-Europe.Germany.Munich-
I can’t not think of Beer when I think of Munich – An armful of Beer Steins held by Beer servers in Dirndl or Lederhosen. I guess I am not the only one as Oktoberfest draws large crowds every year. Honestly I have not made it to Oktoberfest as I don’t drink alcohol nor do I appreciate large crowds. Maybe some day…
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Table of Contents
Getting to Munich city
Arrival in Munich airport – and to get to the city center the cheapest way is with the S-Bahn. Just follow signs for S-Bahn at the airport. Tickets can be bought at the rail station either from the vending ticket machines or a counter. The S1 and S8 goes to the city stops Hauptbahnhof (Main Central Station) or Marienplatz, the main shopping and meeting area. It runs every 10 minutes except for hours from 1 – 4 am. You can expect to have a 40-minute travel time to the city.
Ticket Options for Public transport
I have to do a side long *Tip here – travelling in Europe is expensive so it pays very much to plan ahead. Unfortunately the information available is largely very confusing. Depending on where your onward journey is you can plan to buy the right tickets.
Firstly there are single tickets for per person travel. If you are travelling from the airport just for a single trip to the city , you need a 4-zone ticket – check for the conditions here https://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/tickets-and-fares/tickets-daytickets/single-ticket/index.html
There is also a Day Ticket for per person travel which does not cost much more than the single ticket. The difference is you can use this ticket on multiple trips in the zone you have selected. Check the conditions here
Similar to the Day Ticket for per person travel, there is the Day Ticket for Group travel, a single fare for 2 – 5 adults travelling together. 2 children between 6 and 14 years of age count as one adult. Check the conditions here.
If you come from the airport, you would need an “Entire Network Ticket” to get to the city center.
If your plan is to have onward visits to other parts of Bavaria eg Neuschwanstein or even Salzburg, then a Bayern Ticket makes the most sense. If you travel in the valid time of the day – this ticket covers regional trains with local tram / bus transportation including the S-Bahn and U-Bahns in this region. Check the conditions here
Sight-seeing Munich
This is probably the first sight you will see, the Central train station of Munich. Inside there are shops and restaurants to help you spend your time while waiting for the train. I much prefer the one in Hamburg which has a food court concept. I have to be honest – I have been to Munich many times but often as a transit point to somewhere else therefore this list is by far not exhaustive.
Munich Altstadt / Marienplatz
A few stops away from the main train station is the center where lots of people congregate and meet.
The center is completely walkable – if you happen to be at the square at 11 or 12 noon – the Glockenspiel on the Neues Rathaus tower will ring and the figures (32 of them) will move and re-enact Bavarian events.
Frauenkirche
In the background rises two church towers topped with identical domes. This has many times served as a compass to find my way back to the Marienplatz. The church itself has some special features notably – one is there is the “Devil’s footprint” inside with an interesting story behind , and secondly you can also climb the South Tower. 92m in height , expect to get a great view over the city centre. It costs 7.50 Euros to take the elevator up.
Altes Rathaus
The spires look unique in this square. Of course this was the old city hall, and is still used for ceremonies and presentations – It looks like a decorative features in Disneyland to me! You could almost imagine a princess locked up in the high tower. Now there is a toy museum inside – rather fitting I think !
Viktualienmarkt
Also nearby is the market full of stalls selling fresh produce and food. Many festivals are also held here. I don’t have any pictures of it – because I thought it was just a big market place as you would find in many other places.
Odeonsplatz
This is another big square about a 10 minute walk away from Marienplatz.
It has the Hofgarten nearby with the Temple of Diana in the middle as well as the Theatine Church and Kunstverein Munich.
Also in the vicinity of the Theatiner Church is the Residenz Theatre of Munich.
Eishbachwelle
About 10 minutes walk from the Odeonsplatz, is the tourist draw of this man-made river with a section made for river surfing. This is the start of the Englisher Garten.
Leopoldstrasse
About 20 minutes walk away from Odeonsplatz is the famous street Leopoldstrasse – Historic Street with buildings to match and it is full of restaurants and shops. On this street is the Siegestor, which is located at the boundary of two Munich districts – Maxvorstadt and Schwabing. This monument is a sign for Peace. Look out for the “Walking Man Statue” along this Road. It is BIG.
Gates that historically protected Munich
There is the Isator, Karlstor and Sendlingertor which still stands around Munich city centre. The Karlstor is the gateway to the pedestrian – only zone at the start of the shopping street Neuhauserstrasse / Kaufingerstrasse.
