Stories about a walk around Munich. Independent walks around Munich. The first day. Individual and group excursions with Russian guides
From its most beautiful, alpine side. Small mountain villages, ancient cities and incredible natural masterpieces await us. But this is all in the summer and autumn, and Munich is the first to greet us, welcoming us, with freshness after the rain and bright spring greenery.
We'll tell you what to do in this city if you're here for just one day - passing through or waiting for a plane during a transfer.
Munich Airport
Strauss Airport(Flughafen München “Franz Josef Strauß”) huge! It is so huge that buses run through its territory, and on several routes at once.
Going through passport control after arrival takes longer in Germany than in other countries, here the border guards will ask you one question after another with German meticulousness: where are you staying, where are you going, who to see, what do you want to see, why are you not entering with a German visa ( Germans don’t really like entry in Spanish or Italian).
If time permits, do not rush to leave the airport - there is beer restaurant, which, according to many, has simply excellent beer (although in Germany it is difficult to find a place where the beer is bad, but here it is something special), we highly recommend visiting it.
How to get from Strauss Airport to the center of Munich
The most popular way is the S-Bahn train. The departure station is located near Terminal 1. Trains run every 20 minutes. There are two routes – S1 and S8, but if you need to go to the center, then take any train, because both routes go through it.
In addition to trains, Lufthansa buses go to the city (the stop is also nearby at Terminal 1).
The drive to the city is about 40 kilometers, so if there is no traffic jam on the highway you can get there in just half an hour.
What to see in Munich?
The old part itself Munich– this is already sight. Bright old houses that look like gingerbread trees stand in neat rows, churches and cathedrals rise literally on almost every corner, and around all this there is greenery and more greenery - Munich unexpectedly it turned out to be a very green city, orderly rows of trees line the streets and the embankment of the Izor River.
We started our walk from St. Peter's Church- one of the largest churches in the city. There is an observation deck on its tower, which offers views of the old part Munich, and if you’re lucky and it’s a clear day, then from there you can see the foothills of the Alps in the distance.
The main decoration of this place, and one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Bavaria, is New Town Hall. Compared to other buildings around, the Town Hall is really new - it is a little over a hundred years old, but the Gothic style, abundance of decorative elements and turrets create the feeling that this building has been here since the dark Middle Ages. The New Town Hall looks especially impressive in cloudy weather, against the backdrop of heavy lead clouds, creating the atmosphere of ancient, legendary Bavaria.
Located not far from the Town Hall Frauenkirche– Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the bulbs of its two tall towers can be seen from any part of the city center.
Now one of the towers is under restoration, so it was not possible to take beautiful photos of this structure, but even packed in scaffolding, it is majestic and impressive.
In the small area between the Town Hall and Frauenkirche there are many clothing stores, especially on Kaufingerstrasse and Neuhauser Strasse, so if you have time, then shop in Munich can be very successful due to the large selection.
Due to the Atlético - Bayern match, there were a lot of police in the center during our visit
The capital of Bavaria is compact and a walk through the central part can take 2-2.5 hours. All sights of Munich in German, neatly positioned one after another: Immediately behind the Frauenkirche - Marienhof square with a spacious lawn where locals love to relax. Yes, yes, by the way, it’s a great place to lie down, relax, eat a pretzel or two (a German version of a bagel, only saltier) and watch the people of Munich.
Very close to Marienhof - Munich residence. We didn’t get there, we only saw it from the car window, already leaving the city, but judging by the beauty of the facade, which made even the most indifferent trip participants stare at it, it’s worth exploring this place better. The Munich residence is a whole complex of buildings with cozy courtyards. The dukes and kings of Bavaria once met here, and now there is a museum on the territory of the entire complex.
Where to eat in Munich? The most delicious attraction
The place that gave us the most pleasure (that’s how humans are: cathedrals are cathedrals, but food is sacred) and became a real discovery Munich – restaurant, located near the center.
