travel wiki munich

Munich-Altstadt

1 Understand
3 Get around
4.1 Marienplatz
4.2 Odeonsplatz
4.4 Maximiliansplatz
4.5 Sendlinger Straße
7.2 Mid-range
7.3 Splurge
8.1 Beer halls
8.2 Bars and pubs
8.3 Clubs and discos
9.2 Mid-range
9.3 Splurge

<a href=\"https://tools.wmflabs.org/wikivoyage/w/poi2gpx.php?print=gpx&lang=en&name=Munich/Altstadt\" title=\"Download GPX file for this article\" data-parsoid=\"{}\"><img alt=\"Download GPX file for this article\" resource=\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" src=\"//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\" decoding=\"async\" data-file-width=\"20\" data-file-height=\"20\" data-file-type=\"bitmap\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" class=\"mw-file-element\" data-parsoid='{\"a\":{\"resource\":\"./File:GPX_Document_rev3-20x20.png\",\"height\":\"20\",\"width\":\"20\"},\"sa\":{\"resource\":\"File:GPX Document rev3-20x20.png\"}}'/></a>"}'/> Altstadt meaning "old city" is the very heart of Munich. Three gates are all that remain of the medieval defensive walls, but within is a well-preserved district with many of Munich's iconic sights: twin-towered Frauenkirche, New City Hall with clockwork figures dancing to the chimes of its Glockenspiel, and Hofbräuhaus that temple to drinking and gorging.

Altstadtring circular road now follows the line of the former walls and bounds the old centre. However it's usual also to include Lehel district a short walk further east: this is bounded by the river Isar east, Tivolistraße and Prinzregentenstraße north, and Altstadtring and Zweibrückenstraße west and south. For convenience Prater, one of the river islands, is described here, while Museum Island is described as part of Ludwigsvorstadt.

The medieval heart of the city is all of 50-60 years old - it was heavily bombed in the Second World War and reconstruction took decades. But this was done with skill and care to original designs, so Altstadt has re-captured its charm and grandeur and doesn't feel ersatz .

German cities take their "founding date" as the first documentary mention, 1158 AD for Munich, though all of them have been settled since prehistory. The city name refers to monks and it all turned upon a trade negotiation. The monks controlled a bridge over the Isar, probably at Oberföhring by what is now the English Garden, and stitched up the trade in salt. Medieval life utterly depended upon salt, carted in from the mines at Salzburg, and Duke Henry the Lion wanted in on it. His negotiating ploy was to destroy the monks' bridge and build his own, and everyone saw the logic of his argument.

The early city was ravaged by fire and plague but grew to about 1 km in diameter, and stout defensive walls were built with four gates. These constrained and defined the city until the end of the Thirty Years War in 1648. By then, gunpowder and artillery rendered medieval walls useless, so they were demolished though three of the gates survive. This circle enfolded the district now regarded as Altstadt, while the city spread beyond. Altstadtring is the modern road along the route of the walls, which turned out to have magical powers against automobiles: you bring a car any closer in at your peril. Many streets are pedestrianised and the others have severe restrictions, camera enforced.

As Munich, Bavaria and the proto-Germany prospered in the 18th / 19th century, the inner city became prize real-estate. The very centre around Marienplatz and Frauenkirche retained its old-world charm and higgledy-piggledy street pattern, while royal, government and plutocrats' buildings were erected along stately boulevards near the former walls. They were built to vie with Paris and Vienna, to impress the visitor, and they still do.

The tourist office is in New Town Hall on Marienplatz, open daily - see Munich#Understand .

48.14 11.56 1 Hauptbahnhof the main railway station is just west of this district, within walking distance. See Munich#Get in for inter-city connections, which span Europe.

S-Bahn suburban trains run west-east across the city centre, with stations at Hauptbahnhof, Karlsplatz (Stachus) west edge of Altstadt, Marienplatz plumb centre, and Isartor at its east edge. Lines S1 and S8 run from the airport; the others are S2, S3, S4, S6, S7 and S27.

All these trains use a single tunnel, the Stammstrecke, so line congestion is a chronic problem. A new S-Bahn route is being built beneath Altstadt and might open in 2026. Marienhof just north of Marienplatz will be a new station, while the others will be extended. Expect some construction upheaval while this is under way.

U-Bahn underground trains link those stations. All are within the inner city fare zone, which extends 3-5 km out.

48.1335 11.567 Sendlinger Tor  U1 U2 U3 <span title=\\\"U-Bahn München, Line 6 (Garching Forschungszentrum - Klinikum Großhadern)\\\" style=\\\"color: #333; background-color:#005CAC; border:2px solid \\n#005CAC; border-radius:0px; font-size:70%;\\\"> U6 U7 \",\"marker-symbol\":\"-number-go\",\"marker-color\":\"A52A2A\",\"description\":\"\"}}"}}'>2 Sendlinger Tor U1 U2 U3 U6 U7 lines run out to the northwest , southeast and east Munich districts.
48.1372 11.5755 Marienplatz  U3 <span title=\\\"U-Bahn München, Line 6 (Garching Forschungszentrum - Klinikum Großhadern)\\\" style=\\\"color: #333; background-color:#005CAC; border:2px solid \\n#005CAC; border-radius:0px; font-size:70%;\\\"> U6 \",\"marker-symbol\":\"-number-go\",\"marker-color\":\"A52A2A\",\"description\":\"\"}}"}}'>3 Marienplatz U3 U6 and 48.1434 11.578 Odeonsplatz  U3 U4 U5 <span title=\\\"U-Bahn München, Line 6 (Garching Forschungszentrum - Klinikum Großhadern)\\\" style=\\\"color: #333; background-color:#005CAC; border:2px solid \\n#005CAC; border-radius:0px; font-size:70%;\\\"> U6 \",\"marker-symbol\":\"-number-go\",\"marker-color\":\"A52A2A\",\"description\":\"\"}}"}}'>4 Odeonsplatz U3 U4 U5 U6 : take U3 or U6 for the north and southwest districts.
48.1404 11.567 Karlsplatz (Stachus)  U4 U5 \",\"marker-symbol\":\"-number-go\",\"marker-color\":\"A52A2A\",\"description\":\"\"}}"}}'>5 Karlsplatz (Stachus) U4 U5 , Odeonsplatz and 48.1397 11.5879 Lehel  U4 U5 \",\"marker-symbol\":\"-number-go\",\"marker-color\":\"A52A2A\",\"description\":\"\"}}"}}'>6 Lehel U4 U5 : take U4 and U5 for west and southeast districts.

Walking is usually the best option. Most public transport circles the centre rather than threading through it.

Tram 19 traverses the district west-east, with stops at Hauptbahnhof, Karlsplatz (Stachus), Lenbachplatz, Theatinerstraße, Nationaltheater, Kammerspiele and Maxmonument.

Buses 52 and 62 cross the south part of Altstadt from Sendlinger Tor, with stops at St Jakobs Platz, Rindermarkt, Viktualienmarkt, Blumenstraße, Gärtnerplatz and Baaderstraße.

Don't even think of using a car to get around. Even a taxi with pick up / drop off permission has to drive out radially, orbit Altstadtring to the correct access route, then burrow back in. A journey of 500 m stretches to 3 km - it's not a scam, it's the shortest legal driving route.

Marienplatz

Marienplatz ( on S- and U-Bahn ) is the square at the heart of the old city. It takes its name from Mariensäule, the central golden statue to the Virgin Mary, who was credited with saving the city in 1638 from destruction during Swedish occupation: De Optimo Maximo Virgini Deiparae, Boicae Dominae . . . , yadda yadda yah. The south part of the square is flanked by the imposing old and new Town Halls. North part is a heroic crater, as it's being excavated for the new S-Bahn tunnel and station. You can still access all shops, pubs etcetera here but it's expected to remain a mess at least until 2026.
48.1354 11.5762 2 Viktualienmarkt is the pedestrianised street and outdoor market running south from Marienplatz opposite Old Town Hall.
Heiliggeistkirche faces Peterskirche across Viktualienmarkt. It's a Gothic church of 1392, open daily 09:00-20:00.

Odeonsplatz

This area north of medieval Altstadt was developed in the 19th century. The square was named for Odeon concert hall, now a government building. U-Bahn Odeonsplatz is at its north end.

Feldherrnhalle (mind the spelling, not "Feldherren-") closes the south end of the square. It was built 1841-44 under Ludwig I to the glory of the Bavarian army. It's modelled on the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. On the morning of 9 Nov 1923, this was the scene of Hitler's first power-grab, the short-lived putsch which ended in a bloody shoot-out and his arrest. In 1933 it became a Nazi shrine, and all passers-by were required to give the Nazi salute. "Drückebergergasse" was the nickname given to the alley behind, used by those who didn't care to salute: "Drücke" means "ducking out".
Preysing Palais on Drückebergergasse just behind Feldherrnhalle was built in the 1720s as a bling palace. It's now shops and offices.

48.1428 11.58 5 Hofgarten is a stately Italianate garden laid out from 1613 as part of the Residenz development. The main entrance is west opposite the U-Bahn station. Most of its embellishments were lost to wartime bombing but the central statue of Diana is original. The garden is free to enter 24 hours and has a pleasant cafe. A pedestrian tunnel links north to the English Garden .
Finanzgarten is the bosky, informal green space just north of Hofgarten, a complete contrast. The area was part of Altstadt's defensive walls until those were no longer needed after the Thirty Years' War. Later uses included a market garden for a monastery that contrived to go bust (they're probably still reciting penitential Ave Maria s to this day) and a Ministry of Finance, hence the name. In 1984 the Ministry of Agriculture was finally persuaded to park its cars elsewhere and the garden was landscaped into its present form. It's adorned with statues of notable German poets such as, um, Confucius.

"Lehel" means scrubs or boondocks, floodprone land by the river with shacks and small fields. Lying just east of the centre, it became part of Munich in the 18th century, and blossomed in the 19th with the construction of Prinzregentenstraße. It's now a high-price district not part of the historic Altstadt, but convenient to describe on this page as it's just a short walk east.

St Anna is the name of two churches next to Lehel U-Bahn station. The first, west side of the street, is the monastery church built in the 1730s. It also served as the parish church for this poor district, whose residents were locked out of Altstadt gates by night. The Franciscans took over the monastery in 1827 and remain there. The new parish church east side of the street was completed in 1892.
The English Garden is the huge park starting just beyond Lehel and described as part of northern Munich . However its southern section is within walking distance, or use U-Bahn U3 or U6 to Universität. 48.1499 11.5909 8 Monopteros is the focal point of this section, a prominent neo-classical rotunda. 200 m further north is the Chinese Tower, with a beer garden, and site of a Christmas Market. The section is bounded by a busy highway, Isarring. The northern section is more easily accessed from U-bahn U6 Nordfriedhof.
Archaeology Museum behind the Nationalmuseum has been closed for rebuilding since 2016. It might reopen in 2024.
48.1376 11.5856 11 Museum Fünf Kontinente ( Museum of Five Continents ), Maximilianstraße 42 , ☏ +49 89 210 136100 . Tu-Su 09:30-17:30 . Omitting Europe and Antarctica, the former Museum für Völkerkunde is a global ethnological collection. Adult €4, conc or child €3, Sunday €1 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1376 11.59 12 Kunstfoyer VKB , Maximilianstraße 53 ( Tram 18, 19: Maxmonument ), ☏ +49 89 21600 . Daily 09:30-19:00 . Changing art exhibitions provided by the art foundation of Versicherungskammer Bayern. Free . ( updated Oct 2022 )
St Lukas is on Mariannenplatz near the footbridge to Prater Island. It's a Lutheran church built in the 1890s in neo-Gothic / Romanesque.
48.136 11.59 13 Prater island is one of two large river islands in the Isar. Originally these were small, shifting sandbanks, then in the 19th century they were consolidated and developed. A tavern opened, with a funfair inspired by Prater in Vienna, and so the island (a fusion of three) got its name. But Orson Welles never got to ride its carousel, and the funfair went bust through disruption of building Maximilianstraße, which now bisects it and connects to the eastern district of Haidhausen . One fellow wont to experiment with fireworks was ordered to live away at the south tip, thus dubbed Feuerwerkinsel . This tip is linked by footbridge to Mariannenplatz in Lehel, to Haidhausen, and upriver to Museum Island, described as part of Ludwigsvordstadt
Beer and Oktoberfest Museum , Sterneckerstraße 2 ( alley between Tal and Westenriederstraße ), ☏ +49 89 242 31607 . Tu-Sa 13:00-18:00 . History of the festival, in a townhouse of 1340. The "Himmelsleiter" is its characteristic early staircase, a straight flight with no corners. ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.135 11.5818 14 Isartor ( S-Bahn: Isartor ) was built in 1337 as one of the city gates. It was rebuilt in the 19th to the original plan. It marks the natural boundary of Altstadt-Lehel: for sights south and east such as the Deutsches Museum, see Ludwigsvorstadt .
Valentin-Karlstadt Musäum , Tal 50 ( within Isartor city gate ), ☏ +49 89 223 266 . Th-Tu 11:00-18:00 . Karl Valentin (Valentin Ludwig Fey, 1882-1948) was the Charlie Chaplin of Weimar Germany, appearing alongside a padded-up Liesl Karlstadt (Elisabeth Wellano, 1892-1960). Their typical guise was a pair of factory hands raging against their boss, and this quirky museum celebrates their style, which influenced many such as Brecht. The humour is mostly non-verbal but it will help if your German is good. ( updated Oct 2022 )

Maximiliansplatz

48.1419 11.5711 15 Maximiliansplatz is a long plaza laid out at the beginning of the 19th century over the former city walls. Those circled west to Karlsplatz and east to Odeonsplatz, bounding the northwest segment of Altstadt. Within the plaza are the Wittelsbacherbrunnen fountain, the New Stock Exchange ( Neue Börse ) of 1901 and the House of Artists ( Künstlerhaus ). It's a lively place at night. U-Bahn Karlsplatz (Stachus) is closest for the west end, Odeonsplatz for the east end, and Tram 19 (stop Lenbachplatz ) runs through it.
Platz der Opfer des Nationalsozialismus (Square of the Victims of Nazism, U-Bahn U3, U4, U5, U6: Odeonsplatz ) is the northeast extension of Maximiliansplatz - the Gestapo headquarters stood here. Today an eternal flame burns in its centre.
Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity) is a small baroque church of 1710 at Pacellistraße 6 off Maximiliansplatz. It's seldom open.
Salvatorkirche 200 m east of Platz der Opfer was built in 1492 as the cemetery church for Frauenkirche. In 1829 it became Greek Orthodox.
48.143 11.5755 16 Brienner Straße is the short boulevard connecting Maximiliansplatz to Odeonsplatz. It's lined with neo-classical bulidings, with the grandest in Wittelsbacherplatz.
Cafe Luitpold Museum on Brienner Straße facing Wittelsbacherplatz is an exhibition of the history of coffee shops. It remains closed in 2022, but the pricey Cafe Luitpold itself is open.
Deutsches Jagd- und Fischereimuseum (Hunting & Fishing Museum) is just east of Michaelskirche, open daily 09:30-17:00. Signage is only in German. It's within the 13th century Augustinerkirche St. Johann - after bombing damage this was rebuilt as shops and only the facade survives.
Bürgersaalkirche is a two-story church of 1710 just west of Michaelskirche.

