Things To Do In Munich In Winter

I don’t know about you, but I love a winter city break. It’s the chill in the air, the people bundled up in coats and scarves, the promise of Christmas just around the corner…there’s something about it that’s extra special. And one of my favourite cities to visit is Munich.

People may flock to this German city during late summer or for the legendary Oktoberfest, but a trip during the colder months can be truly magical. Here are some of the best things to do in Munich in winter.

Enjoy Some Beers At The Hofbräuhaus

I would recommend heading to The Hofbräuhaus at any time of year, but this iconic Munich establishment is perfect for the winter months. It’s absolutely huge and can seat 900 guests inside, providing the perfect refuge from the cold.

This famous beer hall has a long and fascinating history, originally built in 1589 as an extension of the brewery of the same name. However, it wasn’t opened up to the public until 1828.

In World War II all of the rooms were almost completely destroyed except for the ‘Schwemme’ on the ground floor. Some of the tables in this room today can be dated all the way back to 1887. Today, each room has been lovingly restored, each with their own unique charm and traditional Bavarian atmosphere.

As well as a wide range of drinks to enjoy (I always go for the Weißbier) and a delicious menu of food, there is also live music from a traditional oompah band who play every single day. I’ve spent whole afternoons in here when the weather was bad, and it has a nostalgic, cosy feel about it which is pretty hard to resist.

From the outside, The Hofbräuhaus may seem like a bit of a tourist trap, but there are plenty of Munich residents who come here for a beer too. Keep your eyes peeled for the old school Bavarians who rock up in their lederhosen! It’s a unique experience that’s not to be missed, and definitely one of the best places to at least grab a beer in Munich.

Visit The Munich Christmas Market

As I write this in the midst of the pandemic, unfortunately a trip to the Christmas market won’t be possible this year. However, if you’re planning a visit for 2022 or beyond, this festive tradition is an absolute must do. There are several Christmas markets across the city, but the main event is the traditional christmas market near Marienplatz (St Mary’s Square).

Germany is known for the best Christmas markets, and the buzz and atmosphere of this particular one is absolutely electric. Not only is it huge, covering 20,000 square metres, but it has a traditional Bavarian feel to it that you won’t get anywhere else. It has a historical significance too, with roots dating all the back to the 14th century, although it has only taken place on Marienplatz since 1972.

There are typical wooden hut-like shops selling handmade Christmas decorations, food stands selling stollen and crisp potato pancakes. There’s mulled wine, herb liquer and of course, lots and lots of beer.

Thousands of candles light the market, adding to the cosy ambience, while a huge Christmas tree takes centre stage, illuminated by twinkling lights. In the evenings Advent music fills the air as people gather round, steaming cups of Glühwein warming their hands.

If you’re lucky, you may even be there for the Krampus Run, where hundreds of people make their way through the streets dressed as St Nicholas’s rather terrifying assistant. Participants are incredibly dedicated, with one Krampus costume setting you back between €1800 and €2500!

Try Your Hand At Curling

As the temperatures drop in Munich, the Nymphenburg Canal freezes over to become the city’s longest bavarian curling track. Curling, if you aren’t familiar with it, is kind of like bowls on ice.

Two teams take turns to slide a curling stone over the ice towards a target (or House), with more points scored the closer to the target you get. While it’s usually done in teams of four, I’m sure if there were only a couple of you you’d still have fun trying it out.

Situated right in front of the Nymphenburg Palace, the canal makes for stunning setting to try out this winter sport. Beginners and players of all ages are welcome to use one of the 40 curling lanes, and curling stones are available to rent. You never know, you might find your new favourite sport!

When you’re done with curling you could even visit Nymphenburg Palace itself and explore its breathtaking Baroque interior. Even if curling doesn’t really appeal, this part of the city is especially beautiful when covered in snow. It’s well worth heading over there even if only for a walk around the park.

Skate The Day Away

For another winter sport that you might be a little more familiar with, head to the open-air ice rink Münchner Eiszauber (Munich Ice Magic). Conveniently located in the shopping district of Karlsplatz, it’s the largest of its kind in the city and is usually open from late November to late January.

Ticket prices vary depending on what time of day you visit, getting more expensive towards the evening, with each time block running for 2.5 hours. With the most expensive tickets being €9 for adults and €7 for children under 12, I think it’s pretty good value for money.

There are also usually different weekly events throughout the season, including things like student nights and ‘Tracht on Ice’ where people come in traditional clothing.

As they only let a certain number of skaters in during each of these blocks it never get too crowded on the ice. And if you’re a bit nervous or have not skated before you can even rent a helmet for some extra peace of mind.

When it’s time for a break (or if you’re just not a fan of ice skating), there is a purpose built chalet-style building where you can enjoy a grilled sausage or some of Germany’ famous grog or mulled wine.

If this won’t get you in the Christmas spirit, I don’t know what will!

Make The Most Of The Museums

Whiling away an afternoon at a museum is a great activity for when it’s cold outside, and Munich has an incredible choice of museums and galleries to choose from. No matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find one that tickles your fancy.

There’s the Kunsthalle Munich, where previous exhibitions have included everything from samurai culture and life in Pompeii to the designs of Jean Paul Gaultier and the work of fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, There’s the awe-inspiring Pinakothek der Moderne, one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world, or the Deutsches Museum, all about science and technology.

There’s the NS-Dokumentationszentrum, which explores the harrowing history and consequences of the Nazi regime, or the underground Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst which is dedicated to ancient Egypt. The list really does go on and on. So if you’re a lover of art or history, you definitely won’t find yourself short of things to do in Munich in winter!

