Bavaria · Germany · Europe

Munich

Marienplatz, beer gardens, the Wiesn and the mountains on the doorstep – the Bavarian capital is the perfect start to a tour of Austria.

Best time to goMay to October; Oktoberfest at the end of September, Christmas market in December
Recommended duration2–3 days, a good start to a tour of Austria
Price levelmedium to high – very high during the Wiesn

Why Munich?

Munich is four hours from Zurich, by car via Bregenz or by direct train – and yet another world: bigger, louder, Bavarian. The old town can be walked in a day: Marienplatz with the New Town Hall and its Glockenspiel, the Frauenkirche, the Viktualienmarkt, the Residenz and the English Garden, where surfers ride the Eisbach wave.

Then there’s the food: Weisswurst before noon, pork knuckle in the Ratskeller, pretzels and a Mass of beer in the beer garden. And if you come in September you end up at the Oktoberfest – the Wiesn is packed, expensive and still something you have to do once.

For me, Munich was the starting point of the Austria tour: from here it is an hour and a half to Salzburg and two to Innsbruck.

How I book Munich

I book hotels through Booking.com – in the old town or near the main station, so everything is within reach on foot or by S-Bahn. For the Oktoberfest you have to reserve months in advance, and prices double. Tent reservations at the Wiesn and tours of the Allianz Arena or BMW Welt I book through GetYourGuide. You don’t need a car in Munich; if you’re going on to Austria, pick up the rental car at the end through Discover Cars.

Hotels in MunichBooking.com – old town or main station; book early for the Oktoberfest. Tours & ticketsGetYourGuide – Oktoberfest tent reservation, Allianz Arena, BMW Welt, Neuschwanstein day trip. Rental carsDiscover Cars – for the onward trip to Salzburg, Innsbruck or the lakes.

Organising it yourself: the old town is walkable, the rest with an MVV day ticket; Neuschwanstein tickets are available online directly from the castle.

My tips for Munich

  • Watch the Glockenspiel on Marienplatz at 11, then head straight to the Ratskeller – there’s still room at lunchtime.
  • Go to the Wiesn on a weekday morning: you get into the tent without a reservation and the mood is still relaxed.
  • Viktualienmarkt for a stand-up lunch – pretzels, Obatzda, a beer in the beer garden under the chestnut trees.
  • Rub the snout of the wild boar outside the Hunting Museum – it’s said to bring luck, and it certainly hasn’t done any harm.

My photos from Munich

On Marienplatz in front of the New Town Hall – the Glockenspiel in the tower plays at 11, 12 and 5 pm, with the towers of the Frauenkirche behind.
On Marienplatz in front of the New Town Hall – the Glockenspiel in the tower plays at 11, 12 and 5 pm, with the towers of the Frauenkirche behind.
The Old Town Hall at the eastern end of Marienplatz – the Toy Museum is in the tower.
The Old Town Hall at the eastern end of Marienplatz – the Toy Museum is in the tower.
The lions at the entrance to the Ratskeller in the town hall courtyard.
The lions at the entrance to the Ratskeller in the town hall courtyard.
Pork knuckle with dumplings in the Ratskeller – under the vaults of the town hall, since 1874.
Pork knuckle with dumplings in the Ratskeller – under the vaults of the town hall, since 1874.
The bronze wild boar outside the Hunting and Fishing Museum on Neuhauser Strasse – the snout is rubbed shiny, which is supposed to bring luck.
The bronze wild boar outside the Hunting and Fishing Museum on Neuhauser Strasse – the snout is rubbed shiny, which is supposed to bring luck.
At the Wiesn – with a hat, as is proper. Two weeks at the end of September, six million visitors.
At the Wiesn – with a hat, as is proper. Two weeks at the end of September, six million visitors.

Where to stay?

In Munich I prefer to stay in the old town between Marienplatz and Sendlinger Tor, or near the main station – both central, and the station is handy for travelling on.

My hotels in Munich: the Bayerischer Hof for tradition, the Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski for luxury and the Leonardo Royal for trade fairs and city breaks.

Find accommodation in Munich

I almost always compare hotels and apartments on Booking.com – with genuine reviews and usually free cancellation.

See accommodation in Munich Compare on Hotels.com Holiday rental on Vrbo
Affiliate links: if you book I earn a small commission – the price stays the same for you, and sometimes you even get an extra discount. Hotels.com is worth it for comparing prices and for the loyalty programme (every tenth night free), Vrbo for holiday homes and apartments.
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