Sendlinger Straße

This street leads southwest to the city gate ("Sendlinger Tor") then on towards Sendling, now a suburb. It's been partly pedestrianised and the "red light district" ejected, but there's disagreement over further extension of the pedestrian zone.

Fire Brigade Museum on St Jakobs Platz remains closed, and was never as exciting as Google Map makes out, translating Feuerwehr as "fireworks".
Herzogspitalkirche St Elisabeth 100 m east of Karlsplatz was the chapel for the 16th century ducal hospital and a pilgrimage destination. It was destroyed by wartime bombing and only the tower was rebuilt to the original design, the rest is modern.
Kreuzkirche midway down Kreuzstraße was built in 1478 as a cemetery church - the kreuz (cross) in this case was a crossroads. It has a plain brick exterior, the interior was re-done in Baroque style in 1620.
Sendlinger Tor , one of the ancient city gates, is where you step out of Altstadt into Ludwigsvorstadt . The U-Bahn station is just beyond.

City Foundation Festival ( Stadtgründungsfest ) is held in mid-June around Marienplatz, with food stalls and other events.
Isarinselfest [ dead link ] (Isar Island Festival) is a street fair held along the river bank on a September weekend, with music, stalls and activities for children.
Christmas Market is held in Marienplatz in the four weeks to Christmas Eve. Another on Wittelsbacherplatz (by Odeonsplatz) is medieval-themed, so you get to experience how earlier centuries gobbled sausage and slurped mulled wine.
Surfing: the Eisbach has a surfable standing wave as it flows out below the bridge at Prinzregentenstraße into English Garden. See Schwabing for this and other attractions in the Garden.

Dallmayr Delikatessenhaus , Dienerstraße 14–15 ( 50 m north of Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 21350 . M-Sa 09:30-19:00 . A legendary delicatessen store with market and bakery. Its eat-in choices are the cafe-bistro, bar-grill, and restaurant. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Kaufingerstraße from Marienplatz, becoming Neuhauser Straße to Karlstor and Stachus, is pedestrianised and one of the city's main shopping streets. Lots of clothing stores plus general retailers such as Kaufhof.
Oberpollinger , Neuhauser Straße 18 ( next to Karlstor ), ☏ +49 89 290230 . M-Sa 10:00-20:00 . This luxury department store was built in 1905 and became a Munich landmark with its three-gable facade. All the pricey top brands are here, look elsewhere for bargains. There's a 5th floor self-service restaurant, with the rooftop terrace open in the warmer months. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Viktualienmarkt is the large open-air market off Marienplatz.
Schrannenhalle , Viktualienmarkt 15 ( south end of Viktualienmarkt ), ☏ +49 89 248 817711 . Stores M-Sa 10:00-20:00, eateries till 22:30 . This former granary is an indoor shopping centre with a branch of Eataly. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Konen , Sendlinger Straße 3 , ☏ +49 89 244 4220 . M-Sa 10:00-20:00 . Department store with a wide range of designer clothing and accessories, and a bar. ( updated Oct 2022 )
CityQuartier Fünf Höfe is a shopping centre in the block at Theatinerstraße 15, 100 m south of Odeonsplatz. It has upscale shops and cafes.
Noah´s , Sebastianplatz 3 (S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz: next to Stadtmuseum), +49 89 700 66 724. M-Su 11:00-23:00. Excellent pizza and Italian cuisine, therefore very well frequented.
Grano , Sebastianplatz 3 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz; next to Stadtmuseum ), ☏ +49 89 232 69939 . M-Sa 11:30-22:00 . Good pizza and location, so it can get crowded. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Sasou , Marienplatz 28 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 263701 . M-Sa 11:00-21:00 . This pan-Asian fast food restaurant on the south side of Marienplatz serves excellent Asian noodle soups for an affordable price. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Viktualienmarkt off Marienplatz has a range of stalls and kiosks with ready-made budget food. You can bring your own food into the beer garden.
Wildmosers , Marienplatz 22 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 238 86696 . Daily 09:00-00:00 . Claims to be the birthplace of Munich Weißwurst in 1857. Excellent food and friendly staff. Good beer, especially Weißbier, in copious amounts. Come hungry, and you'll leave bloated. ( updated Oct 2022 )

Bratwurst Glöckl , Frauenplatz 9 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 291 9450 , [email protected] . M-Sa 10:00-01:00, Su 10:00-23:00 . Traditional Bavarian restaurant opposite Frauenkirche. Their specialty is Nürnberger Rostbratwürstl - smaller than a standard sausage, so a serving is six instead of the usual three. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Haxnbauer , Sparkassenstraße 6 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 2166540 , [email protected] . Closed . This traditional Bavarian restaurant 100 m east of Marienplatz remains closed in 2022. ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1365 11.5785 1 Schneider Weißes Bräuhaus , Tal 7 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 290 1380 . Su-Th 08:00-23:00, F Sa 08:00-00:00 . Echt Bavarian restaurant run by Schneider Weiße wheat-beer brewery, great food and atmosphere. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Tegernseer Tal , Tal 8 ( opposite Schneider Weißes Bräuhaus ), ☏ +49 89 222626 . Su-W 11:00-01:00, Th-Sa 11:00-03:00 . Solid traditional Bavarian food and open late, run by Tegernseer Brewery. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Herrschaftszeiten ( Paulaner im Tal ), Tal 12 ( opposite Schneider Weißes Bräuhaus ), ☏ +49 89 693 116690 . M-Sa 11:00-01:00, Su 11:00-23:00 . Under new management since March 2022, this Bavarian restaurant owned by Paulaner Brewery needs to improve. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Sesam Falafel at Tal 32 does falafel, shwarma and mezze, for a change from German fare. It's open M-Sa 10:00-22:00.
Tahdig , Thierschstraße 35 ( 50 m south of Maxmonument ), ☏ +49 89 242 93180 . M-F 17:30-23:00, Sa Su 12:00-23:00 . Excellent Persian cuisine. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Riva , Tal 44 ( 50 m northwest of Isartor ), ☏ +49 89 220240 , [email protected] . Su closed . Italian restaurant / pizzeria ( updated Dec 2022 )
48.1357 11.5866 2 Nage und Sauge , Mariannenstraße 2 ( Tram 18: Mariannenplatz & Tram 19: Maxmonument ), ☏ +49 89 298803 . M-Th 17:15-00:00, F Sa 17:15-01:00 . This quirky bar has morphed into a salad cafe, but they're huge portions. Cash only. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Katzlmacher , Bräuhausstraße 6 ( next to Hofbräuhaus and Mandarin Hotel ), ☏ +49 89 333360 . M-Sa 12:30-15:00, 18:00-01:00 . Among Munich's best Italian restaurants, with accordingly high prices. ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1359 11.5708 3 Prinz Myshkin , Hackenstraße 2 ( within Hofstadt shopping centre ), ☏ +49 89 265596 , [email protected] . M 15:00-23:00, Tu-Sa 11:30-23:00 . Long-established vegetarian restaurant, bright and spacious, good menu selection. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Ratskeller , Marienplatz 8 ( S- Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 219 9890 , [email protected] . Daily 11:00-23:00 . This occupies the basement of New Town Hall. Great ambiance and trad Bavarian food. ( updated Oct 2022 )

Andechser am Dom , Weinstraße 7a ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz; south side of Frauenkirche ), ☏ +49 89 242 92920 . Daily 10:00-00:00 . Small brew-pub serving beer from Andechs Klosterbrauerei, an easy day-trip from the city. Excellent beer and views of the cathedral, decent food. ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1376 11.5802 1 Hofbräuhaus , Am Platzl 9 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 290 13610 . Daily 11:00-00:00 . Munich's most famous bräuhaus, here since 1644, is touristy but great fun; you may need photo-ID to get in. Schwemme is the 1300-seater ground floor beer hall in the original brewery area. There's oompah music at weekends - listen out for the "oans, zwoa, g'suffa!" song, "one, two, drink up!". Bräustüberl is the stylish restaurant on the first floor. Festsaal on the second floor is a barrel-vaulted events venue. The beer garden beneath the chestnut trees seats 400. ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1383 11.5688 2 Augustiner Stammhaus , Neuhauser Straße 27 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Karlsplatz ), ☏ +49 89 231 83257 . M-Sa 11:00-00:00, Su 11:00-22:00 . Beer hall and restaurant of Augustiner brewery, founded in 1294, great atmosphere, beer and trad food. They have another beerhall on Arnulfstraße, see Munich/Maxvorstadt#Drink ). ( updated Oct 2022 )
Viktualienmarkt beer garden , Viktualienmarkt 6 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn U3, U6: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 297545 , [email protected] . Daily 09:00-22:00 . This is the only beer garden in Altstadt, just south of Marienplatz. With 600 seats, it serves beer from all the big Munich breweries Augustiner , Hacker-Pschorr , Hofbräu , Löwenbräu , Paulaner , and Spaten . It can feel touristy. ( updated Oct 2022 )

Bars and pubs

Goldene Bar , Prinzregentenstraße 1 ( within Haus der Kunst ), ☏ +49 89 548 04777 , [email protected] . Su M 13:00-20:00, W Th 12:00-00:00, F Sa 12:00-02:00 . An established old bar and café with a large terrace behind Haus der Kunst. Decor fine, service and drinks so-so. ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.13607 11.583 3 Havana Club , Herrnstraße 30 , ☏ +49 89 291884 . M-Th 18:00-01:00, F Sa 18:00-03:00, Su 19:00-01:00 . Since 1985 this place has been serving up excellent cocktails. Friendly helpful staff. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Kilians Irish Pub , Frauenplatz 11 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 242 19899 . M-Th 16:00-01:00, F Sa 11:00-02:00, Su 12:00-01:00 . Kilians is behind the Frauenkirche and offers the usual Irish beers. Friendly place with good beer and grub, occasionally hosts live music, and it's a popular place among expats, tourists, and Germans alike. ( updated Oct 2022 )
Ned Kelly's is an Australian-themed sports pub next to Kilian's on Frauenplatz.

Clubs and discos

48.1326 11.573 4 Goldener Reiter , Theklastraße 1 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Karlsplatz (Stachus) ), [email protected] . F Sa 23:00-05:00 . Small and authentically grubby basement bar-club. ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.132405 11.567267 5 Pimpernel , Müllerstraße 56 ( U1,U2,U3,U6,U7,U8: Sendlinger Tor ), ☏ +49 89 232 37156 , [email protected] . Daily 22:00-06:00 . Small nightclub 100 m south of Sendlinger Tor. This venue with red plush and mirrored walls once was a hotspot of Munich's gay scene - a frequent customer was Freddie Mercury who lived nearby. Today it is an afterhours house and techno club open after other clubs have closed. ( updated Oct 2022 )

Altstadt has limited accommodation. Try looking in Ludwigsvorstadt near the railway station, which is surrounded by hotels.

48.1347 11.5658 1 Motel One München Sendlinger Tor , Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße 28 ( U-bahn: Sendlinger Tor ), ☏ +49 89 517 77250 . Simple value place just north of Sendlinger Tor and its station. B&B double €120 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1354 11.5668 2 Premier Inn Zentrum , Sonnenstraße 25 ( U-bahn: Sendlinger Tor ), ☏ +49 89 839 31640 . Reliable budget chain. They have three others across the city. B&B double €125 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1344 11.5739 3 Hotel Blauer Bock , Sebastiansplatz 9 , ☏ +49 89 231780 . Basic clean hotel by Jewish and Stadt museums. B&B double €180 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1371 11.571 4 Mercure Hotel München Altstadt , Hotterstraße 4 , ☏ +49 89 232590 . Good value chain hotel, clean and well-run. Mercure have four others across the city. B&B double €170 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.142 11.5865 5 Unsöld's Factory Hotel ( formerly Golden Leaf Parkhotel ), Unsöldstraße 10 , ☏ +49 89 244 162100 . Smart place in a former ice cream factory - so you'd expect it to have a/c, but it doesn't and gets sultry in summer. B&B double €150 . ( updated Oct 2022 )

Hotel Opera , St-Anna-Straße 10 ( 100 m south of U-Bahn: Lehel ), ☏ +49 89 210 4940 . Delightful small hotel just off Maxmonument. B&B double €250 . ( updated Nov 2022 )
48.1373 11.5807 7 Mandarin Oriental , Neuturmstraße 1 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 290980 . This gets great reviews from travel publications and more importantly from almost all guests. 73 lavish rooms in neo-Renaissance style, and first class service and dining. B&B double €800 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1392 11.582 8 Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski , Maximilianstraße 17 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 21250 . An elegant grand hotel with 150 years of tradition, but a string of poor customer experiences indicate that it doesn't live up to its brand name or price tag. B&B double €400 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.136 11.5759 9 Hotel Louis , Viktualienmarkt 6 ( S-Bahn & U-Bahn: Marienplatz ), ☏ +49 89 411 19080 , [email protected] . Stylish design hotel with 72 rooms, excellent value for its comfort and location. B&B double €400 . ( updated Oct 2022 )
48.1356 11.5815 10 Hotel Torbräu , Tal 41 ( S-Bahn: Isartor ), ☏ +49 89 242340 . The oldest hotel in town, founded in 1490, it's a traditional, family-run place with 90 rooms. Great value, you're getting an Altstadt location for further-out prices. B&B double €250 . ( updated Oct 2022 )

As of Oct 2022, the entire city has 5G from all three German carriers. Wifi (in German WLAN) is widely available in public places and on transport.

Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt is reached by stepping through Sendlinger Tor. Oktoberfest is held in this district, and the star attraction is the Deutsches Museum of science and technology.
Haidhausen just east of Aldstadt is the bar and party district.
Maxvorstadt just north is the university district and has big-name galleries and museums.
Northern Munich beyond Maxvorstadt has the English Garden in Schwabing, and the Nymphenburg palace and park.

