Green City Guide: Munich

From the legendary beer drinking extravaganza Oktoberfest, to historical landmarks like the Nymphenburg Palace, the Baroque summer retreat for Bavaria's royalty, to the miles of Christmas markets offering local crafts and handmade goods, Munich is teeming with attractions for all types of travelers.

Following suit with the rest of Germany, the Bavarian capital has some praise-worthy environmental policies. In October of 2008, a law requiring an environmental badge for cars kicked in, and now vehicles entering a designated "Green Zone" without the proper emissions criteria will be slapped with a 40 euro fine (about $50). At Oktoberfest, as well as at nearly all bars and clubs, patrons are charged a deposit, or a pfand for glasses and bottles in order to cut down on waste. On the skyline, new architectural landmarks include the solar powered BMW Welt. Designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, the sculptural glass and steel building is clad in 3,660 solar modules, generating a projected 30 percent energy savings.

Food is also a major delight in this town. Although Bavarian cuisine is often meat-focused (Specialties include the morning snack of Weisswurst: a white veal sausage traditionally topped with mustard and served with a fresh pretzel; or Schweinebraten: roasted pork on the bone usually dished up with soft potato dumplings.), Munich prides itself as an international city, a fact reflected by the wide range of options for vegetarians and vegans alike. An organic fast food chain is on the horizon and organic food, known as "bio" is government regulated and increasingly easy to find. And let's not forget the beer. If you can't find a bio beer, you won't go wrong with a local variety: It's guaranteed to be some of the best you've ever tasted, with a smaller carbon footprint.

The 10 tips below will help you skip through this historic German city as greenly as possible. For the latest green news, check out TreeHugger's Germany Archive.

1. Take Public Transportation: The MVV (Munich Transport and Tariff Association)
   

   Munich's Munich Transport and Tariff Association, or MVV is a highly efficient public transportation system, consisting of 10 S-Bahn rail lines (generally above ground); eight U-Bahn rail lines (underground); 10 trams; and approximately 70 bus lines. Ticket price—starting at 2.30 euro (about $1.90)—increases as you travel through more zones. Make sure you purchase the correct ticket, as plain-clothed controllers regularly check cars, and if you have no ticket or the wrong ticket (foreigner or not!), you'll be fined. Tickets are also required for bikes, which are only allowed onboard during non-rush hours.
   
   
   
   The ride from the airport to the city center is just 40 minutes. Use the MVV's handy route planner to plot out your trip.



2. Stay in a Green Hotel: Hotel Alter Wirt and Maritime Hotel Munich
   

   For a true green experience, you need to hop on the S-bahn train and travel about 30 minutes outside of the city to Hotel Alter Wirt. Nestled among leafy trees in Grünwald, this country retreat strictly serves organic produce from certified organic farms—most of them local—at its two restaurants. Rooms, 99 euro per night (about $125) for a single or 130 euro for a double (about $165) are sustainably renovated, with oiled chestnut floors and furniture made from locally grown trees. A generous organic buffet breakfast of local delicacies.
   
   
   
   If you prefer to stay in the city, a few hotels have introduced promising green programs into their operations. The Maritime Hotel Munich, with rooms starting at about $165 a night, makes efforts to conserve water, recycle newspapers and disposables, and participate in an energy conservation program. The next best option is to stay central. Budget-friendly options close to the main train station include Creatif Hotel Elephant Munich (starting at $45 a night) and Haberstock Hotel (starting at $65 a night).



3. Rent a Bike
   

   Bike sharing has arrived in Germany. The country's public transit agency Deutsche Bahn has implemented its Call a Bike bike sharing program in Munich, as well as four other cities: Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Cologne. The signature red and silver bikes—although not winning any beauty contests with their bulky theft-proof frames—are readily available on most street corners. To get pedaling you'll need to register online or via the hotline number listed on the bike (the latter for a fee). When you enter the code provided, the bike unlocks. After you've finished your ride, call again for another code to relock the bike and end the charges. Rates are .08 euro per minute (about $.10), or a maximum of nine euro (about $11.60) for 24 hours. You can also rent a bike for a flat rate of 60 euro (about $77) for a week.



