Places to Visit in Europe
Munich's Frauenkirche and the old town at sunset, viewed across the Isar river

Munich, Germany

Munich (München in German, pronounced “mewn-shen”) sits on a flat plain at the foot of the Alps, the Isar river running through the centre, the Frauenkirche's twin onion-domed towers visible from almost anywhere in the inner city. It is the capital of Bavaria, the largest city in southern Germany, and the third-largest municipality in the country after Berlin and Hamburg, with about 1.6 million inhabitants in the city proper and close to 3 million in the metropolitan region. Founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion at a crossing of the salt trade route, Munich has been a Wittelsbach duchy, an electoral seat of the Holy Roman Empire, a royal capital of the Kingdom of Bavaria, and the birthplace of both the National Socialist movement and the modern German Federal Republic. Today it is consistently ranked among the most liveable cities in the world, with a strong economy (BMW, Siemens, Allianz, Munich Re, Linde), a high quality of life, and an unrivalled position at the foot of the Bavarian Alps.

Munich is also one of the most distinctive cities in Europe. It is the home of the world's most famous folk festival, Oktoberfest — sixteen to eighteen days in late September and early October when six million visitors consume about seven million litres of beer in fourteen giant tents on the Theresienwiese. It is the home of the world's largest science museum, the Deutsches Museum, and the home of some of the world's most beautiful baroque and rococo churches, palaces, and civic buildings. It is the centre of the German beer garden culture (the first public beer garden in the world is generally considered to be the one in the Englischer Garten), the centre of the German automotive industry (BMW is headquartered here), and the gateway to the Bavarian Alps (Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, are 90 minutes by train).

Munich is more expensive than the rest of Germany, more conservative than the rest of Germany, and more fun than its reputation suggests. The locals speak a heavy Bavarian dialect in everyday life, drink more beer per capita than any other German city, and dress in lederhosen and dirndls at the appropriate moments — most famously during Oktoberfest, but also during Starkbierfest in March, the various Fasching celebrations, and the many village fêtes (Dorffeste) in the surrounding countryside. For a visitor, Munich is a city that rewards a slightly slower pace than the German stereotype suggests. The beer gardens, the cafés, the Viktualienmarkt, the Isar river meadows, the palace gardens, and the many excellent small restaurants give Munich a warmth and a quality of life that the orderly Bavarian surface can sometimes disguise.

This guide is for travellers who want to experience Munich as a city to live in for a few days, not as a checklist of monuments. It covers where to stay (from the grand hotels of Maximilianstrasse to the design hotels of the Glockenbach and the cheaper options in Maxvorstadt), where to eat (from the Michelin-starred restaurants of the Altstadt to the everyday Bavarian food of the Wirtshäuser and the food stalls of the Viktualienmarkt), what to see (the iconic sights and the less obvious ones), how to structure a three-day visit, the events worth planning around, and the practical details for visiting in 2026.

Best Places to Stay

Munich's accommodation is more expensive than the German average, especially during Oktoberfest (when hotel prices triple or quadruple), Fasching, and the major trade fairs (BAU in January, ISPO in February, BAUMA in April, EXPO REAL in October). The most central and prestigious neighbourhood is the Altstadt-Lehel, around Marienplatz, the Residenz, and Maximilianstrasse. The Maxvorstadt to the north is the museum quarter, with a wide range of mid-range options. The Schwabing and Maxvorstadt areas to the north and west are the bohemian and university districts, with a younger feel. The Haidhausen and Au-Haidhausen districts to the east are the most "Munich local" feeling, with a great food and bar scene. The Glockenbachviertel south of the Isar is the design and LGBTQ district, with the city's best boutique hotels.

