Munich

From MaxTravelz

Munich (German: München) is the capital city of Bavaria, the largest federal state of Germany (by area - not by population). The third-largest German city - by population, not by area- (after Berlin and Hamburg) , Munich is noted for its architecture and culture, while its annual Oktoberfest beer celebration is world famous.

Contents 1 Districts 2 Understand 3 Get in 3.1 By car 3.2 By plane 3.3 By train 4 Get around 4.1 Bus, Tram, U-Bahn (subway) and S-Bahn 4.2 Bike 5 See 5.1 Museums, Galleries, and Memorials 5.2 Squares 5.3 Parks 5.4 Palaces and Castles 6 Do 6.1 Festivals 6.2 Theater, Opera, and Music 6.3 Tour 6.4 Markets 6.5 Sport 6.6 Current Events 7 Buy 7.1 Christmas Markets 8 Eat 9 Drink 9.1 Beer gardens and beer halls 9.2 Clubs and Discos 10 Sleep 10.1 Long Term 11 Learn 12 Stay safe 13 Get out

Districts

• City Center (Karlsplatz/Marienplatz/Isartor/Königsplatz) The city center is made up largely of the Karlsplatz (also known as "Stachus" by the locals) and Marienplatz squares, which are the main tourist hang outs. However, for ease of use, the areas directly around these squares are included, because they offer a lot for visitors and, though not defined, should be included in the city center.

• Schwabing/Maxvorstadt (University area) Schwabing (or rather Maxvorstadt) is the upscale academic district - a trendy but charming neighborhood immediately beyond the Ludwig-Maximilian Universität (try blue/orange metro stops Universität or Münchener Freiheit) filled with small coffee houses, expensive but astounding shoe stores, bookstores and speciality restaurants from around the world. Schwabing has always been an "in" place to live, and looking at the shady tree-lined streets, it's not difficult to imagine why.

And if you're feeling homesick, the Leopoldstraße (get out at Universität or Münchner Freiheit) also offers coffeeshops such as Starbucks or the San Francisco Coffee Company.

• Olympic area/Olympic Einkaufzentrum This is for the area around the 1972 Olympic site.
• Haidhausen The district that contains the Ostbahnhof area is well-known for its clubbing area.
• Neuhausen & Nymphenburg is one of the more relaxing districts, where the atmosphere causes residents and visitors alike to forget they are in a city of over a million. Both of these neighborhoods are virtually undiscovered by tourists even though Neuhausen is home to a popular night club and the world's largest beer garden. What's more astounding is that, while millions of tourists flock to Munich in the summer months and September and October for Oktoberfest, few find their way to the tranquil Schloss Nymphenburg gardens.
• Thalkirchen

Understand

When Germans are polled about where they would most like to live, Munich finds its way consistently to the top of the list. Being within easy driving distance of the Alps, Italy and the Mediterranean, the Czech Republic, Austria and some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, it's not surprising everyone wants to be there! Add to its benefits beautiful architecture, especially Baroque and Roccoco, green countryside which starts a mere half-hour away on the S-Bahn, the second largest university in Germany, and the greatest beer culture on the planet: could there be anything wrong with Munich? Yes and no. The Bavarians are very conservative (although, Munich itself traditionally has a Social Democratic municipal council), to the point of being reactionary. This can make it tough to get to know them, and at the very least, will lead to more than a few raised eyebrows at your ripped denim shorts.

There's a price to pay for living in a city where everyone else wants to be: Munich is the most expensive city in Germany. But all in all, its advantages make a visit more than worthwhile. Just leave the denim shorts at home!

Munich's cultural scene is second to none, its museums even outnumber Berlin in quality. And it has been, unlike Berlin, brilliantly rebuilt after the war. Most people find it hard to believe that Munich was even bombed in WWII.

