MUNICH CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO

See inside for details about getting around, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife and more Welcome to Tall tankards and high-tech cars, edgy art and Lederhosen – Munich is a city where traditional and modern sit side by side like few places on earth.

Mine's a Mass - Beer has been part of Munich life for at least seven centuries and the brewing tradition is very much alive and kicking today. Nowhere else in Europe has a beer tradition quite like the Bavarian capital with six mammoth breweries pumping out world-class suds to hundreds of beer gardens and beer halls. ’s ‘purity law’ guarantees there’s nothing in your Mass (1L tankard) that shouldn’t be, so if you can lift the thing – ‘Prost!’ (Cheers!)

Teutonic Treasure Trove - Munich has long been known as the ‘city of art and beer’, so before you head off to the pub, take some time to savour the local art scene. The Kunstareal, Munich’s art quarter, is the place to start, with four major venues displaying everything from Dutch masters to 1960s design.

The city also boasts some world-class museums focusing on topics as diverse as , porcelain and BMW cars. And if that weren't enough, there are still royal palaces to explore – the legacy of 700 years of rule by a single family, the Wittelsbachs.

Well-Heeled Well-Being - The locals have a word for it – Gemütlichkeit – that untranslatable intermingling of cosiness, well-being and laid-back attitude. In Munich you will sense it most under the fairy lights of a summer beer garden, people-watching in the English Garden and behind the wheel of a BMW heading south. It may be just the local character, but a large share of Gemütlichkeit must come from the fact that the Bavarian capital is one of the most affluent cities on the planet, it’s economy larger than most small countries, its infrastructure well- tended.

Bizarre - Munich’s various quirks, the things that make the city the place it is, might be what stick in the memory most. Whether it be the inebriated oompah band, that special knife for eating monster radishes, the Bavarians outrageous dialect or the surfers on the wave – you’re sure to discover some freakish aspect of Munich life every day. Then there is the local clothes – nowhere else in central Europe do the locals don their traditional costume – the famous Lederhosen and Dirndl – as readily as the Münchners, so why not join them?

Shopping Munich is a shopping heartland. Fans of luxury items or bargain hunters can find shopping oases from shopping arcades through to small boutiques. Here are some to explore….

The pedestrian area: Neuhauser and Kaufingerstraße - Munich’s central pedestrian area can be found where Neuhauser Straße merges with Kaufingerstraße. There is always a lot going on here, as the selection of what is on offer is huge:

Between sights like the and the Rathaus (Town Hall), traditional department stores, electronics shops, perfumeries and fashion stores line the streets one after the other.

There are also still some specialty shops such as leather dealers and hat shops. And if you’re lucky, you might get to see one of the little routines by one of the many street performers. Shopping in the trendy district: the Glockenbachviertel - The area around Gärtnerplatz has long been known as a trendy district. In between pubs and bars, there are a few unique shops that sell jewellery, postcards, fashion or furniture.

Young designers come here with their creations, so if you are on the lookout for a unique gift, you are bound to strike gold. You might even meet one of Munich’s stars or celebrities as you are strolling around.

Tradition and trends: On ‘Tal’ street and Sendlinger Straße - There are traditional pubs, snack stands and bistros for hungry shoppers on the street called Tal.

If you are looking for costumes and Bavarian souvenirs, you are bound to find something here. There is also a chemist and furniture shops on this street. You will also find food on Sendlinger Straße. It also offers a colourful mix of individual trendy shops, jewellery boutiques, soap shops and various shoe shops.

Shopping Centres Lifestyle paradise: the city centre arcades - The Fünf Höfe on Theatinerstraße present a modern and elegant appearance with exclusive shops, galleries and the Kunsthalle (art gallery).

The between Sendlinger Straße, Hackenstraße and Färbergraben is also architecturally unique. Trendy fashion and home-décor shops create a stylish ambience. There are cafés and bars in both arcades.

Things get very busy in the underground Stachus arcades. A mix of fashion boutiques, delicacies from all over the world and service providers like hairdressers, florists, pharmacies and chemists await potential customers.

