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Where to Stay in Munich

Updated: October 26, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

My Favorite Hotels in Munich

Ornate gothic exterior of the New Town Hall building in Munich, Germany.

The Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) on Marienplatz in Munich’s Altstadt.

Where to Stay in Munich

Altstadt (Old Town) is the best area to stay in Munich for first-time visitors. Most of the city’s major sights, historic beer halls, restaurants, and shopping streets are within a 20-minute walk. Marienplatz, the Residenz, Viktualienmarkt, and Hofbräuhaus are all here. Hotels are expensive, but the location is worth it for a short visit. My favorite luxury hotel is the Mandarin Oriental. For something less expensive, I like the Platzl Hotel.

Maxvorstadt is my favorite alternative to Altstadt. It’s immediately north of the Old Town, with excellent museums, restaurants, cafes, and a lively university atmosphere. Much of Altstadt is within walking distance, and the neighborhood is quieter at night. The The Charles Hotel is one of Munich’s best luxury hotels.

Glockenbachviertel and Gärtnerplatz are best for restaurants, bars, and nightlife. These adjoining neighborhoods south of Altstadt have independent shops, cafes, cocktail bars, and some of Munich’s best contemporary restaurants. They’re also the center of the city’s LGBTQ nightlife. I love the Hotel Deutsche Eiche.

A grand saffron-colored building, looked over by a statue of 2 lions.

Odeonsplatz in Altstadt, with the Feldherrnhalle monument and Theatine Church.

A sunny day on Frauenplatz in Altstadt, in front of Frauenkirche church.

Frauenplatz and the Frauenkirche in Munich’s Altstadt.

Lehel is best for a quieter, upscale stay close to the center. It’s a beautiful residential neighborhood east of Altstadt, with elegant buildings, good restaurants, and easy access to the Englischer Garten. Most of the Old Town is still within walking distance.

Au-Haidhausen is best for a local neighborhood atmosphere. Across the Isar River, Haidhausen has excellent restaurants, traditional beer gardens, attractive residential streets, and fewer tourists. The MOMA1890 is a favorite, with excellent train and tram connections.

Bahnhofsviertel is best for cheaper hotels and train connections. The streets south of Munich’s main train station have a large selection of budget and midrange hotels. It’s not Munich’s prettiest neighborhood, but it’s convenient for airport connections, day trips, and walking into Altstadt. The Hotel Metropol is a great value.

Westend is best for Oktoberfest. Hotels near Theresienwiese put you within walking distance of the festival grounds. I especially like Augustin, which is also one of Munich’s best family hotels.

Schwabing is best for a longer stay away from the tourist center. It’s known for its restaurants, Art Nouveau architecture, and proximity to the Englischer Garten. Southern Schwabing is much more convenient for sightseeing than the northern end. The Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor has an excellent indoor pool and spa.

For most visitors, I would choose Altstadt or Maxvorstadt. Glockenbachviertel is my next choice for restaurants and nightlife, while Bahnhofsviertel makes sense if price and train connections are the priorities.

Map of the best-located hotels in Munich
1. Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor • 2. Hilton Munich Airport • 3. Sofitel Munich Bayerpost • 4. Hotel Metropol • 5. DO & CO • 6. Mandarin Oriental • 7. Augustin

Exterior corner of a luxury hotel in Munich

DO & CO, one of my favorite boutique hotels in Altstadt.

The Best Places to Stay in Munich

Hotel fine dining restaurant with teal velvet banquette seating

The Charles Hotel is my favorite luxury hotel near the Kunstareal museums and Königsplatz.

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Munich

1. Altstadt (Old Town)

People walk in the pedestrian square of Marienplatz in Munich, Germany

Altstadt is the best neighborhood for sightseeing and my first choice for a short stay in Munich. Most major attractions are within walking distance, and there are excellent restaurants, traditional taverns, shopping streets, and hotels. It’s busy during the day, especially around Marienplatz, but much quieter in the evening.

Marienplatz is the center of the Old Town, dominated by the ornate Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). Its famous Glockenspiel performs at 11 AM and noon, with an additional 5 PM performance from March through October. Nearby are the Frauenkirche, with its distinctive twin towers, and St. Peter’s Church, where you can climb the tower for excellent views over the city.

