TWO DAYS IN MUNICH
Beer, beer, beer… & more beer.
Good ole’ Munich. The city that can pretty much be summed up in one word: BEER. For most they’d be like— stop right there I’m sold!!! But for the girl who only orders vodka sodas or red wine… it took me a hot minute to warm up to this city.
The first time I went to Munich was back in 2016 for Oktoberfest when I was studying abroad. It was such a fun experience, but I pretty much only saw the inside of a tent for 3 days straight… so when the opportunity came to meet up with my cousin in Munich for a few days I was all for it!
After spending another couple days here, i was able to see what the city had to offer. It’s definitely more of a city for nightlife, rather than history. Of course, like any city in Europe, the city has an interesting background. Probably most important to note is that Munich is considered a part of Bavaria, which gives you all the fun aspects of the city like Oktoberfest and beer. But as for actual architecture, about 90% of the city was destroyed during World War II (according to my tour guide). To me, that’s a real shame. But if you go into it keeping that in mind— this city has every aspect required for a good time. So let’s get this thang started!!
DAY ONE
Is that a world tour or… a city tour?
I’m a huge proponent for starting out every single trip with a walking tour. I think 1. it acclimates you to the city’s geography and 2. you learn the culture and history right off the bat which gives context to everything you see thereafter. As for this Sandemans tour, you have many options on times but I suggest 10:00am or 10:45am. During this 3 hour tour (there is a 30 minute bathroom/snack break in the middle), you’ll see all the major attractions like Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, National Theater & Opera House, Frauenkirche, etc. etc. My tour guide did a great job of mixing history with pop culture, and I feel like I got a true overview of Munich. You can sign up online. And while this tour is advertised as “free”… that doesn’t actually mean free. Make sure you bring some cash to tip!
Free Tour in Munich
A great way to get an overview of the city.
Off the market
After you finish up your tour, head to the markets right off of Marienplatz called Vitualienmarkt (it will be walked through in the tour). Peruse the different shops and kiosks for all of your souvenir or tchotchke needs. As you pass by the multitudes of sausages, cheeses, breads, and more, select something to snack on for yourself. The great thing is that you can just BYO food to the picnic tables you see all around if you just order beer/drinks from that beer garden. This will save you money on food, and everyone can get what he/she wants. Perfect if you’re traveling with picky eaters, or if you’re just on different pages for food.
Hotel motel Holiday Innnnnn
If you haven’t checked in yet, go do that now. If you have, then take this time to rest and prepare for the night! I stayed at the BOLD Hotel Munchen Zentrum with my cousin Arielle. I know, living the high life for once not staying in a hostel. It was a nice hotel with an underground station literally right in front of it. I’d recommend it!
Did you say beer?
If it’s your first time in Munich, you have to visit at least one of the most famous beer halls. I recommend the Hofbrauhaus. It’s three floors, and there are countless rooms to drink in which each have their own unique charm. While this place is a visitor hotspot, the locals are known to enjoy their beer here just the same. Countless personal beer mugs are held along the walls in their infamous safe— I feel like this is probably a good sign.
As for what beers to order? You’re prob asking the wrong girl on that one. But in the name of #journalism, I did do my due-diligence and asked some locals. About 2/3 of beer production in Bavaria is Pils. It’s made with a light malt, but the distinctive taste comes from the hops. You might want to try a wheat beer, which are apparently really trendy right now. They are light, crystal clear brews with no yeast clouding and have bubbles like sparkling wine. Lastly the only one I did manage to get through, a Radler… which in the States we would call a Shandy. It’s 50% pills with 50% lemonade, très refreshing (but still not a vodka soda if we’re being honest).
If you’re looking for traditional Bavarian, eat here. If not, you can wait for your next location.
A little slice of Ireland for ya
Now I’m sending you to Kennedy’s Irish Pub, because throw some Germans in a pub and we got a party!! With the live music bumping in the background (or Karaoke on Monday and Wednesday nights), you’ll be happy to enjoy a few drinks and/or some bar food. This place did get pretty packed when I was here, so I’d reserve a table if I were you. Especially if you’ll camp out until their closing time which is 3am.
