- S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 link the airport with the centre in about 40 minutes
- Stay in the Altstadt or Maxvorstadt for the sights, Haidhausen or Glockenbachviertel for local life
- Oktoberfest starts in late September and books up months ahead
- Neuschwanstein, Salzburg and the Alps are all doable as day trips
- Airports
- Munich (MUC)
- Best time to go
- May-September and December
- Type
- City
Munich is the capital of Bavaria and one of Germany's most liveable cities: compact, green and packed with grand architecture rebuilt after the war. It is famous for its beer halls and Oktoberfest, but there is far more to it, from the paintings in the Pinakothek galleries to the royal apartments of the Residenz and the surfers riding a standing wave in the English Garden.
Flights from the UK take around two hours, and the city makes an easy base for the Bavarian Alps and Austria. For more ideas see our Bavaria guide and the wider Germany guide.
Things to do
- Marienplatz and the New Town Hall – the main square, where the Glockenspiel in the town hall tower performs to crowds several times a day.
- Viktualienmarkt – a daily food market a few minutes from Marienplatz, with stalls, a maypole and a beer garden.
- The Residenz – the former palace of the Wittelsbach rulers, with lavish rooms, the Antiquarium and a treasury.
- The English Garden – one of the largest city parks in Europe, with the Chinese Tower beer garden and the Eisbach wave surfers at its southern edge.
- The Pinakothek museums – the Alte Pinakothek for old masters, the Neue Pinakothek for 19th-century art and the Pinakothek der Moderne for design and modern work.
- Nymphenburg Palace – a baroque summer residence with formal gardens and pavilions, reachable by tram.
- Deutsches Museum – a huge science and technology museum on an island in the River Isar.
- Beer halls – the Hofbräuhaus is the famous one, but Augustiner and other traditional halls are just as atmospheric.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Altstadt | Walk to Marienplatz, the Residenz and the markets |
| Maxvorstadt | Museums, university cafés and good value |
| Haidhausen | Quieter streets, local restaurants, close to the Deutsches Museum |
| Glockenbachviertel | Bars, independent shops and a lively evening scene |
| Near the Hauptbahnhof | Handy for day trips, though the streets are less attractive |
Getting there
Several UK airports have direct flights to Munich, including London Heathrow and Gatwick; check seasonal routes from regional airports. From Munich Airport, the S1 and S8 suburban trains reach the centre in about 40 minutes, and the Lufthansa Express Bus runs to the main station. By train from London, you can take the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels and continue by high-speed train, a full day's travel.
Best time to visit
May to September brings beer garden weather and long evenings. Oktoberfest runs from late September into early October; it is great fun but hotel prices rise sharply. December is atmospheric, with Christmas markets on Marienplatz and across the city. Winters are cold, but museums and beer halls keep things cosy.
If Oktoberfest crowds put you off, Munich's spring festival on the same grounds is smaller and mostly local.
Top attractions in Munich
LandmarkBrandenburg Gate
Berlin's neoclassical city gate, crowned by the Quadriga, once trapped behind the Wall and now the symbol of a reunited…
LandmarkEast Side Gallery
The longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, painted in 1990 by artists from around the world and now an open-air…
LandmarkNeuschwanstein Castle
King Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle on a crag in the Bavarian Alps, the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Munich on the map
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Munich?
Two or three days cover the old town, a museum or two and the English Garden. Add a day or two for trips to Neuschwanstein, Salzburg or the mountains.
Is Munich expensive?
It is one of Germany's pricier cities, especially for hotels during trade fairs and Oktoberfest. Eating in beer halls and markets keeps costs reasonable.
Can you visit Neuschwanstein from Munich?
Yes. Regional trains run to Füssen in about two hours, then buses connect to the castle villages. Book castle tickets in advance in summer.
Do I need cash in Munich?
Cards are widely accepted now, but some beer gardens, market stalls and small bakeries still prefer cash, so carry a few euros.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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