Is Munich Worth Visiting? Pros, Cons & What to Expect

If you’re planning a trip to Germany, you might be wondering if Munich is worth adding to your itinerary. I recently spent a few days here during our trip through Bavaria, and I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy the city compared to the smaller towns and mountain areas we visited.

As it turns out, I really enjoyed Munich! But I also don’t think you need to spend a ton of time here to get a feel for the city.

So, is Munich worth visiting? Absolutely. But whether you should spend two days or several depends on what you want to see and do.

Is Munich Worth Visiting? My Honest Take After Visiting

If you’re planning a trip to Germany and your flight is into Munich, you might be wondering if Munich is actually worth adding to your itinerary. This is exactly the question I was asking myself recently while planning my trip to Bavaria. I decided to spend a few days in Munich, and I’m glad I did. We explored the city on foot, visited a few churches, wandered through Viktualienmarkt, and spent some time at a few museums. Like any city, Munich could be crowded at times, but I never felt like it was too much. In fact, I felt like there were fewer people in Munich than when I visited Florence around the same time the previous year.

While I really enjoyed Munich, it wasn’t necessarily my favorite destination in Germany. I enjoyed seeing the architecture, eating delicious Bavarian food, and exploring the city on foot. However, I think after more than two days, I’d be ready to move on to the next place.

That being said, if you really enjoy museums, cities in general, and plan to take a few day trips outside of the city, Munich could be the perfect home base for a week-long trip.

So, is Munich worth visiting? Yes, I think it can be, especially if you enjoy history, food, beer gardens, architecture, and having easy access to day trips. But how much time you spend there matters.

Pros of Visiting Munich

It’s Easy to Explore on Foot

A major pro of Munich is how walkable the city is and easy it is to get around! We stayed just outside of the city center, by central station, and felt like it was easy to get around on foot. Definitely pack comfortable shoes though, because you will be doing a lot of walking! If you want to head outside of the city, you can easily take the train or bus.

Munich Has Beautiful Architecture

One of the things I really enjoyed about Munich was simply walking around and looking at the buildings. The city has a mix of architectural styles, so even when you’re just walking from one attraction to another, there always seems to be another beautiful building to stop and look at. One of the most iconic buildings is Frauenkirche, a church that was built in the 1400s.

I don’t know that I would plan an entire trip to Munich around architecture, but it definitely added to my experience of the city. Walking through Marienplatz, passing the Frauenkirche, and turning down smaller streets where you suddenly come across another ornate church or historic building made exploring Munich feel like part of the experience itself.

The Food Is Worth the Trip

One of my favorite parts of visiting Munich was getting to try some traditional Bavarian food. If you’re visiting for the first time, I definitely recommend making time for at least one traditional German meal. Even if you’re not normally someone who seeks out local food when traveling, it’s part of the Munich experience.

You’ll see pretzels, sausages, and other traditional Bavarian dishes all over the city. And of course, beer is a big part of the food culture here. If you’re not a big beer drinker, I recommend trying a Radler. It’s a mix of beer and sparkling lemonade with a lower alcohol content, making it a refreshing option, especially on a warm day! You don’t have to go looking for a fancy restaurant either. Some of the best experiences can be as simple as sitting down at a traditional beer hall or stopping by Viktualienmarkt to grab something to eat.

One of the best meals we had was at Augustiner Klosterwirt near the city center. It was a little more expensive than some of the casual food options around Munich, but it was a fun place to sit down and enjoy a traditional meal while exploring the city.

I also still think about this delicious cheese pretzel we had at the train station. It was a giant pretzel with Brie cheese in the middle, and it was so good! I was actually looking forward to getting another one when we stopped by the station on our way to the airport, but unfortunately, they weren’t serving them yet. I was so disappointed!

Munich Is a Great Base for Day Trips

If you’re wanting to see more of Bavaria but prefer to stay in one place, Munich is a great option! While I personally stayed in those location I’m visiting, Munich is a convenient base for exploring more of Bavaria.

Neuschwanstein Castle is about 2 hours away, with plenty of tour options. Zugspitze and Garmisch-Partenkirchen are around 1.5 hours away and can be reached by train or with a tour group. You can also take a day trip to Berchtesgaden to see more of the Bavarian Alps.

So while I chose to stay in places like Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Berchtesgaden rather than visit them as day trips, Munich would be a great option if you would rather have one hotel and use it as a home base for exploring the region.

