Where to stay in Munich: the best hotels and neighborhoods

Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex

After traveling to Bavaria’s capital on and off for years, I’ve decided to share my experience and recommend the best place to stay in Munich.

Munich can be challenging for first-time visitors, and I’m here to help you.

The German town is a nature lover’s paradise, and it is also packed with history-infused streets, museums, and attractions. Whether you spend 2 days in Munich or come to the Munich Christmas Market, you’ll love it. However, knowing where to stay in Munich is valuable information, depending on what you’re looking for. 

Since I worked for a German company headquartered in Munich, I returned repeatedly. Thus, I also tested several hotels during shorter and longer stays.

Read further, and let me introduce you to the best area to stay in Munich, the best places to stay in Munich, and my top picks for the best hotels I’ve stayed in Munich.

One piece of advice: make sure to book your stay in Munich as early as you can. I know from experience that prices tend to increase significantly if you book from one day to another. Moreover, it can get tricky to find a room sometimes. And that’s because there is always something going on in the city.

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Table of Contents
  1. Best place to stay in Munich
    1. In a hurry? Here are my top 3 hotels in Munich I’ve stayed at
      1. Best Western Atrium Hotel
      2. Mercure Neuperlac Sud
      3. Mercure München City Center
    2. The best area to stay in Munich
      1. Alt-Stadt – Lehel
        1. Luxury $$$
        2. Mid-Range $$
        3. Budget $
      2. Ludwigvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
        1. Mid-Range $$
        2. Budget $
      3. Glockenbachviertel
        1. Mid-Range $$
        2. Budget $
      4. Maxvorstadt
        1. Mid-Range $$
        2. Budget $
      5. Au-Haidhausen
        1. Mid-Range $$
        2. Budget $
      6. Schwabing
        1. Mid – Range $$
        2. Budget $

Best place to stay in Munich

In a hurry? Here are my top 3 hotels in Munich I’ve stayed at

Why is this list different from most of you’ll find online? I’ve stayed at these hotels for at least one night and will share my honest impressions.

While I’ve also experienced awful hotels in Munich, some nice ones await you to discover. Let me help you out.

Even though I traveled for work and sometimes picked the hotel’s location according to my office’s location, I always traveled around town for tourist activities, no matter how many times I’d seen the city.

So, if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to read through, here are my top 3 hotels in Munich I’ve stayed at:

Best Western Atrium Hotel

This hotel has a great location, only a few steps away from the Theresienwiese Underground (U), which makes it perfect for visiting during Oktoberfest.

Munich’s Hauptbahnhof (train station) is only a few minutes away, and the city center is also within walking distance.  

One of the things I loved most about this place was the small garden hidden in the interior of the building, where I used to drink my morning coffee. Additionally, the hotel has an underground parking space, which you must book in advance for an extra fee.

Check when they’re available and book your room here!

Mercure Neuperlac Sud

This is one hotel I’ve stayed at many times throughout the years. Admittedly, it was within walking distance from my office at the time, but I booked it often because I liked the hotel.

Yes, it is far from the city center, but the U5 line will bring you to Lehel in about 20 minutes. Furthermore, the price is affordable for a 4* hotel.

I liked the spacious rooms, the excellent breakfast variety, and the fact that I would almost always find an available room for an affordable price.

Book your room here!

Mercure München City Center

The hotel is perfect for your first visit to Munich because of its location right in the city center.

It is steps away from Munich’s Central Train Station and a short walk from Marienplatz. It is best for those who don’t want to waste time commuting to Munich’s main attractions. 

The downside is, of course, the price of a room. And Munich can be pricy at times. Especially during Oktoberfest, but not only. 

Check out prices here! 

Things to know before visiting Munich

The best area to stay in Munich

I know it can be overwhelming to find the best area to stay in Munich, so I’m here to help you out with a few words about some of the most tourist-friendly neighborhoods.

