Munich

Germany

Overview Events Activities Acco Guide

Overview

Munich, the picturesque capital of Bavaria, is the third-largest city in Germany. Located on the banks of River Isar, north of the Bavarian Alps, Munich has been the capital of the state since the 16th century. The city is today a major international center of business, engineering, research and medicine and is home to a number of educational institutes as well as the headquarters of several multinational companies. From Alpine clichés to its world-class museums and art galleries to an entire suburb of Olympic legacy, Munich has it all and more. Whether you are visiting Munich during its pleasant summers or during its riotously delightful Oktoberfest celebrations, the city will meet and exceed your expectations! 

Events

BMW Open by American Express

17th - 23rd Apr 2023

Munich, Germany  

Things to do in Munich!

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Hotels

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Guide

Neighborhood

Munich’s neighborhoods are divided into 25 municipalities (Stadtbezirke), which are further divided into 107 parts of municipalities (Stadtbezirksteile).  Munich’s neighborhoods are often classified as quarters/districts (Stadtteile).

Some of its major neighborhoods are:

Altstadt (Old Town): The historic center of Altstadt (Old Town) is the center of cultural life of the Bavarian capital. Marienplatz (Mary’s Square) is the center of the Old Town, named after Mariensäule (Column of the Virgin Mary), the official center of Munich, an 11-meter high column with a gilded statue of Mary. Located in Altstadt are Frauenkirche (Cathedral Church of Our Lady), Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall), Neue Rathaus (New Town Hall), Fischbrunnen (Fish fountain), and Viktualienmarkt.  The Residenz (Residence) at Odeonsplatz is one of the most important palace museums in Europe. Old Town has many museums and churches including Kirche St. Peter (Church of St. Peter),  Theatinerkirche (Theatine Church of St. Cajetan),  Feldherrnhalle  (Field Marshals' Hall), Jewish Museum and the Munich City Museum. Between Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz is the Platzl quarter with a vibrant nightlife and the 16th century Hofbräuhaus on the Platzl, the most famous brewery in the world.

 

Maxvorstadt: Maxvorstadt is architecturally and culturally one of the most interesting districts of Munich. Maxvorstadt has Königsplatz (King's Square), modeled after the Acropolis in Athens, with the Doric Propyläen as its magnificent entry . Located in Königsplatz are Munich's oldest public museum, Glyptothek and Antikensammlungen. The Museum Quarter in Maxvorstadt, Kunstareal (art district) has the Pinakothek der Moderne, one of the world’s largest museums including Alte Pinakothek (Old Masters Gallery) Neue Pinakothek (New Masters Gallery) and Pinakothek Moderne Kunst (Gallery of Modern Art). Maxvorstadt has the Siegestor (Victory Gate), Leuchtenberg-Palais (Leuchtenberg Palace), Ludwigskirche (Church of St. Louis) with the world’s second largest altar fresco, and universities including the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Technical University of Munich, and Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte (Central Institute for Art History).

 

Schwabing: Bordered by Siegestor (Victory Gate), Schwabing is connected to Altstadt via Ludwigstrasse. Schwabing's main thoroughfare, Leopoldstrasse, is popular for its cafés, boutiques, bars and nightclubs. Schwabing has Schloss Suresne (Suresnes Castle) and Englischer Garten (English Garden) is one of Europe’s largest city parks. Schwabing’s Münchner Freiheit is one of the busiest places in the city, with supermarkets, shopping center, bars and cafés, bars, and cinemas.

 

Bogenhausen: Bogenhausen, known for its Art Nouveau villas, is popular for Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum), Prinzregententheater and Museum Villa Stuck, dedicated to painter Franz von Stuck. Bogenhausen’s Maximilian Park has the Friedensengel (Angel of Peace), perched on the Prince Regent Terrace, which offers a magnificent view of the city.

 

Milbertshofen: Milbertshofen is famous for 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Milbertshofen includes Olympiapark, which has the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Hall and the Olympic Tower. Located in Milbertshofen is the BMW headquarters and museum.