Altstadt-Lehel and the Old Town: The most central and prestigious address, on the north bank of the Isar, dominated by Marienplatz, the Residenz, the Frauenkirche, and Maximilianstrasse. Hotel Bayerischer Hof (Promenadeplatz 2-6) is the grande dame of Munich hotels, opened in 1841, with a rooftop spa with views over the old town, the famous Night Club, the famous Trader Vic's tiki bar, and a long history of hosting world leaders, celebrities, and the Oktoberfest celebrities. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski (Maximilianstrasse 17) is the most luxurious grand hotel in the city, on the most prestigious shopping street, with a famous afternoon tea and one of the best breakfasts in Munich. Hotel Mandarin Oriental (Neuturmstrasse 1) is a contemporary luxury hotel on a quiet side street just off Marienplatz, with a rooftop terrace and views over the Frauenkirche. Hotel Rosewood Munich (1 Kardinal-Faulhaber-Strasse) is the newest grand hotel in the city, opened in 2023, occupying a former bank headquarters near the Frauenkirche, with a rooftop bar, a fine-dining restaurant, and elegant modern interiors. Cortiina Hotel (Ledererstrasse 8) is a small design hotel a few steps from Marienplatz, with a quiet interior courtyard, a piano bar, and a great breakfast.

Maxvorstadt and the Museum Quarter: The cultural heart of Munich, with the Alte Pinakothek, the Neue Pinakothek, the Pinakothek der Moderne, the Kunstareal museums, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, and the technical university. Hotel Königshof (Karlsplatz 25) is a grand hotel at the edge of Maxvorstadt, opposite the Hauptbahnhof, with a Michelin-starred restaurant (since 2024) and panoramic views from the upper floors. Hotel Palace (Trogerstrasse 21) is an old-school grand hotel with a beautiful spa, the high-end restaurant Palace Lounge, and views over the Alter Botanischer Garten. Hotel Schwabinger Wahrheit (Hohenzollernstrasse 5) is a stylish design hotel in the eastern Maxvorstadt, with a strong breakfast. Hotel La Maison (Occamstrasse 24) is a small boutique hotel in a quiet residential area, well placed for the Kunstareal and Schwabing.

Schwabing and the University District: The bohemian heart of Munich, north of Maxvorstadt, with the Englischer Garten on its eastern side, the Leopoldstrasse boulevard, and a great food and bar scene. Hotel Frank (Schellingstrasse 24) is a small design hotel with a quiet interior, in the western part of Schwabing. Hotel Cocoon (Lindwurmstrasse 35) is a quirky design hotel south of the Viktualienmarkt, in a converted factory building. Flushing Meadows Hotel (Fraunhoferstrasse 32) is a design hotel in the Glockenbachviertel, with a rooftop bar and a strong reputation with the creative industries. Hotel Motel One München-Deutsches Museum (Rablstrasse 2) is a reliable budget option in the Haidhausen district, on the south bank of the Isar, with views over the river.

Glockenbach and Haidhausen: The most fashionable neighbourhoods south of the Isar, with the Glockenbachviertel as the design and LGBTQ district and Haidhausen as the most "Munich local" feeling, with the Hofbräuhaus, the Müllersches Volksbad (a beautiful 1901 public bath), and the Gasteig cultural centre. Hotel Maximilian (Maximilianstrasse 14) is a grand hotel in the heart of the old town, between the Residenz and the Viktualienmarkt, with a great breakfast. Hotel Beyond by Geisel (Marienstrasse 22) is a small design hotel a few steps from Marienplatz, with a focus on personal service. Hotel Opera (St. Anna-Strasse 10) is a small boutique hotel in a quiet Lehel side street, with elegant interiors and a great breakfast.

Budget and Hostel Options: Munich has fewer budget options than the city deserves, but the following are well-regarded. Wombat's City Hostel Munich (Senefelderstrasse 1) is a clean and well-designed hostel near the Hauptbahnhof, with a famous bar. Jaeger's Hostel (Senefelderstrasse 3) is a small and friendly hostel a few steps from the Hauptbahnhof, with both dorms and private rooms. The 4You Hostel (Hirtenstrasse 18) is a clean modern hostel in Maxvorstadt, with both dorms and private rooms. Meininger München City Center (Landsberger Strasse 154) is a reliable budget chain in a less central location, with good transport links.

Airport Corridor: If you are catching an early flight or arriving late, the airport corridor between the city and the airport (MUC) has a number of reliable business hotels. Hilton Munich Airport (directly attached to Terminal 2) is the most convenient option, with a spa, a gym, and a soundproofed interior. Novotel München Airport (on the airport grounds) is a slightly cheaper option. Holiday Inn Express München Airport (Freising) is the best budget option near the airport, with a free shuttle bus.

