MUNICH, GERMANY. For some, Germany is not a priority on their travel bucket-list, but you might want to think twice before leaving it out. Munich – or München – was the place to be during this city break, not only for great beer and sausages but also for the sun and good atmosphere of the city, which is always refreshing when the country you call home feels like a freezer.
Munich is a great destination for a weekend trip, and since time is limited, it’s better to outline the most interesting places. Although almost no tourist attractions were free, it’s possible to not spend that much in in a city with a high living cost. Don’t expect typical Eastern European architecture, like in Budapest or Prague, because Munich is much more than that, with many universities, events, architectural attractions, amazing parks, and monumental buildings.
Day 1
If you arrive in the morning or afternoon, you can go to the market in the center for some fresh fruit and vegetables. Although it’s small, the market is an amusing place. Go for a walk exploring the streets and you’ll face the Hofbrauhaus, the famous public brewery used by Nazi Party. But don’t buy the typical 0.50cl beer mugs there; they’re too expensive, and you can get one at the biergarten at the Englischer Garten later on.
Inside the Hofbrauhaus
Just five minutes from metro station Sendlinger Tor, you can find Aroma KaffeeBar, a cozy coffee shop. Coffee shops like these are not so easy to find in Munich, so feel free to taste the delicious pastries and bagels and even to buy some vintage products they have for sale. Aroma combines quite literally the ideas “coffee” and “shop” in the same cute place.
Take the afternoon to see the central square Marienplatz and appreciate the small streets with lined with tall buildings. Don’t miss St.Peter’s Church, the oldest church in the inner city, with its delicately decorated pink ceiling. At night, go for a drink at the nicely decorated and reasonable bar Glockenbach, also in Sendlinger Tor, a trendy area during both day and night.
Day 2
Wake up early and enjoy the sun in some of Munich’s several open spaces. Start at the peaceful and bright Nymphenburg Palace. The beautiful gardens are free, but an inside visit to the baroque style rooms is a good option, since admission is reasonably priced.
Continuing our tour of Munich’s gardens, our next stop is Englischer Garten, where you’ll find a good percentage of the city’s population on sunny days. One of the possible entrances is at metro station Universitat, famous for playing classical music at the station. The Englischer Garten is a nice and busy green park with a biergarten that welcomes you to drink some big mugs of fresh beer and enjoy life.
In the evening, try the famous snack currywurst, typical, soft German sausages with tomato sauce and curry. And since we’re in the land of beer, why not sample some more at bars like Holy Home, with a careless and indie ambiance, or Der Bank, a trendy place that, for me, doesn’t deserve as much fame as it has.
Day 3
Be careful, a lot of things are closed on Sundays, but the advantage is that museums are just 1€ and art-lovers will be spoiled by so much art. Some choices are the Egyptian Art Museum and the Alte Pinakothek, one of the most important museums in Germany with old Italian, German, Spanish and Dutch paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The Neue Pinakothek covers more modern art ranging from the 19th century to the contemporary period with some classics.
If you took the day to appreciate art, you should also see the Residenz Palace, the house of the Bavarian rulers that was once considered to be the most luxurious palace in Europe—you’ll understand why at the end of the visit. For 9€, including an audio-guide, enjoy the journey between the several rooms containing the wealth of the royal family, the treasury, the chapel and even the old theatre, constructed in a rococo style.
Room of the Alte Pinakothek
Because your feet will most likely be hurting, take a rest and silence your stomach at the Bagels&Muffins coffeeshop, at Barerstr. street, with some delicious bagels that combine traditional and modern creations like tomato and mozzarella.
Enjoy!