The capital of Bavaria and home to Oktoberfest, Christkindlmarkt and Helles – München.
Hotels | Bars | Culture | Food | Shopping
Hotels in Munich
Deutsche Eiche
Reichenbachstraße 13, 80469 München
deutsche-eiche.com
Really nice hotel with a rooftop bar, restaurant and a basement entertainment complex.
Gay Bars in Munich
NiL
Hans-Sachs-Straße 2, 80469 München
Friendly LGBT cafe bar. With an outside terrace and friendly staff and a younger crowd.
Kraftwerk
Thalkirchner Str. 4, 80337 München
Gay-friendly café, bistro & bar serving brunch, coffee & cocktails.
Edelheiss
Pestalozzistraße 6, 80469 München
Traditional bar with an older crowd.
Prosecco
Theklastraße 1, 80469 München
Small bar with a big crowd. Expect it to be busy and crowded but fast bar service and friendly customers.
CAMP
Reisingerstraße 15, 80337 Munich
Cruise bar. Men only.
Hofbräuhaus
Platzl 9, 80331 München, Germany
A tiny bit of Oktoberfest any time of year in this 3-floor beer hall dating back to the 16th century, with a Bavarian restaurant, shows & beer drinking vibe.
Culture
Marienplatz
Marienplatz
Begin your Munich tour in the city’s vibrant center at Marienplatz, also known as the Square of Our Lady. This bustling square is home to the striking neo-gothic Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), one of Munich’s top photo opportunities. Be sure to visit at 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. when the enormous Glockenspiel comes to life. As the largest carillon in Germany, it draws a crowd, and the lively atmosphere during these times is not to be missed.
The Residenz
Residenzstraße 1, 80333 München
The Münchner Residenz served as the seat of Bavarian kings, prince-electors, and dukes for nearly 400 years. Spanning from the Renaissance to Neoclassicism, this grand palace showcases a variety of architectural styles across its 130 staterooms, which you can explore on an extended tour. Among the most popular highlights are the stunning Antiquarium and the Ancestor Gallery.
Alte Pinakothek
Barer Str. 27, 80333 München, Germany
Did you know that Munich is one of the world’s leading art capitals? The city boasts nearly 100 museums in and around Bavaria’s capital. While not all of them are globally famous, a visit to the Alte Pinakothek in Munich’s art quarter, the Kunstareal, is a must. As the city’s oldest museum, it houses an exceptional collection of German, Italian, and Flemish Old Masters.
BWM World/Museum
Am Olympiapark 2, 80809 München
Munich is renowned not only for its beer, fairy tale castles, and traditional leather trousers but also for being home to BMW’s headquarters in the northern part of the city. While you can’t tour the iconic cylindrical BMW towers as a visitor, you can explore BMW Welt and the adjacent museum, both located nearby.
BMW Welt is an architectural marvel and one of the few free attractions in Munich. Essentially a vast car showroom, it showcases current models, futuristic innovations, and racing cars, making it a must-visit for car enthusiasts. The museum next door, while not free, is equally impressive, offering a comprehensive journey through the history of Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW).
For those looking to indulge, the third floor of BMW Welt houses a 3-star Michelin restaurant called Esszimmer (see food). Note that the museum is closed on Mondays, while the showrooms are open all week, closing at noon on Sundays. Additionally, the nearby Olympic Park (see below) is worth a visit.
Nymphenburg Palace
Schloß Nymphenburg 1, 80638 München
A 200-hectare palace estate with rococo interiors, coach display & symmetrical baroque gardens. Can be visited as part of a bus tour easily.
The English Garden
Englische Garten
Looking for a picturesque retreat in the heart of the city? Head to the Englische Garten, located just behind the Munich Residenz Palace. This expansive park is a favorite spot for locals, especially during the summer, so expect it to be bustling on weekends. It’s a popular place for walking, jogging, and playing sports.
In the center of the park, you’ll find the Chinese Tower (Chinesischer Turm), a charming wooden pagoda surrounded by a lively beer garden. Here, you can savor a traditional stein of beer and some authentic local cuisine. On weekends, the atmosphere is enhanced by live music, typically from a Bavarian brass band. If you’re in the mood for a quieter spot, stroll to the artificial lake Kleinhesselohe, where another beer garden awaits. You can even rent a pedal boat for a romantic outing on the water or book a horse-drawn carriage ride for an extra touch of romance during your visit to Munich.
The Englischer Garten stretches for several kilometers. While you don’t need to explore it all, be sure not to limit yourself to the small Hofgarten behind the palace. Try to visit the Monopteros temple, which offers a particularly scenic viewpoint. Also stunning in the snow!
Olympiapark München
Spiridon-Louis-Ring 21, 80809 München
Olympiapark München, built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, is a sprawling recreational area that has become one of Munich’s most iconic landmarks. The park features a unique mix of modernist architecture and natural landscapes, with its futuristic tent-like stadium roofs and serene lake. It’s a hub of activity throughout the year, offering everything from sporting events and concerts to festivals and open-air cinema. Visitors can take a guided tour of the Olympic Stadium, enjoy panoramic views from the Olympic Tower, or explore the Sea Life aquarium. The park’s vast green spaces and picturesque walking trails also make it a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax, exercise, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic site.
Food
Cotidiano Gärtnerplatz
Gärtnerpl. 6, 80469 München
cotidiano.de/speisekarte
Nice breakfast and brunch spot and close to the Eiche if you are not having breakfast there.
