Things to Do in Munich in March

March Weather in Munich

10°C (50°F) High Temp

2°C (35°F) Low Temp

61 mm (2.4 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

Oktoberfest beer halls are cozy and less crowded - locals return after winter hibernation with 30-40% fewer tourists than summer months
Traditional Starkbier (strong beer) season runs through March - breweries serve special 7-8% ABV lagers unavailable rest of year at Augustiner, Löwenbräu, and Spaten
Hotel rates drop 40-50% compared to summer peak - luxury properties like Vier Jahreszeiten often available for €180-250/night versus €400+ in July
Perfect hiking weather in nearby Alps - 8-12°C (46-54°F) at 800-1200m (2,625-3,937 ft) elevation with crisp visibility and snow-capped peaks 45 minutes by train

Considerations

Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you'll experience 15°C (59°F) sunshine and 3°C (37°F) sleet in the same day, requiring constant layering adjustments
Many outdoor beer gardens remain closed until late March or April - iconic spots like Chinesischer Turm don't fully open until consistent 12°C+ (54°F) temperatures
Daylight hours limited to 6:30am-6:30pm - affects outdoor activity timing and creates rushed sightseeing schedules for those used to longer days

Best Activities in March

Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trips

March offers the fairy-tale castle at its most dramatic - snow-dusted peaks, minimal crowds (60% fewer visitors than summer), and crisp 15-20km (9-12 mile) visibility. The 1.5km (0.9 mile) uphill walk to the castle is manageable in cool weather without summer's exhausting heat. Interior tours run every 5 minutes versus 30-minute waits in peak season.

Booking Tip: Reserve castle entry tickets exactly 2 days ahead online (€15 adults, €13 students). Day trips from Munich typically cost €45-65 including transport. Book through licensed tour operators 7-10 days ahead for guaranteed small group sizes under 16 people.

Traditional Bavarian Brewery Tours

Starkbier season makes March ideal for authentic brewery experiences. Augustiner, Spaten, and Löwenbräu offer behind-the-scenes tours of their 150-year-old cellars where strong seasonal beers mature. Cool weather means comfortable walking through underground tunnels at 8-10°C (46-50°F). Local brewery festivals happen weekends without summer tourist crowds.

Booking Tip: Brewery tours typically cost €25-35 including 3-4 tastings and traditional pretzel. Book directly or through beer tour operators 5-7 days ahead. Saturday afternoon tours (2-4pm) avoid weekday closures but fill faster.

Alpine Day Hiking from Garmisch-Partenkirchen

March conditions are perfect for moderate Alpine trails - snow melting at lower elevations creates dramatic waterfalls, while temperatures stay comfortable for hiking at 5-12°C (41-54°F). Partnach Gorge trail (700m/2,297 ft gain over 3km/1.9 miles) offers spectacular ice formations and rushing meltwater. Train access from Munich takes 90 minutes.

Booking Tip: Guided Alpine hiking tours cost €75-120 including transportation and equipment. Independent hikers should book Garmisch accommodations 10-14 days ahead as March is prime local hiking season. Bring microspikes for icy sections - available for rent €8-12/day locally.

Munich's Museum Quarter Extended Tours

Variable March weather makes indoor cultural experiences essential. Kunstareal district offers world-class art across 5 major museums within 500m (1,640 ft). Cool temperatures and fewer crowds mean comfortable 3-4 hour museum marathons impossible in summer heat. Many exhibitions change seasonally, with major shows opening in March for spring season.

Booking Tip: Museum day passes cost €24-35 covering multiple venues. Book private art tours €150-200 for groups up to 6 people, typically lasting 3-4 hours. Sunday mornings (9-11am) have smallest crowds before family visits increase.

Salzburg and Sound of Music Day Trips

March offers Salzburg without summer crowds clogging narrow medieval streets. Mozart's birthplace and baroque architecture photograph beautifully against occasional snow dustings. The 90-minute train journey through Bavarian countryside shows early spring landscapes. Sound of Music filming locations around Salzburg are accessible with 50% fewer tour buses.