The Olympia shopping mall is the biggest shopping mall in Munich. opened in 1972. It is located in the Moosach district of Munich, Germany. The name comes from the simultaneous construction of the adjacent home of the press for the Summer Olympics in 1972.

In 1993–94, the shopping centre was extended and modernised and now there are around 135 shops spread across two floors, with three department stores, several major clothing chains, and many grocery stores, service outlets, restaurants and cafes.

The Riem Arcaden is the third largest shopping mall in Munich after the Olympia-Einkaufszentrum and the Einkaufs-Center Neuperlach – pep. It was opened in March 2004.

Made up of three floors and 46,500 m2 retail space, and well known store chains are represented in about 120 stores. On the upper floor a few cafes are surrounded by shops like , Depot, Müller, Zara and SinnLeffers, some of which extend to the ground floor. In the middle part of the ground floor some restaurant chains such as McDonald's and Nordsee, but also ordinary restaurants can be found. On the lower level, in addition to many smaller shops, larger stores like Saturn, Fielmann, Edeka (with post office) and C&A are also present. Markets in Munich Flohmarkt im - The classic par excellence: Flea-market fans rummage and haggle regularly in the park harp in the Olympic Park. Every Friday and Saturday around 450 suppliers trade their treasures all year round.

MS Bazar - Nice things for a good cause.Under the motto "Beautiful things for a good cause" the MS BAZAR opens its warehouse. Visitors will find first-class, well-preserved second-hand clothing and new goods as well as shoes, glasses and porcelain, jewelery, knick-knacks, books and toys - all at very low prices. The revenue will benefit patients with multiple sclerosis.

Viktualienmarkt - When the food market of the city had grown too large for the central square , King Maximilian I issued a decree in 1807 to have it moved a few metres to the south-east, to the square between Heiliggeist-Kirche and Frauenstraße.

Over the years, the market has evolved from a farmers' market to a popular market for fresh food and delicatessen. It offers exotic ingredients that are not available anywhere else in the area, and is renowned for its diversity and size: 140 stalls and shops offering flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables, venison and fowl, eggs, butter, honey, fish, meat, sausages, herbs, spices, delicatessens, wine and tea are assembled on an area covering 22,000 square metres.

The Maypole in the centre carries figurettes displaying the trades and crafts of this part of Munich. Maypoles are common to Celtic countries and therefore also to Bavaria; they are also known, for example, in some parts of England.

Things to do in Munich There’s a lot of things to do in Munich, here are a few suggestions for you….

The trio of BMW Welt, the BMW Museum and BMW Group Plant has developed into one of the most popular days out in Bavaria. BMW Welt is located in front of the BMW Group Headquarters, and it unites the past and present in a single venue. It is located at Petuelring 124-130, 80809 Munich. Experience all the brands and products of the BMW Group – including BMW, , Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW Motorrad – at BMW Welt. BMW Welt is the company's experience and automobile customer delivery centre. It features fascinating, futuristic architecture and hosts a wide range of exhibitions for all the BMW Group brands.

Learn about the BMW brand at the BMW Museum. The BMW Museum offers a fascinating presentation of the company, brand and BMW product history. About 125 of the brand's most valuable and attractive automobiles, motorcycles and engines are displayed in this building, spanning an area of 5,000 m².

The BMW Group Plant enables you to enjoy exclusive insights into vehicle manufacturing. Experience the BMW Group with all your senses: our fascinating exhibitions, events, guided tours, gastronomy and much more guarantee lasting memories for all. Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site On March 21, 1933, Hitler ordered the construction of a concentration camp in Dachau, the first in Germany. The first commander, Theodor Eicke made Dachau into a “school of violence” for the members of the SS. On April 29, 1945, the camp was freed by US Army units. Until the liberation, the SS had held over 200,000 prisoners from 34 nations in the concentration camp in Dachau.

The concentration camp memorial at Dachau was erected in 1965. It includes the grounds of the former prisoners’ camp and the camp crematorium. In addition to a documentary exhibit in the former work buildings, the bunker, both crematoriums, and a reconstructed prisoners barracks can be viewed.