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Everything you need to know before you travel to Munich

May 1, 2024 • 6 min read

Follow this easy advice from a Munich adoptee to make the most of your trip © Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock

Munich, Germany’s third-largest metropolis, is a city of tankards and tech, artworks and eccentricity. It's generally a safe place to visit, and few travelers have problems.

While you can get by using common sense and street smarts, following our tips will make your trip to Munich go even more smoothly.

Be aware of store closing times

Germany has strict rules on business operating hours, and most stores are closed on Sundays. For locals, Sunday is a day for rest or for spending time with friends and family. For basic groceries, you can head to gas stations and kiosks, as well as supermarkets in major train stations and at the airport, all of which are excluded from this regulation. These places are also open later in the evening during the week, when other shops must close by 8pm. Some bakeries and museum gift shops are also open on Sunday.

The same opening hours apply to public holidays; if a holiday falls on a Saturday, stores will be closed all weekend. Make sure you plan accordingly.

Alcohol and cheese on display at a stall in Viktualien open air market in Munich.

Always carry some cash

Although many places in Munich accept cards, smaller stores, market stalls and local food shops such as bakeries and butchers still run on cash. You may also encounter coin-only ticket machines on public transport. To avoid having to make a hasty tram exit or missing out on an irresistible baked good, it’s best to have some euros in your pocket at all times.

Reserve restaurants ahead of your trip

If you want to eat at a particular restaurant during your trip, it's worth booking a table before you travel. Whether local favorites, such as Broeding , or big names, such as Tantris and EssZimmer , popular eateries fill up fast. This is especially the case on Friday and Saturday nights, you may be turned away if you don't have a reservation.

Tourists and guides outside New Town Hall at Marienplatz Square

Pack clothes for all kinds of weather

The weather in Munich can change quickly and requires a diverse selection of accessories. Hot summer afternoons can bring sudden downpours or thunderstorms, while crisp winter mornings often call for gloves and sunglasses. Check the forecast before you travel but then pack for all eventualities.

Acquaint yourself with the local accent

Munich is a thoroughly international city and you'll find plenty of people can speak English, but some German phrases will help you get by in places that are less frequented by tourists. In some spots, you may be greeted with a strong local accent.

Note that " Servus " and " Gruß Gott " are more common greetings than " Hallo " or " Guten Tag " in some areas.

Respect the green man

It’s not unusual to see people waiting patiently at pedestrian crossings in Munich, even in the absence of traffic. Jaywalking is illegal in Germany and can result in a (small) fine; however, this rule is hardly needed considering the local respect for regulations. Those who dare to cross when the light is still red should reckon with judgmental glares, indiscreet muttering or perhaps some stern words from others patiently waiting at the side of the road – particularly when children are around.

Big pretzel, grilled sausages and potato salad, served at a Bavarian beer garden.

Be prepared to announce your tip to your whole table

In bars and restaurants, the bill will be brought to the table, and this is where you pay – tip and all. Before handing over your cash or card, you'll need to work out the full amount you wish to pay (rounding up to include a tip of around 10%) and announce this total to the waiter and anyone else in earshot. Tips are typically rolled into the bill; money left on the table after paying may not reach the staff.

There may be a mark-up on your drink purchases

If a grocery store bill or a round of drinks seems more expensive than you anticipated, this could be because of the Pfand (deposit). In places such as beer gardens or Christmas markets, a few euros are normally added per glass to encourage you to return your empties to a designated area once you’re finished. Deposits are often returned in exchange for a token handed out when you pay.

In grocery stores, kiosks and drinks shops, a smaller deposit often applies to bottles and cans. To get your money back, you can return empty containers to the same store – or others that accept them. Some shops have machines that scan the empty bottles and give you a receipt to take to the cash desk for reimbursement.

Be diligent about buying tickets on public transport

Rather than employing ticket barriers at stations, Munich’s public transport system relies on stringent spot-checks. These are often carried out by groups of plain-clothed staff, and riding without a ticket on buses, trams and trains can result in hefty, non-negotiable fines. You can find full details of the fine system on the Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (MVV) website.

When traveling, you should buy a ticket at the earliest opportunity, either at the station or – if that’s not possible – from an onboard machine as soon as you get on. Sometimes you’ll still need to validate ( entwerten ) your ticket after you purchase it. Look out for the little blue boxes in stations or on public transport that you can use to stamp your ticket.

Cyclists passing with trams in the backgroun in the afternoon in Munich

Ding ding! Watch out for speedy cyclists

Munich has an excellent and well-used system of bike lanes, and you can download maps online. These lanes are either located on the side of the road or on part of the sidewalk. In the latter case, it is quite easy to accidentally wander into the space allocated for bikes, but this is highly inadvisable.

Many cyclists, especially those on e-bikes, travel at high speeds and may not be able to stop in time. Family bikes with boxes for children, in particular, have quite some weight behind them. Luckily, all bikes are required to have bells by law, and riders aren’t afraid to use them – if you hear a ding, move out of the way quickly!

Yes, you can drink the water here

The beer is excellent, but the tap water is good too. Indeed, it pays to rehydrate if you've had a big evening on the Bavarian beer. The tap water in Munich is fine to drink and it helps reduce a hangover.

People crowd outdoor tables at the beer garden of Seehaus and reflected in the water

Munich is generally safe, but stay streetwise

Munich has a reputation for being a safe place to travel, and few travelers have any serious problems. Indeed, in some neighborhoods , it is not uncommon to spot bikes left unlocked or see notes pinned to lampposts optimistically inquiring about the whereabouts of missing phones or precious jewelry.

Having said that, Munich is still a big city, and you should watch your bag and pockets in busy areas and transport hubs. Take care at night and avoid poorly lit spaces or parks if you are alone.

Left something on the tram?

If you leave something on public transport, you have a couple of ways to try and locate your belongings. In the west of Munich, you can swing by the Munich Transport Company (MVG) Lost and Found Center ( Fundbüro ), where many lost items end up. Alternatively, you can try locating your items before you come via their online search function .

Save these numbers if things go really wrong…

If you get into serious trouble in Munich, dial 110 for the police or 112 for all emergency services. The police are generally friendly and helpful and often speak English.

Ready to plan your trip to Munich? Here are your next steps:

Start crafting your budget with these tips. These experiences don't cost a thing . Find out which neighborhood fits your vibe . Add these top experiences to your itinerary. Save this transportation guide to get around in Munich.

This article was first published Feb 10, 2022 and updated May 1, 2024.

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Tourism in Munich: What the city has to offer

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A walk through Westend

Out and about with designer Christian Hundertmark

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Visit munich: the ideal holiday destination.

From lakes, parks and beer gardens to museums, historical sites and massive stores, there's something for everyone who visits Munich. If you seek the finest beers, the most idyllic views, eco-parks, amazing cuisine, mind-blowing art collections or you just wish to sit in the midst of really great people, a trip to the Bavarian capital is all you need. Sit back and relax while we take you on a rollercoaster of places to visit and things to do in Munich!

Sightseeing in Munich

Our overview of Munich's most important places

Eine Hotelglocke an der Rezeption eines Hotels

Hotels in Munich

Looking for where to stay in Munich? See a listing of hotels and hostels

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Everything stays different

Kinderprogramm in der Pinakothek der Moderne

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Das Café Kosmos zelebriert den Stil von Omas guter Vintage-Stube.

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Colorful and loud

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Travel Guide To Munich

It may be best known for Oktoberferst, but Munich has more to offer than just beer. The Bavarian city has a grandeur and beauty to rival many European capitals and, with more theatres and galleries than anywhere else in Germany, a very strong cultural flavour, too.

Where to stay in Munich

KEMPINSKI HOTEL

Vier Jahreszeiten München Maximillianstrasse 17 (00 49 89 21250; fax: 2125 2777). One of Munich's largest, oldest and most famous grand hotels. ££

BAYERISCHER HOF

Promenadeplatz 2-6 (00 49 89 2200; fax: 212 0906). As old, large and grand as the Kempinski. Both are ornate, luxurious and very formal. ££

HOTEL SPLENDID

Maximillianstrasse 54 (00 49 89 296 606; fax: 291 3176). This characterful, rather old-fashioned hotel, with pretty rococo-style furniture, helpful staff and generous breakfasts, makes a good, inexpensive alternative. £

HOTEL AN DER OPER

Falkenturmstrasse 10 (00 49 89 290 0270; fax: 2900 2729). Close to the Nationaltheater. £

GASTEHAUS AM ENGLISHER GARTEN

Liebergesellstrasse 8 (00 49 89 383 9410; fax: 3839 4133). A former water mill on the edge of the Englischer Garten. £

HOTEL EXCELSIOR

Schtzenstrasse 11 (00 49 89 551 370, fax: 5513 7121). Housed in an early 20th-century building, with a manor-house interior style(frescoes and hunting images), this hotel exudes rustic elegance. It has 113 bright rooms, decorated in soft pastels. ££

MANDARIN ORIENTAL

Neuturmstrasse 1, 80331 (00 49 89 290 980; fax: 49 89 222 539; [email protected] ; <a href=http://www.mandarinoriental.com target="_blank">www.mandarinoriental.com</a>). This hotel, renowned for its calm, luxurious ambiance, is a welcome oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city. Wonderful location behind the Hofbrauhaus, near fashionable galleries, boutiques and restaurants. It has 53 rooms and 20 luxuriously appointed suites offering splendid views of the city. In the lavish Mark's Restaurant, Italian chef Mario Corti serves superlative Mediterranean food with dishes including medaillon of beef fillet, green asparagus, risotto of morels and beurre blanc and white halibut in wild garlic fumet with artichokes. ££££

Where to eat out in Munich

The best places to find good, wholesome local fare are naturally the beer halls - and Munich's beer halls are celebrated. But unless you like noisy, cavernous spaces, with row upon row of refectory tables and benches, and dirndl-clad waitresses clasping litre steins of lager to their bosoms, they can be nightmarish. These are the exceptions:

THE WEISSES BRAUHAUS

Tal 7 (00 49 89 299 875). A series of pleasant, vaulted rooms with stained-glass windows. The wheat beer is delicious and the food, as long as you like wurst and sauerkraut, good. Just don't sit at a table marked Stammtisch (reserved for regulars), or you won't be served.

THE AUGUSTINER GASTSTATTEN

Neuhauserstrasse 27 (00 49 89 2318 3257). The oldest brewery in Munich. Serves good beer, but only adequate, rather stodgy food. Its best feature is the splendid domed Shell Room (echoes of Grottenhof), which has walls encrusted with seashells.

PRINZ MYSHKIN

Hackenstrasse 2 (00 49 89 265 596). A bright, modern room, where some of the most inventive, intensively flavoured and beautifully presented vegetarian food is served. The best antidote to a surfeit of beer, sausages and tradition.

Burgstrasse 5 (00 49 89 2916 1566). Opposite the house in which architect Francois Cuvillies lived, this place may be ancient but doesn't play too much on its heritage: its whitewashed vaults are lit by candles and Moroccan lanterns, and its menu offers a mix of German (pork fillet with mushrooms; smoked salmon and rosti potato pancakes) and Italian dishes (pasta, salads) and wines. Check out the indigenous Riesling of the day.

Buttermelcherstrasse 6 (00 49 89 260 7741). Serves international cuisine that has an Asian influence.

Odeonsplatz 18 (00 49 89 298 322), on the edge of the Hoftgarten. A warren of rooms, some light and airy, over two floors, decorated with Italianate wall paintings and Venetian glass chandeliers, some cosy, dark and flock-wallpapered.

CAFE KREUTZKAMM

Maffelstrasse 4 (00 49 89 293 277). An archetypal mittel-European kaffe-und-kuchen house that has become something of an institution.

The best nightlife in Munich

For a glass of Sekt before the opera, try Wiener on the Maximillianstrasse, between the Nationaltheater and Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. Its halb-und-halb (espresso topped up with hot chocolate, served with whipped cream) is a great way to warm up. It also sells its own brand of hand-rolled cigars. It's small, but there are tables on the pavement (rugs are provided when it's chilly).

Bar Centrale, Ledererstrasse 23, is Munich's answer to London's Bar Italia. It's close to the Mandarin Oriental (see Where to stay ), and a good place for breakfast if you balk at paying the hotel's charge. And let's not forget the beer gardens: the one around the Chinesischer Turm, a ludicrous fake pagoda in the Englischer Garten, is vast (capacity 7,000) and often crowded, but the position is wonderful. Koniglicher Hirschgarten Hirschgarten 1, near Nymphenburg on the border of yet another huge park (this one with deer), is a pleasant place for a drink, though the food is nothing special.

What to see in Munich

There are more theatres and galleries in Munich than anywhere else in Germany, as well as two outstanding orchestras, the Bayerischer Ballett, and one of the world's great opera companies, based in the monumental neoclassical Nationaltheater. Galleries worth a visit include Lenbachhaus, the former home of successful portrait painter Franz von Lenbach, and the palace and gardens at Schloss Nymphenburg, 6km from the city centre (15mins on the number 17 tram). Admire architect Francois Cuvilliés' rococo architecture at the pavilions and lodges in the Nymphenburg gardens and also in town at The Residenz, the sprawling faux-Renaissance palace where the Bavarian royal family lived, now a museum, and the Altes Residenztheater. There are also museums to cater for just about all tastes. Then, of course, there are the beer gardens (see Where To Eat and Nightlife ).

How to get to Munich

Munich airport is connected to the city centre by the S-Bahn railway. Unless you are travelling alone, it's cheaper to buy a Partner-Tages-Karte from the machines on the platform. You'll need two - one for both the blue (inner) and green (outer) transport zones - but these will entitle you to unlimited transport all day on buses, the S-Bahn, the underground (U-Bahn) and trams for two adults, three children and a dog. You will find the City Map (which includes S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram and bus maps and is available from the Tourist Office on Marienplatz) invaluable. The bus or taxi ride to Munich's central station, Hauptbahnhof, takes 45 minutes. The trip by transit rail to Marienplatz in the centre of Munich takes 37 minutes.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK

Lufthansa (0345 737 747; www.lufthansa.com ) and British Airways (0845 773 3377; www.ba.com ) both fly direct to Munich.

Welcome to Destination Munich

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Welcome back!

After a few difficult years for international tourism, travel is well and truly back on people's agendas. Once again the hubbub of half a hundred languages fills Munich's cobbled streets, and day-trips to Bavaria's Alps, castles and picturesque villages are more popular than ever.

