The best travel guide for winter in Munich Germany

Are you searching for the perfect guide on how to enjoy a vacation during winter in Munich Germany?

How about the best things to do in the winter months in the biggest Bavarian city?

Wondering which winter woolies will be good to bring along or what the average temperature might be?

Not to worry, I’ve got the perfect guide to keep you warm and cosy in Munich during the winter months, plus make the most of your holiday time!

I’ve visited the Bavarian capital twice now so I’ve got the inside scoop on the perfect cold weather activities.

It’s a great place to enjoy the winter season with beautiful old buildings and lots to do inside to stay warm.

From magical Christmas markets fuelled by mulled wine to ice skating on the squares of Munich, it’s all packed in here for you.

Grab your mittens and let’s hit it!

Munich has ancient roots, its name actually refers to the monastery that originally stood here and started up the tiny market – which after centuries of growth, has transformed into the bustling metropolis that we see today.

Luckily for us, there’s oodles of adorable preserved buildings from the centuries gone by, like the fairytale Asamkirche hiding away in a shopping strip or the enormous Frauenkirche with its distinctive double onion domes.

The city centre is easily walkable and has plenty of different sights for you to stop in and snap some delightful pictures, plus most of them are totally free to enter.

Start over at the enormous St. Michael München and don’t miss the slightly terrifying statue out the front of an archangel dispatching a demon, the crypt is dedicated to the Wittelsbach family and accessible for a fee.

Next up, the beloved symbol of the city – the towering, red-brick Frauenkirche – heavily damaged in WWII and faithfully restored.

The onion domes were originally designed to be much more fancy spires but construction ground to a halt when funds ran low, who knew that onions are cheaper for cathedrals too!  

The Marienplatz is a short walk away and it’s home to tastes of Munich’s medieval roots with the Old Town Hall, Marian Column, New Town Hall and St Peter’s Church (Alter Peter) half a block back.

If you’re feeling energetic, you can climb 306 stairs up to the viewing platform at the top of Alter Peter’s tower. If the weather is clear, you should be able to see all the way to the snow dusted Bavarian Alps off in the distance.

Go early in the morning to climb up with minimal other visitors, entry will cost 5€ per adult.

Alternatively, if you prefer no steps, you can head to the New Town Hall which has a viewing platform accessible via elevator with lovely views over Marienplatz.

It even stays open later while the Christkindlmarkt is on so you can admire the twinkling lights and festive stalls from above.

Tickets are 6.50€ per adult and the viewpoint is open until 9pm – you can buy them online via the official website and bring your ID along.

Make your way to the delightfully ornate Asamkirche, a lavish Roccoco fever dream inside with luxurious details leaping out at you.

This church propelled its builders into superstardom in 16th century Europe and it’s easy to see why when you are standing in the middle of the decadent style that they created.

Everyone who had cash to splash wanted the Asam brothers to build them a chapel next.

Down by the imposing Sendlinger Tor, vine draped in the warmer months, you’ll find the classic Filmtheater Sendlinger Tor dating back to 1913 if you’d like to catch a film in Art Nouveau surrounds. Plus, have an excuse to warm up!

If you’re here from the 27th of November until the 22nd of December, you’ll find a delightful Christmas market set up here with plenty of holiday treats to go round!

Read on for more about the merry markets dotted around the city from late November to just before Christmas.

The highlight of most German cities in the winter weather, the festive Christmas markets start up at the end of November with traditional food stalls and handmade decorations.

The Munich Christmas markets will be the highlight of your visit to Munich in the winter weather, nothing like a steaming mug of Glühwein to warm you up!

Along with the Sendlinger Tor traditional market that I mentioned earlier, the Christkindlmarkt is held just in front of the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) in Marienplatz – the beating heart of Munich’s Old Town.

Rows of stalls with adorable handmade Christmas gifts draped in greenery line the main square while giant, lit-up Christmas trees make for a perfect photo backdrop.

Rug up for the cold temperatures but there are plenty of hot drinks and sizzling bratwurst ready to warm you up as you stroll around, the perfect way to enjoy the city centre at Christmas time.

