48 hours in Munich – Weekend Edition
Munich In Less Than 48 Words
Munich is the third-largest city in Germany, and the most prosperous as well – ranking eighth among the Global 500 cities of the world. However, despite its apparent riches and metropolitan image, the so-called “World Village” is still a center of German traditions, particularly the world-famous Oktoberfest.
Marienplatz (Photo by Allie Caulfield)
First 24 Hours
Arrive at the city of Munich via the Munich “Franz Josef Strauss” Airport, which is its main hub for international arrivals. It is located 28.5 kilometers northeast of the city center. From there, you can take the Munich suburban railway lines S1 and S8 to the Munich Central Station. The journey lasts for around 45 minutes, and will take around €8.80 from you. You can also ride a Lufthansa Airport Bus to the Central Station, or hire a taxi that will pass through the Motorway A 9, although that option will cost a lot more.
Munich is a pretty big city, so first-timers there will have some difficulty navigating it. It is advisable to first head to its main tourist office (Marienplatz, 00 49 89 233 96 500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 00 49 89 233 96 500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, website). The office is open between 10 am and 8 pm during Mondays to Fridays, and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. There you can also avail the Munich Welcome Card, which entitles you to free use of the city’s transport systems, and a half-price discount for entrance to its tourist attractions. The card will cost around €6.50.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Munich’s hotels
Hotel Laimer Hof (Photo from Google images)
After reaching the heart of the city, you can move to one of Munich’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Mandarin Oriental (Neuturmstrasse 1|(formerly Hotel Rafael), 80331 Munich, 49 (89) 290 980, website). It is a five-star hotel with a great location, luxurious bedrooms, and succulent food. An alternative is the Hotel Laimer Hof (Laimerstrasse 40, 80639 Munich, +49 89-177030, website), which offers excellent service, a quiet location, and delicious breakfast.
You can also try out the Exquisit Hotel (Pettenkoferstraße 3, 80336 München, 089 55199-00, website). It has a nice location near the Munich Central Station, plus comfortable and clean rooms.
FRAUENKIRCHE: Let’s take a view
A nice starting point for tourists to Munich is the Frauenkirche (Frauenplatz 12 80331 München, 089 290082-0). It is a 15th century red brick church tucked in an alleyway, and is considered a symbol of the Bavarian State Capital. It is also a city landmark. At its entrance, you will see the so-called “Devil’s Footstep”, a footprint that is, according to legend, was left by the Devil himself. Inside, you will also see an exquisite crypt containing tombs of the city’s former archbishops.
Frauenkirche (Photo by cpradi)
However, the highlight of a visit to the church is riding the lift up to its 320-foot high south tower, which will reward you with a unique view of the cityscape and the nearby Alps. The ride up will cost you around €3. The church is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, while the tower can be accessed between 10 am and 5 pm.
MARIENPLATZ: Have a cultural hike
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the city is Marienplatz (bounded by Kaufingerstr.Rosenstr., Weinstr.). It is a prominent public square, and is a center of social activity. During the Middle Ages, it was used as a site for markets and various tournaments. Today, you can see there shops, restaurants, and historical monuments. In its heart, you will see the Mariensäule, a Marian column from which the square got its name. It was put up in 1638 to commemorate the end of Swedish occupation, and features a golden sculpture of the Virgin Mary at its summit.
The square is also the site of the New City Hall, Munich’s administrative hub. It is a Gothic revival structure, and is best known for the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. Sharp at 11 am every day, its 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures chime and reenact stories from the 16th century. The show lasts around 15 minutes, and is a major tourist attraction. Marienplatz has the Old City which dates back to 1380, and is known for its neo-Gothic style of architecture.
RESIDENZ: See a royal residence
Another must-see attraction in Munich is the Munich Residenz (Verwaltung der Residenz München, Residenzstraße 1, 80333 München, +49 (0) 89 – 2 90 67-1, website). It was the former royal palace of the Bavarian kings, and is the largest of its kind in Germany. There you can see architecture and room decorations, as well as museums. You can take a leisurely stroll across its ten courtyards, or the French-style Court Garden.
