Top Social

A Rainy Day in Munich

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Traveling isn't always sunshine and sparkles and rainbows. Sometimes you're sick. Sometimes you're tired. Sometimes the weather sucks. And sometimes those three things combined make you just want to spend all day lying in bed at home.

For me, Munich is one of those places that needs a second chance. While I had been looking forward to my trip to Bavaria all year long, unfortunately I picked the worst possible time to go. I was just getting over mono, I had just gotten home from a whirlwind trip to Prague and Vienna, and the weather was making Seattle look like paradise. On top of that, I unknowingly booked my tickets during Frühlingsfest, Munich's mini Oktoberfest held in the spring. Sounds fun, right? Sadly, not only was I thoroughly exhausted and running on empty, but I also have Celiac disease. (In other words, no Frühlingsfest beer for Courtney.) I felt like the definition of lame.

A maypole in Viktualienmarkt

The silver lining? Munich was absolutely stunning. It was the perfect town to leisurely stroll through without an agenda. The architecture was delightfully picturesque, sprawling green parks were scattered throughout the city, and the (impeccably clean) streets were filled with colorful flowers and smiling locals. Cozy beer gardens abounded while lederhosen-clad festival goers traipsed through town, pretzels and umbrellas in tow. 

The Frühlingsfest carnival
It's not München unless there's beer, lederhosen and dancing on tables 

We spent our day admiring the buildings of Marienplatz, wandering through the Viktualienmarkt farmer's market, observing the chaos of Frühlingsfest, exploring the lush parks and getting lost in the maze of rainy streets. We stopped by Hofbräuhaus for dinner, where we indulged on savory German treats while listening to a traditional Bavarian band. Now one of Munich's oldest and most famous breweries, Hofbräuhaus used to be where the Nazi party held many meetings and functions. It's also said that Mozart used to frequent this famed beer hall, and even wrote one of his operas fueled by its tasty libations.

Fresh blooms at Viktualienmarkt

Needless to say, I'd love to experience Munich again under different circumstances. I fell in love with the beautiful buildings and friendly Bavarian culture, but I wish I'd had more energy to fully enjoy it all. Not to mention, day-tripping to Füssen to see Neuschwanstein Castle had me dying to explore more quaint Bavarian villages. And who knows? Maybe in 10 years they'll be serving gluten free beer at Oktoberfest. (A girl can dream.)

I'll be back for you again someday, my lovely Munich. 


My Munich Picks:
Best Views: New City Hall
Best People-Watching: Viktualienmarkt
Must-Try Dishes: Weisswurst, pretzels and spätzle (and beer, obviously.)
Favorite Day Trip: Neuschwanstein Castle
Best Place to Relax: Englischer Garten


 

34 comments on "A Rainy Day in Munich"
  1. Your photos are always so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eric & Evanne Poplar TravelsSeptember 30, 2014 at 4:31 AM

    I hope you get to go back, I absolutely LOVED Munich! It's always so frustrating when you have a short visit somewhere and don't feel your best!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The colors pop even in the rain! Munich does look like a perfect place to lazily stroll around and get a feel for the city.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the photos! Sorry you were sick while in Munich. Munich is at the absolute top of my travel list. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get there easily and cost-effectively from northern Spain at some point this year. Here's to hoping you're able to get back soon!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Agreed! I really do hope to go back someday, it's such a beautiful city!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I guess I really lucked out - I would have been so bummed if it were a city with a million things to do, and I had no energy to do them!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Mike! I hope you can get there sometime this year! Fingers crossed it's not too expensive to get there from northern Spain :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you Robert! I really do hope to see it again and maybe also explore some more of Germany. If Munich was that beautiful in the rain, I'm dying to see how gorgeous it is in nicer weather!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Munich is on my travel bucket list! Even with the weather not ideal your pictures are beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Munich is number one on my list for German cities I've not yet explored! Love the pictures - thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been there, sick, weather bad, exhausted.... but those trips are often some of the most memorable too I've found. Munich looks lovely though, so colorful, even in the rain :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. ...These photos are FANTASTIC--I'm considering hitting up München this Christmas Break, so thanks for the pictorial inspiration!!...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rosie @Eco-Gites of LenaultSeptember 30, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    I went to Munich as a teenager but I really do not remember it all ... your pictures make mw want to go back and rediscover it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's definitely a city worthy of being number one! It's so beautiful there.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very true :) You know a place is truly charming when it can still be pretty in the rain!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks Betty! I bet Munich during Christmastime is magical! I've always wanted to see the charming German Christmas markets. One day!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I hope you get a chance to go back and refresh your memory! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. It looks beautiful even under the rain :) I want to go! I must do Oktoberfest next year! It'd be so much fun. xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. What beautiful photos! And for feeling lame, you definitely don't look lame. I love your springy outfit!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Munich sounds great. Lovely photos! ELL x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Nice photos--they really pop!


    I have only been to Munich once, for a few days, so I really feel like I've got to go back and give it another shot too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. How sad, I was sick in Brussels, I hope you get back there some day x

    ReplyDelete
  23. Agh, I want to go to Munich SO MUCH! Gorgeous photos -- I hope you get a do-over soon!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Totally, I bet the real Oktoberfest is a blast!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you! And I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants to go back and give it another try!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you! I hope you get a chance to visit Munich soon! It really is a charming city.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Rosie @Eco-Gites of LenaultOctober 4, 2014 at 7:48 AM

    One day ....

    ReplyDelete
  28. Munich is beautiful! I'm hoping to visit at the end of October. It reminds me a little of Prague--a city that looks even more gorgeous in the rain! I LOVE your photos :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Well I was just there last weekend and still your pictures have me wanting to go back again. Such a pretty, fun city!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Agreed! What kind of camera do you use?

    ReplyDelete