The capital of Bavaria is a city of medieval, cobbled streets and old beer halls, but also a modern business center where giants like BMW have their headquarters.
Munich, nowadays, is a bustling center of technology and science, full of rich history and amazing Bavarian cuisine. And let’s not forget it’s the host of the iconic Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival.
So if you want to learn more about this eclectic city, read on to find out where to stay in Munch! We’ll show you the best areas, our favorite hotels, and must-see sights. Let us be your guide!
The 5 Best Places to Stay in Munich
Munich is a lovely city with lots of great neighborhoods. Yet, our top choices are the five neighborhoods below because each offers a unique and fun take on the city.
Our 5 favorite areas include:
- Altstadt-Lehel: This is the place to be if you want to be near the most famous attractions, like the Residenz Palace and the Museum of Contemporary Art. But you can also just roam through the cobbled streets and admire the city’s medieval charm.
- Maxvorstadt: A perfect place for academics and those who want to experience Munich’s intellectual spirit and visit its renowned universities and the amazing Pinakothek museums.
- Sendling: It’s an excellent spot for people who want to be near nature yet never leave the city. Munich’s famous nature reserve Hellabrunn Zoo and Flaucher Island are located there.
- Schwabing-Freimann: This is the place to be if you want to be seen by the trendiest people and walk the most fashionable streets in Munich.
- Au-Haidhausen: One of the best places to go if you just want to feel a more chill city vibe and stroll by the Iser River.
Where to Stay in Munich: Best Areas & Hotels
Regardless of the area in which you choose to stay, there’s something for all budgets, interests, and travel types. We think the only hard decision you’ll have to make is which area to pick!
1. Altstadt-Lehel
Munich, Germany, on August 22, 2018. Beautiful urban view. People go along the street in the pedestrian zone of the old city of Alstadt/Bellena/Shutterstock
A trip to Munich wouldn’t be a proper trip without first visiting the Old Town. This is the medieval heart of Munich, located around Marienplatz – the city’s biggest square.
As a tourist, you simply mustn’t miss the Frauenkirche (also called Cathedral Of Our Dear Lady), a beautiful 15th-century Gothic cathedral with two towers and characteristic half-moon domes.
The two towers of the Frauenkirche are so beloved by locals that in 2004 they organized a city referendum where they voted to stop building new buildings that exceed the height of the church, which is approximately 323 feet.
Munich’s Old Town is home to the iconic Hofbräuhaus beer hall, built in 1589 by the Bavarian Duke Maximilian I, adorned with elaborate baroque frescoes on its arched ceiling, the traditionally dressed staff, and the magnificent beer.
Apart from its architectural riches, the Altstadt-Lehel area also offers cultural and entertainment opportunities.
Opera enthusiasts can enjoy classical performances at the famous Bavarian State Opera; others can visit the exhibits at the Haus der Kunst, a renowned museum of modern and contemporary art featuring the best of today’s artistic production.
Altstadt-Lehel attractive to culinary enthusiasts since it’s filled with an eclectic blend of cafes, restaurants, and beer gardens. You can savor the traditional Bavarian cuisine, such as pretzels, sausages, and schnitzels, and sip from the locally brewed beers.
But, there’s plenty of choice for those who are more into international cuisine — from Italian trattorias to Asian fusion bistros, there’s something for every kind of palate in the center of Munich.
This neighborhood is perfect for those of you seeking some retail therapy. The big-brand names can be found on the bustling Kaufingerstrasse, while the expensive designer labels can be found on the exclusive Maximilianstrasse.
Since this is the center of Munich, accommodation is generally pretty expensive, and options range from mid-range to luxury hotels.
Altstadt-Lehel Budget Hotels
- THE 4YOU Hostel & Hotel Munich is a two-star hostel and hotel near the historical Karlsplatz Square. The accommodation options are a mixed-dormitory room with a shared bathroom or private rooms with a private bathroom. It’s a great budget-friendly option for money-tight travelers. Breakfast is available for an additional price.
