Good Times At The Hofbrauhaus
Traveling back from Sicily, Italy to New York we chose to do a 24-hour layover in Munich, Germany. We’d always wanted to go to Germany but had never been so we figured this might be a sweet taste of the culture. I have to say it was so much more than that. Our 24 hours seems like a few days with the amount of German food we ate and sites we saw.
↑ Marienplatz Town Square
We flew from the Sicilian airport in Catania, which had an almost third world feel, to Munich which was the picture of modern German quality and thoughtfulness. This airport has its own visitor’s center, brewery; shower facilities, sleeping rooms, a spa with a fitness center and a pool & sauna, and playgrounds that are so well designed that they look like art!
We decided to take the subway from the airport to Marienplatz, Munich’s central square since 1158. It was a peaceful, pleasant and quiet 40-minute ride to town… yes, I’m talking about a subway ride! I have been known to actually cry from the sheer intensity of New York City subways, where people are pushing against you, dripping rainwater on you, panhandling, all in a very cut-off “who gives a shit” kind of energy. The Munich airport and subway ride alone won my heart to this country.
When we emerged from the subway the view of the Marienplatz square was absolutely awe-inspiring!
STAY
↑ Platzl Hotel, Munich
When booking our hotel I was looking for something right in the heart of the old town and Platzl Hotel did not disappoint. With old-fashioned Bavarian charm, everyone there was super friendly and helpful and our room was perfection, modern, clean and very well appointed with top of the line fixtures like only the Germans know how to do. The hotel had a great buffet breakfast (not included), and a few restaurants both on and off site but very nearby. We would definitely stay here again.
EAT
↑ The Bavarian Pretzel
The very first thing we did when we stepped onto the square was to wander over to an open-air pretzel shop. This pretzel was bigger than both of our heads! Before our 24-hour layover ended, we had consumed at least 4 of these and had one stuffed in our carryon bag for the flight home.
↑ Hofbrauhaus
We heard that no trip to Munich is complete without visiting the Hofbräuhaus. The most famous beer hall in the world and largest in Munich, it can hold up to 5,000 revelers. We were there early so it was not quite so busy, and then came back again near closing time when it was much more lively, with music playing and the crowd roaring. The beers were perfect and huge, and the sausages reminded us that we were actually IN Germany.
↑ Ratskeller, Munich
After a bit of touring around we wanted to make sure we had at least one more good meal before leaving in the morning. We heard great things about this famous restaurant below the town hall. We loved everything about this place, the building and rustic interior decor, the location in the heart of Munich, and most importantly, the fabulous food!
PLAY
↑ A Bike Rickshaw Tour
Our son convinced us to take a pedal bike rickshaw tour from the town square and it was the best thing we could have done! Our tour guide was exceptional and we learned more history in a couple of hours than we could have done alone in months! Our guide loved that we asked questions and with each question, he’d show us a new site and tell a new and fascinating story. Definitely, do this.
Early Bedtime
Having just come from Sicily where people (including children) were out on the streets until well after midnight, we were shocked when we tried to squeeze in one last German meal at 9pm and found most every restaurant closed! Some bars were open but the late-night (after 9:) crowds were entirely different from the before 9pm crowds. It was like some main, and very precise, clock had gone off and put everyone to bed. We walked for an hour before we went back to our hotel room and ate a leftover pretzel from earlier in the day! Here’s one tip you might really want to know in advance.
Morning came and we took an Uber to the airport, which arrived at the very moment our hotel clerk asked them to be there. The ride in the Mercedes van lulled us to sleep until we had to say goodbye. Next time we will definitely stay much longer.