Christmas Time in Munich, Germany

Munich Residenz

Once a 14th-century castle for the Wittelsbach monarchs, the Munich Residenz has evolved into a massive palace complex with ten courtyards and 130 rooms, showcasing styles from Renaissance to Neoclassical. This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon strolling through grand halls and taking in the architecture and walls covered in the most opulent of wallpapers​.

Marienplatz

A central square in Munich since the 12th-century, Marienplatz is bustling with locals and tourists for shopping and sightseeing. It's famous for the Marian column and the golden statue of Mary, and hosts a vibrant Christmas market in December​​. This is just outside your front door if you stay at the BEYOND by Giesel hotel.

Hofbräuhaus

An iconic beer hall in Munich, Hofbräuhaus is known for its lively atmosphere, traditional Bavarian fare and a variety of beers like lager, dark beer and Weißbier. This is a must-visit for a classic Munich experience​​.

Munich Breweries:

• Augustiner Helles: A popular Munich lager, known for being easy to drink and enjoyable in a cozy setting​​.

• Spaten Dunkel: A dark beer with a sweet, heavy taste, typically enjoyed with hearty meals in winter​​.

• Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen: A festival beer with a higher alcohol content, specially brewed for occasions like Oktoberfest​​.

• Paulaner Salvator: A strong beer, traditionally brewed for Lent, known for its varied and intense flavors​​.

• Hofbräu Münchner Weisse: A top-fermented wheat beer, often enjoyed as a traditional morning drink in Bavaria​​.

Winter Market in Marienplatz

During December, Marienplatz transforms into a festive winter market. It's a perfect place to experience the holiday spirit in Munich with traditional food, drinks, and unique crafts such as paper lanterns and wooden carvings.

BMW World & Museum

For car enthusiasts, I recommend checking out the BMW World and adjacent museum in northern Munich. The BMW Welt offers a great display of current and past car models, racing cars, and futuristic innovations. The museum provides an engaging journey through the history of BMW.

Bavarian National Museum

This museum offers a dive into the rich history and culture of Bavaria. Far from a typical history museum, it showcases a diverse collection of ivory, porcelain, furniture and other artworks from the past millennium, presented in modern exhibition halls​​.

• Mural Restaurant: This one-star Michelin restaurant is located in the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art and is exactly the type of fine dining I love. Not only do they focus on local ingredients and dishes, the entire dinner feels intimate and approachable. We enjoyed their seven-course menu with wine pairing and never wanted to leave. They truly live up to their philosophy of "Eat local. Drink natural."

• Augustiner Klosterwirt: Looking for something more traditional? I highly recommend this beer hall for breakfast. The classic Bavarian breakfast includes sausages slow cooked in hot water, pretzels and of course, beer! My favorite dish, though? The beef broth and pancake soup.

• The Ratskeller in Munich: A renowned restaurant known for its traditional Bavarian cuisine and historic setting. Located beneath the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) in Marienplatz, the heart of Munich, the Ratskeller offers a unique dining experience in its vaulted, elaborately decorated rooms. The menu features a wide range of classic Bavarian dishes, including various sausages, pretzels, schnitzels, and of course, a great selection of local beers.

• Hofbräuhaus: As mentioned above, this iconic beer hall is a great place to stop in for a beer and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

• Zephyr Bar: A well-known cocktail bar in Munich, Zephyr Bar offers an innovative cocktail menu with a cozy, dimly-lit ambiance, a perfect spot for a late-night drink.

• Takeout: As a bustling city, there are wide varieties of international cuisine. We enjoyed a night in at the hotel with takeout and some cool liquors and wine from the local grocery store. This was a great way to unwind and relax during our time in the city.