Andechs Monastery

Munich’s beer gardens are world famous but few offer such idyllic surroundings as the Andechs brewery, housed in the historic Andechs Monastery, 40km southwest of the city. Dating back to 1392, the Benedictine Abbey is perched atop the Holy Mountain of Heiliger Berg and overlooks the glittering Lake Ammersee. The Abbey’s beautifully preserved cloister is its oldest feature, but the architectural highlight is its striking Baroque church, remodeled in 1712, and climbing the church tower offers dramatic views over the Ammersee valley.

A place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages, the monastery is also famous for its adjourning brewery, which has been brewing traditional Bavarian beers since 1455 and continues to produce 7 different beer varieties. A popular day trip from nearby Munich, visitors to the Abbey can tuck into a meal at the monastery restaurant, sip a stein of Andechser Doppelbock, Andechs’ trademark dark beer, or even tour the working brewery.