How To Beat the Crowds in Munich

The Wurm River starts at Lake Starnberg and runs through the city, offering a bunch of places for bathing along its shores. As opposed to the much more crowded Isar River, the Wurm is one of Munich’s hidden gems, and a refreshing place for a walk, bike ride, or a dip in the hot summer months. There are also plenty of water activities you can pursue on the river if you’re looking for fun adventures rather than relaxation.

Munich’s Nymphenburg Palace is one of the city’s top attractions, and for good reason—exploring the former summer residence of Bavarian royalty and its manicured grounds is an experience fit for a king. But the palace is well-known and can be busy. To avoid waiting in line, consider visiting Schleissheim Palace instead. This grand building is designed in the style of an Italian villa (as opposed to the Versailles-style construction of the Nymphenburg), but offers a similar experience of opulent rooms, beautiful gardens, and an on-site café, all without the crowds.

Whether you’re looking for crowd-free Munich attractions or not, one of the top Munich travel tips is to visit the city’s many parks and open green spaces, where you can get your fill of the great outdoors just like a local. The English Garden is the best-known park, but there are plenty of others worth a visit, such as the Olympiapark complex, which once hosted the Olympics; the Westpark, home to East Asian gardens and a Nepalese pagoda; and the beer gardens on the banks of Mollsee Lake.

Oktoberfest is all about beer, but that’s not the only beverage represented at the festival grounds. Germany has a long history of winemaking, which you can experience for yourself by taking a wine tour of Munich or visiting the wine stands during Oktoberfest, which are much quieter than the beer tents. This is a fun way to get to know Munich’s drinking culture while also avoiding the more boisterous crowds.

Munich is conveniently located near both the mountains and the countryside of Bavaria, both of which are rich in history and ripe for exploration. So if you’re spending a few days or more in the Munich area and want to get away from the crowds, consider taking a day trip out of the city. Neuschwanstein Castle is the most popular day trip, while others include taking the Romantic Road to Harburg Castle or visiting Salzburg in the Austrian Alps.

The Victuals Market (Viktualienmarkt) has been held daily since the 19th century, and a visit to its open-air stalls is one of the top things to do in Munich. But if you’re looking for street food and interesting local products on display, there are other options available with fewer people around. Head to one of the Christmas markets scattered around Munich during the holiday season or check out the food market in Wiener Platz near the Hofbrauhaus throughout the year.

While visiting Munich’s off-the-beaten-path sights is great, some of the busiest tourist attractions in the city are definitely worthy of a visit, too. To beat the crowds while seeing the highlights, consider skip-the-line tickets for popular places, such as the Nymphenburg Palace, or simply try to buy your tickets ahead of time to avoid waiting in line. When it comes to planning a visit during busy seasons such as Oktoberfest or the Christmas holidays, do your research as far in advance as possible, as events book up quickly.

The best time to visit Munich to avoid the crowds is in April and May, when the city is coming back to life following winter, and there are plenty of things to do outdoors without the volume of tourists that the busier seasons attract. When it comes to timing your activities each day, keep in mind that rush hour typically runs from 7am to 9am and then 4pm to 7pm; avoid roads during these busy commuter times, or consider exploring Munich by bike.

Oktoberfest brings over 6 million tourists to Munich annually to celebrate beer and Bavarian tradition. While rowdy drinking alongside thousands of other people is part of Oktoberfest’s appeal, it can also be overwhelming. Luckily, there are some quieter times to participate in the festival that are just as fun as the busiest ones—head to the festival grounds on weekdays instead of weekends and opt for a guided Oktoberfest experience with a local who knows just where and when to go.