Munich | Find Bavarian happiness at a winter Christmas market
Munich
We arrived in Munich shortly before Christmas, and the winter atmosphere was truly enchanting, especially near Marienplatz. The entire city was enveloped in Christmas markets, lights, and the aroma of mulled wine. Munich seamlessly blends historical architecture, palaces, car culture, beer halls, and Christmas markets. During the day, you can visit the Munich Residenz or the BMW Museum, and in the evening, enjoy pork knuckle and beer at a beer hall. If you happen to be visiting Germany in winter, Munich is a great place to include in your itinerary.
Marienplatz
Arriving in Munich, Marienplatz should be the most classic starting point. The town hall building in front of the square is very magnificent. The spires and Gothic appearance look beautiful under the blue sky and are very representative of German cities. Since we went shortly before Christmas, there was a very lively Christmas market near the square. The weather was very cold, but holding a cup of mulled wine and buying a German sausage, we stood by the market, eating and strolling, feeling very happy.
Munich Royal Palace
We also visited the Munich Residenz this time. We bought our tickets on-site, so the queue wasn't too long, and student tickets were available for €16. The Munich Residenz was even more worthwhile to see than I had imagined. It has many magnificent rooms, collections, and palace spaces. What impressed me most was the long, corridor-style hall with its incredibly detailed decorations on the ceilings and walls, giving a sense of Munich's history as the center of the Bavarian Kingdom.
My experience with gummy bears
When you come to Germany, gummy bears are an easy thing to think of. Besides the well-known HARIBO, I also saw some people recommending BEARS & FRIENDS honey-flavored gummy bears online, so I bought some to try this time. But to be honest, I was a little disappointed after eating them. If you just want to buy German gummy bears as souvenirs, I think you should just buy HARIBO.
Cheese-flavored alkaline bread
In contrast, the cheese-flavored lye bread we bought at the bakery was really delicious. German lye bread is already quite unique, with a slightly salty and chewy outer layer. It becomes even more fragrant with the addition of cheese, making it perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
BMW Museum
Because we really enjoy cars, we also visited the BMW Museum this time. It's not just a simple display of cars; it showcases many different models from various periods, the brand's history, and design exhibits. There are also some interactive games, so it's not too boring to visit. If you already like cars or are interested in BMW, this is a great place to include in your itinerary. The overall space is very modern, showing another more contemporary and industrial design side of Munich.
When in Munich, you absolutely can't miss German pork knuckle and beer. This time, we went to the Hofbräuhaus, a famous Munich beer hall with a lively atmosphere and a true German beer hall feel. The pork knuckle was a huge portion, with a crispy skin, and it was very filling with potatoes and sauce. However, I personally found it a bit greasy after a few bites, so if you're with someone, I would suggest ordering one pork knuckle for two people, along with other dishes. But I highly recommend their beer. A large glass of beer paired with German pork knuckle and the lively beer hall atmosphere is a very Munich combination and definitely worth experiencing.