Germany | Munich
Munich in the summertime? Let’s just say it’s crowded. We were there in August, so it is starting to get somewhat close to Octoberfest, but this was surprising to us. Coming straight from the calm and organized streets of Zurich, Munich felt a bit chaotic. The city center was packed with people, and unlike Paris or Zurich, the flow of traffic (both foot and vehicle) seemed overwhelming. It lacked the ease and peace we had grown used to in Zurich, making it a bit harder to settle in. But, with 80,000 people gathering each night for the Adele concerts, we weren’t exactly expecting quiet streets.
We weren’t alone in making the pilgrimage. Fans from all over the world descended on Munich for Adele’s 30 day residency, in which she performed 10 sold out shows in a custom made “pop up concert venue”. We met folks from Germany, the UK and fellow Americans who had, like us, come straight from Paris after the Olympics.
Valerie and Jeremy so excited to see Adele!
Our Munich Itinerary:
Day 1: We arrived in Munich by train from Zurich and spent the evening exploring the city before heading to the famous (but disappointing) Hofbräuhaus for dinner.
The Hofbräuhaus is a Munich icon, but it turned out to be more of a tourist trap than an authentic beer hall experience. With its Disneyland-like atmosphere, the food and beer were underwhelming. While not all beer houses in Munich are bad (there’s great Bavarian culture to be found elsewhere), this one didn’t live up to its fame.
The Hofbräuhaus in Munich
Day 2: We discovered the surprising surfing scene at the Englischer Garten, then hopped on a hop-on-hop-off (HOHO) bus tour to explore the city more thoroughly. Later, we visited the stunning Nymphenburg Palace.
Surfing in Munich you say?! A surprise discovery in the middle of the city—people actually surf in Munich! In the Englischer Garten, a man-made wave in the Eisbach River draws surfers from all over. Watching people ride the wave in the middle of a bustling city was such a fun, unexpected sight. Totally worth a visit and some time watching surfers of all levels!
Englischer Garten, a man-made wave in the Eisbach River
Nymphenburg Palace: Exploring the grandeur of Nymphenburg Palace was another highlight. It’s a sprawling baroque palace that lets you step back in time to Bavaria’s royal past. We also spent some time wandering through Old Town and soaking up Munich’s historic charm.
Day 3: More Munich exploration followed by the Adele concert, which was the highlight of the entire trip.
Without a doubt, the highlight of our Munich trip was Adele! The woman can sing! Her powerful voice, the vibrant crowd, and the atmosphere made it a night to remember. If you love Adele and have a chance to see her live, it is a MUST!
Adele Photo Collage
Adele in Munich, Germany
Day 4: We wrapped up our time in Munich and caught a flight out to London, ready for the next adventure.
Things We Learned in Munich:
Pro Tip - Go to Munich for your favorite concert at the Olympic Stadium and listen for free in some of the best seats in the house OUTSIDE the venue. Apparently, the natural acoustics from the surrounding hills outside the Olympic Stadium are so good that people often gather on these hills to listen to concerts for free. In fact, when Taylor Swift performed a few weeks before we arrived, there were 75,000 people inside the stadium and an estimated 40,000 outside on the hills listening in!
One interesting experience we hadn’t anticipated? The Germans love to talk American politics, and they aren’t Trump fans. We didn’t come to Munich for American politics, but it became a recurring topic of conversation. What we noted is that the world is watching, and they very much care about the outcome of the 2024 US Presidential Election.
Cheers (Prost!) to Munich and a taste of Bavarian culture! We look forward to exploring more of Germany and all it has to offer on the next adventure.
Now…Where To Next?
