Where to Stay in Munich – Neighborhoods & Area Guide

Written by Jan Meeuwesen
Updated on
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Munich is one of the coolest cities in Europe. It may well be the heart and soul of the continent during Oktoberfest, but there is so much more to this versatile city than that. Home to a population of 1.4 million people, Munich is a thriving city throughout the year.

Munich is the capital of Bavaria and features an incredible collection of 18th-Century architecture. Nature lovers who also like to dabble as city slickers will fall head over heels for Munich. This city is home to vast swathes of lush green parkland that is there simply for the public to enjoy.

Being one of the central stop-offs on the well-trodden European inter-railing route, Munich offers a fantastic array of accommodation options. From flash 5-star suites to humble and homely hostels; from modern, minimalist apartments to young couch-surfing exchanges, there is something for everyone in Munich.

With such a hardworking community and such a highly regarded university too, it is safe to say the residents of Munich need somewhere to let their hair down – they don’t simply save it all up for Oktoberfest. Every day of the week there is countless opportunities to mix with locals and experience authentic Munich.

Let’s take a look at where to stay in Munich.

Altstadt

Altstadt, MunichSource: Anton_Ivanov / shutterstock
Altstadt, Munich

Translating as ‘Old Town’ in German, Altstadt is the historical heart of Munich and ideal for whistle-stop travelers or those looking to explore Munich old and new.

Oozing charm and true romance, Altstadt is an incredibly picturesque area of Munich with a slightly slower pace of life. Being the main tourist hub means that locals often steer clear, leaving plenty of space for travelers to wander, meander and more.

The whole neighborhood revolves around Marienplatz. This is the most central square in Munich and is home to the magnificent St Peter’s Church and the New Town Hall. The New Town Hall isn’t all that new. Built in the Neo-Gothic era, this has become one of the most iconic landmarks in Munich – not to mention the most photographed too.

Foodies will love Altstadt – there is so much authentic Bavarian food on offer in this neighborhood.

Good For: Active Travelers, Aspiring Architects, Budding Historians, Budget Backpackers, City Slickers, Culture Vultures, Foodies, Whistle-Stop Travelers, First Time Visitors

Neighborhood Highlights: Marienplatz, St Peter’s Church, New Town Hall, Marienhof Park, Rathaus-Glockenspiel, Heiliggeistkirche, Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art, Munich Residenz Palace.

Hotel Recommendations:

Platzl HotelJust a two-minute walk from Marienplatz, Platzl Hotel is a fantastic hotel in Altstadt. Guests have access to the fitness center or they can relax at the in-house bar. An airport shuttle can be arranged on request at reception. Rooms are cozy and feature classic wooden decor.

CORTIINA HotelThe rooms at CORTIINA Hotel are elegant and simply luxurious. Each room and suite offers a beautiful ensuite bathroom, flat screen TV with Sky and a mini bar. There are premium amenities in each room too, like a coffee machine, iPod dock and hypoallergenic bed linens. The beautiful breakfast buffet is complimentary.

Hotel Blauer BockSet within a classic 400-year old building, Hotel Blauer Bock is a wonderful hotel in Altstadt. Guests can explore the neighborhood on foot – Marienplatz is just a five-minute walk away. The rooms are bright, modern and minimalist, while the hotel lounge is more traditional in its decor.

Au-Haidhausen

MariahilfplatzSource: footageclips / shutterstock
Mariahilfplatz

Nestled on the opposite side of the Isar River to Altstadt, Au-Haidhausen offers a little bit of everything for every kind of traveler. Home to both local homestays and hotels for visitors, Au-Haidhausen has a wonderful feel to it.

The historical market square of Mariahilfplatz is a great starting point. There are some fantastic internationally inspired restaurants around this part of Au-Haidhausen, including Turkish restaurant Keko.

Heading to the north of the neighborhood, you will find Vienna Square, another popular place for visitors to Munich to explore. Home to a flower market and brilliant food stalls, Vienna Square is a lovely spot to spend an afternoon.

