Munich vs Hamburg: Which German city is best for my next vacation

Are you planning a holiday in Germany and want to know if you should visit Munich or Hamburg? Well this post is for you. Here I compare everything you need to know for visiting both destinations to help you decide which one is better for your next trip.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, so if you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support

Munich vs Hamburg: Some background

Before I delve into the Munich vs Hamburg showdown here is a bit of background on each city.

Munich

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 so you aren’t too far from the mountains if you want to visit.

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.

Wondering is Munich worth visiting? Here is a helpful guide.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a major port city located in the Northern part of Germany. It is the second largest city in Germany and consists of hundreds of canals, lots of beautiful parkland.

Hamburg is the 3rd largest port in Europe, which is good going for a city that isn’t actually located on the sea. In fact, ships need to travel about 109 kms along the River Elbe to reach Hamburg.

Trying to decide if Hamburg is worth visiting? Here is a helpful guide.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for accommodation

Choosing your accommodation is important when planning a trip, so between Munich and Hamburg which one has the better options?

Munich

If you are looking for accommodation in Munich I would highly recommend staying in the Altstadt area. This is essentially the centre of Munich, and where you will find the majority of tourist attractions. It’s also one of the best areas for bars and restaurants.

Hamburg

Hamburg is bigger than Munich and therefore it has a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets. If you want to be close to a lot of the tourist hotspots I recommend staying in Altstadt. It’s central and a very good base for getting around Hamburg.

You also have the party areas of St Pauli or the hip and happening neighbourhood of Altona. Whatever you are looking for when it comes to accommodation you will find it in Hamburg.

Munich or Hamburg?

Accommodation is plentiful in both cities, however as Hamburg is slightly bigger you do have more option.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for attractions

When deciding on a new city I always try to weigh up the tourist attractions and things to do. Here is a breakdown of some of the best things to do in Munich and Hamburg to help you decide.

Munich

There is a lot to do in Munich and here are some of the top things I highly recommend.

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.

Hamburg

There are also a lot of cool and quirky things to do in Hamburg. Here are my top suggestions.

Visit St Michael’s Church 

St Michael’s is one of our highlights when visiting Hamburg because views are amazing. It’s also one of the most famous churches in Hamburg.

To get to the top you do need to climb the 400 plus steps to the viewing platform, but there is a lift as well in case you were wondering.

Do a Harbour Boat Tour

I don’t think you can visit Hamburg without doing a harbour boat tour. There are several companies offering tours around the harbour, so you have a lot to choose from.

Miniatur Wunderland

One of the coolest museums to visit in Hamburg is the Miniatur Wunderland. It’s home to the world’s largest railway exhibition, and there are several intricate displays to checkout.

Rathaus

The Rathaus is a must visit building in Hamburg. It’s the Town Hall Building located in the centre of the city, and it is well worth a visit. You can have a look inside at the lobby, or even visit a restaurant in the basement.

St Pauli Fischmarkt

St Pauli Fischmarkt isn’t just a place full of fresh fish. I mean it has that, but it is so much more. It’s a cute little market where you can buy clothes, fruit and veg, and much more. It opens on Sunday morning, and once you are done shopping head to the fish auction hall where you can grab some brunch and live music performances.

Elbphilharmonie

The Elbphilharmonie, which opened in 2017 is a concert hall that fits 2100 spectators inside. It’s one of the most acoustically advanced venues ever built, and is home to the Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.

The building itself is really cool, and looks a bit like the sails on a ship. There is an observation deck at the top, as well as a cafe, both of which are open to the public.

International Maritime Museum

If you are a fan of all things maritime related this museum is for you. The International Maritime Museum is a private collection of model ships, construction plans, uniforms, and maritime art. The museums has over 40,000 artefacts and over a million photographs.

It was born from one man’s passion for all things nautical, and is a popular tourist attraction today. It’s also located in Kaispeicher B, which is the oldest warehouse in the Speicherstadt.

Chocoversum (chocolate museum) 

The chocoversum is a must for anyone who loves chocolate. You get to learn all about the chocolate journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar. But the most important bit is that you can do some tastings along the way.

Reeperbahn and St Pauli

I know that your first thoughts on spending time in St Pauli or the Reeperbahn might be negative. After all it is marketed as the incredibly seedy part of town. There is a lot more to it though.

It’s great for nightlife and many locals visit for fun nights out. There are also cool bars and restaurants so it’s very much worth a visit.

Explore the beach

If you get on the ferry from Landungsbruken to Finkenwerder (Line 62) you can hop off at Ovelgonne and head to the beach.

On a warm day you will find kids building sandcastles and dipping their toes in the water, with cranes and tugboats in the background. There are also some lovely bars and cafes there which makes it all the more appealing on a summer’s day.

Munich or Hamburg?

You won’t be bored in either Munich or Hamburg. Hamburg has a lot more to do with things like harbour cruises, and even touring places like the Reeperbahn. That being said Munich is great if you want to explore the museums, and experience classic German architecture.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is easier to get to

Obviously how easy it is to get to a city will have a bit impact on whether or not you visit. Here is a breakdown of Munich and Hamburg.