People dine at outdoor tables covered with umbrellas surrounded by gothic buildings

Outdoor tables at the Ratskeller restaurant beneath the Neues Rathaus.

Just south of Marienplatz is the Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s best food market. It’s a great place for a casual lunch, with stalls selling cheese, sausages, baked goods, and Bavarian specialties. You can buy food from the stalls and eat at the central beer garden. Nearby Café Frischhut makes excellent schmalznudel, a traditional fried pastry.

Tables with cheese displayed at an outdoor market, as pedestrians pass by.

Viktualienmarkt is one of my favorite places in Munich for a casual lunch.

North of Marienplatz is the Residenz, the former palace of Bavaria’s rulers. It’s enormous, with lavish rooms, courtyards, and impressive collections of art and furnishings. Take the audio tour, but don’t feel you need to visit every room. Allow at least two hours. The Treasury and Cuvilliés Theatre require separate admission and are worth considering if you have a particular interest in royal collections or historic theaters.

Large green space backed by a magnificent palace building

The Residenz, former home of Bavaria’s dukes and kings.

Beside the Residenz are Odeonsplatz and the Hofgarten, a pleasant formal garden. Maximilianstrasse, running east from the Old Town, is Munich’s most famous luxury shopping street. For more mainstream shopping, head to Kaufingerstrasse and Neuhauser Strasse.

Italianate exterior of a saffron-colored building in Munich

Odeonsplatz, near the Residenz and Hofgarten.

Don’t leave Munich without visiting a traditional beer hall. The Hofbräuhaus is touristy but worth visiting at least once. Other favorites include Augustiner Stammhaus on Neuhauser Strasse, Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom, and Zum Dürnbräu.

Interior of a Bavarian restaurant with painted, coved ceilings and rustic tables.

The Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s most famous beer hall.

For restaurants, I like Wirtshaus Zum Straubinger and the Ratskeller for traditional Bavarian food. Restaurant Pfistermühle is a good choice for a more expensive dinner. The historic Dallmayr delicatessen is also worth visiting.

The main drawback to staying in Altstadt is price. Most hotels are upscale, and inexpensive rooms are limited. If you want to stay within walking distance of the Old Town without paying central Altstadt prices, look around Karlsplatz and the main train station.

Detail on the entrance of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Munich

The Mandarin Oriental is my favorite luxury hotel in Munich. It’s in the heart of Altstadt, near Hofbräuhaus and Maximilianstrasse, with excellent restaurants and a rooftop terrace.

2. Maxvorstadt & Kunstareal

Exterior of the Alte Pinakothek Museum in Munich, with a bronze modern sculpture in the foreground.

Maxvorstadt is the best neighborhood for museums and a great alternative to Altstadt. It’s a lively university district with excellent cafes, restaurants, galleries, and beer gardens. The southern end is within easy walking distance of the Old Town.

The main attraction is the Kunstareal museum district, centered around the Alte Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne, Museum Brandhorst, and Lenbachhaus. The Alte Pinakothek has an outstanding collection of European Old Masters, including works by Dürer, Raphael, Rubens, and Rembrandt. The Pinakothek der Moderne covers modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design, while the Brandhorst Museum is particularly good for contemporary art.

The Neue Pinakothek is closed for a major renovation, but selected works from its 19th-century collection are displayed at the Alte Pinakothek and Sammlung Schack.

Modern, curved museum atrium, with people sitting on benches

Pinakothek der Moderne.

Exterior of a modern art museum, with a red Keith Haring sculpture in front

Museum Brandhorst.

The Lenbachhaus has an exceptional collection of Blue Rider paintings, including works by Kandinsky and Klee. Nearby, the State Museum of Egyptian Art is also worth visiting.

Königsplatz is one of Munich’s grandest squares, with Neoclassical buildings housing the Glyptothek and State Collections of Antiquities. The nearby NS-Dokumentationszentrum is an excellent museum covering Munich’s role in the rise of Nazism. It’s sobering but worthwhile.

Exterior of a modern museum building in Munich

State Museum of Egyptian Art.

