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 today:

Transport Minister Bernreiter just launched the shiny new Bavarian Cycle Route Planner app, and it's your ultimate guide to more than 50,000 km of family-friendly and safe cycling routes. Say goodbye to the old “Bayernnetz for Cyclists 2020” and hello to razor-sharp maps, easy offline access, and even altitude profiles to plan your ride. 

Enjoy your holiday today.

3 bits of news

Breaking ground on a greener future 

Munich is about to get a little hotter—underground, that is. The city has kicked off construction on the largest geothermal plant in continental Europe, right at Michaelibad, which promises to keep 75,000 residents warm and cozy by 2033. 

The project, officially launched by Federal Minister Robert Habeck and Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter, is part of Munich's grand plan to meet district heating demands in a climate-neutral way by 2040. Yes, that’s right, eco-friendly heat from the Earth itself—how cool (or should we say, warm) is that?

But it’s not all about drilling and digging. The project is making sure to replace any trees cut down during construction—53 new, heat-resistant ones will soon be shading sunbathers at Michaelibad. So, your favorite sunbathing spot will be back and better, with the added bonus of eco-friendly warmth below your feet.

If you’re curious about the techy stuff: The plant will tap into the Earth’s heat, drawing thermal energy from deep underground, eventually covering a good chunk of Munich’s heating needs without using any fossil fuels. 

Read more here (in German).

15 weeks of patience - subway closures 

Attention commuters: If you’re a U3 or U6 regular, prepare to get cozy with alternative routes for a bit. Starting next year in mid February, these Munich U-Bahns are getting a much-needed facelift. Seven switches at Implerstraße and Harras are being replaced with 15 weeks of closures planned.

During this time, you’ll need to swap your usual subway ride for replacement buses. Almost 30 of them will be on duty—25 of which are being rented. But don’t worry, the MVG promises minimal chaos, thanks to a well-coordinated plan.

So, what’s the plan?

The first phase (Feb 17 to Mar 9) tackles switch replacements at Implerstraße, which will affect both U3 and U6 lines. U3 will still run every 10 minutes between Moosach and Sendlinger Tor, as well as between Fürstenried West and Brudermühlstraße. 

The U6 will be a bit more complicated but equally manageable with frequent shuttle trains and bus replacements connecting the dots.

In the meantime, why not participate in the ongoing MINGA project survey on public transport automation? They’re asking for your thoughts on self-driving buses and on-demand cabs. It’s only 15 minutes of your time, and your opinion could shape the future of Munich’s mobility. 

Find more info about the modernization of the subway lines here (in German).

Switch to winter tires 

Alright folks, it’s that time of year again when we swap out our summer tires for their chunkier, winter-ready cousins. But before you grab your toolkit (or call your local tire shop), let’s clear up a few things about Germany’s winter tire rules—because yes, they’re a bit more specific than just “October to Easter” (though that's a good starting point).

Here in Germany, we’ve got a “situational” winter tire obligation. That means you’re only required to have winter tires when road conditions get icy, snowy, or generally slippery. 

But trust us, you don’t want to get caught out there without them. Fines start at €60 and can jump to €80 if you happen to, say, hinder traffic. Plus, you’ll get a nice little point on your driving record.

Look for the "Alpine" symbol (a snowflake inside a mountain). Until September 30, 2024, M+S marked tires were legal, but after that, it’s strictly Alpine. And while the legal tread depth is 1.6mm, do yourself a favor and aim for at least 4mm.

Not sure if all-season tires work?

They do, but only if they also have the Alpine or M+S marking. No mark? Then you’ve got yourself a summer tire, and those won’t cut it in wintery conditions.

Find more info here (in German).

BONUS: 

• October 2024: 11 changes affecting expats in Germany

• Calls grow in Germany to ban far-right AfD

• Deutsche Post price increases for 2025

• France and Germany urge EU to delay new biometric border checks 

• Germany has been too slow to adapt to the modern world

In Partnership with Granite Financial

It is our desire to bring our readers the best information about Munich — at zero cost to you. In keeping with this theme, we thank our partners for today’s newsletter. By joining this event, you’ll support The Munich Post.

Financial Planning for Kids (Free Webinar)

Discover the essential financial options available for securing your child's future in Germany. Join our webinar, "Financial Planning for Kids," where we will discuss investment opportunities, insurance solutions & tax-efficient plans specifically for children. Register now and take the first step towards securing your child's financial well-being!

