Hofgarten and other München, Germany Things to Do Tips

Hofgarten is perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll, especially in nice weather. It's a mix of moms with strollers, bikers, couples, and a few tourists.

Bring a book and read all afternoon on one of the benches, or get a sandwich and have lunch on one of the grassy patches.

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Phone: (0 89) 3 86 66 39-0
Directions: Next to Odeonsplatz
Other Contact: gvenglischergarten@bsv.bayern.de

Munich was the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics, and today you can still go to the rink for some ice skating.

12 October 2003 to 14 March 2004
Daily 9.30 am - noon / 1 pm - 4 pm / 7 pm - 10 pm

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Phone: 089/30 67-2170
Address: Olympiapark, Munich
Website: http://www.olympiapark-muenchen.de/index.php?id=eissportzentrum&L=1

You can get a great view of the city from the top of the tower. And, unlike a lot of older church towers, there are very few steps to climb--an elevator takes you up most of the way.

From Wikipedia:
The Frauenkirche ("Dom zu unserer Lieben Frau" - Cathedral of Our Lady) is the most famous building in the city center. At first glance the two towers appear to be the same height but in actual fact one is slightly taller than the other.

Unlike most buildings in Munich's old town, the towers of the Frauenkirche (but not the church itself) survived the war intact, making them more than 400 years old. Frauenkirche's towers (109 meters or 358 feet tall) are also the measurement for a new rule which limits the height of new buildings to the same height. This rule was passed in November 2004 by the people of Munich in a referendum ("Bürgerentscheid") organized by Georg Kronawitter, a former SPD mayor, against the will of the political parties in the city's parliament ("Stadtrat") who feared that it would harm the city's attractiveness to investors.

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Phone: +49 (0)89/29 00 820
Address: Frauenplatz 1
Website: http://www.muenchen.de/Rathaus/tourist_office/sehenswuerdigkeiten/Kirchen/129352/Frauenkirche.html

The Alte Pinakothek has a great collection of Albrecht Dürer's art, including "The Four Apostles", "Adam and Eve", and his self portrait. The architecture of the museum itself is quite unique.

It is considered one of the oldest and most important galleries in the world. There are more than 800 masterpieces by European artists from the Middle Ages to the end of the Rococo period.

Rubens occupies (with one of the largest collections of his works in the world) the center of the museum.

Opening times:
Tues. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.,
Tues. until 8 p.m.,
closed on Mondays

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Phone: 49 (0) 89 / 23805 - 216
Address: Barer Straße 27
Website: http://www.muenchen.de/vip8/prod2/mde/resources/mtour/englisch/stadtinformationen/museen/alte_pinakothek_e_m.jsp

Theatinerkirche is located next to the Odeonsplatz. The yellow facade is reminiscent of Italy. Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, wife of the elector Ferdinand Maria, donated this church to the Italian Order of the Theatines in gratitude for the birth of the long-awaited heir to the throne Prince Max Emanuel.

It was built in Baroque style and largely completed by 1688 by the masters Spinelli and Zucalli and received finishing touches in Rococo style by the Cuvilliés, father and son, in 1768.

The church's interior is unusual for Bavarian Churches. It is monumental and full of southern pathos, dominated by the white stucco works of the Italian stucco masters Moretti, Brenni and Perti. The church's high altar, whose gable figures represent dignitaries of the House of Savoy gives further evidence of the Italian influence.

Open from May to November, Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 - 4.30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

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Website: http://www.theatinerkirche.de/

From Frommers:

The Bavarians give their hearts and souls to opera, and this is one of the world's great opera companies. Its productions are beautifully mounted and presented, and the company's roster includes some of the world's greatest singers. Hard-to-get tickets may be purchased at the box office Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm, plus 1 hour before each performance. The Nationaltheater is also the home of the Bavarian State Ballet.

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Phone: [49/89] 2185-1920
Address: Max-Joseph-Platz 2
Directions: Next to the Residenz
Website: http://www.bayerische.staatsoper.de/c.php/index_bso.php?dom=dom1&&l=en

The Residenz has a history almost as long as that of the Wittelsbach family, and was the official residence of the rulers of Bavaria from 1385 to 1918.

I have to say though, that it's not terribly impressive, compared to all the lavish palaces in Europe. The great dining hall is pretty neat, as is the collection of china.

Keep in mind, people take their palace seriously and will take offense if you don't stay long enough--I only had one hour to get through the whole place, and the ticket-lady in the front scolded me as I was leaving.

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Phone: 089/29-06-71
Address: Max-Joseph-Platz 3
Directions: U-Bahn: Odeonsplatz