Munich in a day

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Marienplatz has been the central sqaure of Munich since its founding by Henry the Lion in 1158. It was originally named Schrannenplatz and once held the salt and grain market, but it is now used by the city for various concerts and events, but mainly by tourists trying to get photos of the old and new town halls. After the market was moved around the corner starting in 1807, the square was renamed Marienplatz. The statue of Mary has stood in the center of Marienplatz since 1638 and is the reason of the new name of the square.

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Radius Tours & Bikes and its subsiduary "The Original Munich Walks" specialises in providing high quality sightseeing services for the English speaking visitor. Established in 1988 by the Brit Patrick Holder and his German wife, Gaby, Radius was the first company in Munich to specialise in providing sightseeing tours only for the English-speaking market and it is still the market leader. With offices directly inside Munichs main train station (Hauptbahnhof) Radius is ideally located to provide the visitor the best service for sightseeing.

Our Local Expert Says:

Here you can by the freshest fruit and vegetables in the whole city. The market has a reputation of having higher prices than your average supermarket but in actual fact many goods here are cheaper than elsewhere. Vikualienmarkt also has a beer garden that is more calm than those at Marienplatz.

Description:

Unless you happen to be staying in a place where you have access to a kitchen, it's doubtful that you'll want to be hauling groceries back to your hotel room during your stay in Munich. That doesn't detract, however, from the allure of wandering through the open-air stalls of the city's most prominent food market, a few minutes' walk south of the Marienplatz (there is no specific address, but the market sprawls over a wide area and can't be missed). It's composed of hundreds of independently operated merchants who maintain whatever hours they want, often closing up their cramped premises whenever the day's inventory is sold out. Most economy-minded shoppers, however, show up, shopping basket in hand, around 8am, to stock their larders before noon. By 5pm, only the hardiest of merchants remain in place, and by early evening, the kiosks are locked up tight. On the premises is a worthy collection of wine, meats, cheeses, and all the other bounty of the Bavarian agrarian world.

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The first and last of Munich's city gates for Munich's second set of city walls, the Isartor, was built in 1337. Kaiser Ludwig IV the Bavarian had second city wall built to protect the expanding city and the wall remained until the late 1700's. All of the other city gates were eventually torn down or dramatically modified, but the Isartor remains quite close to its original look. It was restored between 1833 and 1835 by Friedrich von Gärtner. The murals were painted in 1835 and depict the victorious return of Ludwig IV the Bavarian to Munich after the battle of Ampfing in 1322. The Isartor is today used as part of the Valentin Museum as well as a cafe.

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Alter Peter (Old Peter) is the tower of the oldest parish church in Munich, St Peter's Church. The valiant visitor who manages to climb the 302 steps to the top will have an incomparable view of Munich and, on a clear day, the Alps look close enough to touch. St. Peter's was named after the old hill on which it stands, the Petersbergl. There was apparently a chapel on the site before Munich was founded, which was then replaced with a Romanesque structure in the 11th century and later a Gothic building. In the 14th century, the double-tower was redeveloped to form the single tower facade of the church which remains today. Over the centuries, St. Peter's underwent even more changes, mainly in the Baroque and Rococo periods.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a hot spot in the city center. If you are interested in taking a tour or having your picture taken with traditionally dressed Germans, this is a spot to check out.

Description:

Set against a clear blue sky, the towers of the Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) form Munich's most celebrated landmark. The distinctive towers - built in 1525 - make the church of considerable architectural interest as they are considered to be the precursors of the Renaissance style. The church itself was designed by Gothic architect Jörg von Halsbach in 1468. Its size is imposing, but its simplicity and symmetry rule out any suggestion of ostentation. The interior is mainly Gothic, but the altars were redesigned in the 18th Century under Baroque influence.

Our Local Expert Says:

Concerts are frequently held in the main lawn during summer evenings. Check the website to see if an event is planned.

Description:

With a longer facade than the Palace of Versailles, Schloß Nymphenberg was the impressive summer residence of the Wittelsbachs. Because the palace was built in several phases from 1664 onwards, various architects are credited with its construction, among them Barelli, Zucalli and Viscardi. The Stone Hall is particularly impressive and the famous 'Schönheitengalerie' (Gallery of the Beauties) is also a must, containing the portraits of 36 local women. The palace grounds are particularly pleasant in the warmer months, fusing French and English landscaping techniques to great effect. A few interesting smaller palaces can be found in the park: the Amalienburg, Pagodenburg and Badenburg. Built in 1721, this was modern Europe's first swimming pool. The Marstallmuseum boasts a comprehensive display of carriages, sleds and crockery; the Meditationskapelle (Meditation Chapel) with its Magdalenenklause is also worth a visit.

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Built according to plans drawn up by Friedrich von Gärtner in 1841-44, the Feldherrenhalle (Field Marshall's Hall) was commissioned by King Ludwig I, who demanded that it be modelled on Florence's Loggia dei Lanzi. The building reflects the transition between the Medieval town and the new city of Munich (the so-called Maxvorstadt). The Feldherrenhalle stands above Odeonsplatz and its grounds (the piece of land between Theatiner and Residenzstraße), which were once occupied by Schwabinger Tor, one of the city gates, until it was demolished in 1817. In the 1930s and 1940s, the hall was an important memorial for the Nazis, as it was here that Hitler's attempted putsch came to an end on 9th November 1923. People were compelled to salute and say Sieg Heil whenever they passed by. The tiny alley behind the Feldherrenhalle came to be known as Drückebergergässchen or Shirker's Alley, because those who wanted to avoid having to salute would use it as a detour.

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One of the most significant Renaissance churches north of the Alps, St. Michael's was originally built for the Jesuits. The inside is lavishly decorated and home to the second largest free-standing vaults in the world. There is an interesting answer as to why the church does not have a tower: when the first tower was destroyed while being built, Duke William V took it as a bad omen and built a much larger church, but without a tower. In the so-called "royal vault," visitors will come across the resting place of 40 members of the Wittelsbacher royal family.

Our Local Expert Says:

THE place to eat and drink in Munich!

Description:

This most famous of pubs draws people from all over the globe, even at nine in the morning! Its unique charm comes from the Bavarian music and the handful of regulars who gather at the bar. Beer and Schmankerl (roast pork with trimmings) complete the set up. In the summertime locals make for its wonderful courtyard, while the Festsaal room hosts a Bavarian evening with music every night, which costs a few Euros for admission. Main meals and a liter tankard of beer are perfect for a group of friends.

Our Local Expert Says:

Without a doubt in my mind I can honestly say this is one of the best beer gardens in town! I love this place.

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The Hofbräu Keller is one of the local's favorite beer gardens and beer halls. It is actually larger than the Hofbräuhaus, but is a completely different atmosphere. Located in Haidhausen, just across the river from the old town, it's in a nice residential area where you may never run into another native English speaker. Don't worry though; they have English...

Our Local Expert Says:

Make sure to eat on the ground floor as close to the band as possible for the full experience. If you make a reservation it will be for upstairs, which is NOT the Hofbräu experience!

Description:

The Hofbräuhaus is arguably the most famous beer hall in the world. At one time it was the royal wheat beer brewery, but as of 1896 it is a beer hall (Bavarian restaurant). No matter what anyone says, if there is only one place you eat at in Munich, make it the Hofbräuhaus. Music every day from 3pm until 11pm. Food prices are actually slightly cheaper than any of its supposed rivals, although the beer is slightly more (about 20 cents a liter more). Either way, you can have a good meal for around €10 and the beer costs €6.90 a liter. Put on some lederhosen and enjoy!