Mariensäule. Foto: engel.ac@stock.adobe.com
In two weeks, the eMove360° Europe 2023 – International Trade Fair for Electromobility and Autonomous Driving – will start at the Munich Trade Fair Center, East Entrance. We have put together ten inspirations for a successful end to a day at the trade fair or a weekend trip to the cosmopolitan city with a heart – including insider tips for a visit to a restaurant or bar.
Marienplatz: The heart of the city
Marienplatz with the New City Hall is the heart and world-famous center of the state capital. Whether daily for the carillon, in Advent for the Christmas market, for the championship celebrations of FC Bayern or during the city stroll of astonished visitors from all over the world – there is probably no season in which there is nothing going on around the Mariensäule. This is where people meet for a shopping spree or start their sightseeing tour through Munich. Within walking distance, plenty of traditional Bavarian pubs such as the Ratskeller (Marienplatz 8), the Schneider Bräuhaus (Tal 7), Der Pschorr (Viktualienmarkt 15), the Ayinger am Platzl (Platzl 1A) and, of course, the world-famous Hofbräuhaus (Platzl 9) attract visitors.
Alter Peter: Church with a view
Just behind Marienplatz, Munich’s oldest parish church rises into the white-blue sky: St. Peter. Its tower, which Munich residents call Alter Peter, is one of the city’s best vantage points and also houses Munich’s oldest bells and clocks. Also impressive are the Baroque high altar and the relics laid out in a glass coffin, the skeleton of St. Munditia. La Dolce Vita is just an aperitif away, is the motto of Italy’s northernmost city. Authentic Italian flair is guaranteed at the Bar Centrale (Ledererstraße 23), then head to the Riva (Tal 44) for a pizza or pasta.
Frauenkirche: Munich’s landmark
The city’s unmistakable landmark is and remains the Frauenkirche, the 15th-century Gothic cathedral and city parish church Zu Unserer Lieben Frau, which can be seen from afar. The more than 500-year-old brick building with its famous twin towers is the seat of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising. One of the two towers, nearly 100 meters high, is accessible and offers a spectacular view over the city. How about a drink with a view at the Blue Spa Bar on the roof of the hotel legend Hotel Bayerischer Hof (Promenadeplatz 2-6). Afterwards, continue either très chic at Brasserie Les Deux in Schäfflerhof (Maffeistr. 3A) or hearty Bavarian at Das Augustiner am Dom (Frauenplatz 8) or Bratwurst Glöckl (Frauenplatz 9) at the foot of the towers.
Residenz: A palace in the city
Welcome to Germany’s largest inner-city palace, the Munich Residenz. As you head toward Max-Joseph-Platz from Dienerstraße, the mighty facade looms before you. A tour inside, through the apartments, the banqueting halls and the court chapels of the Bavarian rulers, takes you through historic room ensembles – in different period styles. After all, the Residenz has been continuously expanded and rebuilt throughout its 600-year history. The treasury, the magnificent Cuvilliés Theater in rococo style and the magnificent court garden are further highlights of the complex. Our tips: For an aperitivo, head to the Schwarzreiter day bar (Maximilianstrasse 17), then either to the Brenner Operngrill (Maximilianstrasse 15) or more rustic to the Pfälzer Weinstube (Residenzstrasse 1). Fancy a nightcap? If you’re lucky, you’ll find a seat at bar legend Charles Schumann (Odeonsplatz 6-7).
Bavarian State Opera: A feast for the ears and the eyes
The Bavarian State Opera looks back on a 350-year history and is also one of the world’s largest artistic-musical enterprises. In the 17th century, Elector Ferdinand Maria built a hall theater in the Herkulessaal of the Residenz, where the first Italian opera productions were staged in front of the court society. Since 1811, the Bavarian State Opera has been based in the newly built National Theater on Max-Joseph-Platz, the largest opera house in Germany to date, and has enjoyed great success with more than half a million visitors and around 450 performances in a season. Across the street in the arcades is one of Munich’s best Asian restaurants: Azuki (Hofgraben 9). You can go here with confidence, even for an aperitif, because the drinks are also sensational. Fans of Bavarian cuisine are spoiled for choice with the two traditional restaurants Spatenhaus (Residenzstraße 12) and Franziskaner (Residenzstraße 9), both within walking distance of the opera.
