Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [259]
SCHLOSS
The main palace building (adult/concession €5/4; 9am-6pm Apr–mid-Oct, 9am-4pm mid-Oct–Mar) consists of a large villa and two wings of creaking parquet floors and sumptuous period rooms. Right at the beginning comes the highpoint of the entire Schloss, the Schönheitengalerie (Gallery of Beauties), housed in the former apartments of Queen Caroline. Some 38 portraits of beautiful women chosen by an admiring King Ludwig I peer prettily from the walls. The most famous is of Helene Sedlmayr, the daughter of a shoemaker, wearing a lavish frock the king gave her for the sitting. You’ll also find Ludwig’s beautiful but notorious lover, Lola Montez, as well as 19th-century gossip-column celebrity, Jane Lady Ellenborough, and English beauty Lady Jane Erskine.
Further along the tour route is the Queen’s Bedroom, which still contains the sleigh bed on which Ludwig II was born, and the King’s Chamber resplendent with 3-D ceiling frescoes.
Also in the main building, the Marstall-museum (adult/concession €4/3; 9am-6pm Apr–mid-Oct, 10am-4pm mid-Oct–Mar) displays royal coaches and riding gear (including Ludwig II’s over-the-top sleigh) on ground level, and a collection of porcelain from the legendary Nymphenburger Manufaktur on the 1st floor, while the Museum Mensch und Natur (Museum of Humankind & Nature; adult/under 18yr with parents/concession €3/free/2; 9am-5pm Tue-Fri, to 8pm Thu, 10am-6pm Sat & Sun, closed Mon) has child-oriented interactive displays on the animal kingdom, planet earth and the mysteries of the human body (German only).
GARDENS & OUTBUILDINGS
The royal gardens take the form of a magnificently landscaped English-style park. They contain a number of follies, including the Amalienburg (Map; adult/concession €2/1; 9am-6pm Apr–mid-Oct, 10am-4pm mid-Oct–Mar), a dainty hunting lodge with a domed central room; the Pagodenburg Chinese teahouse; and the Badenburg (Map; adult/concession €2/1; 9am-6pm Apr–mid-Oct) sauna and bathing house.
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Other Sights
MÜNCHENER TIERPARK HELLABRUNN
Around 5000 animals inhabit Munich’s ‘geo-zoo’ (one with distinct sections dividing animals by continents). The Münchener Tierpark Hellabrunn (Map; 625 080; Tierparkstrasse 30; adult/concession €9/6; 8am-6pm Apr-Sep, 9am-5pm Oct-Mar), to the south of the city, was one of the first of its kind. The sprawling, well-maintained grounds are home to rhinos, elephants, deer and gazelles, as well as a special petting zoo, full of cuddly sheep, deer and lambs. To get there take the U3 to Thalkirchen or bus 52 from Marienplatz.
ALLIANZ ARENA
Soccer and architecture fans alike should take a side trip to the northern Munich suburb of Fröttmaning to see Munich’s showpiece football stadium – already an historic site after hosting the opening game of the World Cup 2006. Nicknamed the ‘life belt’ and ‘rubber boat’ (Schlauchboot), the state-of-the-art, €340 million Allianz Arena (off Map) has walls made of inflatable cushions that can be individually lit to match the jerseys of the host team – be it local sides FC Bayern München and TSV 1860 München (who share the stadium) or the national team. Take a tour ( 01805-555 101; adult/child 4-12yr €10/6.50; 1pm in English) of the stadium but expect to queue in summer. To get there take the U6 to Fröttmaning.
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ACTIVITIES
Munich makes a perfect base for outdoor exploits. For information about hiking and climbing, contact the Munich branch of the Deutscher Alpenverein (German Alpine Club; Map; 551 7000; www.alpenverein-muenchen-oberland.de; Bayerstrasse 21V) near the Hauptbahnhof.
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Cycling
Munich is an excellent place for cycling. Pumped full of bracing Alpine air and with a network of leafy paths, the Englischer Garten is a good place to start a day’s tour.
Mike’s Bike Tours (Map; 2554 3988; www.mikesbiketours.com;