A street in the Englischer Garten during sunrise

Early morning in Munich

Seven tips for early birds

When everyone is still in bed, Munich develops its very own flair. Early risers then have the English Garden almost to themselves and enjoy the atmosphere of the awakening city. We have seven more tips for those who get out of bed early in the morning.

1. coffee for all at the Viktualienmarkt

An unprepossessing little house in district IV, at the edge of the Viktualienmarkt (food market). People who are not aware of it will probably unwittingly pass it by – and miss outon an institution. “Karnoll’s Back- und Kaffeestandl” (bakery and coffee stand) has been here since 1974. A meeting point for all who are already on their feet in the early morning or are still up from the night before andurgently need a dose of caffeine. Tamara Karnoll pours out the first coffee of the day at 5.30 a.m. Her customer base is colourful. Irrespective of whether they are workers in boiler suits, fine gentlemen in suits or students on their way home – Karnoll’s coffee is available to everyone.

2. Early lanes at Dantebad

People who like to stroll past the Dantebad in Gern on nice summer days, can sometimes hear the noise of the bathers a whole block away. If, however, you walk past it in the morning, you must listen very carefully to hear the quiet splashing of the waves. The Dantebad opens earlier than most other baths, already between 7 and 7.30 a.m. and is extremely popular with residents. Some jump in to do a couple of lengths of crawl to really waken themselves up before they go to work. The warm outdoor pool is heated and open the whole year: So there are no excuses – not even for wimps.

www.swm.de/english

 

3. A hearty start at the Großmartkhalle

As the old saying goes breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine like a pauper. In other words, if you need a lot of energy for the day, you should ingest a correspondingly hearty morning meal. The best place to do this is the Großmarkthalle restaurant (Kochelseestrasse 13). This is a down-to-earth pub which is a fixed element in the morning hustle and bustle on the Großmarkt (big market). The menu, however, is of course much more important: The white sausages are regarded by many Munich citizens as the best in the city. Add to that one or two wheat beers and pretzels and the Munich power breakfast is complete.

4. Ascent with the sun on the Olympic mountain

A bright morning would not be anything without a bright sunrise. The problem: to have a restricted view of a great spectacle, you have to go up into the mountains, however most viewpoints over the city are still closed that early in the morning. One however is always open: the Olympiaberg. If you are thinking of going climbing before sunrise, you will meet at most one or two photographers who, with their tripods and cameras, are waiting for the first light of day. The best vantage point is not right at the top, but slightly below on the meadow. A small tip: there is also space here for a rug and a picnic basket with rolls, jam and coffee from your thermos flask.

A small town in the north of Munich with its own charm, three hills and an underrated rococo masterpiece: Freising Cathedral.

5. Morning mass in Freising Cathedral

On some mornings there is one thing we all want above all else: inner contemplation. If you are not afraid of longer journeys, you are best to set off for Freising.This is a little town in the north of Munich with its own peculiar charm, three hills and an underrated rococo masterpiece: Freising Cathedral. On Sundays, its bells ring at 7 a.m. calling people to early mass, on all otherdays, the bells ring a quarter of an hour earlier. If you sit at the back in the nave, the size of the room, the white pillars and the gilded stucco, the large frescoes and the glass windows sparkling with gleaming sunlight can work their magic on you even more effectively. If, after this, you still fancy going for a little walk, you are best to climb up to the viewing platform to the south of the Domberg (cathedral hill). There from the Rosengarten (rose garden) you can enjoy the sunrise in peace. On fair days, you can see as far as Munich and the mountain range of the Alps.

If, after this, you still fancy going for a little walk, you are best to climb up to the viewing platform to the south of the Domberg (cathedral hill). There from the Rosengarten (rose garden) you can enjoy the sunrise in peace. On fair days, you can see as far as Munich and the mountain range of the Alps.

 

6. Deluxe breakfast at Bayerischer Hof

Many cafés in Munich do not open until just before 10 or 11 a.m. The roof garden of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof is already open at 6 a.m. The hotel is not really cheap, after all, it is the number one spot on the square but from time to time at the end of the day, there is nothing wrong with treating yourself. And the panorama more than makes up for any hit your wallet might take. The view from the roof terrace over the Altstadt (city centre) is incredible, particularly in the morning, when the sunlight is still not too bright and the Frauenkirche (cathedral) is bathed in warm gold sunshine. Your omelette and croissants will immediately taste even better.

While the water flows nearby, thoughts drift with every step.

7. Fit for the day at Isar

The most beautiful place to go jogging in Munich is quite obviously the River Isar: anyone who has ever tried on a Sunday afternoon to pick up the pace there and instead decided to train their skills in a slalom skiing race knows that this is no insider tip. However it is totally different early in the morning: it is very quiet then. While the water flows alongside you, with every step your thoughts just drift away. To relax and supplement your fitness regime, taking a detour to the Keep Fit Centre is an absolute must.

The “Isarauen Fitness Course” to the rear of Freibadbächl and Entenweiher, approximately half-way between the Braunau Eisenbahnbrücke (bridge) and the Brudermühlbrücke (bridge) is somewhat hidden way. For those who like to take exercise early in the morning but who do not like going outside, attending a course of fitness or yoga classes is ideal. This can be done, for example, during the week at 6.45 a.m. in the Jivamukti Studio (Buttermelcherstrasse 11) so you can start your day in a relaxed, but fitness-conscious way.

www.jivamukti.de

 

Fotos: Frank Stolle (2), Dominik Morbitzer (2), Stadt Freising / Lehmann
Flowers in the Werneckstraße in the district Schwabing in Munich.

Love letter to Munich spring

Topless

As soon as the first spring-like temperatures arrive in Munich, the city's restaurants and cafés begin the big chair shuffle.

As soon as the first spring-like temperatures arrive in Munich, the city's restaurants and cafés begin the big chair shuffle. A convergence on a gastronomic social phenomenon.

Two hiker are on a mountain ridge near Munich.

For latecomer lovers of the mountains

After-work hiking

Getting out into nature quickly: no problem in Munich, even in the afternoon. Five hiking tours for late risers and after-work athletes.

Getting out into nature quickly: no problem in Munich, even in the afternoon. Five hiking tours for late risers and after-work athletes.

Stephanie Zürn standing in the door of her store Capricorn Store in Munich.

Second-hand shops in Munich

Big names second-hand

Second-hand designer fashion is not only easy on the wallet but also on the environment. We have the best addresses in Munich for shopping.

Second-hand designer fashion is not only easy on the wallet but also on the environment. We have the best addresses in Munich for shopping.

An exhibit in a museum in Munich.

Five artworks of the artist presented

Best of Ingo Maurer

The world-famous lamp designer Ingo Maurer was closely connected with Munich. Let us introduce his five most successful and stunningly beautiful lamps.

The world-famous lamp designer Ingo Maurer was closely connected with Munich. Let us introduce his five most successful and stunningly beautiful lamps.

The founder of Kuchentratsch Katharina Mayer with a cake in her hand in front of the bakery in Munich

Kuchentratsch

Cake like grandma's

Katharina Mayer wished for cake like grandmother's and founded Kuchentratsch. Today almost 60 senior citizens bake in the Munich bakery.

Katharina Mayer wished for cake like grandmother's and founded Kuchentratsch. Today almost 60 senior citizens bake in the Munich bakery.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich

Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background

Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.