Munich holidays

How to reach Munich

• Flight time: Flights to Munich from London, and most other UK airports, take between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours.

• Transfer time: Munich’s airport, 35km north of the city, is connected to the Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz by S1 and S8; trains run frequently, taking about 40 minutes. You can also take an airport bus, which takes around 45 minutes, or a taxi, taking around 30 minutes.

• Price: A single ticket on the S-Bahn from the airport to the city centre costs around €11.60. Airport buses cost approximately €11 one-way, while taxi fares range between €50 and €70.

Best time to visit Munich

This will depend on what you plan to do during your trip, some attractions being seasonal such as the Oktoberfest. The weather also might have a bearing on your decision.

• April to June: Temperatures range from 10°C to 22°C, and rainfall is moderate (around 40–70mm) with 7–9 hours of sunshine daily. The city’s parks and beer gardens take on a life of their own as spring slowly turns to summer.

• July to August: The best time to take your holidays to Munich, when the beer gardens, cafés and bars are in full swing. Munich is also at its warmest, with temperatures averaging between 22°C and 26°C. Rainfall increases slightly to 60–80mm, but you can expect around 8–10 hours of sunshine.

• September to November: Expect vast crowds for the city's iconic Oktoberfest, but otherwise this is a super time to explore the city’s endless cultural sites. The weather is cooler, ranging from 10°C to 20°C, expect 40–70mm of rainfall and around 6 hours of sunshine daily.

• December to March: If you’re into Christmas markets and winter activities, this is a magical time to pay a visit. Temperatures drop to around -2°C to 8°C, with heavy snowfall a possibility. Pack lots of warm clothes.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: German is the official language, but English is widely spoken throughout this most international of cities.

• Local habits and customs: To tip in a café, round your bill up to the next €0.50 or €1 and give the total directly to the waiter; at restaurants you should leave around 10 percent of the bill. Jaywalking is illegal and you can be fined if caught.

• Health and safety: Munich is a safe city, but as with any major urban centre, keep an eye on your belongings, especially on public transport. In the event of an emergency, phone T112 for an ambulance (Krankenwagen).

• Currency: Germany uses the Euro (€), with credit and debit cards accepted in most restaurants and shops.

• Getting around: The city’s public transport system includes the S-Bahn, the U-Bahn, trams and buses. Single tickets (valid for 3 hours) for the central zone cost €3.70; a Kurzstrecke four-stop ticket costs €1.90; and a one-day Tageskarte for the central zone costs €9.20.

• Electricity and plug types: Munich uses the standard European 230-volt system with two-pin plugs. UK travellers will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Munich operates on Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT.

• Required travel documentation: UK citizens can visit Munich visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Best things to do in Munich

With lakes and mountains on its doorstep, a fine roster of historic and cultural sights, glittering shops and the air of confidence that comes from being the home of BMW and Siemens, Munich really does have it all.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Frauenkirche: The 98m-high twin pepperpot towers of the Frauenkirche soar above the surrounding buildings and are the visual symbols of the city; the southern tower, which offers fabulous views over the city, is accessible via 89 steps and an elevator ride.

• Olympiaturm: Ascend the 291m-high Olympiaturm TV tower for views over the Olympic complex, city and beyond.

The best districts

• Marienplatz: The bustling heart of Munich, thronged with crowds being entertained by street musicians and artists.

• Schwabing: A pleasant and lively part of town, with some attractive Jugendstil architecture and plenty of café life.

Museums

• Lenbachhaus: The masterpieces of Munich’s Blaue Reiter embody all the colour-saturated excitement of the time when European art turned towards abstraction.

• The Bier & Oktoberfest Museum: Occupying a fine old burgher’s house, the exhibits chart the 5000-year history of beer production as well as explaining the origins of the Oktoberfest in the festivities surrounding the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig with Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

• Bayerisches Nationalmuseum: A dizzying array of fine and applied arts from late antiquity to the early 20th century, much of it stemming from the Wittelsbachs’ own collections.

Parks and gardens

• English Garden: Munich’s open central park is a delight to walk around in. Check out the surfers in the fast-flowing river at the bottom of the garden on Prinzregentenstrasse, walk up for a Hofbräu beer and a sausage in the Chinesischen Turm, or lie naked if you dare in the nudist section in the middle of the garden.

Historical monuments

• Neues Rathaus: A sooty pile in Flemish Gothic style that has dominated the square since the late 19th century - its Glockenspiel draws crowds for the mechanical dancers that perform to musical accompaniment.

