Things to Do in Munich in January

January Weather in Munich

3°C (37°F) High Temp

-4°C (25°F) Low Temp

45mm (1.8 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

Christmas market season extends into early January - Christkindlmärkte at Marienplatz and Residenz remain open until January 6th with fewer crowds and discounted Glühwein (€3-4 instead of peak €5-6)
Skiing season peaks with 150-200cm (59-79 inches) of snow at nearby Alps resorts like Garmisch-Partenkirchen, just 90 minutes by train, offering perfect powder conditions
Indoor cultural venues are at their absolute best - Residenz, Pinakotheken museums, and concert halls offer special winter programming with 40% fewer tourists than summer months
Post-holiday accommodation prices drop 30-50% after January 10th, with luxury hotels in city center available for €80-120 per night versus €200+ in December

Considerations

Daylight limited to 8.5 hours (sunrise 8:00am, sunset 4:30pm) making sightseeing feel rushed and outdoor photography challenging
Beer garden culture completely hibernates - iconic venues like Augustiner-Bräu and Hofbräu close outdoor areas, eliminating Munich's famous al fresco drinking experience
Frequent snowfall and icy sidewalks make walking treacherous, especially around cobblestone areas near Marienplatz, requiring proper winter boots and adding 50% more time to walking routes

Best Activities in January

Alpine Day Trip Skiing

January offers peak skiing conditions at Bavarian Alps resorts within 2 hours of Munich. Snow base reaches 150-200cm (59-79 inches) with consistent powder. Temperatures of -8°C to -2°C (18-28°F) at altitude create perfect skiing weather. Avoid weekends when Munich locals flood the slopes - Tuesday through Thursday offer 60% fewer crowds and €10-15 cheaper lift tickets.

Booking Tip: Book Alpine day trips 7-10 days ahead through licensed tour operators. Full-day packages typically cost €65-85 including transport, equipment rental runs €25-35. Early morning departures (7:30am) essential to maximize 8.5 hours of daylight. Check current options in booking section below.

Historic Indoor Walking Tours

January's cold drives tour groups indoors, making this perfect for exploring heated venues like Residenz Palace, Frauenkirche, and covered Viktualienmarkt. Tours focus on 2-3 major indoor sites with 15-minute outdoor transitions. Morning tours (10am-12pm) utilize maximum daylight hours. Many include traditional Bavarian lunch in heated restaurant.

Booking Tip: Book indoor cultural tours 5-7 days ahead focusing on heated venues. Prices range €25-40 per person for 3-4 hour tours. Look for tours that spend maximum time indoors with heated transport between sites. See current options in booking section below.

Traditional Brewery Experiences

While beer gardens close, January is prime time for heated brewery halls and underground cellars. Augustiner-Bräu, Löwenbräu, and Spaten offer warm indoor tastings with traditional Bavarian meals. Tours include brewing process explanation and 4-5 beer samples. Indoor halls maintain cozy 18-20°C (64-68°F) temperatures perfect for escaping -2°C (28°F) outdoor conditions.

Booking Tip: Book brewery tours 3-5 days ahead, typically €35-50 including tastings and snacks. Evening tours (6-9pm) most popular as locals prefer indoor drinking after work. Choose tours with heated indoor venues only. Current brewery experiences available in booking section below.

Neuschwanstein Castle Winter Tours

January transforms the fairy-tale castle into a snow-covered wonderland with 30-40cm (12-16 inches) of snow typical around the castle grounds. Fewer tourists mean better photo opportunities and shorter wait times. However, prepare for -5°C to 2°C (23-36°F) temperatures and potential cable car closures on high-wind days. The heated castle interior provides warmth during 35-minute guided tours.

Booking Tip: Book castle day trips 10-14 days ahead as weather can cause cancellations. Tours cost €75-95 including transport and castle entry. Choose tours with backup indoor activities in case of severe weather. Morning departures (8am) essential for daylight return. See current options in booking section below.

