Climbing across the rooftops of Olympiapark
1.-Surfing in the Eisbach
Munich people know how to get rid of the monkey to tame the waves while they spend the long winter seasons away from the beaches. For this they used the Eisbach (an artificial canal made in the English Garden) to, taking advantage of the strong current of the Isar river, create an artificial rapid with ridge and foam. There they not only keep their boards waxed, but also prepare for the summer campaign by improving their technique and balance (as you can see in this video). Yes, it may sound crazy when compared to the monsters that crown in the open sea, but it is clear that it is the closest thing to the indomitable ocean in 500 kilometers.
2.-Biërgarten in the Virtualenkmarkt or in the Chinese Tower
The biggest hobby of the Bavarians consists of slip into their Lendehosen (leather pants originating in Tyrol), in their traditional vests and shirts and go to beer gardens (Biërgarten) to drink beer . The Bavarians are not far behind, they put on the Dirndl (that colorful dress that exaggeratedly enhances the breasts) and join this bicentennial tradition. With this appearance they do not intend to attract attention or make it clear to everyone that they are going to drink without limit that day. what they do is comply with a deeply rooted tradition and blend in with the aesthetics of these places , which are required to retain their original appearance.
The best-known Biërgarten in Munich are the one located in the heart of the city, in the old Viktualienmarkt market, where after making the purchase, the inhabitants take a break sitting on their wooden benches. The other busiest is the one located in the English Garden, in the shadow of some disconcerting and decontextualized Chinese tower . There they not only drink the pitcher like there is no tomorrow, but also eat typical food from the region (with sausages, duck and roast suckling pig as main dishes), gobble down that giant salty cracker called a Bretzel and talk until it goes out the day.
Surfing in Munich? Mission accomplished
3.-Try The Duke gin
The trending-gin of the night in Munich It is the creation of two students who wanted to bring a different and genuine gin to the market. thus was born The Duke e, from a trip around Europe studying how the best liquors are distilled and from many home experiments . Daniel Schönecker and Maximilian Schauerte bottled their creations in apothecary bottles, they chose a noble name in homage to the founder of this city, they gave it the 'made in Bavaria' seal and now they are taking the market by storm. The trick? Outside the mouth-ear (in this case gullet-gullet) an incomparable homemade touch and the guarantee of being a pure gin of organic ingredients . To look for it, you don't have to go around much, just look on the shelves of any Munich bar, where it presides over the shelf dedicated to the best gins. Be careful, they are already beginning to conquer the Spanish market, the largest consumer of this drink in the old continent.
4.-Carillon of the new town hall in Marienplatz
Now that 3D reigns in cinema, some puppets may not amaze many. But go at noon to see the show performed by the figures of the fifth largest carillon in Europe It is worth it, not only to comply with one of the obligatory rituals of the visit, but also to be amazed at the watchmaking engineering that put together this show. While the bells ring, the dolls move, simulating a regional dance (they are dressed for the occasion) or a cavalry whip fight in the purest medieval style. don't be surprised if you have been gawking at each other for 20 minutes the tall tower of the New Town Hall: its music and old-fashioned animation have enthralled a few generations.
5.-Rock from the top
The largest museum in Europe dedicated to Rock and Roll is, in all probability, the most vertiginous experience that can be lived in this city . And not because of the number of objects, records, photographs and documentation that complete this exhibition, but because it is located 200 meters above the ground, in the Olympic Tower: a German-style lollipop whose highest point rises to 291 meters, built to cover the 1968 Olympics. In 2004 a popular music journalist and an extravagant tycoon decided that East city skyline icon should be used to house your personal collections . After going up an elevator at a speed of about 7 meters per second (refrain the most fearful), the visitor awaits a mythomaniac tribute to modern music made for all tastes, not just for fetish geeks. As one of his slogans reads, "By now, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bob Marley and many other friends who are now in heaven could throw a party with us!".
BMW showroom: leaving empty handed smelling of leather
6.-Duchamp in the subway The construction of the Konigsplatz underground station it was conceived to be the destination for those seeking the most important museums and art galleries in Munich. What was never projected was that a diaphanous and unusable space of said stop would become a further exhibition hall of the Lenbachhaus, a gallery focused on expressionist painters . Now that the museum is closed for renovations, only this area between platforms and escalators called Kunstbau remains, where a retrospective of Marcel Duchamp and his trip to the Bavarian capital , an episode that changed his life to the point of making him deny the concept of art established at the time and which is still valid today.
7.-Sit in dozens of BMWs This car company is one of the most mythical in all of Germany. Settled from its beginnings in Munich ( the B of its acronym refers to Bavaria ) the connection between city and factory was always very close. Now this link becomes palpable in the impressive ** BMW Welt , an impressive building ** designed by the Austrian studio Coop Himmelblau that keeps a huge showroom with dozens of car models . Yes, it's a store. but what a store!! Even if you don't leave with the intention of buying a vehicle, just sitting in the models, smelling the leather of the seats or strolling among design and abstract art is an adventure . A novel concept that also houses a restaurant and several exhibition and convention rooms that are rented out for companies. There are no excuses not to go shopping, even if you go home empty handed.
8.-Walking on the roof of the Olympiastadion
When the Olympic Stadium was opened for the 1968 Games, its shape already surprised everyone. It was not built but dug between the hills of an artificial park . This marriage with nature is still experienced today with an incredible adventure tour around this pharaonic construction. Two hours in which the most daring can zip-line across the field from one side to the other or climb the covers of the stands. a different way of play sports taking advantage of architecture.
General view of the Munich Olympic Park
9.-A lot of fashion... only for men
** Hirmer ** They're a department store sucker , as they appear in most of the photos taken of the city's cathedral. But this classic and traditional building is not just another business in the middle of Neuhauser Strasse (the commercial artery par excellence) but also It is the largest menswear store in the world. . Based on its own brand and foreign firms, it has earned a well-deserved niche in the German wardrobe. Little or nothing has affected her discrimination towards women's fashion , it is seen that in Munich men go shopping without needing the advice of the opposite sex.
10.-Visit the Paulaner factory
The most international and renowned beer in Munich opens its factory to anyone who wants to. With a stimulating ** hour and a half tour through its entrails **, they show the visitor how this drink has gone from being distilled by hand by the friars in the peace of their convent to become part of a large chain production. Curious visit for lovers of this brand that are seen rewarded at the end with a small tasting of the different modalities that they commercialize , including some special editions that are harder to find in stores.
11.-Sing a goal from the top
The Allianz Arena has become the greatest football icon in Europe . Its exterior appearance (designed by Herzog and de Meuron), whose color varies depending on the team playing at home, has made it recognizable throughout the world. But what most do not know is that its peculiar shape makes it have enviable acoustics designed exclusively for football , since the local government only allows it to be used for this sport. Go up to the top of the stands, admire the inclination of its stands and celebrate a goal with a completely empty stadium They are plenty of arguments to convince the least football fans. For lovers of the king sport, the visit is full of anecdotes and culminates with an experience that gives goosebumps: wait in the locker room tunnel while the crocodile's mouth slowly opens and the field gradually reveals itself to the astonished gaze . And to complete so much emotion, in the background the thunderous and epic anthem of the Champions League. A way to feel like a Bayern Munich footballer for an endless moment.
Exterior of the Allianz Arena