When?

Thursday, October 17th at 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CEST

Sign up now! It’s free!

2 upcoming events

Museums after dark

Save the date: On Saturday, October 19, more than 90 museums, galleries and quirky art spaces in Munich will open their doors from 6pm to 1am for the Long Night of Munich Museums. 

For just €20, you get a ticket that unlocks access to all participating venues as well as the shuttle buses connecting them. Just hop on and enjoy the ride.

Bonus: some museums even kick off early at 2pm with kid-friendly activities. 

Learn more here (in English). 

General information:

📍 Various Museums in Munich

⏰  October 19, 6pm – 1am

🎟️  €20

Latin American weekend at Villa Flora 

Get ready to spice up your weekend because Villa Flora in Munich is turning into a little slice of Latin America from Friday, October 11, to Sunday, October 13. Think vibrant music, delicious food and more art than you can shake a maraca at.

Expect live DJs spinning Latin beats, folklore shows, samba dancers bringing the heat and food trucks offering everything from tacos to tropical cocktails. And if you're a fan of unique crafts, art exhibitors will be showing off ceramics, woodwork, jewelry, textiles and more. 

It’s the perfect event for the whole family—and yes, kids under 11 get in free.

Tickets are just €5, and you can snag them online or at the door (if you’re lucky). Oh, and feel free to bring your dog—just keep Fido on a leash.

Find more info here (in German).

General information:

📍  Villa Flora, München

📅  Friday–Sunday, October 11–13

🎟️  €5

Bonus

• Open Day Garching - October 3

• Large plant sale - October 10

• Stuzubi study and training fair - October 12

• Herbstfest Wochenmarkt Messestadt Riem - October 18

• Celebrate Diwali with München Bharatam - October 25

1 new restaurant/café to try

Tattenbach Wirtshaus & Stüberl

Looking for a cozy Bavarian experience in Munich with great food and even better vibes? Lehel’s Tattenbach Wirtshaus & Stüberl is exactly what you’re craving. 

With hearty portions, rustic charm and a staff that’s all smiles, this place feels like a home away from home – with an extra serving of Gemütlichkeit on the side.

Let’s talk food: You could indulge in their perfectly roasted Käsespätzle (Bavarian cheese noodles) or treat yourself to the sweet and fluffy Kaiserschmarren. Either way, you won’t leave disappointed—or hungry. 

The Tattenbach Wirtshaus und Stüberl is Bavarian comfort food done right, using organic ingredients and all served up with a side of genuine hospitality.

General information:

📍  Tattenbachstraße 6, 80538 München 

🥘  German

⏰  Monday – Friday: 11am – 1am Saturday & Sunday: 5pm – 1am

🔗 Visit Tattenbach

Tried & Tested Products We Recommend

Hey folks! This is Aazar. I've tried certain products that have helped me a lot, so I am sharing them with you. These are partners, not sponsors. If you have any questions about them, feel free to reply to this email.

Meme of the week 😂

Community Question

When I first moved to Munich, I wished there had been an “insider’s guide” to know about everything in Munich, such as:

• How to navigate KVR (local registration office)

• How to find an apartment for rent in Munich

• Which bars and clubs to go to

• How to find friends and romantic partners

• How to become self-employed as a freelancer

• How to find jobs in English

• How to find the best places to learn German

• How to navigate your first year in the city

• Restaurants recommended by locals, not tourists (sorry, Tripadvisor)

• Top nearby sightseeing locations

• Information on biking and hiking trails

• and more

This guide is exactly what I wish a friend had written for me to make my first year in Munich easier. We are currently working on this guide and plan to release it soon.

We will be offering this product to our readers in the future.

Once the guide is ready, we’ll share it with you as a beta user at no cost, in exchange for your feedback. If you're interested, please respond to this email, and we’ll keep you updated. Limiting to 10 readers who respond first.

Thanks for reading and sharing the Munich Post 3-2-1 newsletter.

See ya next week!

Aazar, Arlene, Christina, and Heidi

Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that this newsletter is absolutely free for you to enjoy. We genuinely value your feedback as it inspires us to continuously improve and bring you even more amazing news and content. It would mean the world to us if you could spare a moment to share your thoughts and leave us some comments. Your input is truly appreciated!