Munich
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria, a federal state in southern Germany. With a population of around 1.5 million, Munich is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg. It is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and world-renowned Oktoberfest beer festival. Munich is also home to some of Germany's most iconic landmarks and tourist attractions, including the Marienplatz, the Neuschwanstein Castle, and the BMW Museum.
Some of these facts are mind-blowing... Be sure to have a read of them!
- As well as hosting the largest Beer festival in the world (Oktoberfest), the city also has the world’s largest Hot Spa: Therme Erding.
- Munich is home to one of the world’s largest museums! The Deutsches Museum hosts information regarding Science, History and Technology.
- Freddie Mercury used to live in Munich.
- Held in the city, his 39th birthday party is famous for its extravagance.
- It is said that Freddie flew in many of his closest friends to party at Henderson’s night club, and he demanded that everyone dress in black and white drag.
- Escalators become faster during Oktoberfest! During this time of year, the city is visited by so many people, that the city is forced to speed up the escalators to manage the increase in people.
- Munich loves famous folk…
- As well as Freddie Mercury, Jimi Hendrix also famously smashed one of his guitars in one of the nightclubs in Munich.
- Munich is further north than any major US city.
- There are over 60 beer gardens in Munich.
- Munich Technische Universitat has 4-storey-high slides, that help students get to classes faster.
- World famous composer Richard Strauss was born in Munich.
Population
As of 2023, the population of Munich is 1,576,000. Of course, this number is constantly changing.
Local Attractions
Nymphenburg Palace - Schloß Nymphenburg 1, 80638 München | 5.5km from city centre
This baroque palace in the West of Munich was the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. With its lavishly decorated interior and the famous “Gallery of Beauties” commissioned by Ludwig I, the palace is one of Munich‘s favourite attractions.
New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) - Marienplatz 8, 80331 München | within city centre
The Glockenspiel in the tower balcony of the Neues Rathaus is world-famous and definitely worth a visit.
Since 1908, figurines representing stories from Munich’s history have been twirling on two levels daily at 11:00 am, 12:00 noon and 5:00 pm.
At the top of the city hall’s 255ft high tower is an observation deck, accessed via a lift and offering an impressive view over the rooftops of the city (even as far as the Alps in nice weather).
This is another gem offered to you, from the beautiful city of Munich!
West Park - Preßburger Str. 35, 81377 München | 6km from city centre
This park is a short south-westerly journey from the city centre and is often overlooked by tourists.
It boasts a BBQ area situated by the lake AND an outdoor cinema! Furthermore it also contains a Japanese garden and a Thai Temple.
If BBQ’s aren’t your thing then simply visit the beer garden that is on site and enjoy a spit-roasted fish (steckerlfisch)!
What is a Steckerlfisch?
A skewered, heavily seasoned, grilled fish. As a rule, freshwater fish from the lakes, rivers or pond farms south of Munich are used – such as trout or whitefish. The crispy skin is typical of the Steckerlfisch!
Marienplatz - Marienplatz, 80331 München | within city centre
Marienplatz has been the cultural heart of Munich since the 1100’s and is the geographical centre of the city, containing buildings such as the Old & New Town Halls.
Air and Rail Connections
Munich International Airport
This airport serves as an intermediary for Lufthansa including its subsidiaries Lufthansa CityLine, Air Dolomiti and Eurowings. Augsburg Airport is also within 60km of the city.
Munich Central Station – Bayerstraße 10a, 80335 München
München Hauptbahnhof or Munich Central Station is the main railway station in the city of Munich, Germany. It is one of the three stations with long-distance services in Munich, the others being Munich East station (München Ost) and Munich-Pasing station (München-Pasing).
Housing and living costs
Monthly average rental costs are calculated based on apartments both inside and out of the city centre.
- 1 bedroom – 1,550 euros
- 2 bedroom – 1,800 euros
- 3 bedroom – 2,100 euros
For further information, click here.
To calculate German tax click here.
