Tips · Germany
Munich Christmas Market Trip: What to Prepare Now?
Munich's Christmas markets open around Advent. December weather and what to wear, a 4-day winter plan and what to book early.
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The short answer
Munich's Christmas markets open around Advent. Dates change every year, so check the official city or tourism information before you book accommodation and transport.
December in Munich is cold, with daytime highs around 5°C, so pack proper winter clothes. The year-end season is a busy time for travel, so book accommodation and transport early, and if you plan to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, buy a timed tour ticket in advance too.
When and where are the Christmas markets?
The Christmas markets open around Advent. Check official information for market locations and exact dates.
Market dates and locations change every year. Before you book accommodation and transport, and again just before you go, check the official city or tourism information.
Munich winters are cold but bring snowy Alpine scenery nearby, so a day trip out of the city pairs well with the markets.
December weather and what to wear
These are 1991–2020 normals from Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), München-Stadt station: average high / average low / monthly rainfall.
December has highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C, close to freezing. November brings highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C, and January highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Monthly rainfall is 58mm in November, 59mm in December and 52mm in January.
If you will spend long evenings walking around outdoor markets, bring a heavy coat, a hat, gloves and a scarf, and dress in layers you can take off indoors. Much of the old town is explored on foot, so wear warm, comfortable shoes.
- November: 8°C / 2°C / 58mm
- December: 5°C / -1°C / 59mm
- January: 4°C / -2°C / 52mm
A 4-day winter plan
Plan on 3 nights/4 days to 4 nights/5 days in Munich. Below is a 4-day itinerary with winter notes added. Fit the Christmas markets you have confirmed in official information into your evenings.
A few winter points: the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz plays daily at 11 a.m. and noon, and the 5 p.m. show runs only from March to October. The Residenz is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January, among other days, and the Dachau Memorial Site is closed on 24 December. Nymphenburg Palace has seasonal opening hours.
- Day 1: S1 or S8 from the airport into the city and check in → the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz (11 a.m. and noon) → Frauenkirche → Viktualienmarkt (closed Sundays)
- Day 2: Residenz and the Treasury in the morning (check closing days) → the museum streets of Maxvorstadt → an afternoon walk in the English Garden
- Day 3: Early train for a Neuschwanstein Castle day trip (book a timed tour ticket in advance) → back to the city in the evening
- Day 4: Tram to Nymphenburg Palace (check winter hours) → U3 to the Olympic Park → head to the airport. Allow a separate half day for the Dachau Memorial Site.
What to book early
The year-end Christmas market season is a busy time for travel, so book accommodation and transport such as flights and trains as soon as your dates are set. The Altstadt (around Marienplatz) puts sights within walking distance but hotel prices are on the high side, while the area around Hauptbahnhof is handy for day trips, with the airport S-Bahn and regional trains leaving from there.
Neuschwanstein Castle can only be visited on a guided tour. Buying a timed tour ticket in advance from the official online shop is safest; the on-site Ticket Center sells same-day tickets only and often sells out by late morning. Photos and filming are not allowed inside the castle.
According to the city of Munich, all shops except petrol stations and bakeries close on Sundays (shops inside Hauptbahnhof stay open). Some small shops and market stalls still prefer cash, so carry a little.
Airport to city and getting around
From the airport, the S-Bahn S1 and S8 alternate about every 10 minutes and take about 40 minutes to Hauptbahnhof. The airport is in MVV fare zone 5, so the Airport-City-Day-Ticket, valid all day across zones M-5 (from about €17.50, check official), is the easy choice. The airport bus also takes about 45 minutes to Hauptbahnhof, depending on traffic.
The city center is zone M. A single ticket starts at about €4.20 and a zone M single-day ticket at about €10.10, valid until 6 a.m. the next day. Buy tickets in the official MVV app or at station machines, and stamp paper strip tickets before riding. S-Bahn services change on some days due to construction, so check official notices.
Non-EU travelers have fingerprints and a facial image registered at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Check entry requirements, including the current status of ETIAS, on the official EU website before you travel.
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FAQ
When do Munich's Christmas markets open?
Around Advent. Dates change every year, so check the official city or tourism information before booking.
What is the weather like in Munich in December?
Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) 1991–2020 normals for München-Stadt station give December an average high of 5°C, an average low of -1°C and 59mm of rainfall. Bring a heavy coat, a hat and gloves.
Are any sights closed in December?
The Residenz is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January, among other days, and the Dachau Memorial Site on 24 December. Viktualienmarkt and most shops close on Sundays.
What should I book first?
The year-end season is busy, so book accommodation and transport early. If you plan to see Neuschwanstein Castle, buy a timed tour ticket from the official online shop in advance.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- English Garden & Eisbach · Kimmo Räisänen / CC BY 2.0
- Mt Moiwa observatory · Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Christmas market lights in Germany · Eremeev / CC BY-SA 3.0