Munich is an atypical German city: despite its metropolitan status, it is very cosy and welcoming. All year round, travellers worldwide flock here to admire the local sights and enjoy one of Germany's most popular tourist destinations.
Once a year, the city is transformed into the fun capital of the world. We are talking about Oktoberfest, the largest beer festival, which takes place in late September and early October. What can you take home from Munich other than beer and festival-related items? Kidpassage offers a selection of the most popular, original and sometimes tasty souvenirs from the Bavarian capital.
Contents
Photo: pixabay.com
What to buy in Munich: popular German-made things
What to take as a gift from Munich? What products are most popular with foreign visitors? Here are some attractive options:
1. Beer Stein
Photo: pixabay.com
Bavarians are great beer drinkers. The local beer halls don't look like pubs, they look like substantial concert halls that can seat up to 5,000 people. The locals and tourists don't drink from half-litre glasses all day, as in other German cities, but from one-litre Maas steins. Beer steins are a popular souvenir from Munich.
2. Oktoberfest branded souvenirs
Photo: pixabay.com
The Oktoberfest is Germany's famous folk festival, the largest folk festival in the world. It attracts around 6 million people every year. The people of Munich pay particular attention to the themed souvenirs of the event, so choosing one is fine. Naturally, visitors want to take a piece of the festival home.
3. German cuckoo clocks
Photo: pixabay.com
The cuckoo clock originates from the German Black Forest, and its manufacture dates back to the mid-18th century. The people of Munich still have a great affection for these products. They are relatively inexpensive, although they are made by hand. You can buy them in many shops here.
Initially, the craftsman who invented the cuckoo clock wanted the rooster to crow. However, it was tough to reproduce the "cuckoo-cuckoo" sound. So the cuckoo was born!
4. Clothing and footwear
Photo: pixabay.com
Munich's shops offer a wide range of clothes and shoes for adults and children. More & More, s.Oliver, Zero, Pimkie, New Yorker, Orsay, Zara, H&M, Mango — these and many other global brands can be found in the city. There are also outlet stores for those on a budget. Ingolstadt Village, for example, is just outside Munich. And there are sales in the local shopping centres at the end of July and the second half of November.
5. Christmas souvenirs
Photo: pixabay.com
On the eve of Munich's most popular holiday, tourists bring garlands, wooden handicrafts, traditional plum and almond dolls (Zwetschgenmandl) and often handmade Christmas decorations from Munich. With the onset of winter, around 30 Christmas markets open in the city. The most famous is the Christkindlmarkt. It covers an area of about 25,000 m2.
Original souvenirs from Munich
What gifts can you buy in Munich? What unusual things are on sale in local gift shops to surprise family and friends? Here are five of the most original Bavarian purchases:
6. Bavarian felted wool Alpine Hat
Photo: pixabay.com
The felted hat is an obligatory part of the Bavarian costume. It is probably the only region in Germany where the national costume is worn not only on festive occasions. Bavarians also like to sell them to their guests. The hat is the most popular tourist purchase. There are simple ones and more elaborate ones. They used to be decorated with feathers from hunting and military badges. Nowadays, it's mostly Oktoberfest badges.
7. Men Suspenders
Photo: pixabay.com
We mentioned that Bavarians drink a lot of beer. And do you know what they use to solve the problem of beer bellies? Suspenders! Such a simple yet ingenious invention that the locals have perfected. Munich's shops have suspenders for all tastes and colours. There are even workshops where you can have a personalised model made in 10 minutes — the most important thing is to choose the colour of the fabric and the accessories, take the measurements and voila — your alternative to the belt is ready!
8. FC Bayern Munich merchandise
Photo: pixabay.com
Bayern Munich is Germany's most famous football club. Rarely does a fan come to a game and leave empty-handed. The selection is endless for scarves, T-shirts, balls, socks, caps, rucksacks, mugs, and thermos flasks. And all in the club's traditional colour — red. You can buy the souvenirs at the FC Bayern fan shop.
9. Designer light
Photo: pixabay.com
Ingo Maurer is the most famous lighting designer of the early twenty-first century and an acknowledged master of lighting design. He lives and works in Munich, where his studio gallery is located. The master's creations are simply unique, and it is impossible to describe his masterpieces — you have to see them for yourself. And once you've seen them, you can't help but buy one of Ingo Maurer's chandeliers. The only downside to such a gift is its high price.
10. Souvenirs from the BMW World Store
Photo: pixabay.com
Munich is the heart of the German car industry. It is home to BMW's headquarters, the factory, the museum and the BMW World exhibition centre. It's a unique shopping and entertainment complex where you can take part in virtual races, test-drives the latest BMW models, sit in state-of-the-art simulators and buy yourself and your fellow drivers a miniature replica of every car manufacturer ever made.
Presents from Munich for children
What should I bring my child from Munich? That's the question every visitor to the Bavarian capital has to ask himself: What to buy? There are so many souvenirs and goodies for children that it can take a long time to choose.