Munich people don't want their city to be noticed only as a city connected to beer and the Oktoberfest. In fact, the Bavarian kings had their share to do with Munich becoming a city of arts and science in the 19th century. Its outstanding position among other German cities may have faded since - especially due to Berlin becoming the German capital again in the 1990s - but Munich still remains Germany's number-one place for art, having been the home or birthplace of many famous writers, artists, architects, and musicians, including:

Egid Quirin Asam, François de Cuvilliés, Johann Michael Fischer, Albrecht Dürer, architects Barelli and Zuccalli (credited with bringing the Italian baroque style to Munich, a style that would become omnipresent throughout Bavaria), Leo von Klenze, Franz von Lenbach, Wassily Kandinsky and the artists of the Blaue Reiter (Blue Rider) School of Expressionist art.

Thomas Mann and Lion Feuchtwanger are famous german writers that lived in Munich until they were driven out of the city by the Nazis because of their religion and/or political attitude.

Get in

By car

• Highways from many directions lead to Munich, however they often get congested at peak times and on weekends, especially during the ski season. For day trips to Munich, it's probably best to leave your car in a Park&Ride car park (see below).

By plane

• Munich International Airport (IATA: MUC) is the second biggest German airport and has two terminals. Terminal 2 is used by Lufthansa and its partner airlines from Star Alliance. All other airlines used the older Terminal 1. The Munich airport is located outside of Munich in a northeasten suburb. Due to the increased number of flights the airport has expanded and now offers connections to all domestic airports and most international airports in the world. If you are unable to fly to Munich directly, travellers can arrange a transfer via Frankfurt. Flight time from Frankfurt to Munich is about 35 minutes.

The airport connects to central Munich by S-Bahn (commuter train) on S1 or S8 lines. The journey (single) costs €8.80 and takes 30-40 minutes to get to the central station. For more information see the get around section.

By train

Most major European cities connect to Munich by rail. Munich's Hauptbahnhof (main station) is conveniently located in the center of Munich. The Deutsche Bahn uses Munich as one of its main German hubs and has good connections to neighboring countries (Austria, Switzerland and Czech Republic) and to all southern German cities. The main station is west of Marienplatz (two S-Bahn stations) or a short walk away from the city center. The main station also has a traveler-friendly infrastructure including several restaurants, a tourist's bureau and a Deutsche Bahn ticket and travel agency office.

Get around

Bus, Tram, U-Bahn (subway) and S-Bahn

Best bet is the Tram (streetcar), bus and U-Bahn (subway) system. For connections to the suburbs use the S-Bahn. You can get individual, group, day and week tickets. The metro (U-Bahn) stations are signed with a white capital "U" on a blue background. To the suburbs or airport use the S-Bahn, signed with a white "S" on green background. All lines run together in a tunnel in central Munich.

The blue strip card (Streifenkarte) is a better value than buying lots of individual tickets. The cost is €10.50, and may be purchased at dispensing machine at every station. Stamp 2 strips for most journeys in the city, or 8 from the airport. The rule is to use two strips for each colored ring on the map. Don't forget to stamp the tickets - without a stamp the ticket is invalid and you are liable to a fine! (There is lots of checking currently, even on the late S-Bahn on weekends). These machines ("Entwerter") are found at the entrance down to the S-Bahn or U-Bahn platform, and on the buses and trams. In most other German cities passengers can validate tickets on the train, this is not the case in Munich so please ensure you validate your tickets before boarding any U-Bahn train.

For more than two journeys a day, it's better to buy a day ticket, available for a single person or a partner card for up to five adults.

Public transportation operates with limited service from 2:00 to 5:00 in the morning. Metro doesn't operate at all and the tram and some buses operates hourly from Monday to Friday and half hourly on the weekend. On Friday, Saturday and nights before public holidays there is a single S-Bahn on each line between 2:30 and 3:00. So if you're staying out late, try to get the schedule of the so called Nachttram (Nighttram) in advance or don't leave the place before 5:00 (or take a taxi of course).

The Munich MVV website has underground maps and maps of the Park&Ride car parks attached to U-bahn stations (under the Pläne menu), as well as timetables. The official urban rail network map is an essential means of orientation.

Bike

With over 200km of bike trails, one of the very best ways to explore the city is on a bicycle. Guided tours are available, or for the independent-minded, rentals and maps are available at the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) and other areas of the city.