- Hotel Bayer’s is a two-star hotel, just a 5-minute walk from Alter Botanischer Garten Park. It’s a modern hotel with free Wi-Fi and rooms with satellite TV, a minibar, and a private bathroom. There are also coffee-making facilities in each room. But, unfortunately, there’s no breakfast option.
Altstadt-Lehel Mid-Range Hotels
- Hotel Am Markt is a beautiful three-star hotel located on a cute and small marketplace square called Viktualienmarkt, just a minute’s walk from Marienplatz. Its pastel-colored rooms are the epitome of comfort and classiness for which you won’t have to pay too high a price. In addition, the hotel has free Wi-Fi and offers a hearty breakfast.
- Haus im Tal is a four-star hotel in Munich’s center, right next to the New Town Hall and the famous Glockenspiel. It has a terrace, a bar, and a fitness center. Guests can use the hotel’s free bikes. All rooms have satellite TV and Wi-Fi, a safe box, and a private bathroom. The hotel also offers a buffet or a continental breakfast.
Altstadt-Lehel Luxury Hotels
- Bayerischer Hof is a luxury five-star hotel overlooking the beautiful Promenade memorial park. It has a rooftop swimming pool and a beautiful terrace with city and park views. Guests can use the hotel’s Blue Spa, sauna, gym, and beauty salon. The hotel also has two bars and two restaurants, a Polynesian-style restaurant and the Atelier Restaurant, which has two Michelin stars.
- Hotel Opera is a charming, rustic-styled four-star hotel in the center of Munich, located near the Bavarian State Opera. The hotel has a courtyard garden where guests can enjoy their complimentary breakfast. There’s also free parking on the premises.
2. Maxvorstadt
Germany, Munich, Maxvorstadt: Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism in the city center of the Bavarian capital with people, visitors, men, women, public park/Rolf G. Wackenberg/Shutterstock
Maxvorstadt is a central neighborhood in Munich adjacent to Altstadt-Lehel. It’s often known as the city’s intellectual and artistic hub, offering a mix of architectural sights, world-class museums and renowned, world-class universities.
Maxvorstad also boasts a lively atmosphere with lots of trendy cafes and restaurants, as well as bookshops, indie stores, and green spaces for concert and cinema venues, like Königsplatz.
One way to experience the grandeur of this neighborhood is to take a walk on Ludwigstrasse, a majestic boulevard that stretches from the Odeonsplatz all the way to the 19th century triumphal arc Siegestor.
Along the iconic Ludwigstrasse, you’ll find beautiful examples of neoclassical architecture. Some inlclude the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, which is Munich’s oldest university, and the Bavarian State Library, which houses a vast collection of books and manuscripts.
If you’re an art enthusiast, then Maxvorstad also has something up its sleeve to offer you.
The area is literally brimming with world-renowned museums and galleries, including The Alte Pinakothek, The Pinakothek der Moderne, Lenbachhaus, Museum Brandhorst, and the Munich Museum of Egyptian Art, among others.
But Maxvorstadt’s intellectual spirit extends beyond art and history.
The neighborhood has a strong and rich academic community. After all, some of the best universities in all of Germany – like the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität and the Technical University of Munich – are located there.
These prestigious institutions bring a youthful energy to the area, with students gathering in cozy cafes, bookstores and lively beer gardens. Maxvorstadt’s central location makes it an ideal starting point for city exploration.
It’s very well connected to other parts of the city by public transportation, allowing you to discover nearby attractions like the Englischer Garten or Marienplatz very easily.
Maxvorstad Budget Hotels
- Hotel Montree is a three-star budget hotel with non-smoking rooms and soundproofed windows to protect you from the busy Munich streets. It’s just a few minutes away from local beer breweries and an underground station. Each room has a private bathroom, a TV, and Wi-Fi. There’s also breakfast for an additional charge.
