26 Local Things to do in Munich In Winter

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Are you curious about the fun and festive things to do in Munich during the colder winter months? Have you dreamed of strolling through a snow-dusted, charming European city while sipping hot Glühwein or even escaping indoors to catch the Bavarian opera? If so, Munich is a picture-perfect European city in the winter.

The snow falls lightly, covering the Frauenkirche domes and charming red roofs of the old town with a fairytale white.

From iconic Christmas markets and cozy beer halls to exciting outdoor adventures and cultural events, Munich offers something for everyone. Whether visiting during the holiday season or exploring off-peak, this guide will help you make the most of your winter getaway. So, bundle up, and let’s dive into the winter wonderland of Munich!

Munich and the surrounding area of Bavaria are teeming with fun things to do in the winter. Whether you are an outdoor snow-loving adventurer or enjoy a quiet day curled up in a cafe with a good book, Munich has a winter activity for everyone.

Looking for more Munich content to plan your winter holiday? Don’t miss these guides!

• Munich Christmas Market Guide
• Sustainable City Guide to Munich
• Munich to Zugspitze – a great winter day trip!
• Vegetarian and vegan food at Munich Christmas markets

Winter in Munich: Fun Things to Do!

There are so many fun things to do in Munich every winter. Explore at your own pace with my list of winter activities, or book a guided excursion or activity to have a local show you around one of Europe’s best cities to visit during winter!

1. Check out a Snowy View of Munich

Munich has to have one of Europe’s cutest bird’s eye views. With limitations on skyscrapers and a focus on old European architecture, you can’t beat it, especially when the red roofs are covered with a fresh dusting of snow.

This view can be reached from Peterskirche or St. Peter’s Church, right in the center of Munich at Marienplatz. 3 Euro will grant you access to the long, zigzagging staircase leading up to the top.

The best part about visiting in winter (other than Christmas time) is that it is usually less crowded, so you can take your time and get a good photo!

2. Go Sledding in and Around Munich

I remember growing up in a small town in Alaska; we used to have miles of sledding hills at our doorstep. I would suit up and sled for hours of fun. I never dreamed of living in a European city where sledding is common in the central part of town! There are three prominent sledding hills in Munich.

The first is in the Englischergarten at Monopteros, which you can find on Google Maps. The other two are located at Olympiaberg and Luitpoldhügel. Olympiaberg features a tube run, allowing you to race down in an inner tube.

Sleds are not provided at these locations, but you can buy a cheap butt seat for sledding at any sporting goods store. If you’re only in town visiting and plan on throwing it away, make sure to give it to a family on the hill.

My favorite sledding area is a snow-filled day trip from Munich for extreme sledding in the Alps. Here, you hike up a small winding path, and at the top, you can warm up with beer and food before beginning your descent.

You pay 2 euros for a traditional wooden toboggan rental. You sled down the same path you hiked up, and it is quite the ride, lasting about 7-10 minutes. Drop the sled off at the bottom and head home. In my detailed post, find out more about this winter day trip from Munich.

3. Enjoy Ice Skating in Munich City Center

The city center of Munich transforms into a skating rink from November to January. Stop by and rent skates for an allotted session of ice skating. At night, they turn on neon lights, which turn into an all-out party. The fun doesn’t stop there as the entire area of Stachus transforms into a cozy Alpine village. You can warm up with a cup of Glühwein and piping hot snacks.

4. Experience Munich’s Christmas Markets

No trip to Munich in the winter is complete without experiencing the iconic Christmas markets, which are open from late November to the end of December. Shop charming vendors, drink copious amounts of Glühwein, and eat all the würst you can handle.

Munich has 25 Christmas markets, including the traditional markets at Marienplatz, a historic medieval market, and alternative markets. The city transforms into a Christmas snow globe with festive decorations and lights. Walk from market to market as you shop from vendors, enjoy Christmas market foods, and drink copious amounts of Glühwein.

Read my detailed guide to plan your winter holiday around the Christmas markets. Find the best markets, food, drink, and alternative markets, and learn some Christmas phrases in German!

I’m pretty sure I have the only guide that covers all 25 markets :)

The markets will be held from November 24 to December 24, 2025. Some markets open on November 18, while others stay open until January 2026.

5. Ride the Christmas Tram

Small disclaimer: I rode this, and it was crowded and so steamy you couldn’t see out the windows. So, it’s not my top recommendation for things to do in Munich in the winter, but it might be right up someone’s alley.