The most iconic landmark in Au-Haidhausen, arguably in all of Munich, is Maximilianeum. This is the home of the Bavarian State Parliament. It is impressive from the outside alone. It is possible to join guided tours of the interior rooms.

Good For: Active Travelers, Aspiring Architects, Budding Historians, Budget Backpackers, City Slickers, Culture Vultures, Foodies, Whistle-Stop Travelers, First Time Visitors, Luxury Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Mariahilfplatz, Vienna Square, Maximilianeum – Bavarian State Parliament, Deutsches Museum, Frühlingsanlagen Park, Lothringer13 Art Space, Üblacker-Häusl

Hotel Recommendations:

Holiday Inn Munich City – Just 500-meters from Deutsches Museum, Hotel Inn Munich City is in the heart of the Au-Haidhausen neighborhood. This bright, colorful and modern hotel is both homely and functional for all. Guests can get online 24/7 thanks to the free WiFi or use the hotel’s computers if necessary.

Novotel Müchen City – Novotel Müchen City offers modern, artistic rooms for an affordable price. The rooms are spacious and all feature a small seating area and work desk. There is an in-house bar that is open until late and the restaurant offers a great menu. There is an indoor swimming pool and gym.

Hotel Prinz – With neutral tones and a welcoming feel, Hotel Prinz is a 4-star establishment with a great range of facilities. All rooms feature a work desk, satellite TV and mini-bar as standard. Breakfast is an optional extra and is good value for money. There is an in-house restaurant too.

Maxvorstadt

MaxvorstadtSource: haraldmuc / shutterstock
Maxvorstadt

If you want to avoid the hustling crowds of Altstadt but still want to tick off all the must-visit Munich hotspots from your bucket list, then give a little thought to Maxvorstadt. Sitting just to the north-west of Altstadt, Maxvorstadt offers some hidden historical gems and a more authentic experience of Munich.

Within the Maxvorstadt, you will find a great selection of museums. For culture vultures seeking to expand their horizons a little, or for novice travelers looking to push their boundaries, Maxvorstadt is ideal.

The lesser visited landmark of Siegestor finds its home in Maxvorstadt. A triumphs arch that was built in the 19th-Century, Siegestor is both an architectural and historical jewel. Standing proudly atop the arch you will discover four bronze Bavarian lions.

Budding historians will be keen to make a beeline to Glyptothek. This grand museum is home to an incredible selection of ornate statues from the Romans and ancient Greeks.

Good For: Active Travelers, Aspiring Architects, Budding Historians, Budget Backpackers, City Slickers, Culture Vultures, Like a Local Travelers, Laid Back Travelers.

Neighborhood Highlights: Siegestor, Glyptothek, National Graphic Arts Collection, Egyptian Museum Munich, Odeonsplatz, Natural History Museum of Munich, Kindermuseum München

Hotel Recommendations:

Carlton AstoriaCarlton Astoria is a homely, cozy, family-run hotel in Maxvorstadt. The rooms are simple and have wooden decor. Some of the rooms offer city views, all have a private ensuite bathroom and free WiFi. The Bavarian-inspired buffet breakfast is outstanding and provides a great start to the day.

Hotel im Hof – With bold color schemes and ultimate levels of comfort, Hotel im Hof is a great place to stay in Maxvorstadt. There are both suites and double rooms available. The double rooms offer either a balcony or a private terrace. This is a family-friendly hotel and the team can arrange neighboring rooms.

Arthotel ANA DivaThis boutique hotel to the southern edge of Maxvorstadt is loved by all who visit. Featuring modern, stylish decor and a subtle sense of class throughout, Arthotel ANA Diva is a great place to stay for couples or solo travelers. Private parking is available on site and pets are permitted.

Schwabing-West

Luitpold ParkSource: Luisa Fumi / shutterstock
Luitpold Park

Heading into an area loved by locals, Schwabing-West sits on the inner border of Munich’s outer hemisphere. If you want to live like a local in Munich, Schwabing-West is a great starting point.

There is a great selection of bars and pubs in Schwabing-West, serving up some of the best Bavarian beer around. Naturally, beer tastes better at source. X-Bar is a popular spot in the neighborhood for a laid-back drink.