Best Places to Eat

Munich's food scene is one of the most underrated in Germany. The traditional Bavarian food — Weißwurst (veal sausages), Brezn (pretzels), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Knödel (dumplings), Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake), and Apfelstrudel — is world-famous, and the Wirtshäuser (traditional Bavarian restaurants) and Biergärten (beer gardens) are the most atmospheric places to eat in Germany. But the city has also developed a strong fine-dining scene in the last 25 years, with three Michelin-starred restaurants (Tantris, Atelier, and Tohru in der Schreiberei), a serious Italian food scene, and a growing number of modern bistro-style restaurants that combine Bavarian produce with contemporary technique.

Fine Dining: Tantris (Johann-Fichte-Strasse 7) is the most famous fine-dining restaurant in Munich, two Michelin stars since 2022 under chef Benjamin Chmura, with a beautiful 1970s interior by designer Justus Mössler and one of the best wine cellars in Germany. Atelier (Promenadeplatz 2-6) is the flagship restaurant of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, three Michelin stars under chef Jan Hartwig (one of only ten three-star restaurants in Germany). Tohru in der Schreiberei (Türkenstrasse 35) is a small two-Michelin-star restaurant in a quiet Maxvorstadt side street, with a Japanese-German fusion menu by chef Tohru Nakamura. Restaurant 181 (at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski) is a Michelin-starred modern European restaurant, with a beautiful interior and a strong wine list. Geisels Werneckhof (Werneckstrasse 11) is a Michelin-starred modern restaurant in a quiet Nymphenburg side street, with a focus on Bavarian produce and an excellent wine list.

Traditional Bavarian Wirtshäuser: These are the everyday Bavarian restaurants, with a long history, hearty food, and a strong local atmosphere. Hofbräuhaus (Platzl 9) is the world's most famous beer hall, founded in 1589 by the Bavarian royal family, with a giant interior, live oompah bands, and a tourist-heavy but genuine atmosphere. Augustiner-Keller (Arnulfstrasse 52) is a more local alternative to the Hofbräuhaus, a giant beer hall with one of the best beer gardens in the city, and a focus on the Augustiner beer (considered the best in Munich by most locals). Weisses Brauhaus (Tal 7) is the home of the Schneider Weisse wheat beer, with a beautiful 19th-century interior, excellent food, and a more authentic feel than the Hofbräuhaus. Ayinger am Platzl (Platzl 1a) is a friendly traditional Wirtshaus with good Bavarian food and Ayinger beer, just steps from the Hofbräuhaus. Gasthaus Isarthor (Isartorplatz 5) is a small but excellent Wirtshaus in a beautiful 19th-century building near the Isartor city gate.

Beer Gardens: Munich has more than 100 beer gardens, and the Biergarten culture is one of the most distinctive parts of the city. The rules are simple: you buy a beer, you can bring your own food (or buy food at the beer garden), and you sit at a long communal table. Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) in the Englischer Garten is the most famous beer garden, with 7,000 seats under the chestnut trees and around a pagoda. Seehaus (Kleinhesselohe 3) is the beer garden next to the Kleinhesseloher See, a small lake in the southern Englischer Garten, with views over the water. Hirschgarten (Hirschgarten 1) is one of the largest beer gardens in Europe, with 8,000 seats, a deer enclosure next to it, and a strong local feel. Augustiner-Keller (as above) is the most local beer garden, with a giant interior hall in addition to the garden. Viktualienmarkt Biergarten (Viktualienmarkt) is the smallest and most central beer garden, with 600 seats in the middle of the Viktualienmarkt food market.

Markets and Street Food: Viktualienmarkt (between Marienplatz and the Sendlinger Tor) is the central food market of Munich, with 140 stalls selling everything from Bavarian sausages and pretzels to exotic fruit, cheese, fish, flowers, and the daily specials of the various Wirtshaus-style stalls. Allow 1.5 hours to explore properly. Markt am Elisabethplatz (Elisabethplatz, Schwabing) is a daily food market in the heart of Schwabing, with a strong local feel, fresh produce, flowers, and several food stalls for breakfast and lunch. Schrannenhalle (Viktualienmarkt 15) is a renovated 19th-century grain hall on the edge of the Viktualienmarkt, with a permanent food market upstairs and a daily market on the ground floor. Isartor Markt (next to the Isartor) is a small but excellent daily market, strong on organic produce. Cafe Ruffini (Orleansstrasse 39) is a beautiful café in Haidhausen, with a great breakfast and a strong brunch menu.