Faun
Hans-Sachs-Straße 17, 80469 München
faun-muenchen.de
Nice lunch spot.
EssZimmer by Käfer (BMW Welt)
Am Olympiapark 1, 80809 München, Germany
feinkost-kaefer.de/pages/esszimmer-muenchen
Yes a 2 star restaurant in a museum. What could be better? Reservations required well in advance. Pricey but nice.
Shopping
SpeXter
Müllerstraße 54, 80469 München
spexter.com
All your fetish and pride needs under one roof.
About Cramberts
From our home base in Amsterdam, we frequently explore some of Europe’s most vibrant cities, and we’ve compiled detailed guides to share our insider knowledge. Whether you’re seeking the canals and culture of Amsterdam itself, the sunny beaches of Gran Canaria, the historic charm of Lisbon and Porto, the bustling energy of Barcelona and Madrid, the refined elegance of Paris and Munich, the unique character of Sitges, or the diverse landscapes of the Randstad region, you’ll find comprehensive information and recommendations on the site.
See Also
Amsterdam | Barcelona | Chicago | Cologne | Gran Canaria | Iceland | Lisbon | London | Madrid | Munich | Paris | Porto | Randstad | Sitges | Washington DC
About Munich
While Munich is globally recognized for its beer culture, particularly the iconic Oktoberfest, the city also boasts a captivating historical legacy shaped by the flamboyant Bavarian royalty. Beyond its beer halls, Munich presents a rich tapestry of stunning architecture, expansive parks, and a vibrant nightlife that rivals larger metropolises. It’s also a thriving hub for the LGBTQIA+ community, characterized by an active, visible, and unapologetically open gay scene, including a strong presence of kink culture.
Nestled in the heart of Bavaria, Munich is a key member of Germany’s “gay five,” alongside Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Cologne. The city’s gay scene is seamlessly woven into its social and cultural fabric, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity that permeates throughout.
Munich invites exploration, offering a wealth of stimulating experiences simply by wandering its charming streets. From the lively Marienplatz Square to the majestic Munich Residenz palace and the verdant Englischer Garten, complete with its unique artificial surfing river, Munich showcases the best of German culture. And, of course, the city delivers on its beer reputation, offering an abundance of opportunities to indulge in its famous brews.
Munich is a city best explored at a leisurely pace, allowing you to discover its hidden gems and culinary delights while strolling its picturesque streets. The central area conveniently houses most major tourist attractions, all within easy walking distance. However, the city’s bustling atmosphere can sometimes feel overwhelming. A tranquil escape awaits in the expansive Englischer Garten, located just northeast of the city center.
Munich is renowned for its safety and its welcoming attitude towards the LGBTQIA+ community. The Glockenbachviertel district, a short walk from the city center, serves as the heart of the gay scene, offering a diverse selection of LGBTQIA+ bars, cafes, and restaurants. By day, it’s a culinary haven, and by night, a lively hub for socializing. The bars are spread throughout the neighborhood, creating a more dispersed and relaxed atmosphere rather than a concentrated “gay street.”
Visiting during Oktoberfest, which commences in late September, offers a unique experience of jovial, beer-fueled revelry. The city becomes exceptionally crowded during this period, so securing accommodations well in advance is essential for those wishing to partake in the festivities.
Transportation & Airport Transfer
Munich boasts an exceptionally efficient transport system, a hallmark of German cities. The U-Bahn, Munich’s subway system, features 100 stations, easily identified by the prominent “U” symbol. The S-Bahn, an overground train line, traverses the city center and extends to the airport, with eight readily located stations marked by the “S” symbol. Both the U-Bahn and S-Bahn provide reliable and convenient travel options. Tickets are available for single journeys, day passes, or the München Card, which combines a day ticket with discounts of up to 70% at various attractions and restaurants. Zone M covers the central district, while Zones 1–6 encompass the broader MVV (Munich Transit Authority) area.
Additional transport options include trams, with 13 lines connecting to the U-Bahn and S-Bahn, and buses that operate throughout the city. Night buses (identified by an “N” prefix) and night trams are available for late-night travel. However, locals often favor cycling, thanks to extensive bike lanes and readily available bike rentals.
Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, Germany’s second-largest airport after Berlin, is well-connected to the city. The S1 and S8 S-Bahn lines provide frequent service, with trains departing every ten minutes. The journey to the city center takes approximately 40 minutes and costs around €12, often proving faster than taxis. Both lines stop at Marienplatz, the central train station, with S1 serving the western part of the city and S8 serving the east. The airport stop is designated as Flughafen München. Alternatively, the Lufthansa Express Bus offers service between Munich Central Station and Munich North (Schwabing), operating every 20 minutes, with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes and a fare of around €12.
Welcome to the vibrant city of Munich, Germany, where the beer flows freely and the LGBTQIA+ community flourishes! If you’re a queer traveller, Munich offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with numerous sights to explore, delicious food to savour, and exciting events to enjoy. This LGBT friendly travel guide will give you an insight into the city’s top eateries, attractions, and accommodations. We’ve only been a few times so I’m sure there is plenty more to see and you can also check out the google maps list too. While Munich is renowned for its hearty Bavarian cuisine, you’ll also find a great selection of international dining options if hearty and meat heavy isn’t for you. (MUC, EDDM)