Despite the chillier weather, there’s still plenty to see and do during a visit to Munich in autumn. While Oktoberfest will always be the big draw, I’ve included lots of indoor activities in this guide to keep you warm and dry if the weather isn’t on your side!
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Whether you’re into exploring historic churches and palaces, seeing real-life dinosaurs or just savouring traditional Bavarian cuisine at Oktoberfest, there’s something for everyone to enjoy when visiting Munich in autumn. Here’s my guide to all the best things to do!
Munich in autumn: The best things to do and see
What you need to know
- When is the best time of year to visit Munich? I think Munich is great all year round. Each season brings its own reasons to celebrate, whether that be Christmas Markets, Oktoberfest or just nicer weather. Anytime is the best time to visit Munich!
- Is October a good time to visit Munich? October is a great time to visit Munich! You’ll get to experience Oktoberfest as well as the Auer Dult Festival, both of which are featured in this post.
- What do you wear in Munich in autumn? If you’re visiting Munich in autumn I’d recommend typical autumn-appropriate clothes. A jacket, pullover and even a hat will be appropriate if you’re visiting towards the end of October.
Browse the stalls at Auer Dult Festival
The Auer Dult festival, held three times a year in Munich, is a vibrant and bustling market event. With nearly 300 stalls, it offers a wide array of goods, from ceramics to lederhosen, and even has a fantastic selection of food stalls. There’s also a small fairground featuring a handful of rides, making it a great visit for any age. If you’re a fan of flea markets and are visiting Munich in autumn this is definitely one for you!
Go on a tour of the Neues Rathaus tour – New Town Hall
If you’re visiting Munich, you’ve likely passed by the Neues Rathaus countless times. But when the weather gets a bit chillier, why not head inside instead? The New Town Hall offers guided tours through its extravagant interior, providing fascinating insights and information into its rich history. A tour highlight is the renowned Law Library, which has been featured in several films, including “Cabaret”
You can book a guided tour here!
Visit some incredible churches
I really enjoyed visiting the churches in Munich, the interiors are absolutely breathtaking. Exploring a few makes for a great indoor activity if you’re visiting Munich in autumn! Here are a few of my favourites:
Asamkirche – Asam Church
The gold and silver interior of Asamkirche is simply epic, making it one of the most memorable places I’ve ever visited. Its ornate columns, statues, and figures are a feast for the eyes, with countless intricate details to discover. It’s the definition of glamour and drama and just toes the line of being overwhelming. For anyone visiting Munich, Asamkirche is always my top recommendation for a must-see church!
Theatinerkirche – Theatine Church (St. Kajetan)
The yellow facade of Theatinerkirche might catch your eye, but it’s the stunning interior that will truly captivate you. In contrast to the busyness of Asamkirche, Theatinerkirche’s interior is entirely white, with grand columns and statues creating an open and elegant atmosphere. This church also houses the Wittelsbacher crypt, the final resting place for 49 members of the ruling dynasty.
Michaelskirche – St Michael’s Church
One of the city’s oldest churches, another unmissable church to see during a visit to Munich in autumn is St Michael’s Church. This historic church is renowned for its incredible barrel-shaped ceiling and houses bronze statues of former royal family members. The crypt of St. Michael’s is also the final resting place of the enigmatic ‘Mad’ King Ludwig II, famed for his fairytale castles like Neuschwanstein.
Join in the festivities at Oktoberfest
Munich in autumn is synonymous with Oktoberfest, the world’s largest folk festival and an epic celebration of Bavarian culture. Each year, parades, fairground rides, and live music attract millions of visitors. The food and drink are major highlights, with beer tents packed with thousands of people enjoying the most delicious traditional Bavarian cuisine. If you’re in Munich during Oktoberfest you’d be crazy to miss it!
Visit a mall for some Shopping
Another great activity to do when visiting Munich in autumn is shopping! Munich has some great shopping areas, here are a few you should check out:
Fünf Höfe Shopping Mall
If you’re looking to mix art and shopping, this is for you. Fünf Höfe (Five courts) features around 60 stores interwoven with courtyards, walkways and art exhibitions. The area has been meticulously designed and is really interesting to walk around and explore!
Oberpollinger Shopping Mall
Oberpollinger is the central hub for luxury shopping in Munich. You’ll find all the big names like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, there’s even a piercing studio and beauty salon!
Ludwig Beck Department Store
From beauty and stationery to clothing and music Ludwig Beck offers everything you’d expect from a traditional department store. Located right in the heart of the city on Marienplatz there’s no reason not to give it a visit!
Step back in time at the Munich Residence
If you’re looking for something to do indoors when visiting Munich in Autumn, a visit to the Residence is perfect! This incredible palace, once home to the Wittelsbach royal family, is the largest inner-city palace in Germany. A highlight of the visit is the Antiquarium, filled with busts, sculptures, and paintings as well as the two-storey court chapel. The whole place oozes opulence and extravagance, I recommend grabbing an audioguide to immerse yourself in the history.
Take a peak underwater at Sea Life Munich
Located in the Olympic Park, Sea Life München lets you take a peak into the underwater world. With more than 2,000 animals, including species local to the nearby Isar River, from sharks to jellyfish, it’s a fantastic indoor activity to enjoy during Munich in autumn.
See how the royals lived at Schloss Nymphenburg – Nymphenburg Palace
Schloss Nymphenburg, another of Munich’s remarkable rococo palaces, once served as a summer retreat for royalty. Step inside to delve into the lavish world of the royals, exploring bed chambers, studies, and ceremonial galleries. My personal favourite has to be the Great Hall which features one of the most incredible ceiling paintings I’ve ever seen!
Explore some Museums
Another great activity to do if you travel to Munich during autumn, especially if the weather isn’t great, is visiting one of the city’s many museums. Munich boasts an impressive array of museums, catering to all interests. Here are a few of my top picks:
- BMW Museum: The ultimate experience for car enthusiasts, the BMW Museum explores the history of the BMW brand and even lets you take a look at future innovations.
- Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism: Detailing the rise and fall of the Nazi party as well as the role Munich played in its establishment, the Documentation Center is great for history lovers.
- Deutsches Museum: A celebration of all things science and technology, this museum features 20 permanent exhibitions and plenty of hands-on activities.
- Palaeontological Museum: Walk among the dinosaurs here as you explore prehistoric skeletons and fossils.
- Alte Pinakothek: If you’re an art lover this is the place for you. The museum’s famous collection features thousands of paintings from the 13th to 18th century including masterpieces from Leonardo Da Vinci and Raphael.
Summary
Don’t let the duller weather put you off visiting Munich in fall, there’ still plenty to see and do! Whether that’s celebrating traditional Bavarian culture, doing some shopping or exploring historic churches, autumn is the perfect time to discover Munich!