Allianz Arena - Football and event location The Munich is the soccer temple in the northern part of the city and the home of the FC Bayern München, winners of the 2019/20 Champions League.

The fan shop of the FC Bayern München is housed here. For your enjoyment, there are various kiosks, a stylish bar-lounge-café, and of course the fan events for the Bavarians. Even if no game is taking place, the Allianz Arena with eight event boxes, two VIP lounges out of a total of 106 luxury boxes is also the place for business meetings, presentations, or celebrations.

Visiting Allianz Arena - The first games were held in the Allianz Arena in 2005, ,Tours of the Allianz Arena take place on all days when there is no game. Fan tours, VIP tours, or kids' tours are also available as a gift.

Eating out Food is an important part of each culture but for Bavarians food is exceptionally important. If you are vegetarian or vegan you will have a hard time being here but if you are into savory food with lots of meat, you can spend your whole time just trying all the different dishes.

Definitely try all the local specialites like roasted pork knuckle, pork roast, Fleischpflanzerl (Bavarian meatballs) or Weißwurst (veal sausage). As for drinking it is quite obvious to try out all the different Bavarian beers (look for smaller and local breweries) .Below are a few restaurants that you may want to try….

Heimwerk Schwabing and Heimwerk Glockenbachviertel If you suddenly see double and feel as though you are being watched, don’t worry – it’s not the drink – just the mirrored ceiling and garden gnomes on the window sill.

Here they lovingly prepared local dishes, such as the Munich Schnitzel, meatballs, spinach dumplings, etc., all can be chosen as a snack or a meal, and you can also choose yourself an “optional extra”. Make sure you leave room for “Kaiserschmarrn” – fluffy, shredded pancakes – long live snack portions! The Donisl is a traditional restaurant with a new look: it not only comes with an airy, smart exterior, but its cuisine has also been given a facelift. With Bavarian music, it’s also tasty for vegans: green salad with toasted seeds, tasty vegetable crisps and lemon-ginger dressing.

The signature dish is the Munich stew dishes. The delicately boiled beef is a big hit with tourists and Munich residents alike. Tip: Enjoy a view of the Frauenkirche through the “convertible glass roof”.

Augustiner am Dom “Typically Munich” – this expression best describes Augustiner am Dom. The popular inn with a view of Munich’s most iconic structure, Frauenkirche cathedral, is both cozy and traditional.

It makes no difference whether you sit in the patio beer garden, in the romantic “Domblick” (Cathedral View) or in one of the other beautiful rooms. The proverbial Bavarian “Gemütlichkeit” can be experienced throughout. In accordance with their motto “no progression means regression” the team at Augustiner am Dom is continuously improving its concept of well- being:

A glass of “Augustiner” lager beer fresh from the tap is a perfect companion to the seasonal specialties served on the in-house patio.

Amusement Parks etc Munich doesn’t have any amusement parks as such, the nearest is Legoland Deutschland in Gunzburg which is 75 miles away. The park features Lego explore centres, roller coasters, water attractions and shows. It has expanded since it opened in 2002, it now has eight “adventure worlds” with 50 attractions and 55 million Lego bricks.

Hellabrunn Come to Hellabrunn and discover a unique conservation area on the banks of the river.

The zoo is home to more than 750 exotic and native species from all continents. Since opening in 1911, it was established as the first geo-zoo (animals arranged by continent) in the world and today features spacious animal enclosures in a beautiful nature reserve.

Enjoy an unforgettable day out at one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bavaria. Isar River Rafting Romantic trip on traditional wooden river rafts through the beautiful Isar valley. The great Bavarian region in Germany is home to one of the best rafting spots in Europe, the mighty Isar. Enjoy a healthy outdoor activity, the beauty of nature and the thrill of canoe-rafting!

The river Isar, with the panoramic views of the mountains is the ideal spot and while floating down the Isar, gentle and sparkling waves, crystal clear water, unspoiled and picturesque little towns down the course of the river will be your backdrop.