Bikes can also be rented by the Call-A-Bike system, which is run by Deutsche Bahn (national rail service). You need to call a number listed on the bikes from your mobile phone and register with the callabike.de website in order to use the. The service is convenient, as you just spot an available bike throughout the city and just leave it at your destination. However, this is not an economical alternative, if you are planning many trips in a single day. In that case, it is better to get a day or multiday rental from one of the rental services located throughout central Munich

See

Museums, Galleries, and Memorials

Please see the City Center

• Egyptian Museum - admission €4 (concessions €3, children free, free for all on Sundays)
• Lenbachhaus Gallery - Expressionist art.
• Dachau Concentration camp An incredible, and sobering experience, this is a worthwhile excursion. Not recommended for small children. Tours can be booked in Munich or at Dachau there, in English. While the tour is certainly of historical value, there is very little to see from the original camp, as most of the structures from the WWII era have been destroyed. Tourists, who, take a tour of Dachau from a private guide/tour company often complain that they didn't have enough time to explore the camp. Three hours or more should be dedicated to exploring the camp, though to fully see the camp may require five or more hours.
• Deutsches Museum is located in Haidhausen
• Statue of the Bavaria, Theresienhöhe 16 (U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese), +49-89-290671, . This is a almost 20 m high statue, standing on the west border of Theriesienwiese next to the Hall of Fame. There is a small viewing platform inside her head. €3.00/€2.00

Squares

The City Center has the most noteworthy squares

Parks

• Englischer Garten - is in Schwabing. Entrance is free, and it is a wonderful place to relax. Munich's second-biggest beer garden is located here, a nice place to stay and talk to the locals. Just drive to "Münchner Freiheit" or "Ostbahnhof" by S- or U-Bahn and take bus number 54 to "Chinesischer Turm".
• BUGA05 . The Bundesgartenschau 2005 is closed now. Not really sad, for €14 you did not see much. The area will be reconstructed and a park with a lake will remain. On a hot day take U2 to Messestadt West and don't forget your swimsuit!
• Hirschgarten is in Neuhausen
• The Munich Zoo is in Thalkirchen

Palaces and Castles

• Schloss Nymphenburg is in Neuhausen & Nymphenburg.
• Residenz is in the City Center, near to Marienplatz.

• Schloss Schleißheim . Not really in Munich, but you can take the S1 S-Bahn to Oberschleißheim to get there.

Do

Festivals

• Oktoberfest . The first Oktoberfest took place on the 12 October 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. All citizens of Munich were invited to a meadow (Wies'n) situated in front of the city tower, subsequently renamed the Theresienwiese in honor of the bride. In the early years of the fair, horse races were held, then as the event grew, agricultural conventions, which still take place every third year. But what about beer? After all, the Bavarian hops crop has to go somewhere! In 1896 businessmen working with the breweries in Munich built the first giant beer tents at Oktoberfest, and drinking has been the primary focus since. Each of the major breweries presides over its own large tent filled with traditional musicians leading the crowd in well-known drinking chants, incredibly strong barmaids hoisting ten or more huge Maß (1-liter glass beer mugs that are heavy even when empty!), and a spate of drunken people all trying to get into the bathroom at once. In 2003, Oktoberfest hosted 6.4 million visitors who drank 6.1 million liters of beer and ate the equivalent of 91 oxen, 383,000 sausages and 630,000 chickens. Furthermore there are of course as on all similiar festivals many rides as two looping roller coasters and two large ferris wheels.

However, visiting the Oktoberfest can be very stressful, because the tents are overcrowded and there are doormen at the entrance ruling the procedure of coming in. Especially at weekends you should try to get in the tents before 10 o'clock in the morning. During the week most tents are open all day, however it is not easy to get a seat.

It is not recommended to leave the tent if you want to get in it later the day. So you have to decide early in the morning if you want to go in a certain tent or you want to enjoy the rides like the coaster with 5 loopings.

Some tents, such as the Hofbräu Festzelt have a standing area that does not require seating; as such, you can sometimes get into this tent later than with other ones.

