When Adele announced that she would be playing a series of concerts in Munich (her only European dates this year) I decided to combine the experience with a city break in the Bavarian City. Whilst Munich is home to the annual Oktoberfest, there is more to discover in this appealing city than beer and bratwurst.
All the main sights are in a walkable distance from each other, if you need to discover some of the attractions on the outskirts of the city, there is a comprehensive underground system with inexpensive tickets.
You will probably arrive via Munich airport, which is very large by British standards, arriving was not too bad but as the airport is so large allow yourself plenty of time on the return journey as you will find that the distance between checking in and security to actually boarding the plane can take up to an hour.
The top attractions
Marienplatz is at the heart of the city, this main square is the starting point for every tour of Munich. In the centre stands the Mother of God statue standing guard on top of Mary’s column. Standing proudly on the square is Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) where every day at 11am and noon plus at 5pm in the summer a world famous carillon comes into action where a Bavarian knight de-horses his rival.
If you have the energy to climb up the 300 steps of St Peter’s Church which is just off the main square you will be rewarded with some of the best views of Munich, all for the cost of 6 euros.
The Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady) is in the heart of the old town and it one of Munich’s best known landmarks as its twin towers with their domes are visible from miles away.
For a bite to eat and perhaps a drink too the nearby Viktualienmarkt has developed into one of Munich’s most popular foodie hot spots. With over 100 stalls the market offers just about everything you could want from bread, fruit and vegetables- complete with a beer garden in the middle of the market.
Green spaces
The city has many parks and gardens with the biggest being the English Garden, one of the world’s biggest urban gardens. Be sure to see the surfers at the Einbsch river which runs through the park, also if taking children be aware that nude bathing for men – even those in their seventies seems commonplace in certain areas of the park!
Something to drink
The Hofbrauhaus could possibly be the world’s most famous beer hall. Beer has been brewed here since 1607 and in 1828 was officially designated as a public beer hall. Yes, it is very touristy though besides the tourist’s locals visit here. There is generally a traditional German band playing. For half a litre of Hofbrau original beer the cost is €5.40, for a litre €10.80. Naturally there is a souvenir shop which sells everything from fridge magnets to tea towels and of course, beer tankards.
Something to eat?
With being on a music based weekend it only seemed fair to visit the Hard Rock Cafe which is directly opposite the Hofbrauhaus. If you have visited the Hard Rock Cafe in Newcastle, you will find that the Munich one is a lot bigger. Fittingly German rock band The Scorpions were playing over the PA system as I entered the restaurant.
The service was friendly, quick and the atmosphere buzzing. As a starter the Little Legends (€18.95) – three small burgers were perfect for sharing, my Cowboy Ribeye steak (€39.95) was juicy and cooked to perfection, it might seem pricey compared to British prices – eating out in Germany tends to be more expensive. Finishing off with the Homemade Apple Cobbler (€10.95) rounded off a good experience.
The restaurant has some interesting rock memorabilia including one of Freddie Mercury’s stage outfits and an embroidered jacket given to Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones.
Somewhere to stay
The Motel One hotel chain is one of the most successful in Germany – and overseas too, if you have ever stayed at the one in Newcastle you will be aware of the good value they offer along with good, clean and functional rooms. The Sendlinger Tor hotel is as its name suggests near one of the original gateways into Munich. The hotel is within a short five minute walk to all the central attractions of the city.
Rooms, by UK standards seemed to be small with not having much storage space, though I got the impression that they are designed for guests who would be staying only for a few nights.
The buffet breakfast was a copious one with plenty of cold meats, cheese, boiled eggs, breads, pastries – and a small salad selection, Germans often eat salad along with a boiled egg for breakfast.
Adele says hello from Munich
The first time I saw Adele was in front of an audience of less than a hundred in Manchester, her debut had yet to be released, no one in their wildest imagination could have envisaged how popular she was to become.
In Munich I was sat in an audience that numbered 80,000. Fans on the British singer had travelled from across the world to see her only European concerts this year which are staged every weekend until the end of August in a purpose built outdoor area on the outskirts of the city.
Over a two hour show Adele took the audience throng the length of her career to date, starting with the aptly titled Hello. She talked in between songs in a friendly manner, quite a contrast to the nervous teenager who I first saw in Manchester sixteen years ago.
Outside of the arena fans can visit Adele World – a space that includes an English pub (named after the London one Adele used to perform in, a wine bar and of course a German beer garden.
For a weekend break with plenty to see, good standards of food and accommodation perhaps it is time for you to say Hello to Munich?