Departure point is Wolfratshausen, a small town about 19 miles south of Munich. Nightlife Bars, restaurants and Nightclubs, Munich has them all in abundance, here are some of the best….

Labor Bar Sonnenstraße 5, 80331 Munchen Located near Stachus, the little bar is easy to miss. If you find it, it's worth looking inside, though. Whether it's the shots that are served in test tubes or the bartenders wearing white lab coats, you feel like being back in chemistry class - with the exception that you can down the 'dangerous' chemicals in front of you!

Why you should visit it - A variety of shots ranging from toxic to radioactive and even flammable make it worth the time and money. Every Thursday you can participate in a beer pong tournament with the prospect of winning 50€; be careful though, as that is the only day they take an entrance fee if you arrive later than 9pm. And don't forget your IDs!

Happy Hour is Thursday completely, and Wednesday through Sunday from 8-11. Get six shoots foe €5 and do some experiments!

Hey Luigi! Holzstr. 29 Munich Some believe that here Munich's best pasta is served and many people seem to follow that thought - whether midday or evening this restaurant is always packed.

A style mix of 30's, 50's and 70's furniture meets cool music like Jazz or Indie Music and gives a hint that this place is a restaurant-bar-hybrid which fits perfectly in the hip area.

Why you should visit it - Munich likes to be called to northernmost city of Italy and so Italian cuisine has become a part of the city's identity. Hey Luigi manages to stand out with an individual interior, good drinks and heavenly delicious and affordable pasta. Special tip The daily lunch specials cost less than €7.

Brasserie Tresznjewski Theresienstraße 72 Munich The Tresznjewski or, as the countless regulars would say, the “Treszi”, has become an institution for many Munich residents.

For more than twenty years, university students and their professors, business people and artists from the museums and art galleries in the vicinity as well as Munich visitors have been enjoying our tasty food and beverages. Café Glockenspiel, Marienplatz 28 Munich Perhaps most striking about the Cafe Glockenspiel is its location above the Marienplatz. With spectacular views over Munich, the restaurant has struck gold in the city with its German and international cuisine enjoyed both at lunch and in the evenings.

The Cafe Glockenspiel Restaurant in Munich offers superbly fresh dishes that range from succulent venison to tender pikeperch fillet and vegetarians are equally well catered for with meals such as homemade pumpkin ravioli with courgette and buffalo mozzarella.

The wine list has over 70 types of wine of unfailing quality.

Few places in Munich can compete with the Glockenspiel’s conservatory where guests indulge in coffee and cake in the sunshine.

Getting There Munich International airport is served by several airlines from the UK and Ireland. Below is a list of who flies there from where:

Aer Lingus from Cork and Dublin British Airways from London-City and London-Heathrow easyJet from Edinburgh, London-Gatwick, London-Luton and Manchester Lufthansa from Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, London-Heathrow, Manchester and Newcastle.

Know before you go In Germany the power sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. The currency in Germany is the euro.

In case of an emergency, you can call 112 (Fire, Rescue, Medical) or 110 (Police). In case you’re unsure of how to proceed and it is not a life-threatening emergency, you can call the 116 117 to get advice on what to do next or where to go.

British Consulate General Munich - Telephone +49 (0) 89 211090 Irish Honorary Consulate General in Munich - Telephone (+49) 89 20 80 5990

How can I make a phone call from Germany? For many foreigners, dialing in Germany can be confusing: To call a local number within your own area, dial the number only. To call to another area, dial the respective area code first. When calling from within Germany, you have to dial "0" followed by the area code (i.e. 089 for Munich). Area codes and phone numbers in Germany are variable

Other than cash how else can I pay? When it comes to paying for purchases, Germany is still something of a cash country. Don’t be surprised if you see, very occasionally, someone pay e.g. for a pair of designer shoes in cash. Sales assistants prefer customers to use cash for small purchases. Some shops may only accept plastic money for sums above a certain limit (i.e. higher than 10 or even 20 euros).

