Munich
Germany · Country profile
Munich is Bavaria’s handsome, green capital, a city of beer gardens, grand squares and Alpine views that somehow manages to be both serious and cheerful at once. The Glockenspiel, the royal residences and the church towers cluster in the historic centre, while the Englischer Garten — one of Europe’s largest city parks — runs rivers, lawns and surf waves right through the city. The museums along the art mile, the Viktualienmarkt food market and the white-and-gold Nymphenburg palace round out the classic circuit, and the beer halls and gardens give the city its famous social rhythm. In winter the surrounding Alps and ski slopes turn into a playground an hour from the centre.
About Munich
Munich is a city in Germany. The city's documented population is around 1,590,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and German is spoken; the dialling code is +49. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Munich Airport.
Beer Gardens, Glockenspiel and the Green Heart of Bavaria
Munich is a spacious, well-kept, beer-loving capital with a genuinely Bavarian character that shows in the food, the festivals and the gardens. It is a place you walk gently and eat and drink in public: the beer garden is the living room of the city in summer. The centre is compact and the museums are among Europe’s best, but the city’s rhythm is relaxed — even the business district feels calm. The Alps appear on the horizon on clear days, and the whole southern region — lakes, towns and mountain rail — is day-trip country. It is formal, orderly and hugely welcoming at the same time.
Beer-Hall Tables, Museum Cards and the Oktoberfest Window
Book museum tickets online for the Pinakotheks and the Residenz in summer, and reserve a table at the biggest beer halls for evenings and weekends. Oktoberfest takes over the city in late September and the first half of October — plan hotels months ahead or time your visit outside it. Winter is cold and dark but bright with Christmas markets; from May the garden season opens and the beer gardens surge. The city is practical with a S-Bahn and U-Bahn network and a close-by airport. Cards are widely accepted, and the day-trip wonders — Neuschwanstein, the lakes — are best reached by train.
The U-Bahn, the Englischer Garten and Sunday Closures
The U-Bahn and S-Bahn make the centre effortless, but the city is walkable and the Englischer Garten is best on foot or by bike. The "Isar Surf" at the river in the Englischer Garten is a mini-surf spot in the middle of the city. Beer is drunk from one-litre steins in the halls and half-litres in the gardens, and the food is hearty: sausages, dumplings, pretzels and roast. Sunday is the quietest day, when shops close — plan for Saturday errands. The Oktoberfest may be the world’s biggest folk festival, but the year-round beer gardens are the true Munich. Learn to say "Mass" for a litre and you’ll fit right in.
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- Country
- Germany
- Population
- 1,590,000
- Coordinates
- 48.3538, 11.7861
- Capital
- Berlin
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- German
- Calling code
- +49
- Country code
- DE
Entry requirements for Germany
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Germany for tourism.
Getting to Munich
Airports we list for Munich:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Germany
Other cities we cover in Germany:
Frequently asked questions
Is Munich the capital of Germany?
No — the capital of Germany is Berlin.
What currency do I need in Munich?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Germany include German.
What is the dialling code for Germany?
The international dialling code for Germany is +49.
Which airport should I fly into for Munich?
Munich Airport (MUC) is the airport we list for Munich.
How far is Munich from the nearest airport?
Munich is about 300 km from Frankfurt Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Germany?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Germany visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Munich? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.