Travel Guide > Europe > Germany > Bavaria > Munich
Home of the world-famous Oktoberfest, Munich is the capital city of the German state of Bavaria and Germany's 3rd largest city. But it's not just beer that draws travellers to Munich, although during Oktoberfest it's hard to believe otherwise as thousands of Germans and foreigners alike crowd the city to drown the frothy brew. Beautifully rebuilt after the WWII bombings, Munich is known for its architecture, galleries and museums and as a cultural centre. Munich's proximity to the Alps, Italy, the Czech Republic and Austria, as well as a green countryside just outside the city, make it a popular city to visit and live in.
Munich first appeared in the history books in 1158, but most likely the city existed before then. By 1255 Munich was the ducal residence of Upper Bavaria making it a very important city in the region. The city grew in power during the late medieval period and was even granted a salt monopoly making the residents of Munich very wealthy. In 1506, when Bavaria was reunited, Munich became the capital of all of Bavaria. The city's importance only grew with it becoming the centre for the German counter reformation and renaissance art movement. Munich remained the capital of the kingdom of Bavaria until it collapsed in 1918.
From 1918 to after World War II Munich was a major area for social unrest. There were several communist revolutions, which were put down and eventually the city became a rally point for the Nazi Party. The city was heavily bombed during World War II. After the war the city was completely rebuilt in its traditional way, even preserving the original pre-war street grid system. Today Munich has become a major economic center in Germany and is a wonderful place to visit.
Official city website: http://www.muenchen.de/home/60093/Homepage.html.
The Frauenkirche Cathedral is the largest church in Munich. This large Catholic church, with the New Town Hall, dominate the city center. Built in only 20 years, from 1468 to 1488, this late gothic cathedral is stunning, although it does not have rich gothic ornaments. The two domes on top of the towers were built during the Renaissance giving the building a unique look. The Frauenkirche can hold up to 20,000 people and has three naves that are 31 m in height. There are many great pieces of artwork and the stained-glass windows are stunning, some of them predating the current church. The Frauenkirche is located at Frauenplatz 1.
The Oktoberfest is held annualy, actually starting already in September! Although more cities have Oktoberfeste, this one is the best known and in fact is the largest fair in the world, with 6 million visitors a year. Finding a place to stay during these days can be very hard, and if you want to stay in Munich itself booking ahead (far ahead) is requiered. The festival takes place at the Theresienwiese since 1810, when it was held as a celibration for the marriage between Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen Over the years there have been 24 cancellations of the fest for many reasons in this period, including wars and diseases. Since 1950 the Oktoberfest as we know it today emerged. Most of the breweries set up an own tent at the festival. Over the last few year the one from the Hofbrauhaus has been the biggest, with a capacity of almost 10.000 for this tent alone. Besides drinking beer, there is (in good German tradition) enough to eat, and enough to do. A fairground is erected at the grounds to entertain the young and the old. The beer is poured in 1 litre mugs. The mugs carry the logo of the brewery who's beer you are drinking. If you like your mug so much that you want to take it home, be warned that stealing a mug can cost you a fine of 50 euros. It's better to buy one, and keep the receipt for the occasion that the police wants to see the receipt.
Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß (Franz Josef Strauss International Airport) (MUC) is the second busiest airport in Germany and is only 28 km from the city. This airport is a major hub for Lufthansa making it easy to connect to any major city in the world. It is possible to reach the airport by the Munich suburban railways line of S1 and S8, takes 45 minutes and costing €8.80. It is also possible to take the Lufthansa City Airport Bus to get to and from the airport and takes 40 minutes and costs €10 for a one way ticket or €16 roundtrip ticket.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is the national railway company of Germany and offers train to and from Munich.
Eurolines connects to several German cities, including Munich. The stop is at München-Fröttmaning, Near the Allianz Arena (the footballstadium of Bayern München and 1860 München). from there you can get to the city by underground, the U-bahn station Fröttmaning is not far away. Reservations can be made at Deutsche Touring, Hirtenstrasse 14 (tel: 089-88989513), which is near the Central train staion. You can also make reservations by internet.
