|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Visiting the Memorial in DACHAU
Munich Mass Transit
On this page you will find below answers to many questions frequently asked by visitors to Munich. For additional help and friendly consulting when in Munich, look for the 48 page pamphlet called Munich English Information at your hotel or the Munich Tourist Office published by Mike’s Bike Tours
When in Munich, stop by the Private Tourist Information Office Discover Bavaria, right around the corner from the rear entrance to the Hofbräuhaus.
After reading our FAQs, you may want to visit the Official Website of the Munich Tourist Information Office for more information on Munich, to see a current weather report, make hotel reservations, check out their good virtual tour of Munich and more.
For more information on Munich, check out this list of links.
Q 1: What can you tell us about Munich?
Q 2: What is the Glockenspiel all about?
Q 3: How can I "kill some time at Marienplatz?
Q 4: Where does the Oktoberfest take place?
Q 5: Where is the English Garden?
Q 6: What about the BEER?!
Q 7: Can you recommend a good place to eat?
Q 8: Where is the Hofbräuhaus?
Q 9: Sing along in the HB?
Q 10: Where’s the nightlife?
Q 11: Why do Canadians have those little flag patches on everything they wear?
Q 12: What can I say if a local is rude to me?
Q 13: Where do all the nudes "hang out"?
Q 14: Where is a good place to buy souveniers?
Q 15: Where can I get some more help and/or information?
Q 16: Where should I go to rent a car or motorcycle?
Q 17: Are Birkenstocks really cheaper here?
Q 18: Where can I see a movie in English?
Q 19: What about Museums in Munich?
Q 1: What can you tell us about Munich?
Well, I’ve been living here for 12 years and I can tell you that I love Munich for a lot of reasons. Here are a few, but not all of them: Munich is very clean, safe and extremely green. It has many parks, including the largest metropolitan park in Europe, the absolutely wonderful English Garden. The gorgeous Isar River Valley sports a seemingly endless bike/jogging path and a wonderful (albeit rocky) beach where you can sun and swim (nude if you like). Munich has an outstanding, clean and affordable mass transit system, charm, culture, history and world class architecture. The city is fantastically situated just 1.5 hours from the Alps, with about a dozen glacial lakes within an hour or less of its center. Munich has bike paths everywhere, excellent restaurants for every imaginable cuisine, and of course, it’s got the oh-so-lovely beergardens and outstanding beer. We’ve even got good bowling allies, an excellent English cinema, a Hard Rock Café and just about anything else you could ask for in a great place to live.
Here’s some more for you: Munich was founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion. The city’s name is actually München, which comes from the expression "Bei den Mönchen" or "near the monks“, because Monks had already been living here for 108 years before Henry came along. There was a monastery next to St. Peter’s church (now affectionatly called the Old Peter by locals), which was built in 1050 and is still standing just off the Marienplatz. Nicknamed the City with Heart as well as The Village of a Million Inhabitants, Munich is the capital of Bavaria, the largest and most picturesque of Germany’s 16 provinces. With a population of about 1.3 million, Munich is the third largest city in Germany behind Berlin and Hamburg. Germany itself is about half the size of Texas and has a population of about 82 million. Munich has a long and rich history, not a fraction of which could be written about in this pamphlet. For those interested in reading more about Munich, our shop Discover Bavaria sells a small, inex- pensive book in English with lots of pictures of Munich’s architecture and attractions. Come on by and pick one up. We’re just a 3 minute walk from Marienplatz.
Q 2: What is the Glockenspiel all about?
The Glockenspiel, by far one of the most overrated shows on earth, has become an attraction for thousands of visitors to Munich every day. It takes place in the tower of the New Town Hall at Marienplatz at 11 a.m., noon and 5 pm. The Glockenspiel in Munich is the largest in Germany and the 4th largest in Europe, with 43 bells, the largest of which weighs over 1,300 kg. The first part of the Carillon, as it is also called, takes place on the top and represents the renowned wedding festival of Renata von Lothringen and Wilhelm V, founder of the Hofbräu brewery. The wedding took place on the Marienplatz (then called Schrannenplatz) in 1568 and claimed the lives of some 521 innocent oxen. During the Glockenspiel, 18 figures dance around Wilhelm and his bride, including two jousting knights. The knights pass each other by at first, but watch closely the second time they come around. The Wittelsbacher (Bavarian), with the white and blue colors on his horse, wins against the Habsburger (Austrian, with red and white), knocking him backward, every single day, three times a day. It’s fixed, but please don’t tell the Japanese tourists. We like to wager with them on who will win.
