Altstadt (Old Town)
0 m from MarienplatzThe old centre around Marienplatz, with the main sights, shops and beer halls within walking distance. The most convenient base, and the most expensive.
- Population
- ≈ 1,500,000
- Language
- German
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Nearest airport
- MUC, 29 km
Start in the square: Marienplatz
Marienplatz, 80331 Munich
Marienplatz has been the centre of Munich since the Middle Ages. The New Town Hall fills one side, and its tower has a mechanical clock with dancing figures that plays late every morning. A golden statue of Mary stands on a column in the middle. Climb the tower of St Peter's next door for the view.
Within a short walk
- FrauenkircheFrauenplatz 1, 80331 Munich200 m
- St Peter's ChurchPetersplatz 1, 80331 Munich100 m
- ViktualienmarktViktualienmarkt, 80331 Munich200 m
- Munich ResidenzResidenzstraße 1, 80539 Munich500 m
- HofbräuhausPlatzl 9, 80331 Munich300 m
- Deutsches MuseumMuseumsinsel 1, 80538 Munich1 km
Where to stay in Munich
Maxvorstadt
1.5 km from MarienplatzThe museum and university quarter north of the old town, with the Pinakotheken, student cafés and bookshops. Central and good value.
Schwabing
3.4 km from MarienplatzA leafy area north of the centre next to the English Garden, with Art Nouveau houses, bars and restaurants. Suits a longer stay.
Glockenbachviertel
800 m from MarienplatzA small district by the Isar south of the old town, known for cafés, independent shops and a lively gay scene.
Haidhausen
1.8 km from MarienplatzA quiet residential area across the Isar from the centre, with old squares, local restaurants and good transport links.
Things to do in Munich
Frauenkirche
Frauenplatz 1, 80331 Munich
Munich's cathedral, with two brick towers topped by green domes. In the entrance hall, look for the dark footprint that legend says the devil left behind.
St Peter's Church
Petersplatz 1, 80331 Munich
The oldest parish church in the city, next to Marienplatz. Climb the narrow stairs of the tower; on clear days you can see the Alps.
Viktualienmarkt
Viktualienmarkt, 80331 Munich
A daily open-air food market behind Marienplatz, with stalls for fruit, cheese and sausages and a beer garden under the maypole. Closed on Sundays.
Munich Residenz
Residenzstraße 1, 80539 Munich
The city palace of the Bavarian rulers for more than 400 years. See the long Renaissance hall of the Antiquarium and the crowns in the Treasury.
Hofbräuhaus
Platzl 9, 80331 Munich
The best-known beer hall in the city, with long shared tables, a brass band and painted ceilings. Busy and touristy, but worth one visit.
English Garden
Englischer Garten 1 a, 80538 Munich
A large park along the Isar with meadows, a Chinese tower and beer gardens. At its southern end, surfers ride a standing wave on the Eisbach stream.
Deutsches Museum
Museumsinsel 1, 80538 Munich
A very large museum of science and technology on an island in the Isar, with aircraft, mines and ships. Plan at least half a day.
Alte Pinakothek
Barer Straße 27, 80333 Munich
European painting from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, with large rooms of Rubens and works by Dürer and Rembrandt.
Nymphenburg Palace
Schloß Nymphenburg 1, 80638 Munich
A Baroque summer palace west of the centre, with a long canal and a large park. Inside, see the gallery of portraits of beautiful women.
Olympiapark
Olympiapark, 80809 Munich
The site of the 1972 Olympic Games, with a tent-like roof, a lake and grassy hills. Go up the Olympic Tower for a wide view.
Getting there
Munich Airport (MUC)
85356 Freising
29 km from the city centre
Munich Central Station
Bayerstraße 10a, 80335 Munich
Main railway station, 1.6 km from Marienplatz
When to go
Average daytime high and night-time low per month (2005–2024). Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
- 2°Jan
- 4°Feb
- 9°Mar
- 14°Apr
- 17°May
- 22°Jun
- 23°Jul
- 23°Aug
- 19°Sep
- 15°Oct
- 8°Nov
- 4°Dec
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 2 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 15 | 8 | 4 |
| Low °C | -4 | -3 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 1 | -3 |
| Rain mm | 75 | 59 | 65 | 75 | 139 | 146 | 145 | 157 | 96 | 76 | 65 | 73 |
| Rain days | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 14 |
| Daylight h | 8.8 | 10.1 | 11.7 | 13.6 | 15.2 | 16 | 15.7 | 14.3 | 12.5 | 10.7 | 9.2 | 8.4 |
The year in Munich
The biggest events that come back every year, starting with the next one.
Three times a year, in spring, summer and autumnFestival
Auer Dult
A traditional fair on the Mariahilfplatz in Au, with old pots and pans, antiques, food stalls and a small funfair.
Late September to early OctoberFestival
Oktoberfest
The world's best-known beer festival, held on the Theresienwiese. Hotels fill up and prices rise; book months ahead.
OctoberSport
Munich Marathon
A marathon through the city that ends in the Olympic Stadium, with shorter races on the same day. Several roads close in the morning.
Summer and winterCulture
Tollwood Festival
A festival of music, theatre and food in large tents, in the Olympic Park in summer and on the Theresienwiese before Christmas.
Late June to early JulyFilm
Munich International Film Festival
One of Germany's main film festivals, with premieres and many films open to the public. Tickets go on sale a few days before.
Practical information
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- 1 EUR = 1.11 USD = 0.84 GBP (ECB, 28 October 2026)
- Language
- German
- Plugs
- Type F and C, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 112, 110
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (summer UTC+2)
- Country calling code
- +49
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
Public holidays in the next 12 months
Shops and museums may close or keep Sunday hours on these days.
- All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen)1 Nov 2026
- Christmas Day (Erster Weihnachtstag)25 Dec 2026
- St. Stephen's Day (Zweiter Weihnachtstag)26 Dec 2026
- New Year's Day (Neujahr)1 Jan 2027
- Epiphany (Heilige Drei Könige)6 Jan 2027
- Good Friday (Karfreitag)26 Mar 2027
- Easter Monday (Ostermontag)29 Mar 2027
- Labour Day (Tag der Arbeit)1 May 2027
- Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt)6 May 2027
- Whit Monday (Pfingstmontag)17 May 2027
- Corpus Christi (Fronleichnam)27 May 2027
- German Unity Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit)3 Oct 2027
Munich FAQ
When is the best time to visit Munich?
May – Sep, when the average daytime high is between 17 and 23 °C.
Which airport is closest to Munich?
Munich Airport (MUC), about 29 km from the city centre.
What currency is used in Munich?
The euro (EUR).
What plugs are used in Munich?
Type F and C, 230 V.
What are the biggest yearly events in Munich?
Auer Dult (Three times a year, in spring, summer and autumn), Oktoberfest (Late September to early October), Munich Marathon (October), Tollwood Festival (Summer and winter), Munich International Film Festival (Late June to early July).
Nearby cities
All guides in Germany →Salzburg · 116 kmSalzburgPopulation ≈ 160,000
Tyrol · 98 kmInnsbruckPopulation ≈ 130,000
Baden-Wurttemberg · 121 kmUlmPopulation ≈ 120,000
Bavaria · 57 kmAugsburgPopulation ≈ 300,000
Last updated 29 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.