This is a regular tram that has been decked out in Christmas trim. It runs around the city for about 20 minutes, and they serve Glühwine on the tram for 6 euros. The tram picks up from the Sendlinger Tor Tram stop, and you can’t miss it with all the Christmas lights and decorations.

Read More: If you’re a geek who wants to stay inside this winter, check out my tips for geeky and nerdy travelers in Munich. Find the best museums, board game shops, bookstores, libraries, and geeky stores.

*The Christmas Tram was canceled in 2023, and there are talks to bring it back. I’ll update you if it’s operational for the 2025 Advent Season.

6. See an English Movie

Sometimes, it is just too cold to be outside exploring, making it the perfect time to catch an English Movie. A charming theater in Munich shows only English or (original language) movies in a historic theater.

If Rocky Horror is your thing, it plays every Friday and Saturday at 11:00 pm. You often need tickets in advance; purchase them at the link below. The website is partially in German, but you should be able to manage it; if not, you can show up early and buy tickets there.

Buy tickets here!

7. Take A Day Trip to Scenic Zugspitze

If you want a scenic view of the German Alps in Winter, this trip is for you, but you are not a skier or snowboarder. This day trip will take all day, combining everything from a regional train, a cogwheel train up through the mountains, and a scenic tram. A great traditional Bavarian restaurant is at the top for lunch, and there is an area to walk around and explore on foot.

Zugspitze is a glacial area, so you can return home and tell your friends you’ve walked on a glacier. Zugspitze is also the highest point in Germany, and it borders Austria. At the top of the peak, you can walk across the German-Austrian border as many times as you want; how cool is that? Read a detailed post about how to get to Zugspitze here.

Or book a guided tour, including transportation to and from Zugspitze, a cogwheel train, and a gondola ride!

8. Expand your Knowledge at a Museum

Munich is a museum lover’s dream destination. Munich is home to the world’s largest science and technology museum, the Deutsches Museum. That’s right; I said it is the largest in the world! You can also find great museums for neoclassical art and ancient civilizations.

If you happen to be in Munich on a Winter Sunday, most museums are 1 Euro or half off! Munich has a museum quarter, the Maxvorstadt neighborhood surrounding Königsplatz, making it easy to check out several in one day. If you can only go to one museum, I recommend the Deutsches Museum.

Read More: If your peak hipster is visiting Munich this winter, check out my hipster guide to Munich, which includes farmers’ markets, brunch, coffee shops, and street art.

9. Snowboard/ski the German (or Austrian) Alps

Munich is located just 45 minutes from the Alps by train or bus. Munich is the perfect launching point if you have always wanted to ski or snowboard the Alps. You can have an independent day by train or book a ski trip on a bus that takes you to and from the Austrian Alps, including breakfast, lunch, a lift ticket, and a beer.

The bus driver also handles all your baggage and has a host responsible for getting your lift ticket. I highly recommend this last option for anyone looking to make friends or who is intimidated by independent travel. Your host will speak German, but if you ask, they can usually translate the essentials to English and can give you personal information based on your needs.

Find out more information about ways to get out and ski the Alps with my comprehensive guide here.

10. Attend a Concert, Opera, or The Theater

Attending a cultural event in a foreign country or language is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture. You can check the Philharmonie for concerts. This is my favorite winter activity, and I’ve been obsessively attending Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Final Fantasy in Concert.

The movie plays on a screen while a live orchestra plays the soundtrack. It’s such a fun event! The Munich Opera has regular operas that come through town. Most of them are in Italian and then translated into German for subtitles, which makes it fascinating.

Germans have a unique approach to art, so classic operas often have a German twist – think of nudity on stage and abstract art that is so abstract you’re not sure if it is even art anymore. I highly recommend it.

Book tickets to some of Munich’s best classical concert events here. Some even include dinner or a wine tasting. Indulge in a fancy night out on the town!

11. Take a Walk Through Munich’s Graveyard

I love visiting the graveyard every season to see the changes. The historic Alter Südfriedhof graveyard has graves dating back to the late 1700s and is a large park-like area where you can walk around and get some fresh air. It is so hauntingly breathtaking with a fresh coat of snow.

12. Take the Hey Minga Winter Tour

Hey, Minga is a fantastic local German tour company with roots in Hamburg and other German cities. Each tour is tailored to its host city, changes with the season, and focuses on underground and alternative sights.

