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6 things about Munich that’ll stay with you forever

Leaving Munich can be a heart-wrenching experience. No German city rivals it for extremities of kitsch, good taste, beauty, and unabashed pride in its roots. Here are six things about the city that you can never quite shake off.

6 things about Munich that’ll stay with you forever
Photo: DPA
1. The incomprehensible but utterly delightful accents

'Oh dear, so now I've learned German I need to start learning another language too?' Photo: DPA

Whether you’ve moved away from Munich to another part of Germany, or you’ve left the country altogether you’re sure to miss the melodic song of a traditional Munich accent.

Yes, it was epically frustrating to realize that your weeks and months learning Hochdeutsch were of almost no use whatsoever in the city locals call Minga.

But then you realized the jokes were still funny even if you only understood the first two words of them, just for the ridiculous bouncy language they were expressed in.

It left us all wondering why Bayerisch can’t be the standard German. Ja mei, Minga, i mog di!

2. Pulling on your Lederhosen at a Volksfest

Lederhosen – the must have fashion item in Munich from 1516 – 2016. Photo: DPA

If you lived in north Germany before, you were probably used to (sometimes literally) riotous street parties, where if traditional clothing was on show at all it came from a country at least three solar systems removed from the Federal Republic.

So when you got off the train in Munich you were probably surprised to see that even Bavarian teenagers wear Lederhosen as a fashion item. 

Whether it is at on of the large city festivals (Starkbierfest, Frühlingsfest, Oktoberfest) or, better still, the amazing village fetes outside the city, people love to dress up in their Sunday best.

Standing on a table, slugging down a litre of Helles, arm-in-arm with a drunk farmer, while a band of mulleted old timers serenade you with Alpine love songs isn’t an experience you're likely to repeat too often in your life.

3. Jumping into the Isar River in the summer

Unless doing aquatic gymnastics with mafia victims is your thing, you probably avoided the temptation to dive into the river of whatever charming Anglophone city you last lived in.

Swimming in the Isar. Photo: DPA

So at first you were undoubtedly shocked to see the good people of Munich merrily jumping into the currents of the Isar River and coming with all their limbs still intact and not glowing green.

And when you built up the courage to make the leap yourself, and realised you could float down past the leafy, gorgeous English Garden – waving at the naked sunbathing locals on your way by – your eyes were opened to a whole new world.

4. Visiting world-famous museums for 1 Euro

But Munich isn’t just kitsch and quaint charm. There is probably no other city of its size in the world that offers such a feast of high culture.

It is home to four renowned orchestras and its theatres are arguably the best in the country.

The cupola in the Pinakothek der Moderne. Photo: DPA

Then there are the magnificent Pinakothek museums, all three of which have world-renowned collections.

In the Alte Pinakothek you were treated to one of the greatest collections of German Old Master paintings in the world, in the Neue Pinakothek you wandered through halls replete with works by Gauguin, Goya and Constable.

And in the beautiful Pinakothek der Moderne you probably marvelled as much at the scale of the architecture as the famous 20th-Century artwork.

And of course, for those in the know, it only cost a Euro on Sundays.

5. Day excursions into stunning Bavaria

Photo: DPA

If there is one thing that makes Munich stand head and shoulders above any other German city, it is not the city itself, but its surroundings.

After a short S-Bahn ride you can be on the crystal waters of Lake Starnberg, enjoying a beer in the Andechs Monastery, or cycling between the tiny villages which dot the forests in the valleys to the south of the city.

And then there are the Alps. Always glimmering majestically in the distance whether it be skiing or hill walking, they never fail to provide relief and regeneration when even this most uncomplicated of cities becomes a bit too much for you.

6. Weisswurst for breakfast

Weisswurst, with senf already inside! Photo: DPA

How did we get this far without once mentioning the delectable things Bavarians put in their belly, I hear you ask. Well fear not, we have saved the best for last, even if Bavarians prefer to stuff it into their faces as soon as they get up in the morning.

