Munich, from beer to water

Monaco here, Monaco there... In Munich, the Principality of Monaco is everywhere: Bellevue di Monaco (a cultural center with a pleasant café) and Monaco Café (with a view of the famous Marienplatz)... You might wonder if you're really in Bavaria! Yet there is no Mediterranean in sight, just lakes and Alpine peaks nearby where people go skiing as soon as the first snowflakes fall. As for the famous Rock, it is more than 760 kilometers away. So where does this Monegasque “madness” come from? From a simple linguistic curiosity. In Italian, Munich is translated as “Monaco di Baviera.” Lost in Translation? Wait, here comes Lost in Tradition! 

In the streets, Lederhosen and Dirndls rub shoulders with suits and ties and surfers' wetsuits. Summer and winter alike, you'll see them pedaling, a board under their arm, towards one of the three static waves on the Eisbach and Isar rivers. People surf in Munich, and not just a little. So much so that it's now taking on a political dimension. The most famous wave, Eisbachwelle, is making headlines. After the annual cleaning of the river at the end of 2025, the wave did not reform. Damn! Activists therefore placed a ramp underwater, which was immediately removed by the municipality. A storm is brewing in the surfing community. The wave, it is said, could weigh heavily in the upcoming municipal elections! 

Beer and water

But you don't need the wave to bathe in the cool (even icy) waters of the rivers. In summer, swimsuits are essential for dips in the water or sunbathing on the pebbles or lawn. There is another kind of bathing, however: cultural bathing. Head to the arts district (Kunstareal), where you will quickly be overwhelmed by the beauty of the works scattered throughout the three art galleries, the Brandhorst and the Lenbachhaus, to name but a few. Not to mention, near the Eisbachwelle, the Haus der Kunst, a cutting-edge art center that houses a renowned nightclub in its basement. 

Generous and indulgent, the cultural scene naturally includes traditional beer. Blonde and brown beers can be enjoyed in one of the six main breweries in the city center. Everything here seems to be made for giants: from 1-liter mugs to XXL rooms that can sometimes accommodate up to 1,000 people! Some breweries display their regulars' glasses, religiously kept under lock and key. The atmosphere here is not for a first romantic date: it's noisy (and that's putting it mildly), full of smells (hops, sausages, and body heat), and the floor is sticky. In other words, it's a “miniature” taste of Oktoberfest (September 19–October 4, 2026). . A word of advice: avoid ordering a “Monaco” (grenadine syrup, lemonade, beer, the local equivalent of a “Radler,” a beer mixed with lemonade). Monegasque love has its limits.

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Allez Hop off to bed, chez Peter Inselkammer

He comes from a dynasty of brewers and hoteliers dating back to 1877! That's how well Peter Inselkammer, owner of the Platzl Hotel, knows how to welcome guests. In his “inn,” he promotes Munich tradition with Heiko Buchta, the manager. Behind the reception desk...

Allez Hop off to table, chez Tobias & Markus Klaas & Daniel Bodamer

They've gone from guitar and drums to the piano in the kitchen—or almost. At home on a metal, reggae, and ska stage, twins Tobias and Markus Klaas now play their own concert on pots and pans. Brothers...

Allez Hop off to table, chez Dominik & Theo

This is a stand with a bang! And for good reason: it only sells and serves potatoes. A long-standing tradition. The famous Viktualienmarkt market requires each new owner to preserve the specialty...

Allez Hop, let's indulge, chez Julius Brantner 

A third-generation baker, Julius Brantner has the knack. This Black Forest native has become Munich's star baker of sourdough bread made with organic ingredients. His recipe? Give time time. The dough sometimes rests for up to 48 hours before being turned into black bread (some with fermented apples) or white bread. A must-try? The pretzel.

Kreuzstrasse 1, Altstadt

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Allez Hop, let's indulge, chez Hofbräuhaus-Kunstmühle

A mill in the city? Yes, and it's been running since 1570! At the time, it was dedicated to malt before grinding white flour. The fourth generation of the Blum family continues the tradition at Munich's only grain mill, which is listed as a historical monument. The Blums have opened a small bakery with delicious pastries. You can even buy flour there. 

Neuturmstrasse 3

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Allez Hop, let's raise a glass chez Haderner Bio-Brauerei

Marta is a wine lover. Thomas loves beer. He brewed at home for a long time before launching his own brand – and converting his wife to beer. This family brewery focuses on 100% organic products from the region. The different varieties can be tasted on site after a tour of the premises (English available, reservation required). 

Grosshaderner Strasse 56a

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Go There

One direct train (TGV/ICE) per day connects Paris to Munich, with journey times ranging from 5 hours 40 minutes to 5 hours 55 minutes depending on departure times.