I had the pleasure of taking the Hey Minga Christmas tour, and it was well worth it. We bundled up, piled into a classic red VW bus, and toured street art, sledding hills, Christmas markets, and other oddities. At every stop, we searched for piping hot Glühwein and cookies to keep us fueled up for the tour.

Our guide spoke excellent English and was happy to engage and answer questions. This is a great tour for a group of friends or a family. I realize their entire website is in German. So, email them at [email protected] and ask to set up an English-speaking tour!

Update 2024: It looks like Hey Minga is not currently offering tours. I’ll let you know if this changes!

13. Warm up in a Sauna or Thermal Bath

Stop by and take a dip at Müller’sches Volksbad. This gorgeous pool and sauna building bridges the Isar River inside and out. Or, if you want to get to the airport early, stop by Therma Erding for a posh modern spa experience.

They have everything from luxury day beds to a swimming pool, a spa, and fun water slides. If you are up for a day trip or a quiet weekend away, check out the spa and thermal baths at Kochel am See. Kochel is a town right at the foothills of the Alps, and it is an idyllic Bavarian town.

14. Go Shopping

Munich has a luxury shopping strip on the road called Maximilianstraße. But, as always, I encourage you not to shop at these large corporate stores. Visit the neighborhoods around Glockenbach, specifically the area known as Gartnerplatz.

\Here, you will find small, locally-owned stores with sustainable and eco-focused principles. Another great shopping district is near Universität – start on Schellingstraße and explore the surrounding streets for great local boutiques and gift shops.

15. Read at a Library or Bookstore

Munich has some excellent libraries. Most of them are free to enter, but you must be a member to check out books. Be prepared to check your oversized bag into a locker and pass through security, as many libraries are part of universities or have significant historical value.

Check out the State Library of Bavaria for great architecture and a bounty of books. If you prefer small bookstores, consider checking out Hugendubel, Press and Books, or the Munich Readery. Most places have an English section.

16. Watch (or Try) Curling

Head over to Nymphenburg Palace for outdoor curling. The curling area is open most days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it costs only 4 euros per person for 4 hours of fun. I’ve never been curling, but my dad used to play, so I thought it might be fun for you all to get outdoors and try something new!

17. Experience Carnival or Fasching

Germans get into Carnival or, as it is called here, Fasching. Starting on the 7th of January, this event continues until Faschingsdienstag, or Fat Tuesday, as it is commonly known. Typically, you’ll see events the weekend before Fat Tuesday, but the entire downtown area turns into a party on this particular Tuesday.

Stop by Viktualienmarkt for food, drinks, costumes, and scheduled events on stage. Don’t forget your costume, or you’ll be out of place. You can swing by a drugstore and get the makeup for a simple cat face. Stop by any bakery and order a Krapfen, the German pastry to eat before Lent.

18. Attend a Paint and Wine Night

This whole class will be in German, but that’s ok. Just order all the wine you can drink and try to match the painting sample. It helped my friends and me practice our German and make new local friends and ex-pats. It was great fun, even though I realized I am a terrible painter.

See their Munich schedule here!

19. Sip Coffee at a Cafe

There is no better way to beat the cold of winter than sipping hot coffee or hot chocolate at a cafe. Munich isn’t known for its cafe culture, I’ll be the first to admit, but I’ve done all the hard work and found the best cafes for relaxing and enjoying a nice cup of coffee.

My favorite places for Wi-Fi and coffee are Café Blá or the Schwan Locke Cafe. Other great places to hang out and get good coffee without Wi-Fi are Man vs. Machine and Rösteri. Check out my hipster guide to Munich for more details on coffee shops.

20. Tour the BMW Factory

Even if you’re not a car lover, this experience is excellent for everyone. BMW does a great job of keeping things interesting and engaging. There are three different experiences and areas to explore. The Experience Tour is free, and you can visit a fancy showroom highlighting the cool, modern, and classic BMW cars.

The museum is ticketed, and you can go anytime during opening hours. It covers the history of BMW. The Factory Tour is also ticketed, and you may need to book well in advance – though coming in the winter, you have an advantage. This factory walks you through all the stages of making a car, and you get to see a car made from beginning to end.