The Oktoberfest in 2023 was in fact the best-attended on record, drawing an estimated 7.2 million people from all corners of the globe.

And just as the world is falling back in love with the place, trends such as contactless payments, a boom in hotels, cheaper flights and the prevalence of Airbnbs have made travel easier than ever before. So what are you waiting for?

You'll find plenty of useful information, stories and useful advice on these pages to help get you started planning your trip.

Munich in a nutshell

• Status: Capital of Bavaria, the biggest and richest state in Germany. • Population: 1.5 million • Known for: Oktoberfest, lederhosen, BMW, Olympics in 1972, birthplace of the beer garden • Language spoken: German and a local dialect called Boarisch • Useful phrases: - Grüss Gott (formal hello), - Servus (informal hello, goodbye), - Gut schaust du aus (you look great), - Noh a Moss, bitte! (One more litre mug of beer, please!) - Hast du ’was Klopapier? (Have you got any loo paper?) • Famous past residents: Vladimir Lenin, Lola Montez, Freddie Mercury, Joseph Ratzinger (former Pope), Lou Bega • Currency: The Euro € . One Euro equals about 1.08 US dollars, 0.86 British pounds, 1.64 Australian dollars and 2.54 Tongan Pa'anga • Common souvenirs: Beer steins, lion dolls, Oktoberfest hats • Quote: "Today is the good old times of tomorrow"– Munich comic Karl Valentin

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Munich Travel Guide: Best Attractions & Top Things to Do

Hello pretty Munich! It’s hard to believe it took this long until we finally saw you with our own eyes. But when we did, we did it properly. We explored Munich for five days from morning until evening and we can already reveal: This supposedly exclusively chic city surprised us by presenting itself as relaxing and cosy.

In this travel guide we let you in on our personal tips for your city trip to Munich (Germany). How should I spend the perfect weekend in Munich? Which sights and attractions do I need to see? Where is the best viewpoint of Munich? Where should I eat and drink? We have collected together all of our travel tips for you so that you can perfectly prepare for your trip. Let’s go!

1. Munich Travel Guide: Overview of initial travel tips & info

2. sights and attractions in munich: best things to do and see, 3. munich from above: tips for lovely viewpoints, 4. eating & drinking: tips for cafés and restaurants in munich, 5. our hotel tip for munich.

Posh, expensive & boring? Munich is not exactly met with the best clichés. But quite honestly: Apart from the (admittedly) high prices, we experienced Munich to be quite different from this.

Munich is a modern cosmopolitan city and Bavarian village in one. You can sip champagne cocktails on the city’s rooftop bars, and in the first pint is already poured by lunchtime in the beer garden next door. That is the nice thing about Munich: You can have both.

Munich is an astoundingly well-presented city and we felt great here right from the first moment. Some streets remind us very much of Vienna , while other corners exude an almost Italian flair. In short: Munich’s old town is a really enjoyable mix of decorative alleyways and impressive buildings . The centre is so nicely straightforward that you automatically pass by many of the attractions several times.

And it shouldn’t go unmentioned that there is a lot of green space in Munich. For example, at the Olympic Park – in our opinion one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset. Or the beautiful English Garden. If we lived in Munich, you would definitely find us there quite often.

How many days should I allow for a city trip to Munich?

The good news: Munich is not a large city and the centre is comparatively quite easy to navigate. In one weekend you can see many (but of course not nearly all) of the sights. Two nights (3 days) are enough to experience the main highlights in Munich.

Even so, in our opinion it’s always better to have more time. So, if you want to experience the city in a relaxed manner, then we recommend staying 3 to 4 nights in Munich. Then you can also plan one or two day trips (e.g. to Nymphenburg Palace) and soak in the city even more.

What is the best way to get from A to B in Munich?

On foot: The sights in Munich’s old town, especially, are located so close together that you can easily reach them on foot. We ended up covering most distances on foot.

By bicycle: Munich is a bike city. When the weather is good, half of Munich will jump on their bike. There are many places in the city where you can hire a bicycle. The cost for a day is around 15 euros.

Via public transport: Some destinations (e.g. Nymphenburg Palace or Olympic Park) are located outside of the city, so you’ll need to use public transport. There are numerous subway, tram and bus lines. You can quite easily purchase a ticket from a machine at most of the larger stations. Our tip: We downloaded the app “Münchner-Verkehrsgesellschaft” (MVG) before our trip, which made it easy to navigate from A to B.

Marienplatz & New Town Hall

The best place to start your stay in Munich is in the heart of the city at Marienplatz (Mary’s Square). Marienplatz is the central square in downtown Munich. There is no way to get around it, so to speak.

Marienplatz features one of the most imposing buildings in Munich, the New Town Hall (the “Neue Rathaus” in German). This magnificent new-gothic building is truly an eye-catcher. The famous glockenspiel can be heard daily at 11am, 12 noon and from March until October at 5pm. Then 32 life-size figures begin to rotate up on the tower of the town hall.

Undoubtedly the best view of the New Town Hall can be enjoyed from “Old Peter” , as the St. Peter’s church is affectionately named. The viewpoint is one of the most well known in all of Munich.

Our tip: Not as spectacular, but definitely an insider tip, is the view from the fourth floor of the department store Ludwig Beck. Here you will find Café Monaco. If you sit at a table at the front, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the town hall.

Viktualienmarkt

Hello foodie-dream! This market is one of our favourite spots in Munich. It can be found just a stone’s throw away from Marienplatz and is an absolute paradise for food connoisseurs and gourmet lovers.

At Munich’s Viktualienmarkt you can find fruit, vegetables, cheese, freshly squeezed juices and many regional delicacies . The Viktualienmarkt is open daily, apart from Sundays, from 8am until 10pm at the latest. We recommend stopping by before noon.

Our tips for the Viktualienmarkt stalls

Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt: Caffeine junkie? Then get yourself to the coffee roastery, Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt. The coffee here tastes incredible and can also be made with oat milk if you like.

Caspar Plautz: You can find delicious, and sometimes somewhat extravagant baked potatoes here at Caspar Plautz. The perfect place for a midday snack!

Karnoll: Here they make what are supposedly the best pretzels in all of Munich. We cannot verify this, but they were definitely very tasty.

Munich Residenz

Would you like a decent portion of posh and pomp ? Then you can’t go past the Munich Residenz (residence). From the outside it is hard to imagine the wonderfully imposing rooms that are contained inside the Residenz.

The Residenz is divided into multiple areas , which can be viewed separately from one another. First of all, there is the Munich Residence Museum where you can wander through the approximately 130 living rooms, bedrooms, and banquet rooms of the Bavarian rulers of the time.

The oldest preserved room in the Munich Residenz is also one of the most impressive: the so-called Antiquarium. This magnificent renaissance hall awaits you right at the start of your tour.

Aside from the Residence Museum, the Residenz also houses the treasury (with around 1,500 exhibits) and the Cuvilliés Theater . We ourselves decided to ‘only’ visit the Residence Museum and found that to be more than enough in terms of time. We would recommend you allow at least two hours. Audio guides are provided free of charge.

Hofgarten Munich

Directly behind the Munich Residenz you come to the adjoining Hofgarten (court garden). In case you want to take a break from sightseeing after visiting the Residenz: The Hofgarten is the place for you! You should definitely take a stroll through this baroque park on your visit to Munich.

The photogenic Hofgarten Temple is throned in the centre of the garden, also called the Dianatemple (Diana Temple) in the traditional language. But we also really liked the beautifully landscaped flower beds. Our conclusion: A wonderful, green oasis which is pleasantly calm and contemplative.

Odeonsplatz

Munich or Italy? When leaving the Hofgarten through the west entrance, you will reach the large square, Odeonsplatz. And believe us: Thanks to the roman-inspired architecture , you could almost believe you’ve landed in bella Italia.

The first thing that stands out at Odeonsplatz is the Feldherrnhalle (Field Marshal’s Hall) with its iconic three round arches and two lions. Directly beside it is the Theatinerkirche , a church in Italian late baroque style, which is also worth seeing from inside. You can experience the “dolce vita” very comfortably from the gardens of the many cafés and restaurants at Odeonsplatz. Almost like in Italy – we say yes.

English Garden

Wow, what an oasis! The English Garden is the pinnacle of all the green spaces in the centre of Munich, so to speak. It is remarkably large – or more precisely, one of the largest city parks in the world . When the weather is good, half of Munich gathers in the English Garden.

One of the most well-known spots in the English Garden (and also one of our favourite spots) is the so-called Monopteros , a Greek-style temple. From here you have a beautiful panorama view and can also see the peaks of some buildings in Munich’s old town rising up in the distance. It is especially beautiful here late in the afternoon when the sinking sun slowly bathes the greenery in a magical light.

The Chinese Tower is another popular destination. It is not so much the tower that attracts people here but more so the beer garden right beside it. The beer garden next to the Chinese Tower is the largest in the English Garden and the second largest in all of Munich.

Eisbach Wave

A surf wave in the middle of Munich ? Sounds strange, but it’s true. The Eisbach wave at the southern end of the English Garden is surfed year-round. We can promise you one thing: When you start watching the surfers on the Eisbach wave, it’s hard to stop. What a spectacle !

If you want to stop by, then we recommend taking a visit to Fräulein Grüneis near the Eisbach wave. This converted toilet block is one of the most popular meeting points in all of Munich. At lunchtime they serve various dishes of the day, with snacks and cake in between times. Highly recommend!

Nymphenburg Palace

Once the summer residence of the Bavarian rulers – today it is probably Munich’s most beautiful palace outside of the city centre. What Schönbrunn Palace is in Vienna, the Nymphenburg Palace is in Munich. Or to put it another way: Anyone who wants to see the classic sights of Munich should definitely pay a visit to Nymphenburg Palace.

Nymphenburg Palace is located west of Munich about half an hour away from the city centre via public transport. It is surrounded by a gigantic, beautifully landscaped palace park . Water canals, romantic pathways, smaller hidden castles in the park – you almost need to spend an entire day here just to admire the palace park in all its magnificence.

You can also take a tour of the palace itself – we ourselves ‘only’ explored the palace park due to time. Our tip: It is particularly beautiful here at sunset when the setting sun bathes the palace in a beautiful light.

Werksviertel-Mitte

Hip, urban and somewhat different – welcome to Werksviertel-Mitte. Nearby Munich’s eastern train station you will find what is probably the most exciting urban development project in all of Munich.

Here in this precinct where Pfanni potato dumplings were once produced, you will now find an interesting mix of loft offices, studios, apartments, restaurants, bars and loads of street art. Quite strangely: The Werksviertel also has a flock of sheep that graze on the rooftop of plant no. 3. You can catch sight of the sheep when you take a ride on the ferris wheel (called “Umadum”).

The Olympic Park & Olympiaberg

In the Olympic Park you can find one of the (in our opinion) most beautiful sunset-spots , more precisely at the ‘peak’ of Olympiaberg. In case you are now thinking about the Olympic games, then you are spot on. It is here where the Olympic games took place in 1972.

The highest point in the Olympic Park is Olympiaberg . From up here you have one of the loveliest panorama views over the Olympic village with Lake Olympia in the foreground. When the weather is good, many Munich locals gather up here in the late afternoon to admire the sunset. Add a drink and a picnic blanket that you brought with you – there is hardly a more relaxed day to round off a day in Munich.

You can walk to Olympiaberg in around 20 minutes from the nearest underground station, Olympiazentrum . Don’t worry: The walk up is not so significant.

Our tip: If you are already in the area, then we recommend you also visit the Olympic Tower beforehand. From this viewing platform you can enjoy a fabulous 360-degree view. We let you know more about this viewpoint further down in this travel guide.

Munich beer garden

What was that, a beer garden as an attraction? Let’s put it this way: There is hardly any city other than Munich where we would let that be so. However, the Munich’s beer garden is world famous . If you’re a guest in Munich, you aren’t allowed to leave without having visited the beer garden. Unwritten rule.

There are more beer gardens Munich than you could ever visit. And it feels as though every Munich local has her or his favourite. Therefore, we have put together an overview of the most talked about recommendations and tips for you:

Augustiner-Keller on Arnulfstraße: Just a stone’s throw away from the Hauptbahnhof (the main train station) you will come to this large beer garden. Here you are comfortably seated at a large wooden table under chestnut trees. There is a table service and a self-service area. We really enjoyed the food here!

Hofbräukeller at Wiener Platz: This beer garden is part of the legendary Hofbräuhaus, but is located a little outside of the old town at Wiener Platz. You also sit under chestnut trees here. Just as highly recommended!

Biergarten at the Chinese Tower: This beer garden is the second largest in Munich. It draws in many tourists, but the locals also spend their lunchtimes here or come by after work.

Olympic Tower

Here we go with a superlative. The Olympic Tower is by far the highest building in Munich . It stretches almost 300 metres into the sky. An elevator brings you up to the top within 30 seconds. Anyone who wants to view Munich from the birds-eye-view is in the right place here.

Small downside: The TV Tower is located in the Olympic Park, so it’s outside of the city centre . Therefore, downtown Munich and its iconic buildings are only viewable from a distance. However, you do have a distant view of the alps. We can imagine that you could capture fantastic images with the appropriate lens.

The most beautiful and easily most spectacular viewing platform is also the highest at 192 metres. Here they don’t have an annoying fence or glass window, so you can enjoy the view completely uninterrupted – wow! The trip up currently costs (in March 2022) 11 euros per person.

Rooftop Bar in Mandarin Oriental

WOW! We aren’t lying when we say that the view of Munich from the rooftop of Mandarin Oriental went above and beyond our expectations. If you are searching for the perfect sunset spot in downtown Munich: it’s here!

The rooftop bar called “Mahjong Roof Garden” is located up in the air on the rooftop terrace of the luxury hotel, Mandarin Oriental. From up here you can enjoy a sensational view out in all directions.

The ambience is stylish but less posh than thought. The cocktails taste double as goof between the palms, lounge chairs and the rooftop pool . However, the prices are (as you would expect) high (a cocktails costs a good 15 euros), but you can happily lay a little more money down for such a great experience.

Our tip: We definitely recommend making a reservation . The bar is particularly popular at sunset (and rightfully so).

Rooftop Bar in Hotel Bayerischer Hof

Would you like to have a drink with a spectacular view of the Frauenkirche ? Then perhaps the rooftop bar “Blue Spa” on the roof of the luxury hotel, the Bayerischer Hof, is something for you.

