DK Travel : Munich

Of the city he lived in for many years, 20th-century writer Thomas Mann said that “Munich glows”. And indeed, the sky is often a brilliant blue dotted with puffy white clouds in “Italy’s northernmost city”, where the relaxed, often Baroque lifestyle gives it a southern flair. Englischer Garten and the Isar meadows are right in the middle of the city; Starnberger See and the mountains are virtually on the doorstep. But Munich is also a city of art and culture with an abundance of historic buildings, museum treasures, and a lively cultural scene. Fine art, leisure, and la dolce vita make this a unique city.

For Munich on the Internet, visit www.muenchen.de With 1.3 million inhabitants, Munich is Germany’s third-largest city.

Hofbräu

Duke Wilhelm V founded his own court brewery in 1589. A new fermenting site was set up on Platzl in 1607 (today Hofbräuhaus).
Hofbräuhaus

Anyone visiting Munich should make the pilgrimage to this venerable beer hall (see Hofbräuhaus & Platzl) – symbolic of all Bavarian pubs and the most famous pub in the world. Locals, too, simply can’t stay away. Brass bands play daily at noon and again after 6pm.
Hofbräuhaus

A Bavarian brass band performs most days in Hofbräuhaus.
Hofbräuhaus & Platzl

Munich’s most famous pub dates from 1896 and was originally the royal court brewery, founded in 1598 by Wilhelm V. There is space for 1,000 patrons on the ground floor, where Hofbräu is, of course, the main beverage served – over 10,000 litres (2,600 gallons) per day. A barrel-vaulted banquet hall occupies the second floor and the complex also features a beautiful small beer garden. Walk through the winding lanes nearby, such as Burgstraße, to enjoy one of Munich’s most historic districts.
Hofbräukeller

Traditional-style pub serving Bavarian cuisine with a beer garden set among chestnut trees (see Hofbräukeller).
Hofbräukeller

The little brother of the Hofbräuhäus, also serving the famous brew. Set, since 1892, in a neo-Renaissance building, with a popular beer garden.
Hofbräukeller

Complimentary babysitting services all day.
Hofgarten

In the 17th century, the Hofgarten was laid out on the north side of the Residenz in the style of Renaissance gardens. It is bounded on two sides by long arcades. Rows of mature linden, chestnut, and maple trees provide welcome shade for boule players in summer. Tango aficionados meet at the Temple of Diana – a polygonal pavilion with a shallow dome – for dances on mild summer evenings.
Hofgarten Schleißheim

Stretching between the Neues Schloss in Schleißheim and Schloss Lustheim, this is one of the few gardens from the Baroque era that has retained most of its original form. Enrico Zuccalli (1642–1724) created the basic layout with canals in 1684. Domenique Girard added parterres and a cascade from 1715 onward, creating the tremendous illusion of depth that characterizes the principal axis. The cascade, located in front of the Neues Schloss, was renovated in 1999.
Hoher Peißenberg

At an elevation of nearly 1,000 m (3,300 ft), the Hohe Peißenberg is not only the geographical centre of Pfaffenwinkel, it also affords one of the most beautiful panoramic vistas in the Alpine foothills – the entire mountain range and the gently rolling hills and sparkling lakes at the foot of the Alps lie before you. Meteorological data have been recorded on the Hohe Peißenberg since 1781 – at first by Augustine choirmasters from nearby Rotten-bach monastery (see Kloster Rottenbuch). Refreshments are available at the Bayerischer Rigi café, which features a large terrace.