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Shopping in Munich

Shopaholics are in for a treat in Munich. Collectively, the city's shops, malls and markets offer everything from the most luxurious of designer goods to the most traditional of Bavarian crafts. International brands are well represented, but there is much in the way of quirky one-off finds to be had too.

Key areas

Neuhauserstrasse and Kaufingerstrasse, in the city centre, are the main shopping areas in Munich and are lined with large department stores like Kaufingertor München and with global chains. There is the Stachus Passagen at Karlsplatz, which is Europe's biggest subterranean mall. You can find smaller, more exclusive boutiques around Maximilianstrasse and Theatinerstrasse. In Schwabing, Leopoldstrasse is a trendy shopping street with interesting boutiques tucked away on the surrounding roads. 

Markets

Viktualienmarkt, the bustling, colourful food market at the eastern end of the Marienplatz pedestrian zone, is one of Munich’s major attractions. The market is open Monday to Saturday 0800-2000. It has existed on the site since 1807 and is a focal point of life in Munich. The Elisabethmarkt, in Schwabing, is a little more low-key, but this food and drink market is no less mouth-watering. It has the same opening hours as the Viktualienmarkt.

Shopping centres

The Olympia Einkaufszentrum is Bavaria’s largest arcade, comprising of more than 135 separate shops, three major department stores and some upscale eating options. The Riem Arcaden, only a little smaller, is a popular option in the east of the city and houses many high-end fashion chains, while the Einkaufs-Centrum Neuperlach mall (known as Pep) contains outlet branches of nearly all the main stores to be found in the city centre. The shopping centre CityQuartier Fünf Höfe is located in the old town centre. Its more than 64 exclusive shops, restaurants and bars attract more than 7 million visitors yearly. The Luitpoldblock, Brienner Strasse 11, hosts several exclusive boutiques and the legendary Café Luitpold. 

Opening hours

Larger stores and supermarkets are usually open Monday to Friday 0900-2000 and Saturday 0900-1600. Smaller outlets are open Monday to Friday until 1830 and might close for lunch.

Souvenirs

Aside from the unavoidable hordes of magnets, T-shirts and FC Bayern Munich merchandise, classic local souvenirs include beer steins (ornamental beer mugs), traditional Bavarian clothing, pewter-ware and decorative wooden wall clocks. Shops specialising in traditional Bavarian clothing include Angermaier, Moser Trachten and Hirmer Landlust.

Tax information

Mehrwertsteuer (VAT) of 19% (lower for some goods like food and books) is included in the price of purchased items. Visitors from non-EU countries are entitled to a tax refund from stores displaying the Tax Free Shopping logo.

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Mercure Hotel München Altstadt

This formulaic chain hotel in Munich, located between the Marienplatz and Stachus squares, is an affordable option right in the heart of the Old Town. The 80 standard rooms provide simple accommodation but are comfortable, clean and secure. The Mercure Alstadt offers Wi-Fi access, covered parking (a rarity in central Munich) and basic catering, within a short walking distance of all the historic attractions of the city centre.

Fleming's Hotel Munich-City

Part of the Fleming’s chain of accommodation and restaurants, Hotel Munich-City is centrally located, just a short walk from the Hauptbahnhof. Its contemporary flair is pared down with straight-lined furniture, while its 112 rooms come with glass cube bathrooms. The restaurant downstairs gives the diner décor a French brassiere twist, and its spa and fitness area boasts a Finnish sauna and aroma steam bath.

Creatif Hotel Elephant

Like someone knocked an array of paint pots over, this cream-walled hotel goes crazy with the bright colours elsewhere, but it works wonderfully. Rooms are basic, but all have ensuites and TVs, and each is dotted with retro furniture. You can’t miss the place from the outside as it’s sprayed with countless colours. Breakfast is included.

Motel One Munich-City-West

Located in the western part of Munich, but with good connections to the Old Town, Motel One Munich-City-West brands itself as a ‘boutique mote’, offering functional contemporary and stylish surroundings at budget prices. Rooms are compact but modern in design, and services such as Wi-Fi internet access are available, while drinks and snacks are on offer 24 hours.

Eurostars Book Hotel

Bookworms will find much to write home about at Eurostars Book Hotel, which dedicates each of its floors to a different literary genre. So whether you’re wandering the corridors with Don Quixote or bunking up with Anna Karenina, its 201 rooms have plenty space for tucking into a good read. Modern and stylish, the hotel doesn’t have the grandiose beauty of a Jane Austen manor, plumping instead for saunas, a lobby-bar, a business centre, meeting rooms for events, free Wi-Fi and small gym.

Hotel Olympic

This unusual hotel is popular with actors and media types - partly because of its trendy, central location near Gärtnerplatz and partly because of the combination of English colonial style and traditional Bavarian architecture. Its 32 rooms are tastefully furnished and follow a unique design scheme throughout. Definitely a hotspot to be seen at in Munich, yet still kept a secret from all but the in-crowd.