Alt-Stadt – Lehel

Munich’s Old Town, the Alt-Stadt, is the perfect location for visiting Munich for the first time. Most of the tourist attractions in Munich on your bucket list will be located in this area, so choosing a hotel here will enable you to be efficient. 

When visiting Munich during winter, all the Christmas Market areas will be located here. Staying close to them would be a good idea since Munich can get really cold.

The upside is that choosing a hotel in the Old Town puts you steps away from Marienplatz, Viktualienmarket, the Old Townhall, the Residenz Museum, or the Hofbrauhaus. 

Gleichzeitig, the area is the most expensive for hotels in Munich. But it is totally worth it if you can afford it.

best area to stay in Munich
Luxury $$$

Mandarin Oriental Munich

One of the most luxurious hotels in Munich, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel is only a few steps away from Munich’s top attractions and will have you staying in style. If you don’t choose to stay here, come only for a cocktail on the rooftop terrace. I was charmed by the skyline view. 

Book your luxury room here!

BEYOND by Geisel

I have rarely seen a hotel with a 5 rating on TripAdvisor, but this hotel is one of those unicorns. When I checked out the rooms at BEYOND I started to understand why: it is a new hotel, you cannot get a better location than that, and people who stayed here were super happy with the services received. 

Check it out yourself here!

Mid-Range $$

Platzl Hotel

Apart from its perfect location in the heart of Munich, guests enjoyed the great Bavarian breakfast and excellent service—all at a more convenient price. 

See when they are available here!

Budget $

Hotel Am Markt

Even though a budget stay in this area of Munich might not be as cheap as you would expect, this place is still close to everything and is located in one of my favorite areas to explore whenever I’m there. Offering small rooms, guests were happy with the hotel’s location and the variety of food and drink options steps away.

Check out the prices here!

Ludwigvorstadt-Isarvorstadt

This area is cheaper and has excellent connections outside of Alt-Stadt. It is also one of Munich’s hip areas, where plenty of bars offer local craft beer and great options for a night out. 

You also want to stay in this place during Oktoberfest because Theresienwise is steps away.

Upside: It’s a great location for day trips by train and for seeing Munich’s main attractions at a more affordable price.  

Downside: Some streets might look shabby, especially when moving closer to the train station, but this is just an impression – Munich is safe. Also, during Oktoberfest (the second part of September, the first week of October), prices could get crazy.  

Mid-Range $$

I already recommended the Best Western Atrium Hotel ($$) at the top of this post. In addition, I suggest you check out the Mercure München City Center ($$).

Check out their prices here!

I’ve also tried GHotel Munich City in this area. It is near the Best Western, but it is a bit cheaper. It is a basic but good hotel, especially when looking for a suitable location at an affordable price.

Check out their prices here!

Budget $

Another affordable place I stayed in when visiting Munich with a group of friends is Jaeger´s Munich (Hotel/Hostel).

It is a hostel, and we stayed in a room for four people, but I was surprised at how clean it was. I also loved the perfect location, which enabled us to see almost everything on foot, the common area, and the delicious breakfast. 

Book this hostel here!

Glockenbachviertel

It is one of my favorite city areas and one of the best places to stay in Munich. This is the city’s hippest and most gentrified area. Close to the Isar River, with tens of bars and international cuisine restaurants, stay here when you want to live in Munich at its best. 

Fraunhoferstrasse is the place to go for a relaxing, fun night out.

Upside: walking distance to most of the tourist attractions, fun area.

Downside: not so many accommodation options to choose from.

Mid-Range $$

Hotel Olympic

It is a small and cozy bed & breakfast in a good spot along the Isar River.

It is the perfect place for art lovers since the hotel has an art exhibition which changes every other month. Guests appreciated how open and helpful the hotel’s staff was, something not very easy to find. 

Book your stay here!

The Flushing Meadows Hotel

The hotel is for aficionados who appreciate the attention to detail, design,, and personalized service.

