Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [262]
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TOURS
For a budget tour of Munich’s high-brow collections, hop aboard city bus 100 which runs from the Hauptbahnhof to the Ostbahnhof via 21 of the city’s museums and galleries. This includes all three Pinakothek, the Residenz and the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum. As this is an ordinary bus route, the tour costs no more than a public transport ticket.
Radius Tours (Map; 5502 9374; www.radiustours.com) offers a variety of excellent guided city strolls starting from the Hauptbahnhof, track 32–34. The two-hour Munich Highlights Walk (adult/concession €10/9; 10am) takes you through the heart of the city and provides heaps of historical background. The Third Reich Tour (adult/concession €12/10; 3pm Apr-Oct) takes you to Munich’s Nazi-related sites including Gestapo HQ and the Hofbräuhaus.
Munich Walk Tours ( 2423 1767; www.munichwalktours.de) offers a popular Beer & Brewery Tour (adult/under 26yr €18/16; 6.15pm May–mid-Sep). Walks depart from under the Glockenspiel on Marienplatz (Map).
Münchener Stadtrundfahrten (Map; 0700-2878 6877; www.sightseeing-munich.com; Schützenstrasse 9; adult/child €13/7) runs Munich hop-on-hop-off bus tours (one hour, every 20 minutes from 9am to 5.30pm) leaving from the Karstadt department store opposite the Hauptbahnhof.
For a more tailor-made approach, try John’s Bavarian Tours ( 0162-320 7323; www.johns-bavarian-tours.com). American landscape artist John Wetstone has lived in the city for over 30 years and puts together expert door-to-door Munich tours for small groups and individuals.
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Munich always has something to celebrate. The list below gives just a few of the highlights; for more details check www.muenchen-tourist.de.
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January/February
Fasching A six-week carnival beginning on 7 January with all kinds of merriment, including costume parades and fancy-dress balls.
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February/March
Starkbierzeit Potent spring beers, traditional dancing and stone-lifting contests. The Löwenbräukeller Click here is the place to experience it all.
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April
Frühlingsfest The Theresienwiese (Map) fills with beer tents and amusements for the Spring Festival, a two-week mini-Oktoberfest.
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May
Maidult A traditional fair on Mariahilfplatz (Map), with crafts, antiques and amusement rides.
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June/July
Filmfest München (www.filmfest-muenchen.de) World premieres of international and independent films.
Jakobidult Summer fair on Mariahilfplatz much like the Maidult.
Opera Festival ( 218 501; www.bayerische.staatsoper.de) A month-long festival of opera concluding on 31 July with Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.
Tollwood Summer Festival ( 383 8500; www.tollwood.de) A world culture gala with nightly music concerts at the Olympiapark (Map).
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September
Oktoberfest (www.oktoberfest.de) The legendary beer bash which, despite the name, is actually held from mid-September to the first Sunday in October. Held on the Theresienwiese (Map).
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November/December
Christkindlmarkt (www.christkindlmarkt.de) A traditional Christmas market on Marienplatz (Map).
Tollwood Winter Festival Music festival and Christmas market in tents on the Theresienwiese.
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SLEEPING
Room rates in Munich tend to be high, and skyrocket during the Oktoberfest. Book well ahead.
Budget travellers are spoilt for choice around the Hauptbahnhof where the majority of hostels congregate. The Altstadt has the most top-end hotels.
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Around the Hauptbahnhof
BUDGET
Wombat’s (Map; 5998 9180; www.wombats-hostels.com; Senefelderstrasse 1; dm €12-24, d €70; ) Munich’s most kicking hostel has a convenient location right by the train station. All rooms (dorms and doubles only) have Ikea-style