- Sure Hotel by Best Western is a three-star hotel that offers comfortable, affordable rooms with private bathrooms, TV, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast every morning, and there’s also a hotel restaurant you can use. If you’re in Munich, especially for Oktoberfest, the area where the festival is held can be reached in just 10 minutes by foot.
Maxvorstad Mid-Range Hotels
- Hotel Amba is a three-star hotel near Marienplatz. It has large rooms with private bathrooms. Unfortunately, their speedy Wi-Fi will be available only if you pay a small fee.
- Eurostars Grand Central is a sleek and modern four-star hotel with a spa, sauna, fitness studio, and an indoor pool. It has air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom. The hotel restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean food and also traditional Bavarian meals.
Maxvorstad Luxury Hotels
- Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel is a beautiful and stylish five-star hotel that has an indoor pool, spa, and gym. The hotel rooms have private limestone bathrooms with bathtubs and a walk-in shower. Most rooms have beautiful city views or views towering the Old Botanical Garden.
- Eden Hotel Wolff is a modern four-star hotel with a fitness center, a spa and steam room, and a gorgeous rooftop terrace. As a guest, you can lounge at the hotel’s bar or eat at their superb Bavarian restaurant.
3. Sendling
MUNICH, GERMANY – Sep 14, 2008: Sendling Gate or Sendlinger Tor is a city gate at the southern extremity of the historic old town area of Munich/Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
Sendling is a neighborhood located southwest of Munich’s center, absolutely ideal for people who want to both love nature and city life. Hellabrunn Zoo is an example of wildlife blending perfectly with the city environment.
If you love wild animals, and want to see them living almost identically as they would live in their natural habitat, then you must absolutely visit this world-class zoo.
And if you’re not a fan of zoos, then visit Westpark, a beautiful green oasis in the middle of Munich.
This large park offers places where you can peacefully walk and not be distracted by car horns and city noise, enjoy the lake, have picnics, and lots of other outdoor activities.
Sendling is also a nice neighborhood in itself, with beautiful architecture and landmarks.The Sendlinger Church is the centerpiece of this neighborhood — a baroque masterpiece with ornate, breathtaking interiors.
Just staring at the ceiling as you enter the church will leave you dizzy with wonder. Strolling through Sendling’s streets, you’ll also see rows and rows of traditional Bavarian houses, most of them well-kept or restored throughout the years.
Other historically important sights in this area that still remain on the ancient city walls are the medieval Hadern Gate and the Brudermühl Gate. If you’re a history buff, you’ll have a field day in Sendling!
Sendling is also home to loads of cozy cafes and both Bavarian and international restaurants. Vegan, vegetarian, or full-time meat eater, there’s something for everyone in this neighborhood.
When it comes to accommodation in Sendling, you can easily find budget and mid-range hotels, but luxury, five-star accommodation options are a harder find.
Sendling Budget Hotels
- Hotel Galleria is a two-star hotel that offers free breakfast. It has free Wi-Fi, and all the rooms have private bathrooms, a TV, a microwave, and a hairdryer.
- Campanile Muenchen Sendling is a nice three-star hotel that’s very affordable and offers a very comforting stay and a great breakfast buffet. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and all rooms have private bathrooms and TVs.
Sendling Mid-Range Hotels
- Ambassador Parkhotel is a three-star hotel offering spacious and affordable rooms with a private bathroom and standard amenities. The hotel offers free parking and free Wi-Fi. There’s a breakfast buffet available each morning for an additional price.
- Hotel Rivoli is a three-star hotel in a peaceful location, near the underground station. It has free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms in all the rooms, and a stylish bar that serves German beers and wine.
Sendling Luxury Hotels
- Leonardo Hotel is an elegant, four-star hotel that has a fitness center and a spa with a sauna. The spacious rooms offer free Wi-Fi, a TV, a private bathroom, and a balcony.
