Schwabing Guide - Hop-Off in the Artist District

North of the city center lies Schwabing. Around 1900, this was the place to be—writers like Thomas Mann and artists like Kandinsky and Klee lived here. Today, it's the upscale, trendy university district, buzzing with students and cafes.

The Ride Up Leopoldstraße

The bus drives north along Leopoldstraße, a boulevard that feels almost Parisian.

• The Walking Man: Keep your eyes peeled for a gigantic white statue of a walking figure (by Jonathan Borofsky) near the Munich Re building. It stands 17 meters tall and is a modern icon.
• Poplar Trees: The boulevard is lined with Italian poplar trees and endless sidewalk cafes. It's the place to "see and be seen."

Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU)

The bus stops near the University squares. The LMU is one of Germany's most prestigious universities.

• White Rose (Weiße Rose): In 1943, siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl distributed anti-Nazi leaflets here. They were caught and executed. Today, bronze pamphlets are permanently embedded in the cobblestones in front of the main building as a memorial to their courage. It is a moving sight.

Why Hop Off?

1. Vibe: It feels younger and less "touristy" than Marienplatz.
2. Siegestor (Victory Gate): Walk up to this three-arched arch. Startlingly, the top is crowned with a chariot, but the rear side is plain. The inscription is famous: "Dedicated to Victory, Destroyed by War, Urging Peace."
3. English Garden Access: Schwabing borders the park, offering quieter entry points than the main tourist spots.

If you are interested in intellectual history or just want a good coffee away from the souvenir shops, hop off here.