Where to stay in Munich: best areas and neighborhoods
Open IndexMunich is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Germany. Known for the Oktoberfest celebrations, the city is a treasure trove of beauty, full of things to see and do. Usually a weekend is spent here, before exploring the surroundings and other attractions in Bavaria, such as Neuschwanstein Castle.
If you are planning your visit, you must choose where to stay carefully. So here are all our tips on where to sleep in Munich.
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in Munich
The best district is Altstadt-Lehel, which is the central one that includes the historic centre where the main attractions are located. The prices are higher here, but it is ideal if you are visiting Munich for the first time.
If you are traveling with your family, you should choose Lehel in the historic centre, Maxvorstadt, the bohemian and artistic district of Munich, or Neuhausen-Nymphenburg, which is 20 minutes away by tram from the Altstadt.
If you are looking for nightlife and entertainment, the best neighbourhoods to stay are definitely Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt, the neighbourhood where the famous Oktoberfest is held, and Schwabing, north of the centre, which is the university area full of clubs. The latter is also an ideal district for those on a budget, together with Sendling-Westpark!
- Recommended areas to stay on a budget: Sendling-Westpark, Schwabing
- Recommended areas for families with children: Altstadt-Lehel, Maxvorstadt, Neuhausen-Nymphenburg
- Recommended areas for young people: Altstadt-Lehel, Schwabing, Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
- Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Munich. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking
If you are in Munich for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com
Guide to the areas of Munich
Munich is a very large city, with an area of 310.71 sq km and a population of almost 1,500,000. Administratively, the city is divided into 25 districts, called Stadtbezirk. The most interesting areas from a tourist point of view fall within the central districts.
The starting district is Alstadt-Lehel, the most central and also the best to stay. From here, the numbering of all the other districts starts. The ones that interest us most from a tourist point of view are the following:
- District 2 Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt, where Oktoberfest is held every year
- District 3 Maxvorstadt, the artistic and bohemian district of Munich
- District 4 Schwabing, young and lively district, given the presence of the famous university
- District 7 Sendling-Westpark, which includes Westpark, the location of numerous festivals during the summer
- District 9 Neuhausen-Nymphenburg, residential district where Nymphenburg Castle is located
Not recommended areas: there are no real neighbourhoods to avoid, the city is very safe. Obviously, in the evening you have to be careful in the streets around the stations, as in any big city.
District 1 / Altstadt-Lehel
The Altstadt-Lehel district is the best area to stay in Munich. Here you will find yourself in the city centre, within walking distance of the main attractions, such as the Munich Residence (Residenz München), Marienplatz with the town hall, Frauenkirche cathedral and the very famous Hofbräuhaus München brewery. Obviously, it follows that the prices here are among the highest, given the excellent location and the many services.
Staying here is ideal if you are visiting Munich for the first time or only have a few days to visit. You will find plenty of accommodation, mainly hotels, from more traditional ones with a German atmosphere to more modern ones with all comforts. For families, it is better to look in the Lehel area, in the northernmost part of the historic centre, much quieter than Marienplatz and its surroundings.
Finally, by staying here, you can easily move between the main attractions on foot. Within walking distance you will also have the central station, München Hbf.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €70,00 for low-cost accommodation to €350,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotel Schlicker | 3-star hotel, Family-run for over 100 years, 3 minutes' walk from Marienplatz. Fabulous breakfast, WiFi, parking. Ideal for couples |
| Hotel Falkenturm | Small hotel located on the elegant Maximilianstraße. Parking, pets allowed, family rooms available. Ideal for families |
| Hotel Blauer Bock | Modern hotel equipped with all services, such as parking, restaurant, WiFi. City or courtyard views. Ideal for young people and couples |
| BEYOND by Geisel | 5-star hotel opposite the Town Hall, on Marienplatz. Large and elegant rooms and suites, large, shared lounge on two floors, restaurant with chef, parking. Ideal for couples |
District 2 / Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt
Located south of the Altstadt is the Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt district, the place where Oktoberfest is held every year. Staying here, you will be a stone's throw from the historic centre, so it is a very strategic location. Among the main attractions, we find the Deutsches Museum.
