Munich
culinary delights, tradition and lifestyle. Elsa-Maria Honecker was on the road for us in her home town.
Even though the people of Munich had to do without their beloved Oktoberfest this year, it didn't dampen the mood in the city. After all, the Bavarian metropolis of 1.5 million people also has a lot to offer away from the beer tents. And that also applies to this winter, which also has plenty of other news to offer.
Living
■ Mandarin Oriental Munich
The hotel was built in 1875 as a ballroom in the neo-Renaissance style. Today it is one of the most beautiful five-star luxury hotels in the heart of the old town. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the hotel underwent extensive renovation work, which is reflected in the new look of the elegant 48 rooms and 25 suites. The ambience combines the typical Bavarian Biedermeier style with modern design and high-tech equipment. The sensitive approach to sustainability is evident in all areas. The Mandarin Oriental is proud of the "Matsuhisa" restaurant by internationally acclaimed star chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who is causing a sensation worldwide with his excellent Japanese fusion cuisine
www.mandarinoriental.de
■ Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor
The city's newest four-star superior design hotel, not far from the English Garden, impresses above all with its lavish style concept in the lobby as well as the highest rooftop bar and the largest spa in Munich. The 277 rooms and suites with high-quality furnishings and art on the walls are dominated by floor-to-ceiling windows with fantastic views of the city skyline. In "The Lonely Broccoli", the first "Modern Meat House" restaurant with an open kitchen, the name can be taken literally, as the focus is clearly on meat rather than vegetarian dishes. Pork popcorn is served here as well as sous-vide lamb neck or braised ox cheeks. At "M'Uniqo" in the Rooftop Bar, Mediterranean cuisine is the main focus. And the "Bicicletta" is not just for cyclists to enjoy smoothies, bowls, homemade sandwiches and salty snacks or coffee and sweet cakes.
www.hyatt.com
■ Hotel Rothof
The four-star boutique hotel in Bogenhausen is one thing above all else: an enclave of tranquillity with an idyllic park, 54 garden rooms and a hospitality culture to be seen and experienced! Wake up in a friendly Bavarian atmosphere and then explore the 20-hectare grounds in a sporty way - that's how the day could start here. The offer ranges from fitness and yoga to Qigong - including sauna and wellness. Perfect after a strenuous stroll through the city or an extensive shopping tour.
www.hotel-rothof.de
■ Hotel Opéra
Stylish accommodation in a city palace in the heart of Munich. The Renaissance courtyard exudes a southern flair, even in winter, and is a reminder that Munich is also known as the northernmost city in Italy. The living style in the 25 rooms and suites is also very atmospheric, with the finest fabrics and antiques.
www.hotel-opera.de
Charles Schumann - the original
Although the bar icon is not a Munich native, he has been here for over 40 years and still runs two of the hippest bars - "Schumann's Bar am Hofgarten" and "Schumann's Tagesbar" in the old town.
I meet him in his bar at the Hofgarten on a beautiful fall day. It's lunchtime and almost all the seats outside are taken. The grand seigneur appears in a dark red corduroy suit with a white shirt and has little time because the kitchen is calling. Yes, even there the soon-to-be 80-year-old is still involved, because cooking is still his passion. When asked about his favorite places in Munich, I get an astonishing answer: "My favorite places to go are churches like the Herz-Jesu-Kirche in Munich-Neuhausen. For jogging in the English Garden and for coffee at 'Ella' in the Lenbachhaus with its large terrace. If I ever eat out, it's at the Bayerischer Hof at Jan Hartwig's 'Atelier'. He also comes to me in the Schumann bars. Yes, and in the evening of course at Trader Vic's, because the quality there is just right year in, year out. Otherwise, of course, my bar here in Hofgarten, for me the most beautiful place in Munich." I can well understand that, especially as you can also have an excellent lunch here. The menu has a little bit of everything - from sauerkraut soup to roast beef with roast potatoes and curd cheese pancakes, which reveal him to be an avowed fan of Vienna. I opt for the pulpo with grilled vegetables and hope to meet the maître over an espresso. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen, because he is also a host with heart and soul, and that takes time - with all the friends who are still loyal to him. Schumann's is in and still ranks as No. 1 on the bar list in Munich.
Extra tip
■ For a quick introduction to the Bavarian metropolis, we recommend the "Munich for explorers" travel package, which can be booked for three days or more with two nights' accommodation. It also includes the "Munich City Pass" - a flexible all-inclusive ticket for free travel and free admission to 45 museums, attractions, castles and tours. The pass also offers all the benefits of the "München Card". This in turn includes a local transport ticket as well as discounts on many attractions, theaters and restaurants.
www.muenchen.travel
Munich is associated with countless clichés. But in addition to Weißwurst, Wiesn and chic chic, the city on the Isar offers a wealth of cultural, architectural and culinary feel-good factors.
