Munich, rivalled only by Berlin as Germany's most popular destination, is a sophisticated city that enjoys contradicting itself. Don some ironic Lederhosen and head down to the capital of Bavaria, where folk traditions ride alongside BMWs and hearty meals share the table with haute cuisine.

The city is a haven for all sorts of culture, with a staggering array of museums, a vibrant arts scene and the infamous revels of Oktoberfest. Bavaria is souvenir-icon Germany at its postcard best, and the fairy-tale Gothic, Biergarten-filled city of Munich is no exception.

When to go...Munich's tourist rush is on for one and all between May and September, when the weather is at its finest. The shoulder seasons - April-May, September-October - are great times to visit, with fewer visitors (with the glaring exception of the Oktoberfest crowd) and plenty of sunshine, although visiting between November and March will pretty much give you the place to yourself, along with the below-freezing temperatures and sunless skies.

Still, Munich is chock-full of great events and festivals all year round, so if it's not so much fun outside, there's bound to be some visit-worthy event happening inside. Lonely Planet Guides