Italian and International: Munich has one of the strongest Italian food scenes in Germany, the result of a long history of Italian immigration. Trattoria Da Fausto (Klenzestrasse 7) is a small Italian restaurant in the Glockenbachviertel, with a strong pasta menu and a casual atmosphere. La Bottega Siciliana (Theklastrasse 2) is a small Sicilian restaurant in Maxvorstadt, with excellent pasta and fish. Restaurant Schwarz & Weiz (Müllerstrasse 25) is a small modern bistro with a strong pasta menu. Izakaya Yura (Thalkirchner Strasse 12) is a small but excellent Japanese restaurant in the Isarvorstadt. Schmalznudel - Café Frischhut (Prälat-Zistl-Strasse 8) is a small Bavarian café famous for its Auszogne (a regional fried pastry) and Schmalznudel (a small deep-fried doughnut).

Best Sites to Visit

Munich is a city of many small and medium-sized sights, with a few iconic set-pieces (the Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, the Englischer Garten, Nymphenburg Palace, the Deutsches Museum). The most rewarding approach is to combine the obvious with the less obvious — the Residenz treasury, the Bavarian National Museum, the small museums in Maxvorstadt, the Isar meadows, the Alter Südfriedhof (a beautiful 19th-century cemetery in the centre of the city), and the various churches and monasteries that make Munich such a rewarding city for slow exploration.

Marienplatz and the Old Town: The central square of Munich since 1158, dominated by the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), the Glockenspiel (a 1908 carillon that performs daily at 11:00, 12:00, and 17:00 with 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures), and the Mariensäule (a 1638 Marian column). The square is the meeting point of the old town, the pedestrian zone, and the S-Bahn/U-Bahn station. The surrounding streets (the Kaufingerstrasse, the Neuhauser Strasse, the Theatinerstrasse, and the Residenzstrasse) are the shopping heart of the city, and the Viktualienmarkt is a 5-minute walk south.

Englischer Garten: One of the largest urban parks in the world, 375 hectares (925 acres) in the heart of Munich, larger than Central Park, designed in 1789 by Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford) for the Bavarian royal family as a public park in the English style. The park stretches from the Residenz in the centre to the northern edge of the city, and contains the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower), the Monopteros (a small Greek temple on a hill), the Kleinhesseloher See (a small lake), the Eisbachwelle (a standing wave on the Eisbach river that is surfed year-round), the Japanese Teahouse in the Japanese garden, and several beer gardens. Allow 2-3 hours to explore properly.

Residenz: The former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria, the largest city palace in Germany, with 130 rooms on display to the public. The highlights are the Antiquarium (the largest Renaissance room north of the Alps), the Treasury (Schatzkammer) with the Bavarian crown jewels, the Cuvilliés Theatre (a beautiful Rococo theatre from 1753), the Ancestral Gallery, the Porcelain Gallery, and the Court Church. The Residenz is in the centre of the city, a 5-minute walk from Marienplatz. Allow 2-3 hours. The adjacent Hofgarten (Court Garden) is a beautiful 17th-century garden, free to visit, with the Diana Temple in the centre.

Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady): The most famous church in Munich, a late-Gothic brick church from 1468-1488, the largest church in the city, the seat of the Archbishop of Munich and Freising, and a symbol of the city (the twin onion-domed towers are visible from almost anywhere in the centre). The interior is austere by Bavarian standards, but the view from the south tower (85 metres, 299 steps) is the best in the city on a clear day. The famous "devil's footprint" at the entrance is a black mark in the floor where, according to legend, the devil stood when he surveyed the church. Free to enter.

Deutsches Museum: The world's largest science and technology museum, on the Museumsinsel (Museum Island) in the Isar river, founded in 1903, with more than 100,000 square metres of exhibition space and more than 28,000 objects on display. The museum is a full day for anyone interested in the subject matter — the highlights include the astronomy section, the mining section, the physics section, the marine section (with a U-boat), the musical instruments section, and the famous model ships. The new Deutsches Museum (after a 10-year renovation) reopened in 2024. Allow 3-5 hours.