This neighbourhood is ideal for young people and those looking for nightlife. In fact, Oktoberfest aside, the district is active and lively all year round, with numerous clubs and restaurants (including ethnic ones), pubs and theatres. The only thing to keep in mind is that during the Oktoberfest period, the costs increase considerably, so it is better to book early if you want to find good offers, usually at least 3 months in advance!
Finally, staying here will allow you to move towards the centre on foot. The district also includes the central station, München Hbf, and several metro stations.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €50,00 for low-cost accommodation to €250,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Lizz Hotel Munich | Hotel 500 m from the Oktoberfest site. Rooms with private bathroom and small lounge. Parking, room service, bar. Ideal for couples |
| Euro Youth Hotel Munich | Hostel 2 min from the central station. 24-hour reception, WiFi , parking and bar. Double rooms and dormitories for up to 6 people. Ideal for young people |
| City Aparthotel Munchen | Complex of apartments, from studios for 2 people to three-room apartments for up to 6 people. Parking, restaurant, pets allowed. Ideal for families, young people and groups |
| Living Hotel Prinzessin Elisabeth | 4-star luxury residence with rooms and apartments. Spa and wellness centre, gym, room service, parking, pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families |
District 3 / Maxvorstadt
From the south we move north: the first district we encounter moving north from the Altstadt is Maxvorstadt. It is an ancient, quiet and elegant district, full of museums and art galleries, large tree-lined avenues and numerous clubs. In fact, it is here that the museum district of Munich is located and the Alte Pinakothek, the Neue Pinakothek and the Pinakothek der Moderne are here. Also not to be missed is the wonderful Königsplatz, which overlooks the Glyptothek history museum.
This neighbourhood is ideal for families and those who want to be close to the main museums. You will find all services, such as restaurants, shops and clubs, but this is not a busy area. It is very quiet and within walking distance you will also have the famous Englischen Garten park, ideal for spending a few hours with the little ones.
Finally, staying here will allow you to easily reach the centre on foot. The area is also well served by the metro, trams and bus service.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €60,00 for low-cost accommodation to €380,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| NH Collection Munchen Bavaria | 4-star hotel a few steps from the station. Rooms with panoramic views of the city and all comforts. Gym, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples |
| THE 4YOU Hostel & Hotel Munich | Hostel with private rooms for up to 4 people or dorms with 5 to 12 beds, private or shared bathroom. Wifi and bar. Ideal for young people and groups of friends |
| BATU Apart Hotel | Residence with private rooms or apartments for up to 4 people, with kitchen. Family-run, parking and lift. Ideal for couples and families |
| Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel | 5-star hotel overlooking the Old Botanical Garden. Spa and wellness centre, swimming pool, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples and families |
District 4 / Schwabing
North of Maxvorstadt is the district of Schwabing, considered the artistic and multicultural district of the city. It is also a university area, therefore very young, full of bars, pubs, shops and cafes. But that's not all: here you will be within walking distance of attractions such as Olympiapark and BMW Welt.
It is an ideal neighbourhood for young people and those who want to stay on a budget. In fact, being far from the centre, the prices are lower and, by booking early, it will not be difficult to find some good offers. Despite the distance, there is no shortage of services and there is a lively nightlife here.
To reach the centre you will need to use public transport: the area is served by several metro stations, where the U2 and U8 lines pass, leading directly to the central railway station in about ten minutes. Alternatively, you can opt for trams or buses, but with longer travel times (20 min on average).
