As global citizens and locals alike approach Marienplatz, they can hear the bustle of the crowd before they even see the towers of the monumental structures that crest the surrounding buildings. Like many European city centers, patrons of Marienplatz can enjoy a beer outside with old and new friends, find new trends in stylish fashion boutiques, and snag a souvenir for a loved one from a toy store. Unique to Marienplatz, however, is the historically significant architectural and artistic contributions that abound in the square. The architecture and art of Marienplatz reveal an important history of Munich if one knows how to "read" the story embedded in the square.
At 91 meters tall, St. Peter's Tower (Alter Peter or Old Pete, as it is called by locals) offers the best views of Munich's Old Town. St. Peter's Church has been rebuilt more than once due to a fire in 1327 and then air raid damage during World War II. The church was originally built in the Bavarian Romanesque style and has since expanded to include Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. The church spire, which dominates the skyline of Old Town, adds a touch of Renaissance style.
The Viktaulienmarkt, or Victuals Market, is part of Munich's Old Town. Located adjacent to Marienplatz the market is a thriving area to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, and meat. The market is not limited to food, plenty of vendors sell plants and flowers as well. The market is also home to many shops selling locally prepared foods. Tables are set up throughout the market inviting visitors to stop for a snack, beer, and conversation.
Der verrückte Eismacher, or "The Crazy Ice Cream Maker," is a whimsical ice cream shop in Munich. Visitors can select from a variety of unique ice cream flavors to enjoy in a cup or cone. The walk-up window makes it a quick stop that both tourists and locals can enjoy. There are two additional locations in Munich.
Theresienwiese, also known as the Oktoberfest Park and “The Wiesn”, is famous across the world for its events. It spans 42 hectares, which is roughly the size of 60 soccer fields. The space was named after Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, the wife of King Ludwig I. Since 1810, events have been held at the The Wiesn, the first being in celebration of Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen and King Ludwig I’s wedding. This celebration would eventually be known as Oktoberfest.
Karlsplatz (also called Stachus by locals) is a major transportation and pedestrian square in Munich with a long history. While the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, busses, and streetcars all pass through Karlsplatz, it is also a meeting place, a social destination, and a marker for the begining of a busy Munich shopping district, Neuhauser Straße.
One of the most fun and lively sections within the Englische Garten is a building reminiscent of a Chinese temple, called the "Chinesischer Turm", or Chinese Tower. Built between 1789 and 1792 and reconstructed in 1952 after is seen as a "landmark of the English Garden". In 1960, the tower was finally reopened to the public, even though public guests are denied entry into the actual tower. The only people to be seen regularly in the tower are the brass band players that can be heard playing for the public. However, there are some rare cases of people that have been allowed into the tower including a group of 15 people who were given a guided tour on September 6, 2002 for the 50th anniversary of the rebuilding.
The English Garden is the largest park in Munich, Germany, dating to 1792. It derives its name from English-style landscape gardens contrasted with more formal and geometric French gardens. At 926 acres, the park is even larger than Central Park in New York City, and sits along the bank of the Isar River. Park design is credited to Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell and American Benjamin Thompson.
I found Luitpold Park listed on the Wanderlog blog as one of the "13 Best Nature Near Munich". I'm always seeking out peaceful nature places and found this one intriguing as it is built on a mountain of rubble from WW2. This is a very practical and also healing way to deal with the aftermath of war. There were nice city views from the top. The vast areas below are very peaceful and uncrowded. There is a little hedge maze too, but it is not very impressive.
Olympia Park is an Olympic Park built in 1972 for the Summer Olympics hosted by Munich. The park includes an Olympic Stadium, Olympic Hall, and the eye-catching Olympic Tower, the tallest building in the city. From the top of the tower, visitors can get a 360° view of Munich including the Alps in the distance, weather permitting. Olympia Park hosts concerts and festivals and includes spaces for recreation and fitness as well.
The Tollwood Festival lasts 32 days in the summer from June 16th to July 17th. It is located on the south side of Olympia Park and admission is free. When you enter the festival you will find a vibrant scene filled with cultural shops and eclectic booths from around the world with the Olympic Tower on the skyline. Music, food, and drinks can be found around every corner. This festival has the goal of making Bavaria completely climate-neutral and sustainable.
Hundewiese im Hirschgarten is a dog park in Munich, Germany. You might wonder why you would take your pooch to a dog park when it would seem that all of Germany is open to these well-behaved animals. Most European dogs, however, have been socialized to behave well towards other humans. When they come into contact with other pets on the street, though, their hackles are often raised as they wonder if they should protect their owner from the other beasts. A dog park offers some structure and yet plenty of space to give your dog the opportunity to become used to other furry friends.
Hirschgarten is a historic beer garden and the largest in Europe, seating almost 8,000 guests. Upon entering, visitors can easily find a station to fill their stein with beer, well as vendors offering formal and informal dining experiences within the grounds. The beautiful outdoor space is shaded by giant chestnut trees and a herd of deer graze behind a nearby fence, adding to the charm of the space.
Nymphenburg Palace, or Schloss Nymphenburg, is a Baroque palace located in Munich's western district. The palace was commissioned to be built by Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria and his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy in 1664 after their son, and heir to the throne, Max Emanuel was born. The palace grounds are an English style landscaped park that consist of approximately 444,000 acres of land. Within the park you will find lakes, canals, and several pavilions, or "palaces en miniature."
Located in München-Nymphenburg, these beautiful Botanical Gardens cover an area of 21.2 hectares (52.4 acres) and is home to approximately 19,600 species and subspecies of plants. Whether you want to explore the green houses to find grand Cacti, or take a stroll through the ornamental courtyards- you will find spectacular plants at every corner. Guided tours are also available.
Dachau was a German concentration camp during the early 20th century and was operated by the Nazi party in Germany from 1933 to 1945. Dachau was the first prison camp that the Nazis established and one of the few concentration camps that operated within the borders of Germany. In total, more than 40,000 concentration camps and other detainment facilities were operated under the order of the Nazi regime.
Starnberger See is a lake that is a direct, 30 minute S6 train ride (20 Minutes on the RB6) southwest from Munich Central Station. If you're looking for a short day trip to get out of the city, this is an incredibly easy experience! The train stops at the water's edge and there is a greenway that hugs the northern most arm of the lake as soon as you go under the tunnel. This area is also known well by cyclists as it is a 46 km ride around the lake. There are many waterfront restaurants, beer gardens, parks, and places to swim.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This tour was created by a group of educators from North Carolina who participated in the CIDRE study abroad program in summer 2022 in Munich. Given the rich outdoor culture and many garden spots that Munich is known for, each teacher was asked to identify a site that represented Munich's outdoor culture, research that site, and add a waypoint to this group-created tour.