Away from the museums, Maxvorstadt has a strong student atmosphere, especially around Augustenstrasse, Schellingstrasse, and Theresienstrasse. For traditional beer gardens, I like Augustiner-Keller near Hauptbahnhof and Löwenbräukeller. The historic Schelling-Salon is good for a drink and a game of billiards.

For hotels, I prefer the southern part of Maxvorstadt near Königsplatz and the museums. The Charles Hotel is an excellent luxury choice. Hotels farther north are less convenient for walking into Altstadt, though U-Bahn and tram connections are good.

Exterior of a curving, white, luxury hotel in Munich

The 5-star The Charles Hotel, near Königsplatz and the Kunstareal museums.

3. Schwabing & Englischer Garten

People dine at sidewalk cafe tables on a leafy street in Munich

Schwabing is a good choice for restaurants, cafes, attractive residential streets, and access to the Englischer Garten. It’s a former artists’ neighborhood with beautiful Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) buildings, especially around the southern part of the district.

Building exterior with colorful art nouveau details.

Jugendstil architecture in Schwabing, known for its ornate facades and decorative details.

The main attraction is the Englischer Garten, one of Europe’s largest urban parks. It’s excellent for walking, cycling, and relaxing in a beer garden. The Chinese Tower has a large traditional beer garden, while the quieter northern sections of the park have wooded paths, open fields, and fewer visitors.

Pagoda-style building in a garden, surrounded by picnic tables.

The Chinese Tower beer garden in the Englischer Garten.

Southern Schwabing, around Münchner Freiheit and the university, is the most convenient part of the neighborhood for visitors. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes, and U-Bahn connections make it easy to reach Marienplatz.

Farther north, the atmosphere becomes more residential and hotels are less convenient for sightseeing. The Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor is an excellent luxury hotel with an indoor pool, spa, and rooftop bar, but you’ll need public transportation or a taxi to reach most major attractions.

The AMERON München Motorworld is farther north in Freimann, inside the Motorworld automotive complex. It’s a fun hotel for car enthusiasts, but not a particularly convenient sightseeing base.

People stroll past cars displayed in glass museum cases.

The AMERON München Motorworld is located inside the Motorworld automotive complex in Freimann.

4. Olympiapark

Large Olympic rings and tent-like buildings at Olympiapark in Munich

Olympiapark is worth visiting, but I wouldn’t stay here unless you’re attending an event or visiting BMW attractions. The park was built for the 1972 Olympic Games and has large open spaces, walking paths, sports facilities, and concert venues.

The main attractions are the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Tower, Sea Life aquarium, and the BMW Museum. The Olympic Tower and stadium are undergoing major renovations, so check their operating status before planning a visit. The park itself remains open.

Large tower and curvilinear building of the BMW Museum in Munich.

The BMW Museum and BMW headquarters near Olympiapark.

The BMW Museum has an excellent collection of historic cars and motorcycles. Next door, BMW Welt displays current vehicles and offers exhibitions and events. Factory tours are separate and should be booked in advance.

The Olympiaalm beer garden, on the slopes of Olympiaberg, is a good place for a drink with views over the park.

Olympiapark is easily reached from central Munich on the U3 subway line. For most visitors, it’s better to stay in Altstadt or Maxvorstadt and come here for a few hours.

Exterior of a large, boxy, modern hotel building

H2 Hotel München Olympiapark, a convenient option near the U-Bahn.

5. Glockenbachviertel, Gärtnerplatz & Schlachthofviertel

Curved gravel path leading past manicured gardens in a public park lined with colorful Bavarian buildings

Glockenbachviertel and Gärtnerplatzviertel are my favorite neighborhoods for restaurants, bars, and nightlife. They’re immediately south of Altstadt, with independent shops, cafes, cocktail bars, and a lively LGBTQ scene. You can walk to Marienplatz in about 15 to 20 minutes from much of the area.

Gärtnerplatz is the neighborhood’s main square, surrounded by restaurants and cafes. Nearby Glockenbachviertel has some of Munich’s best bars and independent shopping. It’s lively in the evenings, so choose a hotel on a quieter side street if you’re sensitive to noise.

The area is also convenient for the Isar River and the Deutsches Museum, one of the world’s great science and technology museums. Allow at least half a day if you’re interested in its exhibitions.

