The best time to visit Munich
When is the best time to visit Munich? Whenever you go to a destination abroad where you’ve never been before, you will ask yourself: When should I go there? Are there “good” or “bad” months? Of course every city looks far better on a nice sunny day than in heavy rain. There are only a few places in the world where it doesn’t matter when to go, as the weather conditions are always perfect. Unfortunately, Munich is not such a place. Also hotel prices vary throughout the seasons. Here I will tell you about the best months of the year when you should visit Munich, and of course when you should avoid visiting Munich.
January
Until around January 6th, there is still the “Christmas High Season” going on in Munich. January 6th is a National Holiday (Epiphany) and most Germans enjoy the last days of their Christmas holidays. People go skiing to the Alps, enjoy a winter walk through Munich’s parks and woods and try to digest the masses of food eaten from Christmas to New Year’s Day. But generally after New Year’s Day everything settles.
After January 6th all people go back to work and the extreme low season in Munich begins. January is also the kick-off of the “real winter” in Munich. It is getting quite cold, it might be snowing or have slushy rain and everything is freezing around 0°C (32°F).
My recommendation: In January you can enjoy the winter feeling. If you like to take a walk in the fresh icey air, visit a few museums and try different beer halls, January might be a bargain month for you.
Average sunshine hours (2 hrs.):
Daylight max. (8:30hrs – 9:15hrs):
Temperature range (3°C/37.5°F to -2°C/28.5°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
February
Surprisingly, this is the month where it gets really icey in Munich. Late January until mid February is in my opinion the worst season to visit Munich. The sky is usually cloudy or overcast and often temperatures do not rise over 0°C (32°F). You can sometimes encounter significant amounts of snow. This time of the year is the “real winter” in Munich.
The only thing that brings people out is Fasching (carnival) where usually some parties with people dressed in carnival costumes take place. February is also the ultra high season for catching a cold or even the flu. In February there is also the Munich Fashion Week, which additionally brings some tourists to Munich.
My recommendation: February ist the month to avoid for a Munich trip. It’s cold outside and the chance to catch a cold is high. Sightseeing is limited to museums and indoor things as long as you don’t want to bring your extra thick clothes, heated boots and skiing gloves.
Average sunshine hours (1 hrs.):
Daylight max. (9:30hrs – 11:00hrs):
Temperature range (5°C/41°F to -3°C/26.5°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
March
During March, every citizen of Munich awaits spring. But often winter won’t go and it still stays cold, especially during the night. Snow can still fall in the first weeks of March, but it won’t stay long. After Fasching (carnival) the Starkbierzeit (strong beer season) begins in Munich. This brings the first boost to tourism in Munich, as the different brewery festivals, known as Starkbierfest get more and more popular with tourists from abroad. But March can also be the first month of spring, depending on the weather conditions. When there is a dry period or days with a warm wind from the south (called “Föhn”), you may have luck to enjoy a drink in a beer garden. The temperatures then may rise up to 15°C/59°F.
My recommendation: March can be an ideal month for a trip to Munich, but only if the weather conditions are good. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially the daily temperature and be quite spontaneus booking a flight and a hotel in Munich.
Average sunshine hours (3 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (9.5°C/49°F to -0°C/32°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
April
April in Munich is usually the month in Munich, where the weather conditions bend between winter and spring. In the last years we saw either a really nice spring rollout or a city still freezing and craving for sun. April is therefore not really predictable. The foodies love April as it is also the beginning of the asparagus season in Bavaria. In case you didn’t know, Bavaria is famous for its white asparagus and every year the same hype sets off. You’ll hardly find restaurants in Munich not offering asparagus (soup, plain, salad, and every meal you can imagine).
My recommendation: In late April chances are higher to get a spring feeling with warmer days and longer daylight. Sightseeing is not limited anymore and you can also find the first festivals of the year like the Auer Dult (late April), the Frühlingsfest (spring festival, late April) and Easter celebrations (beginning to late April, depending on the year). Try to avoid the Easter-weekend as this brings quite a lot of tourists to Munich, mainly from Germany and the neighbouring countries. This tourism-boost will be even stronger when the weather is fine on that weekend.
