Where to actually go in Munich

Viktualienmarkt

Market · Altstadt

The open-air food market off Marienplatz, with pretzels, sausages and a beer garden in the middle.

Best for: a cheap lunch and a first beer

Best time: lunch

Hofbräuhaus

Pub · Altstadt

The famous 1589 beer hall: brass band, long shared tables, litre glasses. Touristy and still fun.

Best for: the classic beer-hall night, a group

Best time: evening

Augustiner-Keller

Pub · Maxvorstadt (near Hauptbahnhof)

A huge chestnut-tree beer garden and cellar beer hall serving Augustiner from wooden barrels; more local than the Hofbräuhaus.

Best for: a local beer-garden evening

Best time: evening

Augustiner Bräustuben

Pub · Schwanthalerhöhe (by the brewery)

A beer hall inside the Augustiner brewery with cheap, huge Bavarian plates.

Best for: the best-value beer hall

Best time: dinner

Weisses Bräuhaus

Pub · Altstadt

The Schneider wheat-beer hall, known for traditional Bavarian food.

Best for: wheat beer and Weisswurst

Best time: lunch or dinner

Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel

Sight · Altstadt

The main square with the New Town Hall and its mechanical clock show.

Best for: the centre of Munich, free

Best time: 11 AM, for the Glockenspiel

Englischer Garten and the Eisbach wave

Garden · Schwabing / Lehel

A park bigger than Central Park. Watch surfers ride the river wave at the Eisbach bridge, then walk to the Chinese Tower beer garden.

Best for: a free afternoon, a beer garden

Best time: afternoon

Neuschwanstein Castle day trip

Activity · Füssen / Hohenschwangau (outside Munich)

The fairy-tale castle in the Alps, by regional train to Füssen and a local bus.

Best for: the classic Bavarian day out

Booking: Book the castle tour ahead; a Bayern Ticket covers the train and bus for up to five people.

Best time: full day, leave early

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

Museum · Dachau (outside Munich)

The memorial site of the first Nazi concentration camp, reached by S-Bahn and bus. Free and sobering.

Best for: understanding history

Best time: morning

Olympiapark

Activity · Milbertshofen

The 1972 Olympic park: walk the hill or climb the stadium roof on a tour.

Best for: an afternoon outside the centre

Best time: afternoon

BMW Welt

Museum · by Olympiapark

BMW's free showroom of cars and motorbikes; the museum next door is paid.

Best for: cars, free

Best time: any time

Deutsches Museum

Museum · Museumsinsel

One of the world's biggest science and technology museums.

Best for: a rainy day

Best time: morning

Sendlinger Tor and Glockenbachviertel bars

Area · Glockenbachviertel

Munich's liveliest bar district, south of the old town: cocktail bars and small clubs.

Best for: a bar night beyond the beer halls

Best time: from about 10 PM

Blitz

Club · Museumsinsel

Munich's leading techno and house club, with a no-phones dance floor.

Best for: a serious club night

Best time: after midnight

P1

Club · Haus der Kunst

The city's glamorous society club with a selective door.

Best for: a dressy night

Best time: after midnight

Heads up: Dress up; the door is selective.

Milchbar

Club · Sendlinger Tor

A student favourite with decade-themed party nights.

Best for: a cheap student club night

Best time: late

Substanz

Bar · Isarvorstadt

A student bar known for poetry slams and themed nights.

Best for: a student night

Best time: evening

Café Kosmos

Bar · near Hauptbahnhof

A cheap, student-filled bar near the main station.

Best for: a cheap drink

Best time: evening

Olydisco

Club · Olympic Village

A long-running student disco in the Olympic Village.

Best for: a student party

Best time: late

Schumann's Bar

Cocktail bar · Hofgarten

A legendary cocktail bar run by a famous bartender.

Best for: a classic cocktail

Best time: evening

Königlicher Hirschgarten

Pub · Nymphenburg

One of the world's largest beer gardens, with deer in an enclosure.

Best for: a huge beer garden

Best time: afternoon (seasonal)

Chinesischer Turm beer garden

Pub · Englischer Garten

The beer garden around the wooden pagoda in the park.

Best for: beer and pretzels in the park

Best time: afternoon (seasonal)