Litres of beer, lederhosen and laid-back attitudes – Bavaria’s capital of Munich is where you’ll experience an untranslatable sense of serenity known as 'gemütlichkeit'.
Beer is one of the biggest parts of Bavarian culture, and Munich is filled with places to get your hands on a trademark tankard of golden Pilsner. One of the most historical beer halls is Hofbraühaus, which has been serving steins since 1644. If you want to blend in with the locals, order a Mass – one-litre tankard – of Augustiner, crafted by Munich's oldest independent brewery. The beer calendar culminates in the world-famous Oktoberfest, when over six million people raise their tankards and cheers the Bavarian way with a shout of ‘Prost!’ Soak up your beer with some schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle), bratwurst (pork sausage) or fresh pretzels.
Munich is much more than just its beer halls – just take a stroll through its beautiful main square, Marienplatz, to see for yourself. Its famous glockenspiel comes to life throughout the day, playing music on 43 bells and depicting historical events through charming dancing animatronic figures. Just a short walk away from the square is the 15th-century Frauenkirche cathedral, known for its iconic domed towers.
The easiest way to make your way around Munich is with a tageskarte, which gives you unlimited use of public transport for an entire day. For added freedom and fun, you can also hop on one of the many public e-scooters sprinkled around the city.