Neighborhood Guide
These areas are some of the most vibrant, interesting and famous in the city, but there are many more places in which you might choose to live. Once you have enrolled, our counselors will help you choose the best place to settle to make the most of your time in Munich.
Altstadt
Altstadt translates as old city. What was a small medieval village has become Munich’s atmospheric heart. Aldstadt is where you will find all the main sights, including Marienplatz, the main square which hosts the annual Christmas market; the former royal palace; the world-famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall; and the iconic Frauenkirche. Home also to the city’s best restaurants and the shopping district, lively Altstadt can be busy, expensive and filled with tourists.
Au-Haidhausen
Au-Haidhausen, often referred to as the French Quarter, is a tranquil and leafy neighborhood to the east of the city center where picturesque pre-war buildings sit side-by-side with modern complexes. A popular place to live, Au-Haidhausen is also home to Kultfabrik, an area that claims to be Europe’s largest party zone. The district is bound by the river Isar where, in the summer months, people gather to relax in the sun and enjoy a local beer. This lively neighborhood is well connected to the rest of the city but rent here is expensive.
Schwabing-West
One of Munich’s most bohemian districts, in the 19th century Schwabing-West was home to many famous writers, poets, artists and composers. Now, gentrification has also made this area one of Munich’s wealthiest and most elegant. And its desirability is not surprising - one of the world’s largest public parks, the English Garden, is located here. A lively area filled with boutique shops, buzzing bars, restaurants and art galleries, Schwabing-West is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Schwanthalerhöhe
Widely called Westend and recently regenerated, Schwanthalerhöhe is an up-and-coming neighborhood. Home to Munich’s oldest brewery, The Augustiner, and close to the grounds in Theresienwiese where Oktoberfest takes place each year, Schwanthalerhöhe is usually a quiet district with lots of green spaces and luxurious new buildings. However, it can be expensive and difficult to find accommodation here.
Neuhausen-Nymphenburg
A relaxed, un-touristy and currently very trendy neighborhood, Neuhausen-Nymphenburg is where you will find the world’s largest beer garden, the Hirschgarten; a good number of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and shops; and the spectacular Nymphenburg Palace with its tranquil gardens. There is a good choice of places to live in this mostly residential neighborhood, but it is quiet at night, which can be both a benefit and a drawback!
Sendling and Sendling-Westpark
The most multicultural district of Munich, Sendling is the best place to find mouth-watering international cuisine as well as the third-largest fruit and vegetable market in Europe. It is mainly residential, but its historic center hosts many shops and businesses. Although notable for its beautiful architecture and very well connected to the rest of the city, Sendling is not a particularly lively area.
Maxvorstadt
The city’s arts and university district, Maxvorstadt is also known as the “brain of Munich”. Museums, art galleries (including the world-famous Pinakotheken galleries), universities, bookshops, publishing houses and many relaxed restaurants and cafes give this area its distinct and vibrant atmosphere. Maxvostadt is close to the city center with excellent transport links, making it a desirable and therefore pricy neighborhood to live in.
Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
With beautiful old architecture, trendy bars and quaint taverns, Isarvorstadt is a popular residential district. The area is home to Munich’s LBGT scene as well as the beautiful Gärtnerplatz square, where students and locals gather on warm summer evenings. Neighboring Ludwigsvorstadt is a bustling area sometimes called “Little Istanbul” for its Middle Eastern population and density of Turkish restaurants. Within walking distance of the city’s main attractions, Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt offers a good balance of liveliness and tranquility.
Altstadt
Altstadt translates as old city. What was a small medieval village has become Munich’s atmospheric heart. Aldstadt is where you will find all the main sights, including Marienplatz, the main square which hosts the annual Christmas market; the former royal palace; the world-famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall; and the iconic Frauenkirche. Home also to the city’s best restaurants and the shopping district, lively Altstadt can be busy, expensive and filled with tourists.