For information about the German tax system click here.
International Education
Munich International School
Munich International School (MIS) is a private coeducational international school located in Starnberg, south of Munich. MIS teaches students from Early Child (4-5 yrs) to Grade 12. Students travel to the school via an extensive school bus network. The school is divided into three groups: Junior, Middle and Senior School.
MIS is an accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering all three IB programmes. Lessons are taught in English, and German is the compulsory second language. Spanish, French and Mandarin are third language options.
Bavarian International School
The Bavarian International School gAG (BIS) is an English-language International Baccalaureate-curriculum international school based in Haimhausen, just north of Munich. In 2016, a second campus in Munich-Schwabing (Leopoldstraße) was opened for primary students. Currently the school has a combined enrolment of approximately 1200 students aged 3 to 18 from over 52 countries speaking more than 70 languages. The 2-campus-school is run by the non-profit association Bavarian International School gAG.
BIS caters mainly to internationally mobile management who require an educational offer for their children from early childhood through secondary school which is internationally transferable. BIS does not claim to be an alternative to the German public school system. Nonetheless, approximately 20% of all BIS students are Munich locals.
Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich (TUM or TU Munich; German: Technische Universität München) is a public research university in Munich, Germany. It specializes in engineering, technology, medicine, and applied and natural sciences.
Established in 1868 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the university now has additional campuses in Garching, Freising, Heilbronn, Straubing, and Singapore. The university is organized into seven schools, and is supported by numerous research centres. It is one of the largest universities in Germany, with 50,467 students.
A University of Excellence under the German Universities Excellence Initiative, TUM is among the leading universities in the European Union. Its researchers and alumni include 18 Nobel laureates and 24 Leibniz Prize winners.
Activities
BMW World & Museum - Am Olympiapark 1 | 4.7km from city centre
The BMW Museum offers a fascinating presentation of the company, cars from today and yesteryear, and with fascinating insights into their historical models.
Approximately 125 of the brands most valuable and attractive automobiles, motorcycles and engines are displayed in a surface area of 5,000sq ft.
Pinakothek der Moderne - Barer Str. 40, 80333 München | 2.2km from city centre
Pinakothek der Moderne is the largest modern art museum in Germany.
Four outstanding collections offer an extensive overview of fine applied arts, from the 20th century to the present day.
Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus - 33, 80333 München | 1.2km from city centre
The Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus and Kunstbau houses the largest collection of Blauer Reiter art in the world; this is the place to visit if you love the works of Kandinsky and Klee. Other collections include 19th century, classical modernism, post-war modernism and contemporary art.
Olympia Park - Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 München | 4.6km from city centre
This landscaped park (and site of the 1972 Olympic Games) contains sport facilities, lakes, bicycle paths, concert venues, restaurants and a football stadium, as well as its landmark “tent-style“roofs.
At a height of 150 feet the Olympic Hill towers over the park grounds and is an ideal spot to enjoy a view over the roofs of Munich and to the mountains beyond.
SEA LIFE Munich can also be found in the park.
Events, Festivals and Holidays
Carnival
The carnival is held throughout the winter months every year and has a long history dating back to 1360!
At 11:11am on the 11th November, Hoppeditz (the Carnival Joker) awakes from a giant mustard pot and proceeds to give a speech known as Narrenschelte, a deliberately insulting but comedic speech. This is responded to by the City Mayor who overlooks the ceremony from the Town Hall Balcony.
This ceremony is followed by a day long party and there are continuous parties and sessions throughout the winter months.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest, featuring a beer festival and a travelling carnival, and is held annually from mid-to-late September to the first Sunday in October, with more than six million international and national visitors attending the event.
Locally, it is called d’Wiesn, after the colloquial name for the fairgrounds, Theresienwiese. Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations that are modelled after the original Munich event.
During the event large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed; in 2014, 7.7 million litres were served. Visitors also enjoy numerous attractions such as amusement rides, side stalls, and games. There is also a wide variety of traditional foods available.