• Maibaumaufstellen . On the 1st of May (which is a public holyday in Germany) strange things happen in some Upper Bavarian villages and even in Munich... Men in Lederhosn and girls in Dirndln carrying long poles meet on the central square. With these poles an even longer white-blue pole is erected. There is usually an oompah band playing, booths selling food and drinks and tables where you can sit down and enjoy this non-touristy spectacle. The large white-blue pole you find in almost every village and dozens in Munich (e.g. on the Viktualienmarkt) is called Maibaum (meaning may tree) and the villages compete who has the tallest and the straightest one. It is cut down every three to five years and re-erected in the following year. Ask a local which village or district of Munich does it this year and be there not later than 10 am.

Theater, Opera, and Music

Munich has many theatres showing different plays:

• Residenztheater shows a variety of classical and modern plays.

• Nationaltheater shows Ballet and opera performences almost every night. The Bavarian National Opera Company is said by critics to be one of the best in the world!

• Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz smaller than the Nationaltheater, this is a very good alternative for oftentimes interesting productions of operas, operettas and musicals. You almost always will get tickets on short notice while the big opera house has been sold out for weeks.

• Deutsches Theater shows more musicals and theme shows (like MAMA MIA!, etc).

• Kammerspiele which often surprises viewers with very modern (and sometimes shocking) interpretations of famous plays.

• Volkstheater is somewhere between Bavarian Folkore and modern theater.

Tour

Walking tours are one of the best ways to see any city and in Munich you can do it for free. Find the "New Munich Free Tour" at Marienplatz at 10:45am and 2:30pm everyday. How can it be free? The guides work on a tips-only basis.

Markets

• Viktualienmarkt . Famous market in the city centre, where you will find any imaginable sort of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, spices, and so on.
• am Elisabethmarkt . A tiny market, it has cute stalls, and an original feel. It is located at the tram stop Elisabethmarkt of the tram 27.

Sport

• Surfing . In spring join the locals surfing on the river at the edge of the Englischer Garten, at the bridge towards Lehel U-bahn station.
• Skiing. In winter get a "Bayern ticket" for Bavarian public transport, and go skiing at Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the day.
• Soccer. From August to May, you can catch football (Soccer) action with FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munich at Allianz Arena.
  • FC Bayern Website in English, in German, in Japanese, and in Chinese.
  • TSV 1860 Munich Website
• Hockey- EHC Munich [ is a local professional hockey club in Munich. They play at the olympic ice arena in Olympic Park.

Current Events

• For young people the underground online magazine stadtpool.de for Munich is an interesting information source for culture and events in Munich.

Buy

• Maximilianstrasse - This street in the city center is the place to go if you are looking for high end luxury goods.
• Shopping Centers For a collection of shops under one roof go to the shopping centres PEP (U-Bahn stop: Neuperlach Zentrum, U5), OEZ (U-bahn stop olympia Einkaufszentrum) or Riem Arkaden (U-Bahn stop Messestadt Ost, U2)
• Hohenzollernstr. This street has a collection of clothes shops, such as: Mazel, Vero Moda and a cheap traditional German clothing shop. You can reach it by getting out at the U2/U8 stop Hohenzollernstr. and then walking in the direction of Münchner Freiheit (the locals will be able to tell you which directio that is, or by going one stop on the 53 bus going towards Münchner Freiheit (that's the final stop, so written on the front of the bus). From then on continue going in that direction, until you start seeing the shops. You can walk down there in about 15 minutes, but when you're shopping, who knows? And that then brings you to the next shopping zone:
• Leopoldstr. This can be reached by the U-bahn U6 or U3 at the stops Münchner Freiheit, Giselastraße or Universität, and has chain stores such as the Body Shop, or coffee shops, such as Starbuck's.

Christmas Markets

During Christmas time there are many of these Christkindl Märkte or Christmas Markets, including the large Tollwood, but also smaller markets, where you can buy christmas buiscuits (Lebkuchen) souvenirs and the typical Glühwein. Although pronounced glue-vine, it is mainly hot red wine with spices and different (secret) flavouring.

• Münchner Freiheit is in Schwabing.
• am1 Elisabethmarkt A tiny market, it has cute stalls, and an original feel. It is located at the tram stop Elisabethmarkt of the tram 27. Further information you will find here:
• Marienplatz A bigger market, it stretches across the shopping street, so you can mix Christmas market shopping (and eating) with "normal" shopping.
• Chinesischer Turm at Englischer Garten has a nice Christmas market in a pretty park surrounding. Highly recommended if there's snow! It can conveniently be reached from U/Bus station Münchner Freiheit on the Bus 54 which has a stop Chinesischer Turm.