DAY TWO
Bimmer town
BMW Museum, not to be confused with BMW Welt.
Get yourself up and to the BMW Museum (unless it’s a Monday, it’s closed on Mondays so plan accordingly). The easiest way to get here is by the underground. You’ll go to the Olympiazentrum station, then it’s about a 5 minute walk (not even) to the museum. Follow the signs, or look up to find the big buildings in front of you. Where you might get confused is the difference between the museum and the Welt. When you’re coming from the train station, the museum will be on the left side of the street, where as the very modern building on the right side of the street is the Welt. We’ll get to that. Let’s start with the museum.
It’s 7 euros for students/apprentices, 9 euros for groups of 5 or more, or 10 euros for a regular entrance fee. This includes both the regular museum as well as the exhibitions that change. When I was there it was the BMW i exhibition about their new electric cars. That exhibition will remain open until September 2019.
As for the museum itself, it’s just got a cool vibe (for lack of a more sophisticated term). Each room has its own feel… but they all achieve an effortless minimalism that showcases the unique cars and bikes. My only complaint is that the museum was under renovation when I was there, so it was a bit confusing getting from one exhibition to the next. I suggest downloading the app. It has talking descriptions all of the cars and exhibitions, so you’ll learn more and you’ll be sure that you didn’t miss something! I actually didn’t know about this app until about halfway through when a museum curator came up to me and suggested downloading it. It changes the whole experience— download it! Also if you’re looking for some BMW souvenirs, hold off. Your next destination has what you’re looking for.
Welt, there’s more!
The BMW Welt.
Time to head across the bridge to the Welt. This multistory building holds all of the latest models of BMW and Mini Cooper. It even has a working dealership if you’ve just won the lottery or robbed a bank or something. Take a walk around and peruse the gift shop if you’d like. They have all the official BMW gear from motocross, to golf, to bowling, etc. etc.
You can also get something to eat here. You have options… depending on your budget. At the low end (where I ate) you have the Biker’s Lodge. They offer little paninis or pasta dishes at a low cost. Next there’s the M1 Café which offers cheap salads and Bavarian eats at lunchtime. If you’re working with a larger budget, you have the Barvarie which combines a French brasserie with the traditional Bavarian products. There’s also Esszimmer, which resembles a warm living room. They present a true culinary experience, offering 5, 6, 7, or 8-course meals only. If you’re thinking about this option, it may be worth switching the next thing on the list (gardens) to your first activity, so you’ll end up at the Welt around dinner time.
Show me your garden
The Englischer gardens, or the English gardens, is next on docket. It is a large public park that stretches from the city center to the northeastern part of the city. Just a 10-minute walk from Odeonplatz, and it’s like you fell down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. Wide open greens, winding pathways through tall trees, little bridges above a river running through the park, it’s hard to believe the hustling bustling city is just a few minutes away. Spend a couple hours exploring, and you might even come across some surfers. That’s right, I said surfers!! All times of year, surfers ride a manmade four-foot wave on the Eisbach (wetsuit and all).
No derrrrrrr
Finish off your long day with a meal at Der Pschorr, right in the heart of the city. This restaurant gives you the feel of a beer hall, but the elegance of a restaurant. Of course, you’re going to get a real Bavarian meal here—goulash, wiener schnitzel, pork knuckle, oh my!
Best of both worlds
If you’re still down for a few more drinks, look no further. You got a two-for-one deal here. As you walk in to this location you will go down the stairs, on the left you got Irish and on the right you got Australian. Pick whatever tickles your fancy, Ned Kelly’s Australian Bar or Killian’s Irish Pub, and get to drinking people!
Auf Wiedersehen
Well peeps I hope you get your beer and sausage intake for the year, because I sure did!!! I also hope you learn a little bit too. Munich is for more than just Oktoberfest, so what are you waiting for????
**also if you do have additional days I suggest taking a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle or to the Dachau concentration camp. Sandeman’s runs tours for both, if you’re interested.