Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

From one of the most vile parts of human history is the Dachau Concentration Camp.  Here is where numerous people, mostly Jews, were tortured and murdered for many years under Hitler's regime.  Since then, a substantial effort has been made to turn this place of horrors into a proper memorial, which was headed up by both survivors as well as descendants of those who unfortunately spent time here.

They have done a magnificent job in allowing visitors to get a good glimpse into what life was like in the Concentration Camp.  It is a truly moving experience that people of all nationalities, religions and beliefs should experience.  It's extremely difficult to put into words what it is like to visit, but it is something that can be upsetting for many, so please be prepared for that before entering.

BMW Welt Tour

BMW is an iconic car brand with aficionados from around the world.  Whether or not you're a big fan of their automobiles and motorcycles, visiting BMW is a must-do when in Munich.

First, they have many different things for tourists, including a BMW Museum, the BMW Welt, and the factory itself.  In order to best experience all of these, booking a Premium Tour is our advice, but please note you should do this several weeks in advance to ensure you get in.  You must call them up in order to book this.  We saw people get turned away who just showed up expecting to be able to get on a tour.

If you do this tour, the first part is the BMW Museum.  While this can be easily explored on your own, the tour allows the guide to give you plenty of context about what you're seeing and also give you a full history of the company and how they've evolved over the years.

Next, the main portion, is a tour of the factory (no cameras allowed).  You'll be able to see every single portion of the manufacturing process including the process for painting the cars, welding the cars together, quality control, and much more.  This is a very unique experience that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of your enthusiasm for cars.

Finally, you get a tour of the BMW Welt, which includes seeing a motorcycle stunt show.  You'll also learn how you can get a personalized experience if you purchase a car directly from the plant here.

This was definitely a highlight of our trip to Germany and we'd recommend it to everyone!

Bier and Oktoberfest Museum

Tucked away near the Marienplatz is the Bier & Oktoberfest Museum.  There is actually a restaurant on the first floor, but we didn't get a chance to try it.  On the next few floors is the museum, which shows a history of how Oktoberfest came to be in Munich and how it has developed over the years, along with a history of how beer has evolved in Munich of the centuries.  A lot of the text in the museum is just German, but it's still something that is worth a visit when in Munich, especially if you go at a time outside the Oktoberfest festival.

Bavaria FilmStadt

When people think of movie studios, most people think of Hollywood.  However, Germany has a big time movie studio as well, the Bavaria FilmStadt.  Granted, most of the movies and shows they produce are for German audiences, but they did have a huge American hit in the 80's, "The Neverending Story".  That alone was reason enough for us to visit.

On your visit, you get to experience a 4D ride, which is pretty fun, albeit short.  After that, you get a 90 minute tour of the studios, seeing actual props from various movies and shows.  The highlight was getting to ride on Falcor from "The Neverending Story".  There's also plenty of things to see before or after the tour as there are props scattered throughout a park in front of the actual studios.

Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower)

The 1972 Olympics were held in Munich, and where the main games were located is now Olympia Park.  In the center of this park is the Olympiaturm, a 291 meter tower that gives visitors a gorgeous panoramic view of Munich and the surrounding country side.

It costs 5.50 Euros to ride up to the top, and it is well worth it.  At the top, you'll get amazing views, especially if you visit on a clear day.  There is also the Rock Museum at the top, which has various memorabilia from different rock musicians, which does add something worthwhile to your visit as well.

Residenz

Located in the heart of Munich is the Residenz, which served as the main location for the Bavarian Government from 1508 to 1918.  This is a gorgeous complex to visit, as of course the Bavarian Royalty would have it no other way.  For 13 Euros a person, you can explore the entire grounds and see this beautiful building.  Out of all the things to do in Munich of historical significance, this is definitely a top choice that all visitors should come see.

Schloss Nymphenburg

On the outskirts of the center of Munich is Schloss Nymphenburg, easily reachable by Public Transportation on a Tram.  This residence was primarily used as a Summer retreat for the Bavarian royal family since 1679. While it is free to walk around the grounds, and they are quite gorgeous and expansive, there is a fee to enter the palace and all of it's buildings of 11.50 Euros/person.  Or if you only want to see the inside of the palace itself, it will run you 6 Euros/person.

This is definitely a place we'd highly recommend visiting in Munich during anyone's stay as it offers a kind of serenity to those visiting.

Golden Tulip Hotel Olymp

We only got one night to stay at the Golden Tulip Hotel Olymp.  We chose this hotel because of its proximity to the Munich Airport (about 10 minutes away).  It ended up being an excellent choice.

It has a Greek theme going on it, which we weren't expecting.  The room numbering is a bit confusing as all rooms, no matter what floor it is on, start with a 1.  The room itself and the hotel are both quite clean and comfortable.  There is also a decent amount of parking in the rear of the hotel.