Eat

Many foreigners who stay (and eat) in Munich for the first time seem to think that the first thing you should try is a German sausage. While this may be true for example for cities like Nuremberg, which is famous for its Bratwurst it is not really valid for Munich. There is a famous sausage, the Weißwurst, but it is eaten only for (late) breakfast. If you are able to just enjoy one meal in Munich you should try Schweinsbraten (rosted pork) or Schweinshaxe (rosted pig's knuckle). If you only fancy a snack, almost every butcher sells Leberkässemmeln.

Please see district articles:

• City Center
• Neuhausen & Nymphenburg
• Schwabing

Drink

See also: Bavarian Beer

If you happen to be unfortunate enough to miss Oktoberfest, you can live through a sanitized, safer version at any of Munich's many beer gardens. The Hofbräuhaus may be the most famous beer hall, but not local would go there without force. There are countless beer gardens scattered around the city. The ones thinking they are competable beer drinkers, should try Starkbierfest after Lent lasting till before Eastern. The beer is darker and stronger than normal (even than Oktoberfest beer).

Coffee Culture is also very strong, especially during the summer months.

Please see district articles:

• City Center
• Neuhausen & Nymphenburg
• Schwabing
• Haidhausen
• Olympic area
• Thalkirchen

Beer gardens and beer halls

Usually located under large chestnut trees (Kastanienbäume) for shade. Often there are rows of fold-away tables and self-service. If you see tablecloth on some tables there is normally service only there. In a traditional Bavarian beer garden you are allowed to bring your food along with you. Only beverage (usually one litre mugs of local beer or Radler which is a half and half mix of beer and lemonade) is to be bought at the beergarden. Many locals still cling to this custom, though food is available as well, of course. Try Riesenbrezn (big pretzels) and Steckerlfisch (cured fish). Beer gardens are usally visited by a mixed crowd of people (locals, tourists, families, younger, elderly, straight, gay etc.) which the special atmosphere of a beergarden arises from; though people normally don't go alone there. If you don't manage to find a free table don't hesitate to ask if you may join someone. No local would refuse this request. Beer gardens are family friendly, with children's play areas on site. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on leash.

See district pages for locations.

Beer gardens in the suburbs

• Kugleralm In this traditional beer garden the Radler (mixture half beer half lemonade) was invented in 1922, when lots of cyclist rushed into this beer garden on a hot summer day. Because they ran out of beer, they diluted it with lemonade, telling the people this mix was invented especially for cyclists (Radler in Bavarian), because it does not contain so much alcohol. Take the S5 to Furth. You have to walk about 15 minutes in western direction. Ask a local for the exact way, on a nice day there will be many heading in the same direction.

• Leiberheim

• Waldwirtschaft As this beer garden is located near Munich's high-society area Grünwald chances are good to see at least a local celebrity. No oompha bands but live jazz music. Take S7 to Großhesslohe (Isartalbahnhof). Walk down the Sollner Straße in eastern direction to the river Isar.

Clubs and Discos

You have to be 18 years old to get into most clubs and discos in Munich. Always have your passport or id card with you, drivers licence may be ok, too. Some clubs have "Ü30-Parties", where you should be over 30 to get in, but usually you have no problems if you are over 25. In most of the cases it is ok to wear jeans and sneakers.

Please see district articles:

• City Center
• Schwabing
• Neuhausen & Nymphenburg
• Haidhauen - The neighborhood for the party! Many clubs are located in the Ostbahnhof area called "Kultfabrik."

Other Munich districts

• Alabamahalle. You pay a hefty entrance fee (about 16 Euros), but all drinks (including longdrinks) are free. You can imagine which type of persons go here. On Fridays they normally play Schlager, German music from the 70's and drinks are free only until 1 am.

