Where to stay in Munich for 2025, by locals

Best for: shopping, squares and must-see sights 

Munich’s Old Town (Altstadt) is where history, culture and commerce collide. Staying here offers easy access to many of the city’s big hitters, including Marienplatz, the main square with a neo-Gothic town hall, Viktualienmarkt, an open-air food market with regional produce, or the brilliantly ornate Residenz, which once housed the Bavarian royal family. When it comes to food, there are some excellent options here if you know where to look. Start with Weinbar Griabig for German wines and small plates, Brenner for steaks and seafood with Munich’s high society or the Michelin-starred Mural Restaurant tucked away in the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art. 

Stay here: head to Hotel Louis for an effortlessly stylish stay and an in-house Japanese restaurant. 

Best for: bars and boutiques  

With a string of characterful bistros, bars and clubs, Glockenbach is Munich’s nightlife hub, as well as the heart of the local LGBTQ+ scene, centred along Müllerstraße. Still close to the city centre but set apart from the tourist traps, it’s a great choice for those looking to drink, dance and grab some speciality coffee the next morning – try sweetspot kaffee or Man vs Machine for the best baristas. For dinner, head to Gasthaus Walz for beautifully presented Austrian fare, Wirtshaus Maximilian for a fresh spin on Bavarian classics or Bingo Bistro for creative cooking and a hip crowd.   

Stay here: design hotspot Flushing Meadows promises spacious, well-lit rooms with classy mid-century furnishings. 

Best for: cafés, cargo bikes and walks along the river 

Tranquil Haidhausen is one of the most laid-back and family-friendly neighbourhoods in Munich. Located to the east of the city, it’s home to some lovely shops and cafés, including concept store Reibolds for stylish home accessories and Sorry Johnny Kaffeebar for perfectly poached eggs. One of Haidhausen’s biggest draws, however, is its proximity to the river Isar, with easy walks and bike rides right on your doorstep. Quieter than other districts, it’s ideal for those who appreciate R&R as much as they do sightseeing.   

Stay here: JAMS Music Hotel Munich has record players in the rooms, images of rock legends on the walls and elegant cocktails in the bar downstairs. 

Best for: student hangouts, Michelin-starred restaurants and world-class museums 

Home to two universities and many of Munich’s finest museums, Maxvorstadt is a lively cultural hotspot just north of Altstadt. It’s here you’ll discover the outstanding Pinakothek trio – the Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek (temporarily closed) and Pinakothek der Moderne – as well as the contemporary Museum Brandhorst and insightful Documentation Centre for the History of National Socialism. Once cultured out, you’ll have no problem finding places to eat and drink. There’s everything from affordable Bavarian cuisine at Steinheil 16 or Wirtshaus Görreshof to upscale dining at Sparkling Bistro or Restaurant JAN, the only spot in the city to hold three-Michelin stars.   

Stay here: close to many of the museums, Ruby Lilly promises a pristine night’s sleep with its soundproofed rooms and luxurious linen. 

Best for: art Nouveau architecture and green space 

Once a bohemian enclave, the northern neighbourhood of Schwabing, with its large boulevards and Art Nouveau buildings, has become the apogee of urban affluence and one of Munich’s most desirable districts. Ideal for those seeking a bustling spot away from the well-trodden city centre, it boasts many great cafés, restaurants and boutiques, including coffee shop Suuapinga and sustainable fashion store DearGoods. Top of the food charts and price range is Tantris, perhaps Munich’s best-known restaurant, but there is something for every budget here. The neighbourhood also runs into Englischer Garten, a space bigger than New York’s Central Park, with informal landscaping, large lawns, bike trails and rippling tributaries of the Isar. 

Stay here: located in a converted water mill, Gästehaus Englischer Garten is right next to the park. Ask for a room in the main house.

Best for: beer and Oktoberfest 

Westend is one of Munich’s edgiest and most unpolished neighbourhoods. Home to factory workers during the 19th century and later a place where many migrants settled, the area is now a wonderful mix of cultures and culinary offerings. This part of town is also where Oktoberfest is held every year. While staying here is extremely handy for the event, it does mean you’ll never really escape the crowds that come with it. For more beer, make a stop at popular Wirtshaus Eder serving local craft beer and the Augustiner brewery dating back to 1328. 

Stay here: Roomers Munich on Landsberger Straße has an impressive spa area, complete with a large screen showing old films and a bottle of vodka on ice.