In Munich, people live a very exclusive/luxury lifestyle with their lederhosen and love of drinking beer. With all the beautiful lakes and mountains in the surroundings, it is quite a tourist magnet; but given that tradition is retained and the architecture around the city is stunning, it is a very typical German city. Some people may get the impression that residents have an attitude, but that’s because they are very proud to be Bavarian.
How to get there ?
Everything in Munich is nice and compact, so I recommend highly just walking around in order to get a real feel of the different neighborhoods; or you can rent a bike with Mike’s Bike. Public transportation (MVG) is also great way to visit different places. I recommend the week ticket for 15€ for the use of underground, S-Bahn and tram. The MVG app is the best because you easily find your desired destination and get a digital subway map. Coming from the airport is also easy by public transportation for about 11€ one-way either by Lufthansa bus or S-Bahn.
The local hotpots of Munich
English Garden
My favorite place in Munich by the Isar River is very calm, relaxing and fun – pure nature. In the summer, people either go there or head towards the lakes in the Munich surroundings. Read more about the hotspots in the magical English Garden.
Surfing at Eisbachwelle
Surfing in Munich is all year around at the Eisbachwelle. Head to the little Eisbachwelle behind the Monopteros to avoid the big tourist crowd and thus offers a much cooler vibe. If you bring your surfboard let me know so we can go together.
Vitkualienmarkt
This is a very beautiful market in the city center where you can find a whole range of different products such as international food, flowers, fruits, and souvenirs. I really like going around here because, to my surprise, I always discover a new place. The best stalls are Karnoll’s Standl for the best ‘nut cake’ at 1.20€/slice. Anything you buy at this stall is very delicious and cheap. Be sure to go to Sababa Imbiss for its famous falafel either on the plate or as a sandwich – delicious.
Marienplatz
Marienplatz (Town Hall) is the square with a unique town hall that is a hotspot in Munich everyone has to visit. This is also the place where FC Bayern München celebrates their championship every year. It’s a tourist magnet and very crowded, so I recommend going early in the morning.
National Theatre
This site is very beautiful with unique in architecture and a luxury building on the most expensive and exclusive shopping street (Maximilianstraße) in the city center of Munich. They offer beautiful ballet performances. If you’re lucky, you can get last minute tickets for a bargain. I recommend to get take-away lunch and sit by the Residenz.
Beer, Beer, Beer, Beer Garden
Munich and beer go perfectly hand in hand. I remember during the football World Cup when English visitors managed to finish all the beer before the game started. In any case, it is a very typical local thing to do is to meet in the beer garden and catch up. Some places I like to avoid tourist crowds are Seehaus at English Garden. From there you have great proximity to the best ice cream in town at Der verrückte Eismacher at Universität Station.
Celebrate the one & only traditional beer festival around the world in Munich
The biggest beer festival Octoberfest takes place in Munich during the last weeks in September until the first week of October. It’s very special and a must visit for everyone at least once in a lifetime. Think drinking beer from massive jugs and dancing on the tables, a pure local Bavarian & German cultural experience. Enjoy the time. Prost !
Local barbecue & sunset spot
That is a very famous spot in summer for the locals to hang out, barbecue, chill and party along the Isar river in Thalkirchen. This spot can be reached by public transportation by underground station Thalkirchen (Tierpark). From there its easy just follow the noise and smell. Avoid the big tourist crowds Olympiapark or English Garden and head to a very local spot in Munich to watch the sunset at a kind of different bar called Cafe Gans am Wasser in Westpark.
Dance Salsa in Munich. Where to go ?
For dancing salsa (linea) or bachata in Munich there are a couple of places I recommend: Buena Vista, Salsabor, Mint Club or Circulo. Check the Salsa Munich website to find out about daily events.
Streetlife Festival
A very cool, hip and amusing street festival takes place at the end of May where they close one of the main roads towards the city to let the Streetlife Festival happen where they have live music, international food stalls, artists and many other hip upcoming stalls. Check it out: www.streetlife-festival.de
Going out at night in Munich
The best cocktails in Munich you will find at Zephyr. Two clubs I recommend because of chilled Ambiente and good music are Registratur (lounge, house) and Bar ohne Namen (Frauen 26) (oldschool hip hop, R&B).
Note: In Germany, you usually pay for water in bars or restaurants, except at Bar one Namen (Frauen 26) (tap water).
TW CRAZINESS: ACHTUNG KEINE BREMSEN
Sometimes Munich can be very crowded and messy and while riding a bike, I can zoom around and use my bells since I don’t have breaks. You would be surprised how fast people move to get out of your way.
I TRAVEL FOREVER’s VIEW & RECOMMENDATION
Munich is a very beautiful place to visit because it’s a very traditional German city, exactly as imagined from photos. I recommend visiting in the summer and during Octoberfest. Consider renting a car to visit some of the lakes. Comment underneath if you want some tips.
In short, Munich is a very luxurious, traditional German city with plenty of beer, lakes and mountains.
#TW
