Willkommen to Munich
Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Florence… I’m sure we would all agree make up some of the top European destinations, and rightfully so as they are all beautiful cities rich in culture, history and amazing food. But what about Munich? After having spent several weeks here, I think that this friendly, chic, and very attractive city may be underrated or overlooked, and should too be included in the top destinations for travel.
Situated just north of the Bavarian Alps and on the banks of the Isar River, Munich, the capital of the German state of Bavaria, is the third largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. One of the first things visitors notice besides how clean Munich is, is how international the city is- Turkish, Italians, and Greeks, among others make up the large immigrant population in Munich. You’ll see the diversity represented in the boutiques and most notably in the restaurants and cuisine.
When I first arrived into Munich’s airport and second to the Hauptbahnhof (central train station), I was pleasantly surprised to find how easy it was to find my way. Here there is a clear sense of order where things just seem to work- efficiently and effectively. At the airport for example, the majority of German residents proceed to the self check-in, which drastically shortens the immigration lines. The escalators in many of the train stations are on motion detectors and go in both directions, which is a huge energy conservation. On the U (underground metro system), people generally enter on the left and exit on the right which eliminates the pushing and shoving, especially during rush hour. There are clearly designated bicycle and pedestrian lanes throughout the city that must be followed. And lots of directional signs- on the trains and in the streets. It’s great! Just one piece of advice- bring your umbrella.
Around the Marienplatz, the central square
Kaufingerstraße (Kaufingerstrasse) – one of the oldest streets in Munich is now the busiest pedestrian street in the city. Here you’ll find big name German and international brand stores that attract tourists from all over.
Orlando strasse- This has souvenir shops and leads to Orlando platzl where you’ll find the famous Hofbrauhaus beer hall
Munich is one of the most bike friendly cities worldwide where more people get around by bike (or public transport) than by car. Children are introduced to the biking way of life from a very young age as they ride with their parents in the bicycle child carrier.
DB (Deutsche Bahn trains)- With it being centrally located, Munich is an ideal base for travel to the Bavarian Alps as well as other places throughout Europe. In addition to the different destinations in Bavaria and Germany, the regional and fast trains transport visitors smoothly and comfortably to neighboring countries such as Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, and Hungary in just a matter of hours.
Beer halls (indoors) and beer gardens (outdoors) in Munich are a way of life and have been an important part of Bavarian culture for centuries. They serve as sort of “living room” spaces where locals meet up with friends to socialize, discuss, or watch football (soccer) while enjoying good quality beer. One thing I really like about the beer halls and gardens is that they are all shared tables, which makes it easy to strike up a conversation with the locals and other visitors.
Hofbräuhaus is one of the oldest and most famous beer halls in the world. Because of its fame, it is also one of the most touristy. But I think it is still worth a visit to at least see the interiors, particularly the beautifully painted ceilings.
Weisses Brauhaus on the other hand (Address-Tal 7, 80331 München) is more of a place where the locals go. You’ll quickly learn who the “regulars” are when you see the waitstaff greet certain customers with big smiles and friendly teasing. This beer hall feels more authentic, serves great food and has a nice craft beer list too!
Beer garden at Viktualienmarkt Market
Bavarian fashion – many visitors are surprised to learn that the lederhosen for men and dirndl dresses for the ladies are worn not just during Oktoberfest or as costumes at touristy restaurants, but as regular fashion in everyday life, especially when going out on the town.
Englischer Garten– Besides being famous for its beer culture, Munich is also known for its many green spaces. Englischer Garten (English Garten) is one of the largest urban parks in the world and features a Japanese teahouse, a Chinese tower, and the 2nd largest beer garden in Munich. Visitors and locals come here to read, walk their dogs, jog, cycle, picnic, take a nap, and of course meet with friends to drink lots of beer. There’s also the Isar river that runs through the garden where surfers bring their boards during the warmer temperatures to go surfing.
A food lover’s paradise! With so many vendors selling ready-to-eat local foods, Viktualienmarkt and Elisabethmarkt (markets) are ideal spots for a Bavarian food tasting. You’ll also find a nice variety of imported food selections too.
Viktualienmarkt is the largest and the city’s oldest farmer’s market.
Elisabethmarkt is a quaint, relaxed Schwabing neighborhood version of the Viktualienmarkt.
Festivals– While Oktoberfest is the most famous, Munich hosts other food and music festivals throughout the year…
Spa Culture…
One thing most visitors may not realize is that Munich (and Germany for that matter) is well-known for its saunas and bath houses. Müller’sche Volksbad is one of them. This bathing temple has been around for over a century and has kept almost all of notable historic details throughout the years. The Roman steam bath and swimming pool are the highlights. There’s also several saunas that are heated to different temperatures, including a Finnish sauna. Caution- German saunas and bath houses may be better suited for the more “adventurous” person as they are textiles off (nude only) and typically coed. However, a bathing suit is worn in the swimming pool areas.
Being a predominantly Catholic society, there are many beautiful churches and cathedrals throughout the entire city.
