Shopping in Munich
Shopaholics are in for a treat in Munich. Collectively, the city's shops, malls and markets offer everything from the most luxurious of designer goods to the most traditional of Bavarian crafts. International brands are well represented, but there is much in the way of quirky one-off finds to be had too.
Key areas
Neuhauserstrasse and Kaufingerstrasse, in the city centre, are the main shopping areas in Munich and are lined with large department stores like Kaufingertor München and with global chains. There is the Stachus Passagen at Karlsplatz, which is Europe's biggest subterranean mall. You can find smaller, more exclusive boutiques around Maximilianstrasse and Theatinerstrasse. In Schwabing, Leopoldstrasse is a trendy shopping street with interesting boutiques tucked away on the surrounding roads.
Markets
Viktualienmarkt, the bustling, colourful food market at the eastern end of the Marienplatz pedestrian zone, is one of Munich’s major attractions. The market is open Monday to Saturday 0800-2000. It has existed on the site since 1807 and is a focal point of life in Munich. The Elisabethmarkt, in Schwabing, is a little more low-key, but this food and drink market is no less mouth-watering. It has the same opening hours as the Viktualienmarkt.
Shopping centres
The Olympia Einkaufszentrum is Bavaria’s largest arcade, comprising of more than 135 separate shops, three major department stores and some upscale eating options. The Riem Arcaden, only a little smaller, is a popular option in the east of the city and houses many high-end fashion chains, while the Einkaufs-Centrum Neuperlach mall (known as Pep) contains outlet branches of nearly all the main stores to be found in the city centre. The shopping centre CityQuartier Fünf Höfe is located in the old town centre. Its more than 64 exclusive shops, restaurants and bars attract more than 7 million visitors yearly. The Luitpoldblock, Brienner Strasse 11, hosts several exclusive boutiques and the legendary Café Luitpold.
Opening hours
Larger stores and supermarkets are usually open Monday to Friday 0900-2000 and Saturday 0900-1600. Smaller outlets are open Monday to Friday until 1830 and might close for lunch.
Souvenirs
Aside from the unavoidable hordes of magnets, T-shirts and FC Bayern Munich merchandise, classic local souvenirs include beer steins (ornamental beer mugs), traditional Bavarian clothing, pewter-ware and decorative wooden wall clocks. Shops specialising in traditional Bavarian clothing include Angermaier, Moser Trachten and Hirmer Landlust.
Tax information
Mehrwertsteuer (VAT) of 19% (lower for some goods like food and books) is included in the price of purchased items. Visitors from non-EU countries are entitled to a tax refund from stores displaying the Tax Free Shopping logo.