If you have the flexibility, it’s absolutely worth visiting Munich during the festive period to see it all lit up in twinkly lights!

While you’ve probably heard of mulled wine A.K.A Glühwein in Germany, there’s another favourite alcoholic beverage traditionally served at the Christmas markets.

The tongue-twistingly named Feuerzangenbowle (fire tongs punch directly translated) are potbellied mugs filled with a mix of red wine, rum, spices and a rum soaked sugar cube, which is then set on fire for your delight.

Once the blue flames subside, the potent drink will keep you warm from the inside out.

Down by the Isartor Gate (named for the River Isar nearby), you’ll find the jumbo Munich Feuerzangenbowle cauldron bubbling away, along with food and drink stalls with varied offerings.

And unlike the other Christmas markets, this one stays open until New Year’s Eve.

While the Christmas decorations look utterly charming at night, the temperatures start dropping!

Thermal socks, gloves and a beanie or knitted headband to help keep your extremities warm are great ideas, no one wants to have to go back to the hotel early because they’re slowly freezing!

There are economical options for knitwear in the department stores in Munich for you to pick up some more woolies if you need, try H & M or C & A for some budget friendly options.

Stachus, also known as Karlsplatz, is one of the busiest spots in Munich and lies between the city centre and the main train station.

And from late November to mid January, it’s home to a giant, portable ice skating rink filled with zippy locals skating to dance music.

The “Eiszauber” opens from 10:30am until 10pm at night and holds a variety of different events during the week for your enjoyment, like Saturday Night disco hits and if you can find a dirndl or lederhosen on a Monday, you can skate for free!

If you need to hire skates (I know I don’t usually pack mine in my suitcase), they’re 7€ to hire for a session with a 50€ or passport deposit.

The cost per session – if you’re not wearing traditional leather shorts on a Monday – ranges from 7-11€ for a 2.5 hour timeslot, the earlier timeslots are cheaper.

On Sundays, you’ll get two for one tickets so take advantage of that if you’ve got an ice-skating friend.

I couldn’t skate if my life depended on it so I take advantage of the cosy Panorama Alm which serves up delicious comfort food with a great view over the ice rink.

You can double check all the details over on the Eiszauber website.

We’ve covered off how to enjoy the Christmas markets, what to do with your days in Munich when you’re not strolling around delightful stalls filled with Christmas decorations.

While the architecture in Munich is magnificent, I’ve included plenty of inside sights for you so you won’t be spending the whole time walking in chilly weather.

How about checking out some former royal haunts, the palaces of Bavaria’s own royal family, the Wittelsbachs.

The Munich Residenz or City Palace lies in the city centre, a short stroll from any of the Christmas markets, it was used up until 1918 and now shows off the impressive furnishings and lavish decorations to city visitors.

It’s the perfect place to spend an hour or two strolling around and pretending to be Bavarian royalty while visiting during the colder months.

Plus, it’s not limited to Christmas time if you’re here outside of December.

Don’t miss the awe-inspiring Hall of Antiquities (Antiquarium) and the Treasury filled with glittering gold, coming in the colder months (especially January and February) means that you’re likely to experience far fewer other visitors. Making for a much more pleasant viewing experience.

Tickets cannot be bought online so go early to avoid waiting in line for entry, payment can be made by cash or card at the ticket office on site.

A ticket for the Residenz Museum will be 9€ per adult, whereas a combo ticket for both the Residenz and the Treasury is 14€.

If you’d like to add in the opulent Cuvilliés Theatre, the combo ticket that includes all three sights will cost 17€.

Plan for at least 2-3 hours across the three different buildings and prepare to be dazzled!

The Nymphenburg Palace was a summer residence for the same royal family, slightly outside of the city centre but easily accessed by public transportation.

While the main building is still lovely, the pavilions standing in the grounds will be closed for the winter and these are often the highlight for visitors to Nymphenburg.

Just something to keep in mind if you’re considering a trip out here.

If it’s cold enough that the canal has frozen over, it is definitely an impressive sight watching people go ice-skating across it in front of the palace. A beautiful sight on a chilly day!

