Munich
Germany
- Cityscape
- Bavarian brouhaha
- City life
- Fest and wurst
Munich is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, filled with stately Florentine, Gothic and baroque symbols of wealth and power set against an Alpine backdrop.
The Bavarian capital offers up a host of Teutonic traditions, from Weisswurst and beerhalls to Lederhosen and oompah-oompah bands, culminating in the excesses of Oktoberfest, but there’s much more to this dynamic city than a thigh-slapping knees-up. Modernist architecture and high-design restaurants, bars and shopping, creative neighbourhoods and a strong cultural scene make Munich a fascinating destination. The Muncheners are a friendly bunch and proud of their quality of life; no wonder a quarter of all Germans say they would like to live here.
Pictured: Anna Hotel
Boutique hotels in Munich
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Munich
more
Getting there
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
more
Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Munich has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
more
Eating, drinking & dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Munich.
more
Smith Maps
Here is the map of Munich; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.
moreLocal knowledge
- Taxis
- The best place to find a cab is at one of the many taxi ranks but if you do see one for hire, just hail it down; they should stop unless they’re a stone’s throw from a rank. There is an extra charge for luggage but prices are reasonable.
- Tipping culture
- Service is included in restaurant bills so tipping is not expected, particularly in the more traditional places. Most Muncheners just round things up to the nearest euro, but we suggest a more generous ten per cent is the norm for good service.
- Siesta and Fiesta
- Shops close at 18h during the week; banks close at 16h. Most shops, particularly boutiques, shut at 14h on Saturdays, and all shops are closed on a Sunday. Muncheners tend to eat pretty early and restaurants are busy around 19h30, but kitchens are usually still serving until 23h00. With no fixed licensing times the bars and pubs go on until late but biergartens and outdoor venues close at 23h to allow the neighbours some peace.
- Packing tips
- Bring plenty of cash; surprisingly few places accept credit cards. Pack something smart to wear as Muncheners like to show off a little when they are out.
- Recommended reads
- The White Rose: Munich, 1942-1943 by Inge Scholl & Dorothee Soelle.
- Cuisine
- Munich is justly proud of its wurst and bier culture. A traditional Bavarian meal is weisswurst und brez’n, white veal sausages served with a pretzel and sweet grain mustard. Local menus are packed with all manner of pork dishes served with dumplings and sauerkraut, followed by countless variations of strudels, and weissbier (wheat beer). There are plenty of less weighty international influences, too. Muncheners like to think of themselves as living in the most northerly of Italian cities. Local dry Riesling and Spätburgunder wines are eminently quaffable as well.
- Currency
- Euro.
- Dialing codes
- Country code for Germany: 49. Munich: 89.
- Do go/don't go
- Winters can be long and hard but whilst it is definitely busy in the summer, nothing beats a cold bier in the shade of a chestnut tree under the blue and white Bavarian sky. The Oktoberfest is hectic with hotels and flights overpriced and fully-booked, but it’s still a memorable (or perhaps slightly hazy) event (www.oktoberfest.de).
