Munich Travel Blog: Table of Contents
Where, How?
Munich on C&C
Best Time To Visit Munich
Personal Notes
Where to Sleep
Let’s Eat!
Let’s Go For a Drink
What to See and Do
Tipping in Munich
Common Scams & What to Avoid
C&C’s Google Map of the City
Munich Travel Blog: Where, How?
Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Western Europe, Europe
Population: 1.388 Million (2013)
Currency: Euro (€)
Airport(s)
Munich International Airport (MUC)
Airport Notes: It’s a beautiful modern airport with a great design. It’s easily accessible from the city. It’s a model for other airports.
Transportation to-and-from the airport: You can go from the airport to city centre by taking the S-Bahn on the S1 or S8 line. Otherwise, you can also take a taxi for around €60 to arrive in 40 minutes or so.
Intra-City Transportation
Intra-City Transportation: To get around the city, there is public transportation, which is the best way to move around the city because of its size. Not only would it be cheaper but also much faster. The great thing about taking public transport is that they only have one ticket system which is called the MVV, so you can use the same ticket to take the S-Bahn (train), U-Bahn (bus), trams, or buses. Alternatively you can rent a car, take a taxi, or if you are confined to one area, walking around is a good option.
A Note on Taxis:
Taxis in Munich are well-regulated so there is no need to worry about safety while travelling in one. They are beige colored with a taxi sign on the roof.
Just like anywhere, Uber is cheaper and safer. If you don’t already have an account, use this link and get 15 dollars off your first ride!
Neighborhoods
- City Center (Altstadt-Lehel) – There a several historic churches within this area, along with the New City Hall (Neues Rathaus) and the Old City Hall (the Feldherrenhalle) former residence of the Bavarian Kings.
- Maxvorstadt (Maxvorstadt) – This district is very upscale where you can find the University of Munich along with a number of museums.
- Schwabing & English Garden – Be prepared to dig deep in your pockets or just simply window shop if you are on a strict budget.
- Olympic area (Olympiagelände) – As you might have guessed, this area once hosted the Olympic Games. Take a ride to the top of the Olympic Tower to experience amazing views of the city.
- Neuhausen-Nymphenburg – Enjoy relaxing beer gardens and forget for a moment where you are in the world!
- Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt – There is an interesting mix of bars, hotels, hostels, hip coffee shops and gay bars in this area. You will find some Middle-Eastern looking streets where you can try Turkish or Arabic food. Oktoberfest is held in Theresienwiese, in the southwest of Ludwigsvorstadt.
- Au-Haidhausen – This is Munich’s oldest borough which is known for its night scene.
- East (Bogenhausen, Ber am Liam, Trudering-Riem, Ramersdorf-Perlach) – Mostly residential district where you can find the Hellabrunn Zoo.
Navigation tips: There’s no perfecy way to navigate this city, as it’s streets aren’t straight, its corners aren’t 90-degrees and it’s not built with its river as its core. Use your smartphone!
More About Munich on C&C
- WHAT TO EAT IN MUNICH: ALL THE CLASSICS!
- MUNICH RESTAURANTS: PAGEOU, FOR LUNCH
- FRENCH RESTAURANT MUNICH – LE CÉZANNE, A REAL BISTRO IN BAVARIA
- SPATENHAUS, MUNICH BEER HALL: BEER AND PORK AND BEER AND PORK AND…
- DALLMAYR, RESTAURANT IN MUNICH: THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD INSTITUTION
- 11 CHRISTMAS MARKETS THAT WILL GET YOU IN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT
- YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO OKTOBERFEST IN GERMANY
Best Time To Visit Munich
Average Monthly Minimum And Maximum Temperatures
Average Monthly Hours Of Sunshine
Average Monthly Rainfall Or Snowfall
Munich Travel Blog: Personal Notes
What’s This Place About?
Munich is a clean and orderly city that is highly regulated. Munich is all about beer, particularly wheat beer. The city’s claim to fame is the iconic beer festival known as Oktoberfest. Oddly enough, Oktoberfest occurs at the end of September, not in October.
What’s Great and Fun?
Munich is an art lover’s dream. There are countless museums filled with historical, modern, and design art. There are also numerous beautiful parks to explore.
Munich is a pub mecca. There are many different pubs called Bräuhaus and in the summer, many are open outdoors. One of the great things about this city is having a few beers while enjoying the afternoon sun.
Personal Anecdotes
My personal anecdotes are all about Oktoberfest. My very first visit to Oktoberfest was a special one. It was when I realized that everyone in this city respects the rules. While German people are not the most expressive, Oktoberfest is a completely different story. Everybody is very drunk. At the end of the day, it is not unusual to find people scattered pretty much everywhere on the grounds. Some people are simply passed out and there is vomit everywhere. The ambulance is frequently called upon because of the numerous instances of alcohol poisoning.
While Oktoberfest is absolutely NOT representative of the city of Munich, it is the image that is the most popular around the world.
Munich Travel Blog: Where to Stay in Munich
There are many different accommodation to choose from, here are my suggestions on where to stay in Munich:
Hotel Torbräu is located in the city centre, within walkable distance of many landmarks. It is very well-rated and is good value. If you prefer high end options as answer to you question on where to stay in Munich, you might try this.
Cocoon Hauptbahnhof is a great place where to stay in Munich if you’re on a budget. It is located near the public transport, with clean and stylist decoration.
Hotel Metropol is perfect if you’re heading to Oktoberfest – Theresienwies is only a 8-minute walk away! There are also several underground stations so getting around is extremely convenient.
If you prefer staying in a hostel, Euro Youth Hotel Munich and wombat’s CITY Hostel are clean, comfortable and cheap. Perfect if you are looking for where to stay in Munich on a budget. If you are looking for inexpensive options on where to stay in Munich, you might be interested in this.
