#GoWithGreg: 36 Hours in Stunning Munich

I had only a short 36 hours in Munich before I had to head to get on my river cruise with U River Cruises (more on that later!) so I wanted to really see the sites in a city I had never been. I booked a hotel central in the city, put my bag down, put my AirPods in, and I was off to explore! Munich is a very walkable city and extremely easy to navigate. Their public transit is also exceptional and clean - making travel even easier. From the airport, you can hop on one of many trains to the city center and be there in under a half-hour for about $12. 

My first stop because of timing is one of the most touristy attractions in the city - the Glockenspiel. This gorgeous clock in the square puts on a show at 11 AM, Noon, and at 5:00 PM in the summer. It lasts about 12 minutes and is a “must-do” in the city. 

PRO TIP: There is a great coffee shop named Wildmosers right across the square from the clock. Grab a coffee or beer and comfortably enjoy the show instead of standing in the middle of the square with everyone.

From here, I took a stroll to see some of the beautiful architecture:

PRO TIP: With your Airpods in, you can listen to music but also directions if you set your destination and choose “walking directions” on the map. This is a great way to navigate without a map (And without looking too much like a tourist!). Just be VERY careful of cyclists and bike lanes as well as the environment around you.

My walk took me to English Garden where a quite unique attraction lies. At the edge of the garden near PrinzregentenstraBe, there is a surfing area where locals come to show their surfing skills. It is a fun thing to watch for a few minutes and then you can take a stroll around the quite large park. 

From here, I toured around a bit more and decided I had earned a beer. My friend told me about this cafe named NiL which I headed to for a bite and a drink. The space was creative and lively and in the heart of an area with lots to do. Later in the evening, I headed to the famous Hofbrauhaus which is a fun way to experience a beer garden. Enjoy a beer and some traditional german food - and be ready for the show!

For my next day in Munich, I decided to go out of the city to visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. If you have not been to a concentration camp, I highly encourage you to go to one and take some time to reflect. Dachau is a fairly large town only a short distance from Munich so it is one of the easier to visit. You can take a car from the city or the train which takes about a half hour. From the train station, you can take a bus directly to the front of the memorial site - about a 15 minute ride. Allow at least an hour to explore the site which includes a museum area, churches, etc. You don’t need an audio guide as everything is in English on the signs and entrance is free. It is an experience everyone should have at least once.

If you are planning a trip to Munich or the area, reach out to me and let’s talk. I just helped clients do Munich and also the legendary Neuschwanstein Castle which is about 1.5 hours from the city. Regardless of what you do in the area, Munich should be on your travel bucket list!