Just like most cities, Munich is an entirely different animal when summer rolls around! When the temperatures rise and outdoor activities become more commonplace, it’s clear why Munich is one of Europe’s most livable destinations.
Hot weather in Munich becomes less about rushing from one landmark to the next and more about enjoying the sunshine in parks, riverbanks, beer gardens, and café terraces on beautiful and clean streets.
Now is the best time to start looking at flights to Munich from major airlines like Lufthansa. There is a lot to experience in Munich between the months of June to August, so let’s take a look at what you can do when visiting this fascinating German city in summer.
Enjoy Munich’s City Center and Historical Places
Naturally, the historical city center of Munich comes alive in the summertime. It’s the best time to explore!
The Old Town of Munich (called the Altstadt in German) is full of incredible architecture, and thankfully it’s compact enough to be explored on foot. The city comes alive here and the streets are filled with locals and tourists alike, musicians, buzzing shopfronts and cafes.
Marienplatz has been the city’s anchor point since 1158, and is recommended in every guide for good reason. This massive square in sunny weather makes lingering outside more enjoyable than rushing indoors during the winter. Grab a snack or a drink, relax on a bench, and watch the world go by.
The Glockenspiel (a huge mechanical clock with lots of bells and statues) is an interesting piece of history in the New City Hall in Marienplatz, and is probably one of the most photographed things in town!
Frauenkirche really dominates the skyline of Munich and if you climb its tower, you will be provided with majestic views all over the city. You can even see the Alps on very clear days in the summer!
Nearby, the Residenz courtyard offers a lot of shade and quiet corners that are far enough away from the busy crowds but still let you experience the Old Town vibes.
Even if you aren’t a church person, the Church of St Peter is really gorgeous and picturesque… and it also has a clock tower you can climb for 5 euros.
Wandering the Streets of Old Town
One you’ve checked out the obligatory main square, the streets nearby are perfect for exploration and taking things slow. Visiting Munich should be all about going your own pace; simply wander the old streets and see what you can find.
Kaufingerstrasse and Neuhauser Strasse are perhaps the best places to start if you want to get a sense of the Old Town.
You’ll be able to find great pedestrian paths here to check out the sights, sounds, and smells of local bakeries, bars, and restaurants, as well as browsing through clothing stores, vintage shops, and so much more.
You’ll certainly find that these streets are very busy in the afternoon when the locals are finishing work and meeting friends and family. If possible, go out shopping later in the evening or early morning.
Food and Drink in Old Town/Altstadt
In terms of eating and drinking, Viktualienmarkt is absolutely the place to be in the summer. This is the hub of the Munich culinary scene, as it’s an open food court where you can pick up tasty snacks and beverages to take away for picnics, but also eat there if you’re in the mood.
Here you can find juicy fruit, smoked fish, sausages, cheeses, freshly baked bread and pastries, as well as even flowers, herbs, and spices. It’s the place to try some quintessential German/Bavarian food!
This area is really great for the locals but also tourists wanting to get an idea of how Munich functions during the summer – you can’t get a better idea of how Bavaria functions than at Viktualienmarkt for a relaxed, informal atmosphere.
Many people love to check out the Munich Hoffbrauhaus to get a classic Bavarian bier experience in a heer house from the 26th century.
Once again, do try to go very early to avoid the heat and the crowds.
Explore Parks and Green Spaces
Even after a few hours here in Munich, you’ll find that the parks and green spaces are not just for decoration, but really function as part of the daily life.
The English Garden
The English Garden (Englischer Garten) stretches across a massive portion of the city and is actually one of the largest urban parks in the entire world. In the summer months, especially, this is one of the best spots for cycling, jogging, practicing music, studying, sunbathing, and simply enjoying time with your friends and family.
There’s 78km of walking and cucling trails, a lakeside beer garden, predictably a lot of soccer games, frisbee, and badminton matches going on, so watch out for something heading your way! It’s truly one of the best things to do in Munich in summer.
Eisbach Wave
Close to the English Garden, you’ll find the hugely interesting Eisbach wave (Eisbachwelle). This is one of the most unique spots in Munich and perhaps all of Germany. It’s a man-made construction where real surfers can ride a permanent wave created by the fast-flowing river.
It’s free to watch, and the area draws lots of photographers, locals, tourists, and just simply sports fans hoping to see some totally gnarly surfing action (and perhaps a few wipeouts).
The Eisbach wave is a wild contrast to see men and women in wetsuits riding waves in the totally landlocked city of Munich. It’s actually one of the biggest river wave surfing capitals of the world – so it’s worth seeing.
Olympia Park
Another amazing green spot in Munich to visit in summer is the Olympia Park. Built for the 1972 Olympic Games, you’ll find very modern architecture with rolling hills, blue lakes, and very wide walking paths during the summer months.
You can find concerts, festivals, and even outdoor movie nights here. If you climb the Olympic Tower, you’ll see another great panoramic view that is a dream for photographers.
Outdoor Swimming in Rivers, Lakes and Pools
Swimming in summer is vital to life in Munich. The Isar River flows through the city directly and gives swimmers a designated spot where locals and tourists can cool off after a long day of work or sightseeing.
The Flaucher is an especially popular spot to swim with gorgeous clear water, and the riverbank has entry points that are shallow, with trees giving lots of shade from the heat. It’s also possible to float downstream and swimmers can get out at certain spots along the way. This is especially popular in summer!