The grand interiors of Munich Residenz (Photo by Heather)
The palace houses the Bavarian state’s coin collection (one of the largest in the world), where you can see more than 300,000 pieces of coins, banknotes, and medals. Its treasury, in turn, holds the house jewels of the Wittelsbach – such as royal insignia, crowns, goldsmith works, swords, ivory, crystals, and others. Don’t forget to pass through the exquisite Hall of Antiquities, one of the largest Renaissance halls in the country. It is adorned with paintings and frescoes.
DINNER TIME: Recharge after sightseeing tours in Munich with dinner at its posh restaurants
A perfect way to relax after sightseeing is dinner at the superb restaurants all over the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at Spatenhaus (Residenzstr. 12, 80333 Munich, 089-2907060, email). It offers an authentic German cuisine, plus a relaxed atmosphere and an excellent staff. Have a taste of Mexico in Germany at El Gordo Loco (3 Mariannenstraße, 80538 Munich, 089 2126-8355, website), which serves a fantastic menu and cocktails.
A nice alternative is Makassar (Dreimuhlenstr. 25, Munich, 089-776959), which specializes in the French cuisine. It also has a hip atmosphere and a friendly staff, although it is very expensive. You can also try out Haxenbauer (Munzstr. 2, Munich, 089-2916-2100), which offers a German cuisine, and is a mid-priced location.
Next 24 Hours
Statue of Bavaria (Photo by AbhijeetRane)
Your next 24 hours in Munich can be used to discover the city’s other attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Statue of Bavaria (border of the Theresienwiese). It is one of the biggest bronze sculptures in the world, reaching a height of 18.52 meters and weighing 87.36 tons. It depicts the female figure called the “Telus Bavarica”, Bavaria’s secular patron saint. You can climb up it 66 steps to enjoy sweeping views of the cityscape.
MUNICH MUSEUMS: Go for a historical tour
One of the most popular tourist activities in Munich is to explore its world-class museums. A particular example is Alte Pinakothek (Barer Straße 27, D-80799 Munich, +49 (0)89 23805 216, website). It is considered to be one of the oldest art galleries in the world, and boasts of an impressive collection of old master paintings. Inside, you will see several thousand European paintings dating back even to the 13th century. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays), and admission will cost €7.
Another museum that warrants a visit is the Deutsches Museum (Museumsinsel 1, 80538 München, +49/89/2179-1, website). It is the largest museum for technology and science in the world. The site is visited by more than 1.5 million people every year. Inside, you will see about 28,000 exhibits from the 50 different fields of science and technology. The museum is open daily between 9 am and 5 pm, and admission costs around €8.50.
Rubens room at Alte Pinakothek (Photo by Allie Caulfield)
You can also go and visit the Munich Stadtmuseum (St.-Jakobs-Platz 1, 80331 München, 089-233 22370, website). It is the city museum of Munich, and features exhibits that chronicle the city’s history from its establishment to the present. You can also see exhibits about the Nazi Party and musical instruments from Africa, Asia, and Europe. There is a Fotomuseum there as well, which contains around 500,000 photographs. It is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and admission costs around €4.
ANDECHS ABBEY: Have a drink at a monastery
Perhaps one of the most unique attractions in Munich is the Andechs Abbey (Bergstraße 2, 82346 Andechs, +49 – (0)8152 – 376-0, website). It is an abbey run by Benedictine monks. The site has a flamboyant Baroque church, but it is its brewery that has been in operation since 1455 that takes center stage there. You can find there world-class Andechs Monastery Beers, which is known for its excellent quality.
Andechs Abbey (Photo by vtveen)
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Munich’s vibrant nightlife scene
Indulge in the exciting pleasures afforded by Munich’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is P1 (Prinzregentenstrasse 1, Munich, 80538, 089 211 1140, website). If you’ve got sufficient money, this famous nightclub is the place to be, with its girl models, good music, and excellent service. A nice alternative is the Barysphär (Tumblingerstr. 36 – Isarvorstadt, 089 76775021, website). It is a popular bar with a dark clubby vibe, plus mean cocktails and a cool atmosphere. You can also try out the Die Bar (Arabellastraße 6 81925 München, 089 92640), which is a staple among the youngsters.
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