Pinakotheken: Temple of Art
As one of the most important painting galleries in the world, the Alte Pinakothek on Königsplatz shows European painting from the 14th to the 18th century. Well over 700 paintings are on display in 19 halls and 47 cabinets. Since 1836, art enthusiasts have been wandering through the impressive rooms on two floors created by architect Leo von Klenze. Together with the Neue Pinakothek, the Pinakothek der Moderne and the Museum Brandhorst, the Alte Pinakothek forms the inner core of Munich’s art district. The TU and the LMU are not far away. This is where the students cavort. There is a motley mix of localities. Theresienstrasse in Maxvorstadt is perfect for a culinary trip around the world. Our tips: the bars Mural (Theresienstraße 1) and Tio (Theresienstraße 134) and the Vietnamese SOY (Theresienstraße 93). The best gelato in town is at Ballabeni (Theresienstraße 46).
Viktualienmarkt: Happy moments of enjoyment
It is Munich’s largest market and for more than a few long-established residents it is the city’s “parlor. On 22,000 square meters, the Viktualienmarkt offers a huge range of fresh produce and far more than “just” fruit and vegetables: bakers, butchers, fishmongers, delicatessens and flower stalls have made the market a Munich landmark for over 200 years. Even more so, one that can be visited without admission. There are also snack stands and a cozy beer garden, and the famous Fisch Witte for a glass of champagne and fish soup. The Louis Grillroom and The Louis Roof-Terrace (Viktualienmarkt 6) are located in the Design Hotel Louis, Thai food is served at Yum (Utzschneiderstraße 6), and Eataly in the Schrannenhalle is a land of milk and honey for anyone who loves Italy.
English Garden: Bigger than Central Park
The English Garden is Munich’s largest park and also one of the largest inner-city parks in a worldwide comparison – even larger than Central Park in New York. Especially in autumn, when the leaves of the trees turn colorful, it is a lot of fun to walk from the Chinese Tower to the Kleinhesseloher Lake. There, the Seehaus (Kleinhesselohe 3) with its beer garden and restaurant awaits you in direct proximity to the lake. Or watch the surfers at the entrance to the park on Prinzregentenstraße as they ride the Eisbach wave? The nearby kiosk Fräulein Grüneis (Lerchenfeldstraße 1A) or the Goldene Bar (Prinzregentenstraße 1) provide the necessary refreshments.
Olympic Park: leisure oasis since 1972
Created on the occasion of the 1972 Olympic Games, some of the most important buildings in the state capital are gathered here in a very confined space: the Olympic Stadium and the Olympic Hall with its world-famous tent roof construction and the over 290-meter-high Olympic Tower with its viewing platform. In addition, the 850,000-square-meter park offers a diverse range of leisure activities, including concerts, spectacular events, festivals and a wide variety of sports. A must: At the revolving restaurant 181, you sit with a 360° panoramic view over Munich (Spiridon-Louis-Ring 7). It doesn’t get any better than this.
BMW Welt: Wow moments for car fans
A must for car fans: BMW Welt. At the Munich-based automaker’s experience and delivery center, all BMW Group brands are represented and visitors can take a closer look, plus there are guided tours, restaurants and souvenir stores. Located in the immediate vicinity of the Group headquarters, the main plant and the BMW Museum, BMW Welt opened its doors to the public in 2007. For those who don’t have the time for an extensive tour: its unmistakable, futuristic architecture makes it definitely worth seeing from the outside as well. In addition to bistros and cafés, there is the two-star decorated gourmet temple EssZimmer by Käfer (Am Olympiapark 1).
<Published in the current issue of eMove360° magazine in german language. Order free download PDF or print version in the store.>
