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- 3-2-1- It's time to catch Pokémon across Munich this weekend
3-2-1- It's time to catch Pokémon across Munich this weekend
City Safari turns the whole city into the playing field
Sana Ahmad
September 10, 2026
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Servus an Alle!
Welcome back to the Munich Post! The purpose of this newsletter is to share: 3 bits of news, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats living in and around Munich. This way, you have a pulse on what’s going on without scrolling through thousands of pages.
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Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:
Munich just lost its three-year streak at the top of Germany's Smart City Index. Stuttgart claimed first place this year with 92.8 points, edging Munich out by just 0.8 points. Munich still leads in mobility with a near-perfect 99.8 – so not a crisis, but time to step up our game.
Schools start next Tuesday in Bavaria and if you want to do something good before the week is out, the Bunte Münchner Kindl initiative is collecting filled Schultüten (school cones) for children who can't afford them. Drop yours at the Hofbräuhaus in Altstadt-Lehel on the first floor, daily from 11am to 5pm, until September 12.
3 bits of news
Everything you need to know about Oktoberfest 2026
You know the drill: beer, Lederhosen, rides and more is coming to Theresienwiese from September 19 to October 4. What you might not know is what's changed this year. Beer prices are up 2.4%, landing between €14.80 and €15.90 per liter and Mayor Dominik Krause taps his first keg at noon.
After last year's dangerous Italian Saturday crowd crush, AI cameras now monitor density in real time and trigger alerts before things get out of hand. Three new rides join the fairground, including the Chaos Pendulum; 42 meters, 80 km/h, definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Two tent changes worth noting: Bartls Flößerstadl takes over the spot previously held by Münchner Stubn, and Bodo's Cafézelt gets a brand new wooden tent. Find all the important dates here, from the Wiesneinzug and Trachten- und Schützenzug to the Family Days.
See you on the Wiesn.
Self-driving cars are now loose in Neuhausen
The MINGA research project reached public roads this week. Three autonomous VW ID.Buzz vehicles are now running test routes in the Gern neighbourhood of Neuhausen-Nymphenburg as part of a project by SWM, MVG, and engineering firm IAV.
No passengers yet – a safety driver monitors on board and can take over at any moment. The vehicles use GPS, sensor technology, and ride-pooling software from ioki to group passengers with similar routes intelligently.
A second phase comes with actual passengers once the current testing phase is complete. An automated electric city bus from MAN is also set to join the trials in autumn as part of the same project.
Find more information here (in German).
The AfD just won a state election and here’s what it means for you
On Sunday, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party won 43.8% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election – the best result the AfD has achieved in any election in its 13-year history. The result sent shockwaves across Germany and Europe, especially to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose party has governed the state for 24 years.
For expats and migrants in Germany, this matters. The AfD's manifesto includes an immediate ban on immigration from certain non-EU countries, restrictions on naturalisation, and a "deportation task force." Researchers warn there are legal avenues the party could use even at state level – including revoking residence permits and challenging naturalisations.
The AfD won 39 of 83 seats – three short of the absolute majority needed to govern alone. Every other party that entered parliament has ruled out a coalition with them, so how Saxony-Anhalt gets a functioning government is genuinely unclear. Elected representatives have 30 days to form a coalition before the new parliament must convene on October 6 – and right now, nobody has a plan.
Bonus:
We’d like to thank our first sponsor.
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2 upcoming events
Two Munich runs coming up that you can still participate in
The Run for Life returns on Sunday, September 13 – a charity run through the Englischer Garten, now in its 26th year. The run raises money for Münchner AIDS-Hilfe and covers either 5.8km or 10km. Entry is €18 in advance or €20 on the day.
The Marathon München by Brooks follows a month later on Sunday, October 11 – a one-lap course from Olympiapark through Marienplatz, Sendlinger Tor, the Werksviertel, and the Englischer Garten, finishing back at Olympiapark. Open to marathon, half marathon, 10K, and relay runners. Registration is still open here.
A FREE community Coffee Run on October 10 covers 4.2 km through Olympiapark for anyone who wants to run without pressure with a complimentary coffee at the finish included.
General information:
📍 Run for Life: Prinzregentenstraße 3, 80538 München
⏰ Sunday, September 13
🎟 €18 in advance – €20 on the day
📍 Marathon München by Brooks: Olympiapark, 80809 München
⏰ Sunday, October 11
🎟 From €89 – register at marathonmuenchen.org
Catch Pokémon across Munich this weekend
Pokémon GO City Safari lands in Munich on September 26 and 27, giving you a legitimate reason to walk around the city staring at your phone. Ticket holders explore Munich's landmarks and neighborhoods at their own pace while catching location-exclusive Pokémon. A new Stamp Rally replaces the previous Timed Research format.
Munich joins Boston, Brisbane, Lisbon, Marseille, and Rio de Janeiro for this global event. Each day runs from 10am to 6pm, and your ticket is valid for the specific day and city you choose. Tickets cost €10 per day and can be upgraded with an Extra Day add-on if one day of wandering Munich catching Pokémon isn't enough.
Find more information here (in German).
General information:
📍 Citywide in Munich
⏰ Saturday, September 26–Sunday, September 27
🎟️ €10 per day – book online
Bonus:
We’d like to thank our second sponsor.
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1 new restaurant/café to try
Hai Seafood Izakaya
Hai Seafood Izakaya on Kellerstraße in Au-Haidhausen is a Japanese-Chinese seafood restaurant built around sharing. The format is izakaya-style: small plates, a lot of variety and best enjoyed with a group.
The standout dish is the Seafood Boil: squid, scallops, shrimp, crab, and octopus in your choice of broth, best ordered with glass noodles and rice on the side. Beyond the boil: tuna sashimi, pan-fried karaage, Wagyu nigiri, lotus root stuffed with shrimp paste, and the cucumber salad stand out the most.
The atmosphere is lively and a little loud at weekends. Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.
General information:
📍 Kellerstraße 29, 81667 München
🥘 Japanese-Chinese seafood izakaya
⏰ Monday–Friday, 11:30am–3pm and 5:30pm–11pm
Saturday and Sunday, Noon–3pm and 5:30pm–11pm
Visit Hai Seafood Izakaya
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Meme of the week 😂
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