Cons of Visiting Munich

You Probably Don’t Need More Than a Few Days

For most first-time visitors, I think 2–3 days is a good amount of time to see Munich without feeling rushed. We spent two days in the city, and I felt like we were able to see many of the main sights while still having time to slow down and enjoy the city.

You could easily spend longer here if you like museums, shopping, nightlife, or exploring cities at a slower pace. But if you’re more interested in seeing the Bavarian Alps, smaller towns, and the surrounding countryside, I’d consider using some of your time to explore outside Munich instead.

Personally, I preferred spending more time in places like Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Berchtesgaden rather than adding several extra days in Munich. Munich is a great city to visit, but for me, the mountains and smaller towns were the part of Bavaria I was most excited to explore.

That said, you won’t run out of things to do if Munich is your main destination. Two days is enough for a first visit. Three days gives you more time to explore at a slower pace or add another museum or activity.. If you have some extra time or want more ideas for your trip, check out my guide to 12 things to do in Munich for more inspiration.

It Can Get Crowded

Like most big cities, Munich can get a little crowded, especially around popular areas like Marienplatz and the main train station. That being said, I never felt like the crowds were overwhelming during my visit.

If you’re used to living in or visiting larger cities, the number of people probably won’t surprise you. But if you’re not used to big cities, you may be surprised by just how many people are out and about, especially in the busiest parts of the city and around major attractions.

What to Expect When Visiting Munich

How Many Days Do You Need in Munich?

As I mentioned, I don’t think you need too many days in Munich. For a first visit, I think two days is a great amount of time to see many of the major sights without feeling like you’re rushing. There were still a few things I didn’t get to see during my two days, though, so you could easily spend three days here if you want a slower pace or more time for museums and other attractions.

Personally, if I had extra days to spend in Bavaria, I’d rather use them to explore places like Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden, or other smaller towns and mountain areas. But if you’re planning a trip to Bavaria, I definitely recommend giving Munich at least a couple of days. It’s a great introduction to Bavaria and a convenient starting point for exploring the surrounding area.

If you’re planning your first visit to Munich, check out my 2 Days in Munich itinerary for ideas on how to spend your time once you arrive!

Is Munich Expensive?

Munich isn’t necessarily a cheap destination, but I found the prices to be pretty comparable to other large European cities. Like most major cities, you can find more affordable options if you’re willing to eat at casual restaurants and stay outside of the most expensive areas.

Accommodation will probably be one of your bigger expenses, especially if you’re visiting during a busy travel season. Where you stay can also make a difference in your overall experience. If you’re trying to decide which area to book, check out my guide on where to stay in Munich. Food and attractions can also add up, but I didn’t find Munich to be unusually expensive compared to other large cities I’ve visited.

Overall, I’d plan for Munich to have typical big-city prices rather than expecting it to be a particularly budget-friendly destination.

Who Should Visit Munich?

I think Munich is a great fit if you enjoy history, architecture, museums, and traditional food. You’ll also find plenty of beer gardens, markets, and other city attractions. You can easily fill a couple of days exploring the historic center and beyond.

Munich is also a great home base for exploring more of Bavaria. You can take day trips to places like Neuschwanstein, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Berchtesgaden. This lets you enjoy the city while also seeing more of the surrounding area.

On the other hand, you may want to spend less time in Munich if you prefer hiking, mountains, nature, or small towns. Munich has plenty to offer, but you may enjoy Bavaria’s smaller towns and Alpine areas more if you’re an outdoor person.

If you’re anything like me, you’d rather spend your vacation hiking through the Alps than exploring a city for several days. I’d still keep Munich on your itinerary, but I wouldn’t make it the entire trip. I enjoyed my time in Munich, but I preferred the mountain towns and outdoor experiences we had later in our Bavaria trip.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Munich

So, is Munich worth visiting? Yes, I think it is. I really enjoyed my time in Munich and I’m glad we included it in our Bavaria trip. I loved walking around the city, seeing the architecture, visiting the markets, and trying traditional Bavarian food.

At the same time, I don’t think I personally needed more than two days in Munich. After that, I was ready to trade the city streets for the mountains and smaller towns of Bavaria.

If you love cities, museums, history, and food, you could easily spend several days in Munich. It’s also a great base for exploring the surrounding area. But if you’re visiting Bavaria for the mountains and outdoor adventures, I’d spend a couple of days in Munich before exploring the rest of the region.