Munich holidays

Munich is pretty far from the seafront, so swimming and sunbathing is covered by the local crop of lakes and rivers. They’re really picturesque and clean, so apart from the absence of sand, you could easily forget you’re so far from the surf.

There are little patches of sand dotted all along the banks of the Isar River, and locals regularly throw down a towel so that they can sunbathe and take a dip in the water. For a more spacious spot near the river, pick a plot in the English Garden.

Head about 40 minutes south of Munich and you’ll find Starnberger See, a huge lake that’s well set up for sunbathing. A particularly good spot is Strandbad Feldafing – this area’s got a sandy shoreline with loungers and brollies, plus a café where you can snack after a dip in the lake.

For the freshest in fruit and veg, set your sights on the Viktualienmarkt. This year-round market is famous for its produce stalls, but there’s also a low-key beer garden and loads of foodie and souvenir stands where you can grab a brew or a bite.

Fountain-filled Karsplatz is a good starting point if you want to get some high street shopping under your belt. You’ll know you’re amongst the shops after you pass under Karlstor, a Medieval gate that signals the old entrance to the city. Sports stores, clothes boutiques and shoe stores all crop up, with names like Zara and Foot Locker.

The most high-end shopping in Munich centres around Maximilianstrasse, which is right in the heart of the city. Stores like Chanel, Cartier, Ralph Lauren and Versace are all neighbours on the street, which splinters off from the main meeting point, Marienplatz.

The streets around Marienplatz and Karsplatz, two of Munich’s main meeting spots, are perfect for a steadily paced night out. The big Bavarian breweries have restaurant-cum-brewhouse spots all around here, including the famous Hofbrauhaus.

The Schwabing area of the city is one of the best for big nights out, mostly because it’s so close to Munich’s university district. One of the best streets to head for, if you want the most popular bars and clubs, is Hohenzollernstrasse.

Sausages are a German staple, and the story isn’t any different in Munich. Locals have a soft spot for weisswurst, or white sausage, which is a boiled option made from veal. You’ll also find classics like bratwurst, which usually comes in a roll half the size of the sausage, and currywurst – a sliced pork sausage slathered in tangy curry sauce with a side of fries.

Beer and Munich have a long-lasting affinity, mostly due to the famous Bavarian Oktoberfest. But drinking culture in the city is far from raucous – beer gardens and halls are often filled with as many families as partygoers, who use them as a place to socialise. Big-name breweries like Augustiner, Hofbrau, Spaten, Lowenbrau, Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr dominate drinks menus around the city, and you wont find better than these local tipples. Most even have their own bars and beer halls.

Eating a pretzel in Munich is no mean feat, given that most of them are bigger than your head. These huge salt-studded bready snacks are usually served as an accompaniment to a round of beers, and one is more than enough for a couple of people to share. Be warned though, they’re moreish and you’ll soon find yourself craving another.

This meaty dish is usually served in a bread roll, despite looking a lot like bread itself. A ground mixture of bacon and pork is baked in a loaf tin until it’s got a crusty outside, just like a loaf of bread. It’s then cut into thick slices, like a sort of meatloaf, and served in a warm ‘semmel’, or floury roll, with mustard or pickles.

These sweet doughy rolls are baked in closed pots until the bottom becomes crisp, while the tops stay soft and pale. In Munich they’re usually served a dessert, so you can expect lashings of vanilla custard, jam or sliced fruit as a topping to this melt-in-the-mouth pudding.