largest Andy Warhol collection in Europe , and Cy Twombly collection outside the U . S ., plus significant works by Jeff Koons and Sigmar Polke , among many others .
Check out the contemporary scene at the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art , or MUCA , which displays urban and street art in a former municipal transformer station . Docents offer tours for those who want to learn about the artists ’ philosophies and methods . Temporary exhibitions focus on graffiti , photography , and “ calligraffiti .”
But in Munich , one doesn ’ t need to step inside to find incredible art — it ’ s inscribed in the facades of the often stunning architecture throughout Old Town . Start at the ornate cathedrals , chief among them , the 15th-century Frauenkirche . The church ’ s twin onion-dome towers soar above any other building in Munich ( by law ) and grace a Gothic edifice , just blocks from the Marienplatz . This central town square is a great spot for outdoor dining , shopping , and watching the colorful Glockenspiel that depicts Munich historical scenes daily .
CITY OF GREENSPACES
Tracing its roots to palatial hunting grounds and parks like the royal Hofgarten near the Residenz and the Baroque gardens of the Schlosspark Nymphenburg , Munich boasts many green spaces making it easy to escape the city ’ s traffic and buzz in favor of a tranquil morning run or evening stroll .
Olympiapark , a 200-acre parkland home to the 1972 Olympic Games , lies northwest of center , and is crisscrossed by pedestrian and cycle paths . Ascend the Olympic Tower for views of both the city and German Alps , cruise around the grounds via miniature railway , or fly across the landscape on a zipline .
Far larger is the Englischer Garten , or English Garden , a 900-acre green space that ranks as the world ’ s largest inner city park . Pedestrian and bicycle paths traverse the garden , wending past forest , meadows , streams , and lakes . On its southernmost reaches is the Eisbachwelle , a continuous wave on the Isar River ridden by urban surfers year-round . Four beer gardens occupy the park ’ s grounds , the most famous being the pagoda-inspired Chinesischer Turm ( Chinese Tower ).
CITY OF CUISINE
The traditional Munich drinking and dining experience centers on the Bavarian beer hall , promising oversized mugs of German lager , grilled sausages , and rousing drinking songs . The Hofbräuhaus ranks among Munich ’ s most famous , but notable ( and less crowded ) favorites include Andechser am Dom , the Löwenbräukeller , and the Beer and Oktoberfest Museum , with its accompanying displays related to Germany ’ s favorite drink . You ’ ll find a beer garden at Munich ’ s Viktualienmarkt as well . But the historic farmer ’ s market goes beyond sausages and beer , selling fresh , locally-sourced , organic cheese , wine , honey , and produce since 1807 .
Tick your Michelin Star — two of them , in fact — at Tantris , considered by many to serve the finest meal in the country . The posh , orange tinted interior has changed little since opening in the early 1970s , but the French-style cuisine remains on the cutting edge and is best experienced in multi-course degustation menus .
One of Munich ’ s hottest restaurants , Alois Dallmayr , is also its oldest . Germany ’ s most famous delicatessen , and former “ Royal Purveyor to the Bavarian Court ,” dates from 1700 and serves fine fruits , sauces , cheeses , chocolates , and so much more . In late 2018 , Dallmayr ’ s sous chef Christoph Kunz opened the new Restaurant Alois , a fine-dining space offering a menu of six to eight courses — all locally sourced and elegantly prepared . And the 800-label wine list ? It ’ s just another opportunity to toast Munich .
GETTING THERE
Fly nonstop from Washington Dulles International Airport ( IAD ) to Munich International Airport ( MUC ) on Lufthansa ’ s A380 aircraft . United also offers nonstop service to Munich as well . Flights take approximately eight hours one way . Once in Germany , the S1 and S8 S-Bahn train lines make the half-hour trip into Munich ’ s city center every 10 minutes .
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