Munich or Vienna?
 

I would like to plan a trip to Europe and I'm trying to decide between Vienna and Munich. I would stay approximately 6 or 7 days. I'd really like to stay in one city and take a couple of day trips from the city I choose. I'd like to hear people's opinions of both cities. Would both cities (day trips included) keep me entertained for that long? I'm 27 and would enjoy seeing pretty countryside and good sights/museums...as well as eating good food and drinking good beer. If you have been to either or both please share your thoughts. Thanks!!

Tough call. I like them both. Vienna has a more compact &quot;central&quot; city, where Munich is more spread out. However, I think Munich has a little more going on &quot;after dark&quot; than Vienna does.<BR>That all said, I love Vienna. And you can get to a lot of good places by train in a relatively short trip. You honestly can't go wrong with these two cities not matter which way you choose.

I lived in Vienna for 2 years back in the early 80's, so I am biased! I think a perfect vacation would be 4 or 5 days in Vienna including a day trip on the Danube River to Melk, Durnstein and Krems (Wachau Valley) and then 2 days in Salzburg. That to me would be heaven. Vienna has a new Museum Quarter as well as its Natural History and Fine Arts Museum. If you are going in the warmer months, you could go to some of the wine growing areas around Vienna such as Grinzing and visit a heuriger or go hiking up on Kahlenburg thru the vineyards. There's plenty to do there depending on your interests. I don't think you'll get bored.

Munich would be my choice. More to see &amp; do &amp; the side trips are exceptional (Neuschwanstein, Berchtesgaden, Garmisch, Salzverg etc.).

definitely Munich! I lived there for a year and had a blast. I also visited Vienna and had a nice time but it is definitely more sedate and older felling than Munich. You can do tons in/from Munich to keep you busy for weeks.

I have lived in Vienna since August last year and the 18 mths before that in Munich (hence email address). I live dead centre in Vienna and was the same in Munich, so I do not have a suburban perspective at all. <BR>So pros and cons:<BR>For superior centre for architecture etc, Vienna quite easily. In the past 5 years there has been continual renovation of buildings. It has a circular centre which is full of old alley ways etc - much more interesting than Munich's which is a bit more grid like. (Just outside the centre, Vienna can be a bit grimy, old buildings that have not had a paint job for 100 years and stores reminiscent of the 50s- German friends describe this aspect of vienna as going into the Balkans.) As a former capital of an Empire it is grander as well, although Munich has its palaces and grand boulevard, Vienna is still more impressive. Munich also got bombed more in the war.<BR>For museums and galleries - Munich wins by having the Deutsche Museum - one of the top 3 in the world for science museums. For galleries and other museums - very close - both good.<BR>Eating out - for concentration of attractive restaurants in centre, I think Vienna is definitely better. Munich better value perhaps (especially Italian, but lots a bit similar 70s feeling) and unfortunately, Vienna has a lot of forgettable restaurants and the worst meals I have had in the past 5 years have definitely been here.<BR>Nightlife - for rave places, Munich's Ostbahnhof has 40-50 places in disused factory. I think it is horribly trashy and I loathe rave music, but if its your cup of tea than Munich definitely superior. For more upmarket stuff, perhaps Vienna - eg jazz bars etc. Classical music - Vienna definitely superior. <BR>Day trips (maybe your most important criteria if 7 days)- Munich is definitely superior with easy access from one station (one of the world'S great train stations -so many destinations, not 4 or so smaller stations as we have in Vienna) and to the south lots of lakes and places like F&uuml;ssen for neuschwanstein are certainly better for the tourist. Fantastic day ticket prices (were DM35 for up to 5 adults to go anywhere in Bavaria and including Salzburg. Nothing to compare with from Vienna). Vienna has beautiful Wachau valley for countryside and not too far to Salzkammergut area(but Munich about the same distance from there anyway).<BR>Friendliness to tourists - definitely say Vienna is better. Munich used to be good in pre 90s, but service there I think has really gone down hill to the extent I loathed shopping there at the end.<BR>Shopping- Munich is better. Vienna is pretty poor. Both cities compared to Paris or London are in a different league.<BR>For drinking beer, Munich is far superior with all the beer houses (and definitely cheaper than Vienna), as wine heurigen are the thing in Vienna .<BR>All people that I know who have lived in both cities (and they are all Germans)or see alot of both cities (eg Hypovereinsbank employees) prefer Vienna as they feel it is more cosmopolitan. <BR>So depends on how important each item is - over 7 days, you could do both cities and see the countryside in between (75% very nice, especially of you get off motorway).<BR>So hope that summarises everything for you.<BR>

Good morning mm If in September would<BR>take all time in Munich. Other times<BR>split each city and enjoy both and<BR>especially Grinzing, Grinzing and Grinzing, tho there are many good ristorantes within Wien. ANTINORI, RATHAUSKELLER, and many others....<BR>Richard of LaGrange Park, Il.

I pick Munich. There is great shopping, museums and nice restaurants. I think you will find the people of Munich very friendly and welcoming. 6 days is a gooid amount of time to enjoy the city plus take some day trips. Salzburg is just 2 hours by train. You can also visit &quot;that big castle&quot; (what was the name of it?), palaces and Dachau concentration camp.<BR><BR>its a real casual city and a lot of fun!

There are more historical and cultural sights in Vienna. However, if you are young (age 18-29) and want to meet people of your generation from other countries, I would recommend Munich, especially if you visit during the summer. When I was there, Munich seemed to be a congregating point for thousands of backpackers from all over the world.<BR><BR>If you are older and/or the backpacking scene does not interest you, visit Vienna instead.