Experiencing Munchen City Centre

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One of my absolute favorite spots in all of Deutschland is the Marienplatz area. It is very easy to find, and one can walk to many important, historical sites within the city from this general area. There is plenty of shopping along Neuhauser str, Kaufinger str, and Maximillian str to say the least. Although I have walked the city streets, stopped in many of the local cafes, beer gardens, and restaurants many times, it never gets old. Whether you prefer traditional German cuisine or not, there is always a fresh selection of good eats in the Viktaulienmarkt. The City of Munchen is the Capital of the German State of Bavaria. The city and it’s people pride themselves on making the world’s best beer. Many people around the world agree with them.

Munchen is much more than Oktoberfest, beer gardens, and Liederhosen. The city is second in all of Germany to perhaps only Berlin as a place of culture. Munchen boasts several fine museums, picture galleries, castles, and parks. My personal favorite spots include, but are not limited to: The Residenz, Englischer Garten, Neu Pinokothek (New Picture Gallery), BMW Museum, Augustiner Keller, and the Marienplatz general vacinity. Although I travel from the Eastern U.S. to Munchen each year during the Oktoberfest, I spend only a few hours per day in the world-famous beer tents. I hold the city dear to my heart, as Bavarian/German blood runs through my veins. My father’s great-grandfather came to the U.S. from Southern Bavaria in the very early 1900’s. I also lived in the Munchen area in 1987 for nearly seven months after being stationed in Stuttgart during the mid-1980’s.

The Oktoberfest is held each year for 16 days in the Theresienweise (Theresa’s Meadow) Fairgrounds. There are 14 large bier zelten (beer tents), sponsored by Munchen’s Large breweries, which include Spaten, Augustiner, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau, and Lowenbrau. Although the fest would not exist in this day and age without the backing of these powerful and rich brewing companies, the festival remains a fun event for the family as well. The Oktoberfest offers plenty to see and do for beer lovers, non-drinking adults, and children alike. The large midway has many traditional, carnival-style games, rides, concession stands, treats, and vendors. The locals seem to prefer Augustiner Brau over the other fine brews. Although it is a bit sweeter than some of the others, the ‘Marzen’ style beer brewed during the fest by Augustiner keeps to the same strictly enforced German Brewing Purity Law, or Reinheitsgebot (cleanliness & purity) as the others. This law was officially replaced by the new Provisional German Beer Law in 1993. Still, many locals still use Reinheitsgebot when referring to the newer Purity & Cleanliness Law. I think the local Bavarians prefer Augustiner because it is the last beer in Munich to be stored, shipped, and tapped in the ‘old style‘ wooden kegs. Personally, I love Augustiner too. Still, the others are much better than our mass-produced, watered-down beers such as Miller Lite and Bud here in the good U.S.A. In fact, drinking a freshly-poured Paulaner, Hacker, or Spaten at one of Munchen’s many gorgeous outdoor beer gardens in Spring or Summer is like a slice of heaven.

If you have never had the pleasure of seeing Munchen, I would suggest doing so on-foot if you are physically able. One can also take a ‘London-Style‘ (double decker) bus tour around the City’s inner ring, and/or see it on two wheels(Mike’s Bike Tours), but I still prefer walking. The City is not as large as Berlin, but still a pretty big place. However, the layout and location of the City Center and many of Munchen’s best attractions make it a pleasure to see on foot. You can also purchase a Tageskarte (day pass) for 5EUR per day on the S-Bahn and/or U-Bahn. Germany is well-known for it’s fast, efficient, safe, and affordable public transport system. Munchen is certainly no exception, as one can easily navigate the city and surrounding areas by taking the train. The Main Train Station (Hauptbahnhof) is approximately 40 mins from Franz Joseph-Strauss Flughafen (airport) on either S-1 or S-8 trains.

Another site most definitely worth visiting is the famous Ratskeller restaurant, located behind the Glockenspiel. The food is excellent, as is the Franzikaner Weisse bier and the atmosphere and traditional architecture of this impressive place is something to behold. It is also very affordable, especially for lunch. Of course, one cannot see Munchen without at least stopping-in for a Mas (litre) at the world’s most famous beer hall at the HorfbrauHaus. It is located at Am Platzl #9, near many other city center attractions. The atmosphere is memorable, although a bit touristy much of the year, but definately worth a visit. I stopped-in the HB Haus myself in September 07. Although I have been there many times, and am still amazed at the sheer amount of business this always busy establishment actually gets.

All of these things make Munchen one of my 3 favorite cities in all of Europe. Still, I have only scratched the surface.

MICHAEL KAISER