Impark Sommerfestival
This is a festival for all the city to celebrate summertime.
Over 100 stalls and rides are available, as well as beer gardens and food specialties. In addition to this, there’s a grand fireworks display.
Food & Drink Options
Viktualienmarkt - 3, 80331 | 2.3km from city centre
The Victuals Market is Munich’s most popular open-air market.
Stalls offer fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as traditional Bavarian food, seafood and delicious cheeses from all over Europe. Herbs and honey products are also for sale.
Elisabethmarkt - Elisabethmarkt, Elisabethpl. 25, 80796 | 2.3km from city centre
This market offers a wide range of goods such as cheese, meat, bread, flowers and organic products.
There’s even home-made beer for sale at the 24 stalls between Arcisstraße.
Auer Dult - Mariahilfpl, 81541 | 2.7km from city centre
The Auer Dult is both a market and folk festival. It takes place three times a year with a different name on each occasion; Maidult in spring, Jakobidult in summer, and Kirchweihdult in autumn.
Market traders and showmen have been setting up their stalls on Mariahilfplatz since 1905, so the Dult, which translates roughly as “church festival”, has a long tradition. And its history extends back even further, as the first ever Dult was held in 1310 on what is now known as Sankt-Jakobs-Platz (square).
Restaurant 181 - Spiridon-Louis-Ring 7, 80809 | 5km from city centre
Want to see a different view of the city? Then visit Restaurant 181 at the Olympia tower. Built for the 1972 Olympic Games, the tower is 291 metres high and offers the best views in Munich. As the restaurant takes 53 minutes to rotate you will see the whole 360 degree view whilst you eat!
Hotels
Hyperion Hotel München | 5-star hotel 5km from city centre
Address: Einsteinstr. 172 · 81677 München
Phone: +49 89 41 10 900
Wyndham Garden Munich Messe | 4-star hotel 9km from city centre
Address: Stahlgruberring 4 · 81829 München
Phone: +49 17 11 837 704
NH München City Süd | 3-star hotel 5.8km from city centre
Address: Ottobrunnerstrasse, 17-19 · 81737 München
Phone: +49 89 689 530
Getting Around The City
Public Transport
Munich has a an extensive public transport system, comprised of buses, streetcars a subway (U-Bahn) and suburban rail service (S-Bahn).
Click this link for maps, timetables and journey planners.
Taxi Companies
Munich Airport Taxi | +49 176 70 108 481
Taxi München | +49 89 59 083 793
Fa.Taxiunternehmen Fink | +49 177 7 807 808
Shopping Malls
The OEZ Olympia Shopping Centre - Hanauer Str. 68, 80993 | 6km from city centre
This shopping centre offers over 130 shops over two levels.
The OEZ Olympia also boasts a large selection of restaurants, cafes and department stores, making it a well-rounded venue for a relaxed shopping experience.
The Einkaufs-Centrum Neuperlach - pep Einkaufs center Neuperlach, Thomas-Dehler-S | 8.8km from city centre
Boasting over 120 shops, this is another great centre for all your general needs, as well as high end clothing, food and drink!
Local Football Teams
FC Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is famous for being one of the best professional football clubs in the world, and regularly plays in the Bundesliga, the top tier league of German football.
How can we not mention their superstar player and England captain, Harry Kane. WHAT. A. PLAYER!
TSV 1860 Munich
TSV 1860 Munich came to real prominence in the mid-1920s, when it began competing in the upper leagues.
Despite being founded 40 years prior to Bayern Munich, they now sit in the shadow of their rival.
Pharmacies
International Pharmacy Hauptbahnhof
Address: Bayerstraße 27, 80335 München
Phone: +49 89 59 989 040
Dr. Beckers Central Apotheke
Address: Karlsplatz 11, 80335 München
Phone: +49 89 54 900 00
Rathaus Apotheke
Address: Marienplatz 8, 80331 München
Phone: +49 89 553 520