We also enjoyed the free Wi-Fi that was available in the room, unlike many hotels we saw in Germany.  There is also a restaurant located directly in the hotel, which can be convenient, but it isn't a place we dined at for dinner.  We did eat there though for the complimentary included breakfast and they offer a TON of food, which was nice.

The one negative we found was when checking in, the front desk clerk wasn't very friendly.  It seemed like we were a burden to him and he'd rather be elsewhere.  He was itching for us to just leave instead of giving us friendly answers to our questions such as "Where is our room located?", "Where should we park the car?", "Any suggestions for dinner within walking distance?".  However, that was the only negative we found and we believe this is a good place to stay for a night before heading to the Munich Airport and flying home.

Four Points by Sheraton München Central

In a city like Munich, there are a ton of hotel options for visitors.  We decided to go with the Four Points by Sheraton München Central for a 5 nights stay and we were quite happy with our choice.  We found both the front desk staff, as well as the bartending staff, to be quite friendly and informative with any questions we had.

While there is a significant charge for accessing WiFi in your room, there is free access for all guests in the lobby/bar area.  While the speed isn't ideal, it's good enough for doing most online activities.  There is also one socket in this area under the main bench if you need to power up.

The room we had was pretty spacious for a European hotel.  It was very clean and comfortable and the housekeeping staff did an excellent job each day.  There is also a safe included in the room, which is a nice benefit for those travelling with valuables.

We skipped the breakfast while here since they were asking 12 Euros/Person each morning for it, while you can find better choices much cheaper only a block or two away.

The location of the hotel is ideal as it is right near the S-Bahn stop for Hackerbrücke (about a 5 minute walk).  This made it easy to get around Munich via train while we were here.  Also, if you are coming for Oktoberfest, the field that it is held in is also just a 5 minute walk from the hotel, making this a perfect location for those celebrating in the festivities.  Also, if you're ever in need of a cab, there is a taxi stand waiting right outside of the hotel.

We would definitely recommend this hotel to all travelers spending time in Munich.

Andechs Monastery

Brewing the world’s second best beer, Kloster Andechs, southeast of Munich is a great afternoon. There is somewhat of a hike to the top, but on the way, you’ll pass a full service restaurant, as well as a quick-service area that serves various types of pork in one area, and another counter that has more quick service snack items, like pretzels, potato salad, cold sausages and more.

There’s also desserts and beers available.

There is plenty of indoor seating, as well as outdoor seating under an awning with amazing views if you sit near the fence.

Once you’re finished eating, you can tour the church, explore the grounds, and more. There’s also a gift shop and a beer shop on the premises.

We stopped in on a Sunday and it was very, very busy. However, we were told by a local that typically the monastery and café is quiet and the grounds are the perfect place for reflection.

Luigi Tambosi im Hofgarten

Around the corner from the Residenz Museum, and with outdoor seating in the Hofgarten, is Luigi Tambosi. This restaurant has a lot of seating – there is seating inside; there are chairs and small tables along the Odeonsplatz for enjoying coffee or a drink and people watching and a large number of tables and chairs in the Hofgarten for dining, or enjoying a drink in the shade.

Serving Italian food, we shared an order of the tomato and mozzarella salad, as well as the cheese ravioli in a butter sauce. These were perfect for a light lunch in Munich while enjoying the Hofgarten and some shade on a sunny and warm afternoon.

This was also a good option for lunch before touring the Residenz Museum and doing some shopping in downtown Munich.

Augustinerbrau am Platzl

The "other" famous brau haus in Munich is Augustiner Brau, located diagonally from Hofbrauhaus. Similar to Hofbrauhaus, just sit down wherever there is space and don’t expect super friendly wait staff here.

That said, the food is good, the atmosphere lively and fun, and beer flows freely.

We ordered the roast pork with a potato dumpling, which is probably as close to “light and fluffy” a potato is ever going to get; as well as the four sausage platter, which was a well-sized platter for the price.

We sat on the second floor in the farthest back room, which was a great place to watch as large groups celebrate and to watch as waiters fill mug after mug of beer from the barrel poised near the door.

Hacker Pschorr Brauhaus

We stopped into this sports bar by the central bus station (and one stop from the main train station) in Munich, Hackerbrücke, as we walked back to our hotel one evening. A large group had gathered to watch the FC Bayern team play their first game of the season. Cheering, booing, but mostly cheering made the atmosphere in the bar and restaurant quite lively – and the wait staff were in a good mood as they worked and watched their hometown soccer team open the season.

For a sports bar, the menu was wide and varied – items far beyond bar food.

We ordered spaghetti bolognaise and their Lincoln Burger. Both were delicious. The burger was huge and more than enough for two people to share without needing another entrée and both leaving full.

There are tables available outside, but the excitement during a sports game is inside.