The ambience is exclusive – definitely not something for ever day but you can let yourself indulge in the luxury of a drink. The service is very courteous. Even though we didn’t have a reservation, with some luck we still managed to get a nice spot. But it is best to book at table in advance.

Café in the Vorhölzer Forum on the TU roof

Easily the most relaxing rooftop bar on our list is located on the roof of the Technical University, more precisely in the so-called Vorhölzer Forum. The adjoining café is quite an insider tip . Most of the people there are students who spend their study breaks here.

The view is not as spectacular as the other rooftop bars (the inner city is quite far away) but the ambience is very casual and relaxing. Ideal for a relaxing beer at the end of the day!

Our tip: The café is rather hidden and the way there is hardly signposted. It is best to take the elevator to the top floor and ask around when you get there.

Additional great viewpoints in Munich

Two very famous viewpoints in Munich were unfortunately closed when we visited. But because they belong on the Munich list, we don’t want to leave them unmentioned. We’ll be saving them for next time!

Old Peter: From St. Peter’s church tower – affectionately called “Old Peter” by the locals – you can enjoy a fabulous view of the New Town Hall and the Frauenkirche. There is barely any other view in Munich that is more iconic than this one.

Town Hall Tower: The view from the town hall tower is said to be just as magnificent. Here you get a view out in all directions from a height of 85 metres.

Vegan & sustainable in Munich

Emmi’s Kitchen: What a likeable eatery! In Emmi’s Kitchen they serve various breakfast and lunch foods such as bowls, burgers and cakes – all vegan and all delicious! They now have two branches: We visited the eatery in the Glockenbach district. The beautiful green inner courtyard is an oasis – highly recommend!

Soy Vegan: Vietnamese and also vegan? You don’t need to tell us twice. The fried glass noodles were outstanding. Romeo’s curry could have done with a little more seasoning. But altogether definitely worth a visit. We also loved their stylish ambience.

Max Pett: Probably the most well-known vegan restaurant in all of Munich didn’t have us completely convinced, personally. (In our opinion, we could have got a lot more out of both of our dishes.) Nevertheless, we can recommend it. It’s very nice to sit in the garden in front of the restaurant. The atmosphere inside was not for us.

Über den Tellerrand: Very highly recommend! This hidden gem is jointly run by refugees and locals. The menu includes three prices: a low one for those in need, a middle price that covers costs and a generous one that includes a donation. Aside from us finding that to be a brilliant concept, we also found their food to be excellent.

Traditional Bavarian food in Munich

Xaver’s: Looking for a creative tavern with a rustic-modern atmosphere? Then we can highly recommend Xaver’s to you. They serve fantastic käsespätzle here. They also have vegan meals on request. Add a good beer and extremely courteous staff on top of that – what more could you want?

Augustiner-Keller: There are just as many beer gardens in Munich as there is sand on the beach. One of the most popular is Augustiner-Keller, close to the main train station. Here you are seated under the chestnut trees. Highly recommend!

Hip cafés & bars in Munich

Man versus Machine: Caffeine junkie? Then you should swing by one of the two branches of the hipster café, Man Versus Machine. Here they serve fantastic coffee specials – also with oat milk when you wish. Yummy!

Gans Woanders: It looks like an enchanted witch’s house, but it’s one of the most hip and greatest spots in all of Munich. In Gans Woanders families meet for an afternoon coffee, couples meet on dates and friends meet for catch-ups. The atmosphere is casual, relaxed and cosy – almost like home.

Alte Utting: A bar located on a ship on an old railway bridge? Sounds strange, but it’s true. The Alte Utting is one of the most popular meeting points for locals. An unusual location on the outskirts of downtown.

Are you searching for suitable accommodation for your city trip to Munich? Then we have a special tip for you. We stayed at a lovely 25hours hotel The Royal Bavarian , which we can highly recommend .

This hip boutique hotel is easily one of the hippest in all of Munich. The design is youthful, creative and rather quirky – just out taste! Our room (category “extra-large”) was relaxingly large and extremely comfortably furnished. The beds are a dream: so relaxing!

The breakfast is fantastic! It is served within the restaurant NENI, which belongs to the hotel and is also definitely worth a visit in the evening. No wish is left unfulfilled at breakfast. We really celebrated every morning.

The only downfall in our opinion is also a positive at the same time: The hotel is located within walking distance of the main train station – perfect for anyone arriving by train. Because of this, the hotel is situated at a large intersection and the traffic (especially the trams) can be softly heard in some rooms. It didn’t bother us personally. It also means that you have great public transport connections and you can reach the city centre (Marianplatz) on foot in around 15 minutes.

Our conclusion: Great atmosphere, comfortable rooms and exceptional design – simply a great feeling! Not to mention, the staff are extremely accommodating. We wouldn’t hesitate for a second and stay here again anytime.

You can book the hotel here: 25hours hotel The Royal Bavarian

Disclaimer: Advertisement & Affiliate Links

This travel guide was created in cooperation with the German National Tourism Board, Munich Tourism and Woman Magazine. Many thanks for the great trip to Munich! This blog article contains our personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something through the links, we receive a small commission. This does not change the price for you at all. A million thanks from the both of us!

Now tell us: Have you already been to Munich? How did you like the city? Do you have some more recommendations you would like to share? We look forward to hearing your recommendations and additional tips!

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Hotels and lodging [ ]

OctopusTravel.com Hotels in Munich and all over the World

Attractions [ ]

The Oktoberfest bears witness to the famous hospitality and kindness of Munich's inhabitants. This beer festival, held every year, lasts 16 days and attracts over 7 million people. Simply great!! If you've always wanted to see 100,000 people in beer tents, drinking from extremely large beer glasses, this is the place for you.
Marienplatz has been, from the moment of the city's construction, the heart of Munich. This is the ideal departure point for a tour of the city. The Mariensaule (Maria Columns) stand in the centre of the square and give the place its name. The columns were erected as a sign of gratitude for the withdrawal of the Swedish troops during the Thirty Year War. Marienplatz is also the site of the Neues Rathaus (Council) built in late Gothic style at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The building is particularly interesting for its Glockenspiel, the mechanical clock which functions when the clock chimes 11, 12 and 5 o'clock. The Altes Rathaus ( Old Council), restored after the Second World War, is situated on the east side of the square. There are a number of important churches in close proximity to the square including the Heiliggeistkirche, the largest Gothic church in Munich and the Frauenkirche ( Our Lady's Church), symbolic building of the city, constructed between 1468 and 1488.The church houses the sumptuous St Nepomuk altar and the tomb of the Emperor Ludovic the Bavarian. Michaelskirche, the most impressive Renaissance church in Germany, is situated a short distance away. Maximilianstrasse, the most fashionable street in Munich, is lined with elegant and refined shops. The road comes out in Max-Joseph Platz, site of some important Munich buildings including the Nationaltheater, the Opera and the Residenz.
The Residenz was the home of the Wittelsbach a Bavarian family, who lived here from 1385 to 1918. This enormous building was almost completely destroyed during the last war and what remains is the result of the latest reconstruction. The interiors and the works of art are however original and include a notable collection of jewellery from the Bavarian Crown, conserved in the Schatzkammer, together with a spectacular collection of crowns, tiaras, clocks and other precious objects. Other interesting rooms within the building include the Ancestor's gallery with 121 portraits of the bavarian sovereigns, the Schlachtensale (Balle Room), the Porcelain Room, with services from the Meissen, Berlin and Nynphenburg factories and the Asiatic collections of Chinese and Japanese art. It is possible to visit The Residenz, following a guided tour, which is divided into two sessions, each of two hours duration. The building is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4:30 pm.
A separate ticket is required in order to view the Schatzkammer . It is also possible to visit the sumptuously decorated Altes Residenztheater, perhaps the finest Rococo theatre in Europe. The Konigsplatz, situated to the north-east of the city, is dominated by Propylaen, a neo-Classic symbol of the bond between Bavaria and Greece, during the time of the Greek fight for independence against Turkey. The Konigplatz is the site of two museums which house the Wittelsbach and Glyptothek art collections, which include important Greek and Roman sculptures and the Antikensammlungen, which houses a precious collection of ancient artefacts. The museums are open from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm.
The Munich Alte Pinakotek, which houses the Wittelsbach art collection, collected over the duration of the family's reign, is one of the most extraordinary museum in the world. The building, constructed specifically as an art gallery for Ludovic I by the architect Leo Klenze, houses works of art which cover a period of over 400 years. Some of the most important works include 'Madonna with carnation' by Leonardo, the 'Pieta' by Botticelli, together with works by Raffaello, Filippo Lippi, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and Rubens.. In addition the art gallery boasts the largest collection in the world of the works of art from the masters of the German school. The gallery, situated in Barer Strasse N°7, is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
The Neue Pinakotek , situated in front of the Alte Pinakotek, houses an excellent collection of paintings from the 19th and 20th century including works by David, Gainsborough, Goya, Turner, Monet, Manet, Cézanne, Gaugin, Van Gogh, Schiele and Klimt. The opening times are the same as those of the Alte Pinakotek. The Tuscan style villa of the German portrait artist Franz Von Lenbach (1839-1904) was sold by his widow to the city of Monaco and now houses the Stadtische Gallery, a wonderful collection of works of art from the Munich masters and German artists from the 19th century. The section dedicated to the Blaue Reiter movement, is of particular interest and includes works by Marc, Kandinsky, Klee and Macke.
The Deutches Museum , one of the finest science and technology museums in the world, is also worth a visit. The museum, with its eight floors, houses various displays including automotive, railway, aeronautic, physics and telecommunication sections. The museum is situated in Museumsinsel 1 and is open every day from 9am to 5pm
Dachau , the one time concentration camp, is situated just outside Munich and is easily reached by public transport. A visit is obligatory even if highly disturbing from an emotive point of view. Dachau, built by Hitler in 1933, was the first Nazi concentration camp and whilst in operation imprisoned 200,000 prisoners of which 30,000 were put to death. The complex comprises a central building, which houses a museum and a reconstruction the barrack huts, bunker, crematorium oven and gas chamber. The site is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Shopping [ ]

Olympia Einkaufszentrum - Hanauer Str. 68

pep - Ollenhauerstr 6

Riem Arcaden - Willy-Brandt-Platz 5

Ulla Popken - Sonnenstraße 11; PlusSize fashion for women and men

ROSE BIKETOWN - Pelkovenstraße 143-147; Modern bicycle shop with high-qulaity bikes

Distorted People - Hans-Sachs-Straße 3-5; Fashion in vintage style only for men

OSKA - Maffeistraße 6; High-Fashion for women

Maps and transportation [ ]

Getting to munich [ ].

The most popular method of getting to Munich for tourists is by plane via Munich Airport. There are fights from over 40 different countries who fly direct.

Exploring Munich [ ]

The majority of the city can be visited on foot, with large areas of the centre being designated pedestrian zones. For destinations further a field, it is recommended to use the efficient public transport system operated by Munchener Verkehrs-und Tarifverbund GmbH (MVV). The system comprises 20 tram lines, 83 bus routes, 7 metropolitan lines U-Bahn and 10 rail lines S-Bahn. The area covered by this service is divided into zones. The system operates from 5am to 1am every day.

Practical information and resources [ ]

Currency : Euro

Electric supply: 220 Volts, 50 Hertz

Climate : the Munich summers are generally warm and sunny, but frequent rainfalls are present. The temperatures vary from 11 °C to 23 °C. In winter the temperatures vary from to -3 °C to 5 °C

Language : German

Opening hours : Bigger Shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm. Banks are open from 8:30am to 12:30pm and from 1:30pm until 3:30 pm Monday to Friday.

Telephones : The code for Munich is 089.

Restaurants [ ]

Text with links to user-reviews on other pages [ ], nightlife [ ].

Munich night-life is rich and varied. The residents consider a good beer a fundamental part of the city social life; for this reason the bars, beer houses and cafés are always welcoming and stay open until the early hours of the morning. The largest concentration of pubs is around the Schwabing district, the lively university zone to the north of the centre and Haudhausen, on the right bank of the river Isar. The best place to sample the famous Bavarian beer is in one of the many open-air beer houses.

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Munich Review
Go Three Sheets to Munich and experience Oktoberfest.
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Munich Travel Guide

The Bavarian Capital is rich in world class museums and galleries and is home to hundreds of family-friendly beer gardens, many of which have playgrounds. A number of the sights can be found within the city's remaining three medieval gates making it a very walkable destination. Join the very active local population and walk or cycle your way through this enticing destination. — Laurel Robbins

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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

City Guides .\33 a132798-3f3b-4585-954d-7e70cf863447{fill:#231f20}

Munich travel guide — how to visit munich on a budget.

The best things to see, do, and experience in Munich.

Ernest Hemingway said, “You do not even go somewhere else, I tell you there’s nothing like Munich. Everything else is a waste of time in Germany.” Ok, there are plenty of other amazing places in Germany, but Munich is one of Europe’s must-visit cities. It’s a city of warm people, beautiful architecture, culture, museums, hardy food, great beer, and nude sunbathers.

[Check out our travel guides for Amsterdam , Barcelona , Berlin , London , Paris , Rome and multiple other cities .]

What You’ll Find In This Munich Travel Guide:

How Long To Visit Munich
The Good And Not-So-Good Things About Munich
Munich’s Must-See Sights and Attractions
Cheap Eats and Drinks in Munich
Best Munich Hostels

Munich Nightlife

More Resources To Help You Plan Your Visit On A Budget
Public Transportation

How Much To Budget To Visit Munich

Munich isn’t the cheapest place to visit but it’s also not quite as expensive as major cities like London or Paris. There are plenty of good deals to be had on food and alcohol if you do your research. However, during Octoberfest prices skyrocket on just about everything — especially housing.

We recommend budgeting €4 0-€65/day for travelers on a backpacker’s budget — you can easily spend more and you might be able to spend less, but this is a good range for planning purposes. You can read our Munich Daily Price Guide for more in-depth cost details.

How Long To Visit Munich: 3-5+ Days

Munich is a great city with a lot going on, so it’s best to give it at least three full days — but you can easily add an extra few days if you have the time or if you want to explore a few of Munich’s excellent day trip options.

When To Visit Munich + Weather

Summers in Munich tend to be fairly mild with temperatures in the mid-70s — which is excellently for enjoying a few beers in the beer gardens. This is also the most popular time for tourists.

Spring is a great time to visit Munich because the weather is still nice but the tourist crowds are much smaller. The average high temp in April is in the upper 50s and in May it’s in the mid-60s. The Fall weather in September and October is similar April and May with temperatures hovering between the mid-50s and 60s.

