Travel to Munich

About Munich

As the capital of Bavaria and the home of lederhosen, weisswurst, and Oktoberfest, Munich is the city most North Americans associate with German culture. People traveling in Germany will fall in love with the city as you sample world-famous Bavarian beer and explore the massive Englischer Garten. You can even surf the Eisbach River during the summer! Even if you're not a soccer fan you definitely can't escape the excitement that 'football' generates in Munich. Catch a match at Allianz Arena during the football season or just head to a bar to experience the local fandom!

Quick Guide to Munich

• Must Know: The public transport system in Munich is well established and is used by 500 million people per year
• Must See: Visit Schloss Neuschwanstein, the castle that inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle
• Must Do: Visit Marienplatz, the central square in the city, which features a popular glockenspiel show
• Did you know? Munich is the formal capital of Germany and derives from the German word for ‘monk’

Walking Around in Munich

The city of Munich is easy to explore on foot as the Old Town, or city center, is actually quite small and most of the major attractions of the city can be found in this area. Walking allows you to stop and see the buildings or gardens of the city up close. Situate yourself in Marienplatz, which is the main central square of Munich. There, you can see the Neues Rathaus, which houses the famous Glockenspiel, the tower clock with chimes and moving figurines that put on a performance a few times a day. Those with energy to spare should try and climb the many stairs to the top of the Peterskirche to get a birds eye view of the city. A short walk away you will find Munich's main attraction, the Frauenkirche, where the devil is believed to have left a footprint. Take a break from your walk to explore this beautiful old church. Next, stroll down the Kaufingerstrasse, which is a shopping street in the pedestrian zone of Munich. Get a snack from one of the street stalls to enjoy while you browse the shops and watch one of the street performances that take place here in summer.  

Public Transport in Munich

Munich has an exceptional public transport system that connects different areas within and outside the city center. This public transport system is easy to use and features the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn, trams, and buses. When getting around the city center, the preferred mode of transport is the S- Bahn, whose hub is the Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). The S-Bahn goes through the city center and provides a link to popular attractions, such as Karlsplatz, the Frauenkirche, and Marienplatz. However, trams and buses can be used to access tourist destinations as well, as they drop off travelers within walking distance of their desired destination. Public transport in Munich is divided into seven travel zones. Travel to the different zones is facilitated by the use of travel cards such as the Munich City Pass, Munich Card and the City Tour Card which are all available for purchase at the boarding stations. These cards provide great bargains when traveling with family and friends and provide free access to several attractions. With varying validity periods ranging from 24 hours to five days, travelers are better off using cards rather than the daily tickets that only last 24 hours after validation at the station.

Coffee Shops in Munich

Munich has as robust a coffee scene as any other European city. However, most coffee shops in Munich serve specialty coffee with their own twists. Whether it be a cold brew, a simple espresso, a fancy macchiato, or a cappuccino, Munich will serve it with excellence. Standl 20 will not only blow you away with their award-winning design and ambiance but with their fruity selection of espressos. Sample the mind-blowing coffee lemonade or order one of their specialty coffees and a slice of their homemade cakes. For a roomier and livelier setting, head over to the Glockenbach district and visit Vits der Kaffee for a taste of pioneering Munich coffee. Here, you can grab a bite as you savor a specialty coffee and side of cake. A favorite among locals, it holds packed coffee seminars each week. Located in the same district as Vits der Kaffee is Man vs. Machine, arguably one of Munich's best coffee shops. Their selection of brews has a fruity burst of flavors and their brewing methods feature technical choices including V60, Kalita, Syphon, or Aeropress. A tastefully decorated interior and a wide selection of specialty roasts and brews make Man vs. Machine a perfect place to enjoy excellent coffee in Munich.

Eating in Munich

Munich is famous for being the home of the Oktoberfest, and although this festival is considered to be mostly about beer, Munich's culinary scene plays a large part in the festival and the culture of the city. The traditional breakfast food in Munich is the weisswurst, which is a white sausage made of pork and normally served with a pretzel. This breakfast is perfect for snacking on while exploring the streets of Munich. Lunch in Munich is often eaten at one of the many pubs in the city, and this can be a great way to get to know the locals. One of the best lunch options to sample is a schnitzel, which is a piece of pork or veal that is flattened and crumbed before being fried and served with mushrooms or other sides. Those seeking a more modern take on the cuisine of Munich should try Restaurant 181, which is situated at the top of the Olympic Tower and offers a fine dining experience with incredible views of the city. Vegetarians should try spätzle, which is the local version of pasta and is served with a cheese sauce and crispy pieces of onion.

Public Transport in Munich

Munich has an exceptional public transport system that connects different areas within and outside the city center. This public transport system is easy to use and features the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn, trams, and buses. When getting around the city center, the preferred mode of transport is the S- Bahn, whose hub is the Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). The S-Bahn goes through the city center and provides a link to popular attractions, such as Karlsplatz, the Frauenkirche, and Marienplatz. However, trams and buses can be used to access tourist destinations as well, as they drop off travelers within walking distance of their desired destination. Public transport in Munich is divided into seven travel zones. Travel to the different zones is facilitated by the use of travel cards such as the Munich City Pass, Munich Card and the City Tour Card which are all available for purchase at the boarding stations. These cards provide great bargains when traveling with family and friends and provide free access to several attractions. With varying validity periods ranging from 24 hours to five days, travelers are better off using cards rather than the daily tickets that only last 24 hours after validation at the station.