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a pretty easy city to get to. There are several regular flights between German and European cities. Airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet both have frequent flights to the city, which is great if you are looking for cheap flights.

Some bigger airlines also fly to Hamburg, so getting here has never been easier.

Getting from the airport to the city centre is quick and easy. If you are wanting to take public transport get on the S-Bahn which runs every 10 minutes. This will take you to Hamburg Central Station in about 25 minutes.

Munich or Hamburg?

Munich and Hamburg are probably about the same when it comes to getting flights. Although I did find more options to fly to Hamburg, perhaps because it is a bigger city.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is easier to get around

Here we look at whether Munich or Hamburg is the easier city to get around.

Munich

It’s relatively easy to get around Munich, and in all honestly you might not need to use public transport that much. Which is a relief because I got so confused with purchasing tickets here. To avoid that here a summary of ticket types all in a handy website. Once you get over what kind of ticket you need using public transport is really easy.

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.

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is also a pretty easy city to navigate. There are some parts which are pretty walkable, although you probably will need to use public transport as part of your trip.

For tourists, the best option is to purchase the Hamburg Card. The cheapest option is a one day ticket for a single person which costs €11.90, up to 5 days for €46.90. This card will include all your public transport costs including getting you to and from the airport. All you need to do is carry the card with you and present it when asked.

The card will cover you for the bus, ferry the S-Bahn (suburban train) and the U-Bahn (city subway). You will probably end up using the U-Bahn the most when getting around the city.

Munich or Hamburg?

Personally I found Hamburg so much easier to navigate when it came to using public transport. I got the Hamburg Card and was able to very easily use public transport that was all included.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for beaches

Typically neither Munich or Hamburg are your traditional beach destinations, but let’s take a moment to explore this concept anyway.

Munich

Munich is not the place to go if you want to hit the beach. But weirdly it is a popular place to go for surfing. The Eisbachwelle, is famous for it’s river surfing, and it attracts people from all over the world.

Hamburg

Hamburg has a kind of makeshift beach area that is part of the harbour. So you do get the illusion of being at a beach, although you wouldn’t want to surf here. I wanted to add it because it’s a quirky little spot in Hamburg that not many people know about.

Munich or Hamburg?

Neither destination is great for the beach, so let’s call it what it is.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for food

Let’s be real, food is one of the best things about travel. Which is why I have added this very important section on food in Munich and Hamburg.

Munich

Munich is a great place to visit 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.

Hamburg

If you like seafood Hamburg is a great option. It has also long been a port city, and this has meant that culinary influences from all over the world are seen throughout the city.

Hamburg isn’t just sausages and pretzels. It’s also home to some top quality restaurants. One of the highlights in the Portuguese quarter where you can find tasty European bites. You also have some of the more upmarket seafoood restaurants like Parlament or Fischereihafen.

Munich or Hamburg?

Personally I would go for Munich when it comes to food. That’s because you get to experience your traditional Bavarian foods that are often synonymous with Germany.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for nightlife

If you like to party on your travels an important factor to consider when choosing a destination will of course be which one has better nightlife.

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is supposed to have some of the best nightlife in Europe that caters to all tastes. If you are looking for a wild night out St Pauli is one of the best areas. Yes there are some sleazy elements with sex shops and erotic bars, but there are also some cocktails bars, jazz bars, and Irish bars to enjoy. Unsurprisingly it is very popular with stag and hen dos.

The nearby area of Sternschanze is another great place to go with cocktail bars, and trendy cafes. So whatever you are into you are sure to find it in Hamburg.

Munich or Hamburg?

Munich is great for beer halls and classic steins, but Hamburg is by far the place to go for a crazy night out.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for culture

If you love culture, you might be wondering if Munich or Hamburg is the better destination.

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is one of the best places in Germany when it comes to culture, music, and art. For starters the Elbphilharmonie concert hall has really put Hamburg firmly on the map for music and culture in Europe. It has over 50 museums, 45 theatres, and about 100 music venues and clubs. So it’s definitely a must for culture lovers.

Munich or Hamburg?

This is a tough call, so I’m going to call it a draw. The culture in both cities is so different, however it is also plentiful. Culture lovers will enjoy both cities as they have so much to offer.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for safety

You want to feel safe when travelling to a new city, so in this section we weigh up if Munich or Hamburg is the safer destination

Munich

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

Hamburg

I think Hamburg is incredibly safe. Like any busy European city there are areas to avoid, and you should always take precautions, but as a whole tourists don’t have that many issues here.

Petty theft and pickpocketing are quite common, especially around the Reeperbahn. That’s definitely not a reason to avoid it though, just have your wits about you.

Speaking of the Reeperbahn, it can feel sketchy at times, but I never felt unsafe here. In the day it is generally quiet, and you might see a bit of homelessness, and in the evenings it is crowded with tourists and locals alike.

Munich or Hamburg?

