Munich

S-Bahn S2: München-Obermenzing· Free

This was built in 1438 as a hunting lodge for Albert III, Duke of Bavaria. It was on a river island between two arms of the River Würm, with the east arm dammed to create an ornamental lake - leisure rather than defence was always the…

S- and U-Bahn: Marienplatz· Cheap

This huge church defines the Munich skyline with its twin onion-domed towers, a shade over 98 m tall - the money ran out for the planned spires. It's the Roman Catholic cathedral, but always known locally as Frauenkirche.

Tram 25: Bavariafilmplatz· Moderate

Theme park in working film studios: the standard ticket is a 90-min guided tour of the sets (but only in German) and a 10-min ride in a 4D cinema. Discounts if you come by public transport or on your birthday.

U-Bahn U4, U5: Theresienwiese· Cheap

Early 19th century Bavaria was a pawn in conflicts between Austria and Napoleonic France, so when Ludwig I came to the throne in 1825, he sought an iconic statue to symbolise Bavaria's strength and independence, and a hall of fame to…

U-Bahn U1, U2, U3, U6, U7: Sendlinger Tor· Free

This was established in 1563 when plague overfilled the church graveyards, and bodies needed to be interred beyond city limits. St Stephan's church at its main north entrance was built at the same time.

Residenzstraße 1· Moderate

Royal Palace and seat of government of the Wittelsbach dynasty, bombed in wartime but rebuilt. The two principal areas are the Treasury and the Museum (separate admissioneach).

Tram 17: Schloss Nymphenburg· Moderate

What began as a modest 17th century pavilion grew and grew into a vast Baroque palace, bigger than Versailles, which was no accident. You view some 20 ornate rooms: one striking feature is the paintings of the many female friends of King…

S-bahn: Isartor, or U-bahn: Fraunhoferstrasse, or Tram 16: Deutsches Museum· Moderate

Enormous museum of science and technology, needing a full day, and even then you need to prioritise which galleries to explore - though half the fun is discovering the secrets of technology you'd never considered.

S-Bahn S1: Oberschleißheim· Moderate

Humonguous complex of three palaces. The Old Palace at the west end was a mansion built up into a palace only to be promptly scrapped and rebuilt by 1623.

Marienplatz 8· Cheap

This was built in phases from 1867 to 1909. It's still a busy city chambers, with access only on business, but you can ride the lift to the observation deck of the tower.

Tram 18: Nationalmuseum / Haus der Kunst

The Eisbach is an artificial side-channel of the Isar, culverted beneath Altstadt but emerging at the bridge on Prinzregentenstraße, south edge of English Garden.

Tram 19: Nationaltheater

Shows ballet and opera performances almost every night.

S-Bahn: S1,S2,S3,S4,S6,S7,S8 Isartor or Rosenheimer Platz· Cheap

Have a swim at this Art Nouveau public indoor pool opened in 1901 - bring your own towel. The sauna is temporarily closed to save heating costs, and the cafe is closed permanently.

Tram 15, 25: Tegernseer Landstraße

Sechzig ("Sixty") were founder members of Bundesliga, but now play soccer in 3. Liga the third tier. Their stadium (capacity 15,000) also hosts Bayern Munich second team, under-19s and women.

U-Bahn U6: Fröttmaning

Die Bayern play soccer in Bundesliga, the top tier. They do well and qualify for European tournaments, and matches sell out. (Buy tickets online, but you have to register, to curb the touts and scalpers.) The Arena (capacity 70-75,000)…

U-Bahn: U3 Machtlfinger Straße

Culture and activity centre in a disused concrete factory. Activities (many free) include fitness classes, bouldering, basketball and skatepark. Culture includes film, concerts, theatre, art exhibitions and warehouse raves.

Säbener Straße 51-57· Free

These pitches host junior teams of Bayern Munich, right down to 8 year olds - so some of them will be star players five or six World Cups from now, imagine. The first team also trains here with a public session at least once a week.

Lilienthalallee 29· Expensive

An event for BDSM fans. Held on a weekend in late May. Numerous live professional bondage shows, as well as custom photo shoots and workshops where you can try bondage yourself (advance registration required). For adults only, naturally.

U-Bahn U2: Messestadt Ost· Moderate

This brewery was founded in 1591, and moved to Riem in 1988. They produce over a dozen beers including an Oktoberfest brew. Tours are only available to groups of 10-30, booked at least 14 days in advance.

U-Bahn U1, U7: Stiglmaierplatz

This is the winter venue for this spectacular circus troupe. In summer they tour Germany, and other concerts and events are staged here.

U-Bahn U3, U6: Goetheplatz, Poccistraße

Techno club and alternative cultural centre that resides in graffiti-covered pile of ship containers. The inventory of the club includes many curiosities such as discarded subway cars, trams, construction cranes or carriages.

100 m north of bus station

This brewery was first documented in 1328, within the Augustinian monastery next to Frauenkirche, where they nowadays run a restaurant. The monastery was dissolved in 1803 (no, not in the beer) and the business has mostly been in private…

U-Bahn U1, U7: Stiglmaierplatz

This brewery was founded in 1383, perhaps on Löwengrube near Frauenkirche - "Löwen" means lions. From 1826 to 1851 production migrated to its present site, with the Bräukeller across the street opened in 1883.

S-Bahn S5: Furth

Trad 2400-seater beer garden in Oberhaching south of Perlacher Forst, serving Spaten beer. In 1922 this was the launchpad of the Radler, half beer half lemonade, a "shandy" in English.

S-Bahn S1,S2,S3,S4,S6,S7,S8, Tram 18,23,25: Rosenheimer Platz

Rooftop bar on top of the cultural center Fat Cat (the former Gasteig) with a great view over the city. On one side you can see the city hall, the Old Peter and the Frauenkirche, on the other side the Werksviertel entertainment district…

S-Bahn: Rosenheimer Platz· Expensive

Accor chain hotel with 307 air-conditioned rooms, restaurant and bar with terrace, free spa area with gym, swimming pool, sauna and steam bath, underground parking and a separate conference centre with terrace and 5 modern meeting rooms.

S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Ostbahnhof· Expensive

Modern hotel at the edge of the Haidhausen district. Downstairs is the living-room style "One Lounge" with lobby, breakfast café and bar in one, and a view onto the street through wall-sized windows.

S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz· Expensive

This gets great reviews from travel publications and more importantly from almost all guests. 73 lavish rooms in neo-Renaissance style, and first class service and dining.

S-Bahn: Isartor· Expensive

The oldest hotel in town, founded in 1490, it's a traditional, family-run place with 90 rooms. Great value, you're getting an Altstadt location for further-out prices.

S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz· Expensive

An elegant grand hotel with 150 years of tradition, but a string of poor customer experiences indicate that it doesn't live up to its brand name or price tag.