Munich: A To-Do List for the Young and Free
- Lauren Smith
- Oct 16, 2021
- 5 min read
I can’t speak for any and all Munich tourists, but if you are a young and active person on a mission to explore this fantastic dot on the map, I might have some tips. I’ve been lucky enough to flounce around this city for a full month, and, with the guidance of Rachel and Felix (three-year residents of Munich), I believe I’ve gained some wisdom worth sharing.
So, here is my unsolicited two-cents:
Student Discounts
As a young person in Europe, it is important to understand and take advantage of your privileges! Student discounts can be found for nearly everything if you pay attention (all you need to do is present a Student I.D. of any kind). Some opportunities I capitalized on included the following:
Museums:
I got into the Munich City Museum for just 2 euros, and got to tour three levels of displays demonstrating the colorful history of Bavaria. Several other Museums offer similar discounts, including the Residenz and Nymphenburg Palace!
Historical Attractions:
Several other landmarks offer significantly discounted admission for students. I got to climb the tower of St. Peter’s Church for just 2 euros (again) instead of 5, for some of the very best views of the city.
Entertainment:
Great discounts are also available at entertainment venues, including local movie theaters and even the Bavarian State Opera. In fact, any student can get great seats at the opera for just 10 euros! We enjoyed an exciting and engaging performance of Turnadot on a Thursday night, even receiving a pair of 3D glasses upon entry. I would definitely recommend!
Biking
If you are so inclined, Munich is a great city for bikes, and you can get most anywhere on two wheels. I borrowed a bike a few times during my time here and took it through the English Gardens, to Nymphenburg Palace, and even to the sauna (We’ll get to that later). The city is extensively equipped with bike lanes that make navigating relatively easy, and the bike can even be faster than driving due to the traffic. If you want to avoid the winding streets of the city, a bike ride along the Isar can also be a great afternoon activity.
Food & Drink
Believe it or not, there is more to Munich than sausage and beer. In fact, like any major city, Munich has an exciting scene of food and drink that goes well beyond the traditional Bavarian cuisine. Don’t get me wrong, you can’t go to Munich without ordering some pretzels, sausages, sauerkraut, schnitzel and knödel (potato and bread dumplings), but there is more to be had. I would personally recommend trying the Döner, a German-Turkish dish served in fast food style throughout the city. Currywurst is another great option for a quick bite, often served at stands or even in food trucks. If you are there in the fall or winter, street stands will also be selling delicious maroni: sweet chestnuts roasted over an open fire (just like the song!). There is also plenty of international cuisine; I was also taken to an Afghan restaurant that absolutely dazzled me, and was recommended many more interesting places that will be on my list to try. Check out my "Lists" page for some of my favorite places!
And what about drinks? If you’re looking for the traditional German lager, you will not have any trouble finding it. Biergartens are more prevalent than street corners, and they all offer great beer with fun and casual outdoor seating. In the summer, a string of biergartens are open along the Isar, which offer string lights, riverside views and sometimes live music! Don’t forget, Munich also allows open-carry, so feel free to walk around with your drinks if you’re not inclined to sit down anywhere. The simple act of walking down the street with a beer can be thrilling!
If you are feeling wild and daring, you could also extend your support to the small but mighty craft beer scene in Munich. Though the region is largely inclined to adhere to traditional brewing methods (which is why every German beer tends to taste the same), a brave few have begun to produce craft beer in the city, and it is up to the open-minded youth to offer them our support in the fight against the overwhelmingly traditionalist culture of Bavaria!
Finally, don’t forget to check out the plethora of cafes, coffee shops and bakeries that line the streets. I personally recommend Sweet Spot at the Viktualienmarkt for your coffee, Backerei Aumüller at Isartor for your bakery items and pastries, and Café Bla if you are looking for a café to park at for several hours of reading or relaxing (and maybe some waffles).
The Sauna
If you get caught on a rainy day and aren’t inclined to check out any museums (with that student discount, of course), then I would recommend taking on the sauna! This can be an intimidating experience, especially if you are coming from a more conservative culture, as German saunas are done completely naked. I promise, however, that after a couple hours it will become almost natural! Once you get past the initial discomfort and anxiety over unwittingly committing a sauna faux pas, it can become an incredibly relaxing and cleansing experience. That being said, spending a portion of you day rotating through saunas, dip pools and lounge chairs will never be a waste of time. There are plenty of saunas throughout the city, so pick one and go for it!
For more guidance on the saunas, check out my post here!
Day Trips
The city itself is wonderful, but one of the best things about Munich is its proximity to other noteworthy locations. Not only are these destinations nearby, but they are also made accessible and affordable with Munich’s public transport system.
The central subway lines alone can get you to several interesting locations, one such location being the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. For a 9 euro S-Bahn day-ticket, you can travel to Dachau to tour the grounds and the extensive museum (all for free). This experience is one that every young person should take it upon themselves to have, in an effort to grow in our understanding and appreciation of the country’s tragic history. Despite my classroom education regarding WWII, I still found this to be a very eye-opening experience, and recommend a visit. Another destination via S-bahn would be the Andechs Monastery, accessible in an hour by train and bus. This beautiful location, situated on a hill next to the Ammersee, features an elaborate baroque church and Kloster Andechs, a brewery that has been operating since 1455.
If you want to expand the radius of your day trips, the regional trains are a great option. With the Bayern ticket (25 euros), anyone can travel anywhere within reach of the regional trains for one day, whether you’re heading to the mountains or neighboring cities. In just one hour by train, I got to Kufstein, Austria, where my family and I spent the weekend hiking in the Austrian Appalachians. Traveling an hour in another direction, I got to Regensburg, Germany, where I spent the day touring the historic town along the Danube River, and even eating at the world’s oldest sausage kitchen ( Historische Wurstkuchl, open since 1320).
And these are just the options I could take advantage of in my one month!
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