21. Hit up Munich’s Best Bars or Nightclubs

I have a whole post locked and loaded for your ultimate night in Munich. It covers everything from how to order a drink in German, the best microbreweries, craft cocktail bars, and dive bars to the best nightclubs. T

his post also has all the winter beer and spirit events, from a beer expo to Starkbierfest. If you prefer to learn about German beer culture and history, check out my full post on all the best beers, beer halls, and beer-themed day trips.

22. See a Castle in the snow!

Seeing Germany’s most famous castle dusted in the snow is magical. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Disney’s Frozen. Plan the trip yourself or book a guided tour. Please note that if you want a tour that includes entrance to the castle, you must book the Premium Tour.

23. Hop-on Hop-Off Tour

If the weather is too cold to do anything, hop on a heated bus for a quick tour of Munich. These buses are a great way to get around the city, in a comfortable way, you can still take in all the sights. As you drive around, you’ll get lots of information about Munich.

24. See The Krampus Run

Krampus is St. Nikolas’ evil assistant. Created by German parents, the story goes that he follows bad children around and terrorizes them into being good children.

So, every year in December, 300-400 people dress up in elaborate costumes as Krampus and parade through the city. They will grab and scare children in the street, which is a sight.

This event is held every second Sunday in December, starting around 3 pm.

This year it will be Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Marienplatz.

25. Sip Glühwein and Enjoy Warm Food

There is nothing better than enjoying a warm beverage and a hearty meal during the cold winter months. You can find Glühwein stands around Munich from November until January, so you don’t have to visit during the Christmas markets.

Of course, winter is also a great time to enjoy Knödle soups, Käsespatzle, and more! Head to a traditional German restaurant, my favorite in the Paulaner Bräuhaus.

26. Ring in the New Year

If you are in Munich for the New Year, don’t miss my guide to Munich’s best NYE parties and events. I even include loads of German and Bavarian NYE traditions and culture. Of course, I also have some tips from local insiders on the best places to watch fireworks.

Weather and What to Pack

Munich can be quite moody in the winter. Temperatures can range anywhere from 40°F down to 0°F. You’re likely to encounter snow, sun, and rain. I recommend layers as the best option, especially for anyone without proper winter gear.

Pack boots that will keep your feet dry and warm, along with wool socks. Pack a winter coat or one you can layer underneath. Bring a hat, gloves, and a scarf; you should be ready to beat the cold with these fun winter activities.

• A stylish winter jacket in a neutral color. I’m a massive fan of 3-in-1 jackets; you can peel off the layers or add them as needed. They are expensive but are my go-to for winter travel.  I know a lot of women who prefer to bundle up with a nice stylish pea coat and pair it with a nice long-sleeve or sweater underneath. 
  • Any of these 3-in-1 jackets for men would be great as well. – Ganesh has had his for 12 years!
• A cute scarf and a warm knit hat from my favorite ethical producer, Pistil, are a must.  Don’t forget Patagonia mittens – these are great for sipping Vin Chaud.  You can also shop at Christmas market stalls for locally made knit hats, gloves, and scarves. We stocked up on knitwear during our Alsace road trip. 
• Waterproof boots. You can choose stylish black ones, a more neutral color, or thermal waterproof Blundstones..
  • These boots are great for men.
• A pair of thicker leggings or wool tights. 
• For women, I’m a huge fan of wool skirts paired with leggings. 
• For stylish and sustainable comfort underneath your warmer layers, I always pack my favorite PrAna basics. 

For a complete packing guide, read my German winter essentials packing guide.

Where to Stay in Munich in Winter

Over the years, I’ve stayed in many hotels in Munich.

I love the Living Hotel chain for its progressive, sustainable efforts. Plus, it is a small family-owned chain that started right here in Munich! I’ve personally stayed here and recommend it!

Other excellent options in Munich I can personally recommend after staying in each one are:

• Royal Bavarian for a lavish only-in-Munich experience. It’s probably the only hotel I recommend near the train station. 
• Flushing Meadows for the independent hipster traveler in the heart of the alternative district – my former neighborhood
• Schwan Lock is a great place to visit Munich like a local. It is close to Tollwood and has a great co-working space and bar!
• Bayerische Hof for the high-rollers who want to stay where celebrities stay

Share Winter in Munich

Munich is a fantastic city to visit year-round. There are plenty of things to do in Munich in Winter. Whether you’re in town in frosty February for a work trip, you need a break from the Christmas markets, or you enjoy off-season travel, there is something for everyone.

Share this to let your friends know how awesome Munich is in the winter! What is your favorite thing to do in Munich in the winter?