Nymphenburg Palace: The summer residence of the Bavarian royal family, a Baroque palace west of the city centre, built from 1664 as a suburban villa and expanded to its current size by 1730, with a beautiful 200-hectare park, the Badenburg (a Rococo bath house), the Pagodenburg, and the Amalienburg (a small hunting lodge considered one of the most beautiful Rococo buildings in the world). The main palace contains the Gallery of Beauties (a famous collection of portraits of the women of King Ludwig I's court, including the legendary Lola Montez), the Great Hall, and the state apartments. The palace is in the west of the city, reachable by tram 17 from the Hauptbahnhof (20 minutes). Allow 2-3 hours for the palace and 1-2 more for the park.

BMW Welt, BMW Museum, and Olympiapark: The triple-anchor of Munich's modern identity, in the north of the city, built for the 1972 Olympics. BMW Welt (Am Olympiapark 1) is the iconic double-cone delivery centre for new BMWs, with a futuristic interior designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, free to visit, with displays of the current BMW range. BMW Museum (Petuelring 130) is the brand museum, with a beautiful design by Atelier Brückner, displaying the history of the company and the most important models. Olympiapark is the former Olympic site, with the Olympic Stadium (which can be visited on a 45-minute tour), the Olympic Tower (291 metres, with a viewing platform and a revolving restaurant), the Olympic Hall, and the Olympic swimming pool. The park is free to walk around, and the Olympic Lake is a popular summer destination.

Pinakothek der Moderne and the Kunstareal: The Kunstareal (Art District) in Maxvorstadt is the museum quarter of Munich, with four of the city's most important museums on a single square. Pinakothek der Moderne (Barer Strasse 40) is the largest modern art museum in Germany, designed by Stephan Braunfels, with four collections under one roof: modern art, architecture, design, and works on paper. Alte Pinakothek (Barer Strasse 27) is one of the world's great old-masters galleries, with a strong collection of Rubens, Dürer, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, and Vermeer, rebuilt after the war in the original 1836 wall plan. Neue Pinakothek (Barer Strasse 29) is the 19th-century collection, with a strong Impressionist and German-Romantic collection, currently closed for renovation (reopens 2027). Museum Brandhorst (Theresienstrasse 35a) is the contemporary art collection, with a strong Cy Twombly collection. Allow 2-3 hours per museum.

Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum): One of the most important regional museums in Germany, on the Prinzregentenstrasse east of the Isar, with a collection of Bavarian art, applied arts, and folk art from the early Middle Ages to the 20th century, including important collections of medieval sculpture, religious woodcarvings, court music instruments, and Bavarian folk art. The building itself, a 1900 historicist design by Gabriel von Seidl, is one of the most beautiful in Munich. Allow 1.5-2 hours.

Asam Church (Asamkirche): A small late-Baroque church in the Sendlinger Strasse, built 1733-1746 by the Asam brothers (Cosmas Damian Asam and Egid Quirin Asam) as their private chapel, considered one of the most important Baroque interiors in southern Germany, with an extraordinary stucco, fresco, and gilded interior. Free to enter. A 5-minute walk from the Viktualienmarkt. Combine with the Sendlinger Tor, one of the three remaining medieval city gates.

St. Michael's Church (Michaelskirche): The largest Renaissance church north of the Alps, built 1583-1597 as the Jesuit church of Munich, the burial place of the Bavarian royal family, with the largest bronze figure of Christ in the world (a 20-metre figure of the Archangel Michael from 1588 above the entrance) and a beautiful interior. A 5-minute walk from Marienplatz. Free to enter.