Au-Haidhausen
Au-Haidhausen, often referred to as the French Quarter, is a tranquil and leafy neighborhood to the east of the city center where picturesque pre-war buildings sit side-by-side with modern complexes. A popular place to live, Au-Haidhausen is also home to Kultfabrik, an area that claims to be Europe’s largest party zone. The district is bound by the river Isar where, in the summer months, people gather to relax in the sun and enjoy a local beer. This lively neighborhood is well connected to the rest of the city but rent here is expensive.
Schwabing-West
One of Munich’s most bohemian districts, in the 19th century Schwabing-West was home to many famous writers, poets, artists and composers. Now, gentrification has also made this area one of Munich’s wealthiest and most elegant. And its desirability is not surprising - one of the world’s largest public parks, the English Garden, is located here. A lively area filled with boutique shops, buzzing bars, restaurants and art galleries, Schwabing-West is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Schwanthalerhöhe
Widely called Westend and recently regenerated, Schwanthalerhöhe is an up-and-coming neighborhood. Home to Munich’s oldest brewery, The Augustiner, and close to the grounds in Theresienwiese where Oktoberfest takes place each year, Schwanthalerhöhe is usually a quiet district with lots of green spaces and luxurious new buildings. However, it can be expensive and difficult to find accommodation here.
Neuhausen-Nymphenburg
A relaxed, un-touristy and currently very trendy neighborhood, Neuhausen-Nymphenburg is where you will find the world’s largest beer garden, the Hirschgarten; a good number of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and shops; and the spectacular Nymphenburg Palace with its tranquil gardens. There is a good choice of places to live in this mostly residential neighborhood, but it is quiet at night, which can be both a benefit and a drawback!
Sendling and Sendling-Westpark
The most multicultural district of Munich, Sendling is the best place to find mouth-watering international cuisine as well as the third-largest fruit and vegetable market in Europe. It is mainly residential, but its historic center hosts many shops and businesses. Although notable for its beautiful architecture and very well connected to the rest of the city, Sendling is not a particularly lively area.
Maxvorstadt
The city’s arts and university district, Maxvorstadt is also known as the “brain of Munich”. Museums, art galleries (including the world-famous Pinakotheken galleries), universities, bookshops, publishing houses and many relaxed restaurants and cafes give this area its distinct and vibrant atmosphere. Maxvostadt is close to the city center with excellent transport links, making it a desirable and therefore pricy neighborhood to live in.
Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
With beautiful old architecture, trendy bars and quaint taverns, Isarvorstadt is a popular residential district. The area is home to Munich’s LBGT scene as well as the beautiful Gärtnerplatz square, where students and locals gather on warm summer evenings. Neighboring Ludwigsvorstadt is a bustling area sometimes called “Little Istanbul” for its Middle Eastern population and density of Turkish restaurants. Within walking distance of the city’s main attractions, Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt offers a good balance of liveliness and tranquility.
Getting Around Munich
Munich’s excellent public transportation system runs through the city as well as to the outskirts.
Tickets
Germany introduced a nation-wide ticket (Deutschlandticket) for students for € 29/month. To be eligible, you must have a valid German bank account and a student certificate. It allows unlimited travel throughout Germany on all local public transport (excluding ICE, IC/EC, Flixbus).
The ticket is only available as a subscription (monthly cancellation available) and the payment will be debited from your bank account.
S-Bahn
These are suburban trains that travel outside the urban areas of Munich. There are eight trains, which are marked with an “S” plus a number. Stations are usually open from 5 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily.
U-Bahn
These are underground, urban trains. They are marked with a “U” plus a number. Stations open daily from 5 a.m.-1 a.m.
DB-Bahn
These are the local and international train connections. The main departure station is the central station (Hauptbahnhof).
Buses
Bus maps are located at the bus stops.
Taxis
Taxis can be ordered by phone or caught at taxi ranks. Taxi rates start at €4.50.
U-Bahn
Bus
Bike
S-Bahn
Taxi
DB-Bahn
