Munich travel guide: which neighborhoods and hotels to stay in, what to see and where to visit in the capital of Bavaria, Germany
Munich is one of Germany's most vibrant cities. "Bavarian Beauty", as it is also known, is famous for its famous museums, world-famous beer and stunning gastronomic scene. Historical and architectural sights, Oktoberfest, castles... There are many more reasons to visit Munich. But let's imagine that this city is already listed next in your travel plan. Now you have to decide where to stay in Munich to enjoy all that this wonderful city has to offer.
You might want to stay in the Altstadt and enjoy its architectural grandeur or head to Glockenbach, known for its LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods. All areas of Munich are interesting to travelers and charming in their own way. Take into consideration the company you're traveling with, the time of year, and the type of vacation you're hoping for. This guide to the best Munich neighborhoods for travelers will help you decide.
Altstadt
One of Munich's most beautiful and impressive neighborhoods, the Altstadt can be described as the place where history, commerce and culture met. It is a central district that includes the historic center, where the city's main attractions such as the Munich Residence, Frauenkirche Cathedral and the famous Hofbräuhaus München brewery are located. The cost of staying here is higher, but if it's your first time in the Bavarian capital, it's worth it given the location and abundance of amenities. It's also a good option if you only have a few days. You'll find plenty of good options for where to stay in Munich, from modern to more traditional with a typical German atmosphere.
Any walk or drive through the Old Town (as the name of the neighborhood translates) will reveal to you the great past with its impressive buildings and grand squares. Must stops in the area include Marienplatz, the square with its neo-Gothic town hall, and Odeonsplatz with its immaculately landscaped central park, the Hofgarten, and the 19th-century building that houses the Bavarian Chancellery. And naturally you can't miss the Munich Residence, once home to the Bavarian royal family and Mozart's performances. In between exploring the main architectural and historical gems, don't miss a moment to check out the local restaurants, stores and bars.
Where to stay?
Munich's best neighborhoods offer visitors great places to stay for all tastes and budgets. For example, the Hotel Louis not only has spacious rooms and casual stylish accommodation, but also a great in-house Japanese restaurant. For better deals, try the Mercure Hotel in the center of Altstadt – simple but clean and affordable.
Where to eat
Be sure to stroll through the famous Viktualienmarkt food market, where stalls sell Munich specialties (speck, local mushrooms, schweinshax (hams), breads, etc.) For vegetarians, check out the top-notch Tian restaurant, and for a royal lunch, check out Brenner, located in the former palace stables.
What to do?
The majestic architecture conceals not only a beautiful facade, but also significant historical events. The places where history unfolded should be visited to better explore Munich. For example, at Marienplatz, you can visit the sites associated with Hitler's failed coup attempt in 1923, known as the Munich Putsch. And the town hall at the north end of this square has an interesting 1908 cuckoo clock. Every day, 43 bells strike twice or three times (depending on the season) on the tower, and the two tiers of the clock are turned into a stage. On it, 32 human-sized figures perform a real play based on the history of the city.
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The breathtaking view of the Altstadt from the top of St. Peter's Cathedral is definitely worth the effort. And they will definitely have to be made, especially with care: you'll need to climb 299 steps.
Glockenbach
Plenty of bars, clubs and dancing all night long make Glockenbach the perfect neighborhood in Munich for nightlife fans. It is located along Müllerstrasse and is famous even outside the city for its LGB scene, bars and top-rated nightlife venues. There are good hotels nearby, as well as great coffee shops, bistros and cafes for a top-notch coffee the morning after a party. By deciding to stay in this area, you will still be close to the city center, but away from the main tourist traps. Glockenbach's attraction is the Glockenbach Werkstatt community center. During the day it is a social space that is a crèche and kindergarten, but at night it transforms into one of Munich's most interesting spots. Almost every evening the café and bar of the center hosts various events: round tables, poetry evenings, blues evenings, etc. The atmosphere is that of a casual pub (or kneipe), and in good weather the beer garden opens after 5pm - a tranquil haven in the middle of the city, ideal for tasting a tasty foamy beverage and easy socializing.
