Munich, the capital of Bavaria and the third largest city in Germany, lies on the River Isar on the fringes of the Bavarian Alps. It began as a monastery, growing into a settlement when the Duke of Bavaria allowed the monks to establish a market at the crossing of the route from Salzburg and the river. You can still follow the lines of Munich’s medieval walls in a ring of curving streets and see three of its impressive old city gates. The focal point of Munich’s historic inner city is the large, open square, the Marienplatz, where visitors and locals pause to watch the animated clock play out its legend two or three times daily.

Munich is a fun-loving city, known for its seasonal festivals and rich cultural calendar, so along with visiting the beautiful churches and outstanding museums and palaces, you should spend some time enjoying life with the locals at a festival, a colorful market, or over a slice of one of Munich’s famous cakes in a konditorei. Munich residents also enjoy their many public parks and gardens, in particular the lovely 900-acre English Garden (Englischer Garten). Given the number of tourist attractions and things to do, you should expect to spend at least a few days exploring Munich.