11. The Nutcracker
Photo: pixabay.com
It is undoubtedly Germany's most popular children's literary character, a national hero. Do you remember Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King? Well, it is set in Bavaria. Today, figurines of the main character are sold in almost every souvenir shop in Munich, and the variety of materials and sizes is astonishing: large and very small; made of porcelain, wood, metal, and plastic; with removable hats and rattling teeth; on postcards, magnets, as nutcrackers and can openers.
12. Tin soldiers
Photo: pixabay.com
As well as the Nutcracker, boys will love the tin soldiers from Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairytale. These Munich souvenirs are often returned as toys, but there are also handmade collectors' items. They are sold in many local shops.
13. Wooden souvenirs from Oberammergau
Photo: pixabay.com
The small village of Oberammergau is close to Munich. It is famous for its painted houses and wooden figurines, which are traditionally handmade and decorated by local craftsmen. Most are Christmas-themed, but there are also various toys, including the famous nutcrackers and German houses with propellers on the roof. You can buy them in Kathe Wohlfahrt's shop.
14. Lebkuchenherzen
Photo: pixabay.com
Gingerbread hearts with different wishes written on them are a lovely, tasty and beautiful gift from Munich. It is the most popular product among tourists. You can buy them for your children, relatives and friends (fortunately, the people of Munich are generous regarding inscriptions). And if you want to make a joke, the local souvenir shops sell imitations of gingerbread.
15. Marzipan sweets
Photo: pixabay.com
Marzipan is a confection made from ground almonds and sugar syrup. It is used on its own and as a filling for confectionery. It is widely believed that the tastiest marzipan in Europe is made in Germany and that the tastiest German marzipan is made in Munich. You can find marzipan in any grocery store in Munich, but for a more comprehensive selection, check out the food section on the ground floor of Galerie Kaufhof.
16. Teddy bears
Photo: pixabay.com
Teddy bears from the famous Teddy Company are one of the most popular souvenirs in Munich. Children will love the different sizes of Teddy Bears dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes.
Munich's largest toy shop, where you will find many exciting gifts for children, is Müller at Karlsplatz 11.
Gourmet gifts for adults
What can you buy in Munich as a gift for gourmets? Whatever you choose, you can be sure: Bavarian delicacies make a great gift idea.
17. Beer
Photo: pixabay.com
According to statistics, the average inhabitant of Munich drinks 250 litres of intoxicating beverages every year. Beer is used to celebrate national and family occasions, business meetings and romantic dates. On the other hand, it's impossible to imagine a tourist who wouldn't buy a few bottles of Bavarian beer for relatives, friends or colleagues. The local shops have something for every taste.
18. Bavarian sausages
Photo: pixabay.com
The Bavarians like a hearty meat snack with their beer. Weißwürste (white sausages in natural casings) are a speciality from Bavaria which is particularly popular. It is a traditional local delicacy made from veal, about 50% fat, various spices and herbs. They are sold in shops in vacuum packs (for easy transport).
19. Mustard
If you decide to bring Weißwürste to your family and friends, be sure to pick up a jar or two of the local mustard. Traditionally, Bavarian mustard is sweet and is even flavoured with caramel syrup. It is considered the best condiment for meat products. Händlmaier's makes the sweetest mustard, while Thomy's Bavarian Mustard has the spiciest for those who like it hot.
20. Pretzel
Photo: pixabay.com
The famous salty Bavarian Brezzel is a must at Oktoberfest. It has been baked here since the 15th century. In the summer, it is even celebrated with a carnival parade along the banks of the Rhine.
21. Jagermeister
Photo: pixabay.com
If you think bringing beer from the beer capital of the world is trivial, think about spirits, especially Jagermeister. Its recipe is a closely guarded secret, and the correct name for the drink is bitter rather than liqueur. It contains 56 herbs, root vegetables and spices. It should be drunk straight, chilled to the frosting on the bottle, or added to cocktails.
Bitter is a bitter herbal tincture. The recipe for Jagermeister Bitter was initially developed as a digestive aid. Today it is exported to over 120 countries around the world.
Illegal souvenirs
Photo: pixabay.com
As we all know, Munich is a German city. When buying souvenirs and gifts, you have to follow German customs regulations. It is more or less clear what souvenirs can be taken out of Munich, but only some know what cannot be taken out of the country. These items include any object of historical, cultural or artistic value to the country. So be careful when buying antiques: always ask the seller for a receipt and supporting documents.
Did you know that the official motto of the Bavarian capital is 'Munich loves you'? It's hard to argue with that. The city seems designed for relaxation, strolls, sightseeing and shopping for clothes and souvenirs. But the city is reborn once a year, blowing off steam and quietly passing the time. If you haven't been to Munich yet, plan a trip next weekend or next month.
We wish you an enjoyable and fulfilling holiday! And for more information on gifts, Kidpassage has an article on souvenirs to bring back from Germany.