In terms of other things to do in Schwabing-West, the highlight of the neighborhood is Luitpold Park. This vast expanse of inner-city parkland could fool you into thinking you were in the depths of the Bavarian countryside. Spanning across 33-hectares, hiking to the top of the hill in Luitpold Park offers great views of the city below. There is even a hedge maze within the park, if you fancy some good old-fashioned fun.

Good For: Budget Backpackers, City Slickers, Culture Vultures, Like a Local Travelers, Laid Back Travelers, Nature Lovers

Neighborhood Highlights: Luitpold Park, Olympic Park, Englischer Garten, Norbad Indoor Swimming Pool, Escape Game Munich, Petual Park, Segway Munich, Walking Man Statue

Hotel Recommendations:

Hotel Leopold Set in a grand building and featuring a gorgeous garden, Hotel Leopold is an upmarket hotel set within a short walk of Englischer Garten. The rooms are homely and all feature a private ensuite bathroom. Guests are welcome to relax in the garden or in the stylish hotel bar.

Hotel Altschwabing – Equidistant between Luitpoldpark and Englischer Garten, Hotel Altschwabing is an affordable accommodation option in Schwabing-West. The rooms are simple but have everything you could need, including ensuite bathroom, free WiFi and a work desk. There is parking on site too. The hotel breakfast is well worth the extra few dollars.

Motel One Müchen-Olympic GateTrendy and bright, Motel One is in the heart of Schwabing-West, just a 10-minute drive from the Olympic Park. The coffee bar at Motel One is a great place to hang out of a late afternoon once you have finished exploring. The rooms are modern, colorful and stylish.

Schwanthalerhöhe

SchwanthalerhöheSource: Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa) / Wikimedia
Schwanthalerhöhe

Schwanthalerhöhe is the upmarket West End of Munich and is home to a population of around 30,000 people. With this in mind, it is fair to think of Schwanthalerhöhe as a small town all of its own – it certainly feels that way.

If you are planning on heading to Germany exclusively to experience Oktoberfest, then Schwanthalerhöhe is a great place to stay. Neighboring the festival complex to the west, Schwanthalerhöhe is where the action is.

The terracotta tiled roofs are the most well-known feature of Schwanthalerhöhe and they really are as photogenic in real life as they look in the guidebooks.

Away from the boozing and frivolity of Oktoberfest, Schwanthalerhöhe has a wealth of cultural gems to explore. As with any West End district of a major city there, Schwanthalerhöhe sees the old meet the new in an exciting and versatile union. The Endless Staircase sculpture is a prime example of this.

Good For: Active Travelers, Art Lovers, City Slickers, Culture Vultures, Foodies, Whistle-Stop Travelers, First Time Visitors, Oktoberfest Visitors, Luxury Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Oktoberfest Festival, The Endless Staircase Sculpture, Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum, Alte Kongresshalle Concert Venue, Bavarian Zugspitze Railway Museum, Bavariapark

Hotel Recommendations:

Roomers Munich – Roomers Munich is an elegant hotel in the heart of Schwanthalerhöhe. Abundant in class and style, Roomers Munich offers a luxurious stay for all. Catering to everyone and every need, the breakfast includes vegetarian and vegan options. There is a spa complex in-house with an amazing treatment menu.

Bavaria Boutique HotelFeaturing an urban design with classical touches, Bavaria Boutique Hotel is a wonderful place to stay in Schwanthalerhöhe. The rooms are spacious and have everything that you could wish for, including a safe, mini fridge and flat-screen TV. The beds are exceptionally comfortable and the whole place spotlessly clean.

Hotel SeibelSimple and affordable with plenty of cute finishing touches, Hotel Seibel is a great hotel option for travelers to Schwanthalerhöhe who want a boutique hotel without the big price tag. All rooms have a private ensuite bathroom and there is a mini bar too. The breakfast is hearty and wholesome.

Bogenhausen

Friedensengel, Bogenhausen, MunichSource: FooTToo / shutterstock
Friedensengel, Bogenhausen, Munich

A little greener than Schwabing-West, but in sporadic patches, Bogenhausen is one of the more northerly neighborhoods to explore in Munich.

