a good time in munich

A few months ago, I spent a glorious three weeks with some pals in Europe (I know, I know, I was THAT person on Instagram this past winter). Our first stop was gorgeous Munich, Germany’s third largest city. This was my first time in Bavaria’s capital, and I fell. In. Love. Its old-world charm, its green spaces, its markets - and yes, its beer. (Here I was thinking I wasn’t much of a beer person - turns out I am very much a Bavarian beer person.) Scroll on for a few highlights from a very, very good time in fair München.

Y’all, my travelling buddies and I cracked the code on how to land after one thousand hours of travel and not only survive - but thrive. We had maybe an hour to settle in at our hotel before our first booked activity began - a beer and food walking tour. Almost immediately, we were handed a bottle of Paulaner and were making our way through the streets of Munich, learning about the city and its history - beer-related and otherwise. Jet lag? I don’t know her! We booked this tour and it included a visit to the Oktoberfest museum, snacks and tastings in one of the city’s oldest bars (like, 14th century kind of old), a stop at Hofbraühaus, and a traditional Bavarian dinner at the charming Hackerhaus. A divine way to start our holiday, and a pleasant surprise to learn that in this country, I am very much a beer gal. Who knew?

Beer, pretzels, meat, potatoes. It’s simple fare but it bloody works.

Like many European cities, Munich is perfectly built for cycling - i.e. small, flat and safe. This bike tour took us right around town, learning about its history - the light and the very, very dark - and how its people have made their way through. We rode through the beautiful and lush Englischer Garten, one of the world’s largest inner city parks, and had lunch in the sunshine at the Chinese Tower, the world’s second largest beer garden (sidenote: the largest beer garden is also in Munich). And of course - a stop at the Eisbach to watch the surfers on the river, something so cool and surreal I still think about it on perhaps a weekly basis.

This surf spot is right in the centre of town and it’s incredible. Surfers are here 24/7, 365 days a year.

I love a market, especially while travelling - they tell you so much about a city. Viktualienmarkt is smack bang in the middle of the Old Town, and it’s got everything you could want from an established European market. The bread! The cheese! The condiments! The knick knacks! And, of course, featuring a lovely, leafy beer garden right in the middle.

Our last night in Munich was perfect - we stocked up on snacks from the market (i.e. pretzels and dips - two things this country does very, very well) and took them over to the Augustiner-Keller beer garden for a German take on Girl Dinner (feat. steins). Sitting amongst the trees, soaking up the last of the Bavarian sunshine, and feeling very proud of our holiday planning thus far.

Munich is an absolute gem. Rich in culture, friendly, inviting, and so, so picturesque. A town that embraces being with friends and family, in beautiful spaces, being outdoors, and enjoying good fare. Who can’t get around that? I’d happily go back any day.

Stay good,

Lisa xx