I’ve arrived safe and sound.
After dropping off my bag, I had one task on my mind: find a SIM card for my unlocked phone. As I mentioned earlier, I’d been strongly advised to go with Vodafone. It was only on my third attempt, at the third store, that I finally got my hands on the technological Holy Grail. Luckily, I had my ID with me—without it, I’d have been out of luck.
Once I popped the SIM card into my phone and activated it, I had all the data I needed to keep me connected for the rest of my trip. The only slight hiccup? A flood of texts in the language of Goethe: “Lieber Vodafone-Kunde…” Naturally, I wasn’t quite sure what was going on.
To play it safe, I ran all these messages through the Google Translate app. Phew—just a welcome message!
Beer, More Beer, and Beer
Munich, Germany’s third-largest city and the capital of Bavaria, is where beer reigns supreme. Seriously, you’ll find it everywhere: in bars, on terraces, and in the iconic Biergärten (beer gardens), which are prime spots for socialising.
Here, you can stroll around with a beer in hand, no questions asked. In fact, I spotted abandoned beer mugs under the seats in Munich Airport’s waiting area. If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know, I don’t know what does.
As for food, Munich is definitely not the place for quinoa lovers. This is the land of schnitzel, sausages, and hearty meals. Consider yourself warned.
Downtown
The heart of Munich boasts an impressive museum dedicated to the history of industry and applied sciences. You’ll also find the Viktualienmarkt, a bustling open-air market full of local delicacies and fresh produce. The city is home to some grand Catholic churches, and of course, the stunning Marienplatz—a medieval square that houses two town halls: the old one in Gothic style and the new one in Neo-Gothic style.
Now, if you’re into that sort of thing, Munich also has a BMW museum and a couple of football stadiums to explore. After all, this is Bayern territory. Personally, I decided to spend my time wandering through the historic city centre—churches, markets, restaurants, and concerts galore.
One gem I stumbled upon was the Asamkirche (Asam Church or St. Johann Nepomuk Church), built between 1733 and 1746 by the Asam brothers in the Baroque and Rococo styles. It’s a small church, but it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Baroque Music
As a lover of baroque music, I couldn’t resist attending an organ concert at Asamkirche. The music enveloped me as I took in the extravagant decorations of this small but magnificent church.
Everything was harmonious—until my eyes landed on the altar. There, lying inside a glass coffin, was what appeared to be either a mannequin or the mummy of a saintly man. It wasn’t until months later that I learned who it was… but I’ll leave that mystery for you to solve.
A Starting Point for Central Europe
Munich makes a perfect starting point for a trip through Central Europe. It’s close to Vienna, Prague, Zagreb, Budapest, and even northern Italy if you’re in the mood to travel further afield. For me, I made the journey from Munich to Berlin with a very dynamic airline—one that no longer exists, sadly. Farewell, Air Berlin.
Airbnb
For my entire trip, I stuck to Airbnb, staying with locals and having plenty of interesting chats along the way.
In Munich, I stayed with Mrs. Tschorn. Every evening, she’d ask all about my day over a drink and a few cigarettes. One of her favourite stories to tell was about the time she asked a Chinese tourist if they’d enjoyed their day, only to be met with the reply: “I don’t know yet—I haven’t seen my photos.”
Verdict
Did I like Munich? Yes, but… Would I go back? Only if I had no other choice. Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you plan on exploring the rest of Bavaria.
In a few words: Sausages and beer, served up on a sunny terrace.