Greetings from Munich, the heart of Bavarian Germany! It’s a great place to explore, and there are lots of things to do. But today we’re talking about the “dont’s” of Munich.
Munich Travel Tip #1 Don’t Assume Munich is Just Beer
Munich is famous for the Hofbrauhaus, and has a famous beer culture. Visitors to Munich definitely should see the beer gardens, and sample the beer, but realize that Munich has so much more to offer. There are palaces, and museums ranging from art, history and even the BMW museum. One of the best science & industry museums in the world is in Munich.
Watch: Top Ten Sights in Munich
Munich Travel Tip #2 Don’t Try to Steal a Big Beer Mug
When you do visit Hofbrauhaus, don’t try to steal one of the big beer steins or mugs. These places are used to this tourist trick and they stay on top of it, watching very carefully. It’s really easy to buy these mugs and steins now, so don’t risk getting in trouble over one.
Munich Travel Tip #3 Don’t Think the Hofbrauhaus is the Only Beer Hall
Yes, it’s the most famous, but there are other beer halls in Munich worth visiting. It’s fun to explore all the different beer halls in Munich, and enjoy the different scenes you’ll find at each. For a calmer, quieter dinner experience, check out the
Munich Travel Tip #4 Don’t Think Munich is Going to be Cheap
Generally, Germany has some great deals, and there are a lot of good deals to be had in Munich. With the Bayern ticket, you can travel all over Bavaria for a really good price. But in general, hotels, restaurants and shopping in Munich can be expensive.
Read: Ten Best Cheap Cities in Europe
Munich Travel Tip #5 Don’t Be Scared to Take Public Transportation
The public transportation in Munich goes everywhere. The S-Bahn are the above-ground trains, the U-Bahn is the subway, and the buses will get you anywhere you want to go. A lot of the main tourist sights in Munich are in a compact, walkable area, but don’t be afraid to hop on the train and explore a bit farther afield. Buying tickets is also very easy.
Munich Travel Tip #6 Don’t Think that Oktoberfest is Only in October
Don’t forget that Oktoberfest actually starts in September and only goes through the first week of October. If you’re coming for Oktoberfest, don’t forget to reserve your rooms ahead of time, as well as make reservations for a table in an Oktoberfest tent. It can be hard to find a place last minute, and the prices tend to skyrocket as it gets closer. You can’t order beer if you aren’t at a table, so snagging one is a key part of enjoying Oktoberfest.
Watch: What to Know Before You Go to Oktoberfest
Munich Travel Tip #7 Don’t Plan to Shop on Sundays
Munich is one of the best cities in Germany for shopping. However, most of the stores aren’t open on Sundays. Tourist shops and train stations are the few exceptions, but for the most part, you won’t get much shopping done on Sunday. Likewise, a lot of museums in Munich are closed on Mondays, so factor this in to your Munich itinerary.
Munich Travel Tip #8 Don’t Be Disrespectful at Dachau
For travelers visiting the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be respectful and appropriate. I’ve seen tourists taking duck-face selfies in front of gas chambers where people were murdered. I know our readers are much more aware than that, but it never hurts to have a reminder.
Munich Travel Tip #9 Don’t Just Stay in Munich
There are tons of great day trips from Munich, so make sure to set aside time to explore outside of Munich. With the Bayern ticket, it’s easy to explore nearby areas of Bavaria, including Nuremburg, Bamberg, Regensburg, Oberammergau, Neuschwanstein Castle, or even Salzburg, Austria.
Munich Travel Tip #10 Don’t Be Afraid to Visit in the Off Season
Many people only visit Munich in the summer because they don’t want to have cold weather. Munich is a year-round destination, with something to do in every season. The weather shouldn’t be a factor since there are so many museums to enjoy. In the summer, Munich is crowded, and prices are higher.
These are just ten simple “don’ts” to help you better enjoy your Munich vacation. Before you go, don’t forget to learn a few German phrases to get around. Germans will really appreciate it and will warm up to you much more quickly. For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: