5 Things That You'll Find At Munich's Starkbierfest
August 6, 2015
The Bavarian capital and Germany's second city is a great place to spend a few days, whatever time of year it is. With the world's favourite beer festival, Oktoberfest, taking place in September and many other events happening throughout the year, there is always something exciting to see and do on a Munich city break. Our definitive guide will give you some insight into where to stay, what to eat and the must-see attractions during your trip.
Flying into Munich International Airport is by far the easiest way to reach the city. Direct flights are available with Eurowings (from Stansted), EasyJet (from London Gatwick and London Luton), Lufthansa (from London Heathrow) and BA (from London Heathrow). Both EasyJet and Lufthansa also offer direct flights from Manchester and Edinburgh.
Once you arrive at Franz Josef Strauß Airport (MUC), you will be approximately 20 miles from the city centre. This journey is made easy by the S-Bahn services that are operated from the terminal. Simply board one of the S1 or S8 trains that arrive roughly every 10 mins and you'll reach the central train station in around 40 minutes. There is also an airport bus operated by Lufthansa, which may be a slightly cheaper option, and taxis will always run you into town if you prefer. This last option will be considerably more expensive, though.
Lastly, Ryanair offers direct flights to Memmingen Allgäu Airport from London Stansted, however, arriving here will mean a transfer time of almost 90 minutes to Munich city centre.
There are three different Cocoon Hotels in Munich, all of which are located pretty centrally and close to the main sights. The accommodation is very stylish for a reasonably priced hotel, with a vibe that has one foot in today's trendy world and the other in the 70s. Facilities include a bar, free Wi-Fi and the ability to hire a bike if you wish. You'll even receive a €5 drinks voucher if you decide to do a good deed for the planet and forego the housekeeping service on any given day. This is a great choice for younger couples who are looking to get out and about and, let's face it, where else in Munich can you eat breakfast inside a VW campervan?
Praised for its location, friendly staff and cleanliness, the CORTIINA Hotel has a lot going for it. It falls into the boutique category of accommodation and is perfect for anyone looking for more facilities than Cocoon can offer. There is a wine bar that also offers meals, a gym and each room features a flat-screen TV with free Sky channels. You'll be situated right on Marienplatz and in the heart of the action.
If you are looking for something special during your stay in the Bavarian capital, look no further than this five-star choice. Another centrally located hotel, The Charles is just five minutes' walk from the main train station and therefore puts the whole city on your doorstep. Facilities include a spa, restaurant, bar, spacious rooms and free Wi-Fi for up to five devices. The concierge is also very helpful and always on hand to acquire anything you need.
Although the central hotels above will put you close to the main sights, the public transport system is the best way to navigate Munich. All falling under the MVV network, you can travel on underground trains, overground trams and buses on the same ticket. There are nine S-Bahn routes and eight underground lines to help you navigate the city and tickets can be bought per journey, per day or per week.
Another great way to get around is by bike. There are miles and miles of cycle tracks around the city and rental spots wherever you turn. If your hotel doesn't offer bicycles to hire, head to the main train station where you can start your two-wheeled explorations.
This traditional restaurant offers German and Austrian cuisine at its best. The menu changes every night and consists of a six-course extravaganza set within a friendly atmosphere. There's also a big emphasis on Austrian wine and menus in the past have included dishes like pork dumplings and apple compote, and parsley root soup with Pioppino mushrooms.
Greek food is very popular in Munich, with a wide range of restaurants to choose from. Naxos Taverna may be slightly further out of the centre than most, but it is worth it for the delicious food on offer. Whether you opt for one of the various different gyros available, a meat skewer or a traditional moussaka, your Hellenic hankerings will be catered for.
If you are looking for something different during your Munich city break, an evening dinnerhopping will definitely provide this. With a choice of either Italian of American food, you will board an iconic US school bus and set off for an evening tour of the city. Along the way, you will stop at three different restaurants where you will be served your three courses on the bus. The experience also includes music and a live act on certain nights, creating a whole evening of unforgettable entertainment.
Not many people know that Munich's Englischer Garten is actually bigger than New York's Central Park, but a walk around this green heart of the city will soon give you an idea of its size. Whether you just take a romantic stroll with your partner, stop at the Seehaus for some local food, admire the flower gardens or just people watch, there is so much to see in this city park. It's even one of the few places in the world where you can watch trendy surfing types tackling river waves.
If you or anyone else in your party has even the slightest interest in cars then an afternoon at BMW World will be time well spent. Through various displays, each and every car or motorbike that the company has ever created is on display - plus a few prototypes that are yet to make it into the public domain. You'll also learn about the history of BMW in Munich and see how the cars of the future will look. If you can't get enough of BMW, though, why not head next door and tour the factory where the cars are being made?
Although it is located 90 minutes outside of the city, Munich is a great base from which to visit Neuschwanstein Castle - a must see for anyone visiting Bavaria. As the inspiration for Disney's Cinderella castle, it is a breathtaking sight to behold and one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Germany. It's relatively easy to get to and involves buying a Bayern ticket from Munich Hbf to Füssen, where you can jump on the number 78 bus from the station. Make sure you book your visit in advance though as you can only enter the castle via a guided tour and it will be a wasted trip if these are sold out on the day. This blog post details the steps from Munich to Neuschwanstein in much more detail.
If you would like to plan your own Munich city break, we can tailor-make a trip to your needs. Contact our friendly team today and they will piece together your trip the way you want it.