- K+K Hotel am Harras is a four-star hotel that’s close to the Theresienwiese, the place where Oktoberfest is held. The stylish rooms are decorated in a minimalist, but elegant style, and all of them have private, marble bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi. And if you want to exercise while you’re staying in Munich, you can use the hotel fitness centre.
4. Schwabing-Freimann
mRGB/Shutterstock
Schwabing-Freimann is a small chic and upscale area in Munich, located in the north part of the city, just above Maxvorstadt. On its streets you can find a fun mix of traditional Bavarian houses and modern buildings.
Schwabing, a sub-district of Schwabing-Freimann, was once a famous and bustling bohemian meeting place, attracting artists, intellectuals, and writers from the area.
If you want to get a taste of the past of Schwabing-Freimann, then you must visit the Gopho – Gallery of Photography and Contemporary Art and the Kulturbühne Spagat theater.
One of the most famous and most visited museums in the Schwabing-Freimann is the BMW Welt and BMW Museum. If you’re a car lover, you’ll love the glimpse of the history of development and innovation of the iconic automobile manufacturer.
For those of you looking for a shade or a nice leisure place within the city, then look no further than the Englischer Garten (or English Garden), which is also one of the largest urban parks in the world, created in the 18th century.
It has meadows, lakes, cycling and jogging trails, you name it! Make sure to get to the nearby Hirschgarten, a huge lakeside beer garden that serves traditional Bavarian food and great beer.
Schwabing-Freimann Budget Hotels
- Super 8 by Wyndham is a three-star hotel offering everything you need in terms of budget accommodation. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, a bar, and a sun terrace. All rooms have private bathrooms, a TV, and a writing desk. The hotel also serves daily breakfast for a price.
- ibis München Parkstadt Schwabing is an excellent budget option for travelers with limited means. There’s satellite TV, private bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi in the rooms. There’s also a nice restaurant with a terrace.
Schwabing-Freimann Mid-Range Hotels
- Munich Marriott Hotel is a four-star hotel. It has non-smoking, air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, and private bathrooms. The hotel has an indoor pool and wellness center with a sauna, steam room, and a gym.
- Holiday Inn Express Munich North is a three-star hotel that’s great value for your money. It offers free breakfast, so you know that you won’t be going out to explore Munich hungry. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and coffee and tea maker.
Schwabing-Freimann Luxury Hotels
- Pullman Munich is a four-star, pet-friendly luxury hotel. It has a lovely beer garden, an outdoor terrace, and private parking. As a guest, you can also use the spa and sauna at the hotel. The rooms have free Wi-Fi, a TV, a seating area with a desk, and a private bathroom. Also, most rooms have a balcony.
- Andaz Munich Schwabinger Tor is a five-star restaurant near the Schwabinger Tor in Munich. It has a spa and sauna, a fitness center, a pool area with sundecks, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic city views. Rooms are stylish and spacious, with TV, work desks, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. You can eat at their Lonely Broccoli restaurant, which serves great Bavarian dishes.
5. Au-Haidhausen
Streetflash/Shutterstock
If you’re looking for a small village within a bustling metropolis like Munich, look no further than Au-Haidhausen.
This charming neighborhood has transformed a lot throughout the years and now is a more peaceful residential area with lots of green spaces, small shops and bookstores like Buchpalast, and cozy sidewalk cafes and brunch spots like the local’s favorite Coffee Box,
that will make you feel like you’ve been living there your whole life. In Au-Haidhausen, it’s enough to just walk around the neighborhood to have a good time.
On your way, you’ll encounter historic buildings like the St. Johann Nepomuk Church and the magnificent Maximilianeum.
There’s also no short space of greenery, with the countless small park squares, like Bordeauxplatz and Hypopark, perfect if you’re traveling with kids and you want them to unwind and play with the locals.
There are also even bigger green expanses in the area which are also close to the Isar River.