Hofbräuhaus am Platzl: The world's most famous beer hall, founded in 1589 by the Bavarian royal family, with a giant interior, a tourist-heavy but genuine atmosphere, and a capacity of more than 3,000. The beer is brewed to the Hofbräu recipe, the food is standard Bavarian (the Schweinshaxe and the Weißwurst are good), the oompah band plays every evening, and the experience is more fun than the tourists suggest. A 5-minute walk from Marienplatz. A visit is recommended even if you only stay for one beer.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: The Historic Centre

Day 2: Museums, the Englischer Garten, and Beer Gardens

Day 3: Palaces, the Isar, and a Day Trip

Day Trip Option: If you have a fourth day, the most rewarding day trips are Neuschwanstein Castle (1.5-2 hours by train, the fairy-tale castle that inspired Disney), Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial (30 minutes by S-Bahn, a powerful and important visit), Salzburg, Austria (2 hours by train, Mozart's birthplace), Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze (1.5 hours by train, Germany's highest peak), or Lake Chiemsee (1 hour by train + bus, King Ludwig's island palace at Herrenchiemsee).

Upcoming Events 2026

Getting There and Around

By air: Munich Airport (MUC) is one of Europe's most efficient airports, 30 km north-east of the city centre, with direct flights from most European capitals and many intercontinental routes. The S-Bahn Lines S1 and S8 connect the airport to the city centre (Marienplatz and the Hauptbahnhof) in 40 minutes (€14.80 one-way, included in the daily transport ticket). The Lufthansa Express bus is faster and more comfortable (€18 one-way, 45 minutes). Taxis to the city centre are €80-100 and take 35-50 minutes depending on traffic.

By train: München Hauptbahnhof is the central station, a major hub for all of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Direct ICE trains to Berlin (4 hours), Hamburg (6 hours), Frankfurt (3 hours 20), Cologne (5 hours), Vienna (4 hours), Salzburg (1.5 hours), Zurich (4 hours), Innsbruck (2 hours), and Prague (5 hours 30). The station is a 10-minute walk from the Marienplatz; the S-Bahn and U-Bahn are directly underneath.

By bus: The ZOB (Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof) is the central bus station, near the Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station, with services to most European cities run by FlixBus, Eurolines, and many other operators.

Getting around Munich: Munich has one of the best public transport systems in Germany, with the MVV (Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund) integrating the U-Bahn (metro), S-Bahn (commuter rail), tram, and bus networks. A single ticket is €3.90, a day ticket (IsarCard) is €9.10 (single) or €16.80 (group of up to 5), and a 3-day ticket is €21.10. The city centre is very walkable, and most of the major sights are within a 20-minute walk of Marienplatz. Cycling is increasingly popular; the MVG Rad bike-share has stations throughout the centre. The Isar meadows are a 5-minute walk from the Marienplatz and offer a beautiful summer escape from the city.

Travel Tips and Practical Info

Best time to visit: May and June (late spring) and September (early autumn) are the best months, with mild weather, long days, and the gardens in full bloom. July and August are warmest but the busiest, and the beer gardens fill up. December is the Christmas market month — cold but beautiful, and the city has a winter atmosphere unlike any other. October is dominated by Oktoberfest, which is unmissable if you can book accommodation. February is the Fasching month. Avoid the major trade fair weeks (BAU in January, ISPO in February, BAUMA in April, EXPO REAL in October) if you want to find reasonable hotel prices.

Currency: Euro (€). Munich is more expensive than the rest of Germany, especially for hotels. Budget €80-120 per day for a mid-range traveller, more for fine dining and good hotels. Most places accept credit cards; carry €50-100 cash for the smaller Wirtshäuser, the Viktualienmarkt stalls, and the beer gardens (which often prefer or only accept cash).

Language: German. The local Bavarian dialect (Bairisch) is heavy and very different from standard German — most Munich locals speak both, but switch to a strong dialect among themselves. English is widely spoken in the city centre, the hotels, the restaurants, and the tourist sights, less so in the smaller Wirtshäuser and the older neighbourhoods. A few German phrases are appreciated, especially in the more traditional settings.

Free things to do: Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, the Hofgarten, the Englischer Garten, the Viktualienmarkt, the BMW Welt, the Olympiapark (the grounds, the Olympic Tower entrance is paid), the Isar meadows, the Alte Pinakothek on Sundays (€1), the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum on Sundays (€1), walking in Maxvorstadt and Schwabing, the Alter Südfriedhof (a beautiful 19th-century cemetery in the centre of the city), the Alter Botanischer Garten.

Tipping: 5-10% in restaurants is normal, often added as a service charge in better places. Round up to the nearest €1 in taxis. Tipping bar staff in beer gardens is not expected but appreciated (round up the beer cost). Don't leave coins in the beer garden — it's considered bad form.