The signature dish here is ribs in barbecue sauce, the signature drink is, of course, beer, and more specifically, Spaten beer. There is nothing better than getting wet in the rain, finding yourself in a small cozy restaurant, warming up by a roaring fireplace, sipping real German beer and inhaling the smell of meat being cooked for you. The portions here are unusually huge, and the staff treats you so warmly, as if you were a regular or an old friend of theirs.
Important: you need to book a table for this restaurant in advance, because it is small, but the locals love it very much and there are always a lot of people here. We booked a week before the trip, by phone, and even then we were given a certain time, strictly from 18:00 to 19:30, because there were no other options. And this is on a weekday.
Conclusion
View of Marienplatz
Munich is so colorful, green and elegant, and its people are so friendly and positive that even one day in the city begins to shatter stereotypes about prim, pedantic Germans. It’s as if he’s in anticipation of some kind of holiday - a fair or a carnival, but there is no fuss in it, it doesn’t overwhelm you like many big cities, but hospitably envelops you in the comfort of its streets and, as a farewell, invites you to come again, which maybe we will do .
It’s not often in the modern daily bustle and frantic pace of life that you have the opportunity to stop and see something new in everyday and long-familiar objects, phenomena and cities. Having just stayed for 1 day in 1 day? In this ancient place, everyone will be able to find something to their liking, without going any significant distance from the historical center. Many world-famous architectural and historical monuments and attractions, huge department stores and boutiques of famous brands, wonderful pubs, cafes and restaurants - you can catch everything if you are in the city of Munich.
City or surrounding area?
If you have the opportunity to spend the whole day in this beautiful German city, then the first thing you will have to decide is whether you will stay in the city and walk through the streets, parks, visit museums, or go on a short trip around the surrounding area. After leaving Munich, what to see in 1 day without moving too far from it? First of all, ancient cities that have preserved their medieval streets, luxurious palaces and majestic castles, and you can also see the amazing Alps and stunning mountain lakes. Getting to any place or city that interests you is not difficult, because Germany is known for its excellent transport links. Let us briefly outline what you can see in Munich and its surroundings in one day.
Historical Center
Of course, one day is not much, but you can see the main, main values of Munich. It is best to start your journey from the central square of the city - Marienplatz, which translates as “Mary’s Square”. You can get to it in two ways: quickly - by metro to the station with the same name, or by getting to the Karlsplatz stop and walking along Neuhausenstrasse. During this walk you will be able to admire the Stachus fountain and pass through the ancient gates built in the 13th century. After passing through them and moving along the pedestrian street, you will exit onto Marienplatz. When exploring Munich in 1 day, you should be on this square at 12 or 17 o'clock. Time is really important, as there is a clock on the New Town Hall that not only tells the time, but also shows a 15-minute performance involving 32 mechanical figures.
After the performance ends, you can climb the central tower, which is 85 meters high, and admire the city called Munich. What to see in 1 day? If you are very lucky and the weather is clear, then, undoubtedly, the Alps, which, according to the stories of the townspeople, are visible from the observation deck. If you are not very lucky, then in any case you will be able to see a beautiful panorama and the Frauenkirhe - the church that is the symbol of the city. After descending from the tower, you can go to the courtyard of the New Town Hall, where today there is a restaurant serving Bavarian cuisine - Ratskelle. Here you can have a great lunch or just a snack, sitting outdoors or indoors.
Not far from the New Town is the Old Town Hall, built in the classical German style. Next to it is a sculpture of Juliet, donated by Verona. And in the building itself there is a museum of toys by Ivan Steiger, which you can visit next time.
For technology lovers
If you are not a fan of ancient architecture and historical sites, then you will be interested in the BMW Museum. The headquarters and museum of this auto giant are “sheltered” in Munich. What to see in 1 day in this establishment? First of all, you should appreciate the rather creative architecture of the building itself: it is built in the shape of a car gas tank cap. On the ground floor you can get acquainted with the history of the concern, but motorcycles and cars, airplanes, various parts and engines are presented above. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm every day except Monday. Getting there is quite easy: by metro or tram to the Petuelring stop.