 

Nymphenburg: Nymphenburg is popular for the Nymphenburg Palace, the Neuer Botanischer Garten (New Botanical Garden), and the Hirschgarten, which is Munich's biggest beer garden.

Getting around

General info

  • Munich Airport
    • Munich is served by the Munich Airport, located 36.5 Km from the city center.
  • Travel Pass / Tourist Discounts
    • The Munich City Tour Card includes a day ticket offering unlimited travel on public transport in the MVV network within the selected area of validity, and discounts for more than 70 tourist attractions in Munich and the surrounding area.
    • The Munich City Tour Card has two versions: single for solo travelers and Partnerkarte for groups of up to five adults.
    • The Munich City Tour Card is available for 1, 3 or 4 days and is valid from the moment of validation up to 6 am the following (or fourth/fifth) morning.
    • The ticket is valid for transportation in the Innenraum (center of Munich) or Gesamtnetz (larger Munich transportation network including traveling to Munich Airport).
    • The Single Munich City Tour Card cost ranges from EUR 10.90 for 1-day (Inner District) to EUR 25.90 for 4-day (Inner District) and EUR 42.90 for 4-day (Entire Network). The Group Munich City Tour Card cost ranges from EUR 17.90 for 1-day (Inner District) to EUR 39.90 for 4-day (Inner District) and EUR 69.90 for 4-day (Entire Network). Refer here for details.
    • The Munich City Tour Card can be purchased online or at various sales points.
    • Refer here for details.

Train

Tram

  • The Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (MVV) coordinates the operation of the tram service.
  • The daytime service operates from 04:45 am to 01:30 am. The Nightlines (with a prefix of ‘N’) operate from 01:30 am to 4:30 am.
  • Refer here for the journey planner.
  • Refer here for fare information. 

Bus

Subway

Taxi

  • Taxis are available at bus stations, airport, city centre.
  • The minimum taxi fare is EUR 3.70, increases by EUR 1.90 every Km upto 5 Km, by EUR 1.70 every Km from 5 Km to 10 Km, and EUR 1.60 every Km more than 10 Km.
  • Taxi agencies:
  • You can refer to the www.taxiautofare.com website for taxi fares in the city.

Staying connected

  • Germany uses GSM 900 and 1800 frequency bands. The phone must be “unlocked” to accept German SIM card.
  • You can buy the SIM card at airport, online, coffee shops, tabacs, super markets, etc.
  • You can recharge the SIM online, super markets, tabacs, coffee shops, etc.
  • The following are service providers in Germany for Prepaid SIM cards and Other Pay As You Go Options:

