Summer brings warmer and longer days. It’s the best time for travelers to explore the world, make lifelong memories, new friends, and learn about different cultures. If you’re looking for the perfect summer weekend break, there are plenty of unique things to do in Munich, complete with sunshine, cheap beer, and fairytale castles.
With so many direct flights to Germany, you can wake up in your bed in the morning and be eating breakfast or lunch in Munich a few hours later. If you’re embarking on a holiday break or perhaps hitchhiking through Europe, Munich should be on your itinerary.
27 Top Things To Do in Munich
As the capital and most populous city in Germany’s Bavaria State, Munich is jam-packed with unique and exciting things to do. This guide explores some of these, including other things to do on a budget in Munich.
So without further ado, let’s dive into some cool things to do in Munich.
1. Grill and Beer by the Isar River
Munich’s the perfect place to sit, have a summer BBQ and drink some cheap beer down by the river Isar. Flowing for just under nine miles from the south to the north of the city, the water is so clean that you may even see others swim in it.
Whether you travel with a group of mates or make new friends on arrival, hanging down by the river is a great way to pass a few hours and work on your tan.
2. Bike the Isar Cycle Route
Want to get active? Rent a bike and spend a few hours cycling along the Isar River, past the meadows and Alpine peaks. How far you go is up to you, but the river meanders all the way through Austria before entering Germany, so you can make it a much longer trip if you wish. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Alps and picture-perfect villages.
3. Goa: A Taste of India in Munich
Sure, you might be in Munich for some traditional food and beer. However, one of the most echoed travel tips for Germany is to try something different. If you prefer eating something different or are after the best Indian food outside of India, Goa restaurant is the perfect spot for dinner.
This brightly decorated space with Indian motifs is a true gem and is loved by locals and tourists alike.
4. Go Dancing at 8 Below Munich
If you’re looking for a wild weekend away, dancing needs to be on the cards. 8 Below is a great place if you want to experience live music in a club frequented by locals, right in the city center.
Going to a disco party is by far one of the things to do at night in Munich. Expect lots of great German tunes and some Eurodance music.
5. Chilled Nights at Import Export
If German dance tunes aren’t your style, then maybe a calmer, chilled-out night at Import Export is what you need. This isn’t a mainstream bar or club, and they have all sorts of music playing throughout the week, from reggae to Latino. There’s also a great cultural center here, so it’s a fun mix of people from all over the world.
6. Wander Around Viktualienmarkt (Victuals Market)
Munich’s Viktualienmarkt is a daily food market and square in the city center. Originally a farmers’ market, it’s been refurbished into a popular gourmet food market that can be a little pricey. But the experience is worth it.
You can book a Viktualienmarkt two-hour culinary tour with food tastings and sample some regional and international delicacies, like the tasty black forest ham bun.
If you go to the fish markets at the back, you can actually order a live fish from the tank. And (much to everyone’s displeasure) they’ll kill it and clean it right there before wrapping it up for you to purchase. Guess you can’t get fresher than that!
If you want to explore more flea markets and food stalls, here’s a comprehensive list of the best markets in Germany. Naturally, there’s also a Biergarten (beer garden) at the market, open from 09:00 every day for those early drinkers.
7. Eat Brunch at The Victorian House
Looking for one of the best brunch spots in Munich? You’ve found it: The Victorian House is a little taste of England in Germany, so expect a great breakfast menu. Their eggs Benedict is especially popular, with a large selection of English tea such as Earl Grey. On that note, it’s also a great spot for afternoon tea.
8. See a Classical Concert at The Munich Residence
The Munich Residenz hosts a great series of classical concerts throughout the summer, and you really can’t beat the setting. The building began as a castle in the 1300s, later served as the seat of government for the Bavarian dukes, electors, and kings, and is now a stunning palace in the center of Munich. You can book a summer concert ticket here.
9. Eat Some Traditional Food at Alter Simpl
Alter Simpl is a unique bohemian restaurant and bar in Munich with lots of framed pictures of famous historical patrons and a delicious Bavarian menu. It’s a great place to go if you are looking to taste some traditional Bavarian food. They make exceptionally great Currywurst and Obatzda—a traditional Bavarian cheese delicacy.
10. Watch the Sunset From The Flushing Meadows
Looking for the best place to watch the sunset in Munich? Look no further than The Flushing Meadows Rooftop Bar, located on the top floor of the hotel of the same name.
With one of the best views in the city, it’s perfect at sunset and is known for its delicious, innovative cocktails and the young and local crowds it attracts. The bar is small though, so it’s best to book ahead to be guaranteed a place to sit.
11. Go Beer Tasting at Seehaus
Seehaus is one of the best beer gardens in the city and a great place to go beer tasting on a sunny afternoon. It’s located right in the heart of the city, nestled among green trees in Munich’s Englischen Garten.
There are food stalls serving traditional Bavarian snacks, and there’s no shortage of seats—with a grand total of 2,500 available. Someone went as far as to say, “Beer is religion in Munich”.
12. Have a Spa Day at Therme Erding
Bet you never knew that Europe’s biggest spa is located in Munich. Therme Erding, located just 30 minutes outside of Munich by car, is the largest spa complex in Europe and attracts a whopping 4,000 visitors each day.
This is really a lot more than your average spa, with wave pools, a swim-up bar, and a place to just chill out with your friends and relax.
13. Do a Free Walking Tour
Free walking tours have really taken off in the last few years and are the best way to see a new city. Munich’s free walking tours are no different and attract big crowds of fun-loving tourists each day for engaging and informative tours.
