Munich Travel Guide: Beer Halls, Castles and Christmas Markets

Munich is the sort of city that can make a first-time visitor believe every day should include a pretzel, a palace and a perfectly poured beer. But while Bavaria's capital is famous for Oktoberfest, that enormous festival is only one (very noisy) chapter. The rest of the year brings grand squares, leafy parks, world-class museums, fairytale castles and Christmas markets that look made for a snow globe.

In this Munich travel guide, we share the highlights we would recommend to friends, plus the practical details that make a visit easier from Australia. Expect a city that feels polished without being stuffy, traditional without being stuck in the past, and wonderfully walkable in the centre. All prices below are approximate Australian-dollar conversions; exchange rates and seasonal pricing change, so check the latest figures before booking.

Why Munich deserves more than an Oktoberfest weekend

Munich is Bavaria's elegant gateway: a city of Gothic towers, BMW engineering, river beaches and convivial beer gardens. Spend a morning in a museum, an afternoon beside the Isar and an evening sharing a table under chestnut trees. It also makes an excellent base for day trips into the Bavarian Alps, particularly Neuschwanstein.

If Oktoberfest is your reason for coming, stay a little longer than the festival grounds demand. Our ideal first visit is three or four nights: two days for the city, one day for a castle or museum-heavy excursion, and an extra evening for simply following the sound of clinking glasses. For a broader European decision, our guide to Paris vs Barcelona vs Munich compares the three cities' personalities and costs.

When is the best time to visit Munich?

May to September is the easiest season for long days, outdoor cafés and beer gardens. June through August is popular, so expect higher hotel rates and occasional heatwaves. Pack a light waterproof layer: a sunny morning can become a very Bavarian-looking downpour by lunch.

Late September and early October bring Oktoberfest, cooler evenings and an extraordinary atmosphere, but accommodation can sell out far ahead and prices can jump dramatically. If you want the food and beer-hall culture without the festival crowds, visit in late spring or early autumn instead. Our dedicated guide, Oktoberfest for first-timers, covers reservations, clothing and what the festival is really like.

Late November and December are magical if you enjoy Christmas markets, mulled wine and chilly walks beneath festive lights. Daylight is short and snow is possible rather than guaranteed, but Munich's Christmas atmosphere is a genuine reason to visit. January and February are quieter and cheaper, although you will want a warm coat and a flexible attitude to grey skies.

The best things to do in Munich

Start at Marienplatz and explore the old town

Marienplatz is Munich's grand, busy introduction. The Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) dominates the square, and its famous Glockenspiel performs its little mechanical history lesson at set times. Check the schedule when you arrive, then try not to stand directly beneath the most enthusiastic selfie stick.

From here, walk through the pedestrianised centre to the twin-towered Frauenkirche, the colourful produce stalls at Viktualienmarkt and the petite Asamkirche, whose lavish interior is almost comically ornate for such a small church. For a view over the rooftops, climb St Peter's Church tower. It is a workout on the way up, but the panorama over the old town is worth the effort on a clear day.

Spend an afternoon in the English Garden

The English Garden is one of Munich's great gifts. It is enormous, green and woven into everyday city life rather than fenced off as a formal attraction. At the Eisbachwelle, watch experienced river surfers ride the standing wave from the riverbank. Please keep your distance and leave the surfing to people who know exactly what they are doing; this is not a casual beginner lesson.

Continue towards the Chinese Tower beer garden, or find a shady path and let the city fade into the background. Traditional Bavarian beer gardens often have communal tables; at some, bringing your own cold food is part of the tradition while drinks are purchased on site. Check the venue's rules.

Our own beer-garden lesson came when we confidently asked for “two small beers” in English, assuming that was the safest possible order. The server looked puzzled: the classic Munich order is often a one-litre Maß, not a little glass. Paul eventually managed “Zwei Maß, bitte” (two litres, please), which solved the language problem but not our overconfidence. These days we ask about the size first and use Ein Helles, bitte for a pale lager. A smile, “Prost!” and eye contact for the toast will take you a long way.

Meet the machines at the BMW Museum and BMW Welt

You do not need to be able to name every engine part to enjoy the BMW Museum. Its displays trace the brand's cars, motorcycles, design and racing history in a dramatic building near Olympic Park. The adjacent BMW Welt is a more modern, free-to-enter showcase where you can see current models and spectacular architecture. Museum entry is usually around AUD$20–30, and the U-Bahn makes the trip straightforward.

Combine it with a walk around the Olympic Park, built for the 1972 Games. The tent-like roof is still striking, and the park gives you a pleasant change of pace after the old town's stone streets. Check opening hours and temporary exhibitions before you go, especially if the museum is one of your must-dos.

Take a Neuschwanstein day trip

Neuschwanstein is the castle that seems to have been designed specifically for travel brochures. Its turrets rise above forested hills near the village of Hohenschwangau, and the view from Marienbrücke is the classic postcard moment. It is also one of the busiest day trips from Munich, so treat it as a timed excursion rather than a spontaneous hop-on, hop-off attraction.

From Munich Hauptbahnhof, a regional train to Füssen takes roughly two hours, followed by a short local bus to Hohenschwangau. Depending on the ticket you choose, transport can cost approximately AUD$50–70 return. Castle admission is generally around AUD$30–40. A guided day tour may cost AUD$150–250 but can be worthwhile if you prefer someone else to coordinate the train, bus and entry times.

