Munich is a unique and fascinating southern German city that is situated near the Alps and is the capital of the German state of Bavaria. Oktoberfest, Olympiapark and Oompah Bands are just some of the original and indigenous attractions that have contributed to the growth and continued popularity of Munich as a city break destination.

Noted as much for its architecture and rich culture as it is for sports and beer, the city is exciting and cosmopolitan but with a thankfully preserved provincial ambiance that makes it all the more welcoming. Whether you're splashing out or sticking to a budget, Munich has a wealth of attractions and activities that will entertain and enthuse you for the duration of your holiday. Budget travelers should note that Munich is the most expensive city in Germany, however with some careful budgeting and preparation, it is entirely possible to enjoy a cheap but fulfilling, budget-friendly holiday in this fantastic city.

Things to see/do in Munich

There are plenty of sights of interest throughout the city, including numerous well-known buildings, monuments and other landmarks. Nymphenburg Palace, the Residenz Royal Palace, and Frauenkirche with its famous domed towers are all particularly eminent buildings in the city and worth seeing, however there are many more places of interest to visitors. Museums, public parks, monuments and galleries are all widespread in the city, and being either free of charge or cheap to enter are perfect sightseeing options for budget travelers who want a low cost holiday.

The Marienplatz is a lively central square in the city where you can either chill out with a coffee or a beer and watch the world go by, or explore some of the surrounding churches.

The Viktualienmarkt is Munich's biggest and best known open air market, with countless stalls selling gourmet and organic foods and produce such as exotic fruits, spices, cheese, fish, meat, flowers, bread and condiments. Don't expect to find cheap products and low cost lunches ? this market is tailored for expensive epicurean taste, and if you want budget-friendly food it may not be the wisest of choices. It is worth visiting nonetheless, being a Munich institution, particularly if you consider yourself a ?foodie?.

Eating out in Munich

Munich plays host to a massive student population, so there are many eateries in the University districts of the city that have catered to this market. Cheap food is easy to find in these locations, as well as low cost beer ? and many of the city's countless beer gardens will let you bring your own food as long as you purchase their drinks. With an abundance of picnic staples available in the supermarkets, this can be a good way to cut the cost of both dining and drinking in Munich.

There are of course other budget dining options in the city, including the many stand-up snack bars which dish up Bavarian specialties at low cost. Another option is to find out where the locals eat ? usually they will have a good knowledge of the better value establishments in the city. As with any city, steer clear of the tourist areas while you search for affordable restaurants, you will certainly pay less even a few minutes walk from these areas.

Events in Munich

The world famous Oktoberfest is Munich's principle festival and tourist attraction. So popular that hotels start to fill up a year in advance, the massive party sees literally millions of locals and tourists alike descend on the city for 16 days of madness ? beer drinking, sausage eating, fairground going madness. Oompah bands provide entertainment in the beer gardens, sideshows provide entertainment on the streets and drunken revelers provide entertainment for less drunken revelers, well, pretty much everywhere.

If you are planning to join the party, it is recommended to budget around ?50 - ?80 per day, depending on your tolerance for beer!