The capital of Bavaria is sometimes called “Germany’s secret capital”. Lying right at the heart of Europe, the city rapidly overshadowed once powerful neighbours to become southern Germany’s main metropolis. With its vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, fine buildings, museums and shops, Munich is one of Europe’s most elegant cities.

The citizens of Munich have been known for centuries for their love of the arts, and the masterpieces that were created here during the Baroque and Rococo periods were equal to Italian and French works. In the 19th century the town’s development continued along Neo-Classical lines, gaining for it the name of “Athens on the Isar”. But it is not only art that gives Munich its unique charm. The country’s biggest folk festival, the Oktoberfest, is held each year in Theresienwiese, and visitors can be sure that the city’s shops are equal to those of Paris and Milan.

In contrast to its traditional image of lederhosen and beer steins, Munich is also one of Germany’s main centres for the high-tech and media industries, with many TV stations, film studios and book and newspaper publishers based here.