Entry is 12€ per adult for the combo ticket in winter, which also grants you access to the Marstallmuseum – home to the most lavishly ornate carriages you’ve ever seen.

And if you’re coming with little ones, entry to the palace is free for those under 18 years old.

You can buy tickets online and double check any temporary closures on the official palace website.

In need of green space? The English Garden (Englischer Garten) is a palatial park bordering the city centre to the north, if you’re already at the Munich Residenz, it’s a very short stroll to this gigantic public park.

Coming in at a whopping 3.75 square kilometres, there’s plenty of rolling meadows and tree lined paths for everyone out here.

If you’re visiting from late November, there’s a Christmas market set up at the famous beer gardens out by the Chinese Tower (Chinesischer Turm), complete with Christmas light draped over the 5 storey high structure.

It shuts up shop just before Christmas on the 23rd but it’s definitely still worth going for a stroll through the gardens if you’re not too cold.

And if it’s snowed recently, watch everyone come out to enjoy the fresh powder with tobaggans and sleds.

Don’t miss the classical Monopteros temple up on its little hill, it’ll be picture perfect with a fresh dusting of snow.  

Would you believe that if you stop by the Eisbachwelle, you’ll likely find people surfing even in the middle of winter?

It really must be the ice wave by that point, living up to its name!

It will make for interesting viewing, personally I wouldn’t advise joining in unless you brought a very thick wetsuit with you.  

Not to worry, I’ve got a few other indoor sights up my sleeve to help keep you out of the cold and entertained.

For the art enthusiasts, the Alte Pinakothek has oodles of exhibits to keep you enthralled during your visit to Munich.

Holding works of art from the 14th through to the 18th centuries, you’ll find masterpieces by Dürer, Raphael and Rembrandt besides many more.

Thanks to our favourite royals – the Wittelsbachs – and their ability to collect fabulous artworks, you’ll be able to stroll around and admire them here in an impressive collection.

At the moment, the Neue Pinakothek is closed for renovations and a reopening is planned for 2029 but you can also enjoy selected highlights from that collection within the Alte Pinakothek.

You’ll find one of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings here, the beautiful Sunflowers artwork, as well as works by Klimt and Manet.

So in a way, you’re experiencing the best of both the Alte and Neue Pinakothek for the price of one.

If you come on a Sunday, entry will set you back a measly euro per adult – a bargain if I ever heard one! During the other days of the week, entry to the Alte Pinakothek or Pinakothek der Moderne will cost 9€ per adult.

The modern Pinakothek holds artworks from the 19th and 20th centuries across four different main categories if you like, art, paper based works, architecture and design.

With different sections focussing on each collection, you’ll find plenty here to keep you occupied and your mind swirling with some fascinating works.

Tasty Bavarian food was just made for warming you up after you’ve been exploring the chilly streets of Munich.

From golden, crispy schnitzels to steaming plates of beef goulasch, you’ll find plenty of filling fare at the traditional restaurants and pubs around the city.

Bavarian food focusses heavily on meat-based dishes, with the occasional baked cheese and noodles dish (Käsespätzle) tossed in.

The most famous beer hall in Munich is definitely the state-owned Hofbräuhaus, serving up Bavarian classics and their speciality brews.

Stop by for a taste of live oompah music played by a brass band in tracht – traditional costumes – and giant steins of golden beer for that perfect profile picture.

There are even giant pretzels roaming around for purchase, these might be more for novelty purposes.

In the city centre, give Hackerhaus and Zum Dürnbräu a go for a hearty Bavarian meal, there will be less frivolity at these restaurants compared to HB!

If you’ll be visiting in February, it’s definitely worth your while to check if your dates will intersect with Fasching – Munich’s own carnival.

On Shrove Tuesday (a religious holiday), the market ladies of the Viktualienmarkt perform a keenly awaited dance in front of thousands of spectators.

The dates do change from year to year but the festivities, including the charming parade of silly knights, are worth seeing!

The celebrations culminate at the München Narrisch, the party kicks off at Marienplatz with multiple stages set up so head over to the New Town Hall if you’d like to see what all the fuss is about.