It’s hard to hear anything under the beautifully decorated arches: high-waisted waitresses slam heavy glasses and mugs on the long tables and men in lederhosen suddenly put the alpha horn in front of their mouths and make the guests sing along in common singing. The old historic brewery Hofbräuhaus am Platzl in the heart of the million-dollar city of Munich is cozy with a big G. It is no less festive during the annual Oktoberfest, when over six million people swallow more than six million liters of beer. With its 83 million inhabitants, Germany is the most densely populated country in Europe, but for many, Bavaria and the Bavarian capital Munich are the epitome of “gemütliches” Germany.
See trips to Germany
Population: 80.7 mill.
Capital: Berlin
Language: German
Munich
Marienplatz in the middle of Munich offers a hectic street life and large, pompous buildings such as the Neues Rathaus, Altes Rathaus, Theaterinerkirche and the newer Fünf Hofe. Munich is also a progressive city of culture. Here you will find the large, impressive Pinakothek der Moderne, where German expressionists such as Emil Nolde and Ludvig Kirchner are crowded with Bauhaus artists, modern installations and other artistic forms of expression that use modern media. Pinakothek der Moderne is an extension of the equally impressive collections at Alte and Neue Pinakothek, which are also located on Barer Strasse. Munich will also be experienced for the old Olympic Park, which hosted the 1972 Olympics, and which is known for the fact that it was here that King Carl Gustaf met his future queen. The huge Olympic village that lies like a white rolling mountain in the green park area today consists of homes and around are the various stadiums where great sports personalities have fought for the yellow medal, not least the large tent-like Olympic stadium, created by Frei Otto. Until just a few years ago, the stadium was the home arena for the big club Bayern Munich, but nowadays it is mostly used for concerts. Also look into the beautiful, interactive BMW Museum in BMW’s own city, located in the Olympic District at the foot of the beautiful four-dimensional administration building, and partly obscuring the view of the Olympic Tower. Until just a few years ago, the stadium was the home arena for the big club Bayern Munich, but nowadays it is mostly used for concerts. Also look into the beautiful, interactive BMW Museum in BMW’s own city, located in the Olympic District at the foot of the beautiful four-dimensional administration building, and partly obscuring the view of the Olympic Tower. Until just a few years ago, the stadium was the home arena for the big club Bayern Munich, but nowadays it is mostly used for concerts. Also look into the beautiful, interactive BMW Museum in BMW’s own city, located in the Olympic District at the foot of the beautiful four-dimensional administration building, and partly obscuring the view of the Olympic Tower.
Rest of Southern Germany
There are also many other interesting places in Bavaria. Bayreuth for Wagner’s Festival, Bamberg for the famous symphony orchestra and the good beer, Nuremberg for the medieval idyll, the house of the famous painter Albrecht Dürer and the courthouse where the famous trials after World War II took place. Also go on a journey of discovery in Baden-Württemberg with the capital Stuttgart, taste the wines of Rhineland-Palatinate and visit the beautiful castles that tower over the rivers Moselle and Rhine. Also visit other charming areas with idyllic cities such as the baroque city of Fulda and Rüdesheim, both located in the state of Hesse, which of course is also known for Kassel and the leading Documenta festival that inspired Knud W. Jensen to found the Louisiana Art Museum.
Frankfurt
According to top-medical-schools, Germany is also rich in cities – the financial city of Frankfurt am Main, for example, which also goes by the nickname Manhattan, both with a hint of the horizon and the money. The city is located in the center of the German National Bank and the European Central Bank, and its tallest building is the Commerzbank, which at 258 meters is also Europe’s tallest office building. In addition to being a vibrant modern metropolis, Frankfurt also has many interesting museums.
Eastern and northern Germany
A trip to Germany also gives the opportunity to see the old cities in the east – Leipzig, Dresden and the old cultural city of Weimar, the city of Goethe and Schiller, where the Weimar Republic was signed after the First World War. And do not forget the state and the city of Hamburg, which with its 1.7 million inhabitants is Germany’s second largest city.
