Munich Neighborhoods: Where to Stay and What to See

Munich is the capital of Bavaria, one of the most beautiful and wealthy cities in Europe. It is second only to Berlin in terms of the number of tourists in Germany, and its atmosphere is enough to make you fall in love at first sight. Monuments from different eras and modern museums, bohemian cafes, and working-class neighborhoods coexist here. This is also the place where the legendary Oktoberfest takes place. In this article, we will explore the different neighborhoods of Ostrovok and their unique features.

Contents

• How Munich is Organized
• The Old Town
• Maxvorstadt
• Schwabing
• Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
• Westend

How Munich is organized

Munich has a well-developed public transport system: there are subways (U-Bahn), city trains (S-Bahn), trams and buses. The fare is 4.10 euros, it is more profitable to buy a pass when active trips.

If you want to travel outside Munich, pay attention to the Deutschland Ticket. For 58 euros per month, it allows you to travel on regional trains and public transport throughout Germany. Tourists can also purchase it, as long as they have a foreign bank card.

The Isar River divides the city almost in half, but the main attractions are located on the left bank. Photo: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock.com

Brief information about the districts

• The Old Town — the historical center with the main attractions.
• Maxvorstadt — a museum district with monumental architecture.
• Schwabing is a district with the city’s largest park and a huge beer garden, an outdoor cafe serving simple German food and drinks.
• Ludwigsforstadt-Isarvorstadt is a multicultural district with the most trendy bars and cafes.
• Westend is a former industrial district near Oktoberfest and the train station.

The Old Town

• On the map
• Who is it for: for those who are visiting Munich for the first time.

The Old Town (Altstadt-Lehel) is the heart of Munich, where medieval streets, Gothic cathedrals, and bustling markets create a unique atmosphere. This is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in the city, as well as the main attractions and cozy beer gardens in the fresh air. It’s the perfect place to start exploring the city.

Things to do:

• Take a walk through the main square, Marienplatz, and see the beautiful new town hall and the Gothic old town hall with its clock tower.
• View the city from above by climbing the tower of the Petrikirche, Munich’s oldest church.
• Visit the city’s symbol, the Cathedral of Our Lady (or Frauenkirche), with its two distinctive onion-shaped towers.
• Visit the Hofbräukeller, the city’s most famous beer restaurant with a 400-year history.

You can walk around the main Marienplatz square and see the beautiful new town hall building. Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock.com

Infrastructure. In the center of Munich, you will find everything you need. For fresh products and traditional food, visit the Viktualienmarkt market and its beer garden. For shopping, go to the streets of Kaufingerstrasse and Neuhauserstrasse, which are full of various boutiques.

Transportation. All eight S-Bahn lines and two metro lines pass through Marienplatz, making it easy to reach any neighborhood or suburb. The S8 line connects directly to the airport. Any S-Bahn train can take you to the main train station in just a few minutes.

Where to stay in the Old Town

• Cortiina Hotel is a small hotel within walking distance of the main attractions.
• Premier Inn 3* is a modern hotel with compact rooms.
• Maximilian Apartments & Hotel — apartments with access to a quiet green courtyard.
• Platzl Hotel 4* — in an old building with a modern, minimalist interior.
• Mandarin Oriental 5* is a luxurious hotel with a rooftop pool and several view rooms.

Mandarin Oriental 5*.

What to see in Munich in a couple of days

We’ve compiled a guide that covers everything: architecture, parks and beer gardens, museums and theaters, shopping and gastronomic discoveries. It also includes quiet corners for introverts and trips to the Alps.

Maxvorstadt

• On the map
• Who is it for: lovers of museums and neoclassical architecture.

Unlike the Old Town, where you can find houses from different eras and architectural styles, Maxvorstadt is built up with monumental buildings in a single neoclassical style. This area is home to the city’s main museums and universities, making it both a museum district and a student hub. It’s a great choice for those who prefer wide avenues over the narrow and bustling streets of the city center.

Things to do:

• Visit the Kunstereel museum district and explore the Old, New, and Modern Pinacoteca.
• Visit the Brandhorst Museum, which houses a collection of contemporary art, including works by Andy Warhol.
• Take a stroll through the monumental Königsplatz, explore the Glyptothek’s collection of Greek and Roman statues, and visit the Staatliche Antikensammlung, which houses a collection of ceramics and sculptures.
• Visit the free National Socialism Documentation Center to learn about the history of Germany in the first half of the 20th century.

Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism. Photo: Rolf G Wackenberg/Shutterstock.com

Infrastructure. Maxvorstadt is home to many cafes and restaurants with cuisines from all over the world, including vegetarian and vegan options. There are also countless boutiques by local designers, contemporary art galleries, and art shops. The busiest streets in the area are Türkenstraße and Schellingstraße. Accommodation prices are significantly lower than in the Old Town.

Transportation. The area is adjacent to the central train station, which can be reached on foot or by public transportation. There are five metro lines, three tram lines, and many bus routes in different parts of Maxvorstadt. There are also many convenient bike paths for cyclists.

Where to stay in Maxvorstadt

• AdvaStay by KING’s is one of the most budget-friendly hotels in the area.
• Vienna House Easy München is an economical option away from the bustling streets near the train station.
• Ruby Lilly Hotel Munich is a modern hotel in the center of the district.
• Novotel München City Arnulfpark 4* is located in a new building near the bus station and train station.
• Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel 5* is a comfortable hotel with view rooms.

Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel 5*.

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Schwabing

• On the map
• Who is it for: Partygoers, picnickers and park and beer garden lovers.

Schwabing was once called Munich’s Montmartre. At the end of the 19th century, Vasily Kandinsky, Thomas Mann, and Rainer Maria Rilke lived and worked here, as well as a variety of artists, writers, philosophers, and bohemians from all over the continent. Today, the area boasts one of the largest urban parks in Europe, the English Garden.

Things to do:

• Take a walk in the English Garden and surf on the Isbach River.
• Walk to the China Tower to try a pretzel or a pork knuckle in the city’s most famous beer garden.
• Walk along the main street of the district, Leopoldstrasse, and explore the many cafes, bars, shops, and galleries.

You can walk to the Chinese Tower to try the bretzel or pork knuckle in the most famous beer garden in the city. Photo: travelview/Shutterstock.com

Infrastructure. Schwabing is a peaceful, green area of Munich. However, the local parks are full on weekends.: Thousands of Munich residents come here to have a picnic, play volleyball or swim in the rivers and lakes. All the necessary shops, cafes, and restaurants can be found on Leopoldstrasse, which runs parallel to the park. Hotel prices here are lower than in the Old Town or Maxvorstadt.