Munich, Germany

When you think of Munich you probably think of Oktoberfest, but there is so much more. Last year I was lucky enough to explore a small area of the state of Bavaria, Germany. And I absolutely loved it. Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and from there you can explore world-famous castles, medieval towns, and so much more!

I highly recommend this city as a winter destination because although cold, December comes alive with Christmas markets all over town, delicious food and my favorite winter drink, Glühwein! So, if you are considering Munich for your next travel destination, then keep reading for recommendations on things to do, best day trips, and more!

View of the Frauenkirche from the Neues Rathaus tower

Getting Around Munich….

Munich has a great public transport system composed of an underground (U-Bahn) and overground (S-Bahn) trains, trams, and buses.

Arriving to city center from the Munich's Franz Josef Strauß Airport (MUC) is easy by using the S1 S-Bahn train from the airport terminal. The journey takes about 45 minutes and the trains run every 20 minutes. If you are staying close to city center, then you’ll probably want to get off in Marienplatz or Karlsplatz. Single trip fares are Single trip fares are approximately $3.21 (2,90 €) and can be purchased from vending machines at the airport terminal.

Once in the city, I recommend you explore afoot. Munich is a very pedestrian friendly city and all of the main attractions are within 5-10 minute walks from each other. For those attractions that are outside the main area you can purchase a day pass or single fare ticket (like we did) and hop on any of the available modes of transport that suits your needs.

Map of Munich’s transportation system

Things to do…

Take a free walking tour - I always start my trips taking advantage of these tours to help me get acclimated to the city and its surroundings. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, are guided by locals, and have no price tag (only pay what you want). They run daily at 10am, 10:45am and 2pm from Marienplatz. For booking and information head to their page.

• Take it all in at Marienplatz - Marienplatz is the main square of the city. It comes alive during the holidays with the opening of the Christmas markets and Christmas shopping in the multiple shops surrounding the square. Around Marienplatz you will find multiple restaurants, cafes, and other attractions listed below.

  • Admire the Neues Rathaus or New Town Hall - This Neo-Gothic town hall is probably one of the most decorative buildings you’ll ever see. Depending on what time of the year you visit, you can take a 90-minute guided tour of the New Town Hall for approx. $11 (10 €).

  • Catch the 12-minute show of the New Town Hall Glockenspiel - Perhaps one of the most famous attractions in Munich, the glockenspiel is a short show consisting of bells and life-sized figures that re-enact two stories from the 16th century. The short show happens daily at 11am and 12pm (also at 5pm during the summer) in the tower balcony of the New Town Hall.

  • Visit the Tower of New Town Hall for Breathtaking Views of the City - Open daily from 10am to 7pm (5pm on Sundays and holidays), from here you can see all the way to the Alpine peaks in the South. The cost is approximately $4.43 (4 €) and there is a lift, in case you can’t take the stairs.

• Take a look at the Devil’s Footstep inside Frauenkirche - Known for its widely visible towers, this church is a symbol of the Bavarian capital city. Inside the church you will find a black mark resembling a footprint, which according to legend is where the devil stood once. Additionally, inside the church you will find multiple tombs including that of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor.

  • Cost: Free

  • Hours: Weekdays 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 6pm.

• Gaze at the wonder of Asamkirche - Known as the most ostentatious church in the city, this small gem is a prime example of true German baroque and Rococo architecture. The church is small but it is filled with an opulent interior you can’t miss.

  • Cost: Free

  • Hours: Daily from 9am (Fridays open at 1pm) to 6pm

• Step into the City Castle (Residenz) of the Bavarian royalty - Located in the city center, this was once the palace of dukes, princes and emperors. It is here that you will find the Antiquarium, the largest and most beautiful Renaissance hall north of the Alps. When visiting the residence, you can also visit the Treasury and the Cuvilliés Theatre.

  • Cost: Single ticket to the Residenz is about $4 (3.50 €). Combination tickets to visit the Residenz, Treasury, and theatre are about $13.50 (13 €).

  • Hours: Vary depending on the month and day of the week. Be sure to check their page for opening times.