Englischer Garten
Munich has many parks and gardens but the English garden occupies a very , very large area close to the city centre and is actually one of the largest public parks in Europe. It is located by the Isar river flowing through it. In the summertime, don’t be too shocked to find nude sunbathers worshipping the sun. I was surely shocked when a naked guy rode his bicycle past me. There is also a big beer garden by the Chinese Pagoda in the park.
Olympic Park
This is a big, big area which was built for the Olympic Games hosted in Munich, 1972. It really is an impressive place to see. Concerts and big events are held here – Here is the link to check out events, opening time and tickets.
To get there, take the U-Bahn Line U3 Direction Moosach – Stop Olympiazentrum or Bus 173.
BMW Welt
Has the same stops as the Olympia Park above. I have not been here personally but I heard good things about it from some colleagues. It of course provides some insights into car manufacturing as well as a museum of sorts. Here is the link for opening times, entrance fees and list of things to do inside.
Deutsches Museum
This is a good visit, if you are faced with a rainy day or even if not. It is a science and technology museum meaning it covers a wide range of topics. I can recommend visiting due to many diverse exhibits suitable for different ages. Check for opening times, entrance fees link.
Stops at Marienplatz U-bahn and S-bahn-
Allianz Arena
Site for football matches- it is quite a sight and the exterior changes colour depending on which team is playing. If you are an FC Bayern fan, the megastore is located here. Check out the link
Marionettentheater
For a shot of culture – this was an accidental find when my friend and I were looking for something to do , we found a very cozy puppet theater with a cultural theme for children! It was about Kasperl a folk story the Bavarian folks in particular grew up around , often with a lesson of some sort in the end. It was entertaining and perfect for my level of German 🙂 The children in the theater was really enjoying and interacting during the whole show! However the theater also offer modern , adult-themed puppet shows. Here is the link for opening times and tickets.
Stop at Sendlinger Tor station to get there.
Favourite Asian Restaurants in Munich
Wherever I travel to, it will be combined as a foodie trip when possible. I am always on the lookout for good Asian food, so if you have a recommendation for me, drop me a line please!
1. Malaysian Restaurant called Champor
2. Vietnamese place near to the city Banyan Restaurant
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I’ve a good friend from Munich, and reading this post reminds me I need to visit her soon! Munich has much more to offer than Oktoberfest, many points that you’ve outlined in this post. I like the historic feel of the place, and the English Garden is so pretty too!
I would love to visit in Oktoberfest, but I think I would enjoy that more if I had gone when I was younger. It’s great to know about the other attractions in Munich. The Altes Rathaus does look like Disneyland and it’s very cool there is a toy museum inside — how fun! The Englischer Garten is gorgeous and looks very picturesque in Autumn. I definitely have some things to seek out now when I visit Germany!
Foods and beers are two valid reason to visit Munich. My friend lives in Germany, and this could be a perfect occasion to visit her and her family. Those proud architectures are very stunning.
I too agree with you that Munich has many wonderful things other than famous Oktoberfest. I too loved this city for perfect combination of ancient architecture and the modern technology development. BMW museum was awesome visit for me. Even the Technology museum was very educational and interesting for me. Loved reading your article as it has complete details on Munich.
Definitely there is so much more to Munich apart from Beer. Though being teetotalers ourselves we too are more inclined to the attractions other than Beer that the city has to offer. The charm that one associates with European cities is present in full measure in Munich too. Though each of the places have their own unique draw, what really grabbed my attention and fascinated me were the Glockenspiel and the statue of the Walking man.
Same pinch! I too am not too fond of beers or crowds! Crowds are always a turn-off for me.
I agree about buying all travel tickets earlier in Europe. Last minute tickets even in buses & trains are costly in Europe.
I’m yet to visit Munich and I hope I’ll head there soon. I’ll make sure to be there at 11 or 12 noon to watch the figures of the mechanical clock, perform. Eisbachwelle sounds interesting – man made river for surfing? Quite amusing!
I don’t know how many times I have been to Munich. But every time I did different things. The last trip I did was to visit some feature coffee shops. Then, I went to the famous beer house as well.
I loved Munich during my visit to the city there was so many various activities to do my favorite part was the food as natural. Also, as a sport fan I was pretty stunned by the Allianz Arena, it was a huge arena and people went nuts for their fav teams.