Bavaria is a German state in the southern region of the country. Its capital, Munich, is full of Bavarian culture and is known for its interesting (but delicious) food. Here are five reasons why you can’t leave Germany without hitting up good ol’ München.

1. Weisswurst

Munich

Photo by Bella Halley

This white sausage unique to Bavaria is no doubt the best kind of sausage I have ever tried. Its tender consistency and juiciness may seem bland at first, but when paired with mustard it was delicious. As soon as my family finished our first sausage, we had to order two more.

2. Münchner Schnitzel

Munich

Photo by Bella Halley

To create this dish, a piece of veal is fried with a coating of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. If this doesn’t sound good to you, not to fear. This clean cut and lean piece of meat sprinkled with some lemon juice is a perfect option for a simple yet tasty meal.

3. Viktualienmarkt

Munich

Photo by Bella Halley

A daily farmers market in the center of Munich, Viktualienmarkt is the place to go if you want to try a variety of foods. They have countless stands selling seafood, meats, fruits and vegetables, fresh juices, pretzels, honey, jams, and of course, beer. Other stands sell things like spices and flowers, so there is definitely something at this market for everyone.

4. Marienplatz

Munich

Photo by Bella Halley

The city centre in Munich consists of buildings and architecture dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. These castle-like structures literally make you feel like you are in a fairytale. Marienplatz is a square in this central area of the city, so it’s really easy to get to (any train or bus will stop here). If you can, try to get a view of the New Town Hall at 11 am, 12 pm, or 5 pm to catch the Glockenspiel (a figurine show with bells and chimes — think It’s A Small World, but older).

5. Beer

Munich

Photo by Bella Halley

A trip to Germany wouldn’t be complete without drinking some beer. Munich is known for its beer gardens in a large park called English Gardens. These beer gardens are a great place for enjoying the German scenery and taking a nice food and drink break. And when it’s time to order your beer, I definitely recommend going for the one liter (that’s what the Germans do).