Reserve an entry time online in advance, particularly in summer and around Christmas. From the village, you can walk uphill for about 30–40 minutes or use the shuttle bus when it is operating; the shuttle does not deliver you directly to the castle door. Wear shoes with grip, allow extra time for crowds and do not rely on perfect weather for the famous bridge view. The castle interior has a strict no-photography policy, so enjoy the rooms rather than trying to document every painted wall.

Munich at Christmas: the Christkindlmarkt

Munich's main Christkindlmarkt around Marienplatz is one of the city's most charming seasonal experiences. Wooden stalls fill the square with carved ornaments, knitted gifts, gingerbread, roasted nuts and the scent of cinnamon. Look up at the huge Christmas tree, then wander into nearby lanes and smaller markets for a less concentrated crowd.

Order a mug of Glühwein (mulled wine), remembering that the price includes a refundable mug deposit, known as Pfand. Return the mug to reclaim it, or keep it as a useful souvenir. A drink is often roughly AUD$8–12 including the deposit, while a market snack or sausage might be AUD$10–20. Carry some cash: many stalls accept cards, but not all do, and queues move more quickly when you are ready to pay.

Visit after dark for the lights, but go earlier in the day if you want to browse calmly or take photos without a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. Christmas-market dates vary each year, so confirm the official schedule before booking flights around them.

What to eat and drink in Munich

Munich's food is hearty, practical and ideal after a day of walking. Start with a soft, oversized Brezn (pretzel), ideally with mustard or butter. Try Weisswurst, the pale veal-and-pork sausage traditionally eaten before midday with sweet mustard and pretzel. The “before noon” rule is a custom rather than a law, but ordering it for breakfast or brunch feels pleasingly local.

• Schweinshaxe: roasted pork knuckle with crisp crackling, usually served with dumplings or potato salad. It is substantial, so share one if you want room for dessert.
• Käsespätzle: soft egg noodles with cheese and fried onions, a comforting vegetarian-friendly choice.

A beer hall is a cultural experience as much as a meal. Expect long shared tables, lively conversation and large serves. A Helles lager, wheat beer or alcohol-free beer are easy starting points; a Radler mixes beer with lemonade and is refreshing on a warm afternoon. Budget around AUD$12–18 for a large beer and AUD$20–40 for a hearty main in a traditional restaurant, with finer dining considerably more.

Getting to Munich from Australia

Munich Airport (MUC) is the main arrival point, and most Australian travellers will fly with one stop through a major Asian or Middle Eastern hub. From the airport, S1 and S8 S-Bahn trains connect with the city; the journey to the centre takes roughly 40–45 minutes. Allow around AUD$25–35 for an airport-to-city ticket, depending on the ticket type and exchange rate. Taxis and rideshares are convenient but much more expensive, particularly if you are travelling alone.

Australian passport holders can generally visit Germany and the wider Schengen Area visa-free for short tourism stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period, subject to current entry rules. Check the latest Australian and German government advice before departure, make sure your passport meets the required validity rules and keep proof of onward travel and accommodation accessible.

Getting around Munich: U-Bahn, S-Bahn and your feet

Munich is easy to navigate without a hire car. The U-Bahn handles city trips; the S-Bahn reaches the suburbs, airport and day-trip connections; trams are scenic and buses fill the gaps. Marienplatz and Hauptbahnhof are useful interchange points. Download the MVV journey-planning app before setting out.

Single fares, day tickets and group tickets are available, and the best value depends on how much you plan to ride and which zones you need. As a rough guide, allow AUD$6–10 for a central single journey and AUD$15–25 for a city day ticket. Validate or activate tickets as required, and keep them until you have finished travelling. The old town is compact enough to walk, so combine public transport with comfortable shoes rather than trying to ride every stop.

Where to stay in Munich

• Altstadt: the best base for a first visit if you want to step outside and be near Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt and the main sights. It is convenient and atmospheric, but usually premium-priced.
• Maxvorstadt: ideal for museums, galleries, cafés and a more lived-in university feel, with excellent U-Bahn connections.
• Schwabing: leafy, stylish and close to the northern English Garden, with plenty of restaurants and bars.
• Glockenbachviertel: lively nightlife, design shops and restaurants, especially appealing if you prefer an energetic evening scene.
• Near Hauptbahnhof: practical for early trains and airport connections, although we would compare the exact street and hotel reviews rather than booking on station proximity alone.

For planning purposes, a comfortable mid-range room might cost around AUD$180–350 per night, while central luxury hotels can run AUD$400–800 or more. Oktoberfest and December weekends can push rates much higher, so book early.

How to enjoy Munich on a budget

Munich has a reputation for being expensive, particularly during Oktoberfest, but there are easy savings. Eat a bakery breakfast, make lunch your restaurant meal, and use supermarkets or market stalls for picnic supplies. Walk the English Garden, Marienplatz and the old town for free, and remember that BMW Welt is free even though the BMW Museum is ticketed.

Book accommodation early for peak periods, compare a day pass with individual MVV fares, and reserve only the attractions that matter to you. A reusable water bottle, some cash and a warm layer help prevent little emergency purchases. Leave space in the itinerary: watching the river surfers or wandering through a lit-up square after dinner costs nothing.

Our honest verdict on Munich

Munich is polished, comfortable and surprisingly easy to enjoy at your own pace. Come for the beer halls, then stay for the art, parks, engineering, castles and winter lights. Whether you visit in a dirndl-filled September or beneath December's Christmas tree, this is a city that rewards curiosity beyond the obvious headline.

Our advice? Give Munich at least three nights, book Neuschwanstein and any peak-season accommodation early, and do not try to count how many pretzels you eat. That is not a holiday metric that ends well.