My first few days in Munich

Okay, so my countdown to Munich is almost over. I arrive next Thursday morning, and luckily my friends have been kind enough to plan a weekend of activities for me upon arrival.

However, as of Monday morning, all of said friends will be at work. As I haven't yet started working, I will have two weeks of free time - meaning that I have absolutely nothing to do during the day. Can anyone suggest any fun/interesting daytime activities that would help fill my time and get me acquainted with the city? My friends have suggested all the basic tourist attractions (Olympic Park, BMW Museum, Glockenspiel, etc. etc.) but am not sure which sights are worth seeing, or if there are any other things I should possibly do/be aware of in order to familiarize myself with the city.

I suppose if all else fails, I could always plant myself at a biergarten and drink the day away, but I'm sure my liver would appreciate it if I could find something else to do.

take a free walking tour of the city...just go down to Marienplatz @ 11am

Otherwise, I've got hundreds of ideas for shit to see in this town...but do the basics first.

Come and clean my flat!!!

Gezz What "Helpfull" Info... Clean it yourself!!!

Learn your area that you will be living in... just walk around with a map, and learn the little side streets and see the restaurants and stores in the area, explore at your own pace. Then do the rational stuff like - set up bank account, phone, internet, register, residency and work permits (unless your relocation firm is doing it all, then get them to do your drivers license too! )

Do you have an apartment already? You will have to make it a home, there are alot of cute shops to help accessorize an such.

There is enough stuff every night with TT, so you can come out an meet new people and see more of the city.

Rent or borrow a bike and go cycling. It's the best way to the see the city (and Englischer Gardens)

Travel beyond Munich: Neuschwanstein, Mittenwald, Passau, Regensburg, Salzburg would be my five top tips, all reachable by train with the Bayern Ticket, €17 for one person or €24 for up to 5.

Are you coming over to work or study and if so for how long?

Too a certain extent the amount of time you have here will decide the things you need to place high priorities on.

buy a bike and cruise around and get to know the city. lots of people make the mistake of taking the U-bahn everywhere and then don't realize how close everything really is.

excellent, excellent advice! seriously. there is nothing worse than lugging your groceries for blocks and blocks only to find out 3 months later that the grocery store or backery was just around the corner!

once again, great advice. once you start working you will have NO time to do these little shit things. i would even think about visiting some docs, especially a general practitioner and/or gyno. it may be when you really need them, these docs aren't taking new patients and you sit and suffer.

oops. sorry gills, overlooked your post.

Mikes Bike Tours do a really amazing day trip to Neuschwanstein castle.
It's more expensive than going by yourself but you'll get to hang out with a bunch of travellers so can meet some other people and the day includes a guided bike tour in Fussen which goes to swan lake for a swim and a hike up the beautiful gorge behind the castle.
I did it on Saturday and totally recommend it. Way better than just going on the cheap all the way there to see the castle alone. It's a really full active day and I ended up hanging out with some of cool travellers from the tour for the rest of the weekend.

Agreed, I've also done this tour and can highly recommend it. The tour guide is a smart switched on Saffer who also happens to be a professional magician, so from time to time he'll do some really cool magic tricks. Good day indeed.

@ Timmeh, Marshbot,gills, STB:
Thanks for the travel recommendations. I had actually heard some other good feedback on the Neuschwanstein bike tour, so I'll definitely add that to my list. Assuming, of course, that weather permits. I'm also planning a day trip to Salzburg.

I will also try to do some practical things, i.e. doc appointments, personal banking, etc.

I'm an art history buff, so does anybody have the scoop on the best/most worthwhile art museums? What to see - what to skip?

If you are into sculpture the Glyptothek has a world class collection of greek & roman sculpture. They also have some paintings by Paolozzi. The building is also interesting.

Acclimatize yourself by sunbathing beside the Isar in the English Garden. It's the quickect way to get the perfect tan and you might meet some interesting locals as well...

As far as I know quite a few museums are free on a Sunday. These include the Neue und Alte Pinakothek (new and old art Museums).

As far as I know the Haus der Kunst and the Glyphotek are also free on Sundays. Most shut around 4pm.

The Deutsches Museum is good for the better part of a day (at least) if the weather is not good and isn't open/free on a Sunday. Good to go in the week as it will be less busy than a Saturday.

if the weather is good then agree with the posts above - English Gardens, Nymphenburger Castle, Tegernsee, Chiemsee and so on.

Isn't the place on the Isar near the English Garden a FKK area?
Perhaps she should send/post a pic of herself first..

...and ya could go to the Alte Pinakothek - but then again, you could just do a tour right now online - here's the link:

http://www.insecula.com/us/musee/M0155.html



ps. but u'll miss the architecture that way ... (and i think that's the best bit too..)

I had definitely planned to check out the Neue und Alte Pinakothek. Has anybody visited the Lenbachhaus? I hear it has a great collection of work by Kandinsky.

@ Propellor Head, Darkknight
georgiagirl's Official Stance on Nude Sunbathing: this shall be left to the locals.

Nudism aside, are there any recommendations for the best (non-scandalous) people-watching spots? Cafes, bars, etc.? C'mon, admit it, you know this is a pasttime we've all indulged in...