The Antiquarium

• Visit the largest square in Central Munich, Karlsplatz - This square is a highly popular spot that houses an ice skating rink during the winter. Here you will also find an underground shopping center, S-Bahn and U-Bahn connections, and the famous gothic gates, Karlstor. This square is also known by the locals as Stachus.

• Step into the Castle of the Nymphs (Nymphenburg Palace) - Located West of Munich, this palace was the main summer residency of the former rulers of Bavaria. Here you will find rooms with Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical decorations. Additionally, you will also find the Gallery of Beauties a collection of 36 portraits of the most beautiful women painted between 1827 and 1850.

  • Cost: $12.74 (11.50 €) April to October or $9.42 (8.50 €) October to March.

  • Hours: daily 9 am-6 pm (April to 15 October ), 10 am-4 pm (16 October to March)

Where to Eat in Munich

• Hofbrauhaus - Located only 5 minutes away from Marienplatz, you simply can’t miss visiting this world famous brewery. The brewery is owned by the state government and was once the royal brewery of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Walking into this brewery you will get the “Oktoberfest” feel even if you are visiting in the middle of the summer. Expect to find a very full beer hall with a live band dressed in the traditional Bavarian fashion. Just find a table with a bunch of strangers, order a beer, and enjoy the ambience.

Drinks and pretzels at Hofbrauhaus

• Ratskeller München - A friend of ours from Munich took us here for dinner one night and we both loved the place. There are multiple locations and we visited the one next to Marienplatz. Despite its highly touristy location the food was great. Dating back to the 19th century this cellar restaurant serves regional dishes accompanied by a classic decor. Stop in here for a warm meal after a full day of exploring!

• Medieval Christmas Market - If you are visiting Munich during the holidays you will find Christmas markets all over town, however the best one is the Medieval market located near Odeonsplatz. This is a truly unique experience with food roasting over open fires, oil torches being lit by hand, and Gluhwein served in handmade ceramic goblets. Do not miss out on this unique experience.

Best Day Trips from Munich….

If you have the time to explore beyond Munich, consider the following day trips. Not to mention, driving in the German Autobahn it’s an experience of itself!

• Rothenburg ob der Tauber - I absolutely loved this well-preserved medieval old town. Located only 2.5 hours North of Munich it is a popular stop on the Romantic Road. It is believed the city was first inhabited by Celts before the 1st century C.E. You can spend hours exploring the city’s Renaissance buildings such as the Rathaus (town hall), visiting its museums (like Christmas Museum, Doll and Toy Museum), churches and quaint shops among others. I recommend you arrive early in the day so you can explore the city afoot and take full advantage of the many photo opportunities it offers!

Neuschwanstein Castle - This is probably the only reason most people consider visiting Germany, to see the real-life Disneyland castle. This 19th century Romanesque Revival palace is everything you can imagine and so much more. Located on a rugged hill above a village (Hohenschwangau) it was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria, known as the Swan King or Fairy-Tale King due to his romantic ideals. Although never finished, the castle’s interior was designed as if it was from the Middle Ages (and beautifully so!). Visiting the inside of the castle is only possible with a guided tour. Tickets are sold at the ticket center in the village of Hohenschwangau below the castle. From here you can take a 30 minute uphill walk to the castle or ride the horse-drawn carriage for 7€ uphill (3.50 € downhill).

• Cost: Approx. $15 (13 €)

  • Tip: Tickets may be sold out during high season, it is recommended you reserve your tickets ahead of time.

• Hours:

  • Ticketcenter: 7:30am - 5pm (April to October 15) and 8:30am - 3pm (October 16 to March)

  • Castle: 9am - 6pm (April to October 15) and 10am - 4pm (October 16 to March)

• Tip: To get the beautiful pictures you find in Pinterest, you’ll have to do the short hike to the Marienbrucke bridge. Beware that during the winter this bridge is closed.

I hope you find this post helpful and inspiring for your next adventure. If you have visited Munich and have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear about your experiencesl! Thanks for visiting, see you next time and happy holidays!