Munich vs Berlin: Which is Better to Visit?

Are you planning a trip to Germany, and you’re trying to decide between Munich vs Berlin? They’re both wonderful cities, but they’re also very different cities. Both have a lot to offer, and I actually think it’s good to visit both, if possible. But if you only have time for one, should you visit Berlin or Munich?

When deciding between Berlin or Munich to visit, it helps to know what your interests are. My blog post comparing Munich and Berlin will explain how the two cities are similar and how they are different so you can make the right choice for trip. Or maybe I’ll convince you to visit Berlin and Munich on one itinerary.

Which is better to visit, Berlin or Munich?

I’ve been living in Berlin since 2015, so I’m a little biased in favor of Germany’s capital city. But I do also think Munich is a worthwhile city to visit, and I’ve been there several times. So hopefully my comparison of Berlin and Munich will help you decide which is the best fit for you.

Berlin vs Munich: History and Things to do

Berlin and Munich both have tons of sights to see, so you’ll never run out of things to do in either city. But some of the attractions are more appealing to different people.

Munich is a great city for learning about World War II. But Berlin has lots of options for both World War II and Cold War sights. If you’re interested in learning about the Cold War, Berlin is a must.

Both cities have impressive churches, monuments, and other landmarks. Munich has the impressive Marienplatz square, Frauenkirche, St. Peter’s Church, Munich Residenz, Viktualienmarkt, just to name a few. Berlin has the Berlin Wall, Berliner Dom, Brandenburger Tor, TV Tower, Reichstag Building, Museum Island, Charlottenburg Palace, and so many other famous landmarks.

There are plenty of things to do in Berlin and Munich. I’m giving a slight edge to Berlin since the Cold War history is something you just can’t get in Munich.

Munich or Berlin: Look and Vibe

I know, don’t judge a book by its cover and all that, but let’s face it, how a place looks often influences how much we want to visit and how much we enjoy it.

If you’re looking for that stereotypical picture of Germany that you’ve always imagined, Munich is probably better suited for you. It has that typical German feel to it, it’s prettier, and you’re chances of seeing people wearing Lederhosen are reasonably high any time of year.

But if you visit Berlin, you can see a city that still has scars from its recent history. It’s a city that still seems to be two different cities at times, due to being split by the Berlin Wall for nearly 30 years. Berlin is grungier than Munich in places, but it makes it that much more impressive when you do come across something beautiful.

Munich has more obvious beauty. But peal back Berlin’s layers, and you’ll see that beneath its tough exterior is a truly stunning city.

Berlin vs Munich: Nightlife

This is one area where I think there really isn’t much comparison. Berlin is one of the most famous cities in the world for clubs, so if you’re looking for epic nightlife, Berlin is your city.

Of course both cities have bars and clubs, and you can have a good night out in either Munich or Berlin. In Munich, you can find a more typical pub crawl experience with big steins of beer. But in Berlin, you can find night clubs for any interest, innovative craft beer, quiet wine bars, and more.

Berlin wins for nightlife hands down if you want clubs like the famous Berghain, Sisyphos, Tresor, Watergate, and so many others. But if the clubbing scene isn’t your thing, you can easily enjoy more laid back nightlife in both Berlin and Munich.

Berlin or Munich: How does the food compare

You can easily eat well in both Berlin and Munich. But there are differences that might sway your decision about which is better to visit, Munich or Berlin.

If you want to eat German food your whole vacation, you will find more options in Munich. Of course locals eat other cuisines, and you’ll see non German restaurants. But there are tons more German restaurants in Munich vs Berlin.

Berlin is a much more international city, and it can actually be a little tough to find good German food. (Don’t worry, I have a list of good German restaurants in Berlin to help you out.) What you will easily find are restaurants for just about any type of cuisine you could imagine.

If you’re interested in fine dining, Munich has 18 Michelin star restaurants, and Berlin has 23 Michelin star restaurants. Either city will give you more than enough options for a truly exceptional meal.

Berlin wins for variety, but Munich wins for traditional German food.

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Join the Facebook group here to chat with Ali (she runs this site) and other people who have been to Berlin for tips.

Is Berlin or Munich Cheaper?

Germany is never going to make anyone’s list of cheapest countries to visit. But if you’re trying to decide between Berlin and Munich, and you’re traveling on a budget, which city is cheaper will definitely factor into your choice.

Berlin tends to be less expensive than Munich in many ways. Hotels and hostels are usually a bit cheaper in Berlin vs Munich, though obviously there are lots of variables.

Berlin has lots of options for cheap food. You can easily find food, like Döner kebap or currywurst or noodle boxes, for under 10 euros. Berlin also has Spätis, which are like convenience stores, where you can buy cheap beer almost any hour of the day.

Public transport is great in both cities. A single ticket in Munich is 3.70 euros, and a 24 hour ticket is 8.80 euros. In Berlin, a single ticket is 3.20 euros and a 24 hour ticket is 9.50 euros. So transportation costs are pretty similar.

Berlin has lots of free activities and free museums. And even when you do have to pay an entrance fee, there are lots of cheap things to do in Berlin, too.

It’s tough to compare different attractions in the two cities, but for one example, I looked at the Deutsches Technikmuseum in Berlin and the Deutsches Museum in Munich, both technology museums. The one in Berlin is 8 euros, whereas the one in Munich is 15 euros.

Which is colder, Berlin or Munich?

