Munich

Munich is much more than beer and pretzels. Take a look at its palaces, museums and concert halls - the city is a giant of culture.

The city centre is Marienplatz, marked by the old and new town halls and the medieval church Peterskirche. Along Neuhauser Straße are the unusual historic churches Bürgersaalkirche and St-Michaels-Hofkirche. The twin towers of the nearby Frauenkirche dominate the inner area.

To the north are the Nationaltheater at Max-Joseph-Platz and the various buildings of the princely Residenz, a sprawling palace complex that now houses museums, including an amazing Renaissance hall and the recreated Cuvilliés-Theater. The city's Kunstareal precinct comprises five art museums that include most of the art highlights, though there are several other institutions of art and art history. The vast Englischer Garten is one of Europe’s early public parks.

More palaces can be visited at Schloß Nymphenburg and its royal park west of the city, or the three Oberschleißheim palaces to the north.