The lower half of the Glockenspiel represents the famous Cooper’s Dance, which was performed for the first time by barrel makers at the end of a bad epidemic of the plague, supposedly in 1517. According to legend, the Coopers had then decided to come out of their houses to celebrate the end of the epidemic and promised to do the dance on the square every seven years thereafter, which became a tradition that continues in Munich to this day. The last dance took place in 1998. A good ten minutes after the whole show begins, the twirling Coopers come to rest and the bells continue to ring for another minute or two. Right about this time you’ll probably have had quite enough, your neck might be starting to ache and you’ll want to walk away thinking that the whole thing was a complete waste of time, but wait! Wenn schon, denn schon applies here!
It truly would be all for nothing if you didn’t see the entire show! Be advised, the best part comes after all the bells have stopped ringing, which is the rooster at the top! We call him Hans. He’s got a pneumonic hose stuck up his backside and he crows three times, complete with flapping wings and startled pidgeons flying out. Your Glockenspiel experience would truly be incomplete without seeing him do his thing and of course, applauding as if it were the highlight of your stay in Munich, which we certainly hope it won’t be.
Q 3: How can I "kill" some time at Marienplatz?
Here are a few suggestions: Get yourself an excellent coffee just up the street at the San Francisco Coffee Company and come on over to our shop and check your email at the Globopolis Internet Café or buy/write/send a few postcards for a while (cards and stamps available at Discover Bavaria). You could take a stroll through the Viktualien Market, where you can also enjoy a snack and/or beer, or perhaps go check out some new Birkenstocks for yourself just up the street. You could climb the 300+ stairs of the St. Peter’s church tower (Old Peter) for a view over the city (on a clear day you can see the Alps) or if it is coming up on 11, noon or 5:00 pm you could watch the Glockenspiel. Other creative suggestions include kicking the boxes out from under the mimes in the pedestrian area, or enjoying locals confused reactions as they pass by after greeting them with a jovial smile and enthusiastic "Grüss Gott!" Don’t worry, this is simply the standard Bavarian greeting.
Q 4: Where does the Oktoberfest take place?
The world’s largest folk festival takes place annually at the Theresienwiese (Therese’s Meadow) here in Munich. It always begins on the 2nd to last Saturday in September and ends 16 days later on the first Sunday in October. To get there take the U4/U5 to Theresienwiese or U3/U6 to Goetheplatz. The 1st Oktoberfest was actually the wedding celebration of Prince Ludwig I (grandfather of Ludwig II, the fairytale king) and Therese, hence the name of the grounds, the Theresienwiese.
Q 5: Where is the English Garden?
In case you’re wondering, the English Garden is the largest metropolitan park in Europe and certainly one of the most beautiful and largest in the world. Once the hunting grounds of the kings and training grounds for the Bavarian army, it was dedicated to the citizens of Munich in the late 1700s. It’s over 5 km long, ca. one kilometer wide (about 1,000 acres or over 370 hectares) and took over twenty years to landscape. Called the English Garden because it was designed by an Englishman in the English Style, it’s a must see in Munich and is definitely best by bike! You can’t miss it.
Q 6: What about the BEER?!
