In the heart of Bavaria, Munich offers a cultural experience unlike any other in Germany. It may only be the third biggest city in the country, but it’s the very home of German footballing excellence. Outside of Bayern Munich, this wonderous city has a unique story to tell, here are the top 5 things to do in Munich.
Catch a game at the Allianz Arena
Munich isn’t a one-club city, but it may as well be. Bayern are such a massive part of everyday life in the city, it’s hard to imagine Munich without its most famous team. The city has seen six Champions League and thirty-one Bundesliga trophies paraded around its beautiful streets.
Since opening in 2005, the Allianz Arena has been regarded as one of the best sporting stadiums in the world. Seventy-five thousand fans swarm into this one-of-a-kind stadium, usually seeing the home side win comfortably.
Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski are just a few of the world-class talents that have set the Allianz Arena alight, but we could be here all day talking about the players that have pulled on that famous red and white shirt.
Now only Muller remains, but he’s accompanied by young and established stars like Jamal Musiala and Leon Goretzka. A football trip to Munich promises well-known names and top-quality football.
Like most of the world’s top stadia, the Allianz Arena offers a fantastic tour. Not only do you get to see an impressive array of trophies and memorabilia in the museum, you’ll have the chance to see the locker rooms, walk down the tunnel and see the ground just like the players do.
The BMW Museum
It’s hard to imagine a more famous export coming out of Munich than Bayern, but the car manufactures BMW might just have them beat. Much like their footballing counterparts, BMWs are reliable and efficient, they’re always going to be good.
Not only does the BMW museum showcase the corporation’s impressive history with both permanent and temporary exhibitions, but the building itself is a modern architectural marvel. Re-opened in 2008, this museum has become one of the most popular in all of Germany, having had over 5 million visitors since then.
The main exhibition is a 4000 square metres of engineering excellence. A showcase of pristine cars from every era of BMW, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the consistency of quality.
Guided tours are also available in English or German, with prices starting at €13 for adults. This is recommended, as the guides knowledge of the history and prestige of the BMW brand is unrivalled.
Dachau Concentration Camp
From the impressive to the sombre, Dachau is something anyone who visits Munich should see. A harsh lesson in one of the world’s darkest periods remains as a reminder that tyrants will always lose, no matter how terrible they may be. It’s now a museum and a memorial to those who had their lives taken away so unjustly.
Dachau is a 25-minute train ride from the city centre. The S2 train will take you directly from Munich to Dachau station. Germany doesn’t shy away from its gruesome history, instead preserving it in the hope that it may never happen again. While obviously depressing, Dachau’s importance is undisputable.
The Marienplatz
The main square in Munich, the Marienplatz has been home to street vendors and markets since the Middle Ages. It’s also where you can find the New City Hall, a huge building that showcases gothic architecture at its very best.
Along with the New City Hall is Mary’s Column. Erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Swedish occupation during the 30 Year War, it’s become a beacon of the city’s strength and unique culture. People look at it and know not to mess with Bavaria.
When Christmas comes along the square turns into an astonishing winter wonderland, filled with stalls selling festive food and beverages along with one-of-a-kind souvenirs for tourists and locals alike.
Once the snow starts to fall, there are few more picturesque places in Europe than the Marienplatz during the festive period. Dress up warm, catch a game of football and head on over to enjoy the festivities.
Oktoberfest
This is quite a seasonal one, but it’s well worth postponing or bringing your visit forward in order to visit Munich during Oktoberfest. Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest takes place in September, just as the football season begins.
The biggest event on Munich’s calendar, Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival that brings in over 6 million national and international visitors a year. Perhaps most famous for the rivers of beer drank by its patrons, you’d also find great food, traditional music and colourful parades.
Legally, only beer brewed within the city limits of Munich can be served during Oktoberfest, it’s a quintessentially Bavarian experience. It’s also very common for visitors, both local and not, to dress like a traditional Bavarian, Lederhosen for the men and Dirndl for the women.
This traditional dress sense is also something upheld by Bayern Munich. If they win a trophy at the end of the season, which they often do, members of the staff and first team dress in Lederhosen and celebrate with a beer, faith permitting. Be like Thomas Muller, dress up and enjoy a beer!
There is no city in the world like Munich, it’s very much its own thing and that’s what makes it great. If you can, plan your football trip between 17th September and 3rd October to enjoy the city at its very best.