Munich, Metropolitan area in Bavaria, Germany
Munich sits on both banks of the Isar River and spreads across 25 districts where medieval buildings stand alongside modern architecture. The layout ranges from narrow lanes with old facades to wide boulevards lined with contemporary structures and green spaces.
The settlement began in 1158 around a Benedictine monastery and later grew into a key trade center where salt routes crossed. During the 19th century the city expanded through industrialization and became the royal residence for Bavarian kings.
Beer gardens fill with locals who gather for meals and conversation under old chestnut trees, especially during warm months when outdoor life takes over. Street musicians and markets shape daily routines, with residents moving between plazas and parks as part of their regular social rhythm.
Public transport runs through all parts of the city with several train and tram lines connecting neighborhoods and major points. Walking or cycling works well for shorter trips, with dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian zones in the center and along the river.
The city sits at 519 meters (1,703 feet) above sea level, placing it among the highest major cities in Germany. This elevation brings frequent föhn winds that clear the sky within hours and make the Alps suddenly visible while shifting the weather noticeably.
Location: Upper Bavaria
Inception: 1158
Elevation above the sea: 519 m
Shares border with: Munich, Dachau, Fürstenfeldbruck, Garching bei München, Neubiberg, Oberschleißheim, Ismaning, Unterföhring, Aschheim, Feldkirchen, Haar, Putzbrunn, Unterhaching, Grünwald, Pullach, Neuried, Planegg, Gräfelfing
Address: Munich, Germany
Phone: +49892330
Email: tourismus@muenchen.de
Website: https://muenchen.de
GPS coordinates: 48.13711,11.57538
Latest update: December 2, 2025 20:52
Photo license: CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo license: CC BY-SA 3.0
This ranking includes the most populous cities in Europe in 2025, from Moscow with 11.62 million inhabitants to Budapest with 1.7 million. It features major European capitals like London, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, and Paris, as well as Saint Petersburg, Vienna, and Hamburg. These metropolitan areas are the continent's main demographic centers, each with its own history, architecture, and legacy. The selection is based on the municipal population of each city. Some cities surprise with their size, such as London, which covers an area fourteen times larger than Paris, or Rome, which extends over a territory twelve times greater than the French capital. Others are distinguished by their major economic roles, such as Hamburg, which hosts Germany's largest port, or by their internationally recognized quality of life, like Vienna. These destinations invite exploration of European urban diversity from east to west.
Munich can also be explored beyond the usual routes. This collection brings together places where visitors are fewer, but where the city shows itself differently. You’ll find baroque churches like the Asam Church, modern art museums such as Haus der Kunst or Lenbachhaus with its expressionist paintings, and ancient collections in Königsplatz. The city also hides unexpected surprises: the Eisbach wave in the middle of the English Garden, where people surf all year round, the roses in Westpark for a peaceful break, or the royal carriages in Nymphenburg Palace. Some monuments, like the Peace Angel, remind us of lesser-known parts of history. Each place tells a part of Munich that the usual guides don’t mention often.
Munich's bar scene ranges from experimental cocktail laboratories to rooftop venues and historic beer halls. Locations offer specialized drink menus featuring craft cocktails, extensive whiskey collections, local spirits, and German beers. Many establishments combine drinks with cultural experiences, including poetry readings, live music, and art exhibitions. The venues vary from intimate spaces in former royal residences to outdoor gardens and modern rooftop lounges.
Munich offers a wide variety of entertainment for those who want to stay active or have fun in different ways. You can find laser tag venues like LaserZone Garching or TerraMars, escape rooms such as MysteryRooms with six themed rooms, and the Dream-Bowl Palace which has 52 bowling lanes, a restaurant, and an arcade. The Olympic Stadium, built for the 1972 Games, still hosts sports activities and even features a 200-meter zip line on its roof. Water lovers can visit the natural pool Maria Einsiedel, fed by an underground spring and filtered by plants, or head to the Dante winter pool for a swim in a 25-meter basin. The Est ice sports center has two rinks for hockey and figure skating. For a more modern experience, Vaons Virtual Reality has 12 stations with headsets and around fifty different games and simulations.
The traditional beer gardens in Munich, located in the city center and surrounding region, uphold a centuries-old Bavarian tradition. These outdoor venues can be found in various locations: in the English Garden, near castles, by lakes and rivers, or at the heart of the central market. They offer fresh local beer and often allow patrons to bring their own food, following Bavarian custom.
Munich offers a notable selection of rooftop bars and terraces that allow visitors to see the Bavarian capital from a different angle. These venues are increasing across the city, from the historic center to modern neighborhoods, each providing a unique view of Munich architecture, from traditional roofs to iconic monuments. Among the popular spots are Deck 21, overlooking the city from the twenty-first floor; Cloud One Bar, with a direct view of the old town; and MH5 Roof Bar, from where the Bavarian Alps can be seen on clear days. Other places like Fitzroy Munich and Absolutely Upside East offer more modern settings while maintaining the urban vistas that define these locations. These Munich rooftops combine cocktail craftsmanship with impressive city views. Whether enjoying an artisanal cocktail at Frau im Mond or sampling a selection of international spirits at M-Uniqo, each venue offers its own take on the rooftop experience, with Munich’s rooftops and architectural heritage as a backdrop.
Technical University of Munich
1.3 km
Marienplatz
15 m
Munich Olympic Stadium
4.5 km
Englischer Garten
2.1 km
Nymphenburg Palace
5.8 km
Frauenkirche
210 m
Deutsches Museum
987 m
Bavaria
2.3 km
Hofbräuhaus am Platzl
346 m
Grünwalder Stadion
2.9 km
Olympiapark
4.1 km
Nockherberg
1.8 km
Rathaus-Glockenspiel
42 m
Olympiaturm
4.4 km
Munich Residence
504 m
Circus Krone
2.1 km
Munich-Riem Airport
8.5 km
Feldherrnhalle
526 m
Viktualienmarkt
208 m
BMW Headquarters
4.6 km
New Town Hall
82 m
Alte Pinakothek
1.3 km
Munich Prison
4.3 km
Pinakothek der Moderne
1.1 km
Zoo Siebenbrunner Straße 6 in München
4.7 km
Hellabrunn Zoo
4.4 km
Maximilianeum
1.4 km
Tantris
3.8 kmReviews
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Altstadt-Lehel
Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
Maxvorstadt
Schwabing-West
Au-Haidhausen
Sendling
Sendling-Westpark
Schwanthalerhöhe
Neuhausen-Nymphenburg
Moosach
Milbertshofen-Am Hart
Schwabing-Freimann
Bogenhausen
Berg am Laim
Trudering-Riem
Ramersdorf-Perlach
Obergiesing-Fasangarten
Untergiesing-Harlaching
Thalkirchen-Obersendling-Forstenried-Fürstenried-Solln
Hadern
Pasing-Obermenzing
Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied
Allach-Untermenzing
Feldmoching-Hasenbergl
Laim
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