Charming things to do in Munich in December [including Christmas Market]
Last Updated on October 26, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex
In the second part of 2012, one of my friends asked me if I would like to join her in December at the Christmas Market in Munich. That was before the Bavarian city became my second home for several years. At the time, I had no idea about the place, especially about things to do in Munich in winter.
My first reaction was, “Why Munich?”. Believe it or not, I hadn’t considered Germany a holiday destination in those days.
Eventually, I decided to go. Little did I know that it was the beginning of a life-long love affair.
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Table of Contents
- Things to do in Munich in Winter
- Where to stay in Munich (hotels near Munich Christmas Market)
- Getting to Munich
- Is Munich cold during winter?
- Munich Christmas Market
- Top things to do in Munich in Winter
- What to pack for winter in Munich
- Where to eat in Munich during winter
Things to do in Munich in Winter
Where to stay in Munich (hotels near Munich Christmas Market)
Jaeger’s Hotel/Hostel
Since we were a group of 4 people looking for cheap accommodation in an expensive town, we decided to get a room in a hostel right across the street from the central train station (Hauptbahnhof).
The hostel turned out to be one of the cleanest, most well-located, and coolest hostels I’ve ever been to. It had free Wi-Fi, a good breakfast, and a bar where we could enjoy a glass of wine.
Find out when they’re free here!
In the years since, I have visited Munich countless times for business and pleasure, staying in several hotels and apartments.
Based on my experience, I suggest one of the following hotels:
Derag Livinghotel am Viktualienmarkt
Located in the heart of the city in the Viktualienmarkt area, the hotel overlooks the beautiful, busy market.
Tip: If you get tired of German food, try the small Asian restaurant next to the hotel. Try the Vietnamese soup and the coconut chicken curry. You won’t regret it!
Book your stay with them here!
Mercure Hotel München Altstadt
When I traveled for work, I often stayed at one of the Mercure hotels, but I preferred the options closer to the office.
This hotel is a good choice since you want to be in the heart of town. It blends the good services of a chain hotel with a great location. Marienplatz is only a few steps away.
Take a look at their rooms here!
Hôtel du Train
This small, affordable hotel, close to the Ubahn Sendlinger Tor stop, will have you located just a short walk from the main city square and Christmas Market. You can wander around the shops guiding you towards Marienplatz and admire the Sendlinger Tor and the beautiful buildings.
Book your stay with them here!
For more details, read my comprehensive list of the best places to stay in Munich, including an overview of each area and available hotels.
Booking.comGetting to Munich
By plane
Fly to Munich Airport and take the fast train, the bus, or a taxi to the city center.
It is worth knowing, especially when you go towards the airport, that the S8 train is faster than the S1, and the ride lasts around 40 minutes (depending on the station you take the train from). The train ride by S1 lasts a little bit over one hour.
You can buy the Stripe ticket or the single ticket from the airport vending machine and validate it before hopping on the train, or you can order the MunichCityTour Card beforehand online.
If you have a lot of luggage or want to travel comfortably, book a private transfer from or to Munich Airport.
Alternatively, fly to Memmingen Airport. It specializes mainly in low-cost lines. Get to town by taxi, train (~1 hour from Bahnhof Memmingen station), or bus. Check options here!
By train
Munich is an important train hub in Germany and Europe, so getting here by train is easy.
The central train station (Munich Hauptbahnhof) is minutes from the city center. You can also take the U-Bahn (Underground) directly from the train station.
Depending on the area you choose to stay in Munich, you can also get off at Ostbahnhof (the East Train Station), which is only 3 U-Bahn stops away from Marienplatz.
By bus
While I never came to Munich by bus, I have been on several day trips to Germany or Austria by Flixbus.
Munich’s central bus station is at Hackerbrücke U-Bahn and S-Bahn station, one stop from the train station. Thus, it is near the city center.
Is Munich cold during winter?
Looking at the pictures now, it all looks great, but it did not feel that way back then.