Top tip: If you’re planning on visiting lots of museums and galleries during your stay, it’s well worth getting a Munich City Pass. Not only will you get free admission to a long list of museums, you’ll also be able to use public transport for free.

Learn How To Make The Perfect Pretzel

2022 Update: After closing due to COVID restrictions, this class is back up and running! Nevertheless, here are a few of my other tour and activity suggestions for foodies.
Bavarian Beer And Food Evening Tour | Viktualienmarkt 2-Hour Gourmet Food Tour | Munich Food Tour with Beer Tasting

For a winter activity with difference, a German cookery class is a great way to learn more about the culture while learning some new skills along the way. This Bavarian Pretzel Baking Class takes place in your host Robinson’s home. Robinson was once a chef at the 5-star hotel Bayerischer Hof, so he really knows his stuff.

For your class, you’ll be welcomed with a drink before finding out all about Munich’s most famous snack. Then, over the next 2 hours you’ll learn how to make 6 different styles of pretzels under the host’s expert tuition. Finally, you can sit and enjoy your hard work with a Weisswurst and a non-alcoholic wheat beer.

You’ll even get a “Brezn’ Urkunde” (Pretzel Certificate) to take away. It’s a great choice for a winter activity with a more personal touch, and will ensure that your trip to Munich is a memorable one. Plus, you’ll be able to make your own pretzels when you get home!

See The City From The Christmas Tram

The Christmas tram offers a unique way to see some of Munich’s best sights. In an old-style M-type tram from 1957, you will pass by Isartor, the illuminated Maxmonument, the Nationaltheater and more. The vintage tram is kitted out with Christmas decorations, with garlands and baubles lining the walls and candy-striped rails at the end of every creaky wooden seat.

Staff serve warm spiced wine (punch for the kids) and Lebkuchen, the German take on gingerbread, ensuring you won’t go hungry as you make your way around the city. You can’t help but be delighted as you take in the sights while the sound of Christmas music plays on board the tram.

The journey lasts around half an hour and departs every 30 minutes from Sendlinger Tor. It runs from 3:30 pm to 7 pm on weekdays and longer on the weekends, from 11 am to 7:30 pm. At only €2 a ticket with children under 6 travelling free of charge, it’s a really inexpensive winter activity.

Enjoy The Snow In The English Garden

The English Garden is one of my favourite spots in Munich, and when it’s coated in snow it’s truly a sight to behold. The English Garden is actually a huge public park that was first created in 1789. Right along the banks of the Isar river, this tree-lined park has a number of attractions including a Japanese teahouse, a Greek-style temple and a Chinese Tower (I know, very multicultural!)

The Chinese Tower is particularly stunning, and while the beer garden around it will be closed in winter, seeing it topped with snow is something really special. Make sure to wrap up warm and you could spend hours walking around the park, and it’s a great opportunity for photos too.

It is truly huge though, so be prepared for a bit of exercise. The English Garden is actually one of the largest urban parks in the world, and at 3.75 km² is even bigger than Central Park in New York.

Top tip: If you end up visiting in summer, make sure to watch the surfers (yes, really!) at Prinzregentenstraße and have a drink under the Chinese Tower while the oompah band are in full swing.

Where To Stay In Munich In Winter

I’ve stayed in a few different hotels in Munich, but since I found Boutique Hotel Splendid-Dollmann I’m not sure I’ll ever stay anywhere else. It’s in a great quiet location which is still close to all the action, the staff are so friendly at the hotel itself is beautiful. For an extra special touch, they even gift a complimentary Munich guide book to all of their guests! I don’t like to spend a fortune on hotels and find it to be incredible value for money. I highly recommend it for your next stay in Munich!

Read my full review of the Splendid Dollman Hotel here.

For more information, rates and to book your stay, head over to Booking.com

Other hotel recommendations in a similar price range

Hotel MIO | 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian | Hotel Cocoon Hauptbahnhof

What’s The Weather Like In Munich In Winter?

I hope this post has convinced you that winter is a fantastic time to visit Munich, but if you do visit it’s important that you come prepared for cold temperatures!

As it’s so close to the Bavarian Alps and so far away from the sea, Munich can get very chilly indeed, with temperatures in December normally only a few degrees above freezing during the day. It’s often the coldest city in the entire country.

There is usually snow every year in Munich, although which month it starts to arrive does vary. With such cold weather, December will be your best bet, but of course there is never any guarantee.

With that being said, it’s important to pack a proper coat if you are visiting Munich in winter, as well as sturdy shoes that will be able to withstand a bit of snow.

You should also bear in mind that January is the coldest month of the lot, so plan your visit accordingly. It’s not unheard of for temperatures to drop to drop well below minus, so good winter clothes are an absolute must.

When it comes to rainy days, you can always expect some in the city of Munich. However, the rainiest period actually runs from May to August, so over winter your chances of staying dry are fairly good.

Is Munich Busy In Winter?

As a major city, Munich tends to be fairly busy all year round (particularly in the city centre and old town), though you will certainly benefit from smaller crowds at most of the main attractions.

If you are looking to beat the crowds, it’s important to check when the festive Christmas markets will hit the city that particular winter season. As you can imagine, the markets attract a lot of visitors at that time of the year, so you may prefer to plan your trip around them. Late winter is definitely the quietest time to visit, but as noted above, it is also the coldest, so be prepared.

Is Munich Worth Visiting In Winter?

In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes! Visiting in winter gives you a completely different experience from a summer visit, where Munich tourism is in full swing.

This Bavarian city has so much to offer, and the vast majority of sights and activities aren’t at all weather dependent. As long as you can withstand the winter weather and not so sunny days, Munich can be the perfect place for a magical winter trip.

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