Where to stay
The charming Flushing Meadows Hotel offers travelers spacious rooms with good lighting, large panoramic windows, stylish furniture and artwork as decor. On the top floor there is a bar with a sun terrace and panoramic views of the rooftops: a good place to relax with classic aperitifs and cocktails.
Where to eat
For a taste of the local cuisine, check out the excellent Wirtshaus Maximilian restaurant, often listed in the Munich travel guide. It's a classic Bavarian bistro with bright understated decor and a modern take on regional and Alpine dishes. A visit to Munich is inconceivable without exploring the local beer tradition. For this, you can visit the beer hall-style restaurant Cooperativa, with Mediterranean cuisine, or for a more upscale establishment, the stylish beer restaurant Colette, with top German chef Tim Raue at the helm of the kitchen. Here you can sample top-notch classic French cuisine, or stop in for an inexpensive lunch while exploring the city.
What to do?
If your search for the right places to stay in Munich has resulted in Glockenbach, your plans should include tours of its top cocktail establishments. For example, you should sample magical cocktails at the renowned Zephyr Bar, relax to hip-hop beats at The High, a new addition to Munich's bar scene (co-owner Andre also started at Zephyr Bar), and check out the locals' much-loved little bar in one of Munich's prettiest neighborhoods, Zum Wolf, with whiskey and reliable classics on the cocktail list and rhythm-and-blues-inspired motifs.
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If you're not staying overnight in Glockenbach and only have a few hours, grab an ice cream or coffee at Del Fiore, stroll through the blossoming Gertnerplatz and watch the hustle and bustle of the lively neighborhood.
Heidhausen
One of Munich 's most picturesque yet oldest neighborhoods is the quiet Heidhausen, also called the "French Quarter" because of its Parisian-style architecture. It sits on the banks of the Isar and is beloved by locals for its quiet, measured atmosphere. Here you can pause and enjoy a different side of Munich.
The heart of the district is the charming Orleansplatz, where you should sit down and have a cup of coffee against a backdrop of impressive old buildings. The district is also known for the charming Wienerplatz, the Gastein cultural center with its rich classical music program and the Ferris wheel, from the top of which you can enjoy a picturesque panorama of the city. It is one of the best places to stay in Mun ich for classical music lovers: the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and the Strauss Conservatory are close by. Heidhausen is also one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Mun ich with a good range of restaurants, cafes and flea markets. Travelers should also check out the small food market that opens daily at the Weinermarkt. On the streets of Heidhausen, you'll find plenty of hostels, hotels and bed and breakfasts to suit all tastes and budgets.
Heidhausen is quieter than other good neighborhoods in Munich, and is great for accommodations for travelers who appreciate proximity to attractions and a relaxing vacation. Excellent access to rivers makes it one of our favorite places for evening strolls and sunset watching.
Where to stay
The 4-star Prinz München, one of the best hotels in the city, is a 5-minute walk from the Deutsches Museum Munich. It provides its guests with luxurious comfortable rooms, a hearty breakfast buffet and bicycle rentals for easier transportation around Munich.
Where to eat?
Housed in a 19th-century building is the cheerful Preysinggarten restaurant, whose menu includes Mediterranean cuisine and vegetarian offerings. There's a superb terrace that's great for Sunday brunches in the sunshine, but reservations must be made in advance. If you want to grab a coffee and a pastry while wandering around the city, check out Cafe Bla.
What to do?
If you head southwest along the river towards Flaucher, you'll find a nice clean green swimming area about half an hour out of town. In the summertime, real crowds of Munich residents gather here to swim, sunbathe, drink beer, grill out and relax to guitar playing.
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Art aficionados can visit Villa Stuck, the former home of Franz von Stuck, one of the pioneers of the German avant-garde. There are a number of his works and an impressive collection of Art Nouveau art.
Maxforstadt
North of the Altstadt is the ancient, elegant and quiet neighborhood of Maxforstadt, full of art galleries, museums, impressive green avenues and numerous clubs. The Munich travel guide distinguishes it from the rest of the best districts by its collection of museums: the famous Old and New Pinakothek and the Pinakothek der Moderne, the historic House of Art, the Brandhorst Museum and the Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism. The picturesque Königsplatz overlooking the historic Glyptothek Museum is also worth a look. Walking further along Leopoldstrasse, you can see the triumphal arch commissioned by King Ludwig of Bavaria. It was damaged during World War II and is now crowned with a symbolic inscription in German "Dedicated to victory, destroyed by war, calling for peace". Next, you will see the hilly meadows and trees of the huge picturesque English Garden.
