Travel guide · Germany
Munich travel guide
Beer gardens, royal palaces, world-class art and the Alps on the horizon
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Bavaria's capital mixes royal grandeur with beer-hall tradition. The compact Altstadt around Marienplatz holds the Neues Rathaus, the twin-towered Frauenkirche and the Residenz palace, while the Englischer Garten, one of the largest city parks in Europe, runs north along the Isar. Munich's three Pinakothek galleries, the Deutsches Museum and Nymphenburg Palace reward several days, and Neuschwanstein, Salzburg and the Alps are all within reach by train. Oktoberfest in late September is the city's busiest and most expensive time. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are May–July, September and December.
Key facts
- Country
- Germany
- Best time to visit
- May–July, September and December
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- MUC, FMM
- Mid-range daily budget
- $180–$320 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Oktoberfest, Beer gardens, Marienplatz and Englischer Garten
Why visit Munich
- Beer gardens such as the Chinesischer Turm and Augustiner-Keller seat thousands under chestnut trees and let you bring your own food.
- The Alte Pinakothek, Lenbachhaus and Pinakothek der Moderne cover art from Dürer and Rubens to the Blue Rider painters and modern design.
- The Residenz and Nymphenburg Palace show the wealth of the Wittelsbach dynasty that ruled Bavaria for over 700 years.
- Neuschwanstein Castle, Salzburg, the Zugspitze and alpine lakes are all doable as day trips.
- Munich is clean, efficient and easy to navigate, with excellent public transport and a walkable centre.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Landmark · Altstadt
Marienplatz and the Neues Rathaus
Munich's central square has been the heart of the city since the Middle Ages.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Religious site · Altstadt
Frauenkirche
The late-Gothic brick cathedral with two onion-domed towers of about 99 metres is the symbol of Munich; the city still limits buildings in the centre so they do not exceed its height.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
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Park · Schwabing
Englischer Garten
Larger than New York's Central Park, this 18th-century park stretches north from the Altstadt along the Isar.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
- Iconic
Market · Altstadt
Viktualienmarkt
Munich's main open-air food market has been trading next to Marienplatz since 1807, with stalls of produce, cheese, sausages, flowers and honey around a tall painted maypole.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Iconic
Historic site · Altstadt
Hofbräuhaus
The famous beer hall on the Platzl dates from the brewery founded by the Bavarian duke in 1589.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Food
- After dark
- History
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Palace · Altstadt
Munich Residenz
The former royal palace of the Wittelsbach rulers is one of Germany's largest palaces, with more than 100 rooms open to visitors, including the Renaissance Antiquarium hall.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Art
Where to stay
Altstadt is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families and shopping
Altstadt
Historic core of Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, Viktualienmarkt and the Hofbräuhaus
$$$ · Best for culture, solo travellers, budget and food lovers
Maxvorstadt
University and museum quarter of the Pinakotheken, Königsplatz and student cafés
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and families
Schwabing
Elegant former artists' quarter on Leopoldstraße beside the Englischer Garten
$$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, couples and shopping
Glockenbachviertel and Gärtnerplatz
Stylish streets of cafés, cocktail bars and the city's LGBTQ+ scene by the Isar
What to eat
- White sausage — Mild veal and pork sausages flavoured with parsley and lemon, simmered and eaten with sweet mustard and a pretzel.
- Pretzel — Soft, chewy, lye-glazed pretzels with coarse salt and a crisp, thin crust.
- Roast pork knuckle — A whole pork knuckle roasted until the skin crackles, served with a potato dumpling and gravy.
- Roast pork with dumplings — Slices of slow-roasted pork shoulder in dark beer gravy, served with potato or bread dumplings and sometimes cabbage salad.
- Obatzda — A Bavarian cheese spread of ripe Camembert, butter, paprika, onion and sometimes beer, eaten with pretzels and radish.
- Leberkäse roll — A thick slice of warm Leberkäse, a baked meatloaf of finely ground pork and beef, in a crusty roll with mustard; a quick, cheap lunch.
When to go
The best times to visit Munich are May to July and September, when beer gardens are open and days are warm, and December for Christmas markets. Oktoberfest in late September is spectacular but sends hotel prices to their highest; book many months ahead or visit just afterwards in October.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Changeable weather, blossoming parks, the strong-beer season and the spring beer festival; beer gardens reopen as it warms. |
| Summer | June–August | Long, warm days for beer gardens, river swimming and lake trips, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. |
| Autumn | September–November | Oktoberfest and golden autumn colours, then grey, quiet November with lower prices. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold, sometimes snowy days, Christmas markets, carnival and easy access to Alpine ski areas. |
Getting there and around
Munich Airport (MUC) is about 30 km northeast of the centre. S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 run to Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz in about 40 minutes, and the Lufthansa Express Bus serves the Hauptbahnhof. Memmingen Airport (FMM), used by some budget airlines, is about 110 km west, with coach links to Munich.
Munich's U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses are integrated in the MVV network and reach every sight quickly. The Altstadt is compact and largely pedestrianised, and cycling is popular on a wide network of lanes.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Altstadt, the Residenz, the Englischer Garten and a beer garden or hall. Four days lets you add Nymphenburg, the Pinakotheken or Deutsches Museum, and a day trip to Neuschwanstein, Salzburg or the Dachau memorial.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- German
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe and of excellent quality.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Round up or add about 5–10% in restaurants, telling the server the total you want to pay when they take payment rather than leaving money on the table.
Munich is generally safe and orderly. Pickpockets operate in crowds at Marienplatz, the Hauptbahnhof and Oktoberfest, and festival crowds can become very dense late in the day. In winter, watch for icy pavements.
Flights to Munich
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Munich?
Two days covers the Altstadt, the Residenz, the Englischer Garten and a beer garden or hall. Four days lets you add Nymphenburg, the Pinakotheken or Deutsches Museum, and a day trip to Neuschwanstein, Salzburg or the Dachau memorial. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Munich?
The best times to visit Munich are May to July and September, when beer gardens are open and days are warm, and December for Christmas markets. Oktoberfest in late September is spectacular but sends hotel prices to their highest; book many months ahead or visit just afterwards in October.
+What is Munich known for?
Oktoberfest, Beer gardens, Marienplatz, Englischer Garten, BMW, Pretzels and Weisswurst, Nymphenburg Palace and FC Bayern. Beer gardens such as the Chinesischer Turm and Augustiner-Keller seat thousands under chestnut trees and let you bring your own food.
+Is Munich expensive?
Munich is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $180–$320 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Munich?
No. Public transport covers the city and most day trips by train; parking is expensive and the centre restricts traffic. A car helps only for touring the Alpine lakes and King Ludwig's castles at your own pace.