Although it is common in Germany to pay in cash, some places such as small grocery stores or newsagents only accept payment with bills up to EUR 50 or 100. These vendors don’t necessarily fear being swamped with customers dealing in counterfeit bills, they are rather afraid of running out of change! Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) - Since you are dependent on cash to pay for smaller purchases, you usually have easy access to automated teller machines (Geldautomaten). Nearly every German bank has a 24/7 ATM centre somewhere in the building, and in the city centre it is easy to withdraw cash from a machine nearby.

You should definitely consider the fees, though. You can withdraw money from any machine with a credit card. However, the ATM provider as well as your own bank may charge you for the transaction. And if your bank account is not in euros, you have to pay for the exchange rate as well. The withdrawal fee charged by the ATM provider is usually a fixed amount of € 4-6. All other rates are determined by the bank issuing your credit or debit card.

Credit Cards - A lot of smaller shops will not accept your credit card (Kreditkarte). There are even some larger supermarkets that do not accept credit card payments, either. This may be a surprise if you are used to paying for your groceries with a credit card.

Larger restaurants and hotels generally accept credit card payments, but not necessarily all types of card.

Debit Cards - also known as Eurocheque-Karte, EC-Karte, or girocard, are far more widely accepted than credit cards.

Retailers prefer the instant debit card payment to credit charges. Debit cards are linked to a checking account and used for direct payments as well as ATM withdrawals.

If using the EC-Karte is your preferred payment method, don’t be surprised when you are not asked to enter your pin code. Lots of cashiers at the supermarket only take a brief look at the signature on the receipt. This means that debit card fraud is theoretically easy.

Is tipping mandatory? Hotels - In Germany tipping is expected in hotels. If you receive good service you should give your porter between €1 and 3 per bag. Your housekeeper should receive between €3 and 5 per night (you can leave the tip on the bed or nightstand). If your concierge provides good service, you can tip up to €10-20.

Restaurants - Simply round up to the next Euro. Or add a few Euros (5% - 10% for good service). No need to overdo it. Give the gratuity directly to the waiter, or just add it to the bill.

Most restaurants and even hotels, only accept cash in Germany so make sure you bring some. You will generally not get a check/bill, the waiter will tell you how much you owe instead. Then you tell the waiter how much you want to pay: if the bill is €8, you can just say €10 when handing over the money. Do not leave your tip on the table.

Public Holidays 2022 New Years Day - Sat. January 1st Whit Monday - Monday, June 6th Epiphany - Thursday, Jan. 6th Corpus Christi - Thurs. June 16th Good Friday - Friday, April 15th German Unity Day - Monday Oct. 3rd Easter Sunday - Sun. April 17th All Saints Day - Tue. November 1st Easter Monday - Mon. April 18th Christmas Day - Sun. December 25th Labor Day - Sunday, May 1st 2nd Day of Christmas - Mon. Dec. 26th Ascension Day - Thurs. May 26th How can you go online and check your e-mails? In Munich, many restaurants and cafés offer a free wireless LAN connection to the internet.

Also, a collaboration of Stadtwerke Munchen, the municipal energy supplier, M-net, the Munich internet and telecommunication provider as well as muenchen.de, the official Website for the City of Munich, have set out to provide great open spaces like the Marienplatz with free wireless LAN.

M-WLAN is for residents and tourists - or simply for anyone with a mobile internet device. It’s free and it's fairly easy to use. Just accept the terms of service (TOS) and go. You don't even have to register. You can simple surf the internet for one hour before you're automatically logged off. If you want to browse a couple of more pages - no problem. Just log right back into M-WLAN.

How can I send a letter or a postcard? Munich has dozens of post offices run by the German postal service (Die Post) spread throughout the city.

For many visitors, the most convenient branch will be the office just opposite the main entrance of the Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station) at Bahnhofplatz 1. That's the entrance through the lobby hall, across from the train platforms.

You can buy stamps from post offices, and from funky little automatic machines outside them. It costs 65c to send a postcard anywhere within Europe, €1 anywhere outside of it. Standard-sized letters should cost about €2.

Germany’s mailboxes are in a good old reliable yellow. Sometimes there’s one slot for local letters and another for all other destinations, which should have “andere PLZ” written on it.