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Why?  'We're here for the beer!' could well be the motto of those who holiday in Munich, Germany's favourite tourist city which hosts the world-famous Oktoberfest beer festival every year. There are many more reasons to travel to Munich, however, besides sampling its renowned brews. The Bavarian city epitomises traditional charm, in some respects to excess. There is also a sophisticated side to Munich, however, with museums, designer stores and top graded restaurants.

When?  Obviously a busy time for travel to Munich is during late September for the beer festival, but weather-wise high season is summer, when temperatures are warm to mild, but there are often rainy days. Winters are cold and snow occurs. The city's proximity to the Alps makes the weather rather unpredictable.

Who for?  Most of those who choose to holiday in Munich are out for a good time, drawn by the legendary jolly, friendly beer halls where oompah bands and buxom barmaids keep the party going.

More Info:  Discover all the information you need to plan a holiday in Munich in our Munich travel guide, which lists attractions, events and excursions, including details of the next Oktoberfest.

Overview

The Bavarian city of Munich, centre of southern Germany, is one of the country's favourite tourist destinations, offering a unique combination of modern flair and traditional charm, all mixed together with a heavy helping of 'Gemutlichkeit', the special German term for hearty, happy, healthy togetherness.

Traditionally the city, famous for its breweries and beer halls, conjures up images of jolly red-cheeked, portly men in lederhosen, downing steins of beer. There is plenty of this fun to be had, but Munich and the Bavarian region has plenty more to recommend it to visitors. The city has numerous great museums, art treasures, hi-tech industries and gems of Gothic and Baroque architecture. It is also the gateway to the Bavarian Alps, drawing winter sports enthusiasts from near and far.

Munich itself was founded in 1158 on the River Isar, and acquired its name, Munchen (home of the monks) from its first monastery. It was the monks that started the beer brewing tradition for which the city is now world famous, particularly since it started celebrating an annual beer festival in 1810. Today close on six million people visit the Oktoberfest every year, and consume more than five and a half million litres of beer during its two-week run.