Sightseeing
Munich Marienplatz
Munich Mountain View
Munich Beer GardenOn Foot
On foot
The centre of Munich covers quite a small area and you could cover it all on foot if you wanted to. The city is very green, clean and has plenty of pedestrian zones. In the inner city you’ll find hidden away streets and alleys to explore too.
TIP: Munich has and extensive cycle path system, so get into the habit of looking both ways when crossing pavements with cycle paths too. Cyclists go quickly and are used to pedestrians staying out of there way.
You could also join one of the walking tours that operate, seeing and learning a bit about Munich at the same time. Here are come of the operators:
Munich Walk Tours in English
Tel: 0049 (0) 171-274-0224
M-Unique Walking Tours (English)
Tel: 0049 (0) 89 255-43-988 or 987
Marienplatz
Named after the column of the Virgin Mary at its center the Marienplatz is one of the most famous part of Munich is also considered to be the centre of Munich. The town hall is dominates it and it makes an excellent place to start your explorations.
Reach it by: all S-Bahns, U3 & U6, or walk down from Karlsplatz or Odeonsplatz.
Shopping in Munich
Shopping in Munich
Shopaholics are in for a treat in Munich. The city’s shops combine international names and designer goods with traditional Bavarian crafts.
The main shopping areas are Neuhauserstrasse and Kaufingerstrasse, both lined with large department stores and international chains. Smaller, more exclusive boutiques can be found around Maximilianstrasse and Theatinerstrasse.
Typical gifts might include examples of traditional clothing (Trachten), such as Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women; beer mugs (Stein); wood carvings (Holzschnitzereien); pewter-ware (Zinn); the famous Nymphenburg porcelain and speciality foods such as Lebkuchen, Christmas Stollen, and marzipan.
A shopping-paradise par excellence begins just behind the University and lovers of literature in particular will feel at home in the antiquarian shops round Schellingstrasse.
Shopping suggestions
I would start at Karlsplatz (Stacchus) and walk down to Marienplatz, then you can check out the area around the opera for boutiques and the like. I know best about shopping for men in Munich and can suggest some things I like, Oblätter the large toy store at Karlsplatz, Saturn which is on the right as you walk to Marienplatz and Hirmers for mens’ clothing on the left near the Marienplatz.
There are large department stores including Kaufhof, Galleria Kaufhof, and large Sports shops just behind Marienplatz. There are two Hugendubel bookstores, one at Marientplatz and one at Stacchus both with cafes, they have English books too.
Opening Times – larger shops, department stores and supermarkets.
Monday – Friday: 09.00 – 20.00
Saturday: 09.00 – 18.00
Opening Times – small shops
Monday – Friday: 09.00 – 18.30 and may close for lunch
Saturday: 09.00 – 12.00
Mehrwertsteuer (VAT) of 19% is included in the price of purchased items, visitors from non-EU countries are entitled to a tax refund of up to 10%. Participating stores display a Europe Tax-Free logo.
Money
The currency is of course the Euro and there are cashpoint machines (ATMS) from the Deutsche Bank at Marienplatz and Stachus (Karlsplatz).
Munich Churches Map
Here is a map showing the Churches in Munich.
Karlsplatz
Otherwise known as Stacchus, Karlsplatz houses one of the inner city gates, it’s walkable from the central railway station, and makes a good start point to walk down to the Marienplatz.
Reach it by: all S-Bahns, U4 & U5, or walk down from the Hauptbahnhof.
Odeonsplatz
Near the expensive shops, Residenz, the Theatiner Kirche and the beginning of the Englischer Garten. There is a nice cafe overlooking it.
Reach it by; U4 & U5, or just walk from the Marienplatz
Königsplatz
Commissioned by Ludwig I and later used as a Nazi marching ground, this neo-Classical square boasts the Propylaen gateway and the Glyptothek, a small but enchanting collection of Greek and Roman sculptures.
Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan
Basilica in Italianate High Baroque which had a major influence on Southern German baroque architecture.
Frauenkirche – Cathedral Church of Our Lady
This is the Metropolitan Church of the Archbishop of Munich-Freising and is a landmark for the city of Munich. It has a late Gothic nave from the 15th century, interior with works of art spanning 5 centuries.
The cathedral is a ‘must visit’ and you’ll have no problem finding it as it dominates the skyline.
