It took me three visits to get all the insider’s secrets on special activities to do in and around Munich. Now I share them all with you for inspiration:

Neuschwanstein Castle

Perhaps the most obvious and touristic, yet also the most impressive, is the magical castle of Neuschwanstein.

One hour and a half away by car from Munich, this scenic drive is definitely worth it. During summer you can walk through the bridge for spectacular views, and in winter you can take in the breathtaking views of this fairytale Castle, nestled on a hill between the snow topped mountains and tall trees. Once you’re here you’ll understand why Disney got inspiration here for it’s fairy tale world.

The walk up to the castle takes a little while. Once you arrive at the gate, a tour through the magnificent retreat of King Ludwig II commences. The interior of the castle portrays many scenes from Wagner’s operas. The decoration through out the different rooms depict swans everywhere – arguably King Ludwig’s favorite animal.

Although it was built as a Castle, the main function of this architectural masterpiece was to be a beautiful palace for the King to enjoy when he wanted to get away from Munich. If you visit in winter (like I did) I’d strongly advise to bring a coat, since the inside of the castle is very, very cold.

Although you won’t feel like you’ve gone off Munich’s beaten track while you’re here, this visit will surely be something special and unique in your life. After visiting Neuschwanstein you can do a tour of the Romantische Strassen (Romantic Roads) to take in more delightful views.

Starnberg Lake

Half an hour away from Munich you can find Stranberg Lake. A light blue lake with snowed Alps as a back drop is the perfect spot for locals to relax. The beautiful swans gracefully floating around will make you wonder if King Ludwig got his inspiration for Neuschwanstein’s swan theme here.

There are many restaurants along the shore of the lake, but if you’re looking for more of an authentic Bavarian food experience nearby, you can drive to the biergartens in Maising and have a typical huge beer and German food by the lake.

(If a massive 1liter beer is a little intimidating for you, I recommend trying “Russn”- a mix of white (wheat) beer with lemonade. Super refreshing on a hot day!)

Medieval Christmas Market

Everyone knows that a must-see in Germany are the traditional Christmas markets. Munich has a wonderful market on the main square where you can buy traditional crafts, drink some glühwein and eat some local delicacies.

However, if you’re looking for something with a different twist you should visit the Wittelsbacher Platz. On this square you will find a medieval themed Christmas market with people wearing costumes and drinking glühwein out of goblets.

Personally, I like the traditional markets even better but it’s always fun to look around in this funky market.

Nymphenburger Schloss

Back to the Swans- the lake of the Nymphenburger Castle is always a fun place to stop by. Here you can admire the beautiful swans from nearby and take pictures with them with the castle in the background. Perfect activity for a relaxed sunny day!

Of course you can also visit the castle’s museum if you have more time. When King Ludwig II of Bavaria was not relaxing in Neuschwanstein, he was residing in this wonderful palace. (The swans here are not a coincidence).

Traditional Bavarian food at Munich’s oldest restaurant- Zum Alten Wirt

The word traditional takes a full new meaning here! This unsuspicious little restaurant dates back to 1417, making it the oldest restaurant in Munich.

Located on the Western side of the city next to a pretty church, this is a perfect spot to try typical Bavarian dishes. The menu features a lot of different options and at least all the ones I tried were delicious (I recommend Schweinshaxn). It is a good idea to follow the example of the locals and accompany your meal with a massive beer!

Buy a Dirndl or Lederhosen

Perhaps some of the most iconic elements in German folklore are the traditional Dirndl dress, and the leather shorts, or Lederhosen, for men. Unlike other places where traditional outfits are a thing of the past, both young and old Bavarians proudly wear their traditional clothes whenever they get a chance. Be it at the Biergarten, Oktoberfest, weddings or other special occasions, you can see them strolling around in these typical outfits.

If you are like me and like to have dresses/clothes from the different countries that you visit, you’ll definitely find it fun to go shopping for a drindl/Lederhosen in Munich.

These specially crafted clothes range from 200 up to 500+ Euros and come in several different styles. Some good shops to look at are Angermaier, Oberpollinger and if you want a top-quality designer Dirndl you can also have a look at Gossl.

Biergarten @ Englischer Garten

Discover the tradition of spending your afternoon in a Biergarten. Obviously you drink beer when you’re there, but it’s a lot more than that!

My favorite Biergartens are the ones located inside the English Garden- a beautiful park in the middle of Munich. Here you can bike around or go for a nice stroll in spring and summer.

For a more intimate location head over to the more secluded Biergarten am Kleinhesseloher See. This is a smaller Biergarten on the shore of one of the park’s lakes. Choose your type of beer (warning: the small is actually massive) and a typical dish from the many options. You will also find pretzels, sausages, and potato salad.

After making your choice of food and drinks, you take your food to one of the sunny tables and enjoy this picnic style meal (but on a table).

Another nice Biergarten is the one next to the Chinese Tower, also inside the park. This one is a lot bigger, but the food and beer options are pretty much the same. There is a traditional Bavarian band playing music from the tower, dressed in traditional clothes including feather hats. If you buy your Dirndl/Lederhosen and wear them at the Biergarten you will blend in among the locals. If you dont have one you don’t have to worry as not everyone is wearing them, but it looks like a nice thing to do!

If you decide to walk through the park don’t be surprised if you see a bunch of people chilling naked on the grass. There’s an area of this park with a strong nudist tradition!

Munich and it’s surrounding area are definitely one of the nicest parts of Germany. Of course, the best way to discover it (just like any other place) is being shown around by locals. If you are not as lucky as me to have an expert by your side, I hope my post will be useful for you!

Germany Uncategorized Bavaria Biergarten Castle Germany Munich Neuschwanstein Swans