Germany, Europe

Munich in January

Cheapest month. Museums, beer halls, and Alpine ski trips.

Quiet valueCold, highs near 37F (3C), snow possible

Marienplatz and the New Town Hall, Munich — MunichPhoto: Guido Radig, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Munich. Cheapest month. Museums, beer halls, and Alpine ski trips.

Weather: Cold, highs near 37F (3C), snow possible
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What January is like in Munich

January is Munich at its coldest and cheapest. Highs sit near 37F (3C), snow can dust the old town, and the days are short and often gray. Hotel rates drop to their lowest of the year, the tour groups are gone, and the city moves indoors to its museums, cafes and wood-paneled beer halls. January 6 (Epiphany) is a public holiday, so shops close that day.

This month suits budget travelers, museum lovers and anyone pairing the city with a few days of skiing in the Alps. It is a poor fit if you want beer gardens, long walks in the Englischer Garten or clear mountain views. If outdoor Munich is the point, wait for May.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Munich this month.

Museums without the lines

The Pinakotheken, the Residenz and the Deutsches Museum are at their quietest. You can spend real time in the Alte Pinakothek's Durer and Rubens rooms.

Ski day trips

Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze are reachable by train for a day on the slopes, and snow is usually reliable up high.

Beer hall season

With the gardens closed, the big halls do the work. A warm dinner of roast pork and dumplings in a crowded hall is the classic winter evening.

Lowest hotel prices

Outside trade-fair weeks, rooms in the center cost a fraction of what they do in June or September.

What to pack for January

A warm insulated coat and a hat
Waterproof boots with good grip for icy cobbles
Gloves and a scarf for the walk between trams
Thermal layers if you plan a ski or Zugspitze day

Our timing tip

Check the trade-fair calendar before booking, since a big January fair can push hotel prices up for a week even in the quiet season.

Book Munich for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Munich
Opens a hotel search for Munich in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Munich
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Munich
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Munich for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Munich

Full guide

Englischer Garten

Bigger than Central Park. Watch the Eisbach river surfers at the park's southern edge, then walk to the Chinese Tower beer garden.

Tickets and tours →

Munich Residenz

The Antiquarium hall and the Treasury are the highlights. A rainy-day half day.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Deutsches Museum

Enormous; pick three sections and stop. Weekday mornings avoid school groups less than you would hope.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Pinakotheken

The Alte Pinakothek's Durer and Rubens rooms are the highlight. Sunday admission is heavily discounted, so crowds rise.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Nymphenburg Palace

Summer palace with a huge park and the royal carriage museum. The park is free.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Neuschwanstein Castle

About two hours away. Timed tickets are required and sell out weeks ahead in summer; book online.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For Oktoberfest, go on a weekday before noon and you can usually walk into a tent. Weekend evenings need a reservation made months ahead.
Book Neuschwanstein tickets online as soon as your date is fixed in summer, and take an early train to Fussen.
Hotel rates during Oktoberfest and major trade fairs can triple. If you are flexible, check both before picking dates.
Visit the Residenz and the Pinakotheken on weekdays; Sunday discounted entry fills them with locals.

Know before you go

Bavaria has more public holidays than most of Germany (Epiphany, Ascension, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, Assumption Day on August 15, All Saints). Shops close, and many sights run holiday hours.
Sunday shopping is largely closed by law. Museums and beer gardens stay open.
Many museums close one day a week, often Monday. The Deutsches Museum is an exception most of the year.
Beer gardens are weather-dependent: they typically open from spring through early fall and close on cold or rainy days.