Things to Do in Munich in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Munich
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Beer garden season is in full swing - locals pack the Englischer Garten and Augustiner-Bräu gardens as soon as temperatures hit 15°C (59°F), which happens most afternoons in May. Tables fill up by 4pm on sunny days, creating that authentic Munich atmosphere without the tourist crush of June-August.
- Asparagus season peaks throughout May - every restaurant worth visiting puts Spargel dishes on special menus. White asparagus from nearby Schrobenhausen appears at markets and restaurants, typically priced 8-12 euros per kilo at Viktualienmarkt. This is genuinely when locals eat out more frequently.
- Shoulder season pricing still applies for most of May - hotel rates run 30-40% lower than July-August peak, and you can book solid three-star hotels in Altstadt for 90-130 euros per night if you book 6-8 weeks ahead. Airlines haven't hit summer pricing yet either.
- The city feels comfortably busy rather than overwhelmed - major sites like Marienplatz and Residenz have manageable crowds, especially weekday mornings. You can actually get a table at Hofbräuhaus without queuing, and the Pinakothek museums let you view art without shoulder-to-shoulder tourists.
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - May sits in that transitional zone where you might get 22°C (72°F) sunshine one day and 11°C (52°F) drizzle the next. Locals joke that May has all four seasons in one week, and they're not exaggerating. Pack for both scenarios or you'll end up buying an overpriced rain jacket at Karstadt.
- Rain disrupts outdoor plans more than you'd expect - those 10 rainy days aren't evenly spread, and when systems move through, they can settle in for 2-3 days straight. Beer gardens close their outdoor sections when it's wet, and hiking in the nearby Alps becomes muddy and less appealing. You need solid indoor backup plans.
- It's too early for Alpine lake swimming - the Bavarian lakes like Starnberger See and Ammersee hover around 12-15°C (54-59°F) in May, which is bracingly cold even for locals. If you're picturing lakeside swimming, you'll be disappointed. The Alps are spectacular for hiking, but water activities are still a month away from comfortable.
Best Activities in May
Beer Garden Afternoons in Englischer Garten
May is actually the sweet spot for Munich's beer garden culture - warm enough that gardens open their full outdoor sections, but not so packed that you're fighting for tables. The Chinesischer Turm and Seehaus locations in the Englischer Garten fill with a mix of locals and tourists from about 3pm onwards. Temperatures peak in late afternoon (typically 17-20°C or 63-68°F), making it comfortable to sit outside for hours. Bring cash - most beer gardens are cash-only, and expect to pay 8.50-9.50 euros for a Maß (1 liter) of beer. The self-service sections let you bring your own food, which is what locals do.
Day Trips to Neuschwanstein Castle
May hits the ideal window for visiting Bavaria's most famous castle - the Alpine foothills are green and lush, wildflowers are blooming, and you avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of summer. The 1.5 km (0.9 mile) uphill walk from Hohenschwangau village to the castle takes 30-40 minutes and can be muddy after rain, but the views across the valley are spectacular. Morning tours (before 11am) offer the best light for photos and smaller groups. Book your timed castle entry at least 2-3 weeks ahead for May dates - they sell out, especially for late morning slots.
Viktualienmarkt Food Tours and Market Shopping
May brings peak season for Bavarian produce at Munich's central market - white asparagus, fresh strawberries from nearby farms, and spring herbs fill the stalls. The market operates Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm (closes 3pm Saturday), and going between 9-11am gives you the full selection before popular items sell out. This is where Munich locals actually shop, not just a tourist photo op. The beer garden in the market's center serves excellent lunch from traditional vendors, typically 8-12 euros for substantial portions. May's mild weather makes the outdoor stall browsing comfortable.
Bavarian Alps Hiking Day Trips
Late May offers ideal Alpine hiking conditions - snow has mostly cleared from lower elevation trails (below 1,500 m or 4,900 ft), wildflowers are emerging, and temperatures in the mountains range 10-16°C (50-61°F) during the day. Popular destinations like Partnachklamm gorge near Garmisch-Partenkirchen or the Wendelstein peak are accessible and stunning. Trails can be muddy after rain, so actual hiking boots matter here, not just sneakers. The UV index at altitude reaches 8-9, so sunscreen is essential despite mild temperatures.
Museum Hopping on Rainy Days
With 10 rainy days expected in May, having a solid museum strategy matters. Munich's Kunstareal district contains three world-class Pinakothek museums within 500 m (0.3 miles) of each other - you can spend an entire rainy day moving between them. The Deutsches Museum, the world's largest science and technology museum, easily fills 4-5 hours. May weekdays see lighter crowds than summer, so you can actually appreciate the art without being jostled. Most major museums open 10am-6pm (closed Mondays), with extended hours to 8pm on Thursdays.
Dachau Memorial Site Visits
The memorial site sits 17 km (10.6 miles) northwest of Munich and requires 3-4 hours for a meaningful visit. May weather makes the outdoor portions of the site more comfortable than summer heat, though bring layers as the exposed grounds can be cool and windy. The site is profoundly moving and historically essential for understanding Munich's and Germany's history. Audio guides are available in 17 languages and highly recommended. The memorial is free to enter, though guided tours provide crucial context that the grounds alone don't fully convey.
May Events & Festivals
Auer Dult Spring Fair
This traditional Bavarian fair runs for nine days starting the Saturday before May 1st on the Mariahilfplatz in the Au district. It's less touristy than Oktoberfest - locals come for the antiques, household goods, and traditional Bavarian crafts sold at 300+ stalls. The fair dates back to the 14th century and maintains an authentic neighborhood feel. Food stalls serve classic fair dishes like Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick) and Schmalzgebäck (fried pastries). Entry is free, and it's genuinely where Munich residents shop for everything from kitchen tools to lederhosen.
Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival)
Munich's spring version of Oktoberfest runs for two weeks on the Theresienwiese from late April into mid-May. It's significantly smaller and less crowded than the autumn festival - about 1.5 million visitors versus 6 million at Oktoberfest. You'll find traditional beer tents, carnival rides, and festival atmosphere without the overwhelming tourist crush. Beer prices run 11-12 euros per Maß, slightly cheaper than Oktoberfest. Locals actually prefer Frühlingsfest because you can get tables without reservations and the atmosphere feels more relaxed.