Munich with a dog

Munich with a dog

Munich is one of the most pet friendly cities I have ever been to, and living here has been one of the best things that ever happened to me and my traveling dog, Enzzo. We have been everywhere in town, restaurants and cafes, parks and tourist attractions that allow dogs, stores and more. So it was about time that I wrote a post for those who, like me, take their dog on road trips around Europe and/or are planning to come to the Bavarian capital with their furry friend.

I have compiled a few things you can do and a few places you can visit in Munich with a dog without having to let go of places you want to visit in town. They are all tourist attractions, which will allow you to visit the city together with your dog instead of leaving him at the hotel room. So here they are:

Marienplatz

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Munich’s postcard, the main tourist attraction in town. The Marienplatz is the heart of the city, a square where you can find the old and new City Halls, and of course, here dogs are allowed. Enjoy the area to pass by the Viktualienmarkt, quaint streets and passages.

Tip: The best day to walk around Marienplatz and the old town with your dog is on Sunday, as it’s less busy since the shops are closed.

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The Parks

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There are many parks in Munich and practically all of them welcome dogs (there are only a few exceptions, which are kinds parks) and here are my favorites:

Hofgarten

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The Hofgarten is one of the prettiest parks in Munich, it’s not far from Marienplatz and it’s just a few steps away from Odeonsplatz – where you can also make a stop. Dogs here are more than welcomed, and I can assure you that it makes up for a very beautiful walk.

Odeonsplatz

Odeonsplatz

Englischer Garten

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The largest park in town, the Englischer Garten is a paradise for dogs. Here they can walk free, swim, play, meet other dogs, go to the biergarten and in December to the Christmas Market at the Chinesiescher Turm. You can go there by walking from the Hofgarten.

Tips:

  • If off the leash, be careful with the cyclists;
  • Choose a calmer part of the water canal to let your dog swim; some parts have strong currents and it can be dangerous;
  • Dogs are not allowed in the play parks for kids found in the park.

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Olympiapark

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Another beautiful and fun place to take your dog. He can’t go up the Olympic Tower, but he can swim on the lakes, walk off the leash and hike up the Olympiaberg – the little mountain in the middle of the park – with you for a beautiful view and a stunning sunset.

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Nymphenburg Palace & Park

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No, dogs cannot enter the palace’s rooms, but they can walk around it and in the park, which is amazing. They can also go to the Cafe am Palmenhaus, part of the palace, where I love having breakfast in warmer days.

I love taking Enzzo here, we always have a great time walking around the park and lake. Last time was a few days ago when it was covered in snow.

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Biergarten

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A must stop for you is also a place where your furry friend is welcome to come along, the biergarten. There are many around town and they all accept dogs – since they are in open-air – some even offer bowls of water for your best friend.

Note: in cold days most biergartens are closed, even though you can still find some heated and indoor ones. Nevertheless, they are better on warm days so you can sit comfortably outside drinking a beer.

Isar

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Munich’s beach, the Isar river, also allows dogs. In the summer you can see lots of them swimming and playing around. Enzzo loves this place and every year we go there a few times to cool down the temperature and sit on the grass.

 

Oktoberfest

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Even though I do not recommend it, yes, you can take your dog to the Oktoberfest. Who knew? It’s true. However, you cannot enter the tents with him since it’s not allowed, but you can walk around outside the tents.

Why I don’t recommend it

Because it is too stressful for animals, too many people, it is too loud, not to mention the risk of stepping on broken glass. Unless your dog is small and fits in the bag, I do not recommend to take him/she to the Oktoberfest, but if you do, try to go on less busy days and times (during the week before 4pm and avoiding lunch time)

Shopping

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For the shopaholics, great news: your dog is allowed to enter shopping malls (e.g: Riem Arcaden and Olympia Einkaufszentrum), department stores (e.g: Galeria Kauf Hof, Ludwig Beck and Oberpollinger), passages (e.g: Fünf Hofe, HOFSTATT), and other stores in Munich. The stores at Maximilianstr. – the most expensive shopping street in Munich – also allow dogs.

Where they are not allowed: pharmacies, supermarkets, drugstores, bakeries and any other place where there is a sign indicating that dogs are not allowed.

Breweries

Augustiner Keller, Munich

Augustiner Keller (Keller = basement)

Things are getting better! The restaurants of the 6 famous breweries of Munich: Hofbräu, Augustiner, Spaten, Löwenbräu, Hacker-Pschorr and Paulaner,  allow dogs. There you can try their beers and local Bavarian food. Fun for the both of you.

Tip: Each brewery has their restaurants around Munich, my favourite one is Augustiner Keller.

Christmas Markets

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Yes! Dogs are allowed in all Christmas Markets in Munich, but my favorite one to take Enzzo is the one at the Englischer Garten, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischen Turm. It is normally less busy than the others, and has a family atmosphere, not to mention it’s in the middle of the park. Another good one is the Haidhauser Weihnachtsmarkt, small but very sweet and also good to take your dog along.

 

Getting around with your dog in Munich

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  • Dogs can use public transportation; your ticket already allows you to take one pet along;
  • Remember to always bring snacks and water for your friend, as well as plastic bags for #2;
  • If you need to stop at a supermarket, you can leave him outside without worrying; some stores/supermarkets have a “Parking” space for dogs.

Shoes and dog

Have fun in Munich with your dog, and make sure to take some cool photos!

 

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Munich with a dog

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