Average sunshine hours (5 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (13.5°C/56°F to 3°C/37.5°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
May
May is usually the first month of the year where it is possible to do all kinds of outdoor activities. Often the weather conditions are good and temperatures are perfect. In the last years we could also see the first heat wave in May bringing the temperatures up to 25°C/77°F. Unfortunately these heat waves come and go quickly, which stresses your body. It’s normal during such a period that the temparture may rise from around 10°C/50°F to 25°C/77°F. This is an increase of 15°C/27°F sometimes within 24 hours!
The good side is the clear sky, and the summer feeling. May can therefore feel (at least during a heat wave) like summer but with lower hotel prices.
During May many flowers are in full bloom, so you won’t get disappointed when taking photos.
My recommendation:
May is a perfect month for traveling to Munich. Beer gardens are open, in and outdoor sightseing is possible and it can feel like summer when the weather conditions are good.
Average sunshine hours (4 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (19°C/66°F to 8°C/46.5°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
June
June is a very good month for a trip to Munich. During June, you will have daylight from about 5 am to 10 pm which gives you the opportunity not only to do sightseeing and daytrips but you can also enjoy an evening in the beer garden or see the sunset in a rooftop bar. The weather is usually quite stable and temperatures are really ok. Sometimes, June also brings hot summer temperatures and heat waves up to 30°C/86°F for a couple of days. The chance of (severe) thunderstorms rises with the temperatures.
End of May or beginning June is also the rollout for the tourism-high-season in Munich starting with Pentecost/Whitsunday. Most Europeans do have a two weeks break around Pentecost, so you will find quite a lot of tourists (usually Germans and Europeans) in Munich.
My recommendation: June is an ideal month to do sightseeing in the city. It’s often warm, but usually not too hot. The city is not packed with tourists yet and if you decide to explore the city in depth you can really feel like a local. In my opinion, June is the best month to visit Munich.
Average sunshine hours (4 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (22°C/72°F to 11°C/52°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
July
July is the month in Munich where you see a big boost in tourism. Tourists everywhere. Especially after July 4th, you will encounter lot’s of guests from the USA, but also China, Russia and Arabic countries. In July the city feels fuller and fuller. Especially towards the end of July this feeling intensifies, as all European countries, but also the USA, are on holiday. Munich is a popular destination, as day trips to the Alps or Austria can also be made from here. The weather in July is mostly stable and there are only few rainy days. In Munich July is actually the real summer month. Everything is open, you can enjoy the beer gardens and cafés, go hiking, go sightseeing by bike or just spend the day at one of the lakes.
My recommendation: A warm, sunny day in July offers countless possibilities. I would start the day with a nice Bavarian breakfast and then do a sightseeing tour on foot through the city. Afterwards I would get a coffee or a refreshing beverage and watch the surfers at the Eisbach creek. In the evening I would go to a beer garden and enjoy the atmosphere.
Average sunshine hours (6 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (24°C/75°F to 13°C/55.5°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
August
You’d think August would be the real summer month. In Munich this is unfortunately only true to a limited extent. The first part of the month is as warm as July and it feels like summer. From August 15th, however, one often has the feeling that autumn is already in the preparations. In the morning you will open the window and breathe in cool, fresh air. In the evening, it quickly gets cooler again, even if it was a nice, sunny and warm day. Also the number of rainy days rises in comparison to July. Nevertheless August is a month in which still a large number of tourists from all over the world visit Munich. Therefore the city still feels very full. You can experience the same things as in July, e.g. going to the beer garden, day trips or sightseeing.
My recommendation: August is an ideal month for excursions to the Bavarian lakes or the Alps. Especially from mid August on, you can often enjoy a great view from the alpine peaks. If you always wanted to hike in the Alps, you should do it now. The weather is mostly stable, and the probability of thunderstorms decreases compared to the previous month.
Also the number of tourists in the city decreases, albeit slowly.
Average sunshine hours (6 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (24°C/75°F to 12.5°C/54.5°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
September
September in Munich is divided. At the beginning of September the number of tourists drops quite strongly, since most European holidays end. Munich then has a short off-season. From mid-September the numbers will rise again, as the Oktoberfest is imminent. Oktoberfest usually begins every year between September 20th and 25th. It usually ends around October 3rd.
At the latest with the beginning of the Oktoberfest the city is fully booked. Those who need a hotel room now, pay either a lot of money (hotels sometimes triple the prices) or accept the fact to accomodate, far outside of the city.