Among Munich's best neighborhoods for travelers, Maxforstadt is ideal for families and tourists looking to explore its major museums.
Where to stay
Close to Königsplatz and the trio of pinakotheks is the Hotel Ruby Lilly, with minimalist rooms equipped with good mattresses, fine linens and thick curtains for a deep sleep. Before heading out to explore and explore the historic sites and museums, stop in for an organic breakfast of cereal, fruit and bread from local bakery Mauerer at the hotel's Ruby Cafe, and at other times for light Italian food and drinks at its bar.
Where to eat
Interesting places in Munich for an inexpensive lunch can be found in the most unpredictable locations, such as the Technical University of Munich. The Vorhölzer Forum Café is located on the roof of the Faculty of Architecture and is no longer a secret, accessible only to those in the know. However, it is off the beaten tourist path, which has a pleasant effect on prices and availability of tables. The interior is minimal, the food selection is simple and small but with generous portions, and there are hearty brunch buffets on Sundays. But the main attraction is the view of the neighborhood: you can see the two domes of the Frauenkirche, Munich Cathedral, and on a clear day even the snow-capped Alps.
What to do?
Every guide to Munich recommends the Pinakothek art collections for a visit. To tour them, take a day pass. This is one of the world's finest collections of European art history. Here you'll see some truly stellar works: Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Albrecht Dürer's Self-Portrait in a Fur-trimmed Cloak, and more. The Brandhorst Museum is worth seeing major works by Cy Twombly, Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter. Sigmar Polke and Damien Hirst.
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Visit Munich's oldest brewery, Augustiner-Keller, and sip a beer in the city's best 5,000-seat beer garden, nestled under shady chestnut trees.
Schwabing
Further north of Maxforstadt is the multicultural and artistic Schwabing. It's also considered a university district: it's young and filled with bars, cafes, pubs and stores. It is also home to attractions such as the BMW Welt and the Olympic Park. It is far from the center of Munich, so prices are much lower here, and with early booking you will have no trouble finding good hotels. Despite the distance to the center, Schwabing has a lively nightlife. Along the main boulevards Hohenzollernstrasse and Leopoldstrasse there are great boutiques, restaurants, cafes and bars. It is one of the most suitable options among Munich's best neighborhoods for budget travelers, young people and those who want to stay in Munich in a quiet location away from the bustling center. Schwabing is close to the green "pearl" of the city, the extensive English Garden. It is ideal for strolling: the informal landscape consists of hilly lawns, bike paths and sparkling tributaries of the Isar.
You can reach the center by public transport: in about 10 minutes by metro or about 20 by bus or streetcar.
Where to stay
One of the most interesting places to stay in Munich is offered by the Englischer Garten guest house, converted from an old watermill. It's a bit of an old-fashioned enclave with simple but comfortable rooms – just what you need for a relaxing stay. There's a garden nearby where you can eat your breakfast in summer. Book in advance for a room in the main building. Stores, restaurants, bars and the English Garden are just steps away.
Where to eat
The title of best restaurant is successfully held by the famous Tantris, which received its Michelin stars back in 1974. Take the 5-course tasting menu here or its more refined 8-course version: king prawns with ravioli, sweet chestnut puree, venison medallions with wild mushrooms, etc. All are delicious and sumptuous. Everything is delicious and sumptuous, but expect a triple-digit bill. For good but more affordable options, choose the amazing Afghan cuisine at Lemar or enjoy a great pizza on the green terrace of Passaparola.
What to do
Go for a jog, go cycling or ice skating, just go for a walk, go for a swim in one of the clear streams flowing from the Izar – the English Garden is full of interesting and exciting activities. In the evening, have fun in the large beer garden near the pagoda-like Chinese Tower, or grab a bottle of wine and sit near the Monopteros temple admiring the sunset.
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Surfing in Munich seems like an interesting but unlikely activity, but you can still learn the sport here in the landlocked city. Artificial waves are created on the river Eisbach.