Munich travel guide: beer halls, royal palaces and Alpine day trips
Munich is the Bavarian capital: a tidy, wealthy city of beer halls, royal palaces, museums and the Alps an hour south. Two days cover the old town and the Englischer Garten. A third buys the Alps or Dachau Memorial. The one thing to know is Oktoberfest, which fills hotels from mid-September to early October.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay near Marienplatz, see the Residenz and the Viktualienmarkt, spend an afternoon in the Englischer Garten and dine in a beer hall.
- Where to stay
- The Altstadt for sights, Maxvorstadt for museums, Haidhausen for a local feel.
- How many days
- Two to three days for the city. Add one for the Alps or Neuschwanstein.
- Best time to go
- May to September, plus the Christmas markets in December. Oktoberfest runs from mid-September.
- Book ahead
- Oktoberfest tents, Neuschwanstein tickets and Hofbräuhaus tables on weekends.
- From the airport
- Munich airport is 40 km north east. The S1 and S8 trains take about 40 minutes.
Where to stay in Munich, in brief
Altstadt
sights and first-timers
The old town around Marienplatz, with the Residenz, the Viktualienmarkt and the main shops. Walkable and central. Prices are high.
Maxvorstadt
museums and cafes
The museum quarter and university district, with the Pinakotheken and a student feel. A short walk to the old town.
Glockenbach and Isarvorstadt
bars and restaurants
A lively district south of the center with bars, cafes and independent shops. Good for evenings.
Haidhausen
a quieter local base
A village-like district east of the Isar with good restaurants. A short U-Bahn ride to the center.
Things to do in Munich
Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel
The main square, with the Neues Rathaus and a clock figure display at 11am and noon, and 5pm in summer.
Munich Residenz
The former royal palace, now a museum with a treasury and a theater. Allow two hours.
Viktualienmarkt
A daily food market in the center, with stalls and a beer garden.
Englischer Garten
One of the largest city parks in Europe, with a beer garden at the Chinese Tower and a surfing wave in the Eisbach.
Deutsches Museum
One of the world's largest science and technology museums, on an island in the Isar. Allow half a day.
Pinakothek museums
Three major art museums in Maxvorstadt. Pick one rather than all three.
Nymphenburg Palace
A baroque summer palace with large gardens, reached by tram.
BMW Welt and Museum
A car museum and showroom beside the Olympic Park.
Dachau Memorial
The memorial site of the first Nazi concentration camp, about 30 minutes by S-Bahn and bus.
a few days ahead for guided tours
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Munich can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Munich, and which to pick- Oktoberfest tent tablesmonths ahead, from the spring
Tents sell tables for groups well in advance. Walk-ins are only possible on weekdays at quiet hours.
- Neuschwanstein Castle tickets2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer
Timed entry tickets sell out and you cannot buy at the door.
What to skip in Munich
- The Hofbräuhaus at peak hours
It is a tourist hall. Visit for a short look and drink at a smaller beer garden instead.
- Dachau on a rushed day
Give it a half day and go early. A short stop does not do it justice.
Best time to visit Munich
May to September is best, with beer gardens open and long evenings. Oktoberfest runs from mid-September to the first Sunday of October, so prices rise and rooms are scarce.
December has Christmas markets and snow in the Alps. Winter is cold, though museums and halls are warm.
- From the airportThe S1 and S8 trains take about 40 minutes to the Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz.
- U-Bahn, S-Bahn and tramsA good network that covers the city. Buy a day ticket for the inner zone.
- On foot and by bikeThe center is compact and flat. Cycle lanes are good.
Munich in three days
- Day 1
Marienplatz, the Residenz, the Viktualienmarkt and a beer hall dinner.
- Day 2
Englischer Garten, the Deutsches Museum and Haidhausen for dinner.
- Day 3
Nymphenburg Palace in the morning, then a Pinakothek or the BMW museum.
Day trips from Munich
- Neuschwanstein and HohenschwangauThe fairy-tale castles, about two hours by train and bus.
- SalzburgAbout 1 hour 30 minutes by train across the border into Austria.
Munich: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Munich?
Two days cover the city center. A third adds a palace, a museum or a day in the Alps.
Where should I stay in Munich?
The Altstadt for sights, Maxvorstadt for museums, Glockenbach for evenings.
When is Oktoberfest?
From mid-September to the first Sunday of October. Book hotels well in advance.
Is Munich expensive?
It is one of the pricier German cities, especially during Oktoberfest and trade fairs.
Can I visit Neuschwanstein as a day trip?
Yes. It takes about two hours each way, and you should book timed tickets in advance.