• The Nerodom is Munich's only full-time "black club". That's Goth, Wave, Industrial, Electro, Medieval, Black Metal, depending on the day. All other "black events" are usually once a week or once a month, and can be found on Schwarzes München

Greater Munich

• Night-Fight. This huge High-Tech-Disco stretches over two levels. As well as a club disco, eight bars, cafés, a restaurant and an amusement arcade there is also a swimming pool and a terrace to cool off on. Special effects, light and mirror shows, as well as the JBL-sound system with 15,000 Watt power makes the Night-Flight a unique location. The musical cross-section is as varied as the rooms: Rave, Rock, Black Mission, best of music, Hip-Hop and much more are available to the disco-goers most of whom are between 18 and 25.

Sleep

Please see district articles:

• City Center
• Neuhausen & Nymphenburg
• Schwabing
• Olympic area
• Haidhausen
• Thalkirchen

Long Term

• Mr. Lodge . For people staying long term.

Learn

• Munich Business School
• Ludwig Maximilians University [
• Technical University of Munich
• Munich University of Applied Sciences
• Munich College for Music and Theatre
• Academy of Fine Arts
• Goethe Institut The Goethe Institut offers courses in German for anyone. The Geothe Institut offers several intensive courses and offers or will find accommodation for students.

Stay safe

Munich is in general a very safe city for all travellers, the only thing that ever seems to be an issue for travellers is becoming excessively intoxicated. One should attempt to use precaution while drinking to prevent from inciting a fight, being drugged, or injuring oneself.

Be aware that there is a big difference between the Bavarian police and the police from maybe Hamburg or Berlin. In Berlin it might not be a problem if they find 2 or 3 joints in your pocket (because you may carry it for your own needs), in Bavaria it definitely is a big problem for you. Opposed to this you won't have any problems if you drink alcohol in public (if you are over 16 years old).

Munich is one of Germany's international cities and has a great emphasis on the mixture of traditional values and modern work attitudes. For this reason, locals are welcoming travellers. Despite Berlin's status as the nation's capital, Munich sees themselves as the "capital" of the alpine region.

For the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups there are few reports of attacks against this group.

Get out

The S8 and S1 both go to the airport from Marienplatz S-Bahn station, but be careful because the S1 line splits into two separate trains at "Neufahrn" just before the airport- be sure that you are riding in the section that is actually going to the airport, which is always last part of the train. If you find yourself in the wrong car, just wait until Neufahrn and change into the last part of the train.

Dachau and Starnberg are good day trips. You may also want to see the Starnberg Lake (Starnberger See) or Ammersee.

• Andechs Monastery If you happen to miss the Octoberfest it is worth to travel to the holy mountain of Andechs. It's a monastery up a hill from the Ammersee. Take the S5 from Munich to Herrsching and then either hike up the hill or take the bus. When you are there have a look at the old monastery church and the gardens before focussing on the excellent beer and Schweinshaxen in the beer garden or in the large beer hall. Makes a great day trip which can also be combined with some swimming the Ammersee.
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the foot of Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze. About 1.5 hours by regional train (from the Munich Hautpbahnhof) or by car via Autobahn. The cog railway train to the top of the Zugspitze leaves regularly from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station.
• Salzburg, Austria, is an easy day trip from Munich. Trains run from the main Munich station just about every hour, and take about 1.5 hours.
• Prague If you have a few days to spare, this is the perfect trip. Many bus tours now offer very cheap transport and hotels in Prague. These trips can usually be undertaken quite spontaneously, and are truly worth the little money, if you don't mind bus journeys.
• Starnberg Getting to this beautiful lake can be relatively easy via S-Bahn. Entrance to a beach can be purchased for a few Euro. Or take a boat to the village of Berg. It is here that King Ludwig II mysteriously drowned with his psychiatrist.
• Nuremberg It was here that the some of the leaders of the Nazi regime faced justice. Nuremberg offers a lot of history for visitors. (Comment by a "local": when asking for it, preferably use the german name Nürnberg, the english name Nuremberg is usually unknown)

• Füssen is nestled in the Alps of southern Bavaria. A train from Munich's main station will take about two hours. The town is famous for King Ludwig II's "fairy-tale castles," the most famous being Neuschwanstein
• Bad Reichenhall: This is a spa town near Munich.

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