When I last visited Munich (Home of Oktoberfest) the highlight of my visit was the great beer steins filled with delicious German beer.

But there is more to Munich than just huge big steins filled with German’s famous chilled beer. Here are 5 great reasons you should visit in 2016!

Reason One – Sausages & Ice cream

Munich is a Great Place to enjoy Ice Cream in the summer, and sausages all year round. These places get great reviews.
Wirtshaus In Der Au Restaurant – find them at Lilienstraße 51, 81669 München.

Try the large Weisswurst breakfast sausage – enjoyed with generous portions of sweet mustard.

Ice cream and summer go so well together, and Munich is renown for fantastic ice cream and long queues for the best places.
Try Ballabeni Icecream Restaurant – you can find them at Theresienstraße 46, 80333 München.

Reason Two – River Surfing

While you don’t typically think of surfing in a land locked country, this looks awesome! Located on the Eisbach river in the Englischer Garten, up to 100 surfers a day frequently hit this spot up.

Fantastic for the summer. Although beware the water temperature never gets above 15 degrees celsius and can be a chilly 4 degrees in April – bring your wetsuit!

Reason Three – Fairytale Castle Architecture

I love old buildings and Munich has plenty. Neuschwanstein is an awe inspiring neo-Romanesque style (fairytale) castle built during King Ludwig II eccentric reign. Well worth a trip out into the country to see and photograph!

During your stay in Munich you could opt for opulent luxury in one of Munich’s old buildings, like Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, or if you’re wanting your money to stretch a little further, then choosing one of Munich’s family apartments for short term rent could be a good solution for you. www.munichescape.com or www.airbnb.co.nz/s/Munich–Germany both have good short term apartment options, great for groups of friends or family.

Reason Four – Great Parks

Munich has a strong reputation for high quality of life. Plenty of people move to Munich to live, partially because of the clean environment and quality urban parks. When just visiting I highly recommend slowing down and watching how the locals live. A great place to people watch is the local parks, try the Englischer Garten (English Garden) where you can cycle, walk, sit, eat and drink and people watch to your heart is content.

Want more? Munich is just a short one hour train ride from the Bavarian Alps.

Reason Five – See Bavarian Culture & Tradition

A lot of what Germany is traditionally known for is actually Bavarian culture, not German in general. A visit to Munich is a great place to experience it.

See traditional outfits of farmers and working class. Lederhosen (leather breeches) and Dirndls (light circular cut dress, gathered at the waist, that falls below the knee).

While you won’t see so much of the Lederhosen, the Dirndls has evolved into modern fancy dress synonymous with Oktoberfest, beer, pushup bras and cleavage.

Circling back to food. While in Munich, you have to try the traditional roast pork knuckle.

For a taste of culture, if you get the chance, watch a Schuhplattler – the traditional folk dance from Bavaria and the alpine regions. Think shoe slapping.