The Beaten Path

Description:

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.

Description:

When the foundations of the city walls were laid in 1791, Prince Karl Theodor ordered the construction of a square in front of the Neuhauser Tor, now the Karlstor. The square was named Karlsplatz after the prince, although the locals call it Stachus, probably after the Wirtschaft zum Stachus, or Stachus Inn, opened by Eustachius Föderl in 1755. The circular structures were built in 1899-1902 by Gabriel von Seidl in place of an earlier building erected in 1803. Karlsplatz was one of the busiest squares in the world in the 1920's. It was pedestrianised in 1972 to form the western edge of the pedestrian zone and, despite an unfortunate fountain and the traffic on Altstadtring which cuts the square off from the western side of the city, it is a popular meeting-place and one of the last sunny spots in the evening.

Our Local Expert Says:

This Derag hotel is located in the „famous cultural centre Gasteig and the Deutsche Museum are only a few minutes walking distance away from the hotel, as is the exquisite shopping-mile Maximilianstraße. The city centre with the Marienplatz and the world famous Viktualienmarkt can be reached either with an extended stroll, or via tram.“

Description:

• Modern hotel situated one and a half kilometers from the attractions of Munich's city centre, 40 kilometers from the airport.
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• Guestrooms have decor in soft neutral tones with birch wood furniture and include cable television, phones, and minibars.
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• Guests can work out in the fitness studio, unwind in the sauna, dine al fresco on the terrace or chat over drinks in the bar.
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Description:

Munich's showcase boulevard was planned by Leo von Klenze on the orders of Ludwig I, after whom the street was named. Construction began in 1817 and continued until the mid-19th Century under the oversight of master architect Friedrich von Gärtner. The boulevard appears to have been inspired by the Via del Corso in Rome which had made a great impression on Ludwig and Klenze during their travels in Italy. Ludwigstraße begins at the Renaissance-style Feldherrnhalle and continues northwards to the Romanesque Siegestor. Ludwig Maximilian University and St Ludwig's Church are two other highlights; they too display a heavy Italian influence.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you plan on doing a bit of shopping, this is the strip to check out! Many of the posh (and not so expensive) Italian stores line the street. If you're lucky and visiting during the spring or fall sale seasons you will find great deals! Pack light.

Description:

The area between Marienplatz and Karlsplatz in the centre of town was turned into a pedestrian area in 1972. Just stroll along, do a bit of window shopping and enjoy the flowers, fountains and the general atmosphere. Or else, take your visa card on a tour through the shops along historic Neuhauser Straße und Kaufinger Straße. During the summer, the area attracts numerous street performers, all hoping that people will fill their pockets in appreciation.

Description:

Popular place for night-owls with a bar, extra loud music, a super cool interior in black and chrome with abstract wall murals, good service and a party atmosphere at the weekend. The menu includes Mexican main courses, 'seventies food' such as fish fingers and mashed potato, as well as pasta, chicken wings and the like. The food is ideal to line your stomach before you dig into the cocktails, although they are fairly pricey. Hot food is served until 2:30a; a catering and party service is available and the pub can be hired on Sundays.

Description:

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.

Description:

The Löwenturm tower is situated on Rindermarkt, one of the oldest streets in Munich which, as suggested by the German name, was once the site of a cattle market. It was flanked on all sides by the houses of some of wealthiest families in Munich. After the area was badly damaged in the Second World War, the Löwenturm was uncovered in the clear up that followed. Often wrongly taken for part of the original city walls, it was actually a water tower for a garden that now no longer exists. It dates back to the 16th century and, surrounded as it is today by new buildings, looks like a relic of an age long since past.

Description:

The Augustiner Keller is one of the few proper traditional beer gardens left in Munich.  It is the 3rd largest beer garden in the world, but also has a large restaurant section that is open year round no matter what the weather.  The name of the restaurant derives from the "Keller" (cellar), and so if it's open, go downstairs and enjoy one of the most authentic beer hall experiences in town.  In summer, there is also a very large play area for children.  The beer runs at typical beer hall prices (€6.80 a liter) and the food is reasonable as well (€10-€15).  The beer garden has both a self-service area as well as a full service area.

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:

This is something you wouldn't expect to see in a city! One warm days make your way to the Southern tip of the park to watch surfers manage the river Isar.

Description:

One of the oldest English-style landscape gardens and one of the largest municipal parks in Europe, the Englischer Garten (English Garden) is Munich's crowning glory. Although perhaps best known for its nudists, the park is popular with all types of people all year round. Other features include a Chinese pagoda with adjoining beer garden, the Monopteros Greek temple, a river and a boating lake. Visitors can also attend a traditional tea ceremony in the Japanese tea house.

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.

Our Local Expert Says:

On Sundays it's only €1 entry!

