When moving to Germany Eight years ago I had the opportunity to explore nine of Germany’s sixteen federal states. Munich is the traditional and clean capital of Bavaria in Germany, which is also the economic center for old West Germany. I live in Berlin, Germany’s capital, but on my first trip to Munich I found that the two sides are completely different. Berlin is gritty, futuristic and rooted in old East Germany. Munich is the traditional and clean center of Germany’s biggest state, Bavaria. Munich is more representative of the aesthetics and culture that Americans associate with Germany, including alpine landscapes and dirndls. fairy-tale castle architecture.
Here are some of my favourite places to visit when you’re in Munich.
Maxvorstadt
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Maxvorstadt is a district of arts and universities where you can find students in buzzing cafes, record shops, and other places. It is also home two universities and some the city’s finest museums. However, for me the best part of Maxvorstadt are the passageways that allow you to sit in the sunlight and take in the sights. The art cafes and homemade cake of Gartensalon Make me feel as if Munich is a small friendly town that I can enjoy alone.
Pinakothek der Moderne
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You can also find out more about the following: Pinakothek der ModerneOne of my favorite museums is the Pinakothek Der Moderne, which is divided into four distinct houses of modern art: fine art (including prints and drawings), architecture, and interior design. The Pinakothek der Moderne has been a great place to spend many hours. From the models of postwar architecture and Volkswagen cars, to the modern art photography, and sleek designs of household appliances, the exhibition “100 Years, 100 Objects”, I have spent many hours there. It’s a museum I’ll visit again and again.
Westpark
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In Berlin, parks usually consist of some trees, a scuffling wild grass, and rugged paths, along with a statue or monument here and there, and walls covered with graffiti. When I visited Munich’s Westpark for the first time, I was astonished by the beautifully designed landscapes that surrounded me. The park, which was built in 1983 as part of a garden show, still has beautiful rose gardens and a pagoda with Asian gardens surrounding it. It also contains several ponds, water features, and a pagoda. The amphitheater by the lake is transformed into an open-air cinema in summer. It’s a great place to enjoy the sunset. Cafe Gans am Wasser This cozy hideaway is filled with mismatched furniture, DIY art and DIY artwork.
Munich Film Archive
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A special section of the Münchner Stadtmuseum (Munich City Museum), the film archive More than 5,000 German films are screened regularly in retrospectives and other programs. I’m a filmmaker, so it was exciting to watch rare silent films that had live music (such as “Metropolis” from 1927) and enjoy a German masterworks program. Don’t be fooled by the building’s nondescript exterior—the tiny displays of classic photos and stories inside, combined with the affordable €5 ticket for retrospectives and programs with filmmaker participation, won me over immediately.
