The people of Munich, and Germans in general, are keen on their cars, and the road network reflect that. Here you can find a mixture of normal roads and high-speed autobahns ideal for whizzing through the country, both extensive and kept to an impeccable standard.

The city, like most, does have congestion issues at peak times, but you can avoid the worst of this by planning your driving time to skip the commuter hours. Alternatively, you can miss the centre of the city altogether by using the outer ring road, the Bundesautobahn 99 (A99). Free parking spots around Munich can be difficult to find, so opt for paid car parks if your hotel doesn’t offer parking services. There are meters too, although these have time limitations. Parking is, however, free on Sundays.

As in most of mainland Europe, you’ll need to drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. The speed limit in built-up parts of Munich is 48km/h (30mph), while roads outside have differing limits. There’s a myth that there is no speed limit on autobahns. This is only true of certain sections, and, even then, there’s a suggested limit of 130km/h (80mph). Some sections do have limits, so keep an eye out for signage highlighting this.

Many of the main tourist attractions are sited along royal avenues built in the 19^th century. They’re lined with museums, theatres and grand squares perfect for sightseeing.

If you want to see more of Germany, major roads from Munich head in all directions. Take A8 west for Augsburg and Stuttgart, while driving east will take you to the border with Austria. The A9 goes north through Ingolstadt on the way to Nuremberg and Germany’s centre.

Munich truly comes alive at different times of the year. It’s particularly busy at Oktoberfest, which celebrates everything beer-related (leave the car back at your hotel for that) and at Christmas, when the lights twinkle across the city and the traditional German markets build excitement and festive cheer. You can find the modern side of the city or travel back to the Medieval period – either way, it’s a city that stays with you.

Marvellous Marienplatz

The old town of Munich – the Aldstadt – is where you can really get a sense of the medieval city. The core is Marienplatz, home of St. Mary’s column for which the square is named. Maximilian I erected it in 1638 and it has since placed an important role in marking the centre of all Bavaria. The area is lined with cafes, which provide lovely spots to watch the world go by while you wait for the next performance of the Glockenspiel, the famous clock on the front of the New Town Hall. The Old Rathaus is here too, as is the church of St. Peter. Interesting fact – the New Town Hall is actually older than the old one. This is because much of the town halls were rebuilt since war damage changed the cityscape in World War Two – including the Fischbrunnen, Fish Fountain, located at the New Town Hall entrance.

Eating and drinking is geared towards tourists here, but, as many of these visitors are German, standards are usually high. Dip into beer halls and cellars for classic local dishes such as sausage paired with sauerkraut. Ratskeller has staff in dirndls and wooden benches for an old-world atmosphere. Just make sure to park up your hire car beforehand to truly sample Germany’s best beers.

Munich’s modern side

This isn’t a city stuck in the past – it’s an industrial powerhouse that is embracing the future too. There’s no finer symbol of that than the impressive Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich. They’re not just one of Germany’s best football teams, but a big player on the Champions League table too. It’s as impressive outside as in, with shifting colours which light up the city’s skyline.

German car manufactures, BMW, have a huge presence in the city and are a major employer. BMW Welt is their landmark HQ, complete with a museum that looks back at the manufacturer’s history but also displays some of their rarest and most valuable cars. It’s a must for petrolheads.

Gardens and museums

It’s easy to enrich your cultural life in Munich, whether it’s at one of the numerous castles, museums or even in the great outdoors. For the latter, stroll the charming Englischer Garten – English Garden – a vast and beautiful park with lakes, a Greek temple (the Monopteros), a Japanese tea house and, of course, a beer garden.

If the weather isn’t so kind, head indoors to the Residenz, once the palace of the Wittelsbach rulers. It’s a lavishly decorated ode to conspicuous consumption. The same goes for Schloss Nymphenburg and the Linderhof Palace – European history brought to life through baroque architecture and decoration.

Hertz car hire gives you access to all the grand sights of Munich and Bavaria.