Yes, it meant cycling down to the butchers on an empty stomach at 7 in the morning. But when you had that fresh Weisswurst in your hand, and you knew you had Weissbier, sweet mustard and Bretzeln in the fridge, everything was alright with the world.

If you still wake up years later with the phantom taste of sweet Bavarian mustard in your mouth, comfort yourself with one thought. At least you didn’t live in a German city where they think Currywurst is high cuisine!

SEE ALSO: Moving from India to Munich changed my life

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CULTURE

8 easy and fun ways to learn more about Germany

One of the most difficult things about moving to a new country is immersing yourself in the culture and history. Here are eight effortless ways to deepen your knowledge of Germany.

8 easy and fun ways to learn more about Germany

Whether you’ve been in the country 10 days or 10 years, there are bound to be some parts of Germany you don’t know as well as others, or gaps in your knowledge about its history and culture. 

From the rich maritime history of northern cities like Hamburg to the vibrant folk traditions in the south, Germany is a diverse and fascinating country, and finding out more about it can be hugely rewarding.

Of course, not everyone has time to pore over endless history books or study the complete works of Goethe – and the good news is, you don’t have to.

Getting to know Germany better can be as easy as strolling through a new city, binge-watching German TV or visiting a fun museum with family and friends.

To get you started, here are eight easy ways to learn more about Germany’s history and culture.

Visit a folk festival 

Regardless of the season, there are endless folk festivals to enjoy all around Germany, and they’re far more than just opportunities to drink beer and eat sausages (although you can definitely do that too). 

From finding out about Riesling wine in the Mosel Valley to Spargel (asparagus) in Beelitz, folk festivals are a great way to dip your toes into regional customs, cuisine and culture and soak up the feelings of local pride. 

Whether it’s a large-scale event like Munich’s Oktoberfest or the Weimar Zwiebelmarkt, or a more intimate gathering like Lübeck Hansafest, most folk festivals are a great way to get a feel for specific regions in Germany. What’s more, you’ll often see local artists on the line-up and local craftspeople selling their wares, most of whom will be happy to chat with you about what they do. 

READ ALSO: 10 unmissable events taking place in Germany in 2024

Take a crash-course in German history

If talk of the Holy Roman Empire or Hanseatic League leaves you scratching your head, you may want to find a fun way to brush up your knowledge of German history.

For those who are short on time, there are few better options for doing so than the Deutschlandmuseum in Berlin. This new addition to the capital’s museum scene is located just a stone’s throw from Potsdamer Platz and the Mall of Berlin and promises to take visitors on a whirlwind tour through 2,000 years of German history.

Deutschlandmuseum Berlin

Visitors learn about the Ancient period deep in the midst of the forest at the Deutschlandmuseum in Berlin. Photo: David Weyand CC BY-ND 4.0

Starting in the ancient world and ending in the present day, the Deutschlandmuseum covers 12 major epochs, including the Reformation, Englightenment, Hilter’s Third Reich and the post-war division of Germany.

Along the way, you can test your knowledge with pop quizzes, but the sights and sounds of each fascinating era are what truly makes the experience memorable. 

The whole thing can be done in a single hour, though the atmospheric scenery and interactive exhibits that transport you back in time may inspire you to linger a little longer. 

Make a German music playlist

For a little hit of German culture on the go, why not make a playlist full of Germany’s top artists and listen to it while travelling or doing chores at home?

If you’re stuck for inspiration, music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube have some ready made playlists you can nick ideas from, or even just listen to in their entirety to discover your new favourite German artists. 

This extensive playlist on Spotify, made by user Loki, covers hundreds of tracks and organises German music into different genres, so whether you’re into electro-pop, techno or hip hop, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. 

READ ALSO: Why are people in German-speaking countries so obsessed with Schlager music?

Go on a walking tour 

It may sound like something only tourists do, but taking a walking tour either in your own city or elsewhere can open your eyes to new aspects of German culture and history you may not have known about before.

