Germany
Overview
Munich feels like a big, rich city that never lost its village side. People wear Dirndl and Lederhosen to festivals without irony, drink beer under chestnut trees in the middle of the day and surf a river wave in the park. The old town is compact and spotless, the museums are world-class, and the Alps are close enough for a day trip.
Munich was founded in 1158 by Duke Henry the Lion, near a settlement of monks (München comes from "by the monks", which is why a monk is on the city's coat of arms). The Wittelsbach family ruled Bavaria from here for over 700 years, from 1180 to 1918, and filled the city with palaces and art. The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese. In the 1920s Munich was the birthplace of the Nazi party, and much of the centre was destroyed by bombing in World War II before being carefully rebuilt. It hosted the Olympic Games in 1972.
How long to stay: 3 days: two for the city and one for Neuschwanstein, Dachau or Salzburg.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick Facts
Location
Southern Germany, capital of Bavaria, on the Isar river about 50 km north of the Alps. Salzburg is 1.5 hours by train, Neuschwanstein about 2 hours.
Budget
Per person, per day.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | €35–55 ($40–62) | €130–200 ($147–226) | €300+ ($339+) |
| Food and beer | €25–35 ($28–40) | €50–70 ($57–79) | €100+ ($113+) |
| Getting around | €10 (day ticket) | €10–25 | €40+ |
Daily total €70–100 ($79–113) €190–295 ($215–333) €440+ ($497+) A litre of beer (Maß) in a beer hall costs about €11–13; at Oktoberfest it is about €15–16. Hotels triple in price during Oktoberfest and big trade fairs.
Things to Do
The main square since 1158. On the neo-Gothic New Town Hall, the Glockenspiel (1908) plays every day at 11:00 and 12:00 (and 17:00 from March to October): 32 life-size figures act out a 16th-century royal wedding and the coopers' dance, which celebrated the end of the plague.
Price: free · Time needed: 15 minutes · Tip: take the lift up the New Town Hall tower (a few euros) for a view over the square.
The cathedral with two 99 m towers topped by onion domes, built in just 20 years (1468 to 1488). Inside, look for the "Devil's Footprint" in the floor near the entrance; legend says the devil stamped there in anger.
Price: free; south tower climb a few euros · Time needed: 30 minutes.
A food market since 1807, with more than 100 stalls of cheese, sausages, fruit and flowers, a maypole and a beer garden in the middle.
Price: free · Tip: try a Weißwurst (white sausage) with sweet mustard and a pretzel, traditionally before noon.
The most famous beer hall in the world, founded in 1589 as the royal brewery of the Wittelsbachs. Long wooden tables, an oompah band and waiters carrying ten litre mugs at once.
Price: about €12–13 per litre · Tip: look for the regulars' tables (Stammtisch) with their own mug lockers.
The city palace of the Bavarian kings, with 130 rooms open to visitors, including the Antiquarium, a huge Renaissance hall from the 1570s, and the Treasury with crowns and jewels.
Price: about €10–20 depending on the combination · Time needed: 2 to 3 hours.
One of the largest city parks in the world, created in 1789. At its entrance, surfers ride a standing wave on the Eisbach river all year round. Inside are the Chinese Tower beer garden and naturist meadows.
Price: free · Tip: watch the surfers from the bridge on Prinzregentenstraße.
The Wittelsbachs' baroque summer palace, started in 1664, with the Gallery of Beauties commissioned by King Ludwig I and a large park with lakes and swans.
Price: about €10–20 · Getting there: tram 17 from the centre.
The Deutsches Museum is one of the largest science and technology museums in the world. The three Pinakothek galleries hold art from the Middle Ages to today; the Alte and Neue Pinakothek and the Pinakothek der Moderne cost only €1 on Sundays.
Price: around €10–20 each on normal days.
The park built for the 1972 Olympics, with its famous tent-like roof and a TV tower you can climb. Next door, BMW Welt is a free showroom of cars and motorbikes; the BMW Museum costs extra.
Price: BMW Welt free · Getting there: U3 to Olympiazentrum.
The first Nazi concentration camp, opened in 1933 and a model for the others. More than 41,000 people died here. It is a heavy but important visit.
Price: free · Getting there: S2 to Dachau, then bus 726, about 45 minutes · Time needed: 3 to 4 hours.
The fairy-tale castle that King Ludwig II started in 1869 and never finished. He lived in it for only 172 days before he died in 1886. Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle was inspired by it.
Price: about €21 plus a booking fee; timed tickets only, book online weeks ahead in summer · Getting there: train to Füssen (about 2 hours), then bus · Tip: walk to Marienbrücke (the bridge) for the classic view.
The world's biggest folk festival, at the Theresienwiese, runs for about 16 to 18 days ending on the first Sunday in October (or 3 October). Entry is free; you pay for beer, food and rides.
Tip: go on a weekday at lunchtime to get a seat in a tent without a reservation.
Transit Tips
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Airport: S1 or S8 to the centre in about 40 minutes. You need the Airport-City ticket (about €13–14) or a day ticket that includes the airport zone, not a simple Zone M ticket. Taxi about €80–90.
By train: Salzburg about 1.5 hours, Vienna about 4 hours, Zurich about 3.5 hours, Berlin about 4 hours.
MVV public transport: €4.20 for a single ride in Zone M, €10.10 for a day ticket. Buy in the MVV or MVGO app or at machines, and validate paper tickets.
Deutschlandticket: if you stay a month or travel around Germany, the monthly Deutschlandticket covers all local and regional transport in the country.
Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all work in Munich.
Bikes: MVG Rad bike share.
There are no ticket gates, but inspectors check often and the fine is €60. Make sure your ticket covers the right zone.
Helpful Words
A few basics in German can make everyday conversations much easier.
Where to Stay
Plan & Book
Explore accommodation options and open hotel details directly from the map.
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