How to Travel on a Shoestring Budget in Munich Germany and See More Sites

Munich, located in Bavaria (also known as Bayern) is for many visitors a snapshot of the country as a whole. Here you will be treated to beer halls known as Lederhosen; oompah bands and majestic castles.

If you only have time on your agenda to visit one area of Germany this is the place you will want to visit.

Munich is the capital and therefore the center of activity

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Good organizational skills and a desire to visit Munich Germany.

1. As you are probably already well aware, most cities are more interesting to visit when you are provided with a little background information.
   
   In addition to what is provided here, you may wish to visit your local library and seek out current information about the city as well as its history.
   
   Munich, also referred to as Munchen is a cosmopolitan city where locals enjoy good beer and delicous sausages. It has been said that Munich's residents are not afraid to enjoy life and are happy and pleased to show visitors how to do the same.

2. In an historic "nutshell" Munich nearly starved during World War I; and the Nazis initiated their activities in the city in the 1920s.
   
   Additionally, the city was subjected to the bombing of World War II and as a result sufferred more than six thousand civilian fatalities.
   
   The city over the years recovered nicely and is now the center of the technological industry coupled with an abundance of world-renowned museums.
   
   Additionally, when you are in Munich, you won't escape the beer halls and wonderful German beer.

3. Next step is to get your self orientated or familiar with the essential layout. Here I'll give you a brief "heads up" on this information.
   
   First off, the main train station is just west of the center of the city.
   
   If you travel east from the (main) station along Bayerstrasse, through Karlsplatz and then along Neuhauser Strasse and Kaufingerstrasse, you are going to arrive at the city's hub, also recognized as Marienplatz.
   
   Now travel north of Marienplatz and you will find the former royal palace, also referred to as Residenz, Schwabing (made popular by the University students) and the lovely parklands of the Englischer Garten.
   
   If you head east of Marienplatz, you will find yourself at the Platzl quarter amidst restaurants and beer halls. Additionally, there is the area known as Maximilanstrasse, where visitors may take time for window shopping or a relaxing stroll.

4. Now its time to plan your sight-seeing excursion. You are going to be delighted as there are many things uniquely specific to Germany. In other words, you are going to be overcome by Munich charm.
   
   The first site to note in Marienplatz is the looming Neues Rathaus (also known as new town hall.) This structure is a most perfect example of neo-Gothic architecture. In addition, you will be able to take pictures of the site's Glockenspiel, also known as a carillon.

5. Also on the (aforementioned) square are two (2) highly significant churches: Heiliggeistkirche and Peterskirche.

6. After your viewing of the beautiful churches in step 5; you will want to travel in a westward direction along the shopping district street of Kaufingerstrasse to the late Gothic structure of Frauenkirche; also referred to as Church of our Lady. This church is the landmark church of the city.
   
   Since you are already at the site, you will want to climb the tower to 'spy' on terrific views of the city.

7. Next head on down the road, still travelling west to the large grey building Michaelskirche. This church was constructed during the Renaissance and considered Munich's most important of all churches for the period.

8. Continue going west and you will come to the Richard Strauss Fountain; followed by Karlstor which is an old city gate dating back to the medieval era.

9. Just off Hermann-Sack-Strasse is the Stadmuseum. Here you can view displays involving fashion, brewing of beer, musical instruments, photography and puppets.

10. If you like to sight-see palaces, then you definitely will not want to miss the massive Residenz. The palace housed Bavaria's rulers from 1385 all the way up to 1918.

11. Next stop is the Residenz museum. (You'll enter it from Max-Joseph-Platz; the same holds true for Residenz.) The building has one hundred rooms containing the possessions of the Wittlesbach house.

12. Schatzkammer (entered by way of Max-Joseph-Platz) is full of exhibits of jewels; gold and crowns.

13. Next stop is Englischer Gardens, again west of the city center. Stroll casually by the Schwabinger Bach. Not the place to go if you are the least bit shy, due to the fact in summer, sunbathers worship the sun au naturale.

14. Munich has many wonderful museums, so if either a beer garden or sun bathing isn't your "cup of tea," you may want to check out the city's cultural scene.

15. Deutsches Museum located at Theresienhole 14a has been described as a combo Disneyland/Smithsonian Institution atmosphere. The museum is an immense science and technology museum. You won't be able to view everything in one day-it is that enormous!
    
    You can reach it by taking the S-Bahn to Isartor or tram 18 to Deutsches Museum.

16. Next visit is the Glptohek and Antikensammlungen located at Konigsplatz 3; and Konigsplatz 1, respectively. Both museums display some of Germany's finest collections of antiquities, primarily Roman and Greek. (There is a small concession in order to visit both museums.)

17. Head north of the city, and you will be able to visit the BMW Museum located at Petuelring 130. This is the perfect place for the individual who likes the BMW car line. In order to reach it, you will want to take U3 to Olympiazentrum.

18. Your next stop, particularly if you are an enthusiast of artistic works from the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries is Alte Pinakothek. Here you will be delighted to find significant works such as Durer's Four Apostles as well as his work Self Portrait; van der Weyden's Adoration of the Magi; and Botticelli's Pieta.
    
    If you go immediately north, your next visit needs to be Neue Pinakothek which consists primarily of artistic works from the 1800s. Van Gogh's Sunflowers is displayed within the Neue Pinakothek.
    