As you likely already know, Munich is world famous for its beer and is often referred to as the beer drinking capital of the world. From what was once many, only six major breweries remain in Munich. Together they brew an estimated 580 million liters (!) annually. The oldest and (generally) local favorite brewery in Munich is the Augustiner, which was established in 1328. The other five are Paulaner, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr, Löwenbrau (Lion’s Brew) and Hofbräu (Court Brew). Paulaner and Augustiner are both named after the ordinance of monks that established the breweries. All beer in Germany is brewed according to the oldest known food quality law in the world, the Rheinheitsgebot of 1516. This beer "purity order" was initiated here in Munich by Herzog Wilhelm IV after numerous failed attempts to institute such a law dating as far back as 1156. Beer is usually cheaper than bottled water, is often referred to as "flüssiges Brot" (liquid bread) and it is not the least bit uncommon to see locals enjoying the stuff hours before noon. Here in Bavaria we like to drink beer by the liter in a glass mug called a Mass. In fact, most beer gardens don’t even serve "normal" beer referred to as Helles, in lesser quantities. Weißbier is usually golden to orange in color and made from wheat as opposed to barley. Weißbier has a lot of yeast, which can lead to a very high stink factor down the line, if you know what I mean. Dark beer is excellent and referred to as Dunkles. A seasonally brewed beer is Bockbier, which is sweet and STRONG, with anywhere between 7 to 11% alcohol content whereby other beers have about 5 %. The Starkbierzeit during lent was originated by the Paulaner Monks back around 1630. To this day the Starkbierfest takes place annually at the Paulanerkeller am Nockherberg in late March to early April. You may also find it interesting to know that the legal drinking age in Germany for beer is 16, (18 for hard liquor). For "Cheers", say Prost! When ordering another beer, just say, "noch eins bitte!".
When it comes to beergardens we recommend the Chinese Tower in the middle of the English Garden, which is where Mike’s Bike Tours stops for about an hour in the middle of the tour, the Augustinerkeller, the oldest and most traditional beergarden in Munich, and the Hofbräukeller (different from the Hofbräuhaus!).
Q 8: Where is the Hofbräuhaus?
The world famous Hofbräuhaus in Munich is one of the last authentic beer halls of its kind in the world. Established in 1589 by Wilhelm V, the Hofbräu brewery originally brewed beer exclusively for the royalty and their servants here in Munich, hence the name HofBräu, meaning Court Brew. Common folk were not allowed to drink Hofbräu beer for the first 21 years of the breweryäs existence. The HB Haus itself is just over 100 years old. After having suffered extensive damage at the end of WWII, it was completely renovated. Drink beer by the liter and enjoy Bavarian classics by the lively Oom-Pah band such as John Denver’s "Take Me Home, Country Roads". The band plays 7 days a week from 11:30 am to 11:00 pm. To answer the question at hand, our map is specifically designed to help you find the HB Haus as easily as possible from the main square in town, Marienplatz. Just exit the square at the Old Town Hall (MBTs meeting point) and go straight up the Tal street, past McDonald’s to the only traffic light, where you make a left. After about 200 meters, make another left on the Bräuhaus Strasse, just after our Discover Bavaria shop and you’ll immediately see the rear entrance, just another 30 paces ahead.
Q 9: Sing along in the HB?
The Hofbräuhaus song: In Mün-chen gibt’s das Hof-bräu-haus, oans, zwoa G’suffa! Which means, "In Munich there is the Hofbräuhaus, one, two, slug your beer!"
The Prost song: Ein Pro-sit, ein Pro-sit... der Gemut-lich-keit! Ein Prosit ein Pro-O-sit der Gemut-lich-keit! Which, roughly translated means, "Cheers! To that wonderful warm fuzzy feeling inside that we’re all enjoying amidst this fine and friendly atmosphere here tonight!" = Gemütlichkeit!
THEE HB classic...(no kidding!): "Take me home, Country Roads" (by John Denver, rest his soul) Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge mountains, Shenandoah River. Life is old there, older than the trees, younger than the mountains, blowin like a breez. Country Roads... take me home... to the place... I belong... West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home... country roads. All my memories, gather round her, finest lady, stranger to blue water, dark and dusty, painted on the sky, misty taste of moonshine, tear-drop in my ye... Refrain I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me, radio reminds me of my home far away... Driving down the road I get a feeling, that I should have been home yesterday, yesterday... Refrain
Q 10: Where’s the nightlife?
In this pamphlet I recommend an excellent Irish pub, two australian bars, three great beergardens (open to about 10 or 11) the Hofbräuhaus, the Happy Hour at Sausalitos and the Hard Rock Café, but when it comes to clubs and other hip bars, you’re best off asking the Mike’s Bike Tours guides personally. Munich is trendy and hot spots come and go, but our guides are always up on what’s going on in town. You could also just stroll down the Ludwig/Leopoldstrasse in Schwabing, or simply search the web under Munich, nightlife.
