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Best time to fly to Munich

Munich is the heart of Bavarian culture, and there is no right or wrong time to visit – it all just depends on what you want to experience.

The summer months of June to August offer long, balmy days where you can enjoy outdoor activities like relaxing in a beer garden or exploring the local markets.

In the winter months, travelers prefer to escape the cold by sipping their beer inside one of Munich’s famous beer halls or wandering through one of the city’s countless museums.

Icelandair offers frequent flights to Munich from the US so that you can visit any time. Once you’ve decided when you want to visit, let us be your guide to Munich.

What to know before going to Munich

Like any city break, visiting Munich for the first time can be daunting and there are a few things you should be aware of before you go.

Munich has excellent shopping but be aware that most stores (including supermarkets) are usually closed on a Sunday, so make sure you’re stocked up on everything you need in good time.

Getting around Munich is relatively easy. Most places are easily accessible on foot or by bicycle (so no need to rent a car if you just plan on visiting the city itself). For any further-flung attractions you want to see, public transport is easy to navigate.

Things to do in Munich

Make sure to bring your walking shoes - you're going to want to fill your days in Munich with a lot of exploration, and the list of sights to see in the city is long and impressive.

Discover the history-packed Altstadt (Old Town) and make a shortlist from dozens of classy museums. The Alte Pinakothek art museum is full of incredible artwork, with everything from the Old European Masters to shrines to science, history and modern art competing for attention.

You can pay homage to the local motoring titan BMW by visiting the BMW museum or taking a tour of the factory facilities. Then unwind at the Englischer Garten (or English Garden). It's the city's lungs and is even bigger than New York's Central Park.

Busy, popular Kaufingerstrasse is the city's main shopping street, home to a down-to-earth mix of department stores and major chain stores.

What to eat and drink in Munich

The English Garden (Englischer Garten) is home to some wonderful beer gardens, including one of the city’s largest, the Chinesischer Turm (or Chinese Tower) which has been in business since 1791. With over 7,500 seats, this venue sits invitingly at the base of a Chinese-style pagoda.

To sample the local fare, head for a wirtshaus (or tavern). One of which, the famous Wirtshaus in der Au, has been serving beer and dumplings since 1901. There are plenty of hearty specialties offered which are designed to accompany beer, such as pork knuckles, sausages, and pretzels.

The Viktualienmarkt is a city landmark. An open-air market of local color and flavor spread over 140 stalls, you can pick up some fare there to enjoy in the market's own shady beer garden.

Creative chefs are reinterpreting traditional fare, and international flavors can be found all over town, making the food scene in Munich diverse and varied. The Glockenbachviertel is a neighborhood worth seeking out if you're interested in trendy bars, cool cafes, and independent boutique stores.