Such a fun shopping experience!
For those for whom a good discount on a well-known brand item brings much greater aesthetic pleasure than visiting ancient churches and houses, many shopping streets, shopping centers and just shops kindly open their doors in Munich. First of all, it is worth noting the largest Bavarian shopping center Olympia-Einkaufszentrum (“Olympia”), located on Hanauer Strasse 68. Developing over several decades, this shopping center brought together about 135 shops and boutiques, several department stores, three trading houses and there is simply an innumerable number of different coffee shops, restaurants and bars. In addition, every week Olympia hosts various cultural and simply interesting events: holidays, fashion shows and various exhibitions.
You can get there by taking lines U1 and U3 to the Olympia-Einkaufszentrum station.
For shopping lovers, not only one day, but also a whole month is not enough to examine, try on and ask the price of all the interesting products that Munich offers to customers. What to see in 1 day on the shopping streets of this city? First of all, it is worth walking along the pedestrian street located between Marienplatz and Karlsplatz squares. This is where the most expensive boutiques and trading houses, as well as specialty stores, are located. If you choose Sendlinger Straße for shopping, you can combine the pleasure of visiting cool fashion designer boutiques and leisurely buying nice souvenirs.
Market surprises
Most experienced travelers will confirm that in order to get to know the city better and understand what kind of people live in it, you should go to the market. In Munich, this is the Viktualienmarkt market, located in the very center of the city, between Marienplatz and St. Peter's Cathedral. Walking through the historical center, you can’t help but notice it. Its unique feature is several sculptural compositions in which the greatest people of the capital of Bavaria are immortalized. In addition, the huge range of products from German and French agricultural producers presented in a huge assortment cannot be admired.
Outside the city
Like all of Germany, Munich is famous for its beautiful landscapes and amazing nature. To see this, you don’t have to go far from the city, just drive about 180 km, it will take about two hours by car, and you will find yourself on the shore of the beautiful small town of Lindau. The main part of it is located on the shore, but driving across the bridge, you can get to the island where the port is located. The entire territory of this island is one large pedestrian area with many small and cozy cafes and restaurants, burgher houses and hotels.
If you have time and desire, you can go on a short trip around the lake on a pleasure boat.
The capital of Bavaria is deservedly popular among tourists. Here you can stroll along ancient streets, admire medieval cathedrals and castles, visit museums and theaters.
Don’t know what to see in Munich in 1 day on your own? Use our guide! We have built a 3.1 km route for you, which runs through the city center. During the walk you will have the opportunity to see 11 attractions.
Our journey begins with a visit to the central square of Munich called Marienplatz. Since 1158, city events, tournaments and public executions took place here. The square is decorated with a column with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, which was erected in 1638. Residents prayed to Our Lady for salvation from the cholera epidemic that was raging in the country. There are also two important historical sites here - the New and Old Town Halls.
Old Town Hall
The neo-Gothic building stands on the eastern side of Marienplatz. Within its walls, Joseph Goebbels delivered a memorable speech that marked the beginning of the Holocaust. The first mention of the town hall dates back to 1310. In the middle of the 19th century. The city council moved to another building - the New Town Hall. The original location now houses souvenir shops and a toy museum.
New Town Hall
Its construction lasted about 40 years and was completed in 1905. The facade of the building is decorated with frescoes depicting kings, saints, Bavarian dukes, as well as heroes of myths and legends. The 85-meter main tower can be reached by elevator for panoramic views of the Old Town.
The Town Hall is decorated with a chiming clock, which plays a 15-minute performance in front of the audience every day. You will be able to see scenes from medieval life in Munich. Those wishing to explore the building from the inside can purchase a ticket, which costs 10 euros. Children under 18 years of age have free admission.
Frauenkirche
Next, our path lies to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is located near Marienplatz. This architectural monument is on the list of must-sees in Munich. The tallest building of the city is considered its symbol. The construction of the majestic Gothic cathedral was completed in 1526.
