This guide provides key facts about Munich, plus an interactive map to help you plan your trip.
Located in the Bavarian region of Germany, Munich has a rich history steeped in culture and tradition. During World War II, the city sustained heavy bombing, which destroyed most of it. When it came time to rebuild, instead of going modern like Frankfurt and Berlin, Munich decided to reconstruct its past, bringing to life the charm and character that captivate so many visitors. Today, Munich comes to life with beautiful gardens and parks, stately museums and theaters, lively markets and festivals, and cheerful beer halls and gardens.
Inspiration
What made me choose Munich? Munich wasn’t at the top of my bucket list, but while browsing for tours on Rick Steves’ Europe site, I stumbled upon one that included Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna. I have always had a strong interest in visiting Austria, so I decided to participate in the tour as a way to also explore some of Germany. Wow, Munich exceeded expectations! I absolutely loved the relaxed atmosphere of the city, along with its amazing churches, museums, theatres, markets, plazas, and much more.
Travel Style
My trip to Munich was a mix of solo travel and a tour group. The tour I selected was Rick Steves’ Best of Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna in 8 Days Tour, which I chose based on my experience with the company’s Best of Prague and Budapest tour in 2024. The Best of Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna started on a Sunday afternoon, so I decided to arrive the Thursday before to give myself time to recover from jet lag, explore sites not included in the tour, and take a day trip to Dachau (concentration camp site).
Itinerary
S – Solo Adventures T- Tour Activities
Thursday ~ Alas, after almost 18 hours of travel, I land in Munich on a cold, dreary afternoon! After going through passport control, I took the train from the airport to the city center, as public transportation was more cost-efficient (ticket is about 15€). Upon checking in at the hotel, and after a much-needed nap, I ventured over to the Viktualienmarkt and Marienplatz to get my first tastes of Munich. I also stumbled upon the Heilig-Geist (Church of the Holy Spirit), a beautiful historical church. (S).
Friday ~ I spent Friday in Dachau, location of the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site (S). It was a short 25-minute train ride from the Marienplatz train station.
Saturday ~ Today was a rainy, cold day, which is perfect for museum visits. I explored the Alte Pinakothek (Fine Art Museum) and then I visited the Munich Museum of Egyptian Art (S). In the evening, I attended a showing of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at Deutsches Theater Munchen (one of my favorite authors and books!) (S).
Sunday ~ I started the day by touring the Palace and Treasury at the Munich Residence, and later, since the weather was finally sunny, I strolled around the city for a bit (S). That afternoon consisted of the tour’s orientation meeting, a general walking tour, and a welcome dinner (T).
Monday ~ My final day in Munich began with an in-depth walking tour of the city’s history, the events of World War II, and the reconstruction period that followed (T). Later, I stopped by the Viktualienmarkt for some coffee and shopping and then explored the Asamkirche (St. Johann Nepomuk) and Alter Peter (St. Peter’s Church) (S).
Excited about Munich and ready to book a trip? Explore these destination guides, which provide information on what to expect, admission discounts, accessibility details, and more. ⬇️
General Information (coming soon)
Itinerary Ideas
Lodging Guide
Dining Guide
Transportation Guide
Sites
Alte Pinakothek (Fine Art Museum)
Munich Museum of Egyptian Art
Viktualienmarkt
Munich Residence
(Former Royal Palace of the House of Wittelsbach)
Churches of Munich
(Alter Peter (St. Peter’s Church), Heilig Geist (Church of the Holy Spirit), Asamkirche (St. Johann Nepomuk))
Deutsches Theater Munchen
Visit my guide on the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site for more information to help you plan your trip.
Marienplatz Glockenspiel
Similar to my visit to Prague, I was enchanted by Munich’s famous Glockenspiel! Located in Marienplatz Square, this clock performs a spectacular show every day at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM (bonus show at 5:00 PM March through October).
This show recounts two big events in Munich’s history. The top portion shows a jousting tournament, which took place during the wedding of Duke Wilhelm V and Renate of Lorraine (February 1568). Of course, the Bavarian knight wins the match! The bottom shows the Schäfflertanz dance; the story goes that the coopers (barrel makers) danced in the streets to mark the end of a severe plague that affected the city in 1517.
Interactive Travel Map
Fellow adventurers, here is a great map you can use to plan your trip to Munich! I created this map while planning my own trip and added the restaurants I visited afterward. I didn’t have time to see all the sites on my to-do list, but I left them on the map for reference.
Check out this travel guide to learn how to create your own My Maps for your next trip.
Click on each icon to get more information, such as address, phone number, and website, for each site. You can also select the option to view the site in Google Maps.
| Green ~ Museums | Burgundy ~ Theater | Red ~ Hotel |
| Purple ~ Churches | Yellow ~ Picture Worthy Sites | Blue ~ Restaurants & Cafés |
Key Facts
Language: The primary language used in Munich is German. During my time there, I generally had no issues communicating, as some staff working in the hotel, restaurants, and sites spoke some English or Spanish (I’m bilingual, which helps when traveling!). For signage at the bus stops and metro stations, Google Translate is a valuable tool.
Weather: Munich’s summers tend to be warm and sunny, while winters are cold with a chance of snow between late November and February. Spring and Fall bring cool, pleasant weather. I visited Munich towards the end of April, and it was a mix of winter and spring. The first few days, daytime temperatures ranged between 42°F and 54°F, accompanied by frequent rain and strong winds. During my last 2 days in the city, the weather was perfect; sunny and warm, with temperatures around the mid-70s (F).
Transportation: One thing I loved about Munich was the robust public transportation system, which had a great phone app associated with it. I rode the trams and trains several times during my stay, and overall, I found the service to be reliable and punctual. A big plus was the cleanliness of the trains, trams, and stations. Munich also has a network of taxis and the ride-share service Uber.
Currency: The Euro is the main currency in Munich. I ordered cash via Bank of America before the trip, but ATMs are available at the airport and throughout the city. Credit cards are accepted in most locations, but there are a few stalls at the Viktualienmarkt that are cash only. Cash also comes in handy for tipping servers and using public restrooms.
It is recommended that travelers only use ATMs associated with Munich banks, as 3rd party ATMs may not be secure.
Safety: Now, to an important topic everyone has in mind – safety. Is Munich a safe city? Yes, as a solo female traveler, I felt absolutely safe during my 5 days in Munich. I also took public transportation a handful of times, including a train outside the city, and never had any issues.
(Stay tuned for my travel guide providing more information on Munich’s public transportation and the app.)
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