    A "combo" card will admit you into both museums.

19. The next place to see is Dachau. The location is the site of the first Nazi concentration camp and was constructed in March of 1933.
    
    An English language documentary is shown in the morning and in the afternoon.
    
    If you are interested in visiting the location, the directions are as follows: Take the S2 to Dachau. This is approximately a twenty minute trip. Next board Number 726 or Number 724 to the site.
    
    Note: A total area ticket is required for the trip.

20. Munich is generally booked solid year round; therefore, you are best advised to book accommodations well in advance when planning a trip to the city.
    
    There are an abundance of economical yet scruffy accommodations that may be had in close proximity around the station.
    
    One of the better bargains happens to be: Hotel Pension Central. (Phone number is: 543 98 46; fax number is: 543 98 47. You may email them at [e-mail].) Their address is: Bayerstrasse55.
    
    Hotel Pension Central provides singles and doubles. Additionally, breakfast is included with your stay.
    
    Pension Marie Luise is not quite as well-maintained as Hotel Pension Central; however, offers a similar accommodation. (The phone number is: 55 25 5660; fax number is 55 45 5666. Their email is: [e-mail].) The address is: Landwehrstrasse35.
    
    Breakfast is not included.
    
    Hotel Pension Utzelmann has an old-timey vibe to it. (Their phone is 59 48 89; Fax is 59 62 28.) Their address is Pettenkoferstrasse6. They offer singles and doubles. The building is a nice structure and they are located on a peaceful street.
    
    Hotel am Markt (Phone is 22 50 14; fax is 22 40 17; email is [e-mail].) Their address is Heiliggeistrasse6. The accommodation is near Viktualienmarkt and they offer singles and doubles in addition to breakfast. The rooms have been described as pleasant and lovely.

21. Of course, during your visit you are going to want to dine at some of the city's fun eateries. Additionally, you may like putting together a nice picnic lunch to take with you when you visit Englischer Garden. At Viktualienmarkt, you can find all the provisions you will need in order to put together the perfect lunchtime feast. They can be found just south of Marienplatz.
    
    A great place to find great, inexpensive food along with a nice casual atmosphere is Cafe' am Beethovenplatz. There is nothing pretentious about this very nice little cafe. You can find them located at Goethestrasse51.
    
    While in Bavaria, you are surely going to want to sample some hearty Bavarian cuisine. You can find just that at Andechser am Dom. The address is Weinstrasse7 and they are located behind the Frauenkirche.
    
    There is a possiblity that the aforementioned Andechser am Dom will be packed with diners. If such is the case, then another option is to try Glockl am Dom. The address of the establishment is: Frauenplatz9. This is a medieval bratwurst house.
    
    If you are in the mood for vegetarian fare then it is suggested you visit Prinz Myshkin. The stylish eatery offers a cosmopolitan and fun atmosphere. Pasta and pizza are also served.
    
    Perhaps you are looking for the city's cafe culture. You will find it in the Schwabing area where the cafes are most frequented by University students.
    
    One laid-back and cool hang-out is Schall und Rauch located at Schellingstrasse222 where discussions are held over coffee. Another mellow spot is Cafe USW located at Turkenstrasse55. Vorstadt Cafe (Turkenstrasse83) has been described as trendy and busy. The News Bar located at Amalienstrasse54 has a wall full of the very latest in magazines, some in English and provides a contemporary setting. Travel south of Sendlinger Tor and you'll find Aroma Kaffee Bar. The small establishment is jam-packed with people and the coffee is rumored to be quite good.

22. Drinking beer along with beer halls and gardens is very much a part of Munich's entertainment. The best known is HofBrauhaus located at: Am Platzl9. Drink, singing and general overall merriment is strongly encouraged. Not as well-known, but just as fun is Augustiner Bierhalle located at Neuhausser Strasse27. The establishment is an authentic example of the old-style Munich beer hall. The establishment is filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses.
    
    On a nice summer day, you can take in the sunny weather while drinking a German brew at one of the city's many beer gardens. Inside the Englischer Garden is the traditional Chinesischer Turm beer garden and in close proximity is Hirschau located on the banks of the Kleinhesseloher. The Hirschau, you will find is not quite as crowded as the Chinesischer Turm. The Augustiner Keller located at Amulfstrasse52 and five minutes from Hauptbahnhof has a large beer garden full of green leafy foliage.

23. Munich also has an active nightlife. If you can manage to get past the gate house goons at the club P1 located at Prinzregentenstrasse1, once inside, you will find a "classy" establishment. The club has a high number of celebrities.

24. Modes of public transportation include trams and buses. A Mehr fahrtenkarte which is a card of ten tickets is a strip card and one strip is used for short rides whereas two strips are used for longer rides within the inner zone.

25. In conclusion, if you wish to experience the old world style of Germany, you are not going to want to miss visiting the culturally rich city of Munich.

Tips & Warnings

• Taxis are expensive and slightly more convenient than public transportation; therefore, if you wish to economize take the tram or bus.
• You can rent a bike at Radius Bike Rental if you wish to explore Munich using this transportation option. The phone number is: 59 61 13.

[kwenninger]

on 9/16/2009 It's news to me that beer halls are known as Lederhosen. Lederhosen are traditional article of Bavarian mens' clothing.