Through Europe on a Camel

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.

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:

4 You München has two sections; one is a youth hostel with simple clean rooms (no bath) designed for under 26s, families and disabled people; the second section is a 29-room hotel, all with bath and telephone, some with TV. The environmentally friendly decor is particularly interesting as is the large, good value buffet. All rooms have disabled access.

Description:

Another of the numerous cafés in Munich's university district, News Bar is bright and comfortable, and offers the usual choice of meals, coffee and cakes. One slightly unusual feature is the enormous selection of newspapers and magazines. It's a pity that you have to buy them, but at least this place is quiet enough to read in peace. The staff are very new-Munich and slightly arrogant, just right for the high-powered student clientele who can take the opportunity to practice the assertiveness they will need later in life.

Description:

Another of the numerous cafés in Munich's university district, News Bar is bright and comfortable, and offers the usual choice of meals, coffee and cakes. One slightly unusual feature is the enormous selection of newspapers and magazines. It's a pity that you have to buy them, but at least this place is quiet enough to read in peace. The staff are very new-Munich and slightly arrogant, just right for the high-powered student clientele who can take the opportunity to practice the assertiveness they will need later in life.

Description:

Augustiner, Munich's best selling beer, has its main beer hall right on the main pedestrian street between the train station and Marienplatz. The restaurant is located where the brewery used to be from 1817 until 1885, when it again moved further from the center of town to where it is now, just north of the Oktoberfest grounds. After 1885 it was completely renovated and turned into a beer hall, designed by Emanuel von Seidl, and has remained as such to the present day. Today, the prices are reasonable, portions are large, and the location couldn't be better for tourists. This is one of Munich's greatest and most historic beer halls with its main competition being the Hofbräuhaus, the Löwenbräu Keller, and Paulaner am Nockherberg.

Description:

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:

Make sure to have your picture with the two cars that were in James Bond movies! Also, make sure to have a look at BMW's hydrogen car.

Description:

The new and modern BMW museum is just across the street from the Olympic park and if you are at all interested in BMW or cars, then this is a must visit while in Munich. This multilevel museum shows you the history of BMW from its airplane engines to its motorcycles to its race cars. This is all done with amazingly well done multimedia and hands on techniques which make this museum fun for all ages and keeps the interest of even the not so museum loving crowd. All staff at the BMW museum speak English and are literally all over the museum to help you with any questions you have ever wanted to ask about BMW.

The museum has examples of nearly everything they have ever produced including prototypes.

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:

If Christmas cribs isn't your thing, skip through that section quickly, there are over 180,000 things to see so there is no use in wasting your time!

Description:

The Bavarian National Museum is for those that think they have seen everything that is Bavarian, but want to see and experience more. It is more for the experienced Münchner than for the average tourist, although can be enjoyed by all. Its collection is includes everything from sculptures from the middle ages to religious objects to armor. This massive museum has something from every period in Bavaria's history, yet what most people remember is its absolutely impressive collection of Christmas cribs, the largest of its kind in Germany, if not anywhere.

Located just north of the Residenz, the closest U-bahn is Odeonsplatz.

Description:

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.

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:

When one of the Bavarian royals said that he was going to the castle, he could have meant any number of places, especially if he was Ludwig II. But if he said that he was going home, he could only be referring to the Residenz. This enormous palace, with a history almost as long as that of the Wittelsbach family, was the official residence of the rulers of Bavaria from 1385 to 1918. Added to and rebuilt over the centuries, the complex is a conglomerate of various styles. Depending on how you approach the Residenz, you might first see a German Renaissance hall (the western facade), a Palladian palace (on the north), or a Florentine Renaissance palace (on the south facing Max-Joseph-Platz).

The Residenz was restored after its almost total destruction in World War II and now houses the Residenz Museum, a concert hall, the Cuvilliés Theater, and the Residenz Treasury. The Residenz Museum (tel. 089/29-06-71), the southwestern section of the palace, has some 120 rooms of art and furnishings collected by centuries of Wittelsbachs. To see the entire collection, you'll have to take two tours, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. You may also visit the rooms on your own.

The Ancestral...

Description:

Peaches Schwabing is part of the nationwide Peaches chain. There is a good mix of customers, but the crowd seems to be either young or old, with not much in between. It is always jam-packed and ordering can sometimes be difficult, but once you have finally managed to get your hands on a Long Island Ice-Tea things quickly get better! The cocktails are good and not too pricey by Munich standards. If you are feeling peckish, try one of the tasty pizzas, pastas or salads. Other Peaches are located in Laim (Elsenheimerstraße 12), Neuhausen (Donnersbergerstraße 50) and Milbertshofen (Schleißheimerstraße 330).

