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Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche towers, Munich

No. 22 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Munich

Germany

Bavaria's capital of beer gardens, Baroque palaces, great art and Alpine views.

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Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Munich is No. 22 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. The capital of Bavaria grew rich as the seat of the Wittelsbach dynasty, which ruled Bavaria for centuries and left behind palaces, churches and art collections.

It is famous for its beer halls and beer gardens and for Oktoberfest, held since 1810, but also for its museums, parks and easy access to the Alps and Bavarian lakes.

Nymphenburg Palace, Munich
Nymphenburg Palace, Munich. Photo: Richard Bartz, Munich aka Makro Freak, CC BY-SA 2.5, source

Best time to go

May to September is beer-garden season, with long, warm days. Oktoberfest runs from late September to the first Sunday in October; hotels are expensive and book up early.

Winter is cold, with Christmas markets from late November, and skiing in the Alps is within reach.

Top sights

  • 1

    Marienplatz

    The central square is dominated by the Neues Rathaus, whose Glockenspiel performs daily at 11 am and noon (and at 5 pm from March to October).

  • 2

    Frauenkirche

    The twin onion-domed towers of the cathedral are a symbol of the city.

  • 3

    Residenz

    The former royal palace of the Bavarian rulers has lavish state rooms, the Antiquarium and a treasury of crowns and jewels.

  • 4

    Englischer Garten

    One of the largest city parks in Europe, with surfers riding the standing wave on the Eisbach and a beer garden at the Chinese Tower.

  • 5

    Kunstareal

    The museum quarter includes the Alte Pinakothek, with European old masters, and the Neue Pinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne.

  • 6

    Viktualienmarkt

    A daily food market near Marienplatz, with a beer garden at its centre.

  • 7

    Nymphenburg Palace

    The Baroque summer palace of the Wittelsbachs, with a large park and pavilions.

Getting there

Munich Airport (MUC) is about 30 km north-east of the city. S-Bahn lines S1 and S8 run to the centre in about 40 minutes.

München Hauptbahnhof is served by ICE trains from Berlin, Frankfurt and other German cities, and by international trains from Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Getting around

The U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses are run under the MVV network. The old town is compact and best explored on foot.

Munich is very bike-friendly, with many cycle paths.

Practical tips

Currency
Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted, but some beer gardens and small places prefer cash.
Language
German, often with a Bavarian accent. English is widely spoken.
Safety
Munich is one of Germany's safest big cities. Watch your belongings during Oktoberfest. The emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
Germany is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records non-EU travellers' entries and exits at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow. Check the official EU site travel-europe.europa.eu and your own government's travel advice before you go.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and F.

Official information: München Tourismus (official city tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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