
5. Visit One of Europe's Football Giants
Much like Frauenkirche, the Allianz Arena serves as one of world soccer's modern cathedrals. Home to Germany's most successful soccer team, Bayern Munich, the 75,000-seater stadium was built in 2005 and regularly hosts the world's best sporting talent.
Even if soccer isn't your forte, the structure itself is certainly worth a visit. Built with an exterior of inflated ETFE plastic panels, it became the world's first stadium that can change color.
6. Feed Your Need for Speed at the BMW Museum
Munich is also an excellent place to take an interactive look at one of the world's biggest car manufacturers, BMW.
The BMW Museum is located to the north of the city and offers a rich walkthrough of the company's heritage with a diverse display of classic cars and futuristic concept vehicles alike.
Whether you're a certified petrol head, or simply want a deeper look into one of the world's biggest automotive firms, the BMW Museum has plenty to offer all visitors.
7. Embrace the Baroque Beauty of Nymphenburg Palace
Finally, no trip to Munich is complete without a visit to the impressive luxury of Nymphenburg Palace.
Nestled to the west of the city, Nymphenburg Palace is a vestige of baroque architecture that's lavishly decorated and surrounded by expansive parkland.
The beautiful interior of the palace is worth a visit alone, but if you look a little further across the location's symmetrical grounds, it's possible to see a collection of beautiful little castles with canals and bridges making the area perfect for an afternoon stroll.