There are also your major chain hotels such as Mandarin Oriental, Munich Marriott Hotel and Hilton Munich City.
Just like everywhere, Airbnb is a very interesting option. If you’re not already a member, you can use this Airbnb link to get $40 off your first reservation.
Munich Travel Blog: Let’s Eat!
Famous Foods and Specialties
- Leberkässemmeln, a white roll filled with a thick warm slice of “Leberkäse” (veal, pork and spices baked) – Get these from non-franchised butcher shops as they are simple better.
- Leberknödelsuppe (soup with round dumpling containing liver), Grießnockerlsuppe (soup with semolina dumplings) and Pfannkuchensuppe (pancake soup).
- Münchner Weisswurst, a veal-based breakfast sausage mostly eaten with Brezn (prezel) and a wheat beer. It’s traditionally eaten for breakfast, beer included!
The Best Drunk Food
- Sausage
- Roasted chicken
Our Suggestions – Dishes And Restaurants
Obviously most people can’t go to Munich without having a beer or two which, naturally, needs some Bavarian food along with it.
I’ve written an article about my favourite restaurants in Munich. I’ve also critiqued many of them, including Munich’s best fine-dining restaurant, Dallmayr. If you have the money, you really should go there. It’s spectacular.
Here are a few extra suggestions for you!
When you a make decision on where to stay in Munich, check also about the restaurant options.
Wanna try the famous Oktoberfest butter-roasted chicken but aren’t visiting during the right time? You’re in luck! Lindwurmstüberl is a restaurant that serves the classic (and delicious) Bavarian roast chicken. It’s awesome.
Hirschgarten (Hirschgarten 1) sits one of the largest and oldest beer gardens in Munich. Tables with tablecloths belong to the restaurant section which is served by a waiter. Tables without tablecloths are self-service areas. Try the giant pork knuckle, Bavarian pretzels, or roasted chicken – all whilst washing it down with a local beer. There is even a deer park nearby to keep you or your children entertained!
Alter Simpl (Türkenstr. 57) is a great hang-out spot which is frequented by students as it is located near the universities. Grab a drink or a schnitzel with friends and enjoy the local atmosphere.
Schmalznudels are like the German version of doughnuts. You can find them at Cafe Frischhut where they are freshly made. I can’t think of anything better than some warm, deep fried dough and a coffee for breakfast. Despite the underwhelming exterior of the shop, there is almost always a massive queue outside so come here early!
Munich Travel Blog: Let’s Go For a Drink
What Do the Locals Drink?
Beer
Drinking in Public
Drinking in public in Munich as most of Germany is really not much of a big deal; it is unlikely you will get stopped. However, if your drinking gets out of control and you get too loud and rowdy then this is a different story. The legal drinking age in Germany is 16 years old.
Our Suggestions – Bars and Pubs
Here is a list of bars/clubs – go for the beer and everything else!
Don’t look for where to stay in Munich far away from a crowd favorite bar.
- Brasserie Tresznjewski, Theresienstraße 72, 80333 München, Germany. Telephone +49 8282349
- Café Glockenspiel, Marienplatz 28, 80331 München, Germany. Telephone +49 89 264256
- Brasserie OskarMaria, Salvatorplatz 1, 80333 München, Germany. Telephone +49 89 29196029o
- Schumann’s, Odeonsplatz 6-7 1, 80539 München, Germany. Telephone +49 89229060o
- Cocktailhaus, Feilitzschstraße 25, 80802 München, Germany. Telephone +49 89 398019
As regular readers of this column know, I don’t know anything about clubs. Sorry!
Munich Travel Blog: What to See and Do
Oktoberfest was first started in October of 1810, which is more than two hundred years ago! For this to be going strong and getting bigger and bigger each year it must hold some significance to those who keep it alive. The festival was started as a celebration to commemorate the marriage of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Millions of visitors from around the world gather in Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest! There is beer, beer and more beer!
If you want to experience authentic, mouthwatering, fresh, and delightful produce and of course beer, visit Viktualienmarkt. This market gives you all the fruits, vegetables spices, meat and fish conceivable with plenty of places to have a quick bite if you choose to.
Munich is filled with attractions for everyone, art, architecture, beer gardens, castles and palaces, churches, great landmarks, and museums and galleries. Do not be afraid to explore the city.
- Frauenkirche is one of the biggest cathedrals in southern Germany; it can hold approximately 20,000 people. There is a black mark at the entrance referred to as the “Devil’s footstep (Teufelsschritt)”, where legend has it the devil stood.
- Museum Brandhorst and Pinakotheken art museums will enthrall you with both modern and historic pieces meant to satisfy both your craving and curiosity. It is always better to decide on where to stay in Munich after checking the connectivity to the places that you want to visit in the city.
- If you are vacationing in Munich with kids or you are not the active type there is always the Englischer Garten, a park said to be bigger than both Central Park (New York) and Hyde Park (London). You can stroll around and visit the numerous beer gardens or simply sit on the lawn and relax.
Tipping in Munich
Just like in most of Europe, it is not expected to tip but it is a nice gesture. If you have received good service, you can either round up or tip 7-10% of the total cost of the bill.
Munich Travel Blog: Common Scams & What to Avoid
Pickpockets
Munich is an extremely safe city. However, you do need to be careful around Hauptbahnhof, the main train station. Just as in every city in Europe, the area around the main train station is the seediest and the place where you need to be the most careful.
It is always a good practice to decide on where to stay in Munich away from these places.
How to Stay Safe: Tips and Tricks
READ MORE: Travel Canada Advisory for Germany.