4. Sign up for Mike's Bike Tours
   

   Rather have a guide and hear a brief historical overview? Mike's Bike Tours is a popular choice. Participants are equipped with beach cruiser bikes and the leisurely four-hour tour includes a 45-minute refresher at the famous beer garden in the Englischer Garten. Which brings us to our next listing:



5. Stroll through Englischer Garten, Munich's Huge Public Park
   

   For a stroll, jog, or bike ride, look no further than the Englischer Garten or English Gaden. At 914 acres, it is one of the world's largest urban public parks—bigger even than New York's Central Park. In addition to the beer garden, this green oasis is complete with a waterfall, a Chinese-themed tower, over 100 bridges, a Japanese teahouse and garden, an amphitheatre, and even grazing sheep.



6. Surf on the Eisbach River
   

   
   Another activity in the Englischer Garten? Believe it or not: Surfing. Although not exactly legal, (more like condoned) wet-suit clad surfers are found year-around riding the waves at a tumultuous point of the Eisbach, the park's manmade river. See for yourself in this YouTube video.



7. Dine at a Green Restaurant: Saf at Zerwirk, Prinz Myshkin, Basic Bio Bistro
   

   Conveniently located in the heart of the city near Marienplatz, restaurant and juice bar Saf at Zerwirk, dishes up exclusively local, seasonal, and organic vegan fare, along with several raw vegan plates. As its Web site explains, "We believe that food tastes best and is the most wholesome when in its pure unadulterated state." Sample dishes at The New York Times-approved establishment include garden lasagna with black truffles and macadamia or beetroot ricotta ravioli with cashew cheese filling.
   
   
   
   Another vegetarian option is Prinz Myshkin, which does away with preservatives or artificial flavors in its Italian and Asian-influenced plates. For an inexpensive take-away or casual sit down experience, meat eaters and vegetarians alike will enjoy Basic Bio Bistro, an organic cafeteria over organic grocery store Basic.



8. Hit the Markets: Viktualienmarkt, Christkindlmarkt, and Auer Dult
   

   For the Munich version of a Farmers' Market, look no further than Viktualienmarkt, or "Victuals Market," open Monday through Saturday near Marienplatz. Many of the 140 stalls and shops covering nearly 240,000 square feet offer local produce, including flowers and plants, fruits and vegetables, game, fish, wine, and tea. For an organic Bavarian snack hit the booth labeled "Bio," where you can wash down a soft bretzl (pretzel) with an organic beer.
   
   
   
   In December, the Christmas markets draw visitors from all over the world. Pick up some soft handmade felt slippers or carved children's toys and browse with a cup of Glühwein in your hands. The German hot spiced wine will warm you up even on the coldest winter day.
   
   
   
   Three times a year, in spring, summer, and fall, Munich throws all of its junk (and for some, treasure) in one market, the mega jumble sale and flea market Auer Dult. You'll quickly get lost among the 290 stands offering everything under the sun at negotiable prices. Smaller flea markets are also held every weekend.



9. Catch a Soccer Game at the Allianz Arena
   

   Just in time for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Soccer, Munich opened the Allianz Arena, home to two teams, FC Bayern München and TSV 1860 München. Soccer, or fussball to the locals, is a passionate pastime in Germany, and Munich is no exception. The stadium, which features an innovative façade that changes color depending on who's playing, draws gigantic crowds, and all 66,000 seats can be filled. So its good news that the Allianz operates with the environment in mind. To cut down on waste, beverages are sold with a deposit so bottles and glasses are returned and real plates instead of disposable are used in restaurants. Trash bags and retailer bags are biodegradable plastic, composting and recycling are encouraged, and cuttings from the grounds and the field are delivered to a private composting plant.



10. Head to the Lakes: Swimming at Starnberger See
    

    Need an escape from the city? Follow the locals and head to the nearby lakes, many of which are fed by crisp, clean mountain streams. In summer, lay out your towel on a grassy knoll and take a dip in Starnberger See, less than 20 miles away and accessible via the S-bahn train service.

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