Highlights
Connoisseur special tip:
BMW Style : M1 Café in the BMW Museum
The gastronomic hotspot in the BMW Museum at BMW Welt: white furniture, coffee machines and globe lamps from the 1970s provide ample showroom for the original dishes created by ROKUNDCO's creative team. The adjoining terrace and lounge also offer a spectacular view of BMW Welt.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., closed on Mondays
M1 Café in the BMW Museum
Am Olympiapark 2, 80809 Munich
www.bmw-museum.com
DIPLOMATISCHE VERTRETUNGEN
in Austria
German Embassy
Strohgasse 14c, 1030 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 711540
Fax: +43 1 7153450
www.wien.diplo.de
in Switzerland
German Embassy
Willadingweg 83, 3006 Berne
Phone: +41 31 3594111
Fax: +41 31 3594444
www.bern.diplo.de
Lage
Deutschland
Fläche
357.376 km2 (München: 310,4 km²)
Bevölkerung
80,62 Millionen (München: 1,388 Millionen)
Sprache
Deutsch
Hauptstadt
Berlin
Religion
Primarily Catholic
Weather
Die Stadt München liegt im Übergangsbereich zwischen dem feuchten atlantischen und dem trockenen Kontinentalklima. Weitere wesentliche wetterbestimmende Faktoren sind die Alpen als mitteleuropäische und die Donau als regionale Wetterscheide. Aufgrund dieser Konstellation ist das Wetter relativ wechselhaft. Der Föhn bringt das ganze Jahr hindurch aus südlicher Richtung unregelmäßig warme, trockene Luftströmungen nach München.
Beste Reisezeit
Mai bis Oktober
Klima
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperaturen | 0 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 3 |
| Min. Temperaturen | -5 | -3 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 0 | -3 |
| Sonnenstunden | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Regentage | 5 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
Zeitverschiebung
MEZ
Währung
Euro
Visa
Einreise- und Aufenthaltsbedingungen
Bürger aller EU-Mitgliedsstaaten benötigen für die Einreise und den Aufenthalt kein Visum. Die Einreise kann auch mit einem Personalausweis erfolgen.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required for entry into Germany.
Information without guarantee.
Eat & Drink
■ At "Mural", the two chefs have just received their first Michelin star and, immediately afterwards, the Young Chefs Award. The restaurant is located in the MUCA.
■ "Fine dining" in an upscale feel-good atmosphere is offered by star chef Dominik Käppler in his "Showroom Restaurant".
■ The new head chef Christoph Kunz from "Alois" at Dallmayr has a heart for "young gourmets". In his newly adapted Michelin-starred restaurant, under-30s can enjoy a four-course menu with wine pairing for 85 euros.
■ Contemporary Bar
The new bar on Münchner Freiheit was originally a bank branch that has been given a really spacy makeover. Great: the 3D floor and the large arched windows!
The Fünf Höfe is one of the best lifestyle locations in Munich with more than 60 brand stores and a 1,200 m2 exhibition space of the Kunsthalle München.
www.fuenfhoefe.de
SOIS BLESSED
The chic concept store in the heart of the city center offers everything an insider's heart desires on 600 m2, from cafés to trendy designer fashion. Speaking of hearts: in collaboration with the "Hope School" in South Africa, the store also offers its own non-profit fashion line.
www.soisblessed.com
Interesting for dirndl and lederhosen lovers: the "TrachtNTour", where you can visit selected traditional costume stores in the city accompanied by a personal shopper and also learn a lot of background information;
www.trachtntour.com
See
The museum area in Türkenstrasse and Theresienstrasse is an absolute must-see. Three of Munich's most renowned art temples are lined up here like pearls on a necklace: Neue Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne and Museum Brandhorst, which displays contemporary works from Andy Warhol to Cy Twombly on three levels. On the way to Königsplatz, which is also within walking distance, the Museum im Lenbachhaus displays the largest collection of works by the "Blue Riders". In the city center, stroll across the Viktualienmarkt, past the market patisserie "Resi am Markt" in the direction of "MUCA" (Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art). It is the first museum of its kind in Germany and displays the finest street art by internationally acclaimed artists on around 2,000 m2 and several levels;
As the largest inner-city palace in Germany, the "Residenz" on Max-Joseph-Platz leads visitors through historical room ensembles of the Bavarian rulers. And it does so in different epochal styles, as the Residenz has been continually extended and rebuilt over its 600-year history. Last but not least, the Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg, where the finest porcelain has been produced since the mid-18th century, awaits you. Nymphenburg also includes the spacious palace complex of the Bavarian rulers with a listed park.
Hotels