Several interesting legends are associated with Frauenkirche. So, at the main entrance there is a trace allegedly left by the devil himself. Tradition says that the unclean danced here with glee, thinking that there were no windows in the church. In fact, they are intricately hidden behind columns.
St. Michael's Church
Now you have to explore the Church of St. Michael. It is located on Neuhauserstrasse, literally a stone's throw from the Frauenkirche. In 1556, Albert V, Duke of Bavaria, gave the Jesuit order permission to build a temple in Munich. This is truly a masterpiece of architectural art. The church is decorated with sculptures of the rulers of Bavaria, and near the entrance there is a statue of the Archangel Michael.
Azamkirche
You can get here in about 20 minutes. Construction of the Church of St. John of Nepomuk was conducted from 1733 to 1746. This small temple boasts the most luxurious interior of any religious building in Munich. The architects - the Azam brothers - initially planned to build a private chapel on this site. The absence of direct customers allowed them to give free rein to their imagination.
Sendlingerstrasse
After visiting the Asamkirche, you will find yourself on the old shopping street Sendlingerstrasse with all kinds of shops. They sell food, clothing, shoes and home decoration here. Many of the shops located here have been passed down from generation to generation. This is a great place for shopping!
Viktualienmarkt
When planning what to see in Munich in one day, don't miss the Viktualienmarkt food market. Continue towards Marienplatz along Oberanger Street. A market appeared on this site back in 1807. There are about 140 shops, mostly aimed at tourists and selling gourmet delicacies. Festivals, competitions and performances are held here periodically.
Peterskirche
A 5-minute walk from the market is the Church of St. Peter - the oldest city church, built back in the 11th century. True, after the fire at the beginning of the 14th century. the building was rebuilt in the Gothic style. Here you can see the creations of the medieval sculptor Erasmus Grasser, paintings by the painter Johann Baptist Zimmermann and the gilded skeleton of St. Mundita, decorated with precious stones.
Hofbrauhaus
This is perhaps the most famous brasserie in the world. It is located on Platzl, near Peterskirche. The Hofbräuhaus opened its doors back in 1607. At that time, the brewery of local rulers was located here. This magnificent foamy drink, served with traditional Bavarian dishes, can be enjoyed not only during the holiday. Welcome to the restaurant!
Maximilianstrasse
Do you want to go on an independent trip to Munich for the weekend? Then you will definitely need this article! We will share our experience and tell you what to see in Munich in two days, where you should definitely go and how to combine business with pleasure when you find yourself in the capital of Bavaria.
There are three ways to get to Munich from Russia, for example, from Moscow:
- By private car you can get there in 30-35 hours, covering 2700 km.
- There are no direct railway connections, therefore, those traveling by rail will have to change trains in one of the European cities.
- By plane from Moscow the flight time is just over three hours; flights from Aeroflot, Lufthansa, S7, AirBerlin, Germanwings and some other airlines fly to Munich.
Since time in our case was limited, we naturally chose the third option. We booked air tickets to Munich Strauss Airport via the Internet and went on our little trip. (By the way, the cheapest plane tickets to Munich can be bought between November and January!) Particularly detailed on how to fly, how to get from the airport to the city, etc. We won’t stop - all the necessary information about this is on the Russian-language website about the airport in Munich. Flight schedules, terminal maps, hotels and transfers to the city - everything is written in Russian.
On this website we read about a specialized train route (S Bahn) running from the airport to the center of Munich, and we actually took it. More precisely, there are two routes S1 and S8 - both go to the city center. The ticket cost 12 euros per person. You could also get there by Lufthansa bus, taxi, or rent a car.
Munich S-Bahn (S-Bahn)
Transport in Munich
Munich has a large and developed transport network, which includes: metro (U-Bahn), electric trains (S-Bahn), trams and buses. In addition to public transport, you can use taxi services. If you decide to travel outside the city, you can use intercity trains or buses.
Where to stay
There are no problems with where to stay in Munich - everything will just depend on your budget. There are many cheap hostels and comfortable five-star hotels here.