A good website for nightlife in Munich is www.munichnights.com
Q 11: Why do Canadians have those little flag patches on everything they wear?
Because they simply want to be loved for who they really are. Don’t worry guys, we love you, even if the Czech government doesn’t.
Q 12: What can I say if a local is rude to me?
Generally the Germans are very friendly people, especially to English-speaking tourists because they love to practice their language skills on you. Hopefully you won’t encounter any unfriendlies, but it could happen. Such people should however not be taken the least bit seriously, and I found out early on here that a strong, self confident reply in fluent German with a good dash of humor floors them almost every time. Try something like this: "Es tut mir Leid, ich bin nur ein blöder Tourist" (I’m sorry, I’m just a stupid tourist) or "Na, nicht ausgeschlafen, was?" (oh, didn’t get enough sleep last night huh?) or perhaps the best answer might be "Wissen Sie was? Mir ist es Wurst!" (You know what, I couldn’t care less), or literally, "To me it’s sausage!"
Q 13: Where do all the nudes "hang out"?
Nudity is acceptable in Munich in nudist areas designated as FKK ("Freiekörperkultur": literally, free body culture) along the Isar river and on the nudist meadow in the English Garden, along the stream on the far side of the bridge near the little waterfall. If you go there, look for our buddy, The Hammer, a.k.a. "Tripod." We have a photo of him, but if we included it
here, some may mistake this pamphlet for our Amsterdam counterpart. At any rate, 95% of the nudists are (eccentric) men and seeing them can often be a frightening experience. Be careful.
Q 14: Where is a good place to buy souveniers?
I can honestly say that Max Krug offers the best selection and service I have come across in any store of its kind in Munich. Stop by and judge for yourself. If you show them this pamphlet to let them know that you came because of our recommendation, you’ll get a free gift with a purchase.
Q 15: Where can I get some more help and/or information?
The Munich Tourist Office has two locations: one is near the main entrance to the Hauptbahnhof (exit front, go right), the other is in the ground floor of the New Town Hall at Marienplatz. They can help you with hotel reservations for a small fee, sell you the Munich Welcome Card (transportation in addition to discounts at restaurants, etc.) and more.
Euraide is an independent tourist information office specializing in consulting, reservations and ticket sales for trains to and from just about anywhere on the continent. They are in the Hauptbahnhof right next to track 11. Please do tell Alan and Ann that I said hello.
Our shop Discover Bavaria can also help you with general information, a good map, phone cards, hotel reservations, internet access, bike rental and something the other places don’t have, which is lots of flyers from our selected cooperation partners in other cities throughout Europe, all of which could wind up making your stay in those places a lot better than it might be without them.
Q 16: Where should I go to rent a car or motorcycle?
ALLROUND RENTALS offers competitive rates and friendly service. They speak English and will help you with maps and tips and advice on where to go and what to avoid. I also recommend them because it’s easier to pick up and drop off at their place than in the center of town, where traffic and one-way streets can be frustrating for anyone not familiar with driving in Munich. From the Hauptbahnhof take U1 or U2 to Sendlinger Tor,transfer to U3 (dir. Frstenried), get off at Obersendling. From Marienplatz simply take U3 (dir. Fürstenried) to Obersendling. The easy 3-minute walk from Obersendling to their location is described here
Q 17: Are Birkenstocks really cheaper here?
Some of you may simply be wondering what Birkenstocks are, as I was when originally asked this question in 1995 shortly after having launched Mike’s Bike Tours. BIRKENSTOCK sandals from Germany are WORLD RENOWNED for their comfort and stylishness, and they come highly recommended by podiatrists for anybody with foot problems to boot (pun unintended). I soon became a wearer myself. If you are already a fan, you’re likely going to want to get another pair while you’re here. If you’re not yet a fan, you might well be after you try a pair on. Anyway, they definitely are considerably less expensive here, sometimes being about half what they would go for in the States. Schuh Seibl has a huge selection and is conveniently located only 100 meters from the southern end of the Viktualian Market.
Q 18: Where can I see a movie in English?
