Things to Do in Munich
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Munich, Germany, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Munich. Pace yourself, I mean it, Bavaria's genuinely grand, beer-loving capital, home to the world's largest folk festival and a football club that wins, by most measures, a bit predictably. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Munich: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth pacing yourself for. Five main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Oktoberfest
Munich's most famous festival, a two-week celebration of beer and Bavarian culture, is called Oktoberfest, mostly happens in September, confusingly, I don't make the rules, I just enjoy the pretzel fallout, the world's largest folk festival, millions of visitors descending on the city each year for beer tents, traditional Bavarian dress, and genuine, large-scale celebration.
If your visit lines up with it, book accommodation and beer tent reservations genuinely months ahead, this is one of the most significant annual events anywhere and both fill up considerably in advance, the festival itself is free to attend, costs come from the beer and food within.
Best time Mid-September through early October, check current annual dates
Address Theresienwiese, Munich
Marienplatz & the Glockenspiel
A grand square in Munich's old town, Marienplatz, is home to the New Town Hall and its famous glockenspiel clock, crowds gather on the hour to watch tiny figures spin around, a genuinely charming daily spectacle, the animated figures re-enact historical Bavarian events, a 16th-century royal wedding and a plague-era dance among them.
The square itself is the natural heart of Munich's old town, worth combining a glockenspiel viewing with a wander through the surrounding streets and the nearby Viktualienmarkt, a genuinely excellent food market worth a proper browse.
Hours Glockenspiel performs daily at 11am, noon, and (in summer) 5pm
Address Marienplatz, Munich
Allianz Arena
Bayern Munich, one of the most successful football clubs in Europe, calls the Allianz Arena home, wins most things, most years, even I find it a bit predictable at this point, a genuinely striking stadium, its exterior panels changing colour depending on which team is playing, worth a stadium tour covering the trophy room (impressively extensive) and pitch-side areas even without attending a match.
Match tickets, particularly for major fixtures, sell out and command genuine premium prices, worth booking well ahead if attending a live match matters to you.
Hours Tours daily, check current schedule
Address Allianz Arena, Munich
Munich Residenz
The former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs, genuinely one of the largest city palaces in Germany, ornate state rooms, a treasury holding royal regalia, and a striking collection of architecture spanning centuries of expansion, worth a proper couple of hours given the scale.
The Cuvillies Theatre within the complex, a genuinely opulent rococo court theatre, is worth seeking out specifically, one of the more unexpectedly beautiful spaces in the whole palace.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–6pm, shorter in winter
Address Munich Residenz, central Munich
Englischer Garten
Munich's English Garden, genuinely one of the largest urban parks in the world, larger than New York's Central Park, a good, free green space worth a proper wander or bike ride, and home to a surprising sight, surfers riding a standing wave on a stream that runs through the park.
The Chinese Tower beer garden within the park is a good, relaxed spot for a proper Bavarian beer in a genuinely pleasant outdoor setting, worth combining with a walk through the wider park.
Address Englischer Garten, Munich
Best time to visit Munich
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, and it's when Oktoberfest and the Englischer Garten are both at their best.
Munich's Christmas markets add genuine seasonal atmosphere if your trip lines up with late November through December, worth considering as an alternative to the summer crowds.
Getting around Munich
Munich's U-Bahn and S-Bahn network is efficient and covers the city well. Central areas, including Marienplatz and the Residenz, are walkable.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Munich worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, Oktoberfest, the Marienplatz glockenspiel, and Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena together give it a genuine, distinctive Bavarian character beyond just being another German city.
- How many days do you need in Munich?
- Three days covers Marienplatz, the Residenz, and the Englischer Garten comfortably; add extra time if visiting during Oktoberfest.
- Is Munich expensive?
- Moderate to expensive, particularly during Oktoberfest when prices spike considerably, though the Englischer Garten and Marienplatz remain free year-round.
- What is Munich famous for?
- Oktoberfest, the world's largest folk festival, the Marienplatz glockenspiel clock, and Bayern Munich, one of the most successful football clubs in Europe.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
