Is Munich worth visiting, Is Munich expensive and everything else you need to know

Are you planning a trip to Germany and wondering is Munich worth visiting? In this guide we go through absolutely everything you need to know before you go. We also answer all the important questions like is Munich safe, and is Munich expensive to help you decide if you should visit.

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Some background

Before we answer the question Is Munich worth visiting, here is a little bit of background. Munich is the third largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg. It is located in the south eastern part of Germany on the River Isar. The city is also just north of the Bavarian Alps.

Munich is of course home to the largest beer festival in the world, Octoberfest, and is famous for it’s beer halls, and hearty food. It’s also known for its financial and automotive industries. In fact Munich is home to BMW’s headquarters.

Is Munich expensive?

Before booking your trip to Bavaria, you might be wondering is Munich expensive? Personally I didn’t find it too bad. As a solo traveller I managed to spend around €100 per day not including accommodation. This included things like using public transport, eating some hearty German meals, and of course having a few drinks here and there.

I booked a 4 star hotel in the centre of Munich and this cost me around €140 per night. Keep in mind though this was in January and prices for accommodation skyrocket in the summer months, as well as during peak season such as Octoberfest.

Attractions in Munich don’t tend to be expensive, and there are a lot of free things to see and do as well. You probably want to budget around €20 per day for attractions at the most.

Food and drink in the city are relatively cheap too. You are looking at around €15 for a main meal in a traditional Bavarian style pub. Beers are an extra €3-€5 depending on what you order, so all in all you can get away with paying around €20 for an evening meal.

Do I need cash in Munich?

In my experience of Munich you really don’t need cash in the city. The majority of places will allow you to pay with card. Some smaller shops may ask for cash but there are usually signs up that explain this. I alway recommend having some cash on you as a precaution, so it might be worth carrying €20 around just in case.

What language do they speak in Munich?

German is the official language spoken in Munich. But don’t worry if you aren’t a native speaker, English is also commonly used in the city. Munich is a very big tourist city, so you can get away with speaking English in most places.

Is Munich easy to get to?

Munich is a very well connected city due to its popularity among tourists. Chances are if you are travelling to Munich you will arrive by plane. Munich International Airport- also known as Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport is the main airport in the city.

A lot of European carriers fly into Munich such as Easyjet, Lufthansa, and Eurowings to name a few. If you are travelling further afield to places like Asia or beyond, you may need to fly into Frankfurt and then make your way to Munich from there.

Once you arrive at the airport the easiest way to get into the city is to take the S-Bahn. These usually depart every 10 minutes and will get you into the city in around 40 minutes.

How long should I spend in Munich?

I visited Munich as part of a weekend break and had 2 full days here. For me this was enough time to explore the key attractions, checkout some of the neighbourhoods, as well as sampling the food and drink on offer in the city. I personally think 3 days would have been ideal although you may want extra time if you do want to explore the neighbourhoods, or even do some day trips further into Bavaria.

If you want a guide to spending 2 days in Munich you can checkout this post.

Is Munich safe?

Is Munich safe, is an important question, particularly if you are travelling solo like I did. Apparently Munich is one of the safest cities in Europe. Tourists don’t tend to have a lot of hassle here. I know that there is a lot of drinking that goes on, but even so the city always felt safe to me. I felt comfortable walking around the centre at night on my own.

Of course you should always take your usual precautions, and keep an eye out for pickpockets, but on the whole Munich is pretty safe.

Is Munich worth visiting compared to other German cities?

If you are planning a trip to Munich you might be wondering if it is worth visiting compared to other German cities. In my opinion I very much think that it is. Munich is sort of your quintessential German city. At least in my mind. It’s what I think of when I think of Germany. And that might be stereotypical, but if you want to see some classic architecture, and sample some very traditional food Munich is for you.

Other German cities like Berlin and Hamburg are a little bit more modern and fast paced, and Munich is definitely a lot slower and way more traditional.

Trying to decide between Berlin and Hamburg here is a handy guide. Or Munich and Hamburg this guide is for you.

Can I use public transport in Munich?

Public transport in Munich is pretty efficient, although I will say I didn’t end up using it a lot during my time in the city. I did get the S-Bahn to and from the airport, and I did use the tram to get to Nymphenburg Palace. Everything else though was in walking distance from the centre.

If you do find yourself using the public transport in the city you will probably use either the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, or the bus. I actually got really confused with the public transport in the city, and what kind of ticket I was supposed to buy so ended up purchasing a single ticket everywhere I went. You can purchase day tickets which are way more cost effective. For a summary of ticket types this is a handy website.

