DK Travel : Munich

Of the city he lived in for many years, 20th-century writer Thomas Mann said that “Munich glows”. And indeed, the sky is often a brilliant blue dotted with puffy white clouds in “Italy’s northernmost city”, where the relaxed, often Baroque lifestyle gives it a southern flair. Englischer Garten and the Isar meadows are right in the middle of the city; Starnberger See and the mountains are virtually on the doorstep. But Munich is also a city of art and culture with an abundance of historic buildings, museum treasures, and a lively cultural scene. Fine art, leisure, and la dolce vita make this a unique city.

For Munich on the Internet, visit www.muenchen.de With 1.3 million inhabitants, Munich is Germany’s third-largest city.

4you München

Ecologically oriented youth hostel near central railway station with 60 rooms (with and without bath/WC), breakfast buffet; full board or dinner-only meal plans also available. No age limit. In-house child-care available.
6-Tage Rennen

Biggest cycling race of the year in Munich (6 days, mid-Nov), held at the Olympiahalle.
A Day in the University District

Morning

Begin your day in true bohemian style at the Café Münchner Freiheit. Afterward, stroll down Leopoldstr. and turn into Kaiserstr., with its pretty houses. Lenin lived at No. 46. At Kaiserplatz, follow Friedrichstr. to the corner of Ainmillerstr., with its Art Nouveau houses (Nos. 20–37). Continue along Friedrichstr. to Georgenstr. 8 and the Palais Pacelli, next door to the Palais Bissing. From here return to Leopoldstr. and the Academy of Fine Arts near the Siegestor. Walk to the university and cross the inner courtyard of the main building, which will bring you to the student district around Amalienstr., with its many cafés and restaurants. If you like French cuisine, try the excellent Bistro Terrine in Amalienpassage.

Afternoon

Depending on weather and inclination, you can devote these hours to nature or culture. If you love the outdoors, take a walk in the Englischer Garten (see Walk through the Englischer Garten) and treat yourself to a beer-garden visit. Art lovers turn from Amalienstr. onto Schelling-str. and walk to the corner of Barer Str., which leads to the three Pinakotheken (see Museum District – Alte Pinakothek). Having feasted on art, take a break in one of the cafés (either at the Neue Pinakothek or the Pinakothek der Moderne). At the Glyptothek on Königsplatz, the cafe is also very pretty; if you prefer strolling, explore its sculpture collection and the adjacent Antikensammlungen (see Glyptothek and Staatliche Antikensammlungen).
A Day in Westend

Morning

Begin at the Bavaria . Climb up to the statue’s head and enjoy the glorious view across Theresienwiese. Behind the Ruhmeshalle is the attractive Bavariapark. Walk through to its snorthern end and visit the impressive collection of the Verkehrszentrum (see The Branch Museums), a branch museum of the Deutsches Museum, housed in three historic fair halls. Cross Heimeranstr. and follow Ganghoferstr. until it intersects with Tulbeckstr. Here, Kao Kao is a good choice for a coffee break (Tulbeckstr. 9). Stroll and browse in the multicultural district from Tulbeckstr. to Ganghoferstr., and then on to Gollierstr., which ends at Gollierplatz. For lunch, try Rüen Thai (Kazmairstr. 58), one of the best Thai restaurants in the city.

Afternoon

Ganghoferstr. and Pfeuferstr. will take you over a S-Bahn track bridge into the eastern section of Westpark. Stroll westward, past the mysterious “floating” granite sphere, to the marshland ponds and try to spot the frogs. Walking across a bridge over a major city motor-way takes you into the western section of the park and its Thai pagoda, Japanese garden, rose garden with over 2,000 roses, and a manmade lake complete with stage at its centre for open-air music, theatre, and film in summer. For coffee or a pint of beer, stop in at the See-Café or the restaurant set in the tranquil surroundings of the rose garden.
A Day on the Isar

Morning

Setting off from the Müller’sche Volksbad after coffee or breakfast at Café Stör, turn left at the baths along the Isar to the to the footbridge, which leads to Praterinsel. Walk through the teaching garden of the Alpine Museum (no entrance fee) and then across the island – making a brief stop at the cultural centre – until you reach Maximiliansbrücke, which will take you directly to the Maximilianeum. Pass the monument and turn right onto Sckellstr. Follow this street to Wiener Platz, its market stalls, and the Hofbräukeller. A narrow lane – An der Kreppe – runs from Wiener Platz to several of the historic inns found in the Glasscherben district. The Hofbräukeller offers reasonably priced food and a beer garden in summer.

Afternoon

Return to Sckellstr., cross Einsteinstr., and walk along Maria-Theresa-Str., flanked by beautiful Foundation Period and Art Nouveau houses. To the left, the shops in the arcades in Maximilianstr. invite browsing. Regardless of the route you take, all paths will eventually lead you to the Friedens-engel. Continue along for a few minutes until you reach Villa Stuck, the Art Nouveau museum par excellence. For a coffee break, try Wiener’s (Ismaninger Str. 71a), close to the No. 18 tram stop. Take the tram back to the city centre (Karlsplatz). The ride will take you past some of the most beautiful spots in Munich.
A Walk in Westpark

Set off at the eastern end of Westpark at the corner of Hansastr. and Baumgartnerstr. Walk west through the park grounds until you reach a footbridge, which links the eastern and western sections. Special features of the park include artful Asian garden landscapes and a restaurant (with beer garden) next to a rose garden.
Academy for Television and Film

A training ground for film professionals since 1967, the academy’s famous graduates include Wim Wenders and Roland Emmerich. Regular film screenings are held in the academy’s in-house cinema.
Acetaia

Gourmet Italian restaurant, where Balsamic vinegar is a prominent feature – even in desserts.
Advokat

A design hotel with an elegant, minimalist style in soothing earth tones. The beautiful rooftop patio affords spectacular views of Old Town. With its city centre location, this hotel is the ideal departure point for sightseeing and shopping.
Akademie der Bildenden Künste

The Academy of Fine Arts was built between 1808 and 1886 in the Italian Neo-Renaissance style. The list of students around 1900 is a who’s who of modern art – Kandinsky, Klee, Kubin, Marc.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes, and extra charges.
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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with a glass of wine or beer (or equivalent meal), taxes, and service charges.
- under 30 €
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