Munich where the beer pours and the Bavarian woodlands are at arm's reach is a city that exudes culture and history — but stays undervalued with a relatively low-key ambiance for 11 months of the year.

Munich the capital of Bavaria and Germany's third biggest city is located on the banks of the Isar River on the outskirts of the Bavarian Alps. It originated as a monastery and grew into a community when the Duke of Bavaria authorized the monks to set up a market at the junction of the road from Salzburg and the river. Munich is a cultural powerhouse both inside and out so keep an eye out when walking the streets. This is one of Europe's most architecturally beautiful cities resulting from a well-executed restoration plan after World War II's destruction. And if you’re worried about traveling across Munich we can tell you that Billigfluege has made it easy with its car rental services.

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Compared to Munich if Berlin and Munich were sisters Berlin would be the edgier and cooler sister. Munich on the other hand is the most upscale and well-mannered of the two. Whatever classification you choose Munich is unquestionably one of the greatest German cities to visit.

Let’s start with the best things to do in Munich.

1. Escape the City in the English Garden

You'll like how lush and leafy Munich is. There are several options to escape the city streets and reconnect with nature without ever leaving the city core! If you only have time for one park during your vacation to Munich make it to the English Garden.

The English Garden Munich's most popular public park runs along the Isar for kilometers from the Munich Residence gate. Walking around the gardens you'll see that this is one of the world's biggest urban parks. A Bavarian King-serving British scientist and soldier developed the English Gardens in the late 18th century. Summer picnics fall hikes and winter strolls are popular in the gardens.

There's also a lot going on at the English Garden. The park's artificial rivers are used for urban surfing outdoor shows are held in the amphitheater and the beer garden is always crowded with residents and visitors alike. The English Garden is a must-see Munich destination no matter what time of year you come.

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2. Explore Victuals Market

Victuals Market (Viktualienmarkt) Munich's oldest farmers market was founded in 1807 as an extension of the Marienplatz grain market. The market contains around 140 booths and farm stands and is located in a pedestrian-only zone. Its joyous communal environment draws both residents and visitors gourmands and elite chefs.

Some excursions may include stops at Norumberg Dachau and other concentration camps. Goulash soup Krustis sandwiches and sausage with sauerkraut are the most popular foods. Sitting at a table with a tablecloth indicates that a waiter will come to you while no tablecloth indicates that it is a self-service area where you may purchase from the stands or bring your own food. Every month a new one of Munich's major breweries are featured on tap making it the most diversified of the city's 180 beer gardens. During May Day in medieval times market goods would be hung from the top of the Maypole's halo wreath. You have to keep the rewards waiting for you if you can climb to the summit barefoot. Viktualienmarkt also holds a Christmas Market with a lit-up Maypole during the holiday season.

3. Admire the Beauty of Nymphenburg Palace

One of the finest things to do in Munich if you want to learn more about Bavaria's royal dynasty is to visit the Nymphenburg Palace. On the western fringe of Munich this large magnificent royal structure was built to be a summer home for the House of Wittelsbach and a grandiose display of power and riches. Work on one of Europe's biggest royal residences started in the mid-17th century. The palace is baroque but succeeding Bavarian rulers added their own touches to the gardens and structures.

While Nymphenburg is the main palace to see there are other lesser buildings on the grounds that you may also visit. The Brandenburg House was the royal family's bathing pavilion while the Amalienburg Palace was the Emperor's wife's pleasure palace. The beautiful gardens may take hours to stroll through and there are statues fountains vast lakes pagodas and unending symmetry that has been meticulously cultivated for ages. Nymphenburg Palace is very magnificent.

4. Check out Marienplatz

The Marienplatz located in the center of Altstadt (Old Town) has served as Munich's major square for almost 900 years and is now continuously bustling with inhabitants tourists walking tours and entertainment.

Marienplatz in front of the Neues Rathaus is often bustling with residents and visitors out shopping touring or just watching the world go by. The plaza which has been in the heart of the city since the 12th century is named for a Marian column that was built here in the 17th century. The monument which dates from 1638 commemorates the retreat of Swedish forces from Munich during the Thirty Years' War.

The golden statue at the top is older created in 1590 and depicts Mary as the Queen of Heaven on a crescent moon. This was the first Marian column north of the Alps and it inspired a slew of similar structures throughout Bavaria and Central Europe. Come during the Christmas season when the market is in full swing.

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5. Deutsches Museum

Munich gets 129 days of rain every year so planning things to do in Munich while it rains is always a smart idea. The Deutsches Museum is one of Munich's greatest rainy-day attractions. This is the world's biggest science and technology museum with 28000 exhibits covering more than 50 categories of science and technology.

See exhibitions on chemistry physics astronomy and aerospace travel as well as learn about the history of practically everything from transportation to computers to agriculture and food technologies. The museum is so huge that you could easily spend a whole day there and not see everything.