Once you purchase your ticket you need to stamp it before you travel in order for it to be valid so do keep this in mind.

What is there to do in Munich?

So you might be wondering what there is to do in Munich. Here are some of the top things that I recommend when visiting the city.

Marienplatz

One of the must see parts of Munich is of course Marienplatz. It’s basically the bustling heart of the city with its ornate buildings, and street musicians. On a side note this is also where the Christmas Markets are held in December.

One of the main attractions in Marienplatz is the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. It’s a large clock located at the Rathaus, and it comes to life twice a day. The clock re-enacts scenes from the city’s history and is very popular with tourists.

Town Hall/ Rathaus

Speaking of the Rathaus, which was built in 1874, it is also worth exploring the courtyard, and climbing the tower for some pretty epic views over the square. It’s only €6.50 to head to the top of the tower, and you can get a lift pretty much to the top if you don’t like the idea of traipsing up all those stairs.

St Peter’s Church Tower

If you like your views, St Peter’s Church Tower, is probably one of the best places to go in Munich. It also means that you can get some panoramic views of Marienplatz and the Rathaus. You do need to climb the stairs to get to the top, but the climb isn’t too bad and there is a lot of space for rests along the way if you need it.

Viktualienmarkt

Viktualienmarkt is an outdoor market just a short walk from Marienplatz. They sell a lot of local produce, and there are also some food and drink stalls that are well worth a visit.

Nymphenburg Palace

Nymphenburg Palace is well worth a visit if you want to get out of the centre of Munich and explore a former summer residence for rulers of Bavaria. You can do a tour of the inside with its ornate features, or you can do what I did and just explore the gardens.

It is worth visiting even if you don’t want to pay to explore the interior. The gardens are beautiful, and there is a lot of space to explore.

Hofbräuhaus

I’ve mentioned this a few times, but Munich is very much all about the beer halls. One of the most famous, and popular with tourists is Hofbräuhaus. There is very much a party atmosphere, and this. isthe best place to see guys in lederhosen as well as traditional oompah bands. It’s kind of a must when you visit Munich.

Visit the English Garden

The English Garden is the largest park in Munich, and perfect for a weekend morning stroll. It’s also great to visit at any time of the year, just wrap up warm if you are visiting in January like me.

It’s an English Country style park with lots of fountains, rose gardens, lakes, and pavilions. Basically there is a lot of explore.

Surf the Eisbach river

While you are exploring the English Garden make sure you check out the surfers along the Eisbach River. This is honestly the most random thing I have seen where you watch surfers line up and try to stay on their boards for as long as possible. It’s not really something you would expect to see in a German park, which makes it a must see for your trip to Munich.

Munich Residenz

The Residenz is located in central Munich and is a former royal palace. In fact it is the largest city palace in Germany today, and is open to visitors year round.

It was basically the residence and seat of government for Bavarian dukes, electors, and royalty between 1508 and 1918.

This is a fantastic place to visit if you are into culture, royalty, and some pretty cool architecture. There are a number of rooms to explore, each more opulent than the last.

If you want to explore the residence there are a number of different ticket options you can purchase including a visit to the museum, the theatre, and the treasury. Ticket prices start at €10 for the museum and then you can add additional rooms on for a higher cost.

For more information you can visit the official website here.

Asamkirche

One of the best hidden gems that I stumbled upon in Munich was the Asamkirche or the Asam Church. It is a Baroque style church located in the centre of Munich. It is said to be one of the most important late Baroque buildings in southern Germany.

The church was built between 1733 and 1746 by a pair of brothers, sculptor – Egid Quirin Asam and painter – Cosmas Damian Asam. It’s quite hidden but is worth searching for because the inside really is incredible.

Kunstareal or Museum Quarter

If you are looking for a bit of culture in between your beers, you should definitely check out the museum quarter in Munich. Here you will find 18 museums and exhibition halls, and 20 galleries. Culture lovers should make a day of exploring the area.

Is Munich worth visiting for solo travellers?

I visited Munich as a solo traveller, and honestly I did enjoy it but because a lot of the culture and attractions revolve around drinking and beer halls, it might have been a bit more enjoyable with someone else. That being said there are many tours that you can book onto that take you to various beer halls so you don’t have to do it alone.

I mentioned this before, but Munich is incredibly safe, and for this reason it is great if you are travelling solo. It’s also really easy to get around with many of the main attractions within walking distance of each other.

Is Munich worth visiting for couples?

Munich is a great place to visit if you are travelling as a couple. Especially if you are wanting to enjoy the nightlife of the city. There are so many cool beer halls, quirky bars, and traditional restaurants to explore.