Eat / Drink

Local

  • Munich, the capital city of Bavaria, is famous for its German food and Bavarian specialities. Bavarian cuisine is influenced by Czech, Austrian and French cuisines and includes three regional styles of cooking: Bavarian (Bayerische), Franconia (Franken) and Swabia (Schwaben). Bavaria is known as the ‘Weisswurst Equator’ since 1857, when Weisswurst (White sausage) was created in Munich. Bavarian cooking is known for its wide variety of wurst (sausages), meat dishes, Knödel (dumplings), pasta dishes, breads and desserts. Meat dishes are mainly of beef, veal, or pork. Laugenbrezel, pretzel made with a technique of dunking in sodium hydroxide solution (Natronlauge), is accredited to the Bavarians
  • Popular dishes:
    • Brezel/Breze: Bavarian pretzel, lye-washed, made of wheat flour and yeast, with dark brown, crispy, salty crust, and a soft dough inside. Butterbrezel (buttered pretzel) is sweet, Nussbrezel (Nut-Pretzel) is made from puff-pastry and is crispy and flaky, Wiesnbrezn (Oktoberfest Pretzel) is larger and is light brown
    • Weisswurst: White sausage made from veal and pork, and seasoned with bacon, onions, parsley, salt, pepper, and lemon-powder, and served with mustard and bread.
    • Knödel: Large, round, boiled potato or bread dumplings, seasoned with various meats and vegetables. Germknödel is filled with Powidl (spicy plum jam), served with melted butter and garnished with mix of poppy seeds and sugar. In Munich, Germknödel is often served with creamy pudding, vanilla sauce and poppy seeds on top.
    • Sauerkraut: Pickled cabbage
    • Schweinebraten: Roast pork loin cooked up in dark beer and vegetables, such as carrots, celery, and onions, and served with Rotkraut/Blaukraut (red cabbage) or Sauerkraut and Knödel.
    • Kässpätzle: Spätzle (pasta that’s a mix between noodles and dumplings), baked in a dish with cream, eggs, onions, spices and topped with cheese.
    • Leberkäse (Liver cheese): Meatloaf made of minced meat including pork, bacon, and beef with onions and spices. In Bavaria, no liver is added, which is why it is called ‘Fleischkäse’ (‘Fleisch’ means meat). Leberkäse/ Fleischkäse is sliced and served on a bun or with a pretzel, with honey mustard (Süßer Senf) and potato salad
    • Nürnberger Bratwurst/Rostbratwurst: Nuremberg sausage made from pork, seasoned with marjoram
    • Schweinshaxe: Roasted ham hock (pork knuckle), served with Sauerkraut and mashed or boiled potatoes.
    • Kasseler Rippchen: Caramelized pork chop served with Knödel (bread dumplings) and Rotkraut/Blaukraut (red cabbage)
    • Obatzda: A cheese spread made from Camembert mixed with other cheeses, onions and spices.
    • Bavarian Blue cheese: Mild and creamy Bavarian blue cheese
    • Allgauer Bergkase/Bavarian Bergkase: Hard cheese made from unpasteurised milk of cows in Allgäu Mountain
    • Lard: A Bavarian spread, served with bread, crispy dry onions or apple flakes
    • Apfelstrudel: Apple Strudel is a pastry filled with grated apples, sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and bread crumbs.
    • Bayerische Crème (Bavarian Cream): A vanilla cream, thickened with gelatine, whipped cream, egg yolks and served with fruit or chocolate.
    • Schmalznudel: A large, flat doughnut, garnished with sugar.

 

 

Gourmet

  • Dallmayr
    • Cuisine: Bavarian, French, International
    • Awards: 2 Michelin stars

 

  • Atelier
    • Cuisine: French
    • Awards: 2 Michelin stars, 17 Gault-Millau points, 10 Pfannen (pans) by Gusto Restaurant Guide , 4 F by Feinschmecker Restaurant Guide

 

  • Tantris
    • Cuisine: French, Asian, Seafood
    • Awards: 2 Michelin stars, 18 Gault-Millau points, 5 F by Feinschmecker Restaurant Guide, Top Chef of the Year 2014 by Schlemmeratlas

 

  • EssZimmer
    • Cuisine: Bavarian, French
    • Awards: 2 Michelin stars

Vegetarian

 

  • Bodhi
    • Cuisine: Vegan, American, International
    • Review: HappyCow

 

  • Tian
    • Cuisine: Vegan-friendly, Lacto, Ovo, International, Organic
    • Review: HappyCow

 

 

Drink

Tipping

Tipping is optional in Germany.

  • Restaurants: You can simply round up to the next Euro or add a few Euros preferably 5% to 10% for good service. Most restaurants, stores and even hotels only accept cash so carry ample and check about plastic payment before ordering. You will generally not get the check/bill; the waiter will tell you how much you owe instead. You can tell them the amount you would pay including the tip and hand it over to the waiter directly. They will return any change remaining.
  • Bars: You may round up the amount or tip 5% to 10% of the total amount.
  • Taxis: Tipping is not necessary but you may round- up the fare to the nearest Euro or tip 10% of the fare.
  • Hotel Porters/Concierge: If you receive good service you can tip you porter between EUR 1.00 to 3.00 per bag. Your housekeeper should receive between EUR 3.00 and 5.00 per night and you can tip the concierge up to EUR 10.00 or 20.00 if they provided you with good service.

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Banner image credits: Thomas Wolf