Getting Oriented

Getting Oriented

In the relaxed and sunnier southern part of Germany, Munich (München) is the proud capital of the state of Bavaria. Even Germans come here to vacation, mixing the city's pleasures with the nearby natural surroundings—on clear days it's even possible to see the Alps from downtown. The city bills itself "Die Weltstadt mit Herz" ("the cosmopolitan city with heart"), but in rare bouts of self-deprecatory humor, friendly Bavarians will remind you that it isn't much more than a country town with a million people. It's the overall feeling of Gemütlichkeit—loosely translated as conviviality—that makes the place so special, with open-air markets, numerous parks, the lovely Isar River, and loads of beer halls.

The City Center. The Marienplatz, Rathaus, and shopping streets radiating in all directions form a hub for both locals and tourists. Here you'll find the soaring towers of the Frauenkirche, Munich's landmark church. East of the Marienplatz, down towards the Isar River, is the maze of Old Town's smaller streets.

Royal Munich. Münchner, the inhabitants of Munich, will always be sure to inform you that the Residenz, or royal palace, is larger than Buckingham Palace in London. Bordering the Residenz to the north is the Hofgarten, or Palace Garden. Continue a bit farther northeast and you come to the Englischer Garten, where you can walk or ride a bicycle (or even a horse) for miles.

Schwabing & Maxvorstadt. One side of Maxvorstadt is made up of Ludwigstrasse, a wide avenue flanked by impressive buildings such as those of the university, running from the Feldherrnhalle and Odeonsplatz to the Victory Arch. A block farther west are Maxvorstadt's smaller streets, lined with shops and restaurants frequented by students. The big museums lie another two blocks west. Schwabing starts north of the Victory Arch, where Ludwigstrasse becomes Leopoldstrasse, which although not as wide and impressive, is lined with trees and restaurants.