I know Munich is popular with Stag dos but there is also a lot of beauty in the city, and so many romantic things to do. For instance you can stroll in the English Garden, or explore the palaces, or even just chill in the city coffee shops.

Is Munich worth visiting for families?

Munich is a great place to visit for families. This is in part due to the large amount of open spaces, and museums you can explore. Places like the Transport Museum or the FC Bayern Museum are perfect for kids and adults alike.

And I know I have said that beer is a big thing in Munich, but the good news is there are quite a few beer gardens in the city that also have a playground. So you can sip a beer whilst the kids play.

Is Munich worth visiting for foodies?

Is Munich worth visiting for foodies, is basically like asking is grass green. Without a doubt, the city is the perfect place to go if you want to indulge in some traditional German foods. And the good news is there is something for every price range in Munich too.

Some of the must try foods in Munich include brez’n, or the pretzel as commonly known, Schweinshaxe, or pork knuckle, and Käsespätzle which is like a German mac and cheese. As touristy as it is, a visit to a traditional German restaurant is a must. Augustiner-Keller in Munich is one of my absolute favourites, so much so that I ended up eating here twice. They serve very traditional food, at a reasonable price as well.

Is Munich worth visiting for the nightlife?

The nightlife in Munich is something you have to experience at least once in your life. It’s a lot more laid back than places like Berlin or Hamburg, and it is obviously known for its beer halls. You get a lot of lively pubs, as well as your typical cocktail bars, and nightclubs. Basically there is something for everyone if you are wanting to party in Munich.

Is Munich worth visiting for nature lovers?

One thing that I loved about Munich was the abundance of green spaces around the city. The English Garden is probably one of the more popular parks in the city, with lots of green space along the River Isar. There are also some wonderful green spaces around Nymphenburg Palace if you want to venture a little out of the centre.

Munich is also incredibly close to the alps, so you can even do a day trip to get out and explore nature in the surrounding areas.

Is Munich worth visiting for culture lovers?

If you are into culture, a visit to Munich is a must. For starters the whole city has a lively beer hall culture, that you have to experience once in your life. But drinking aside, there are also an incredible number of museums and galleries that culture lovers will adore, as well as the former royal residences in the city.

Is Munich worth visiting in the summer?

Summer is a fantastic time to visit Munich. For starters temperatures are warm, but mild, averaging at around 24ºC or 75ºF. And the lows are around 14ºC or 58ºF. It’s basically perfect beer garden weather, and believe me Munich has plenty.

It can rain quite a bit in the summer months so be prepared and pack a light raincoat or umbrella at the very least.

Summer is of course one of the peak tourist times to visit Munich. The other being Oktoberfest. Although just to clarify Oktoberfest starts in the second last week in September and ends on the first Sunday in October so this is usually in autumn.

If you are visiting Munich in summer make sure you book your accommodation well in advance, and if there are any restaurants you don’t want to miss make sure you reserve a table in advance.

Is Munich worth visiting in the winter?

I visited Munich in January which is of course smack bang in the middle of winter. Temperatures range between 3ºC and -3ºC (37.4ºF and 26.6ºF). Whilst it can be chilly there is still a lot to do in the city. For starters the museums are a great way to pass the time, as are the indoor beer halls. And honestly comfort food is best eaten in the colder months.

Don’t forget that in December the city has some pretty spectacular Christmas Markets with mulled wine, and other fantastic culinary treats.

What to pack when visiting Munich?

Apart from your standard holiday items here are som must haves for your trip to Munich.

• A good coat in the winter, and a light rain proof jacket in the summer months.
• Umbrella.
• A water bottle that you can refill as the water is excellent for drinking in the city.
• Comfortable shoes – no one wants to walk in terrible shoes on all those cobblestones.

What should I know before visiting Munich?

Here are some final tips for visiting Munich.

• Carry some cash with you, as some smaller stores may not accept card.
• On Sunday’s some of the city museums are only €1 for entry, so check this in advance.
• Munich can be pretty dead on a Sunday with a lot of the shops closing for the day.
• Book restaurants in advance particularly during peak season.
• Jaywalking is illegal in Germany so make sure you only cross at crossings when the green man is showing.

So Is Munich worth visiting?

If you are planning a trip to Germany and wondering is Munich worth visiting, take this as a sign to book your trip and go. Munich is a culturally rich city, and is a must in my opinion for any German itinerary. This is where you should go to experience traditional German culture, food, and drink. It’s not the only part of Germany you should visit, but it really is worth a trip.