Winters are cold and sometimes snowy with temperatures dropping into the 30s or lower. Munich does attract a lot of people to its excellent Christmas Markets so expect large crowds and high season prices during late November and December.

The Good And Not-So-Good Things About Munich: A Quick Overview

Munich is a favorite destination for a reason, but even this city has positives and negatives that we wanted to share before you visit.

Beer Halls and Beer Gardens. It’s hard to beat enjoying a cold beer and a soft pretzel outside on a warm day. Luckily, Munich has plenty of options for you to enjoy these simple pleasures in life.

Museums. Munich has a number of excellent museums. Into science? Munich has the best science museum in the world.

Public Transport. Getting around Munich is a breeze.

A Beautiful City. Munich is a stunning city. Plain and simple.

The Not-So-Good

Crowds. Munich draws a lot of tourists but that’s to be expected in such an awesome city.

High Prices. Munich has a fairly wealthy population so that makes prices higher than normal.

Nude Sunbathing. Munich’s English Garden park allows nude sunbathing. Most of those nude people are old dudes.

Best Things To Do in Munich

Munich has it all — history, architecture, museums, traditional Bavarian cuisine, shopping, sports, nightlife and huge mugs of beer. You’ll always have something to do or see.

Deutsches Museum

Set on an island in the middle of the Isar River, the Deutsches Museum is dedicated to making the world of science and technology fun. One of the first of its kind when it opened in 1903, this science center has gone on to become the world’s largest and is great for kids of all ages. The laws of nature and scientific methods are explained with help from interactive atoms, trains, robots, flashing lights, and boats – just to name a few. Regular admission is €11. Website: deutsches-museum.de

Viktualienmarkt

The most famous daily food market in Munich, the Viktualienmarkt is a historic and delicious stop in the center of town. A short stroll from Marienplatz (where the market used to be held before outgrowing its surrounds), Viktualienmarkt is heaven for both visiting foodies and locals grabbing lunch. Well over 100 stalls sell everything from fresh fruit and veg to fish, meat, and flowers. And if you’re wondering, yes, this is a great place to grab that obligatory bratwurst and have a brew, as they even have their own beer garden.

Marienplatz and New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus)

The main square of Munich, Marienplatz has been the hub of the Old Town for over 900 years. While Marienplatz may not host a market these days, the square still buzzes, as it’s home to a busy U-Bahn station, is located near lots of shopping, and is the place many walking tours set off from. The Square is lined with historic sights, but the quirky Glockenspiel – a cuckoo clock-style statuette show that takes place on the facade of the New Town Hall each day – is the reason many come here.

One of the most photographed buildings in Munich, the New Town Hall ( Neues Rathaus ) is most famously home to the mayor of the city and the aforementioned Glockenspiel. Designed in a Neo-Gothic style, the New Town Hall was built around the turn of the 20th Century, and its ornamental touches and spires are striking. For many though, it’s all about the Glockenspiel which puts on a historical show (think jousting knights, dancing coopers, and angels) using figurines every day at 11 AM.

The Residenz

Munich’s grandest home, The Residenz was the resplendent residence of many of the city’s leaders through the centuries and offers a look back at this era alongside an astounding collection of artwork and effects. The Residenz began life as a small castle but grew to become a sprawling gilded palace, complete with ballrooms and gorgeous gardens. The dynastic families that resided within its walls collected art as status symbols, and their collections are now on full display, with the fresco-laden Antiquarium being a real highlight. Regular admission is €7. Website: residenz-muenchen.de

Alte Pinakothek (Old Pinacotheca)

Home to a superb collection of art spanning from the 1300s to the 1700s, Alte Pinakothek is heaven for lovers of iconic European art. Home to more than 700 pieces of art from Dutch, Flemish, French, Italian, Spanish, and German Old Masters, the collection is deemed one of the world’s most important. The neoclassical building it is located in is a gem as well, as it was a groundbreaking museum design for its time. Regular admission is €4. Website: pinakothek.de

Note: The Neue Pinakothek is a similar museum but with paintings from the 1800s to the early 1900s

Pinakothek der Moderne

A quartet of modern collections (20th Century art, graphics, architecture, and applied design), the Pinakothek der Moderne is Germany’s largest array of contemporary works. On the art front, works by Andy Warhol, Dali, and Picasso mix with equally provocative but lesser-known names, and the applied design section shows off everything from Apple products to Volkswagens. The graphics and architecture collections are equally impressive. Regular admission is €10.

Egyptian Museum

Focused on finding quality over quantity, Munich’s Egyptian Museum offers visitors one of the world’s best-curated collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Sculptures are particularly impressive here, with relics from each and every major Egyptian era represented. The museum shoots to educate instead of just trying to blow you away with dazzling displays, and you’ll walk out knowing a ton more than you did when you came in. Regular admission is €7. Website: smaek.de

English Garden

Where the city has come to relax and play outside since the 18th Century, the English Garden is Munich’s Central Park. Popular activities here include sunbathing by the Isar River (be aware some areas allow for nude bathing), dog-walking, soccer playing, jogging, and visiting one of the park’s many beer gardens. The park is also home to one odd spectacle you have to see to believe: a permanent man-made wave on the Isar River that allows for surfing.

Hofbräuhaus

While there are a handful of Hofbräuhaus locations around the world nowadays, this is the original, and no trip to Munich is complete with a stop at this iconic beer hall. Not just for the beer either, as the Hofbräuhaus is home to centuries of history, too. It was founded in 1589 by the Duke of Bavaria, and is home today to a year-round Oktoberfest atmosphere featuring classic Bavarian cuisine, traditional music (think oompah bands sporting lederhosen), and fun times with a crowd full of international tourists and locals alike – some of the latter even keep a beer stein in a special locker-like device to be used when they pop in. Is it touristy? Absolutely. Is it worth visiting? Absolutely.

Nazi Documentation Center

This recently-opened museum shines a light on the rise of the Nazi party and its close connections to the city of Munich, a subject which was brushed under the rug for decades. The center brings it all out in the open through historic photographs, documents, and displays as well as modern multimedia, and also grapples with the subject of Munich’s struggle acknowledging its Nazi past. It is truly a fascinating place which educates and shows all who visit why what went on then still matters today. Regular admission is €5. Website: ns-dokuzentrum-muenchen.de

Nymphenburg Palace

Built as a summer home for royalty, Nymphenburg Palace is located on spectacularly landscaped grounds on Munich’s western fringe. The original residence was one solitary Italian villa-style mansion, but generations of residents extended the palace’s facade to its current sprawling version. The palace, its gardens, and surrounding park (full of park palaces) remind many of Versailles, with touches of opulence and romance at every turn. Regular admission is €6. Website: schloss-nymphenburg.de

Frauenkirche (The Cathedral Church of Our Lady)

The most recognizable symbol of Munich, this church, and its two bulb-topped towers soar above the city’s skyline. Full of grandeur yet utterly lacking flamboyance, the Frauenkirche stuns with its simplicity. Inside, you will find the relics of Holy Roman Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian and a fabled imprint on the floor called ‘The Devil’s Footprint’. Climbing to the top of the tower is a great way to burn off some Bavarian beer and you’ll have a soaring view of the Alps to the south. Admission is free. Website: muenchner-dom.de

Asam Church

A tiny church built by brothers to be their private house of worship, Asam Church is a small but spectacular sight. The church is beautifully Baroque on the outside and almost completely blends into the surrounding buildings. Once inside, you will find only a dozen or so pews, but the church more than makes up for its lack of space with grand gilded touches and gorgeous frescoes. Admission is free.

Dachau Concentration Camp

One of the most popular – and painful – day trips from Munich, Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp established by Hitler after becoming Chancellor of Germany. A trip here allows visitors a sobering and informative look back to the terrible fate that awaited the hundreds of thousands who were sent here during the twelve years Dachau operated. Admission is free. Website: kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de

Konigsplatz

A spacious square in the heart of the city’s museum district, Konigsplatz was designed in a classical Greek style in the mid-1800s. King Ludwig I’s idea was to make Munich a little more like Athens, and one look at the Konigsplatz’s Glyptothek (a group of Roman and Greek statues) will tell you he succeeded. Sadly, the beautiful space was often used as a backdrop for Nazi displays of power, but today is back to being the perfect place for a picnic.

St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche)

The oldest church in the city, St. Peter’s Church is home to a mishmash of architectural touches and magnificent views over the city. Design wise, everything from Romanesque-Gothic to Rococo is on full display here, and there’s even some fascinating relics to take in, specifically St. Mundita – dusted with gold and covered in jewels. You can climb the tower here for great views of the city. Admission is free, tower climb is €2.

Take a (Free) Walking Tour

Walking tours great ways to explore and learn more about the city you’re visiting. I like to take one on my first day in a new city as I find it’s an excellent way to get my bearings and it gives me an idea of where I want to revisit.

The free walking tours are great for overviews. However, you’ll have to pay if you want a better quality guide or more specialized information (food tours, etc.).

Below is a list of the free walking tours:

New Europe Tours: Munich
In Munich Tours

If you’re looking for a paid tour we recommend checking out Trip Advisor to find reviews .

Cheap Eats And Drinks in Munich

You can find a lot of solid food options in Munich — especially if you like meat. Munich is known for a tasty breakfast sausage called Weißwurst and roasted pork ( Schweinsbraten). Bratwurst, Leberkässemmeln (sausage made with spiced pork, veal, and lemon) and Brezn (soft pretzels) are all other items you shouldn’t pass up.

Munich is also an international city so you’ll find food option from across the globe. There are also more and more vegetarian and vegan options.

The best food markets are the Viktualienmarkt in the Altstadt and the Elisabethmarkt in Schwabing.

Best Beer Halls and Beer Gardens

Munich is famous for its beer halls and beer gardens you should check a few out.

Augustiner Bräustuben — A large beer hall that’s far enough off the tourist track that you will feel a bit like a local.
Augustiner Keller — Large traditional beer hall and a massive beer garden. Great when the weather is nice.
Hirschgarten — This is the largest beer garden in the world and it’s been open for over 200 years.
The Hofbräuhaus — This is easily the most touristy beer hall in Munich but it’s still an institution.
Max Emanuel Brauerei — A popular student hangout.
Waldwirtschaft — Do yourself a favor and make the trek into the Munich suburbs to visit this quintessential beer garden.

We’ve gathered some of our favorite online resources and food bloggers:

Spotted By Locals: Munich
Eat in Munich
The Cool Guide
fffoood.com

Munich’s nightlife may not be as good as Berlin, but it still offers plenty of options for everyone. Of course, there are the beer gardens but that’s not all. Electronic dance music is big so you can always find clubs pumping out techno music early into the morning. Clubs not your thing? There are plenty of fancy cocktail bars and even more dive bars.

The most famous clubs are Pacha Munchen (a bit of everything), P1 Club (luxury), Atomic Café (student and alternative), Backstage (rock), and Ksar Barclub (electro). For a plethora of additional nightlife info, check out this link .

Munich Hostels and Accommodation

Munich doesn’t have a ton of hostels so that means they tend to be more expensive than average — but quality tends to be good. Expect to spend anywhere from €30-€48/night if you want to stay near the center but I’ve seen some sub €20/night options.

However, during Oktoberfest prices can easily be 3x-4x more expensive and they get booked 9-12 months in advance.

I’ve always used HostelWorld to book our hostels so you’ll want to poke around there to find the perfect hostel. Here are a few of the best-rated hostels in Munich:

Wombats City Hostel Munich
MEININGER Munich City Center
Euro Youth Hostel
Smart Stay Hostel Munich City
The Tent Munich (this is actually a massive 100-bed tent they set up during the summer and it’s really cheap)
Jaeger’s Munich

Traveling Around Munich

Munich is one of the most walkable cities in Europe, but it also has a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. All public transportation operates on the same ticket, so it’s probably best to buy an unlimited day ticket (but singles tickets are available).

Single ticket: €2.70
Day ticket, inner zone (Single Tageskarte Innenraum): €6.20
3-day ticket, inner zone (Single 3-Tagekarte Innenraum): €15.50

Munich also has excellent transportation to most parts of Germany and much of the rest of Europe — especially via train.

Munich Day Trips

Munich is located in the heart of Bavaria so it’s within close distance of multiple great day trips — including many great cities and castles.

Tip: There is a special train ticket called the Bayern ticket which gives you unlimited travel throughout Bavaria for groups of 2-5 people. It costs €23.00 for 1 passenger* + €5 for each additional (up to 5 people total). It’s only good for regional trains but it’s a great deal for groups.

Neuschwanstein

The number one day trip from Munich is King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle. Neuschwanstein looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale (it was the inspiration for the Disney castle). It was one of my highlights of visiting Munich. It’s about a two-hour train ride from Munich.

Salzburg, Austria is a short 1.5 train ride from Munich and trains run every hour, so it makes an excellent day trip. Be sure to check out the Hohensalzburg fortress that towers over the city and take some time to sample the amazing Austrian beer and food.

Andechs Monastery / Brewery

This peaceful old monastery located on the mountain of Andechs makes a great place to explore for the day, but the real treat is the Andechs Monastery brewery, beer garden, and beer hall. It takes about 1.5 hours by train.

Linderhof Palace

Our ol’ friend King Ludwig II built this fairytale palace as his own personal Versailles. It’s the only palace that Ludwig actually completed before he died so it’s a great place to see what it was like to live like a king.

Hohenschwangau Castle

This 19th-century palace was built by King Maximillian II, father of Ludwig II, and it was used as a summer residence (not bad, huh).

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Dubbed the “most German town in Germany,” Rothenburg is a charming village features half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. It also has excellent Christmas markets and you can buy Christmas items all year long. It’s about a three-hour train ride so it’s a bit of a long day trip but it’s worth the journey.

This gorgeous medieval city nestled on the river Danube is listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s about a 1.5-hour train ride from Munich with frequent trains.

Nuremberg may be known as the Nazi rallying grounds but it’s actually an amazing charming town to visit. It’s full of half-timbered houses, gothic churches, medieval city walls and a most-impressive imperial castle. It takes about an hour via the ICE train or just under two hours on the regional train.

Other Random Practical Travel Tips

Explore by Bike. Munich is a bike-friendly city so it’s an excellent way to travel around the city. The city has a bike rental program or you can rent one from one of the many rental shops.

Oktoberfest . Visiting during Oktoberfest can be a lot of fun but it can also a headache. Hostels and hotels get booked well over 6+ months in advance and the prices are raised considerably.