• Nymphenburg Palace: Explore the opulent interiors, stroll through the expansive gardens, and visit the royal stables of the summer palace of the Bavarian electors.

• Allianz-Arena: The giant arena on the northeastern edge of the city alongside the A99 ring road is worth the trek for lovers of architecture as much as for football fans, for it’s a spectacular building.

• Olympiapark: Built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, Günther Behnisch’s amorphous acrylic roofscapes look as fresh and futuristic today as they did in 1972.

Day trips in the area

• Augsburg: Renaissance architecture meets racy nightlife in Augsburg’s beautiful old town, whose splendour is a testament to the city’s past wealth.

• KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau: A visit to the former Nazi concentration camp on Munich’s northern outskirts is a sombre but thought-provoking experience.

• Fünf-Seen-Land: A tantalising glimpse of Alpine beauty as well as wide open waters for recreation right on the city’s doorstep.

Activities for families in Munich

Few cities in Germany are as kid-oriented as Munich, boasting, as it does, world-class museums, zoos and aquariums.

• Interactive museums: Great fun for families is Bavaria Filmstadt, with a humorous interactive section, Bullyversum, and a 4D motion simulation cinema. Also worth scouting out is Deutsches Museum, one of the largest science and technology museums in the world; from space travel to electricity, there’s something to spark curiosity in every visitor.

• Aquariums and zoos: Set within the landscape conservation area of the river Isar to the south of the city centre, Hellabrunn Zoo - established in 1911 - aims to present animals in a more naturalistic setting than in most city zoos, with relatively large enclosures; its main attractions include the giraffe savannah and the polar bear compound.

Free things to do in Munich

As well as dozens of museums that have free entry on certain days, the city is replete with year-round events which you can access for free on your Munich holidays.

• Oktoberfest: Held on the Theresienwiese fairground for 16 days following the penultimate Saturday in September, is a huge event of beer drinking spiced up by hairy fairground rides. Spend as much or as little as you like - or just visit and soak up the unique atmosphere.

• Christmas markets: The Marienplatz market is wonderfully atmospheric and great for handicrafts, but Münchener Freiheit is more relaxed and has better food.

• Free events: Munich hosts various free events throughout the year, one of the most popular being the Kocherlball, a traditional Bavarian dance event held at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden.

Nature and outdoor activities in Munich

The city’s proximity to the Bavarian Alps affords the opportunity to participate in many activities, from hiking and skiing to climbing.

• Hiking: Munich is the gateway to the Bavarian Alps, offering fantastic hiking opportunities. The Tegernsee and Ammergau Alps have well-marked trails that suit both beginners and experienced hikers. In the winter, these areas also offer skiing and snowshoeing.

• Rock climbing and bouldering: The DAV Kletter- und Boulderzentrum München is one of the largest climbing centres in the world, offering first-class indoor and outdoor climbing facilities, with lessons available too. For purists, the nearby Alps provide endless opportunities for climbers of all skill levels.

• Skiing: Whether enjoying the views from the Zugspitze’s high-altitude pistes or cutting a dash on the Kandahar run, skiing at Germany’s biggest winter resort is a memorable experience.

Local dishes in Munich

Munich is a splendid place to eat, whether your tastes run to traditional Bavarian Schweinshaxe – roasted pig’s trotter – or to the latest in fusion cuisine. And of course, there are sausages galore.

Some typical dishes

• Weißwurst: Munich’s “White sausage”, so-called for its being made of veal and fresh bacon. Flavoured with parsley, mace and cardamom, it is traditionally prepared before breakfast and eaten before lunch.

Meat dishes

• Schweinshaxe: A huge crispy knuckle which could grace a medieval banqueting table, usually served with potato dumplings or sauerkraut.

• Wiener Schnitzel: A Bavarian favourite, this breaded and fried veal or pork cutlet is usually served with potato salad or fries.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Steckerlfisch: Grilled fish (usually mackerel or trout) on a stick, most often served at beer gardens or festivals like Oktoberfest.

• Forelle Müllerin Art: Pan-fried trout served with lemon, butter and parsley, perfect with a glass of white wine.

Street food

• Brezen (Pretzels): A Bavarian staple, these pretzels - covered in salt crystals - are far superior to their American counterparts.