As in all big cities, getting around is not easy if you are not familiar.
Munich has a large network of underground lines (U-Bahn), S-bahn, city busses and trams, making public transport one of the better options to get around in Munich.
Having over 6,000 licensed establishments there is plenty of nightlife to explore. For the student and artist crowd go check out the Schwabing area. For discos and pubs go check out the former industrial areas of Kultfabrik and Optimolwerke.
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Creatif Hotel Elephant | Laemmerstrasse 6 | Hotel | 81 |
| 4 You Munchen | Hirtenstraße 18 80335 | Hostel | 83 |
| A&O City Hackerbruecke | Arnulfstr. 102 | Hostel | 68 |
| A&O City Hauptbahnhof Muenchen | Bayerstr. 75 | Hostel | 83 |
| A1 Hostel München | Untersbergstraße 72 | Hostel | 38 |
| Ambient Hotel Colina | MarieLuise Fleißer Bogen 14 | Hotel | 62 |
| Arthotel Munich | Paul-Heyse-Str. 10 | Hotel | 90 |
| Atlas City Hotel | Paul-Heyse-strasse 18 | Hotel | 81 |
| Bed and Breakfast Zeevat in Munich | Feldbergstrasse, nr. 2 | Guesthouse | 97 |
| Brunnenhof*** City Center Hotel Munich | Schillerstr. 36 | Hotel | 87 |
| CVJM/YMCA Muenchen | Landwehrstraße 13 80336 München | Hostel | 83 |
| D'Alex Apartments | Prinzregentenstr. 93 | Apartment | 90 |
| East Munich Apartment | Truderinger Str.308 H.d.M | Apartment | 67 |
| East Park Apartment Munich | St.-Veit-Str 26 | Apartment | - |
| East Park B&B | Hayon Heinrich-Wieland-Str 75 | Guesthouse | 56 |
| Easy Palace | Mozartstr. 4 80336 | Hostel | 79 |
| Easy Palace Station Hotel | Schützenstrasse 7 80335 | Hotel | 79 |
| Econtel | Bodenseestrasse 227 | Hotel | 57 |
| Euro Youth Hotel | Senefelder Str.5 | Hostel | 89 |
| Hangover Hospital | Bloomberg am Lain 59 | Hostel | 52 |
| Haus International | Elisabethstrasse 87 D-80797 | Hostel | 77 |
| Hotel Am Nockherberg | Nockherstr. 38 81541 München | Hotel | 81 |
| Hotel Deutsches Theater Downtown Munich | Schwanthalerstrasse 15 80339 Munich | Hotel | 83 |
| Hotel Flora | Karlstr. 49 München | Hotel | 66 |
| Hotel Italia | Schillerstr. 19 80336 | Hotel | 77 |
| Hotel Kurpfalz | Schwanthalerstrasse 121 80339 Munich | Hotel | 78 |
| Hotel Monaco | Schillerstrasse 9 80336 Munich | Hotel | 81 |
| Hotel Montree | Dachauer Str. 91 80335 München | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Nymphenburg Munich | Nymphenburger Str. 141 | Hotel | 85 |
| Hotel Orly | Gabrielenstr.6 80636 München | Hotel | 63 |
| Hotel Tessin | Landsberger Str. 291 Munich - Laim | Hotel | 83 |
| Jaeger's Hostel | Senefelderstr. 3 80336 München | Hostel | 78 |
| MEININGER City Hostel & Hotel Munich | Landsberger Strasse 20 | Hostel | 79 |
| Pension Locarno | Bahnhofsplatz 5 | Guesthouse | 81 |
| Pension Lugano | Schillerstr. 32 80336 München | Guesthouse | 63 |
| The Tent Munich | In den Kirschen 30 | Hostel | 83 |
| Wombats City Hostel | Senefelderstrasse 1 80336 Munich | Hostel | 91 |
This is version 19. Last edited at 0:37 on Sep 15, 09 by Herr Bert (+62). 83 articles link to this page.

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