For families, active travelers, or those travelling long term, there is something about Bogenhausen that will capture your heart. With just the right amount of local facilities like supermarkets and cafes, but with easy access to Munich must-visit sights.

This is a great place to base yourself as a long-term traveler – it gives you a taste of authentic living in Munich while being close enough to the heart of the city that you don’t feel left out of the action.

There is plenty of fun to be had in Bogenhausen. Much like Schwabing-West, Bogenhausen immediately borders the exquisite, tranquil oasis that is Englischen Garten. Although you can get to a small island of Englischen Garten on the Bogenhausen side, you must cross over the Isar to get to the bigger garden complex.

Good For: Active Travelers, Digital Nomads, Families, Nature Lovers, Long Term Travelers, Like a Local Travelers

Neighborhood Highlights: Englischen Garten, Friedensengel, Zamilapark, Denninger Anger Park, St. Nikolaus Church, Hofreiter BeerenCafé, Golfpark München Aschheim, WIEDE Fabrik

Hotel Recommendations:

Sheraton Müchen Arabellapark HotelBoasting two restaurants, a swimming pool, spa complex and a beer garden, Sheraton Müchen Arabellapark is a destination in its own right. The rooms are modern and many offer views of the city. There is a seating area in each room and a private ensuite bathroom too. Some rooms have a balcony.

Hotel RothofStylish yet comfortable, Hotel Rothof can be found just steps from neighborhood highlight Denninger Anger Park. The hotel has its own lounge and restaurant, serving local and international dishes. There are both cozy double rooms and spacious apartments available. Both options have free and unlimited WiFi and are soundproofed.

The Westin Grand – Guests need not explore the rest of Munich when there is so much to do at The Westin Grand. With two restaurants to explore, plus an indoor swimming pool, fitness center and shady beer garden, there is never a dull moment. There is an incredible selection of cocktails on offer at the Ducktails bar.

Munich International Airport

Munich International AirportSource: Filipe Frazao / shutterstock
Munich International Airport

Being one of the major business hubs of Europe, Munich sees business visitors flit in and out of the city every single day. Munich too is an international transport hub, with Munich International Airport being the location of choice for long European-Based layovers.

If you are on a very quick turnaround in Munich, or simply do not want to sleep on the floor of an airport lounge waiting for your flight to be called, consider checking in to one of the dozens of premium hotels that surround the airport.

With thanks to Munich’s outstanding public transport network, you can be in the heart of the city, from the airport, in just 38-minutes. A one-way train fare from the airport to the city center train stations costs less than $15 and tickets can be bought on arrival.

Alternatively, if you are tired and weary, you can get a taxi to the exact spot that you want to be, for a slightly steeper cost.

Good For: Business Travelers, Whistle Stop Travelers, Long Layovers

Neighborhood Highlights: Munich International Airport

Hotel Recommendations:

Ibis München Airport Sued – Ibis Munich Airport is the perfect place to sleep off the jet lag. With soft, comfortable beds, great ensuite bathrooms and paid WiFi, there is not a lot more you can ask for. The reception is open 24-hours a day, so no need to worry about your flight getting in late.

B&B Hotel München Airport – Basic but budget friendly, B&B Hotel Müchen Airport offers free WiFi to all, and air-conditioned rooms. Thankfully, all rooms are soundproofed, so there is little disturbance from the airplanes above. The staff are very helpful and can arrange an airport shuttle or private taxi for you on request.

Mövenpick Hotel München AirportOffering 4-star luxury with just a short drive to the international airport, Mövenpick Hotel ticks all the right boxes. There is a beautiful conservatory where guests can relax with a coffee. The early bird breakfast is free, as is use of the steam bath and sauna.



Where to Stay in Munich – Neighborhoods & Area Guide:

  • Altstadt
  • Au-Haidhausen
  • Maxvorstadt
  • Schwabing-West
  • Schwanthalerhöhe
  • Bogenhausen
  • Munich International Airport