More Resources To Help You Plan Your Budget Munich Visit

I’m still a fan of ol’ fashion guidebooks as they give you a quick, easy and curated way to research your destination. If nothing else, head to the library or bookstore and spend an hour or so thumbing though a guidebook — it’s worth it. We’ve also listed a few websites/blogs that will help with your planning.

Rick Steves Munich
Lonely Planet Munich
WikiVoyage: Munich
Spotted By Locals: Munich

Packing Help + What To Wear

Backpacking Europe Packing List For Women – Our famous packing list that’s specifically for the ladies.
Backpacking Europe Packing List For Men – Our famous packing list that’s specifically for the dudes.
Best Travel Backpacks For Europe – We review our favorite travel backpacks, luggage, and other packing aides.

No Funny Business

The Savvy Backpacker is reader-supported. That means when you buy products/services through links on the site, I may earn an affiliate commission—it doesn’t cost you anything extra and it helps support the site.

Thanks For Reading! — James

Questions? Learn more about our Strict Advertising Policy and How To Support Us .

The Backpacker’s Guide To The Best Hostels in Munich | Our Favorite Munich Hostels

Our picks for the best hostels in Munich. The ultimate list of the best budget-friendly places to sleep when traveling on a budget.

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20 essential travel tips for every first-time Munich visitor

Everything first-timers need to know to get around Munich, from transport tips to top attractions to Bavarian etiquette

Sure, you might know about Munich’s great museums, foodie scene and the ridiculous amount of beer on offer. But did you know about having to carry cash? Or that shops are always closed one day of the week?

Did you know you can surf here on the side of the street? Or that you can get into a museum for a euro? Well, if any of this is news to you, it sounds like you need this list. Our local writer has compiled the 20 essential things you need to know before you visit Munich. This is your holy grail. Enjoy!

RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Munich 🍴 The best restaurants in Munich 🍻 Best places to drink beer in Munich 🏺 The best museums in Munich 🏛️ The best attractions in Munich

Naomi Kaye is a writer based in Munich. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Essential tips for every first-time Munich visitor

1. prepare for the ‘millionendorf’ atmosphere.

Munich isn’t just any city. The word to describe the vibe here is gemutlich, which means cosy, and let us tell you, it lives up to the name. And that’s what’s behind the term Millionendorf - Munich is the kind of place where you say hello on the street, you know your local shopkeepers, and you always make space for bikes. It’s not a skyscraper city, more like a little village. Take it in.

2. Carry cash

While major supermarket chains and shopping outlets are likely to accept your credit card, most restaurants and stores in Munich will only accept cash or EC-cards (like debit cards). Make sure you have enough euros with you for everyday use. The COVID-19 pandemic has dented the German love of cash, but hard currency remains king in these parts.

3. We’re pretty direct

Germans have a reputation for being very direct, and Bavarians are no exception. If you walk into the bike lane by accident or commit some other faux pas, chances are someone will let you know. This honesty also has some pay-offs, though – if you leave your wallet at a restaurant, someone may well run after you to return it, or if you lose a mitten on the sidewalk, you could find it hanging from a fence or tree near where you left it.

4. The Bavarian dialect can be tough

Pleased you’ll have no issue with dialect because you’re fluent in German? We’ve got bad news. The Bavarian dialect can be tricky to understand even for native Germans. Need a couple starters? Pfiade (goodbye), Rozgloggn (a stuffy nose), Fraibialädschn (a person who’s a big taker but not a very generous giver). That should do you.

5. You can surf here sans ocean

At the Eisbach on the Isar river, you’ll see people catching waves whatever the weather – there are other points where the river converges to create a surf wave, but the Eisbach is the most notable and attracts a lot of onlookers. Admittedly, people are more warmly dressed for surfing here than in Hawaii.

Check out more of the best things to do in Munich .

6. We’re bananas for Boazn

Want the ultimate local drinking experience? Hit up one of the city’s boazn , Munich’s equivalent of dive bars. They’re mostly quite cosy, with slot machines, neighbourhood drunks and effusive bartenders who can offer you not just a freshly tapped beer but also some life advice.

While you’re at it, check out our guide to the best bars in Munich .

7. Sometimes museum visits are just one euro

A museum tour is well worth your time in Munich, as the city is home to many world-class art galleries, science museums and even some obscure offerings including the Kartoffelmuseum (Potato Museum) and the Jagd- und Fischerei-Museum (the Hunting and Fishing Museum). On Sundays, a visit to many of the city’s finest costs only one euro.

Check out more of the best museums in Munich .

8. Peruse the outdoor markets

Munich’s famous year-round produce market, the Viktualienmarkt , is where to head for fresh food and brews in a gigantic beer garden. All around the city, other farmers’ markets draw the locals in – check neighbourhood listings to find out what’s closest to you. And in winter, don’t forget to explore the numerous Christkindlmarkts , Munich’s Christmas markets… perhaps a Glühwein (mulled wine) or a Lebkuchen (gingerbread) is in order.

9. A car is unnecessary in Munich

Locals do love their BMWs and Mercedes, but you can totally get by without a car in Munich (and frankly, given the cost of petrol and prevalent rush-hour traffic, this is a good idea). Public transport is comprehensive and excellent, most of central Munich is walkable and bike lanes (and rentals) are everywhere and widely used.

10. No Sunday shopping

Before you plan out your week (or weekend) in Munich, make sure you make note of the fact that most stores (supermarkets included) are closed on Sundays. Stock up on those groceries and plan your vintage shopping trip for another day, folks. Oh and don’t worry, there are emergency supermarkets and a bunch of pharmacies that stay open, so you won’t be stranded.

11. You might actually see trachten (traditional German garments)

Yes, Munich locals do really wear lederhosen and dirndls (as well as janker , and other classic Bavarian clothing) on special occasions like weddings or going to church. You’re welcome to sport your own tracht if you like – just be aware that a proper, well-made piece is costly. That said, a really good set of trachten can last for generations.

12. Take a hike

A huge perk of Munich life is the city’s quick and convenient access to the mountains. Hop on a train and you’ll be at a trailhead in less than an hour. Paths are well marked, and most of them feature Almhütte where you can enjoy a beer surrounded by the mountain air, adorable cows and breathtaking scenery.

13. Keep an eye out for street art

Sometimes Munich comes off as a bit staid and conservative, but the city definitely has an edgy side – which often manifests itself through street art. Local graffiti artists’ work can be found primarily in bike and pedestrian tunnels that run throughout the city centre. You might have to search a little while, but the hunt pays off.

14. All about that bread

This is not the city for a low carb diet; the bread in Munich is unbeatable. Salty pretzels, dark rye bread, yeast buns with raisins and sourdough are just some of the excellent baked goods you can get in this city. Bakeries abound – so you’ll never lack options. Better yet, find out how to eat like a local in Munich (pretzels included).

15. Try a group tour

Munich has a wide array of city tours you can take to help explore the city and understand its history and culture. Bike tours are particularly popular, as the city is so cycle-friendly, though also worthwhile are walking tours on topics as diverse as the local food scene, the Second World War and Bavaria’s former royalty. And if you’re that way inclined, why not try one of the brewery tours – or another around the BMW manufacturing plant?

16. Check out a castle

Munich and its surroundings have several castles that are worth a visit if you want to see how former Bavarian royalty lived. Schloss Nymphenburg, in particular, makes for a decent day trip, as it also features beautiful gardens, a neighbouring science museum, a river brimming with hungry carp, and indoor botanical gardens.

17. Don’t stop at Oktoberfest

Sure, the city is famous for Oktoberfest, but that’s hardly the only festival worth attending in Munich. The popular Tollwood festival occurs twice yearly (summer and winter) with international food, a circus and live music. Opera, music, theatre and comedy festivals are well attended and often sell out quickly. Just about every neighbourhood also has its own annual street festival, usually with hot food, live music and kids’ activities.

18. Don’t overlook the airport

It’s true that most of the time when you arrive at your destination, you want to get ‘there’ as quickly as possible – which means getting out of the airport. But the Munich airport has quite a bit going on: it has its own brewery, and there’s a giant observation area where you can watch the planes take off, play mini-golf or check out an exhibit on air travel. It also has one of the only supermarkets open in Munich on a Sunday.

19. Music is everywhere

Munich has something for every kind of music lover, from opera (your ticket even includes public transport there and back) and jazz – try catching a show in an unfinished underground station – to huge rock and pop arena gigs. Check out the university offerings as well; there are countless talented student-run orchestras, bands and choral groups.

20. Treat yourself at an Apotheke

Whether you’ve come down with a cold in Munich or are just looking for some fancy French body lotion, the city’s many Apotheken are here to help. Pharmacists are familiar with the most common ailments and can provide advice as to what sorts of over-the-counter medications might help. At many Apotheken , you can also stock up on all sorts of high-end European skincare products.

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Brochures at the Tourist Information in Munich.

Munich tourist information

The tourist information office is the place to go for anyone who wants to explore the city of Munich easily and in comfort. We not only offer expert personalised advice, but also have many helpful leaflets, brochures and flyers to browse.

Whatever you want to see in Munich, our information materials and personalised advice are sure to help you get an in-depth insight into the city’s artistic, cultural and leisure offerings. So why not call in to see us on Marienplatz or at Hauptbahnhof train station? We look forward to answering any questions you may have about your stay in Munich.

Tourist information at Marienplatz

The Tourist Information on Marienplatz can be found in the New Town Hall. We are looking forward to your visit!

Tourist information at the main station

The tourist info of Munich Tourism is located one minute from the main station in Luisenstraße 1, close to the exit Arnulfstraße.

Our brochures

City map, tips for cycling in Munich and the current city guide of Munich Tourism: here you can find brochures and leaflets about the city of Munich for download.

Book now and simply discover Munich!

To explore Munich with its wide range of offers in a simple way, we introduce two new official visitor cards. All the benefits at a glance!

Our tips for your trip to Munich

Stopover, short trip, long weekend or a whole week: here are some ideas for your visit to Munich.

Towers of the Frauenkirche in Munich taken from the air.

Frauenkirche: Visit of the South Tower

Book a visit to the observation deck of Munich's Frauenkirche and enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

Interior view of the Löwenbräu beer tent at the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Seats at the Oktoberfest table

Book a unique experience at the Wiesn time and enjoy the Oktoberfest 2024 in Munich in a relaxed way with our Wiesn package.

Two men in front of a ferris wheel at the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Oktoberfest Tour

Take the time to discover "the Wiesn" as it lives and breathes on a guided tour of the festival grounds.

Viktualienmarkt Tasting Tour

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Discover the most delicious delicacies of the city and learn all kinds of interesting historical facts about Munich's most famous food market.

Romantic Road: Rothenburg and Harburg

Hop on and be whisked away by one of the world's most beautiful stretches of street: the Romantic Road to Rothenburg and Harburg.

View of a residence serenade with candles in the court chapel.

Residenz Serenades

This Munich experience promises high culture for newcomers and enthusiasts: enjoy the popular Mozart concerts in the Residenz.

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Dream castles Neuschwanstein & Linderhof

Immerse yourself in the world of the fairytale king!

Law library in the new city hall in Munich.

Visit of the Law Library: Juristische Bibliothek

Impressive architecture and unique ambience: discover the Law Library in the New Town Hall.

Several pedicaps with guests in the Englischer Garten (park).

Pedicab tour through the old town and nature

Enjoy this special tour and pedicap ride past all the famous sights of Munich's old town and into the Englischer Garten.

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

City trip incl. Munich Card and Tower Ascent

We look forward to seeing you again in Munich. Our tip: the exclusive travel package with Munich Card and Tower Ascent.

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A blue double-decker sightseeing bus at BMW Welt

Hop-On Hop-Off city bus tours Gray Line

The hop-on hop-off city bus tours of Gray Line will let you collect unforgettable impressions of Munich.

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Street Art-Tour

Did you know that Munich was a pioneer of the European graffiti scene? Discover different art up close in the city with our street art tour today!

Experience the city's diverse art & exciting graffiti on our street art tour!

Alter Peter, Frauenkirche and Neues Rathaus: the Munich skyline in the evening light.

Private guided tour through Munich's Old Town

Exclusive and safe: Discover the most beautiful sights and corners of Munich's city centre with your official personal guide.

Kehlsteinhaus Berchtesgaden including a panoramic view of the valley in the surroundings of Munich.

Berchtesgaden area and Eagle's Nest

The day trip takes you along the Alpine Road to Berchtesgaden area with its dreamlike scenery.

View of the Salzach river and the castle in Salzburg.

Salzburg and the Lake District

Visit the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

Visit the birthplace of composer extraordinaire Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, stroll through the Baroque old town and then relax on the journey to beautiful Lake Wolfgang.

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bikes stand in the green grass in the English Garden in Munich

Rental bike 1 day

With a rental bike, you can experience Munich at your own personal pace. Discover hidden alleys and charming districts off the beaten track.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich

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Nestled in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, Munich combines historical elegance with down-to-earth charm. View timeless masterpieces from the world's great painters, take a stroll down one of Europe's best shopping streets, and rub elbows with the locals at a beer garden.

For centuries, Munich has been a major center of art and commerce. You'll find splendid baroque churches in the Old Town neighborhood and masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, and Vincent van Gogh in the Museum District. The world-famous Maximilianstrasse shopping district has high-end fashion houses like Chanel and Ralph Lauren, and the headquarters of car manufacturer BMW are in the suburbs.

Munich is a very friendly and approachable city. You can sing along with an Oompah band in a crowded beer hall, or, if your taste runs to quieter pursuits, sunbathe in one of Munich's many parks. Plus, you are only a few miles away from some of the highest peaks in the Bavarian Alps.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Munich

1. visit an art museum.

Munich is an art lover's paradise, and the Museum District is ground zero for great paintings. There are funky art galleries and antiques shops where you can buy copies of old masters on almost every corner, but don't miss the great museums, Alte Pinakothek and Neue Pinakothek, were you can admire works by Goya, Rembrandt, and Albrecht Dürer.

2. Hoist a Pint with the Locals

Even if you don't visit during Munich's annual Oktoberfest, there are plenty of opportunities to sample the region's famous beer. The many beer halls scattered throughout the city are a lot of fun, but they can sometimes be overpriced and overcrowded. For a quieter experience, stop by one of the outdoor beer gardens, where you can enjoy a pint and a pretzel in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

3. Relax in a Park

Munich's temperate climate makes outdoor living enjoyable almost anytime of year. The city's many parks include the elegant Hofgarten, the former royal grounds of the Nymphenburg Palace, and the laid-back Englischer Garten, where locals unwind on the banks of the Isar River.