Description:

Mama's Kebaphaus is almost an institution in Altschwabing. This snack bar (with seating) is in the centre of the bar district and is a magnet for everyone who has been out for a couple of beers and needs something to fill the gap on the way home. However, this eatery is not just for night owls and you can choose between the daily special, and a delicious range of Turkish dishes. Nevertheless, it has to be said that the speciality of the house is the doner kebab. There is also a good choice of drinks ranging from long drinks, aperitifs, Sekt (German equivalent of champagne), liqueurs, wine, spirits and - let's not forget the staple refreshment in Munich - beer!

Our Local Expert Says:

Peaches is located at the end of the bar strip in Schwabing, but make sure you don't go there last, otherwise you'll be missing out!

Description:

Peaches Schwabing is part of the nationwide Peaches chain. There is a good mix of customers, but the crowd seems to be either young or old, with not much in between. It is always jam-packed and ordering can sometimes be difficult, but once you have finally managed to get your hands on a Long Island Ice-Tea things quickly get better! The cocktails are good and not too pricey by Munich standards. If you are feeling peckish, try one of the tasty pizzas, pastas or salads. Other Peaches are located in Laim (Elsenheimerstraße 12), Neuhausen (Donnersbergerstraße 50) and Milbertshofen (Schleißheimerstraße 330).

Description:

Not many people known that, 'pizza from the wood-burning oven' is a speciality of the island of Ischia. Ischia Pulcinella is the perfect place to try it, and it tastes excellent, as do many of the other dishes (some of which are not regional specialities); such as Chinese mushrooms on rucola salad for , tagliatelli with salmon for and swordfish alla Siciliana. Although this Italian restaurant is slightly difficult to find (hidden away behind a hedge), it is always packed. Guests can sit outside in the summer.

Description:

The triple-arched Siegestor was constructed in 1843-52 based on designs by Friedrich von Gärtner. Although it is primarily a monument to the Bavarian army and its success in the Napoleonic war of liberation, it should be considered from a different perspective these days. The gate was badly damaged in the Second World War and restored with the following inscription by Wilhelm Hausenstein: "Dedicated to victory, destroyed by war and a reminder to us all". The proportions of the arch resemble the Constantine Gate in Rome, on which it was modelled. The top of the arch is decorated with bronze figures depicting Bavaria on a chariot being led by four lions. The Siegestor marks the northern end of Ludwigstraße and the start of Schwabing, one of the city's most popular nightlife hotspots.

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.

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.

Description:

4 You München has two sections; one is a youth hostel with simple clean rooms (no bath) designed for under 26s, families and disabled people; the second section is a 29-room hotel, all with bath and telephone, some with TV. The environmentally friendly decor is particularly interesting as is the large, good value buffet. All rooms have disabled access.

Description:

The Barschwein ("bar pig") has a simple and inventive concept: when you walk in the door, you're handed a card. All your drinks for the evening are marked on this card, and you pay when you leave. If this sounds rather like a department store, don't be scared off; the Barschwein has a comfy atmosphere with leather sofas and cheap drinks. The menu offers mineral water, kölsch - a light beer from Cologne - in tiny glasses, shots, regular beer, and cocktails. The Barschwein also works like a cozy living room beer garden: you can bring your own food! Enjoy the atmosphere and cheap prices, just don't lose your card- it'll cost you. Reservations can be made online. Doors open May-Sept at 7p, Oct-Apr at 6p, and Saturdays at 3:15p for soccer games.

Description:

Since 1976, Heinz Herzer Gallery has been a fixture for gallery goers in Munich. The programme includes contemporary concrete painting, 'courfield painting', drawings and photography. Alongside established artists who have long exhibited at the gallery, such as Ernst Hermanns and Hans Baschang (professor at the Munich Academy for many years), space is also given to younger artists, such as Christian Hanussek and Hubertus Reichert. The gallery regularly issues catalogues.

Description:

This is a typical Munich-style establishment with even more typical cuisine. Dishes start at EUR 6 (herring fillet with cream sauce) and go up to EUR 12 (wiener schnitzel) and there is also a good drinks list with a small selection of wine. A set lunch can be had for around EUR 7.50. If you are looking for a traditional neighbourhood establishment, then this is the place to come!

Description:

This establishment has been the student meeting place for decades. The venue for many an unofficial seminar, academics, students and normal customers make for a cheery and mixed clientele. Only the law and economics departments are underrepresented - they prefer Lunis or the News Bar just around the corner. Atzinger is also known to have the best 'Currywurst' (curry sausage) in town, and the good, hearty food makes you forget all about the university canteen.

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.

Description:

4 You München has two sections; one is a youth hostel with simple clean rooms (no bath) designed for under 26s, families and disabled people; the second section is a 29-room hotel, all with bath and telephone, some with TV. The environmentally friendly decor is particularly interesting as is the large, good value buffet. All rooms have disabled access.