• Currywurst: A Berlin construct, this is nothing more than a Wiener sliced, smothered in ketchup, then dusted with curry powder - but boy it tastes good.

Sweets and desserts

• Apfelstrudel: Warm apple pastry, spiced with cinnamon and served with vanilla sauce or whipped cream.

• Kaiserschmarrn: A fluffy, shredded pancake sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with fruit compote.

Local drinks

• Weissbier: The classic Munich beer is a Weissbier or Weizenbier – a cloudy, sharp and refreshing wheat beer, served in half-litre measures in dark (dunkles) or light (helles) varieties.

• Beer: Bavarian beer specialities include Augustiner, Paulaner, Franziskaner and Löwenbräu; the Erdinger and Schneider brands are also popular, though they are brewed outside the city.

Experience sporting events in Munich

Dive into the heart of Munich's vibrant sports scene by attending local events that capture the city's spirit. Watching a football match at the Allianz Arena or enjoying the camaraderie in a local pub during a game provides an authentic glimpse into Munich's love for sports. These experiences are essential for anyone wanting to live like a local during their Munich holiday.

Active holidays in Munich: sports facilities for travellers

Munich welcomes active visitors with its excellent array of sports facilities. Whether you're in the mood for a swim, a yoga session to find your zen, a heart-pumping workout, a dance class, or a game of tennis, Munich has you covered. The city's visitor-friendly facilities ensure you can maintain your fitness regime while soaking up the local culture.

Cycling through Munich

Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Munich, with numerous bike rental services and scenic routes available. Pedal along the serene banks of the Isar River or through the lush landscapes of the Englischer Garten. These cycling paths offer not just exercise but a unique perspective on Munich's beauty, making for a perfect addition to your holiday itinerary.

Hiking around Munich

For those who love the great outdoors, Munich serves as a gateway to Bavaria's breathtaking natural landscapes. A variety of hiking trails are accessible just a short distance from the city, catering to all levels of experience and offering stunning views and tranquil experiences in nature.

Water sports in Munich

The Isar River and nearby lakes are ideal for water sports enthusiasts. From serene stand-up paddleboarding sessions to exciting kayaking adventures, Munich's waterways provide a refreshing escape from the urban environment, perfect for adding a splash of adventure to your Munich holiday.

Winter sports near Munich

Munich's proximity to the Alps makes it a prime destination for winter sports lovers. Whether you're into skiing, snowboarding, or simply enjoying the snowy landscapes, the region offers numerous resorts and trails for a thrilling winter sports experience.

Golfing in Munich

Golf enthusiasts will find Munich a delightful destination, with several picturesque golf courses nestled in the city's surroundings. These courses offer a peaceful retreat and a chance to play amidst the stunning backdrop of Bavarian scenery, enhancing the leisure component of your Munich holiday.

Seasonal events in Munich

Munich's calendar is rich with seasonal events that draw visitors from around the world, offering unique experiences that mirror the city's vibrant culture and traditions. Celebrate the New Year with spectacular fireworks and festivities that light up the city. Get into the festive spirit with Xmas shopping in Munich's boutique stores and traditional markets, or wander through the enchanting Xmas markets that fill the air with the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread. Easter in Munich is a time of renewal, marked by beautiful decorations and special events throughout the city. The city also hosts a variety of gay events, celebrating diversity and inclusivity with pride and joy. Carnival in Munich is a riot of colour and fun, with costumes, parades, and dancing that bring the streets to life.

Festivals in Munich

Munich's festival scene is dynamic and diverse, offering something for everyone throughout the year. Here's a glimpse of the major annual events that are not to be missed:

• Oktoberfest: The world-renowned beer festival, celebrating Bavarian culture with traditional foods, beer tents, and lively music.

• Tollwood Festival: A cultural festival that blends music, art, and gastronomy, held both in summer and winter.

• Munich Film Festival: One of Germany's most celebrated film festivals, showcasing international cinema.

• Auer Dult: A traditional fair held three times a year, offering everything from antiques to delicious local delicacies.

• Munich Pride: A vibrant celebration of the LGBT+ community, featuring a parade, parties, and cultural events.

• Starkbierfest: The strong beer festival, Munich's answer to Oktoberfest but with a focus on stronger brews.

• Christmas Markets: From the end of November, Munich transforms with numerous Christmas markets, including the famous Marienplatz market.

These festivals and events are the heart and soul of Munich, offering visitors a deep dive into the local culture, traditions, and contemporary life.