Whether it is sipping wheat beer in the Hofbrauhaus or boutique shopping on Maximilianstrausse, there is a lot to see and do in Munich. The city has a number of phone apps to help not just locals, but visitors to the city, navigate all the great attractions in the area. Here are some of our favourites...
Munich Manual
Creativecommons.org/ John Morgan
You can't have a name like Munich Manual if you skimp on the utility and information. Thankfully, the developers of this app certainly didn't. This app functions as a tourist guide, phone directory, hotel informant, subway map, Munich city map, restaurant guide and phrasebook, so visitors will be strutting around Munich like a local in no time. Essentially, for those that want to navigate themselves around Munich, this is the only app that they will need. Though as a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, there are functions that users will miss out on that come with more specialized apps. However, it is a great all-around app for getting around Munich. This app is available for $1.99 on the app store for Android and iPhone devices.
Beer Gardener
Creativecommons.org/ Tyler Karaszewski
The Beer Gardener app details all the beer houses in the city. The app uses the GPS of smart phones to show users what beer gardens are nearby, or users can select them from the list that shows every beer garden in the city. Once an establishment is selected, the app will give a description of the beer garden, offer up photos and provide contact information and websites. Users can also make reservations for beer gardens right from the app if they so choose. Beer Gardener also allows for users to map their route from their current location to any beer garden in the city. This assures that no one will miss out on Munich's wonderful and festive beer gardens while they are in town. This app is available for $2.99 on the app store for Android and iPhone devices.
Munich Metro and Subway
Creativecommons.org/ John Morgan
The Munich Metro and Subway app is the go-to guide for getting around the city. This app not only showcases the bus routes on the built-in city map but also hosts a map of the subway, so no matter what mode of public transportation user's choose, this app has them covered. Not only does the app show routes for both systems in an easy to read, colour-coded manner, but it also keeps fairly accurate timetables of when the various buses and trains around the city arrive and depart. Users can even keep tab on a particular train or bus and get updates on any delays as well. However, one of the nicest features of the app is that app users can put in a destination and it will spit out directions via train or bus from their current location. The directions tell which lines they need to take and even where they need to change to the next train or bus if needed. For those that don't like having to change trains or buses, the route calculator can even be set to routes with the fewest vehicle changes. The best part of this app is that it is completely free on the app store for Android and iPhone devices.
AudioWalks Munich
Creativecommons.org/Edwin.11
Experience the city of Munich with all its art and history in a completely new way. The AudioWalks Munich app is the acoustic travel guide that accompanies visitors to all the sights of Munich, including Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, Hofbrauhaus, Viktualienmarkt and many more. The AudioWalks travel guide navigates users to points of interest around the city and different residents of influence from Munich provide their expertise for the audio guides. For example, top chef Alfons Schuhbeck details Bavaria's world famous Weißwurst, or white sausage, and how it is created, as well as other fascinating treats found in the Viktualienmarkt. App users will never have to stop and read their travel guide again when using AudioWalks. This app is available for $0.99 on the app store for Android and iPhone devices.
Munich Restaurants
Creativecommons.org/ Jun Seita
Whether smart phone users are looking for a restaurant, bar or pub to have fun in, the Restaurant Munich app has them covered. The app displays places to eat or drink on the map so visitors can find places to enjoy nearby, but app users can also search every place in the city to find exactly what they want. App users can browse the restaurants in Munich or they can search by any type of cuisine imaginable. Once selected, the app displays contact information, hours of operation and a brief description of the restaurant. Pictures of the establishment and some of their dishes are also included, but visitors can also get a street view of their particular restaurant from the map page as well. On the restaurants page, there are ratings and reviews from other app users to help others make their decision. After users have found their perfect restaurant, the app also provides directions to the place from their current location. This app is available for free on the app store for Android and iPhone devices.
Oktoberfest Guide
Creativecommons.org/ Ethan Prater
Munich is the capital of Bavaria and Oktoberfest is Bavaria's most beloved celebration. Visitors gather from all around the world to ride the rides, play games, enjoy events and, of course, drink beer. For those headed to Munich for the Oktoberfest celebration, the Oktoberfest Guide app is a must. The app provides detailed information of all the different tents and rides around the celebration grounds. However, the app also gives insider information on the event and first time tips for new visitors. With the integrated GPS information, users can find all the beer tents, attractions and events quickly and easily without all the fuss of having to figure it out for themselves. This handy festival app is available for free on the app store for Android and iPhone devices.
English to German Audio Phrasebook
Creativecommons.org/ Bernt Rostad
Though English and a number of other languages are widely spoken in Munich, knowing a little German can come in handy in a lot of situations. This phrasebook app teaches the essential phrases for getting by in Munich. The free version hosts 250 useful phrases, but for those who want to get more in-depth, the paid version for $2.99 covers 1,000 different phrases that are organized into 150 common situations. The app not only shows users the translations, but pronounces them as well so visitors are assured that they are saying them correctly. Both versions of the app are available on the app store for Android and iPhone devices.