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Munich
Bavaria’s prosperous capital of beer halls, Baroque palaces, art museums and Alpine views
Bavaria’s prosperous capital of beer halls, Baroque palaces, art museums and Alpine views
The central square, dominated by the neo-Gothic New Town Hall, whose Glockenspiel re-enacts scenes from Munich’s history at 11:00 and 12:00 daily (and at 17:00 in summer).
Climb the tower of St Peter’s Church for views over the square.
Photo: Wilfredor, CC0
One of the world’s largest urban parks, with beer gardens, a Chinese Tower and surfers riding a standing wave on the Eisbach stream.
Photo: Tobias Klenze, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Baroque summer residence of the Wittelsbach rulers, with a vast park, pavilions and a carriage museum.
Photo: Flocci Nivis, CC BY 4.0
Try Weißwurst (white sausage, traditionally eaten before noon), roast pork, pretzels and Obatzda cheese spread, with Bavarian beer.
The Viktualienmarkt food market and traditional beer halls such as the Hofbräuhaus are good places to start.
Munich Airport is about 40 minutes from the centre by S-Bahn (S1 or S8). The U-Bahn, S-Bahn and trams cover the city. Trains reach Füssen (for Neuschwanstein) in about two hours.
Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area and uses the euro. EU citizens need only an ID card; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with biometric registration under the EU Entry/Exit System. An ETIAS travel authorisation is also due to be introduced. Check current rules before you travel.
Munich is one of Germany’s most expensive cities, and hotel prices soar during Oktoberfest.
Prices can triple during Oktoberfest.
Old town, parks and palaces.
See Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel, the Frauenkirche, the Viktualienmarkt and the Residenz, then dinner in a beer hall.
Visit the Pinakothek art museums, then walk through the English Garden to the Chinese Tower beer garden.
Visit Nymphenburg Palace, or take a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Germany is in the Schengen area, which has two EU border systems for non-EU visitors.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
The Deutschlandticket (€63 a month in 2026) covers local and regional public transport across Germany, but not long-distance ICE or IC trains.
Cards are now widely accepted, but some small bars, bakeries and market stalls still prefer cash.
Book accommodation many months ahead for Oktoberfest, and arrive early on weekends.
Book Neuschwanstein tickets online in advance; they sell out in summer.
Quick answers for planning time in Munich.
Citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in 180, with registration under the EU Entry/Exit System.
From mid- or late September to the first Sunday in October.
By S-Bahn S1 or S8, in about 40 minutes.
At 11:00 and 12:00 daily, plus 17:00 in summer.
Yes, as a day trip by train and bus or on a tour, about two to two and a half hours each way.
Google Maps works well; the DB Navigator app covers trains and most local transport.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Germany travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.