Planning a solo trip to Munich, Germany? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:
QUICK FACTS
- The capital of the German state of Bavaria, with a population of about 1.55 million.
- Has a very high standard of living by international ranking.
- Originally founded by two monks of the Benedictine order (Munchen means “by the monks’ place”). You can see a monk depicted on the city’s coat of arms.
- Nicknames: Millionendorf (“Village of a Million People”).
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: Euro (EUR).
- Spoken languages: primarily German, though English is widely spoken.
- Best time to visit: from March to May, before the onset of summer. Note: prices go significantly up during Oktoberfest, but it’s a great time to visit (just bring a jacket).
- Great festivals to catch: Streetlife Festival, Tollwood Festival (summer arts and culture), or the various Christmas markets that pop up in winter. And Oktoberfest, of course 🙂
- Arriving via airport: Munich International Airport is located 18 miles north-east of Munich and connects to the city by suburban train (S-Bahn) on the S1 and S8 lines.
– Hop on one of the trains that depart from the airport to central Munich every 5-20 minutes (11.60 EUR).
– Or take the Lufthansa Airport Bus, leaving every 20 minutes, for 11.00 EUR.
– Taxi fare is flat at 51 EUR.
WHERE TO STAY
- Best hostel for solo travelers in Munich: Augustin. This is champagne quality on a beer budget – something closer to a luxury hotel than a hostel. Exceptionally clean, welcoming staff, large rooms, and modern facilities. Located in a safe and quiet area – just a couple metro stops away from the main action.
- Great area to book a hotel: Marienplatz, the heart of the city, for access to plenty of great restaurants, beer halls, street shows, and architectural wonders. Lodging opportunities in the area are available to suit any budget.
- Locate yourself next to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) for easy access to the rest of the city.
- Rosenheimer Platz, Sendlinger Tor and Universitaet are also good places to stay.
GETTING AROUND
- The city’s has an underground rapid-transit system: the U-Bahn (Untergrundbahn network). The above ground S-Bahn, or Stadtbahn, services suburban locations.
- Munich operates the MVV (official website). The same ticket entitles you to travel on both the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, as well as on the trams and buses. A tip for tourists and short-term visitors is to get the white and blue striped multi-trip card called Streifenkarte (“Stripe Ticket”).
- Day tickets (Tageskarten) might be a more economical choice for solo travelers who plan to use public transport multiple times a day.
- Taxis are easy to find, with prices starting at 3.30 EUR plus 1.70 EUR/km for the first 5 kilometers. Taxi numbers: IsarFunk Taxizentrale +49 (0)89 45 05 40, Taxi Zentrale Freising +49 (0)8161 36 66.
- As an alternative to taxis, the two ride-sharing giants in the city are Chauffeur Privé and Uber.
- A Call-A-Bike system allows you to pick up bikes around the city. Dial the number on the bike to register and the system will unlock it using an automated code. 8 Euro cents per minute.
- Popular e-scooter rental services: Lime and TIER.
MUNICH NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18 (16 if only drinking beer).
- Some clubs also feature Ü30-Parties, where only people over 30 are admitted.
- Looking for the quintessential beer bar/pub experience? Head to Tap-House, Frisches Bier, or the infamous Hofbräuhaus München (giant beer hall – get there before 7 PM to beat the crowds).
- Great bars with music: HopDog (metal/rock), FLEX (underground vibe), Abseits (metal/rock with TV’s).
- For clubs and discos, head to the neighborhoods of Kultfabrik or Optimolwerk, in the Haidhausen district. A plethora of bars and hip cafes frequented by students and other German youth can also be found in Maxvorstadt.
- Looking for the best techno clubs? Head to Rote Sonne, Harry Klein, Blitz Club, or Goldener Reiter.
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Marienplatz, the main city square. Check out the 279 foot tall tower, which houses a glockenspiel (43 bells accompanied by mechanical marionettes, which perform when the clock chimes).
- Frauenkirche: Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady. The city’s largest church, with a capacity of up to 20,000 people.
- Dachau Concentration Camp. One of the first concentration camps in Nazi Germany, Dachau served as the model for future camps built by the Third Reich. A moving and emotional place to visit.
- Visit NS-Dokumentationszentrum (Nazi Documentation Center): an important historical site.
- BMW Headquarters and Museum. Located near the Olympiapark, this is the headquarters of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW). A must-see for any car enthusiasts.
- Tour the awe-inspiring halls of the Residence Palace of Munich, once the royal quarters of the Bavarian monarchy and now a fascinating museum of German history.
- Englischer Garten: one of the largest urban parks in the world, offers beautiful walking paths, beer gardens, and the famous Surfer’s Wave on the Eisbach. A great place to relax or mingle with locals.
INTERESTING WALKS
- Starting at the Isartar, walk along the banks of the River Isar to take in the beautiful views.
- Take a stroll through Altstadt (“Old Town”), the traditional walking destination for visitors.
- Olympiapark, where the 1972 Olympics were held, offers a nice place to take a walk around. Sitting right on a lake, it’s now a recreational park used for concerts, festivals, and everyday leisure.
- To jump right off the tourist track, connect with Munich Greeter, a local organization that connects tourists with volunteer “Greeters” that will guide you around the city, showing you their own favorite neighborhoods and sights. These walks are free, with an emphasis on intercultural discourse.
- Take a Street Art Tour in neighborhoods like Glockenbachviertel or Au-Haidhausen to experience contemporary local culture.
- Walk through the Schwabing district, known for its bohemian atmosphere and art nouveau architecture.
- Guided themed walks to try: beer garden tour, a Jewish history tour, or a walking tour focused on the city’s royal history.
WHERE TO EAT
- Great restaurants that locals love: Wirtshaus Eder ($$), Giesinger Garten ($$), Paulaner am Nockherberg (touristy but still great), Keko Restaurant München ($$ – Turkish), MUN MUN ($$ – Thai), La Burrita ($$ – Mexican), SEEN RESTAURANT ($$$ – Sichuan), 60 Secondi Pizza Napoletana.
- Vegan options: Soy Vegan München ($$), bodhi München ($$).
- Where to find good cheap eats: check out food served to go, at markets and bakeries around the city. A bratwurst in a bun can be had for under €3. For a very local meal, try a Munchner Weisswurt, a veal breakfast sausage, with a pretzel and a Weissbier on the side.
- Great local dishes to try: Schweinshaxe and Käsespätzle.
- Don’t forget to stop by an authentic market for some Bavarian cheese and sausages. Viktualienmarkt should get you started!
LOCAL WISDOM
- Fun fact: buildings are at most 5 stories tall in the city’s center, as nothing is allowed to stand taller than bell towers of the cathedral.
- The “Augustiner Keller” as one of the oldest beer gardens in Munich, dating back to 1812.
- Local etiquette: say “Prost!” (cheers) before taking a drink. Also, it’s common to share tables in beer gardens.
- Dangerous areas: avoid the area around the main train station, especially at night. Otherwise, Munich is very safe. Keep a close eye on your belongings – especially in crowded tourist areas (especially during Oktoberfest!)
Recommended trip length: 3-4 days (add an extra day if visiting nearby nearby attractions like Neuschwanstein Castle or Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site).