Munich

Before visiting, I knew very little about modern Germany. Naturally, I imagined giant pretzels and cuckoo clocks. I thought of people wearing “suspenders” and carrying huge mugs of beer. In reality, Germany is much more than that and each city provides its own unique experience. But, if you’re looking for that… Munich is the place to find it. 

Something You Can’t Miss

Hofbrauhaus

If you’re a tourist visiting Munich, this is exactly what you’re imagining. Giant mugs filled with beer and sausages on every table. Now, this place is filled with tourists but I still think it’s a must visit if you’re in Munich. The vibes here are great and on my first visit I spent 3+ hours hanging out and enjoying the atmosphere of this place. It’s also massive and if you’re lucky enough to get seated in the main room there’s live Bavarian music playing daily. 

On the other hand, the popularity of this establishment can bring unique experiences as well. As I was sitting in that main room, I noticed a large crowd forming near the entrance. This place is very popular so it didn’t seem unusual that people were watching something. A few minutes later, I see a man pop out of the crowd and walk right up to my table… It was Phil Keoghan and they were shooting Amazing Race! In between shots we got to chat with Phil about the show and see some of the contestants running in and out. Getting to see the behind the scenes of this show was a positive surprise that the popularity of this establishment gave us. 

Something Different

Bayern Munich

When visiting Munich in the summer, unfortunately, this is the off-season for soccer. For someone from the U.S. the soccer culture in Europe is pretty foreign to me. So in order to get as close as possible to feeling this energy, I decided to take a tour of Allianz Arena. From the moment you pull up to the stadium, you can see what makes this place so unique. The inflated plastic on the outside makes it look like you’re entering a giant cloud. As you get closer you can’t help but feel the energy of 75,000 fans roaring in the stands.

Taking the tour allowed me to see certain aspects of the stadium that even most fans haven’t seen. First, the players locker room is a sneak peak into what it’s like to be a part of the team. They’ll also let you pretend you’re coming down that tunnel with thousands of fans screaming your name. The most breathtaking part is when you get to step out onto the field to truly see the size of the stadium from the ground up. Even if you’re not interested in soccer or sports in general, this tour is a 10/10 on modern architecture alone. If you’re looking for a more unique experience, this tour is something you won’t regret. Obviously, if you can make it to an actual match…definitely go!