Three-story tower with illustrations near the top

The medieval Isartor, one of Munich’s surviving city gates.

For cocktails, I like the area around Gärtnerplatz and Müllerstrasse. Niederlassung is a long-standing neighborhood bar, while the rooftop bar at The Flushing Meadows Hotel is another good option. Munich’s Pride celebrations are centered around Glockenbachviertel.

Farther south, Schlachthofviertel is a former industrial district with music venues, bars, and restaurants. Highlights include Bahnwärter Thiel, a music and cultural venue built around shipping containers and converted railcars, and the Münchner Volkstheater.

Old red brick beer hall turned events venue

Wirtshaus im Schlachthof, a restaurant and entertainment venue in Schlachthofviertel.

For most visitors, I would stay around Gärtnerplatz or northern Glockenbachviertel rather than farther south in Schlachthofviertel. You’ll have better walking access to Altstadt and more restaurants and bars immediately outside your hotel.

Exterior of a hotel, with restaurant tables in front.

The excellent Hotel Deutsche Eiche is just off Gärtnerplatz, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops.

Hotel exterior entrance, with potted plants in front

Hotel Olympic in Glockenbachviertel.

6. Lehel

Two women walk along a sidewalk in an upscale area of Munich

Lehel is one of Munich’s most attractive neighborhoods and a good choice for a quiet, upscale hotel close to Altstadt. It’s primarily residential, with elegant 19th-century buildings, good restaurants, and easy access to the Englischer Garten.

The southern part of Lehel is within walking distance of Marienplatz and the Residenz. Along Maximilianstrasse is the Museum Five Continents, while the Alpines Museum on Prater Island covers the history of mountaineering.

Classic white museum building, reflected in water below

The Alpines Museum on Prater Island.

Farther north, Prinzregentenstrasse passes the Haus der Kunst, a major contemporary art museum. The nearby Eisbachwelle is Munich’s famous standing river wave, where experienced surfers can sometimes be seen riding the current. Surfing access depends on current river conditions and city regulations.

A woman surfs a wave in an urban river, while onlookers watch from a bridge above

Surfers at the Eisbachwelle, on the southern edge of the Englischer Garten.

The Bavarian National Museum is also here, with an excellent collection of Bavarian art and historical objects.

Lehel has fewer hotels than Altstadt, and most are boutique or upscale properties. It’s a particularly good choice for couples who want a quieter neighborhood without giving up a central location.

Ornately painted hotel exterior entrance, flanked by topiaries

Hotel Opera in Lehel.

7. Au-Haidhausen

Picturesque corner in the Au-Haidhausen district of Munich, with a fruit stand and shaded cafe tables.

Au-Haidhausen is my favorite area for a more local Munich experience. Across the Isar from Altstadt and Lehel, it has excellent restaurants, traditional beer gardens, attractive residential streets, and fewer tourists.

Haidhausen is the livelier of the two neighborhoods. Wiener Platz has a small food market, cafes, and the excellent Hofbräukeller beer garden. The streets around Weißenburger Platz and Bordeauxplatz are particularly pleasant for walking.

Peaceful park boulevard lined with trees and French-style apartments, with people lounging on the grass

Bordeauxplatz in Haidhausen.

The neighborhood has a good mix of Bavarian restaurants and international food. For music, the Unterfahrt jazz club is excellent. The original Gasteig cultural center is undergoing renovation, with major performances taking place at other venues, including Gasteig HP8 in Sendling.

Au, farther south, is quieter and more residential. The Auer Dult market and folk festival takes place three times a year at Mariahilfplatz, with stalls selling pottery, antiques, household goods, and traditional food.

Other attractions include the beautiful Müller’sches Volksbad public swimming pool and the Maximilianeum, home of the Bavarian parliament.

For hotels, I prefer Haidhausen near Wiener Platz or Ostbahnhof. Ostbahnhof has excellent S-Bahn, regional train, and tram connections. The MOMA1890 is directly beside the station. The main disadvantage is that you’ll use public transportation more often than if you stay in Altstadt.

Exterior of a hotel, next to stairs heading down to a train station.

The MOMA1890 Boutique Hotel is directly beside Ostbahnhof, with excellent transportation connections.