Hänsel und Gretel, Munich

Wanting something sweet and not being able to find open seats late on a Saturday night at neighboring Hofbrauhaus, we wandered into Hänsel und Gretel for dessert and coffee. With a tantalizing display of cakes and goodies, we had a difficult time choosing, but decided on the “Frodo” cake, a chocolate mousse-like cake with a chocolate cookie base and a cherry on top. Very delicious.

We also ordered a cappuccino, which was made expertly. If you’re looking for some where to satisfy your sweet tooth, pass by Hofbrauhaus and stop into Hänsel und Gretel.

Café Am Marienplatz

Right in the center of Munich’s famous Marienplatz is Café Am Marienplatz, with both indoor and plenty of outdoor seating and it doesn’t have that “touristy” feel, or price. Our waiter was very friendly and spoke English.

We ordered two very unique items that we’ve never had before: the Bavarian white sausage and German meatloaf with a fried egg. I can tell you these were very good, but have no comparison point.

That said, our waiter was kind enough to tell us that the white sausage is different than regular sausage, in that you have to take the skin off the sausage before you can eat it. These are very unique to Bavaria, so definitely give them a try if you’re visiting the region.

Maxxwell, Munich

I’ve had a lot of German food in my time, but the food that we ordered from Maxxwell in Munich was a very delicious, very modern take on the traditional cuisine. We stopped in for lunch to a very quiet restaurant and a very friendly waitress. We ordered the schnitzel, which was lightly breaded and crispy without being heavy, while keeping the meat moist.

We also ordered the curry-wurst, or, as on the English menu “big red sausage,” which we saw a lot of around Munich. Curry-wurst is made with a smoked sausage (for our American readers, it’s similar to a large, tasty hot dog), smothered in red curry sauce.

Maxxwell is a few blocks away from the Deutsches Museum, and a much tastier option than eating at the museum café.

Viktualienmarkt, Munich

For a quick bite, a snack, or just to browse, Munich’s Viktualienmarkt is a great spot. The market has vendors that sell fresh produce and meats, jams, honey and other goodies. For tourists in the city looking for a cheap dining option, there are plenty of grab-and-go options at the market, as well as vendors selling mugs of beer.

There are also many, many tables in the center of the market, with a few of the tables closest to the vendors reserved for table service, which is slightly more expensive.

Hofbrauhaus, Munich

One of the most popular attractions and dining options in Munich, the Hofbrauhaus, is definitely a must-do when in Munich, and really, who would skip it?

However, some suggestions:

1. There is a second floor with seating, don’t give up when you can’t find any open seats on the first floor. There is also outdoor seating on nice days, rooms tucked back farther into the building and a few rooms that are frequently emptier (and quieter) across the court yard.

2. For our American readers, don’t be afraid to sit down with another couple or another family if there are open seats next to them. You will almost never find a fully open table here.

3. Don’t be put off by the relatively rude waiters.  We were during our first night here then realized that our waiter was taking care of numerous tables that had more than one party at it. They will bring your check shortly after they bring your order and to order more you will have to wait.

That said, we had two enjoyable experiences here. We stopped in for lunch one afternoon, and ordered the smoked sausage with potato salad and the pork steak with potatoes au gratin. We also ordered the plum studel.

We also finished our tour of Munich with the Hofbrauhaus’s apple strudel and a couple of liters of beer.

Chinese Tower at the Englischer Garden

Recommended by a local, the Chinese Tower in the Englischer Garten, was what I expected from a Bavarian beer garden. There are plenty of tables and many are under the shade of trees or umbrellas.

You can grab a full lunch here, including salads, sandwiches, and hot meals; as well as snacks and sweets, oh and beer. Hofbrauhaus beer is served, in all varieties, including their Radler, a combination of their Helles beer and lemonade – a refreshing combination that’s nice for a late afternoon drink.

There are parking lots near the Chinese Tower if you’re visiting Munich with a car. If you, like us, are planning on exploring the city by public transit, underground lines U3 and U6 stop at Universitat and Gielastrasse, which are the closest to the Chinese Tower, and then you’ll have to wind your way through the Englischer Garten. A few bus lines also stop at the Chinese Tower, you’ll want to look for the stop “Chinesischer Turm,” which drops off right out front.

The Englischer Garten has a lot of wide open green space that’s perfect for picnicking or letting the little ones blow off some steam.

Deutsches Museum, Munich

The Deutsches Museum is a very large museum that is great for children and adults, with a lot of exhibits that will interest everyone in your family. We truly enjoyed the aero-space exhibit, which even included a Lufthansa plan that was cut in pieces so that visitors can see what’s inside a plane.

This is a great rainy day activity, and is large enough that it will fill a good portion of your day.

With your ticket to the Deutsches Museum, you also get free admission to one of their other museums in Munich.