It is situated on the top two floors of an industrial building in Munich’s most vibrant neighborhood, and some of the rooms have amazing views.

Guests liked that each room had its distinctive design and bar, where they enjoyed great cocktails.

Check out their rooms here!

Budget $

Hotel Gio

It is a budget hotel, and you get what you pay for. The design is excellent, and the hotel has a Mediterranean feel. I’ve stayed here for a week.

My main complaint was that it smelled of cooking because my room was probably above the kitchen area.

However, the price was ok, and the location was terrific. So, I recommend it if you aren’t finicky and looking for a good deal.

Check out their rooms here.

Maxvorstadt

This area begins at Odeonsplatz, close to most of Munich’s Instagrammable places and principal tourist attractions.

Furthermore, this is where Munich’s University is. Thus, you’ll also find plenty of clubs and bars where the youngsters hang out.

And, of course, Augustiner Keller’s famous beer garden is in the neighborhood. 

Upside: location, location, location! And some fantastic brunch places around. Perfect for art and museum lovers.

Downside: it might be a bit more expensive than other locations.

Mid-Range $$

Hotel im Hof

A hotel with great reviews, providing an ideal mix of value, comfort, and convenience. It offers a family-friendly setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers. 

Check it out here!

Budget $

KING’s HOTEL Center

Ideally located, the hotel has a traditional Bavarian design. What I like most about this place is its garden.

Check out their design here!

Au-Haidhausen

On the other side of the Isar River, this area offers a few options close to the city center and further away.

Munich East Train Station connects this area to the city center, Munich Airport, and other destinations you might want to see when in Munich. You will also find plenty of chain hotels and great restaurants for the foodie. 

Upside: lower prices, still close to the city center.

Downside: it might not be the place for you if you prefer to stay near bars or clubs.

Mid-Range $$

Hilton Munich City

We’ve booked our car for our Germany Romantic Road trip from this hotel.

The location is excellent and well-connected to the city center and the airport. We walked from Wiener Platz with our luggage in tow.

Apart from its location, this hotel is in a quiet neighborhood with plenty of greenery. It also has a back garden to enjoy a drink or coffee.

Book your stay here!

Motel One München – Deutsches Museum

Motel One is a chain I always check out whenever I travel to Europe because it offers trendy designs at affordable prices.

This one is next to the Hilton I recommended above, but it is more affordable.

Guests praised the comfortable beds, hotel decoration, and varied breakfast options. 

Don’t expect extra spacious rooms; most European cities have rather small apartments and hotel rooms.

Check out their room here!

Budget $

mk hotel münchen max-weber-platz

It is an affordable hotel in a great location. Just a few steps away is the Max-Weber-Platz U Bahn station, which connects you to the city center.

Expect a self-check-in after the lobby hours and a relatively small and cozy hotel. 

See when they are free here!

Schwabing

Whenever I’m in Munich, I enjoy strolling in the Schwabing area. It may be because this is where my love affair with Munich started years ago, but I’m sure it’s not only that. 

This is a great residential area with lots of beautiful houses to admire. Everything is green, and the English Garden is just a few steps away. 

There are also plenty of great restaurants I always go back to, hip brunch places, and cafes, plenty of them along Leopoldstrasse.

The Schwabing area is known as being one of the most popular areas frequented by artists, so you can imagine it is pleasing to the eye.

Upside: centrally located but still quiet and green.

Downside: it can be pricy.

Mid – Range $$

Hotel Biederstein

Just steps from the English Garden, this hotel is simple yet great value for money.

Guests loved the area’s greenery, the great staff services, and the perfect location.

Note that the hotel does not have AC, so it might be worth checking the weather forecast before booking a stay during summer.

See their rooms here!

Budget $

Mercure Hotel München-Schwabing

It is a simple hotel in an excellent location for an affordable price, considering the area.

Tip: Don’t book the breakfast at the hotel; walk around the area, and you’ll find plenty of great cafes serving breakfast and brunch. 

Check out their prices here!

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