If you are one of those visitors who don’t necessarily need to come for Oktoberfest or prefer to experience a quiet, not overcrowded city, then I recommend either to avoid September completely or at least to visit Munich between the last days of August and September 15th.
Interestingly, the weather conditions during Oktoberfest are often quite good. It is often sunny, but you will feel that summer has come to an end and autumn is near. You will definitely need a jacket in the evening and the leaves on the trees begin to change their colour to yellow, red and brown.
My recommendation: Oktoberfest of course :-). But you can also enjoy hiking in a landscape with changing coulours. This produces stunning views and picture worthy scenes to enjoy. The beer gardens are still open and it is a great feeling to sit in the warm evening sun having a drink and a bite. It is also a great time to see Munich off the beaten path while having a walking tour through the city.
Average sunshine hours (5 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (18.5°C/65°F to 8.5°C/47°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
October
After the first week of October, tourism in Munich calms down quite quickly. October is therefore the month in which you won’t see tourist masses anymore. Everything becomes less hectic and a bit of cosiness returns. Unfortunately, October also shows that summer is finally over and that nature is slowly preparing for winter. The leaves fall and the sunny days are no longer particularly warm. It also gets dark quite early, so that in the evening hours of the day you can only do limited sightseeing. Also the beer gardens close for the winter season. The weather conditions change significantly. There are a lot more days with rain. In late October there is also a chance to see the first snow. Anyway, October can be a bargain month as the hotel prices cool down after the Oktoberfest peak.
My recommendation: Shortly after Oktoberfest, the city comes to rest. The weather conditions can still be quite good and it is possible to see the so called “golden autumn” (indian summer) in Munich. So October 5th to 15th can be a great time for visiting Munich, but check the weather conditions before booking your trip.
Average sunshine hours (4 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (14°C/57°F to 5°C/41°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
November
In my opinion, November is the worst month for a visit to Munich. The weather is usually cloudy and rainy. In addition there are relatively low temperatures, so sightseeing outside is only possible with winter clothes. Basically, it is difficult to pursue any outdoor activities. Of course, it is still possible to go hiking in the Alps on a nice day, but you should be aware that in the mountains an onset of winter may have already taken place.
There are only a few tourists in the city and also most of the citizens are working as it is not worth to use up days of vacation for such unpleasant conditions. The best things in November are the stunning sunsets (quite early). The foggy and partially cloudy air produces nice red, yellow and golden colours and you can feel the winter season in the fresh rainy air.
My recommendation: Try to avoid visiting Munich in November. The Christmas Markets are not open yet, the weather conditions are usually bad and it is quite cold. Sightseeing is actually limited to indoor things like museums or galleries. November isn’t a good month to visit Munich.
Average sunshine hours (3 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (6,5°C/44°F to -0°C/32°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):
December
For travelers who enjoy Christmas markets and the Christmas season, December is the best time to travel. Around December 1st, all Christmas markets in the city open their gates. You can see traditional nativity scenes, buy Christmas tree decorations, enjoy mulled wine and gingerbread and be captivated by the Christmas feeling. The whole city gets into a Christmas mood. There aren’t as much tourists in the city as in the boosting summer months, but the number is still high, especially in the two weeks before Christmas. Fascinatingly, the wetaher conditions are often fine and it feels more like autumn than winter. White Christmas in Munich is quite seldom as significant amounts of snow will only fall from late December on until February.
Sightseeing is a bit limited due to the cold temperatures, but lot’s of stalls are offering mulled wine, coffee and hot meals, so you can handle the temperature better. it’s also great fun to do window shopping in the city.
My recommendation: Visit a few Christmas Markets in the city. The main Christmas Market in the city center is quite stunning, but also the tiny ones like in Haidhausen or Pasing district are really nice and can be a contrast to the big one. But try to avoid the inner city on the Advent-Saturdays (four Saturdays before Christmas). The inner city will be overcrowded as lots of tourists and also locals hunting Christmas presents will be there.
Average sunshine hours (2 hrs.):
Daylight max.:
Temperature range (3°C/37.5°F to -3°C/26.5°F):
Tourists in the city (density):
Outdoor activities (walking, cycling, beergardening):
Hotel prices (5 stars = very high):
Stress factor (5 stars = very high):