There is always something to discover in Munich, whether you have four or 24 hours, a long weekend or a whole week. A few suggestions for football fanatics!
Munich and football simply go together. So it's no surprise that that you can visit two of the city's main locations in just a few hours. If you're a football fan but short on time, head straight to Fröttmaning and the Allianz Arena (football stadium). Here, guests can look forward to an exciting tour (lasting around 75 minutes) through the football temple, as well as the FC Bayern Museum.
During the guided Arena Tour, you will get to see the team's changing rooms and the players' tunnel, as well as a glimpse behind the scenes of this exceptional stadium. The Museum on the other hand, Germany's biggest club museum in the heart of the Allianz Arena, takes visitors on a football journey through time – from the founding of FC Bayern in 1900 to its latest success stories. With countless cups, the Hall of Fame and an exclusive cinematic film about the team.
If you have a full day to spare discovering football in Munich, following your tour of the Arena and FC Bayern Museum, you might want to explore the city centre: the FC Bayern champions' celebrations always take place on the balcony of the New Town Hall. Take the lift up to the tower of the Town Hall for a view very similar to the one that greets the players. And from up here, there are also wonderful views of the Olympiapark (Olympic site) and the Allianz Arena.
Close to the Marienplatz (main square), at Orlandostrasse 1, is one of the many FC Bayern shops where football fans can buy shirts, caps and other supporter items. If you find yourself with time on your hands in the area, you should of course pay a visit to the Hofbräuhaus (beer hall). If you have a taste for beer, book a tasting at the Bier- und Oktoberfestmuseum (Beer and Oktoberfest Museum). You can enjoy a few drinks afterwards in the Museumsstüberl bar.
Got another day here, or a weekend in Munich? In addition to the ideas above, there are some other key attractions on the gastro list. In the summer a trip to a Munich beer garden is a must. Certain beer gardens, such as the Augustiner-Keller, the Hirschgarten and the Biergarten am Muffatwerk also offer outdoor screenings for major games. If the weather's bad, head for one of the Bavarian pubs that relay football games – like the Giesinger Schänke, Kilians Irish Pub or Sappralott.
If you're planning to go out in Munich as part of a larger group, you'll probably wind up at the so-called "Feierbanane" between the Sendlinger Tor (gate) and the Sonnenstrasse. It's home to clubs such as the 089 Bar, Harry Klein and the Milchbar. The party always goes on a little bit longer at Sauna at the central station and Pimpernel in the Glockenbachviertel (district). From there, you can head straight to for a breakfast of veal sausage at the Gaststätte Grossmarkthalle (tavern) – the professional footballer Manuel Neuer swears by the veal sausage served here from 7.00 am every day except Sundays.
There's more sport on the agenda if you have another two days to spare: Munich is divided into the fan communities of FC Bayern and TSV 1860. If you want to see the city's "blue" side, head for Giesing, where between the Candidplatz (square) and the Silberhornstrasse you will find the Grünwalder Stadium (football stadium). If you want to learn more about the football team's history, you could book onto the local "Auf den Spuren der Löwen in Giesing" (In the footsteps of the lions in Giesing) walk.
For a truly immersive experience in the world of football in Giesing, get yourself a ticket for a match. Match days in this district are always a special occasion, with plenty to explore between the swathes of blue smoke and the odd Giesinger Helles (beer). Not far from the Grünwalder Stadium is also the FC Bayern training ground. With luck, you might see the players having a kick-about on Säbener Strasse.
An equally sporty spot in Munich that's a must-see for football fans is the Olympiapark (Olympic Park). The recently renovated Olympiabad (Olympic Pool) is perfect for a swim or a sauna, or you could have a go at ice skating at the Olympia-Eissportzentrum (Olympic Ice Sport Centre), and play football whatever the weather at the SoccArena. The 1972 Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium), with its impressive roof construction, is also one of the most popular spots for photographs.
The absolute highlight in the former home stadium of FC Bayern and TSV 1860 is certainly the roof climb. For the extra kick, this can also be combined with a wild ride on the Flying Fox. In the summer, you can hire a boat here and row across the Olympiasee (lake) or head to the top of the Olympiaturm (Olympic Tower) for fabulous views over the city.
Hardened FC Bayern fans of course spend the evening in the bars and restaurants where with luck they might meet their idols. These include H'ugo's, Heart and of course P1. You can enjoy dinner beforehand at Trader Vic's, the Burger & Lobster Bank or at Chang in Grünwald. If you want to double your chances the following morning, try breakfast at Cotidiano or at the Hungriges Herz.
Got a whole week in the city? Tag the following onto your agenda for the next three days: a perfect day in Munich kicks off with a tour of the Old Town which you can book directly with München Tourismus. Afterwards, you can enjoy a relaxed stroll through the Viktualienmarkt (food market). Here, you can taste your way through various delicacies, buy culinary souvenirs for everyone back home, and sit in Munich's only beer garden that isn't tied to a brewery – with a constantly changing choice of beers.
And if you have a yearning for culture after all this, walk over to the Kunstareal (art district) which is home to no fewer than 16 museums. You could visit the Pinakotheken (art galleries), the Museum Brandhorst, the Lenbachhaus (art gallery) or the NS-Dokumentationszentrum (Documentation Centre for the History of National Socialism), for example. On the way to the Maxvorstadt district, you will pass a commemorative plaque of importance to football fans: the place where FC Bayern was founded in the Kardinal-Döpfner-Strasse. Why not bring the evening to a close in the Stadion on the Schleißheimer Strasse – one of the best football bars in Germany.
But don't go to bed too late, because your penultimate day in Munich is best spent in the mountains. A classic Munich excursion is to the Tegernsee (lake). You'll be there in less than an hour with the train operator BOB, and the lake itself is perfect for a walk, some chill-out time whether in a beer garden or fine dining, and from tobogganing in the winter to a bathing in the summer. Plus it's home to a number of football stars – you might even be lucky enough to meet one of them at the baker's. Another great trip out with a sporty aspect is to Garmisch: The 1936 Winter Olympics were held here – and you can still marvel at the Olympic ski jump today.
What better way to spend your last day in Munich than with beer and BMW? First head to the BMW Welt and the BMW Museum – not only can you explore the history of the Bavarian car company here, you can also gaze in wonder at the latest car models, attend cultural events such as the BMW Welt Jazz Award and take in concerts, as well as enjoying a delicious meal in the two star EssZimmer restaurant. If you have an afternoon free, you could also take in a brewery tour. The Giesinger Bräu, Hofbräu, the Brauereigasthof Aying and the smaller Haderner Bräu all offer tours.
