Why visit
Munich is Bavarian capital. Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, English Garden (larger than Central Park), Oktoberfest, and BMW Welt. Alpine day-trips to Neuschwanstein or Zugspitze.
Munich at a glance
City population
1.6 million
Metro: 2.6 million
Elevation
520 m
1,706 ft
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 DST)
Europe/Berlin
Airport
MUC
Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Founded
1158
Getting around
U-Bahn + S-Bahn + trams + buses; MVV network
Signature dish
Weisswurst (before noon), pretzels, schweinshaxe, Leberkäse, a stein of Helles
Neighborhoods for travelers
AltstadtSchwabingMaxvorstadtGlockenbachviertelHaidhausen
Germany at a glance
Country center
51.0°, 9.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
357,114 km²
137,882 mi²
Country population
83.3 million
233/km²
Subregion
Western Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+49
Language
German
Demonym
German
Internet
.de
UN
Member state
ISO code
DE / DEU
Where in the world
51.0° · 9.0°
Germany
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Did you know
- Oktoberfest actually starts in September: 6+ million visitors consume ~7 million liters of beer in 16 days.
- Munich is Germany's wealthiest major city and home to BMW, Siemens, and Allianz headquarters.
- The Glockenspiel on Marienplatz performs twice daily (11am and noon), with 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures.
- Germany has over 1,500 different beers and nearly 1,300 breweries.
- Berlin is 9× the size of Paris by area, with a quarter of the population.
Bordering Germany
Traveler notes
- Oktoberfest late-September. Book a year ahead
- Neuschwanstein Castle 2 hours by train + bus
- Dachau memorial 20 minutes out
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Munich
What currency is used in Munich?
Munich uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Germany?
The primary language is German.
What is the international calling code for Germany?
The calling code is +49.
What airport serves Munich?
Munich Franz Josef Strauss (IATA: MUC).
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