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €60,00 for low-cost accommodation to €200,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Motel One Munchen-Olympia Gate | 3-star hotel within walking distance of Olympiapark. 24-hour reception, parking and bar. Ideal for couples |
| Timehouse Serviced Apartments | Apartments for up to 5 people, with living room and equipped kitchen. Some with garden or terrace. Private parking. Ideal for families and small groups |
| Rilano 24 7 Hotel Munchen | Hotel with 24-hour reception, international restaurant, conference rooms, meeting room and business centre. Ideal for business travellers |
| Fleming's Hotel Munchen-Schwabing | 4-star hotel near the metro station. Gym, parking, restaurant and room service. Ideal for couples |
District 7 / Sendling-Westpark
Always taking the Altstadt as a reference point, to the west you can find the Sendling-Westpark district, a quiet and elegant neighbourhood surrounded by greenery. Here, the main attraction is the beautiful park Westpark München, which in the summer becomes a real meeting point, with events and demonstrations.
Due to its characteristics, this area is recommended mainly for families and those who want a bit of tranquillity, or an authentic experience further away from the glitz and confusion of the Altstadt! It is also an area where you can stay on a budget: given the distance from the centre and the few attractions present, prices are lower here, ideal for travellers on a budget.
Finally, to reach the centre you will have to use public transport: the area is served by several railway stations directly connected to the central station and by metro line U6, which will take you to the centre very quickly (main stop Westpark, 10 min).
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €50,00 for low-cost accommodation to €180,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotel AMENITY | Hotel 500 m from the metro station. Modern rooms for up to 3 people, bar, parking, WiFi. Ideal for couples and families |
| Paleo Finest Serviced Apartments | Apartment residence in front of the bus stop. For up to 5 people, living room, equipped kitchen, in some cases balcony. Ideal for families and small groups |
| Holiday Inn Munich - Westpark | 4-star hotel with gym with sauna, parking, restaurant and room service. 4 km from the centre of Munich. Ideal for couples |
District 9 / Neuhausen-Nymphenburg
Finally, west of Schwabing and Maxvorstadt, lies the large district of Neuhausen-Nymphenburg, a very quiet residential area. In addition to including part of Olympiapark, one of the most visited attractions in Munich is here: the wonderful Nymphenburg Castle, with its large park and the Botanischer Garten München.
It is an ideal area for families and those seeking tranquillity: large green areas, an elegant and quiet neighbourhood, a hotel with all services, shops, clubs and restaurants. But not only that, given the distance from the centre, you can also find some good offers, especially for apartments, ideal for having autonomy.
Finally, to reach the centre you will have to use public transport. The castle area, for example, is perfectly connected to Munich central station by tram 17 (20 min), while in regards to the metro, the district is served by lines U1 and U7.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from about €40,00 for low-cost accommodation to €150,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotel Nymphenburg Munchen | 3-star hotel with 24-hour reception, pets allowed, family rooms and parking. Ideal for couples and families |
| SVG Boardinghaus | Apartment residence with equipped kitchenette and private bathroom. Parking. Ideal for families and young people |
| Pandion Boardinghouse | Residence with elegant apartments. Kitchenette, safe and parking. Ideal for families and couples |
| Novotel Munchen City Arnulfpark | 4-star hotel with gym. Pets allowed, parking, family rooms available. Ideal for couples and families |
Places to stay near Munich
The best solution is to sleep in Munich, as we have seen there are many different districts, ready to meet the needs of any traveller. In addition, many hotels also have parking for those arriving by car and you can find excellent offers by booking in advance, especially during Oktoberfest.
But in case you want to stay outside the city, to save money or to enjoy nature a little more, there are some perfect places to stay, connected directly to the city centre:
- Augusta (80 km / 1 hour): one of the oldest cities in Germany, ideal especially for families, and to use as a base if you are looking for a quiet and unique location. Connected to Munich by direct train (30 min) - compare accommodation on booking
- Starnberg (27 km / 34 min): small town surrounded by nature and overlooking Lake Starnberg. One hour from Neuschwanstein Castle. Connected to Munich by direct train (17 min) - compare accommodation on booking