It was cold—very, very cold! It was certainly not the time for walking around for up to 10 hours daily. Temperatures in Munich in December tend to get below 0 degrees Celsius, and snow is expected.
It was so cold that on the third day, we could not take it anymore and bought a bottle of schnapps, taking a sip now and then to get warm.
These days, we walk less and take shelter in coffee shops and restaurants when we need a respite. But then, we were eager to see as much as possible and had very slim budgets.
My advice is to pack warm clothes and winter boots.
Munich Christmas Market
Most people head to Munich in winter because of its world-famous Christmas Market, which usually opens on the last weekend of November and runs until the 24th of December.
Contrary to what the name might suggest, there isn’t only one specific market but a collection of them. Wandering from one smaller market to another is one of the best things to do in Munich in December.
From the most popular and largest Christmas Market in Marienplatz to the enchanted places around the Chinesischer Turn in the English Garden and the handcrafts and culinary delights in the Theresienwiese, Munich won’t disappoint.
Top things to do in Munich in Winter
No matter how many days you choose to spend in town, I’ve assembled a map with Munich’s most important winter attractions. Once you see them all laid out on “paper,” you can plan an itinerary more easily.
Returning to my first trip, we ticked many travel destinations off our list (even though it was cold outside).
Try Bavarian cuisine at the Christmas Market and beyond!
The Christmas Market was stupendous!
If you have a sweet tooth, you will surely be overwhelmed by all the choices out there: all the different sweets, gingerbread full of almonds and chocolate, the smell of hazelnuts in caramel, baked apples, meringues, and numerous other sweetmeats.
And that’s not all. Christmas ornaments, mulled wine, freshly baked chestnuts, pretzels, and sausages make it impossible to keep track of your calorie count. You will feel like a child once again.
The city center is full of these little wooden houses from which all sorts of delicious aromas emanate.
We had 4 days to get to know the Bavarian capital and taste German cuisine (e.g., weisswurst, bratwurst, käsewurst, schnitzel, and kartoffelsalat), all accompanied by exquisite local beer.
To be fair, it was only later that I tasted the ultimate blend of world cuisine and culture: the currywurst!
Yeah, the Germans love their sausages (wurst = sausage). I prefer the delicious Bavarian pretzel (called breze, in the local dialect) with butter.
The English Garden (Englischer Garten)
It is a vast park in the middle of the city.
The main points of interest are the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower), right next to a small beer garden; the guys surfing on the Isar River, no matter the season (I am serious, they were surfing in the freezing weather); and the Japanese Teahouse.
The entire area around the English Garden, especially the Schwabing neighborhood, is very posh. I love wandering these streets every time I am in the city.
Moreover, you’ll find some of the best restaurants and cafes in this area.
Marienplatz and the Rathaus (Town Hall)
This was the central hub for the Christmas Market and, of course, the most crowded one, especially at 11 a.m. when the clock in the Glockenspiel became the main attraction.
We went to the New Townhall’s Tower and admired the city from 85 meters above. You should try it! Just remember that you will need to take an elevator to the 9th floor and pay a fee.
Even though it was windy on top, the view was worth it! I’ve since been there several times and would go again if given the chance.
You will find it open during the week until 5 pm in December.
You can also take a walking tour and learn more about Munich and its history. Here are two great options:
Munich Residenz
I have never been inside (not even now, after having spent months, if not years, in the city), but I am told it is an excellent museum. It served as the seat of government and residence of the Bavarian dukes, electors, and kings from 1508 to 1918. You can easily spend half a day there.
- Attend a Munich Residenz Concert – it’s inside!
BMW Museum
We could not miss this, although I am not really into expensive cars!
We spent hours at the BMW Museum and the car gallery, where we played around.
At one point, two motorcycle guys drove up the stairs in the car showroom. It was quite a show.
I have to admit that after the visit, I decided to own a BMW sports car one day.
