Munich (München) is Bavaria's dynamic capital, blending world-class museums, royal palaces, beer gardens, and Alpine landscapes into one of Europe's most liveable cities. The city anchors southern Germany with a population of 1.56 million and serves as a gateway to the Alps, Oktoberfest, and centuries of Bavarian history.
Munich has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, influenced by its proximity to the Alps. The city averages 1,661 hours of sunshine per year. Summer (June–August) brings temperatures of 22–28°C / 72–82°F with occasional thunderstorms. Winters are cold and grey, often dipping below 0°C / 32°F with snowfall. The Föhn wind (a warm, dry Alpine wind) can bring unusually warm, clear days in autumn and winter, making Alpine peaks dramatically visible from the city.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
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The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
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Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Period
- Oktoberfest (mid-Sep to first Sun Oct)
- Level
- Extreme
- Notes
- 6–7 million visitors; Theresienwiese and nearby areas completely transformed; book accommodation 6–12 months ahead
- Period
- Summer (July–August)
- Level
- High
- Notes
- Peak European holiday season; Marienplatz and English Garden busy; queues at major museums
- Period
- Christmas Market season (late Nov–Dec 24)
- Level
- High
- Notes
- Weekends at Marienplatz market very busy; weekday afternoons pleasant
- Period
- May–June
- Level
- Moderate
- Notes
- Best combination of weather and manageable crowds; recommended
- Period
- January–February
- Level
- Low
- Notes
- Fewest tourists; best hotel rates; cold but museums are quiet
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.