Lederhosen and Lager
Beer aplenty in Munich
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Thursday, 11, May 2006 07:14
As the capital of Bavaria, Munich provides the best chance of seeing locals wearing lederhosen. Besides the famous Oktoberfest beer festival, the city offers everything that people imagine when they think of Germany. Hearty food and flowing drinks combined with beautiful historic buildings and world class shopping ensure any visitor will have a memorable trip.
Stadium guide
Facts
Founded in 1158
Population: 1.25 million
Area: 310 square km
Tourists: Over three million per year
Distance: 570 miles London-Munich
Every day, around 10,000 litres of beer are served in the tap-room, restaurant, banqueting hall and beer garden of Hofbräuhaus beer hall.
The Mathäser pub is largest in the in the world, with space for 5,500 people. The largest public beer garden is, the Augustiner Garden, which has space for 5,200 people
Matches
9th June: Germany v Costa Rica
14th June: Tunisia v Saudi Arabia
18th June: Brazil v Australia
21st June: Ivory Coast v Serbia & Montenegro
24th June: Final 16
5th July: Semi-final
Transport
Munich has a marvellous transport infrastructure which makes getting there and getting around very easy. Public transport revolves around a combination of S-Bahn suburban trains, U-Bahn metros, buses and trams.
The Franz Joseph Strauß Airport lies 40km north of the city centre and a number of airlines provide transport to all over the world. Getting into town from the airport is very easy thanks to the S-Bahn. Line S1 is best for the west of the city or S8 for the east.
More on transport
Sights
The Altstadt (old town) is a lovely place to stroll around, with wide avenues and tree lined squares. The heart of this area is Marienplatz with its distinctive Mariensaule (Mary column) and gothic 'rathaus' or city hall. The highlight of this is the Glockenspiel; a clock with fully moving figures that operate at 11.00, 12.00, 17.00 and 21.00. If the sun is shining there are few better places to enjoy a drink than in one of the square's countless cafés.
Frauenkirche: This giant late gothic church in Marienplatz acts as the defining landmark and symbol of the city. Its two massive, onion-shaped copper domes appear on nearly every postcard of the city. If you can brave the steps, the view from the top of the tower is breathtaking.
Alte Pinakothek: This imposing building houses one of the most impressive art exhibitions in the world. Its grand collection of 800 old masters paintings is displayed over two floors, with exhibits from the 14th to the 18th century.
English Garden: At 900 acres, this is Munich's largest public park. As well the ponds, lawns and paths that you would expect there are also four beer gardens and often a number of nude sunbathers. Exit the underground at Chinesischer Turm.
Nymphenburg Palace and Grounds: The baroque palace acted as the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs of old and it remains one of Munich's most recognisable sights. Not only is the building itself a stunning sight, but the grounds are also a must-see. The manicured lawns and trees make the perfect place to take a peaceful stroll.
Neuschwanstein Castle: This fairytale castle was built by King Ludwig II during the 19th century. It later helped inspire Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and also became the model for Sleeping Beauty's castle in Disneyland. It remains one of Germany's most beautiful and famous castles.
Neuschwanstein is approximately 100km from Munich so a visit will not be a spur of the moment decision, however, it offers a nice change from the city. Once you have caught a glimpse of this magnificent building you can see why 6,000 tourists visit each day in the summer.
Deutsches Museum: This huge museum pays homage to technological achievements and science. Interactive displays allow you to discover everything from boats and planes to atoms and stars. With an area of 50,000 square meters over eight floors, visitors could spend weeks here if they so wished. You can pretend you are visiting for the kids and then have a great time yourself.
BMW museum: As one of Munich's most famous companies, a trip to the BMW museum is a must. It is temporarily located opposite the Olympic tower until 2007, while its permanent home undergoes a refurbishment. Visitors can see a collection of cars and motorbikes, as well as trying out simulators and interactive displays. The BMW factory next door also offers free tours of the assembly line.
Entertainment
Hofbräuhaus: Munich's most famous beer hall could be a dream come true for visitors seeking unforgettable entertainment. The tourist office describes it as offering "beer, food, tourists, oom-pah music, drunken revelry and Lederhosen". What more could you want? If you do visit make sure you don't sit at a table marked "Stammtisch", since these are reserved for regulars.
Olympic Park: Built for the 1972 Munich Olympics, this will become a centre for fans and tourists alike for four weeks this summer. Munich's only official giant screen will be erected on the park's lakeside amphitheatre to allow up to 20,000 fans to watch the matches. In between games there will be bands playing every kind of music from rock to jazz. If you are feeling more energetic, a number of sporting events are available, including swimming and football, allowing you to make the most of the Olympic facilities.
Shopping: As you would expect from a major national city, there is a wide choice of shops in which you can spend your newly exchanged euros. The main retail area can be found around the Altstadt and the streets running off Marienplatz.
The glamorous Maximilianstraße is one of Munich's most exclusive boulevards running between the parliament and opera. If you are looking for luxury international fashions this is the place to come. Even if it is a little out of your price range, the classical buildings and historic sights still merit some attention.
More on what to do
Food, Drink & Accommodation
The main concentration of tourist accommodation, both cheap and high-end, can be found around the Hauptbahnhof or main station. Expect prices to be higher during the World Cup and to reach eye-watering levels during Oktoberfest.
Hotels and B&Bs: As you would expect from a large city there is a wide selection of hotels and guesthouses to suit every budget. The tourist information office and website can help visitors find somewhere suitable.
Private Rooms: If you prefer a more secluded style of accommodation then hiring a private residence could be a good option. Anything from small flats to large houses are available, both for short and long stays.
Hostels: Munich tourist board lists 18 hostels with some offering over 500 beds.
International youth hostels ("Jugendherbergen") are owned and run by the association "Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk" (DJH). They form part of the Hostelling International (HI) network. If you want to stay there, you must become a member of a youth hostel that belongs to the HI network.
Not every establishment entitled "jugund" is members only. There are some hostels and guesthouses that open their doors to anyone under-26, so even if you are not a member you may still find a cheap deal.
Check on the rules before you appear with your suitcase off the midnight flight.
Food: Bavarian food is fairly meat heavy, with most popular dishes revolving around pork, cabbage and potatoes. Favourite treats include grilled knuckle of pork or veal often served with bread or potato dumplings as well as weisswurst, or white sausage, ma