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Munich ideas for this December

Hello,
I’ll be in Munich for two days in mid December.
Just wanted to find out if anyone had an suggestions for hidden gems in the city.

I know the Christmas Markets will be an option, but anything else?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

Posted by
556 posts

Hello,
Hard to tell although I'm living all my life in Munich. What do you want to do?
When it comes to christmas markets I would suggest to visit the big one at Marianplatz but not to spend too much time there.
I like more the one on Weissenburger Platz or at the Chinesische Turm. Also I love to visit the Tollwood Festival at Theresienwiese - great food and drinks and you can buy things different from that always same christmas stuff.
I wish you a great time in Munich.
Mignon

Posted by
1216 posts

Viktualienmarkt - I like to imagine I live in Munich and am going to buy a tree! I like the stand that sells Nürnberger Bratwurst. In fact, I head there first, especially in winter.

Dallmayr - great Christmas candy bars - special flavor for the holiday. Make great gifts as are not too big to pack and everyone I have gifted one has loved it.

I tend to not give the Marienplatz market much time as it is too big, crowded, and full of convivial drinkers for me. But, I always visit the smaller market within the Rathaus courtyard as there are local artisans there - well there were prior to Covid.

Hugendubel, the bookstore overlooking Marienplatz - go to the second floor and pull up a chair to the large window for a picture-perfect view of the Platz and its tree.

Check to see if you are there for a Krampuslauf - check the dates. I was there a few years ago as the Krampus (not sure of plural) went through Marienplatz.

The Crèche Museum - not everyone's cup of tea, but I am glad I saw it.

Der Alter Peter church just off Marienplatz and next to the Viktualienmarkt. I ducked in there Saturday night to avoid the Christmas Market crowds and entered a "Night Fever" event - church was packed - lit only by candle light and a small band of singers and guitar players performed. Magical and very different from what was going on outside.

The medieval Christmas market. I enjoyed the Feuerzangenbowle. Also, there were small performances given throughout the day - music, jugglers, etc. Lots of laughing kids during the day.

The Alte Pinakothek - I like to take a look at Albrecht Duerer in his self-portrait.

Get a nice map and walk. That sounds vague, but I enjoyed walking from Isar Tor where my hotel was to the Creche museum to the Medieval Christmas market, to the Theatinerkirche, to the Alte Pinakothek back to Marienplatz - lots going on during Advent.

Shop - some interesting shops near Isar Tor and Marienplatz. If you have dollars to spend - Loden Frey.

It looks like we have a new forum member from Munich - welcome Mignon.

Northwest adventurer, I also had a day or so, but I have been to Munich many times and have found lots to interest me. Sorry for droning on. It is all good.

Posted by
4137 posts

If you have an interest in architecture , wander around in Schwabing and Bogenhausen . Both areas have a surfeit of Jugendstil ( Art Nouveau ) masterpieces .

Posted by
556 posts

Thanks for welcoming me :-)

Yes although I'm a big fan of the Munich Art Nouveau I did not think that others might like it as well. I'm even taking pictures of all that - especially the staircases. But when this topic is of any interest there is a book with all the addresses in Munich an lots of pictures - in German but ok. And the place to be if one is loving Art Nouveau is the Müller'sche Volksbad. It's a public bath located at the Isar river near Isartor and it is fun swimming there and enjoing the architecture. But one must know it is neither modern, nor fancy and it is not big at all but Art Nouveau at its best.

Posted by
556 posts

I was just thinking what do I like and it came to my mind that a corner of Munich not mentioned so far is the Wiener Platz. It is not too far from downtown and there is the U-Bahn station Max-Weber-Platz as well. It feels like a tiny little Viktualienmarkt surrounded by pretty houses :-)
When I'm having a day off during the week I love to take my breakfast at the Cafe Wiener Platz (sure you make reservation to get one of the tables at the window).
One of my favorite beergarden (ok maybe not in December) is located there as well - Hofbräukeller. But the Hofbräukeller restaurant is open all year long.
Also at Wiener Platz you still find a few houses called Herbergen. Before WW2 one could find a lot of them in Munich because these were the tiny lttle houses people with a very low income could buy. You still find a view at Wiener Platz and at a small street besides Wiener Platz called An der Kreppe.
Maybe also not in December but when it is warm people sitting arround the little market stalls at Wiener Platz and drinking their coffee, talk and laugh. It is easy to get in contact with them and it is not touristy.
From Wiener Platz I love to walk down the hill passing the Maximilianeum (Bavarian State Parliament), crossing the Isar River, walking along pretty buildings built in the so called Maximilianstyle (super modern when Maximilian II was the king of Bavaria long time ago). Only some more meters to go I do than window shopping at the expensive part of the Maximilianstraße - lots and lots of designer stores. All ends almost in front of the opera house and sometimes I have to pinch myself because I'm happy being able to live in Munich.
Have fun
Mignon