8. Bahnhofsviertel (Main Train Station)

A fruit stand on a city street in Munich

Bahnhofsviertel is the best area for inexpensive hotels and convenient train connections. The neighborhood immediately south of Munich Hauptbahnhof has one of the city’s largest concentrations of hotels, including some excellent budget and midrange options.

The main advantages are price and location. You can walk from the station to most hotels in a few minutes, and the western edge of Altstadt at Karlsplatz is about a 10 to 15-minute walk away. The station is also convenient for airport trains and day trips to places such as Salzburg, Füssen, and the Bavarian Alps.

The neighborhood is busy, multicultural, and noticeably grittier than Altstadt or Maxvorstadt. Some streets south of the station have adult businesses, late-night activity, and a less attractive streetscape. It’s generally safe for visitors, but I wouldn’t choose it for a romantic stay or if you want to walk out of your hotel into a beautiful neighborhood.

There are some excellent Turkish and Middle Eastern restaurants here, along with Indian and Asian food. For a quieter location, look east of the station toward Karlsplatz or north toward Königsplatz.

My favorite midrange hotel is the Hotel Metropol. For luxury, the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost is directly beside Hauptbahnhof. Both are convenient for train travel, though neither has the attractive immediate surroundings of an Altstadt hotel.

People wait for a valet in the circular drive of a luxury hotel

The Sofitel Munich Bayerpost is my favorite luxury hotel near Hauptbahnhof.

Glass door entrance to a hotel, with the monogram M etched in the door.

The Hotel Metropol is an excellent midrange hotel near the train station.

9. Westend (Oktoberfest)

A man and a woman walk past a colonnade displaying busts of famous Bavarians

Westend is the best area to stay for Oktoberfest. The festival takes place on the enormous Theresienwiese grounds, southwest of Hauptbahnhof. Hotels within walking distance are particularly convenient, especially if you plan to spend several evenings at the festival.

Oktoberfest begins in mid-to-late September and finishes in early October. Hotel prices rise dramatically throughout Munich, so book as early as possible. If hotels near Theresienwiese are too expensive, stay near a U-Bahn station with an easy connection to the festival.

Outside Oktoberfest, Westend is a quieter residential neighborhood with good restaurants, cafes, and reasonable hotel prices. The Bavaria statue and Ruhmeshalle overlook Theresienwiese, while nearby Bavariapark is a pleasant place to relax.

A large statue of a snail with red shell in a park setting.

Bavariapark, beside the Oktoberfest grounds.

The Verkehrszentrum, part of the Deutsches Museum, has an excellent collection of historic cars, trains, and other vehicles. One of my favorite Munich cafes is Marais, housed in a former haberdashery with its original wooden shop counters and drawers.

Augustin is my favorite hotel in Westend, especially for families. It’s beside Bavariapark and close to Theresienwiese, with family-friendly room configurations. The nearby Bavaria Boutique Hotel is another good choice.

Corner view of a modern hotel with outdoor lounge seating

Augustin is beside Bavariapark and within walking distance of Oktoberfest.

10. Neuhausen-Nymphenburg

Gravel drive leading past a statue to the buildings of Schloss Nymphenburg in Munich

Neuhausen-Nymphenburg is a pleasant residential area, but I wouldn’t stay here on a first visit to Munich. It’s farther from the main sights, though it has good restaurants, beer gardens, and one of Munich’s most impressive attractions.

The highlight is Nymphenburg Palace, the former summer residence of Bavaria’s rulers. The palace, gardens, and smaller park palaces are worth at least half a day. Highlights include the Beauty Gallery, Amalienburg hunting lodge, and the Marstallmuseum, with its collection of royal carriages and sleighs.

Nymphenburg is easy to visit from central Munich by tram and bus, so there’s no need to stay nearby unless you particularly want a quiet residential base.

South of the palace is the Hirschgarten, one of Munich’s largest and most famous beer gardens. Neuhausen also has good local restaurants and cafes around Rotkreuzplatz, including Café Ruffini.

For hotels near the palace, I like Hotel Laimer Hof. Hotel Kriemhild am Hirschgarten is another good option.

Bright and airy hotel restaurant with velvet padded chairs

The family-friendly Augustin in Westend.

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.