Start in Marienplatz, the heart of the city. Munich’s sprawling central square for nearly 1,000 years, Marienplatz is dominated by the neo-Gothic spectacle of Neues Rathaus (the New City Hall). On its central tower, the Rathaus-Glockenspiel plays a clockwork show of moving figures and musical chimes daily at 11am. Tournaments and fairs have been held on Marienplatz since the Middle Ages. Christkindlmarkt is an evocative Munich Christmas market offering traditional gifts alongside warming flasks of Glühwein (mulled wine).

For some local splendour, put Nymphenburg Palace at the top of your list of things to see in Munich. This vast Baroque property was built in the 17th century as the summer residence of Bavarian monarchs, and descendants of the House of Wittelsbach still keep apartments here.

Nymphenburg Palace literally means ‘The Palace of the Nymphs’ and its eccentric features include the Great Gallery of Beauties, portraits of women who caught the eye of King Ludwig I (including his English and Irish mistresses); plus the rococo sleigh his successor, Ludwig II, used for his night-time ramblings about the city.

Discover more about the best Munich attractions here.