Founded by Duke Henry the ion in 1158, the city had become, within a century, the seat of the Wittelsbach dynasty, who ruled the duchy, electorate and kingdom of Bavaria until the end of World War I.

Their influence is evident in the concentration of grand Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and neo-classical architecture adorning Munich’s streets. Perhaps most importantly, the Wittelsbach’s patronage of the arts and extensive art collections provided the basis for Munich’s world-class museums and galleries.

The city acquired the name München (‘home of the monks’) from its first monastery, founded in the eighth century. Monasteries have since played an important role in the history of the city, not least by starting the beer brewing traditions for which the city has received worldwide renown.

Following recent mergers, the city’s six breweries have been reduced to four – Augustiner, Hofbräuhaus, Paulaner (who now own Hacker-Pschorr) and the merged Spaten-Löwenbräu. Drinking a foaming Mass of beer in one of the city’s beer halls or gardens is an essential part of the Munich experience.

With warm summers accommodating lovely garden restaurants and open-air stages and snowy winters with romantic Christmas markets, Munich is a place to visit all year round.

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

city tour
Marienplatz, where the main pedestrianised streets converge, is the undisputed centre of the city. Weinstrasse, which becomes Theatinerstrasse, runs north from Marienplatz to Odeonsplatz, while Kaufinger Strasse/NeuhauserstrasseStrasse, which becomes Neuhauserstrasse, runs west to Karlsplatz – known locally as Stachus. Many of the city’s main attractions are in the immediate vicinity, so sightseeing can easily be done on foot or by hopping on and off trams. Worth seeing are the 16th-century Michaelskirche, with its imposing barrel-vaulted interior, and the Asamkirche, considered a masterpiece of south German Rococo architecture. The oldest part of the city is the area to the east of Marienplatz, including the Alter Hof – the original royal residence – and the world-famous Hofbräuhaus. The Residenz complex lies to the north.

The wide boulevard and grand palatial architecture of Ludwigstrasse and Leopoldstrasse stretches north of Odeonsplatz to the Siegestor. These grand building schemes were commissioned by Ludwig I, as were those around Königsplatz, in the part of the city known as Maxvorstadt – home to some of the city’s most important museums and galleries. From the Siegestor, Leopoldstrasse forms the central artery of the popular district of Schwabing. The former artists’ quarter is now considered the most fashionable part of the city, with numerous cafés, bars, restaurants and nightlife venues. To the east of Leopoldstrasse, side roads lead off to the Englischer Garten, a quiet retreat from the busy city.

münchener residenz (munich residence)
The Munich Residence embodies over 600 years of Bavarian history. Successive members of the Wittelsbach dynasty expanded the original 14th-century castle to create a complex of palaces around seven courtyards. The elaborate rooms contain antiques, sculptures, paintings and tapestries amassed by the Wittelsbachs between the 16th and 19th centuries – some rooms can only be visited during the morning or afternoon. Other royal treasures are on show in the Schatzkammer (Treasury). The entire Residenz complex, including the Rococo Cuvilliés-Theater, was rebuilt and restored after being reduced to rubble during World War II.

the three pinakotheks
The Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinakothek), constructed in the 19th century, for King Ludwig I, is home to one of the world’s oldest and most important collections of paintings by European Old Masters, including Dürer, Raphael, Rembrandt and Rubens. The Neue Pinakothek (New Pinakothek), located in a modern building opposite, was conceived by Ludwig I, as a showcase for contemporary art. The museum houses European painting and sculpture from the second half of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. German painting of the 19th century forms the core of the collection. The entrance price includes an audio-guide, which is available in English.

The Pinakothek der Moderne (Pinakothek of Modern Art) This is a collection of contemporary art, architecture and design, taken from disparate collections throughout the city to complement the works housed in the first two galleries. The striking new building opens in September 2002 (website: www.museum-der-moderne.de). The Glyptothek (ancient Greek art) and the Antikensammlung (antiquities) are located nearby, at Königsplatz.

deutsches museum von meisterwerken der naturwissenschaft und technik (german museum of masterpieces of natural sciences and technology)
The vast Deutsches Museum presents a dauntingly comprehensive survey of science and technology, from prehistoric tools to space-age inventions. Permanent interactive exhibitions are organised around various themes, including Aerospace, Computers, Mining, Technical Toys and Telecommunications. Next door, the Forum der Technik (Technology Forum) houses a planetarium and an IMAX theatre. Flugwerft Schleissheim (Schleissheim Aerodrome), located at Germany’s oldest aerodrome, is a branch of the museum, which focuses on aviation history.

olympia park
The Olympia Park complex was laid out in 1972, for the 20th Olympic Games and covers an area of 270 hectares (667 acres). At its heart is the giant tent-like structure of the Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium), which hosts national and international sporting events and concerts. A number of tours are available upon reservation. The Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower) soars 290m (950ft) above the park, offering magnificent views from its revolving restaurant and observation terrace.

englischer garten (english garden)
The English Garden is the largest urban park in Germany, is a quiet oasis in the heart of busy Munich. Attractions include the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower), with its great beer garden, the Japanisches Teehaus (Japanese Teahouse) and the Monopteros, a Greek-style temple. The Kleinhesselhoher See – a lake in the centre of the park – and the Amphitheater offer lots of activities in the summer months. The Haus der Kunst, home of the State Gallery of Modern Art (tel: (089) 2112 7137),which hosts excellent temporary art exhibitions, and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum; tel: (089) 211 2401)Museum) are located on Prinzregentenstrasse on the southern edge of the park.

bmw building
To place the famous car company, BMW, in an over-dimensional four-cylinder-engine was the original idea of Viennese architect K Schwanzer. The world's biggest ‘V4’, in the shape of a four-leaf clover, was erected in 1973, to accommodate modern offices. The unusual building consists of the four silver towers, flat factory halls below and a giant ‘egg cup’ at the end of the halls, which houses the BMW museum. The exhibition displays classic old-timers as well as the latest, technically up-to-date models of the prestigious German car producer. The highlight of the museum is the spectacular cinema-scope show at the end of the tour.

Schloss Nymphenburg (Nymphenburg Palace)
Located on the western edge of the city, the Nymphenburg Palace was built as the summer residence of the Wittelsbach family. Its stunning symmetrical layout and the beautiful surrounding parkland was created in the 18th and 19th centuries. Highlights within the main palace include the late-Rococo Steinerner Saal (Hall of Stone) and the ‘Gallery of Beauties’ – a collection of portraits of beautiful women commissioned by Ludwig I. The extensive grounds conceal four miniature palaces within their landscaped confines, one of which, the Amalienburg (EUR1.50), is considered the most attractive Rococo palace in Germany. The Nymphenburg complex also includes the Marstallmuseum (EUR2.50), which houses royal coaches and riding equipment, as well as the Bäuml Collection of Nymphenburg porcelain, with exhibits from 1747 until the 1920s.