Last updated August 25, 2026

Marienplatz in Munich, with the Gothic New Town Hall and the twin onion domes of the Frauenkirche behind it

Guido Radig / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Germany

Where to Stay in Munich

Munich pairs a compact, walkable old town with an easy-going, Alpine-adjacent pace that feels calmer than most big German cities. The Frauenkirche's twin onion domes and the New Town Hall's Glockenspiel anchor Marienplatz, the city's central square. Just north, the Englischer Garten is one of the largest urban parks in the world — bigger than New York's Central Park — with beer gardens, a surfable river wave, and space to walk for hours. Munich is also a beer city at heart: the Hofbräuhaus has poured since 1589, and Oktoberfest, held on the Theresienwiese each September, has run since 1810.

Quick facts

Best time to visit
Visit in late spring (May–June) or early fall outside Oktoberfest season (September–October) for mild weather and thinner crowds. If you want the Oktoberfest experience, book accommodation many months ahead — the city fills up fast.
Renting a car
Skip the rental car. The old town is largely pedestrianized, parking is limited and expensive, and the U-Bahn and S-Bahn cover the rest of the city faster than driving would.

Where to stay

Rooftop view over Munich's old town, with the Frauenkirche's twin domes and the New Town Hall's tower rising above the red-tiled roofs

Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Altstadt-Lehel

Best for: First-time visitors, Architecture lovers

Gärtnerplatz square in Munich, seen from the theatre steps, with a fountain, gardens, and pastel-colored townhouses

Andreas Praefcke / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Glockenbachviertel

Best for: Nightlife

The wooden, pagoda-style Chinese Tower rising above the trees in Munich's Englischer Garten, on Schwabing's edge

Guido Radig / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Schwabing

Best for: Couples, Architecture lovers

Compare neighborhoods

AreaBest forAdvantageTrade-off
Altstadt-LehelFirst-time visitorsWake up steps from Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, and the Viktualienmarkt.The core streets are the most crowded and touristy in the city, especially by day.
GlockenbachviertelNightlifeMunich's best base for nightlife, independent bars, and a more local, less touristy feel.A 15–20 minute walk from Marienplatz rather than right in the old town, and can be loud on weekend nights.
SchwabingCouplesDirect access to the Englischer Garten and a quieter, more residential pace than the old town.A U-Bahn ride rather than a walk from Marienplatz and the main sights.

Our picks for Munich

A handful of editorial calls across every neighborhood above, not just the highest star rating — see each hotel's own card further down for the full case for and against it.

🏆 Our overall pickCortiina HotelAltstadt-Lehel💰 Best valueHotel IsartorGlockenbachviertel❤️ Best for couplesHotel Splendid-DollmannAltstadt-Lehel✨ Best luxuryAndaz Munich Schwabinger TorSchwabing📍 Best locationLouis HotelAltstadt-Lehel

A couple of hotels in Altstadt-Lehel

Altstadt-Lehel is the top-recommended area to stay in Munich.

Platzl Hotel

★★★★
  • 🧭 Best for first-time visitors

Our take Polished rooms, a central address two minutes from Marienplatz, and enough on-site amenities, spa included, that you barely need to leave the block.

Highlights

  • Two minutes' walk from Marienplatz, the Hofbräuhaus, and the Viktualienmarkt
  • Soundproofed rooms, useful given how central and busy it is
  • Free spa and steam room, unusual this central

What to know

  • Breakfast and spa access can add to the room rate
  • Standard rooms are comfortable rather than spacious
Check availability on Booking.com

Cortiina Hotel

★★★★
  • 🏆 Our overall pick

Our take A minimalist design hotel of wood and stone in the middle of the old town, priced well short of Munich's true luxury tier.

Highlights

  • Minimalist rooms in natural wood and stone
  • A five-minute walk from Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt
  • Grapes wine bar in the lobby for an evening glass

What to know

  • Standard rooms run smaller for the price point
  • Breakfast isn't always included — check what's bundled when booking
Check availability on Booking.com

Useful travel information

Germany uses the euro. Munich's U-Bahn and S-Bahn network is fast and covers every central neighborhood, and most sights in the old town are an easy walk from each other. Validate your ticket before boarding — inspectors do check, and fines apply even for tourists. Many shops close on Sundays.

Tips

  • Book Oktoberfest-season hotels as far ahead as you can — prices climb and availability disappears months in advance.
  • Carry cash. Many small restaurants, beer gardens, and market stalls are still cash-only or prefer it over cards.
  • The Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall performs daily at 11am and noon (also 5pm from March to October) — arrive a few minutes early for a clear view.

Frequently asked questions

Where should first-time visitors stay in Munich?
Stay in Altstadt-Lehel to be steps from Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, and the Viktualienmarkt. It's the most walkable base for a first visit.
Is Munich walkable?
Yes, especially the old town, which is largely pedestrianized. For neighborhoods further out, like Schwabing, the U-Bahn gets you to the center in a few minutes.
Do I need to book far ahead for Oktoberfest?
Yes. Hotel prices rise sharply and rooms sell out months ahead of the festival, which runs from mid-September into early October.

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