Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [250]
tz Local tabloid similar to the saucy Bild, Germany’s biggest-selling paper.
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Medical Services
The US and UK consulates have lists of English-speaking doctors. Most pharmacies have employees who speak passable English, but there are several designated as ‘international’, with staff fluent in English.
Apotheke Hauptbahnhof (Map; 5998 9040; Bahnhofsplatz 7)
Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst ( 01805-191 212; 24hr) Emergency medical service.
Ludwigs-Apotheke (Map; 550 5070; Neuhauser Strasse 11) English-speaking pharmacy.
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Money
ATMs are widespread throughout the city; a few key ones are listed below.
American Express (Map; 2280 1465; Promenadeplatz 6)
Deutsche Bank (Map; Marienplatz)
ReiseBank (Map; Hauptbahnhof; 7am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat & Sun)
Sparkasse (Map; Sparkassenstrasse 2)
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Post
Post office Altstadt (Map; Sattlerstrasse 1; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12.30pm Sat, closed Sun)
Post office Hauptbahnhof (Map; Bahnhofplatz 1; 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat, closed Sun)
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Tourist Information
Bavarian Castles & Museums Infopoint (Map; 2101 4056; Alter Hof 1; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat) Heaps of info on attractions across Munich and Bavaria.
EurAide (Map; 593 889; www.euraide.de; Arnulfstrasse entrance, Hauptbahnhof; 9.30am-12.30pm & 3.30-6pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-12.30pm & 3.30-6pm Sat May-Jul) The office makes reservations and sells tickets for DB trains and tours. EurAide’s free newsletter, the Inside Track, is packed with practical info about the city and surroundings.
Tourist office Hauptbahnhof (Map; 2339 6500; Bahnhofsplatz 2; 9am-8pm Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Sun); Marienplatz (Map; 2339 6500; Neues Rathaus; 10am-8pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat, 10am-2pm Sun)
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Travel Agencies
EurAide is the best place to go with complicated rail pass enquiries, or to book train travel in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
STA Travel (Map; 2880 5870; www.statravel.de; Schellingstrasse 45)
Travel Overland (Map; 2727 6100; www.travel-overland.de; Barer Strasse 73)
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Universities
Munich is home to about 90,000 students. The biggest universities are listed below.
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Map; 218 00; www.uni-muenchen.de; Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1) Runs German-language courses for foreigners throughout the year.
Technische Universität München (Map; 289 01; Arcisstrasse 21) Renowned faculties of science, engineering and medicine.
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DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
During Oktoberfest crime and staggering drunks are major problems, especially at the southern end of the Hauptbahnhof. It’s no joke: drunk people in a crowd trying to get home can become violent, and there are dozens of assaults every year. Leave early or stay very cautious, if not sober, yourself.
The Föhn is a weather-related annoyance peculiar to southern Germany. Static-charged wind from the south brings exquisite views clear to the Alps and an area of dense pressure that sits on the city. Visiting film-maker Ingmar Bergman wrote that the Föhn makes ‘nice dogs bite, and cats spew lightning’. Müncheners claim that it simply makes them cranky.
Munich is riddled with bike paths, and Bavaria’s speeding cyclists don’t expect you to be walking on them. Tangling with a two-wheeler is both embarrassing and potentially dangerous, so watch where you tread.
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SIGHTS
Munich’s major sights are clustered around the Altstadt, with the main museum district near the Residenz. However, it will take another day or two to explore Bohemian Schwabing, the sprawling Englischer Garten, and trendy Haidhausen to the east. Northwest of the Altstadt you’ll find cosmopolitan Neuhausen, the Olympiapark, and one of Munich’s jewels – Schloss Nymphenburg.
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Marienplatz & Around
The heart and soul of the Altstadt is Marienplatz (Map), the old town square. At the northwest corner stands the Mariens