Hofbräuhaus
We had to try the beer at the oldest beer hall in Munich. Sure, everything is über expensive and very commercial, but it’s one of Munich’s attractions you must visit during winter.
The beerhouse dates from 1589 and was open to the general public in 1828. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived around the block from the beer hall in the late eighteenth century.
In 1919, the Munich Communist government set up headquarters in the beer hall.
In February 1920, Adolf Hitler and his fledgling Nazis held their first meeting in the Festsaal.
For some reason, the political extremists on both sides saw something in this beer hall.
Are Munich beer gardens open in winter?
Unfortunately, beer gardens aren’t open during winter in Munich. However, almost all important places in town have covered areas where you can spend time on cold days.
Viktualienmarkt
It is a food market in the city’s center, where you can find everything from meat, local dairy, flowers, and fish to mulled wine and snacks. We sat at a small booth and enjoyed mulled wine and finger food.
No matter the season, and even after all these years, this is my top choice for spending a chill weekend morning or a fun rainy afternoon.
You can always choose to take a Viktualienmarkt 2-Hour Gourmet Food Tour.
Maximilianeum
A stately building housing the state parliament since 1949. The view from the bridge over the Isar River is charming in all seasons.
Isartor
One of the four main gates of the medieval city wall.
Nymphenburg Palace
Even though you can opt only for a Palace tour since the beautiful gardens hidden behind the palace are closed during the winter season, you won’t regret getting there.
It’s easily accessible (take tram number 17 from Central Station, and you’ll be there in no time) and relatively close to the city center.
Here are two options to take into consideration when you want to see the Palace specially:
Go on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour
Another great way to spend a cold winter day in Munich and get around from one place to another is by booking a hop-on-hop-off bus tour.
You will be inside, sheltered by the cold, while enjoying the city’s magnificent sights and learning about its architecture and history from the audio guide.
Book your 1-day or 2-day tour here!
All of the above were the things we have managed to fit into our trip, but of course, this is not everything you can do and see in and around Munich. Fate offered me the chance to see the city in every season, and I eventually fell in love with it.
Based on my experience, I prepared a comprehensive list of day trips you can do from Munich.
What to pack for winter in Munich
One thing I’ve learned from traveling to Munich so many times is that you cannot trust the weather!
That’s why the best way to prepare for cold winter days, snow, or rain is to wear many layers of clothing.
I also suggest bringing your heaviest jacket, gloves, wool socks, a scarf, something to cover your head, and your best boots. Don’t forget an umbrella and an easy-to-carry backpack that won’t keep your hands busy.
Where to eat in Munich during winter
Love it or hate it, Bavarian food is undoubtedly unique, and you must try some of the local products. In winter, there are also some hip coffee and brunch places to visit in Munich.
Here are 3 of my favorite stops whenever I am in Munich:
Cafe Luitpold – featured several times in the Michelin Guide- is the place to go for delicious coffee and state-of-the-art chocolate.
Cotidiano – for all you brunch lovers out there. Choose between the 4 locations in Munich and spend quality time in a great location with delicious food.
Victorian Haus – another brunch place with 2 locations in the inner circle and another two very close by.
And also, here are a few things worth tasting at the Christmas Market in Munich:
- Glühwein or mulled wine will keep you warm and enchant your taste buds with lots of winter spices. Remember that you will be requested to pay a small deposit for the mug, but you will get the money back once you return the colorful cup. You also have the option to keep the cup for the deposit price.
- Gingerbread – I must honestly say the best gingerbread I’ve ever tasted was in Munich. At the Christmas Market, gingerbread comes in festive decorations as well, and you can choose one in the shape of Santa Claus or different decorations that can be hung in your tree at home.
- Roasted nuts—Once you approach Marienplatz, a strong, sweet smell will lure you toward the wooden houses, where you discover delicious roasted nuts.
- German fruit bread is a sweet bread filled with dried fruit, similar to the panettone, which you must try when visiting Italy in winter.
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