Prince Albert in Coburg, Bavaria

Tourists look at a statue of Prince Albert in Coburg, Bavaria, as part of a walking tour. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Pia Bayer

Though history tours are often the most popular, you can find endless options to suit your interests, from vineyard and local restaurant tours to vintage clothing stores, graffiti and street art.

Websites like GetYourGuide and Airbnb are good places to start looking for tours in your area, but if there’s something specific you’re interested in, you can always Google it and see what comes up. 

Join a weekly Stammtisch 

This one will depend a lot on where you live, but if you’re in a city, joining a regular Stammtisch can be a great way to meet new people, improve your German skills and generally get an insight into life in Germany.

If you’re not familiar with the term, a Stammtisch is an informal gathering, usually at a bar or restaurant, with a group of people who meet up on a regular basis. The name itself refers to the table people sit at, with ‘Stamm’ referring to the regular guests at the establishment. In other words, the Stammtisch is the regular table reserved for this group (traditionally at least!). 

READ ALSO: What you should know about Austria and Germany’s ‘Stammtisch’ tradition

There are many different types of Stammtisch, with some dealing with specific topics like politics or sport, and others simply acting as an opportunity to meet people. Whichever one you decide to go to, what easier way could there be to learn about German culture than gathering in a warm Kneipe and enjoying a cold beer? 

Binge-watch German cinema 

From cult classics like Metropolis and Good Bye Lenin to international breakthroughs like Toni Erdmann, Germany has produced some brilliant films over the years.

So whether your goal is to learn more about German history or simply enjoy some high-quality cinema, enjoying a movie night at home is a fun and effortless way to get to know Germany better. Most popular films have English subtitles or dubbing, so language should be no barrier. 

Good Bye Lenin props

Authentic GDR-era props are prepared on the set of the cult film Good Bye Lenin in Berlin Friedrichshain. Photo: picture alliance / Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa | Jens Kalaene

Of course, there are also plenty of film festivals that run around the country, most famously the Berlinale, which runs for around two weeks in February. Though Berlin’s film fest is a celebration of international cinema, there are always a few German films in the programme, so keep an eye out for those if you want extra brownie points. 

If you’re looking for something to binge watch, there are plenty of entertaining German TV shows you can find on streaming services like Netflix or on broadcasters ARD and ZDF.

It doesn’t have to be high-brow, either: you can learn plenty about German society and life by finding your new fave reality TV show, and we’ve got the ultimate list here:

The five weirdest and best reality TV shows for improving your German

Sample local food and drinks

This one’s fairly obvious, but going to a nice local restaurant while travelling in Germany, or a local farmers’ market or food festival, can teach you a lot about Germany.

Whether it’s sipping an Apfelwein while eating potatoes in green sauce in Frankfurt or tucking into a Störtebecker beer and Labskaus in Hamburg, there’s huge variety in Germany’s regional cuisine – and often a fascinating tale behind every dish. 

A sign for Spargel in Schleswig-Holstein

A sign for German white asparagus (Spargal) on an old farmers’ cart in Schleswig-Holstein. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Axel Heimken

Alternatively, finding out more about local dishes online and even trying your hand at preparing a few is a great hack for feeling well integrated.

READ ALSO: The foods you have to try while visiting Hamburg

Immerse yourself in German literature 

This is one for the bookworms (or Leseratten – reading rats – as the case may be): tucking into a German novel can teach you loads about the German way of life, the country’s complex history and the thoughts and ideas that have shaped Germany today. 

Admittedly, not all of the classics are light bedroom reading – The Tin Drum by Günther Grass is notoriously lengthy – but there are plenty of shorter novels that are a perfect jumping off point.

Thomas Mann’s novella, Death in Venice, is one of them, and The Reader by Bernhard Schlink is another, but you can always check out our top 10 recommendations for more inspiration:

10 German books you have to read before you die

Have you got any tips for an easy way to learn more about Germany’s culture, language and history? Get in touch and let us know. 

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