Christmas Market Extension Tours

Early January (until January 6th) offers the unique experience of post-Christmas markets with 70% fewer crowds and vendors offering end-of-season discounts on crafts and decorations. Glühwein remains available but at reduced prices €3-4 versus peak €6. Markets typically open 10am-8pm with shortened hours compared to December. Indoor market halls provide heated shopping alternatives.

Booking Tip: Only available January 1-6, 2025. Book Christmas market tours immediately after New Year, typically €20-30 for 2-3 hour guided experiences. Focus on covered or indoor market sections due to cold weather. Current early January market tours available in booking section below.

Museum and Art Gallery Crawls

January's harsh weather makes this ideal for exploring Munich's world-class indoor cultural sites. Pinakothek museums, BMW Museum, and Deutsches Museum offer heated environments perfect for escaping outdoor temperatures. Many venues have special winter exhibitions and reduced crowds allow intimate viewing experiences. Plan 2-3 museums per day with warm café breaks.

Booking Tip: Museum combination tours typically cost €40-60 for full-day experiences including 3-4 venues and transport. Book 3-5 days ahead for group tours with skip-the-line access. Individual museum day passes €15-25. Current cultural tour options available in booking section below.

January Events & Festivals

January 6

Dreikönigstag (Epiphany) Celebrations

January 6th public holiday features traditional blessing ceremonies at major churches including Frauenkirche and Theatinerkirche. Children dressed as the Three Kings go door-to-door collecting for charity. Many shops and restaurants close, but special church concerts and traditional meals are available at hotel restaurants.

January 7-31

Fasching Season Begin

Munich's carnival season officially starts January 7th with costume parties at traditional venues like Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner-Bräu. Weekly events build toward February celebrations. January features more intimate gatherings versus the massive February parades, offering authentic local cultural experience.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated waterproof boots with grip soles - cobblestone streets become ice rinks, and you'll walk on snow/slush daily with temperatures ranging -4°C to 3°C (25-37°F)

Thermal underwear layers - essential for outdoor sightseeing when 'feels like' temperatures drop to -8°C (18°F) with wind chill

Heavy winter coat rated to -10°C (14°F) - lightweight jackets inadequate for 8+ hours of outdoor touring in Bavarian winter

Waterproof gloves and wool hat - extremities suffer most in high 85% humidity that makes cold feel more penetrating

Thick wool socks (bring 2-3 pairs) - feet stay wet from snow/slush, and heated indoor venues require sock changes

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries 40% faster, critical for maps and translation apps

Lip balm and heavy moisturizer - indoor heating combined with outdoor cold creates severe skin drying

Compact umbrella - 15 days of precipitation means frequent snow/rain transitions throughout day

Wool scarves (2 minimum) - one inevitably gets wet, and neck protection essential for outdoor walking tours

Indoor comfortable shoes - many venues require shoe removal or have heated floors, need backup to wet boots

Insider Knowledge

Locals use underground U-Bahn and S-Bahn systems extensively in January - invest in 3-day München Card (€29) for unlimited transport plus museum discounts, avoiding 30+ minutes of outdoor walking daily

Supermarkets like Edeka and REWE sell Glühwein packets for €2-3 - heat in hotel room or Airbnb for 1/3 the cost of tourist venues, plus you keep the ceramic mug as souvenir

Book restaurant reservations for 5-7pm - Müncheners dine early in winter to avoid walking home in dark, and many kitchens close by 9pm unlike summer extended hours

Munich's heated underground pedestrian tunnels connect Hauptbahnhof to Marienplatz - locals use this 1.2km (0.7 mile) route to avoid surface-level ice and wind, saving 15 minutes walking time

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating walking time in snow/ice conditions - add 50% extra time to all outdoor routes, and factor in frequent warming breaks every 20-30 minutes in heated shops or cafés

Wearing cotton clothing layers - cotton retains moisture from snow and sweat, creating dangerous cold conditions; wool and synthetic materials essential for all base layers

Planning too many outdoor activities - with only 8.5 hours of daylight and frequent snow, limit to 2-3 outdoor sites per day with substantial indoor time between each location