{"id":1234,"date":"2025-04-14T09:35:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T09:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.meininger-hotels.com\/blog\/?p=1234"},"modified":"2025-04-14T09:51:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T09:51:42","slug":"fun-facts-munich","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meininger-hotels.com\/blog\/en\/fun-facts-munich\/","title":{"rendered":"Fun facts Munich"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fun facts you probably didn\u2019t know about Munich (but should!)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We all know Munich is the beer capital of the world and home of the legendary Oktoberfest<\/a><\/strong>, But there\u2019s so much more to this Bavarian city than brews and pretzels. From surfing in the heart of the city to secret hills with Olympic views, here are some fun and unexpected facts about Munich that\u2019ll make you fall in love with the city even more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to impress your travel buddies?\u00a0\u00a0<\/sub><\/p>Let\u2019s go! \ud83d\ude80<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#1 Surfing Munich-style <\/strong>\ud83c\udf0a <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with the coolest of all Munich facts: you can surf here. Seriously. Head to the Eisbachwelle<\/a> <\/strong>in the English Garden<\/a><\/strong> and you\u2019ll spot wetsuit-clad surfers riding a permanent wave right in the city centre. It\u2019s one of the only urban surf spots in the world and a must-see for anyone visiting Munich. So if someone asks, \u201cWhat is Munich famous for?\u201d feel free to say…”surfing\u201d. \ud83d\ude0e\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a case surfing is not for you, stick around the English Garden \u2013 there is a lot to explore there.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Surfer
Surfer riding the Eisbach wave in Munich\u2019s city center<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

#2 Beer is officially food in Bavaria <\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Munich they take beer very seriously: there are over 60 beer gardens<\/a><\/strong> where you can enjoy cold beer during warm weather. There are 6 major breweries: Augustiner Br\u00e4u, Hofbr\u00e4u, L\u00f6wenbr\u00e4u, Hacker-Pschorr Br\u00e4u, Spaten-Franziskaner Br\u00e4u, and Paulaner Brauerei. It\u2019s not just about drinking\u2014it\u2019s about community, tradition, and enjoying the moment. No wonder beer gardens are a way of life here! Visit at least one of them and you\u2019ll understand why. Prost! \ud83c\udf7b\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 The hill in Olympiapark is made of WWII rubble \ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many visitors climb the Olympiaberg<\/a> <\/strong>in Munich to enjoy a 360-view of the city that on clear days even extends to reveal the Alps. Next time you\u2019re enjoying these views, here\u2019s a little backstory: this hill wasn\u2019t always part of the landscape. It\u2019s actually an artificial mound created from WWII rubble. Now it\u2019s a peaceful green spot perfect for watching sunsets, summer picnics, and even catching open-air concerts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And guess what? Our MEININGER Hotel Munich Olympiapark<\/a><\/strong> is just around the corner!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"View
View of Munich\u2019s Olympiapark<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

#4 The English Garden is bigger than Central Park \ud83d\udc9a<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of green spaces, did you know the English Garden is one of the largest urban parks in the world? Bigger than both London\u2019s Hyde Park and New York\u2019s Central Park, it\u2019s a true oasis right in the heart of the city. Grab a beer at a riverside kiosk, watch people surf, or just wander through miles of trails.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5 Munich loooves its parks \ud83c\udf33<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to epic parks Munich has you covered. You\u2019ll never be far from green space here. Besides the famous English Garden, other parks in Munich include the romantic Hofgarten, the modern Westpark, and the peaceful Luitpoldpark. Whether you\u2019re after a quick stroll or a lazy picnic, Munich knows how to do green right.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6 The largest beer festival in the world \ud83c\udf7b<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you already know, Munich hosts a yearly festival dedicated to beer and beer only, the famous Oktoberfest<\/a><\/strong>. Fun fact: it\u2019s actually held in September and ends the first weekend in October. But even if you knew that one, you probably didn\u2019t know that Einstein once worked at Oktoberfest! In 1896, 17-year-old Einstein was installing the lights at the Schottenhammel tent. \ud83c\udfaa\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Waiter<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

#7 There\u2019s a beer garden inside the airport \ud83c\udf7a<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Only in Munich can your layover include a pint of local beer under chestnut trees. Munich Airport<\/strong> <\/a>is home to the world\u2019s only airport beer garden, so even your travel day starts off Bavarian-style.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8 Munich has its own “Museum Island” \ud83d\uddbc\ufe0f<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes, Berlin gets all the fame, but Munich has its own Museum Island too! It’s home to the Deutsches Museum, the world’s largest science and technology museum. From space travel to submarines, there\u2019s something for everyone. Rainy day in Munich? This place is your go-to.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9 Glockenspiel show happens daily \u2694\ufe0f<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s touristy, sure, but you can\u2019t skip the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz<\/a><\/strong>. Every day at 11 AM (and also at 12 PM and 5 PM in summer), the tower of the New Town Hall comes to life with a mini mechanical show featuring knights and spinning dancers. One of those old-school facts about Munich that never gets old.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10 Play-Doh was invented in Munich \ud83e\uddf8<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pharmacist Franz Kolb plasticine invention was intended for his artist friends who had problems using modelling clay during cold months for their work. Today Play-Doh is the most famous modelling toy!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udf1f Summin\u2019 up… <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Munich might be famous for Oktoberfest, but now you know it\u2019s also home to river surfing, hidden hills, massive green parks, and even a beer garden at the airport \u2013 so a little bit of everything.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to get better at planning? No need because we\u2019ve prepared a bank holidays Germany guide<\/a><\/strong> just for you to make sure you don\u2019t miss out on any of the bank holiday weekends in 2025!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t

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Fun facts Munich: FAQs<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t