Things to See in Munich

Near the Isartor, this pleasingly twisted beer garden is centred on a snug courtyard. There's a hedge maze, a fresco with a bizarre bunch of historical figures and a golden bull that's illuminated at night.

Not to be confused with its better-known cousin in the city centre, this sprawling, very atmospheric restaurant-cum-beer garden retains an early 20th century air. Locals in Tracht (traditional costume) come here to guzzle big mugs of foaming beer alongside the regular specials of roast pork (around 5).

This sprawling place has a less raucous atmosphere than most and better food. Altogether it's a much more authentic example of an old-style Munich beer hall, complete with secluded courtyards and hunting trophies.

This relaxed café with a musical theme has high ceilings, chandeliers and a cultivated atmosphere. The breakfast selections are named after famous composers; the divine evening meals are accompanied by live jazz or classical music.

This slick Japanese-style café, bar and lounge is a temple of minimalism and draws a hip crowd as much for the delicious sushi snacks as for the drinks. From Thursday to Sunday, DJs usually play a wicked mix of indie, techno and top 40. Child-friendly during the day.

Herbivore or meathead, your tastebuds will be doing somersaults at what many hail as Munich's best vegetarian restaurant. The high-ceilinged hall can get noisy but the menu is an intriguing mosaic of international flavours with special kudos going to the crespelle al forno (spinach-ricotta filled crepes).

Germany's largest modern art museum, the Pinakothek der Moderne opened in 2002 in an extravagant building by Stephan Braunfels that's a perfect setting for artists that dominated the art world throughout the last century. The spectacular four-storey interior centres on a vast eyelike dome which spreads soft natural light throughout blanched white galleries. Many walls are curved, gently leading the viewer from one discovery to the next, and right angles are disrupted by diagonals.

Haidhausen is home to one of Munich's finest cultural venues, the Kulturzentrum Gasteig whose postmodern, boxy, glass-and-brick design caused quite a controversy back a generation ago. The name is derived from the Bavarian term 'gaacher Steig', meaning 'steep trail'. The complex harbours four concert halls, including the 2400-seat Philharmonie, which is the permanent home of the Münchner Philharmoniker and also hosts renowned international orchestras.

Even if memories of school science make you groan, a visit to Deutsches Museum should convince you that, gee, science can be fun. Spending a few hours in this temple of technology is an eye-opening journey of discovery that takes you from the future back to the Stone Age.

If the Residenz hasn't satisfied your passion for palaces, visit the amazing Schloss (Palace) Nymphenburg. Begun in 1664 as a villa for Electress Adelaide of Savoy, the amazing palace and gardens were continually expanded and built upon over the next century to create the royal family's summer residence.

A highlight of Munich's museum scene, the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum is chock-full of items illustrating the art, folklore and cultural history of southern Germany between the Middle Ages and the early 20th century. The ground floor yields new treasures and surprises in every room, from suits of armour to oil paintings, town models to altars and emotionally-charged sculpture by Tilman Riemenschneider.