I have been to Munich multiple times in the last 10 years, these ideas are just some of the places I visited. I hope it helps you plan your trip!
Munich is located in the Southeast corner of Germany and is best known for its annual Oktoberfest festival.
However, Munich has much more to offer besides three weeks of drinking.
The city is rich in history; and even though it had to rebuild itself after World War II, you will still see traces of traditional customs and culture. The modern city reaches a span of 199 miles and has 1.5 million inhabitants.
How to get around Munich
If arriving by air, there is one main airport servicing the city, called Munich International Airport, or Flughafen München. It is modern and attached to the extensive subway system, so you can easily transfer to the city center after your flight.
Even though you may not be able to pronounce the Munich train station names, there are plenty of signs to help you navigate the subway lines.
The two main lines are called the S-Bahn and the U-Bahn. The S-Bahn will take you outside of the city limits and the U-Bahn stays underground, transporting you throughout the city center.
The most important thing to remember about the Munich subway system is that you MUST get your ticket validated before you enter a train car.
You will see small boxes that are waist-high near the subway entrance where you can slide your ticket into the machine and it will stamp the ticket. Many people forget to do this, and the German police are very diligent about handing out tickets to passengers.
A one-way ride is 2.90€ and they also offer one-day and multi-day tickets which you can buy at ticket machines at the stations.
Munich also has a bus system but it can get confusing to maneuver, so I suggest using the subway.
Costs in Munich
Except for Oktoberfest, hotels range anywhere from $200 a night for a budget hotel- $500 a night for a 4-star hotel, and hostels are $25- $40 a night for dorm rooms.
During Oktoberfest, prices will triple and even quadruple, so you must book at least six to nine months in advance.
Breakfast costs $10 – $15, Lunch $15 – $25 and dinner $50 – $100. If you are staying at a hostel we suggest making your meals in the shared kitchen area, if possible.
You will want to save your money for the beer gardens where the beverages can cost anywhere from $8-$10 per drink, and the food $15-$30.
Attractions range anywhere from free to €25. Some attractions offer student discounts which you may be able to take advantage of.
Where to Stay in Munich
I have stayed on the outskirts of the city, as well as within walking distance of the Oktoberfest fairgrounds. Due to the efficiency and speed of the mass transit system, it will not take you longer than 30 minutes to get from location to location.
What to do in Munich
The first thing to do is take a walking tour of Munich’s city center. Most hostels offer free tours. If you are not staying in a hostel, Sandeman’s New Europe offers tours every day.
Tours are also great for Munich solo travel, as it gives you a chance to meet new friends and hang out with them after the tour.
Marienplatz
This is the city center and home to shops. and the New Town Hall. It is where the major metro lines meet and it is also great for people watching.
Schloss Nymphenburg
This large palace will show you how wealthy people lived in the 1600s and has a beautiful garden to wander through. We suggest allowing at least three hours to tour the grounds.
You can take the S-Bahn for six minutes to Laim and then walk an easy 20 minutes through town, or there are buses and taxis to take you straight to the palace. I have an entire post dedicated to this museum.
Olympia Park
The site of the 1972 Olympic games, it is now open to the public for visitors to revel at the Olympic Tower, Olympic Hall, and Stadium.
The park offers a ride up to the top of the tower for a small fee, as well as a tour of the grounds; and hosts the BMW Welt building which celebrates the BMW brand.
Beer Gardens
A trip to Munich would not be complete without a few hours spent in a beer garden. You will sit on wooden benches and drink beer from tall glasses, liter-sized mugs, and das boots.
There are many gardens to choose from and they are all very similar; it all depends on which type of beer you like to drink as the beer gardens only serve the beer they brew.
Neuschwanstein and Ludwig II castles
These fairytale castles are located a two-hour drive from Munich or a three-hour train away. Be sure to go early in the morning or before they close as they can get very crowded.
Oktoberfest
This three-week-long festival runs from September to October. People from all over the world come together to drink, sing, and eat at the fairgrounds located in the Theresienwiese area of Munich. You can read more on How to Survive Oktoberfest here.
What and Where to eat in Munich
We know one thing, Germans love their bratwurst, mild cheeses, and pretzels. We found menus to be very similar in Munich.
Some establishments do put a modern twist on certain items, but for the most part, we have seen the same combination of food on each menu: meat, cheese, and bread.
One thing to note that is breakfast is not like American breakfast; eggs are rarely found on a menu.
For breakfast, they will offer slices of bread, cold cuts (thin slices of meat), hard and soft cheese, and of course Nutella; a classic European hazelnut spread.
Hofbraeuhaus München
This beer garden will have the most tourists, but it is still a lot of fun.
No matter the time of year things tend to get a little hectic here so if you are coming to drink and make new friends, this is the beer hall you want to visit.
Schmalznudel- Cafe Frischhut
A delicious pastry shop, serving the city’s best Berliner (donuts). They are fried dough pastries with no holes, a jam filling, and dusted with powdered sugar.
My favorite was the raspberry-flavored Berliner.
Paulaner
One of the smallest beer gardens with only 4000 seats, it is famous for its world-renowned beer. They also have a full kitchen serving delicious charcuterie boards.
My board came with meat, cheese, bread, and Cornichons (they look like mini pickles but are tart and sweet at the same time)
Hirschgarten
Munich’s largest beer garden with 8000 seats, also features live deer in a nearby enclosure wandering around. It is also located near the Schloss Nymphenburg. Perfect if the weather is nice and a great spot to end your day after touring the palace.
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