Description:

The continuation of the Alte Pinakothek, this is for fans of more modern art ranging from Goya, Manet, Van Gogh, Leibl, to Klimt.  Primarily works from the 19th century, this represents one of the finest collections of modern art in Europe.  The original Neue Pinakothek was bombed in WWII which gave Munich a chance to make a modern building to match its modern art and so the Neue Pinakothek opened in 1981. 

Audio guides are available for a fee. 

Take tram number 27 North just 10 minutes from Karlsplatz, the name of the stop is quite simply "Pinakotheken"

Description:

Previously a café for OAPs, Glockenspiel is now frequented by the young and trendy. Its tasteful interior is not the main reason for this surge in popularity though: the rooftop terrace is what makes it special, with a view over Marienplatz from the fifth floor. Providing you can secure a seat, this is the best position to enjoy the Town Hall tower's carillon performance.

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!

Description:

The history of technology: a huge subject presented in a huge museum. Since its foundation in 1906, the exhibition area has expanded to 55,000 square metres. This museum is unique in its concentration on the history and development of technology and natural science. Numerous objects and interactive models (eg. a planetarium and coal mine) are used to demonstrate mankind's progress over the centuries. Extensive library.

Our Local Expert Says:

This Derag hotel is located in the „famous cultural centre Gasteig and the Deutsche Museum are only a few minutes walking distance away from the hotel, as is the exquisite shopping-mile Maximilianstraße. The city centre with the Marienplatz and the world famous Viktualienmarkt can be reached either with an extended stroll, or via tram.“

Description:

• Modern hotel situated one and a half kilometers from the attractions of Munich's city centre, 40 kilometers from the airport.
• 
  
  
• Guestrooms have decor in soft neutral tones with birch wood furniture and include cable television, phones, and minibars.
• 
  
  
• Guests can work out in the fitness studio, unwind in the sauna, dine al fresco on the terrace or chat over drinks in the bar.
• 
  
  

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.

Our Local Expert Says:

The area around Sendlinger Tor is known for its gay and model-friendly community. It is a trendy neighborhood where you can feel free to be yourself.

Description:

In the early 14th century, the city underwent great structural improvements as part of the expansion programme ordered by Duke Ludwig VI of Bavaria. Sendlinger Tor was first documented in 1318 as the 'gateway to Italy' and, along with Neuhausertor and Isartor, formed part of secondary fortifications built in the 14th century. The main tower was demolished in 1810, yet both side towers were restored by Zenetti in 1860. In 1906, the three routes through the gate were substituted with a single one by Bertsch. The oldest cinema in the city, Filmtheater Sendlinger Tor, is located opposite St.Matthäus Kirche (1953-55) on the other side of the square.

Our Local Expert Says:

Be prepared for an experience at Last Supper. If you arrive without an idea of what you are in for, you may find the staff's 'sense of humor' brash, but it is purposefully rude and very bayerisch. Come with a sense of humor and enjoy the top quality food.

Description:

Extremely comfortable and rustically decorated, this pub mocks Bavarian religious devotion with its ironic pictures of Jesus on the walls - and this in one of the world's oldest cultural cities! If the only the Bavarian prime minister knew about this! Last Supper offers a selection of international dishes - which hopefully won't be your last - including good steaks and a fine fish stew, as well as a great wine list. The atmosphere is informal and lively.

Description:

One of the best cocktail bars in the city; its interior is modern and elegant, though darker than normal for this type of bar. There are a few tables, though most people drink at the bar which, being so long and narrow, makes it very cozy and an easy place to strike up conversation with others. Apart from the drinks, all of which are served in ample measures, Padres also provides small snacks and cigars, seemingly ubiquitous these days. The bar attracts a fashionable young-to-middle-aged crowd, especially after 1am when many other pubs close. There are DJs during weekends, and the music can get fairly loud.

Description:

The name of this bar says it all. Located opposite the Gärtnerplatztheater, Interview's terrace is a popular summertime meeting place for Munich's in-crowd. The staff are suitably self-confident, the prices high and the cuisine excellent (Italian, of course). The extensive breakfast menu is especially good while the wine and cocktail list is not for the faint-hearted. Meals from the lunch menu are served from 10a-5p.

Our Local Expert Says:

This Derag hotel is located in the „famous cultural centre Gasteig and the Deutsche Museum are only a few minutes walking distance away from the hotel, as is the exquisite shopping-mile Maximilianstraße. The city centre with the Marienplatz and the world famous Viktualienmarkt can be reached either with an extended stroll, or via tram.“

Description:

• Modern hotel situated one and a half kilometers from the attractions of Munich's city centre, 40 kilometers from the airport.
• 
  
  
• Guestrooms have decor in soft neutral tones with birch wood furniture and include cable television, phones, and minibars.
• 
  
  
• Guests can work out in the fitness studio, unwind in the sauna, dine al fresco on the terrace or chat over drinks in the bar.
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