The movie theater CINEMA is in the Nymphenburger Strasse. A 15-minute walk from the train station or 300 yards west of Stiglmaierplatz (U1, one stop north of Hauptbahnhof). A modern, comfortable theater that serves (salty!) popcorn, nachos and Häagen-Dazs.
Go early to get the prime balcony seats, they’re amazing. Call 55 52 55 for current schedule or see www.cinema-muenchen.com. Another smaller theater that shows original english-version films is the Museum Lichtspiele. Call 489 12 96 for the current program or 48 24 03 for reservations.
Q 19: What about Museums in Munich?
There are six World Class art museums in Munich’s (unofficial) Museum Quarter near Knigsplatz. For a full day of art, there is a ticket for all three Pinakotheke for € 12 / € 7 discounted.
Alte Pinakothek Tues- Sun 10 am to 5 pm; Tue & Thu till 8 pm. € 5/ € 3.50 discounted. One of Europe’s oldest and most important galleries housing over 800 masterpieces from the 14th through the 18th centuries. An extensive collection of Rubens, as well as works from Goya, Raphael, Fra Angelico, Da Vinci, Botticelli, Rembrant, El Greco and Dürer.
Neue Pinakothek Open Wed-Mon 10 am to 5 pm; Wed & Thu till 8 pm. € 5/ € 3.50 discounted. European art and sculpture from the late 18th to the beginning of the 20th century including an excellent collection of French Impressionists such as Degas, Monet, Pissaro, Manet and Renoir. Also including the pioneers of the modern age: van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin.
Pinakothek der Moderne Open Tue–Sun 10 am to 5 pm; Thu & Fri till 8 pm. € 9 / € 5 discounted. Germany’s newest and largest modern art museum features works of the 20th century to the present from the fields of art, sculpture, photography, video, design, architecture and more.
Lenbachhaus Open Tue–Sun 10 am to 6 pm. € 6 / € 3 discounted. Formerly the villa of the well known portrait artist and art collector Franz von Lenbach (1836 - 1904). Extensive collection of the early 1900s Munich artists that started the “Blue Rider“ movement: Kandinsky, Klee, Marc, Macke und Münter.
König’s Platz This impressive square was built by Ludwig I and used by Hitler as a parade ground. Today it is home to the Glyptothek, which houses one of the world’s finest collections of antique sculpture and the Ludwig I Antikensammlung,(Antique Collection).
Haus der Kunst Open daily 10 am- 10 pm € 7/ € 5 discounted. Built under Hitler to showcase "state approved" art, this museum now features largely works that would have been considered “unacceptable“. Surrealism, Cubism and Fauvism, among other contemporary styles can be seen here, with many exhibits changing regularly. Call (089) 211 27 137 or visit www.hausderkunst.de for info. regarding current exhibits.
The Residenz Museum Open daily 9am to 6pm. € 5 /€ 4 discounted. The home of the Wittlesbach dynasty from 1385 - 1918. Rebuilt 1946 /1980. Impressive rooms, halls, paintings, tapestries and more, including the separate exhibit for the Crown Jewels (Schatzkammer), which is worth the extra charge. Entrance incl. Schatzkammer, € 8.50 / € 7.50.
The Deutsches Museum Open daily 9 am to 5 pm; € 7.50 / € 5 discounted / € 3.00 students. The oldest and one of the most significant science, engineering and technology museums in the world. The transportation (cars, trains and planes) exhibit has recently been relocated to the old convention center (Messegelände). Take U4/5 to Theresienwiese and follow the signs from there.
Münchener Stadtmuseum Open Tue – Sun,10 am to 6 pm; € 2.50 / € 1.50 discounted, Free on Sundays. ocated near the Viktualian Marketplace, the Munich Municipal museum traces the city’s history through the centuries, including a wooden model of Munich in 1572.
BMW Museum Munich is the home to the Bavarian Motor Works. Their factory facilities are impressive. Unfortunately, word has it that their museum is not, although many visitors to Munich are interested in checking it out. After eight years of speaking with tourists, I can report that feedback from those having been there has ranged from simply "OK" to as bad as "a waste of time", even from hard-core BMW fans. However, the new BMW-World promises to be much more impressive, when it opens in spring 2008. Tours of the factory are also very interesting, but advance reservations are necessary, (typically from weeks to months). For reservations call: (089) 382 25652.