4. Take a Day Trip to the Alps

Munich makes a great base for an exploration of Bavaria. Must-see attractions include the fairytale spires of the Neuschwanstein Castle in the Allgäu region, and the towering heights of Zugspitze in Upper Bavaria, which has breathtaking views from the summit.

5. Nosh at a Delicatessen

During the 19th century, these temples of culinary grandeur served chocolate, coffee, and gourmet delicacies to Munich's ruling classes. Today, everyday citizens crowd shops like Dallmayr on Dienerstrasse and Käfer-Schänke on Prinzregentenstrasse to enjoy a high-end lunch or to grab a cappuccino before hitting the museums.

What to do in Munich

1. marienplatz: centuries of history.

Mosey along the pedestrian thoroughfare Neuhauser street to take advantage of the shops and cafés, before reaching the 12th-century central square of Munich. The New Town Hall will stand out first, towering to great heights with imposing but elegant gothic architecture. The building houses a gallery and a very musical Glockenspiel inside. The Mariensäule below is also a gorgeous sight, glimmering at the center of the square.

2. Altstadt-Lehel: From Churches to Palaces

This Bavarian Old Town was once walled, and the cobbled streets within those boundaries still hold the greatest city sights. The church towers of the Marienkirche are visible from throughout the area, and the 15th-century giant is a wonder to behold. Climb the tower for views of Munich and the distant Alps. Nearby, the Kunsthalle and Residenz are both world-class museums, and the royal Hofgarten a refreshing natural experience. Catch an Opera in rococo style at Cuvilliés Theater too!

3. English Garden: Munich's Central Park

Extending northwards from the attraction-packed Old City, this enormous 900+ acre park is the inviting and green alternative to the churches and palaces of stone. The landscape will draw you in and have you forget about the city streets, its groomed but informal layout begging for exploration. Recreation is the name of the game here, and you can even go surfing on the Eisbach River! Don't miss the beautiful and enormous wooden Chinese Tower either.

4. Königsplatz: Art from Every Age

This Royal Square is an unmatched expression of power, vast and neo-classical. It is dwarfing to stand at the center and admire the buildings, before discovering their exciting collections. The Glyptothek is dedicated to Greek and Roman sculpture, with the notable sleeping Barberini Faun on display. The Antique Collection across the way is one of the best in the world, while the New Pinakothek boasts grand 19th-century art.

5. BMW Welt: "The White Cauldron"

The shimmering building that houses the BMW Museum is an icon of 1970s design in itself, and the new museum inside is well worth it too. Car enthusiast or not, hundreds of thousands flock to these well-curated and shiny galleries for their modernistic vibes and unforgettable sights. You're sure to find a dream car in those halls. Nearby the enormous observation tower of the Olympic Park is offering panoramic dinners at over 500 feet heights!

Activities & attractions in Munich

Where to Eat in Munich

Munich is known as the gourmet capital of Germany. There are dozens of fine-dining restaurants throughout the city, but if you are looking for cutting-edge cuisine, visit Tantris on Johann-Fichte-Strasse for the roast lamb filets served with white asparagus and orange hollandaise. For an authentic beer hall experience head to the Hofbräuhaus on Platzl 9 where you can grab a pint and a pretzel while listening to the pounding rhythms of an Oompah band. There is also a good quality restaurant in the upper floor of the building. Traditional Bavarian restaurants like Bratwurstherzl on Dreifaltigkeitsplatz have more affordable fare. You can nosh on a grilled pork knuckle with noodles and potato salad for around EUR25.

When to visit Munich

The busiest tourist season is autumn when the annual Oktoberfest draws thousands of visitors to wash down sausages and roast chicken with a pint of Bavaria's legendary beer. However, hotels often inflate their prices during this time of year, which means you might pay quadruple rates for a room. Those on a budget should visit Munich during the spring when a variety of much more affordable folk festivals take place such as the Starkbierfest, or Festival of Strong Beer, in March and the traditional celebration of spring, the Maibaumaufstellen, on May 1.

How to Get to Munich

Most international visitors will arrive via Munich Airport (MUC), which is 17 miles northeast of the city. The easiest way to get to central Munich from the airport is via the commuter train system, which runs two lines to Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). The S1 line runs through the northern and western districts, and the S8 line runs to eastern Munich. Trains leaves every 20 minutes, and the price is EUR10.40 for a single ticket, EUR11.70 for a day pass, or EUR21.30 for a family pass. You can also get a Lufthansa-operated bus to the central station for EUR7.50 or take a taxi for around EUR50 per trip.

Munich is well connected by train to the rest of Europe, including two high-speed lines that run between Paris and Strasbourg. Trains arrive at Munich Central Station.

The outer suburbs of Munich are easily accessible by several major highways, including the A8, which runs between Salzburg and Stuttgart, and the east-west route A96, which runs between Lindau and Munich. However, once you arrive in the city, driving is a challenge. There are three highways, called ring roads, that encircle the city, but traffic is often congested.

Traveling to Munich by bus is very convenient, especially if you are coming from another part of Bavaria. Lines like MeinFernBus, IC Bus, DeinBus and more reach Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof or ZOB and operate locally and internationally. The only bus lines that operate at the Munich Airport are the Lufthansa-operated buses. Those buses will take you to Munich Central Station.

Airports near Munich

Airlines serving munich, where to stay in munich.

If you are looking for traditional charm try the Bayerischer Hof on Promenadeplatz. This Michelin-starred hotel in a 19th-century palace offers a rooftop pool and lounge, a private cinema, and historic paintings. For authentic Bavarian charm, stay at the Gästehaus am Englischer Garten, which has cozy rooms next to the famous park. Hotel Daniel on Sonnenstrasse is an affordable option for families with children that is conveniently located in the city center. Single travelers will find good value at Hotel Pension am Siegestor on Akademiestrasse.

Popular Neighborhoods in Munich

Old Town - this historic district in central Munich houses many of the city's cultural and artistic treasures. Explore the splendid Baroque palace, the Munich Residenz, tour the magnificent gold-ornamented cathedral, Asamkirche, and visit Munich's oldest pub, the Augustiner-Bräu.

Schwabing - this northern neighborhood is the home of Munich's intelligentsia. The area around the University of Munich has a scholarly vibe with students visiting art galleries and used bookshops and hanging out in cafes.

Olympiagelände - there's a lot to see in this suburb, including the 1972 Olympic stadium - don't miss the view from top of the Olympic Tower - and the futuristic BMW headquarters, which are shaped like four cylinder heads.

Where to stay in popular areas of Munich

Most booked hotels in munich, how to get around munich, public transportation.

Munich has a fast and efficient public transportation service with a commuter train, a subway, and tram lines operating throughout the city. One ticket is good for all three forms of transportation, but you must have your ticket stamped at a validation machine before you can use it. The cost is EUR6 for a one-day pass to ride through central Munich or EUR8.60 for the entire city. A good deal for tourists is the City Tour Card. For EUR31.50, you get a three-day transportation pass and discounts on museum admission, shopping, and food.

Taxis in Munich are beige cars with yellow and black signs on the roof. The cost is a flat-rate of EUR3.30, plus an additional per mile charge of EUR1.70 for up to five miles, EUR1.50 for five to 10 miles, and EUR1.30 for more than 10 miles.

Driving is not recommended in Munich. Most of the Old Town has been converted into a pedestrian zone, and there is extremely limited parking. However, a rental car is a good option if you are planning a day trip into the Alps. The prices are extremely affordable, starting at around EUR17 per day, and there are a large number of both international and local car rental companies scattered throughout the region.

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Shopping streets.

For high-end luxury items, head to the Maximilianstrasse shopping district in the Old Town. Here you'll find boutiques from all of Europe's major fashion houses, trendy art galleries, and traditional souvenirs. Those in the market for secondhand items can visit one of Munich's many flea markets. The weekly Olympia Park market is a good option at any time of year, but, if you want to get antiques at good prices, mark your calendar for the biannual Theresienwiese, which is the largest flea market in Europe.

Groceries and Other

American-style supermarkets can be a bit hard to find in Munich - most residents prefer to shop at specialty stores and open-air food markets - but the discount grocery chains Aldi and Lidi are a good option if you need to buy the basic necessities. The prices are comparable to American discount chains, with milk costing EUR3 and eggs EUR2.

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New Town Hall (Munich)
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Munich, Germany

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Munich
The city coat of arms. Munich (German: München, Bavarian: Minga) is the capital of the federal state of Bavaria in the south of Germany. Within the city limits, Munich in 2021 had a population of just under 1.5 million, the third most populous city in Germany. Greater Munich including its suburbs had a population of 2.6 million.
Munich
Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is known for its architecture, fine culture, the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration, its vibrant cultural scene, and its museums. Although the city was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings in the old city center have been rebuilt including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the ...
Munich/City Center
Munich's City Center (Altstadt meaning "Historic city center") is easily navigable with all the must-sees easy to find by travellers. It is in the heart of Munich, where eyes gaze upon architectural masterpieces like the Neues Rathaus and Frauenkirche, and taste the wonderful Hofbräu beer all the while listening to "Take Me Home Country Roads" in the Hofbräuhaus.
Munich
Mariensäule at Marienplatz Aerial view of the old town Lion sculptures by Wilhelm von Rümann at the Feldherrnhalle Alps behind the skyline. Munich (/ ˈ m juː n ɪ x / MEW-nikh; German: München [ˈmʏnçn̩] ⓘ) [3] is the capital and most populous city of the Free State of Bavaria, Germany.With a population of 1,594,632 inhabitants as of 31 May 2024, [4] it is the third-largest city in ...
Munich/Altstadt
48°8′35″N 11°34′48″E. Map of Munich/Altstadt. 1 Hauptbahnhof the main railway station is just west of this district, within walking distance. See Munich#Get in for inter-city connections, which span Europe. S-Bahn suburban trains run west-east across the city centre, with stations at Hauptbahnhof, Karlsplatz (Stachus) west edge of ...
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12 of the best things to do in Munich
4. Taste hearty Bavarian cuisine in Munich's beer halls. For some great local grub, head to one of Munich's many beer halls or Wirtshäuser (taverns). Arrive hungry and dig into pork knuckles, roast chicken, dumplings and large Brotzeit platters laden with cheese, cured meats and pickles.
What you need to know before you go to Munich
Pack clothes for all kinds of weather. The weather in Munich can change quickly and requires a diverse selection of accessories. Hot summer afternoons can bring sudden downpours or thunderstorms, while crisp winter mornings often call for gloves and sunglasses. Check the forecast before you travel but then pack for all eventualities.
Munich Tourism: Information for travellers • muenchen.de
Visit Munich: The ideal holiday destination. From lakes, parks and beer gardens to museums, historical sites and massive stores, there's something for everyone who visits Munich. If you seek the ...
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A list of the top museums and art exhibitions in Bavaria's capital. From modern art, to old masters & technology - all the must-see collection, how to get there and some practical tips for first-timers. Continue. Your number one resource to plan your perfect holidays in Munich. A site dedicated to Bavaria's capital with travel guides ...
Munich Travel Guide by Rick Steves
Munich ("München" in German), often called Germany's most livable city, is also one of its most historic, artistic, and entertaining. Until 1871, it was the capital of an independent Bavaria. Its imperial palaces, jewels, and grand boulevards constantly remind visitors that Munich has long been a political and cultural powerhouse. (Meanwhile, the concentration camp memorial in nearby Dachau ...
Munich, Germany
The bus or taxi ride to Munich's central station, Hauptbahnhof, takes 45 minutes. The trip by transit rail to Marienplatz in the centre of Munich takes 37 minutes. AIRLINES FROM THE UK. Lufthansa (0345 737 747; www.lufthansa.com) and British Airways (0845 773 3377; www.ba.com) both fly direct to Munich. Read Condé Nast Traveller's free travel ...
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Munich Travel Guide
As Germany's third-largest city, Munich is best known for beer and sausages — particularly during the huge yearly party known as Oktoberfest — but it has a lot more to offer. Forbes Travel Guide editors suggest you explore the city, which also offers the largest science museum in the world, numerous art museums, historic squares and ...
Munich Travel Guide: Best Attractions & Top Things to Do
The best place to start your stay in Munich is in the heart of the city at Marienplatz (Mary's Square). Marienplatz is the central square in downtown Munich. There is no way to get around it, so to speak. Marienplatz features one of the most imposing buildings in Munich, the New Town Hall (the "Neue Rathaus" in German).
The Travel Guide to Munich
The trip takes about 40 minutes, with trains leaving the airport about every 10 minutes. A special "Airport-City-Day-Ticket" covers all the travel zones between the airport and Munich's city center for €13.20 and includes all public transit trips for the rest of that day (until 6am the following day).
Munich
Munich, situated to the north of the Bavarian Alps on the Isar River, is a city that combines a proud provincial feel with the marvel of an international metropolis. This Bavarian capital is an enigmatic mix of ancient wonder and modern elegance. Baroque churches, splendid buildings and beautiful parks stand side by side with art galleries,theatres and elegant shops. The city owes its name to ...
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Munich Travel Guide. Photograph by Sigfrid Lopez, Getty Images. Why It's Worth It. The Bavarian Capital is rich in world class museums and galleries and is home to hundreds of family-friendly beer ...
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A 48-hour insider guide to breaks in Germany's under-estimated, culture-rich Bavarian capital. Kate Mann, Destination expert 12 August 2022 • 10:02am. Visitors will discover there's a lot more ...
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Munich draws a lot of tourists but that's to be expected in such an awesome city. High Prices. Munich has a fairly wealthy population so that makes prices higher than normal. Nude Sunbathing. Munich's English Garden park allows nude sunbathing. Most of those nude people are old dudes. Best Things To Do in Munich
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Essential tips for every first-time Munich visitor. 1. Prepare for the 'Millionendorf' atmosphere. Photograph: Nickay3111/Flickr. Munich isn't just any city. The word to describe the vibe ...
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The tourist information office is the place to go for anyone who wants to explore the city of Munich easily and in comfort. We not only offer expert personalised advice, but also have many helpful leaflets, brochures and flyers to browse. Whatever you want to see in Munich, our information materials and personalised advice are sure to help you ...
Munich Travel Guide
3. Relax in a Park. Munich's temperate climate makes outdoor living enjoyable almost anytime of year. The city's many parks include the elegant Hofgarten, the former royal grounds of the Nymphenburg Palace, and the laid-back Englischer Garten, where locals unwind on the banks of the Isar River. 4.

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Everything you need to know before you travel to Munich

Be aware of store closing times

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Marienplatz & New Town Hall

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