Munich is compact and superbly connected, so central is easy — but each area has a distinct feel, from the Marienplatz core to bohemian Schwabing. Here are the best areas to stay.
Where to stay in Munich: best areas
| Area | Best for | The vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Altstadt (centre) | First-timers | Central, historic |
| Maxvorstadt | Museums & students | Cultured, lively |
| Schwabing | Cafés & charm | Leafy, upscale |
| Glockenbach | Nightlife & LGBTQ | Hip, trendy |
Best areas to stay in Munich
The central heart — Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel, Viktualienmarkt and beer halls, all walkable.
The museum and university quarter — galleries (the Pinakotheken), cafes and a younger, cultured vibe.
Bohemian and elegant, bordering the English Garden — leafy streets, cafes and a relaxed feel.
Around the main station — the most budget options and easy transport, though grittier than the centre.
Quick picks by traveler
| If you want… | Stay in |
|---|---|
| Best for first-timers | Altstadt |
| Best for culture | Maxvorstadt |
| Best for calm & cafes | Schwabing |
| Best for budget | near Hauptbahnhof |
Getting around
Munich’s U-Bahn, S-Bahn and trams are fast and cover everything; the centre is walkable. The S-Bahn reaches the airport and day trips. Stay near a U-Bahn stop and you can reach Neuschwanstein, Dachau and the Alps with ease.
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Planning Munich? Things to do in Munich
Where to stay in Munich: the best areas
- Altstadt (Old Town) — Marienplatz and the beer halls; central and ideal for first-timers.
- Maxvorstadt — the museum and university quarter, lively and cultured.
- Schwabing — trendy and leafy, near the English Garden.
- Near the Hauptbahnhof — the best value and handy for transit (a little rougher around the edges).
Base in the Altstadt for sightseeing and Oktoberfest access, or Schwabing for a more local, relaxed feel — Munich’s U-Bahn connects everything quickly.
Pick your district by who you’re traveling with
Munich is small enough that any central district works on paper, but the right one depends on your group. Altstadt (the Old Town, around Marienplatz) is the priciest tier in the city, with a comfortable 3-4 star room typically running €180-250 a night (about $195-270) outside fair season, and 2-3x that during Oktoberfest. It suits first-timers who want to walk to everything and don’t mind tourist crowds at breakfast.
Couples and night owls should look at the Glockenbachviertel and neighbouring Gärtnerplatz, the leafy quarter centred on Hans-Sachs-Strasse and Müllerstrasse. It’s Munich’s gay neighbourhood and its best bar-and-cafe district, walkable to the Altstadt but quieter at night, usually €140-200 a night. Families do better in Schwabing, which stretches along the English Garden, has trams straight into the centre, and the same mid-range pricing without the late-night noise.
Skip the streets immediately around the Hauptbahnhof (the Bahnhofsviertel). Hotels there are cheap and handy for trains, but the blocks west and north of the station are scruffy and uncomfortable after dark. The trade-off across the board: every extra U-Bahn stop from Marienplatz knocks roughly €30-40 off your nightly rate, so decide whether walkability is worth the premium.
Where To Stay In Munich FAQ
Where should I stay in Munich?
The Altstadt (Old Town) for sightseeing, or Schwabing for a trendy, leafy local feel.
Where is best for Oktoberfest in Munich?
The Altstadt and areas near the Theresienwiese; book very far ahead, as it sells out.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.