A Babylonian confusion of languages and an international ambience: just what you’d expect at a congress in Munich, and no different from any other city. But wouldn't it be nice to meet some real Munich people? We've listed seven typical and surprising places where you're guaranteed to meet the locals.
Alte Utting is a place with many faces. What used to be a steamer on Lake Ammersee can now be rented for events during the day, while in the evening it turns into an in location for Munich’s subculture. Time and again, the boat's light-hung deck is the scene of dance lessons, raves and concerts. Want to switch off to good music after a strenuous day at a congress? You should definitely take a trip to Alte Utting.
Alte Utting, Lagerhausstraße 15
With the Alps on the doorstep, there are lots of people who go bouldering and climbing in the Bavarian capital. So, to meet real locals, you don't have to leave the city as sports enthusiasts meet in the various bouldering halls after or even before work. If you’ve still got some energy left after a MICE day’s program, Boulderwelt München-West or Heavens Gate are great places for a mental and physical work-out with Munich locals.
Boulderwelt München-West, Bertha-Kipfmüller-Straße 19
Heavens Gate, Speicherstraße 21
Of course, Viktualienmarkt is a popular destination and on many tourists’ agenda. But even if you’re in Munich for job reasons, it’s still well worth stopping off here. That’s because Viktualienmarkt is visited by both tourists and locals who live in the surrounding area and buy their groceries there. They can usually be spotted, baskets in hand, as they march purposefully from sausage counter to fish stall, while tourists just tend to drift around. Viktualienmarkt has everything a gourmet's heart could desire – from beer gardens to fruit stands and regional specialties. Here, an after-work beer will taste just as good as a tasting session an aperitif stall.
Fancy a few lengths in an art nouveau swimming pool built in 1901? You can practice your crawl and breaststroke particularly well between murals and lovely carvings. Here in the middle of Munich, you can not only swim your lengths, but also relax in saunas and warm water pools. The locals come here after a long day for the unique bathing atmosphere.
Müller’sches Volksbad, Rosenheimer Straße 1
Everyone knows the English Garden. But most people who visit Munich for a congress only see the section around the Eisbach Wave or the University. Yet the English Garden covers an area of 375 hectares – and especially at the northern end, the real locals can be found picnicking, jogging or cycling among tall ferns. The Libellenteich and Entenfallweiher, two small natural lakes, are especially worth seeing. And wonderful places to start chatting to relaxed locals.
Tip: The northern section of the English Garden can be easily accessed via Grasmeierstraße.
Anyone visiting Sugar Mountain can quickly forget that the brightly painted skate ramps are in Munich and not a trendy park in California. The site was conceived as an interface between culture, society and sport. In the 7,500 m2 outdoor area, colorful skateboard ramps are located next to basketball courts, comfortable sun chairs and food trucks. At weekends, Munich residents meet here for a drink or a game of basketball. So, if you feel like rounding off your event in a hip urban atmosphere, you should definitely stop by on a sunny day.
Sugar Mountain, Helfenriederstraße 12
Beer gardens are a dime a dozen in Munich – that’s true. But it's not a cliché to say that real Munich residents will stop off at one for a Helles at the weekend or after work. The smaller beer gardens that are hidden away from the crowds are ideal for an authentic after-work beer – for example, Schwabing's Osterwaldgarten with its idyllic setting under many old trees right next to the English Garden. Sitting down next to some of the locals at one of the long beer garden tables will be no problem at all if you politely ask in advance.
Good to know: You’re allowed to bring your own food to Bavarian beer gardens. So, if you sit in the self-service area and buy your drinks in the beer garden, you can bring your own snacks.
Schwabinger Osterwaldgarten, Keferstraße 12