Here you can do your morning jogging routine, or hire a bike and cycle through the nearby Maximiliansanlagen, a beautiful park filled with lots of gardens and fountains. You can also have a picnic there when the weather is good.
Get some pretzels and Bavarian blue cheese, grab a Paulaner and you’re all set! However, Au-Haidhausen is not known solely as a refuge from the urban bustle.
It also boasts a vibrant cultural scene. One venue you can visit while you’re there is the Deutsches Museum and the Gasteig cultural center, home to several cultural institutions in Munchen, including the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
And if you ever get hungry from all the strolling, you can always visit some of the cafes, beer gardens, and different types of eateries in Au-Haidhausen. Here you won’t stay hungry, whatever the budget.
From street food joints to fancier options like Italian and French restaurants, or the super-popular traditional Bavarian restaurants and beer gardens, there are plenty of options to satisfy your appetite for the day.
In this area of Munchen, you can mostly find mid-range accommodation. Those looking for budget options may want to look somewhere else. Also, those who want super-luxurious hotels may want to head out to the city center.
Au-Haidhausen Budget Hotels
- Motel One München-Haidhausen is a three-star motel in Au-Haidhausen. The motel has free Wi-Fi and parking. You can also have breakfast, but it costs a little extra. All rooms have a TV, a private bathroom, a desk, and a safety deposit box. As a guest, you can also use the hotel bar or chill on the terrace.
- MK Hotel München Max-Weber-Platz is a two-star hotel with free Wi-Fi and private parking. Each room has a private bathroom, satellite TV, and a desk. The English Garden is a stone’s throw away from the hotel. To get to the Maximilianstraße shopping street, you’ll need to walk for about 20 minutes. You can also have a daily breakfast buffet if you’re willing to pay extra.
Au-Haidhausen Mid-Range Hotels
- Hotel Munich City is a three-star hotel that’s just 10 minutes away from Munich Main Station. You can spend your evenings relaxing on the lovely garden terrace. There’s also a hotel bar and breakfast every morning. The non-smoking rooms have free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom.
- Hotel Aurbacher Hof is a three-star, family-run hotel that’ll make you feel at home. It has an exquisite breakfast room and a charming garden terrace you can use to unwind from a long day. Each room has wooden furniture, private bathrooms, a minibar, and a TV.
Au-Haidhausen Luxury Hotels
- Hotel Ritzi is a classy four-star hotel with concierge services. All rooms have a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi. Every morning you can enjoy their daily breakfast buffet – American or continental, depending on your preference. There’s also a hotel restaurant that serves French and international dishes. Guests especially like this hotel because of the friendly staff and cleanliness.
- Hilton Munich City is a four-star hotel from the famous Hilton brand. The rooms have private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee facilities. For those of you who want to maintain your daily exercise schedule, there’s also a 24-hour hotel gym you can use as a guest. And if you want to explore Munich by bike, you can rent some from the hotel.
So, Where Should You Stay in Munich?
Munich, Germany – September 21: Participants, carts, marching bands of the annual opening parade called “einzug der wirte” of the oktoberfest on september 21, 2019 in the old town of munich/FooTToo/Shutterstock
Munich is a great city with lots of old medieval charm, contemporary, upscale energy, and a touch of business flair.
Granted, it’s more expensive than other cities in Germany — in fact, it is among the most expensive cities in Germany, so if you want to travel here, you should be prepared to splurge.
To recap, the best parts of town include:
| 🏰 Most Historic Area | Altstadt-Lehel |
| 🤓 Best for Academics | Maxvorstadt |
| 🌳 Best to Experience Nature | Sendling |
| 😎 Trendiest Part of Town | Schwabing-Freimann |
| 🧘🏻 Most Relaxing Area | Au-Haidhausen |
So, with so much to see and do, and countless amazing areas in which to stay, what are you waiting for — book your trip to Munich today!