Munich is the safer city according to reporting, but both cities are generally ok for tourists.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for couples

Are you travelling to Germany and want to know if Munich or Hamburg is better for a romantic break. Here are my thoughts.

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg has some top quality nightlife, great restaurants, and tons of cool activities you can do as a couple. It’s also incredibly scenic with so many beautiful sunset spots. The architecture and atmosphere is also perfect for just strolling around and taking in the beauty.

You can book an evening cruise, enjoy some fine dining, or just head to your hotel spa for some papering. Whatever you want to do as a couple Hamburg has you covered.

Munich or Hamburg?

I think both cities are great for a couples break and you will be sure to find a lot to do.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for families

If you are travelling with kids you might be wondering if Munich or Hamburg is the better choice for family travel.

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a good choice when it comes to travelling with kids. There are so many activities you can partake in to keep them entertained.

You have tons of museums to visit. Some highlights include the Miniatur Wunderland. It’s a favourite for kids and adults alike. You also have the Chocolate Museum which is recommended for kids 6 and over.

Hamburg also has some great parks, and family friendly festivals and events all year round.

Munich or Hamburg?

Both cities are on par when it comes to keeping the kids entertained. They both have lots of museums and parks that are sure to be a hit with families.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for solo travel

Are you travelling alone? Here is my breakdown of Munich vs Hamburg for solo travellers.

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is generally a safe city, particularly if you are sticking to the tourist areas. For that reason it’s a great place for solo travel.

There are lots of things to see and do, and if you are wanting some company you can also do group tours. There are lots of cool tours in Hamburg like food tours, and cycling tours.

Basically you won’t be bored if you visit the city solo.

Munich or Hamburg?

I probably felt just that little bit safer in Munich, and on top of that it is a pretty walkable city. For that reason when it comes to solo travel I would recommend Munich over Hamburg.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for a budget holiday

Costs are a serious consideration for any holiday, and so you might be wondering if Munich or Hamburg is cheaper.

Munich

In my experience Munich isn’t a massively expensive city. As a solo traveller I spent under €100 per day, which didn’t include accommodation. This included things like using public transport, eating some hearty German meals, and of course having a few drinks here and there.

Accommodation can be pricey depending on the time of year you book. For a 4 star hotel in the centre of Munich I ended up paying about €140 per night. This will increase substantially during peak season.

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a little bit cheaper than Munich in my experience. Accommodation in the mid range will set you back somewhere between €80 – €150 per night. It can be cheaper if you are willing to stay further out.

For everything else I budgeted around €100 per person per day but didn’t spend close to that. Food and drink are all moderately priced, as are tourist attractions.

Munich or Hamburg?

I found Hamburg to be slightly cheaper than Munich. I don’t know if it is because Munich is super touristy so prices are higher but it is much easier planning a budget trip to Hamburg.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better for nature

If you are a nature lover you might be wondering if Munich or Hamburg is the better destination.

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is one of the greenest cities in Europe, and the city itself has a number of parks and natural spaces to enjoy. If you are wanting to experience nature a little bit more you can visit places like the Hamburg Botanical Gardens as part of the University of Hamburg.

For real nature though you will need to venture out of Hamburg to see places like Klövensteen Forest.

Munich or Hamburg?

I would probably go with Munich as the better destination for nature lovers. This is mostly due to its proximity to the Alps.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better in summer

Summer is usually peak travel season in Europe, and Munich and Hamburg are both popular destinations. But which one is better?

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Summers in Hamburg can be really beautiful. The weather is mild averaging between 12-25 degrees celsius. That being said we did experience a few days of over 30 degrees celsius so keep that in mind.

Summers are brilliant because the city really comes alive. You can sip drinks by the harbour or visit the makeshift beaches. There are also lots of outdoor festivals and activities to enjoy.

Munich or Hamburg?

I quite like Hamburg for a summer trip. This is because of its proximity to the water, and who doesn’t love spending time sipping cocktails by the harbour?

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is better in winter

If you are travelling to Germany in the winter months of December – February you might be wondering if Munich or Hamburg is the better choice.

Munich

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is another great city to visit in the winter months. Again you have the Christmas Markets that takeover the city in December.

There are several museums you can visit on those colder rainier days as well as cool coffee shops and bars.

Munich or Hamburg?

Both Munich and Hamburg are good destinations to go to in the winter months. There are lots of museums to visit and they both have excellent Christmas Markets.

Munich vs Hamburg: which one is for me

So is Munich or Hamburg the place for you?

Munich

Munich is a great place to go if you are looking for 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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is a more modern and fast paced city in comparison to Munich. It is laid back and is good for those wanting to eat some great seafood, visit some top class museums, and enjoy some time by the harbour.

Munich or Hamburg?

Honestly both Munich and Hamburg are great places to visit. A lot of tourists tend to flock to Munich, but Hamburg is one of those places that definitely deserves a look in.

Ultimately it depends on what you are interested in. For traditional German food and architecture you should. goto Munich.

But for a more laid back, authentic experience head to Hamburg.

Or do both!

Hopefully this guide has been helpful for you planning your next city break.

Happy travels!