Munich is well-known for having several outdoor pools known as Freibäder. These are well-maintained and incredibly popular, so getting there early is essential.
Schyrenbad gives a classic experience with large pools and lawns for sunbathing, while Westbad and Michaelibad are a bit more centered to families with playing areas and waterslides.
The fees for entry are pretty affordable for Munich, and the pools are more sociable than chaotic! You’ll also find that the lakes surrounding Munich are just as much a part of the city as the rivers and pools.
Starnberger See, Ammersee, Tegernsee, and Schliersee can easily be reached by train and are far prettier to look at and swim than many pools. They make great day trips from Munich if you want to get into a bit more nature for the summer day!
You can also rent boats, kayaks, and paddleboats, as well as just chilling at lakeside cafés or walking around and enjoying the sunshine. Many locals swim here during the week after work and like to escape to lakes on the weekends.
Cycling in Munich
It could be argued that Munich is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Germany (or even Europe), especially in the summer. The terrain is very flat, there are many bike lanes away from traffic, and there’s a good mix of younger and older bike riders all enjoying their commute across the city.
Even tourists will be able to find bike rentals using apps across the city, and hotels and hostels sometimes offer a bike rental. So, there’s no excuse not to have a bike and explore the city this way!
Renting a bike or even an electric scooter is truly my favorite way to explore European cities like Munich in the summer – you can see so much more in a shorter time, and enjoy the breeze through your hair as you go!
The previously mentioned Isar river is one of the best spots for cycling and you can rest at several picnic spots along the way.
The English Garden has great paths connecting to neighborhoods without experiencing any traffic, which means you can get to most places in Munich without having to worry about cars.
Districts like Schwabing and Glockenbachviertal are some of the best to ride around by bike and make you feel like you’re experiencing a city in a whole new light.
You can always get off, lock your bike, and explore the many shops, cafés, and green spaces while you soak up the city’s atmosphere.
Get to Know Munich Through Sports
Sports, especially soccer, are a major part of why Munich is such a great city for living in Germany. Bayern Munich completely dominates the local culture and Allianz Arena is easily one of the most impressive soccer stadiums in the entire world.
Although getting a ticket can be difficult, attending a Bayern Munich match would be a big highlight and they’re consistently one of the best teams in the German Bundesliga. Failing that, a stadium tour is possible all year round on non-match days.
If soccer isn’t really your favorite, then there are still many sports that draw major crowds in Munich. Basketball, handball, and ice hockey attract dedicated and loyal fans and you’ll find that the crowds go even crazier than in the States!
If you like to play these sports as well as watch, which is a great way to spend time in Munich in summer, then you’ll find public sports facilities are a major hit throughout Munich. Basketball courts, football pitches, and even free outdoor gyms are all possible to find throughout parks and certain areas in Munich. If you walk past a basketball court with people playing, then feel free to ask to join in!
Festivals, Music and Open-Air Entertainment
You’ll find that it’s impossible to be bored in Munich in summer, as it’s absolutely packed with festivals, gigs, and free open-air entertainment.
The Tollwood Festival, for example, is held in Olympia Park and is a huge entertainment feast for the senses. You’ll see live music, street food from all over the world, art installations and new and interesting themes focused on sustainability. International and local performers can be found here and it’s an absolute hit that must be seen to be believed.
Open-air concerts range from classical to electronic to heavy metal, so anyone with a taste for live music can find it in Munich. There are sometimes incredible gigs played in historic courtyards, parks, and even on street corners. Munich in summer is alive with music and energy.
Be sure to check out open air cinemas as well, as these are one of the best ways to see new films with a fresh breeze blowing through your hair and without the stuffiness that can come in an indoor theatre.
Give Oktoberfest a Try at Least Once
While it might confuse some people that Oktoberfest actually begins in September, all you need to care about is that it’s one long party that still feels part of the summer (even if the weather may begin to decline).
The preparations begin weeks in advance, and you’ll find that the entire city of Munich becomes one long festival. Oktoberfest is like nothing else in the world, with giant beer tents, theme park rides, traditional Bavarian music and regional food. Honestly, you don’t go here for a healthy OR quiet time… it’s a time to indulge.
We’re talking about many one-liter beer mugs (less is frowned upon), large pretzels, sausages, roasted chicken, cheese spätzle (similar to mac and cheese), and a lot of noise with a fairground feeling.
If nothing else, it’s just a fun place to people-watch and enjoy Munich at its craziest. That said, the daytime is usually a little bit calmer and more family-friendly, whereas in the evenings, things get a bit wild.
Even if you actually can’t get into the Oktoberfest grounds due to the long queues, in the neighborhoods surrounding the event, there are also smaller music stages and beer tents for a little taste of the city-wide party.
Small Munich Day Trips Beyond the City
It’s worth keeping in mind that Munich’s location allows for some epic small day trips around Bavaria that are amazing to do in summer.
The Black Forest and the Bavarian Alps are all within easy reach from trains or even car rides. Hiking in the hills, cable car trips, and cute Alpine huts await you outside of the city. And yes, these are still gorgeous during the summer and worth checking out in the warmer months for epic views.
Smaller towns like Mittenwald have more of a scenic and calmer lifestyle than Munich, with great Alpine lake views and riverside walks, allowing you to cool off when things get hot in the summer.
Well, that’s it for some of the best things to do in Munich in Summer! Which are your favorite?
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