10 Best Things to Do This Winter in Munich

Munich Christmas markets light up the city during the holidays. The main one is Christkindlmarket at Marienplatz, which dates back to the 14th century and takes place in front of the neo-Gothic town hall. At this festive market, there are more than 140 booths featuring everything from handicrafts, a beautiful tree, musicians and a choir providing entertainment.

There are more than 10 other Munich Christmas markets to explore. Another popular one is the Christmas Village at the Munich Residenz, where you will find a festive scene in the courtyard of the former Bavarian seat of government. Rindermarkt is more intimate in scale but spreads holiday cheer with stalls, food and drink to celebrate the season.

Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein) provides a glimpse into one of Germany's grandest and most iconic buildings. Commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1868, the lavish castle is about a two-hour drive from Munich in the village of Hohenschwangau. Winter is less crowded and offers a dreamy snow-covered landscape.

Only accessible by an official tour, Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein) translates into “New Swan Stone Castle,” a reference to German composer Richard Wagner’s Swan Knight. Inside the beautiful dwellings, you’ll see ornate spaces, such as the elaborate Throne Hall, Ludwig’s gilded dressing room and the Tristan and Isolde-inspired bedroom, among other places.

Christman Tram, or Christkindl Tram, is a fun way to explore Munich during the holiday season. The tour, organised by the Munich Transport Corporation (Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft - MVG), takes place aboard a historic 1957 tram decorated for the holidays. During the fun experience, you’ll see many of the city’s famous sites.

Departing from the Selinger Tor city gate in the Old Town vicinity, the festive Christmas Tram travels past several landmarks. The Isartor, Maxmonument of King Maximillilian and the National Theatre are among the highlights. Along the way, you can enjoy mulled wine and sweets as you admire the streets full of decorations.

Nymphenburg Canal (Nymphenburg Schlosskanal) offers a wonderland of fun on the ice every winter. Located in front of Nymphenburg Palace in Neuhausen-Nymphenburg in western Munich, the canal freezes over in the colder months, resulting in a natural rink offering fun with ice skating, curling and hockey.

While ice skating on the Nymphenburg Canal is a Munich tradition, people do so at their own risk. You should check that the canal is frozen enough beforehand. After doing a few whirls on the ice at Nymphenburg Canal, the adjacent palace grounds boast a lovely setting for a scenic stroll along the canal paths. Notable points of interest include the Pagodenberg palace and Badenburg pavilions.

Zugspitze attracts skiers and snowboarders with a spectacular setting for winter activities from mid-November to the beginning of May. Located in the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains is also home to a ski resort featuring 20 km of inviting slopes on the Zugspitze Plateau.

Journeying to Zugspitze is also an adventure aboard a 90-year-old cogwheel train or via the Gletscherbahn cable car. Once you reach the ‘Top of Winter Sport’, expect panoramic views, an alpine ambience and a fantastic time on the easy to moderate downhill runs. As for where to eat, the ski resort is home to the Sonnalpin, Gletschergarten and Panorama 2962 restaurants.

Munich museums appeal to many interests, whether you’re into science, cars or contemporary art and make for an excellent outing on a winter’s day. Head to the Deutsches Museum on Museumsinsel (Museum Island) in the Insar River. There you will encounter exciting exhibits ranging from chemistry to musical instruments and other innovations.

One of the most popular Munich museums is the BMW Museum. Near Olympiapark, next to the BMW factory and BMW Welt experience, this museum is a must for auto enthusiasts with highlights such as the BMW Art Car Collection by artists such as Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons. Art lovers will enjoy viewing the vibrant artworks at Pinakothek der Moderne in the Kunstareal district.

Botanical Garden Munich-Nymphenburg (Botanischer Garten München-Nymphenburg) beckons with its exquisite collection of plants and flowers. Winter is a great time to visit because admission to the garden’s outdoor area is free. The botanical garden and arboretum, which spans 21.2 hectares, is home to some 19,600 species and subspecies from around the world.

The greenhouses of the Botanical Garden Munich-Nymphenburg are where you can see plants from tropical regions to evergreen mountain forests and even the arid desert. Be sure to look for the impressive orchid collection and the colourful aquariums featuring aquatic plants. Afterwards, head to the ornamental courtyard for inspiration for your own garden.

Fasching is a festive tradition and is the carnival season in Munich. The annual celebration begins on 11 November, with events throughout the city. After the festival prince and princess coronation, the carnival festivities take place for the next 3 months leading up to Ash Wednesday, with most of the revelry happening in the last weeks.

One of the main highlights of Fasching is the more than 800 balls held throughout the city. It’s a great time to get out and join in the parties, parades and performances, especially the famous Dance of the Market Women on Shrove Tuesday at the Viktualienmarkt.

Münchner Eiszauber offers fun for the entire family with epic ice skating at one of the most famous squares in the city. The seasonal attraction is from late November to early January in the middle of Stachus square. The scene is festive with beautiful holiday lights, tasty food to try and a series of parties.

Ice skating is the main attraction at Münchner Eiszauber, and you’ll find plenty of room at the largest mobile ice arena in the city. Whether you’re new to ice skating or a master at figure eights, you’ll have a blast. If you prefer to be a spectator, head to the Panorama-Alm, where you can warm up with mulled wine and snacks.