Beer gardens: Open daily from 10:00 or 11:00 until 22:00 or 23:00, depending on the weather. The rule is that you can bring your own food (in paper bags, not in restaurants) and just buy the beer. The Augustiner-Keller, the Hofbräuhaus, the Chinesischer Turm, the Seehaus, the Aumeister, and the Hirschgarten are the most famous. Each has its own brewery, and each has a slightly different atmosphere. The most local favourite is the Augustiner-Keller.

Safety: Munich is one of the safest cities in Germany. The main tourist areas, the Altstadt, Maxvorstadt, Schwabing, Haidhausen, and the Glockenbachviertel are safe at all hours. The main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and the area around it has a higher concentration of petty crime than the rest of the city, especially at night. Use the same common-sense precautions you would in any major European city.

Driving: Not recommended for visiting the city centre. The Altstadt is a low-emission zone (Umweltzone) requiring a green emissions sticker (Umweltplakette), the streets are narrow, and parking is expensive. Use public transport or walk. If you are driving in Bavaria more widely, remember that the autobahns are unlimited speed on many sections, and that the driving culture can be aggressive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need for Munich? Three full days is the minimum to cover the central sights, the beer gardens, and one day trip (Neuschwanstein, Dachau, or Salzburg). Four days lets you add a proper day in the museums (Alte Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne, Deutsches Museum). A week allows for two day trips and a quieter exploration of the neighbourhoods.

What is the best area to stay in Munich? For first-time visitors, the best balance of central location, walkability, and value is the Altstadt-Lehel, the area around Marienplatz, the Residenz, and Maximilianstrasse. For the grandest experience, stay in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, or the Rosewood Munich. For a more local Munich feel, stay in the Glockenbachviertel or Haidhausen, both south of the Isar.

Is Munich expensive? Munich is the most expensive city in Germany and one of the more expensive in Europe, especially for hotels. Beer garden food and casual Wirtshaus dining are more reasonable than the reputation suggests, and the many free parks, beer gardens, and churches make Munich a good city for budget-conscious travellers. Plan on around 80 to 130 EUR per day for a mid-range traveller, more during Oktoberfest.

When is Oktoberfest 2026? Oktoberfest 2026 runs from 19 September to 4 October 2026, sixteen days in late September and early October at the Theresienwiese. The opening ceremony is the Schützenaufgung on the first Saturday at noon, with twelve gun salvos and the O'zapft is of the first beer barrel by the Mayor. Book accommodation a year in advance, expect the beer to cost around 12-15 EUR per litre, and arrive early (before 17:00) to get a seat in a tent.

Is Munich safe at night? Munich is one of the safest cities in Germany. The main tourist areas, the Altstadt, Maxvorstadt, Schwabing, Haidhausen, and the Glockenbachviertel are safe at all hours. The area around the Hauptbahnhof has a higher concentration of petty crime than the rest of the city, especially at night. Use the same common-sense precautions you would in any major European city.

Do I need a visa for Germany? EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can enter Germany for tourism without a visa, using a valid ID card or passport. UK, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and most other passport-holders can enter for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. Germany is part of the Schengen Area; a Schengen visa is valid for entry.

What is a Biergarten and how does it work? A Biergarten is an outdoor area (or indoor hall) where beer is served from a single brewery, traditionally under chestnut trees. The Bavarian rule is that you can bring your own food (in paper bags) and just buy the beer, although most Biergärten also sell food. You sit at a long communal table, the beer is served by the Maß (one-litre glass) or the Halbe (half-litre), and the atmosphere is famously relaxed. The Augustiner-Keller, the Chinesischer Turm, the Seehaus, the Aumeister, and the Hirschgarten are the most famous in Munich.

Is the tap water safe in Munich? Yes, Munich's tap water is excellent. The water comes from the Mangfalltal in the Bavarian Alps and is among the best city tap waters in Europe. Bring a refillable bottle and use the many public fountains (Brunnen) throughout the city.

Nearby destinations

Salzburg Austria · 1.5h by train Vienna Austria · 4h by train Prague Czech Republic · 5.5h by train Zurich Switzerland · 4h by train Berlin Germany · 4h by train