Orientation
CITY CENTER
The city center is the hub of all tourist activity in Munich. Many of the city’s historical sights and brand-name stores are packed into the few blocks between Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz. For the stereotypical Bavarian experience, struggle through the throngs of international camera-flashers for a night at the famous Hofbräuhaus, and a stroll through the Residenzmuseum. There’s a long pedestrian zone between Marienpl. and Karlsplatz, a square with fountains that is popularly known as “Stachus.” South of Marienpl., bustling, yuppie Isarvorstadt is home to Munich’s GLBT district. To the west, Theresienwiesen borders on the huge Oktoberfest field. The Hauptbahnhof, Munich’s central train station, is north of Theresienwiesen.
UNIVERSITY AREA
“University area” is the common nickname for the districts of Schwabing and Maxvorstadt, immediately north of the city center. Maxvorstadt is home to Kunstareal, the city’s museum district, and Königsplatz, a former Nazi stronghold. Schwabing, to the north, is a student’s dream district; Ludwig-Maximilian Universität intellectuals fill the area’s cozy bars and restaurants. West of Schwabing, everything goes greener with the charming Englischer Garten, where you’ll find Munich’s beloved beer garden.
OLYMPIC AREA
The 1972 Munich Olympics were overshadowed by the killing of 11 Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists. Now known as the Munich Massacre, the attack was the subject of Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film Munich. Today, you can visit the Olympiapark and marvel at the site of the Games. The imposing Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower) is the highest point in all of Munich, and the iconic Olympiastadion’s (Olympic Stadium) curtains of acrylic glass drape over lime green seats.
AU-HAIDHAUSEN
These two neighborhoods across the Isar river housed laborers before WWII bombing nearly demolished Au (Haidhausen was left surprisingly intact). Today, these regions play a large role in Munich’s cultural scene. Gasteig cultural complex contains the Munich Philharmonic, a conservatory, the main branch of the public library, and an experimental theater. Giant clubs surround the Ostbahnhof station—talk about being on the right side of the tracks.
NEUHAUSEN
Neuhausen remains one of Munich’s hidden gems, relatively undiscovered by tourists. Take tram #17 toward Amalienburgstr. and you’ll find some of Munich’s prettiest landscapes, from the world’s largest beer garden at Hirschgarten to the extravagant Schloss Nymphenburg. For a more urban feel, head to Rotkreuzplatz and meander down Nymphenburgstr. for the city’s best cafes.
THALKIRCHEN
This quiet and relatively unexplored neighborhood is home to Tierpark Hellabrunn, the world’s first zoo to put animals in their “native habitats.” Today, the zoo remains a delight for children and wildlife photographer wannabes, while others take in the beauty of the nearby Isar river on kayaks or rafts down the stream.