Above all the places I have been to in Europe, no other city has imprinted itself in my heart as deeply as the beautiful Bavarian capital city of Munich in Germany.
When I visited Europe for the first time to attend my friends’ wedding in Salzburg, Austria, I entered a new continent through Munich.
I also always considered Munich my home in Germany, as I once lived and worked there, and I still have close friends whom I regard as an extension of my family despite the distance and the fact that I live in France.
Munich is also the most frequent city that I travelled to in Germany. And why not? It’s among, if not the prettiest, cities in Germany, rich in beautiful sights, iconic buildings, and full of culture. Even more so, its proximity to the Alpine region means it is a natural magnet for people who love mountains like me, which offers plenty of activities and breathtaking views.
Munich: More than Oktoberfest
Many international visitors often visit Munich because of Oktoberfest, the world’s biggest and most popular beer festival, which runs for at least 2 weeks in September until the first week of October.
Though admittedly I am not a huge beer drinker, I have been fortunate to experience Oktoberfest many times because of my Bavarian friends. In fact, I had my first taste of Oktoberfest during my first visit to Europe.
I was truly fascinated to see Germans wearing fancy traditional Bavarian costumes parading with elegantly decorated horses from the city to the Oktoberfest grounds. The Oktoberfest grounds, the Theresienwiese, are the happening place during Oktoberfest, where you will find all the huge beer tents set up alongside many exhilarating rides, as well as the famous Lady Bavaria statue and St. Paul’s Church.
If you love drinking beers or are just plain curious about Oktoberfest, I think you should not miss the opportunity to experience it and the fun of visiting Munich.
However, Munich—or Bavaria, in general—is a lot more than just Oktoberfest. The region is also extremely stunning during Christmas with its fabulous traditional German Christmas markets.
There is certainly something to do and see for everyone, and if you are the type of person who loves spending time outdoors and visiting the Alps, you are definitely in for a treat in Munich!
Life in Munich
Based on my own experience, Munich offers a great life for young professionals and those with families. Of course, this depends on many variables. Although it is an expensive, I had higher quality of life when I lived there compared to what I had in Asia.
When I worked in Munich, I lived in a Bavarian town called Worthsee in the district of Starnberg, which is the location of Bavaria’s most beautiful lakes.
Starnberg district is located just on the southwestern outskirts of Munich, highly accessible by public buses and S-Bahn trains from the city centre. During the summer, droves of people from Munich come to this wonderful place to enjoy the beautiful sights.
My favourite is the picturesque lake in Worthsee: I ran around this lake a few times and it was a total joy to do. I also went boating with my friends on this lake and relished the delicious local cuisine at the restaurants that surround it.
I also liked the Ammersee Lake in Herrsching, although it looks a bit touristy. There, you can do boat tours to see the villages that surround this lake. The village of Herrsching is one of the termini of Munich’s S8 S-Bahn train line (the other being Munich Airport).
Munich is one of the most expensive cities in Germany. Many expats who work in Munich often complain about the cost of living and, particularly, how difficult it is to find an apartment.
Doorway to Stunning Places in Austria
As Munich is located near the southeastern border of Germany, you can easily visit many breathtaking places in Austria.
Whenever I am in Munich, I always try to find a way to visit the lovely Austrian town of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.
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