Visa to Germany
To travel to Munich you need a Schengen visa. The list of required documents and the amount of the consular fee changes periodically - therefore, on the eve of the trip, we recommend that you check the latest information on the website of the Germany Visa Application Center in Russia or, if you don’t want to bother, there is an excellent registration service.
Mobile communications and Internet in Munich
In Munich there is a free municipal wireless Internet network M-WLAN, which can be connected to in most tourist destinations. Also, traditionally, free Wi-Fi is available in many restaurants, bars, cafes and shopping centers. If necessary, for 10-15 euros you can buy a local SIM card from one of the operators: O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile or BASE.
Once all issues with flights, accommodation and arrangements have been resolved, you can begin to explore the city.
Sights of Munich and bus tour in Russian
There are quite a lot of attractions in Munich, one of which is the central square – Marienplatz. There is a huge number of restaurants, shops, souvenir stalls and shops, and all kinds of street performances and concerts are held here. The main holidays are held on Marienplatz. Not a single tourist who has visited Munich will pass by this square.
Marienplatz Square
Now you find yourself at Marienplatz, and you will definitely end up here in order to see the main attractions of Munich - the Old and New Town Hall. The New Town Hall is striking both outside and inside; you will need a lot of time to explore this object. On the facade of a hundred-meter building, you will see significant figures in the history of the city, the faces of saints, masks and grimaces. The famous striking clock is located on the tower in the central part of the New Town Hall. You can hear their fight if you come here at 11 and 12 noon all year round. At the same time, on two tiers of the tower, you can see puppet shows. The New Town Hall Tower is also an observation deck located at an altitude of 85 meters, where you can admire the panorama of the city. The Old Town Hall is one of the oldest buildings in the city; now it houses a wonderful toy museum.
Old Town Hall
Walking around Marienplatz, you will certainly get hungry, because there are so many interesting things to see here. You can have a tasty, but expensive meal in the Rathskeller restaurant, which is located right under the New Town Hall building. The restaurant is quite popular and serves traditional Bavarian cuisine and famous German wines and beers. There are quite a lot of people who want to dine here, so on weekends it is better to book tables in advance. A 5-10 minute walk north of Marienplatz is the famous Hofbräuhaus beer restaurant, which is definitely worth a visit, especially for lovers of the foamy drink.
Hofbräuhaus Brewery
West of Marienplatz square, there is the Munich City Museum, by visiting which you will recreate the entire history of the city. Also walking west from the square, you will find yourself on the main pedestrian street of Munich, where the tallest building in the city is located - the late Gothic Cathedral of the Holy Virgin, the towers of which are one of the symbols of the city. Here, on the main pedestrian street of Munich, is the Church of St. John of Nepomuk - as it is called - a pearl of the Rococo style.
Munich has a lot to offer and there are museum districts to the north of the central station. Here you will find the State Museum of Egyptian Art, the Alte Pinakothek with works by Durer, Rubens, Pieter Bruegel, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, the State Museum of Applied and Ancient Arts, and the State Archaeological Museum.
Hop-on hop-off bus tour
As in many European cities, special tourist buses run around Munich, the so-called Touristic bus (in German they are called Stadtrundfahrt). These are buses operating on a hop-on hop-off system (in our opinion, it’s something like getting in and getting out). Their essence is that they go along several routes. By purchasing the appropriate ticket, you can ride along the tourist route all day, getting off at the stops you need, and then boarding any of the tourist buses again. During the trip, the guide will tell you about the sights passing by. Also, you can use a radio guide in Russian.
Bus route map for Munich
The latest current prices were around 15 euros for an adult and 9 for a child for a sightseeing tour in a small circle. You can purchase a two-day ticket for all tours for 24 euros. If you purchase tickets through the website, you can save a little. Link to the English version of the site.
Online purchase of a ticket for Tourbus
Individual and group excursions with Russian guides
Beer tours in Munich
Interactive map of Munich attractions
This is how our independent trip to Munich for several days turned out. Perhaps we missed writing something. If anything, correct it in the comments. Good luck to all!