If you’re traveling to Munich or Berlin in winter, you will have to prepare for cold weather for either city. The shortest day of the year in Berlin is about 7 hours 40 minutes of daylight, while in Munich it’s 8 hours 21 minutes. That’s pretty short no matter which one you choose.

Munich and Berlin both experience cold weather in the winter. Both cities have temperatures that hover just below or above freezing most days in the winter months, so you’ll have to include warm clothes on your winter packing list for Berlin or Munich.

Munich averages more sunny days throughout the year compared to Berlin. But it’s not a huge difference, and I’d say Berlin and Munich are pretty neck and neck when it comes to winter weather, or weather any time of year really. This really won’t factor into your decision much.

Which is bigger, Munich or Berlin?

Berlin is the biggest and most populous city in Germany. For reference, Berlin is 892 square kilometers (344 square miles) and has a population of around 3.7 million. Munich is about 310 square kilometers (120 square miles) with a population of 1.47 million.

Hamburg is actually bigger and has more people than Munich, making Munich the third largest and third most populous city in Germany.

Munich vs Berlin: Festivals and Events

Both Munich and Berlin know how to have a good time. With so many festivals and other yearly events, you can find something interesting going on in either city almost any time of the year.

Munich has Oktoberfest, which takes place towards the end of September and into the first few days of October. This is the biggest beer festival in the world, and people plan months or even a year in advance.

Berlin hosts the third largest independent film festival in the world, called Berlinale, in February. It’s right up there with the Cannes Film Festival, so if you’re a film fan, this is a must.

You can also witness or participate in the Berlin Marathon in September every year, which is known as one of the fastest marathon courses in the world. The timing actually works out well for anyone who wants to visit both Munich and Berlin.

If yearly events and festivals are something you’re interested in, search for events by month and city and see what’s going on when you’re thinking of visiting. That could help you decide between visiting Berlin or Munich.

Oktoberfest Berlin vs Munich

While we’re talking about festivals, let’s set one thing straight. Oktoberfest is definitely a Munich event. So even though you will find a few celebrations in Berlin, if going to Oktoberfest is a priority for you, there is no comparison.

If you decide you’d rather visit Berlin for other reasons, you can still join in on some Oktoberfest festivities. But it’s not nearly as big of a deal as it is in Munich.

Safety in Berlin and Munich

In general, Germany is a relatively safe country. That said, you have to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense no matter where you’re traveling, including Munich and Berlin.

Pickpocketing is usually the biggest crime tourists encounter when traveling. If you’re on a crowded subway or tram, keep your purse or backpack in front of you. Don’t keep valuables in your back pockets.

Be careful to not flash lots of cash or expensive jewelry around. Stick to well lit streets at night. When seated at a restaurant, keep your purse or backpack in between your feet, not next to you or hanging off the back of your chair.

Don’t buy transport tickets from random people on the platforms. They often hope you won’t notice the ticket is expired. And don’t get pay attention to any street games since they are almost assuredly a scam.

But chances are you won’t encounter any major problems in either Munich or Berlin.

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Berlin or Munich for Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are fantastic in Germany, so if you’re coming during the holiday season, you’ve already made a great choice. You’ll probably want to see a few different cities for Christmas markets, and you can’t go wrong with either Munich or Berlin for Christmas markets.

Berlin Christmas markets run from traditional to quirky and everything in between. There’s a vegan market, shopping focused ones, a Christmas market in front of a palace, an LGBTQI market, and so much more. If you’re looking for variety, Berlin is an excellent choice.

Munich also has lots of different markets, but they have more of the traditional kind. You will have fun in either city, but if you’re more interested in the traditional German Christmas market atmosphere, you’ll find more of that in Munich.

When is the Best Time to Visit Berlin or Munich?

The most popular time to travel to Berlin and Munich, and Germany overall, is summer. This is when the weather is warmest, the days are long, and there are tons of activities and festivals.

But it’s also when lots of other travelers are around. Attractions are more crowded, lines are longer, and prices are often higher.

If you can come in mid to late spring or early to mid autumn, you will still experience decent weather, but with smaller crowds and lower prices.

Mid September to early October is very popular in Munich because of Oktoberfest, so prices are sky high. Late November and all of December is also popular in both cities because of the Christmas markets.

But then the rest of winter is very much the off season. If you don’t mind cold weather and dark, gloomy days, January, February, or March could be a good time to visit Munich or Berlin. Read more about the best time to visit Berlin.

How far is Berlin from Munich?

Berlin and Munich are about 585km (about 365 miles) apart, so it’s reasonable to visit both on one trip. This could make for a good road trip in Germany if you want to drive. The Berlin to Munich road trip route takes you through Leipzig and Nuremberg, but you could detour to see other cities depending on how long you have for your trip.

Thinking of renting a car in Germany? Get a quote for a rental car here.

How to Travel Between Berlin and Munich

Hopefully you’ve decided to visit both Berlin and Munich on your trip to Germany. They really are both wonderful cities, and visiting both of them will show you two different sides of the country. Because even though it’s a small country compared to the US, it has lots of regional differences.

Luckily it’s really easy to travel between the two cities using Germany’s train system. There are several high speed trains once or twice an hour for most of the day, so you can easily find a time that works well for you. The travel time is between 4 to 5 hours depending on the exact train and route, but there are so many direct trains, there’s almost no reason to choose one with a switch.

Check out my article about how to get from Berlin to Munich by train and bus for more details.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide for deciding between Munich vs Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!