The Deutsches Museum like the Alte Pinakothek could easily keep you busy for a full day. The Museumsinsel is an island in the Isar that charts the evolution of science and technology in Germany. Every field contains displays that are well-presented and totally interactive enticing children to touch buttons crank wheels and pull levers. While younger brains are provided with a delightful kids' zone the museum never shies away from the intricate intricacies.

6. Admire St. Peter's Church

A vacation to Munich would not be complete without a visit to one of the city's magnificent cathedrals. St Peter's Church the city's oldest church is the most recognizable.

It was initially constructed around 1100 but when a fire in 1347 destroyed huge portions of the structure it was reconstructed in the Gothic form you see today. It has been enlarged and expanded throughout the years both in terms of building and inside artwork. The church has 15th-century gothic paintings by notable artists such as Jan Polack and Johann Baptist Zimmermann as well as a sculpture of St Peter by Erasmus Grasser. Jan Polack's 15th-century Gothic paintings hang underneath Johann Baptist Zimmermann's stunning Late Baroque ceiling fresco. Enter for a closer look at the high altar which has a sculpted sculpture of St Peter by Erasmus Grasser around the start of the 16th century. St. Peter's Church on Petersbergl is worth climbing the tower's 299 steps to see Munich's monuments with a telescope.

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7. Enjoy Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest needs no introduction. The world's biggest beer-drinking folk festival is held annually at Munich's Theresienwiese fairgrounds. The well-known festival starts in September and lasts for two or three weeks ending on the first Sunday in October. During the event steins of Bavarian beer may be consumed in the large beer tents put up throughout the fairground.

The beer tents are comparable to Munich's classic beer halls but of far greater size than you'll find in the city. Oompah Bands perform from early morning until late at night and you must arrive early to reserve a table in the tents. By 1818 the celebration had included beer and food which began as small booths but expanded in size over time to become massive beer halls. Today more than 6000 brewers from all around Bavaria have put up temporary buildings as part of the event. Some beer halls can hold up to 6000 people. There will also be parades with wagons and floats funfairs live entertainment and a lot of dancing. It is customary to wear a dirndl or lederhosen.

8. Surf the Eisbachwelle River

Surfing is one of the most distinctive and daring activities to do in Munich. Yes you read it correctly. The Eisbachwelle River is a man-made river that runs through Munich's city center for 2 kilometers. It runs past the Englischer Garten before joining the Isar River. A man-made wave has been generated in one region. It is the world's biggest city-center river wave and has been a popular surfing site for over 40 years.

You can get to the wave through Englischer Garten which is the ideal outdoor spot for a picnic with fresh vegetables from Viktualienmarkt. The wave is fairly strong so it's not suggested for new surfers but it's entertaining to see even if you don't surf. The Eisbachwelle located on the outskirts of the city's English Garden is a year-round river surfing destination. As the creek flows into the park water bursts out from under a roadway creating a constant wave.

9. Learn History at Bavarian National Museum

The Bavarian National Museum is regarded as one of Germany's most prominent museums. The historical art collection and the folklore collection are its two main collections.

It was created in 1855 by King Maximilian II of Bavaria as a storage facility for his extensive collection of European antiques some of which date back to medieval times. The museum is divided across three stories and includes about 40 display rooms.

The museum is well-recognized for its pre-19th-century carved ivory fabrics glass paintings and tapestries. It also features a sculpture chamber with works by some of art history's finest figures like Erasmus Grasser Hans Leinberger Adam Krafft and Ludwig Schwanthaler to mention a few. It also has samples of classic Bavarian furniture ceramics and religious folklore relics as well as Bavarian wood carvings. Nativity scenes are some of the most complex wood carvings.

10. Zip Line over Munich’s Olympiapark

The Olympiapark was built in 1972 for the Summer Olympic Games. Rather than letting the facility deteriorate after the festivities the city transformed it into one of Munich's greatest public areas.

You may take a guided tour of the Olympic Stadium visit the top of the Olympic Tower and even zip line across the park throughout the year in addition to festivals music concerts and events held throughout the year. During major tournaments you can also watch soccer games on giant screens do roof climbing and rappelling at the stadium or sweat it out for a few hours in the Olympia sauna. Olympiapark has so much to offer that you may come again and again to try something new!

Final Thoughts

Artsy and adrenaline-pumping meditative and crazy historical and completely cutting-edge... this wonderful German city has it all!

On free walking tours you'll discover everything from the winding alleyways of Old Town to the lush fields of the city's urban farms! Germany's cities are among the most vibrant and intriguing in Europe and there is much to see and do even after you leave Munich. And when you experience some of the incredible things to do in Munich you'll fall in love with the city and its people. You'll quickly realize there's much more to this city than beers in October!

Use Billigfluege to rent a car in Munich in order to maximize your trip. So why delay? Start exploring this fascinating city immediately to discover everything it has to offer.