The guides work for tips, so if you enjoy your tour, show a little appreciation and give a nice, big tip. If you’re interested in a more in-depth tour led by an English-speaking expert guide, consider this small group walking tour.
14. Stay in One of Europe’s Most Famous Hostels
Munich is home to Euro Youth Hostel, listed as one of Europe’s most famous hostels. Cheap, cheerful, and a stone’s throw from the mini station, it’s the best place to stay if you’re traveling to Munich on a tight budget.
The best part—you get free beer on arrival. The hostel also has a brilliant bar with daily happy hours and cheap booze. What more could you want?
15. Photograph the Street Art
Munich has some incredible street art—you just need to find it. You can sign up to do a walking tour of all the city’s best street art. Or you can just wander around one morning and check out the best graffiti spots around the city for yourself.
16. Go Sunbathing by the River
When in Munich in summer, do as the locals do and strip off down by the river or at one of the many parks and spend the afternoon working on your tan. Combined with a few beers, a box of pretzels, or maybe even some wine, and you’ve got yourself the perfect summer day.
17. Make Friends on the Beer Bike in Munich
Whether you are traveling solo and want to make new friends, or on a stag party, or a Munich hen do, the beer bike tour is also a good idea for a group of friends looking for quirky things to do in Munich.
Make stops to drink some beer and then listen to funny stories and music while cycling around Munich. A Munich beer bike is a brilliant way to start your evening.
18. Watch a Show at the Bavarian State Opera
If you feel like dressing up all fancy and going to one of Munich’s most beautiful buildings, get your hands on some tickets to the Bavarian State Opera at Nationaltheater München. You will feel like royalty walking up those stunning marble steps, and a night at the opera never fails to bring tears to the eyes. Get tickets for as little as $10, depending on the show.
In the 18th century, this Baroque-style palace served as a summer residence for electors and kings of Bavaria. Standing on about 445 acres of land, Nymphenburg is the second largest green space in Europe.
Book a self-guided tour and enjoy strolling around the complex while getting a glimpse of the German elite’s lifestyle during the century of lights.
20. Do a Day Trip to the German Alps
While exploring the Alps is seen as a thing to do in Switzerland only, it’s possible to get a small taste of these spectacular mountains on a short drive from Munich. In the summer, there are some great hiking trails with absolutely stunning views. In contrast, you can go to a number of different ski resorts just outside of Munich in winter.
21. Live the Fairytale Life at Neuschwanstein Castle
This is by far one of the most famous castles in Germany, if not the world. Even if you don’t recognize the name, you will definitely recognize it from photos. Originally intended as a home for King Ludwig II, who died in 1886, this fairytale castle is spectacular from all angles and in all seasons.
Serving as inspiration for the castle in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, it also appeared in many famous movies such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Great Escape.
Book a full-day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle and get a glimpse of life in a storybook.
22. Get Educated at Dachau Concentration Camp
A visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site can be quite difficult but is also an excellent way to recognize Germany’s dark past while realizing how far the country has come.
It’s been 80 years since the first transport of Dachau prisoners to Hartheim Castle—a euthanasia killing center. The memorial is open daily from 09:00 until 17:00, and entry is free. It’s located around 25 minutes from Munich central station and is accessible by the S2 train.
23. Go Sailing on Lake Starnberg
Lake Stranberg is a beautiful lake situated just outside of Munich and is a great place to get out on the water if you’re in search of some fresh air. As it’s only about a 30-minute drive or train ride from Munich, you could even go here for an afternoon.
It’s the second largest lake in Bavaria, and its blue waters are truly captivating. The best way to see the sights is to do a three-hour round trip of the lake. The tour offers a delicious three-course meal while riding the waves of history and an extravagant Baroque fireworks display to top it off.
24. Take a Day Trip to Nuremberg
About a two-hour drive from Munich is Bavaria’s second biggest city, Nuremberg. Here, the spectacular castle will take your breath away and have you snapping photos like there’s no tomorrow.
Nuremberg is also an important historical city, the site of the Nuremberg trials, where German officials involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity were brought before an international tribunal between 1945 and 1949.
25. Do a Full Day of Brewery Tours
While a beer bike tour in Munich is imperative, not visiting an actual brewery would be a crime! So we actually suggest you try to visit as many of them as possible. Book a Hofbräuhaus Tour and discover the most famous pub in the world.
The main Munich breweries, Augustiner-Bräu, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu, can all easily be visited in one weekend. And all offer their own specialty beers to taste.
26. Sign Up for Mike’s Bike Tours & Rentals
Operating since 1995, Mike’s Bike Tours is still going strong. Ask any of your friends who’ve been here to recommend one of the most fun things to do in Munich—they’ll tell you to do Mike’s Bike Tour. Tours start at 11:30 every day and take you on a unique tour of the city.
You will be told all about the history of the area with a few cheesy jokes thrown in, and you’ll leave with a smile on your face and a brain full of facts. This is also one of the top-rated tours on Tripadvisor.
27. Plan Your Return for Oktoberfest!
While there are many fun and crazy things to do in Munich in the summer, the real fun starts in September with the annual Oktoberfest beer festival. Think of beer glasses the size of your head, locals in traditional costumes, and thousands of people singing and dancing in massive tented villages.
As home to the biggest beer festival in the world—an event you have to attend at least once in your life—Munich is the city you will most likely keep returning to again and again.
Munich Things to Do in Summer | Wrapped Up
There you have it. 27 interesting things to do in Munich. From exploring storybook-like castles to tasting some of the best beers in the world, Bavaria’s capital will surely leave you wanting more.
So start packing your bags and be prepared to experience some incredibly fun things to do in Munich, Germany.
Last updated on October 13th, 2023 at 01:55 pm