Booking Tip: Full-day Salzburg tours from Munich typically cost €85-125 including train transport and guided city tour. Book 7-10 days ahead for guaranteed small group sizes. Independent travelers should reserve Mozart House tickets online (€12) to avoid 20-minute entrance queues.

Thermal Spa and Wellness Retreats

Cool, damp March weather creates perfect conditions for Bavarian thermal spa culture. Erding Therme (30 minutes from Munich) offers 27-38°C (81-100°F) thermal pools, saunas, and wellness treatments. After cold outdoor sightseeing, 2-3 hour spa sessions restore energy for evening activities. Many spas offer March seasonal packages unavailable in summer.

Booking Tip: Day spa packages typically cost €35-65 for thermal pools plus sauna access. Wellness treatments add €80-150. Book spa appointments 3-5 days ahead, especially for weekend visits. Bring flip-flops and towel or rent locally for €8-12.

March Events & Festivals

Throughout March

Starkbier Festival Season

Munich's 'Fifth Season' runs through March at major breweries. Augustiner-Bräu, Löwenbräu, and Spaten host traditional strong beer celebrations with folk music, hearty foods, and 7-8% ABV seasonal lagers. More authentic and less touristy than Oktoberfest, with genuine local participation and traditional Bavarian atmosphere.

Mid to Late March

Munich Spring Festival Preparation

While the main Frühlingsfest opens in late April, March sees traditional preparation celebrations at Theresienwiese. Local vendors and ride operators host preview events and traditional food tastings. Excellent opportunity to experience authentic festival culture without crowds.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support - essential for wet cobblestones and occasional Alpine day trips on muddy trails

Merino wool base layers - regulate temperature during frequent weather changes from 2-15°C (35-59°F) throughout single days

Packable down jacket - crucial for sudden temperature drops, especially during evening beer garden visits when temperatures fall rapidly after sunset

Quality rain jacket with hood - March brings sudden downpours lasting 15-45 minutes, often without warning during outdoor activities

Lightweight wool scarf and gloves - morning temperatures around 2°C (35°F) require warmth, but you'll remove them by afternoon

Comfortable waterproof walking shoes - expect 8-12km (5-7.5 miles) daily walking on wet surfaces, cobblestones, and occasional muddy paths

Portable umbrella - compact enough for day bags but sturdy enough for sudden wind gusts common in March

Quick-dry pants and shirts - humidity around 70% means cotton takes forever to dry if caught in rain

SPF 30+ sunscreen - UV index reaches 3-4 on clear days, especially with Alpine reflection during mountain day trips

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries faster, and you'll use GPS extensively for navigating between indoor attractions during weather changes

Insider Knowledge

Locals dress in layers and always carry a light jacket - even on sunny 12°C (54°F) days, temperatures drop 8-10 degrees after sunset, catching tourists unprepared

Download MVV public transport app and buy weekly passes (€17.80) - March weather makes outdoor walking unpredictable, and you'll use public transport more than summer visitors

Book restaurant reservations for 6-7pm before evening temperatures drop - many locals dine earlier in March to avoid cold walks home after 9pm

Target indoor attractions during 11am-2pm when day-trippers from other cities arrive - use early morning 8-10am for outdoor sightseeing when skies are typically clearest

Avoid These Mistakes

Packing only for average temperatures (7°C/45°F) - March swings from 15°C (59°F) sunshine to 0°C (32°F) within hours, leaving under-prepared tourists miserable

Planning full outdoor itineraries without indoor backup options - weather changes force schedule adjustments 60% of days, stranding inflexible tourists

Assuming beer gardens are fully operational - many iconic outdoor venues like Chinesischer Turm operate limited hours or remain closed until late March weather stabilizes