Things to Do in Munich in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Munich
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas market season kicks off mid-November - you'll catch the opening weeks when locals actually go, before the December tourist crush. Stalls are fully stocked, vendors are enthusiastic, and you can actually move through the markets without being shoulder-to-shoulder with tour groups.
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to summer and Oktoberfest season. You're looking at €80-120 for solid mid-range hotels that would cost €180+ in peak months. Book by early October for the best selection.
- Museum and gallery season hits its stride - locals retreat indoors, so cultural institutions roll out their best exhibitions. The Pinakothek museums, Residenz, and Deutsches Museum are genuinely pleasant to visit without summer crowds. You'll spend more time looking at art than waiting in queues.
- Day trips to the Alps become feasible again - summer hiking trails are closed, but November brings early snow to higher elevations while valleys stay accessible. You can catch the transition season when mountains look dramatic with fresh snow caps, and tourist infrastructure in places like Garmisch-Partenkirchen is open but quiet.
Considerations
- Daylight is genuinely limited - sunrise around 7:30am, sunset by 4:45pm by late November. You're working with roughly 9 hours of daylight, which compresses your sightseeing schedule. Outdoor activities need to happen between 10am-3pm to make the most of natural light.
- Weather is unpredictably gray and damp. That 2°C (35°F) low combined with 70% humidity creates the kind of penetrating cold that gets into your bones. Rain tends to be persistent drizzle rather than quick showers - when it rains, it might last all day. You'll have stretches of decent weather, but count on 2-3 genuinely miserable days per week.
- Some beer gardens close or operate on severely reduced schedules. The outdoor biergarten culture that defines summer Munich largely shuts down, though a few hardy souls keep limited hours. If you're coming specifically for the classic beer garden experience, November will disappoint you.
Best Activities in November
Christmas Market Exploration
Munich's Christkindlmarkt opens around November 25th, and visiting in the opening week means experiencing it like a local rather than a tourist attraction. The main market at Marienplatz is the flagship, but neighborhood markets in Schwabing and Haidhausen offer better food and less crowding. The cold weather actually enhances the experience - Glühwein (mulled wine) at €4-5 per mug makes sense when you're genuinely cold. Markets typically run 10am-9pm daily, with weekday afternoons being the quietest time to visit.
Museum District Deep Dives
November weather makes this the ideal month for Munich's world-class museums. The Kunstareal (art district) houses the Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek, and Pinakothek der Moderne - collectively one of Europe's finest art collections. Sunday admission is just €1 at state museums. The Deutsches Museum, while massive, is perfect for a rainy afternoon. Allocate 2-3 hours minimum per museum. November sees 40% fewer visitors than summer months, so you can actually contemplate the art.
Traditional Bavarian Tavern Culture
November is when Munich's indoor beer halls truly shine. Hofbräuhaus is the tourist standard, but locals favor Augustiner-Bräu, Paulaner am Nockherberg, and neighborhood spots in Giesing and Haidhausen. This is the season for hearty Bavarian food - Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), and Käsespätzle hit differently when it's cold and gray outside. Expect to spend €15-25 for a substantial meal with a Maß (1 liter) of beer. Most halls serve continuously from 10am-11pm.
Bavarian Alps Day Trips
November offers a unique window for mountain access - too early for ski season crowds, but late enough for dramatic alpine scenery with early snow. Neuschwanstein Castle looks particularly atmospheric against gray November skies and often has light snow by month's end. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Zugspitze (Germany's highest peak), and Berchtesgaden are all accessible by train in 1.5-2.5 hours. The Zugspitze cable car operates year-round, weather permitting. Expect temperatures 5-8°C (9-14°F) colder than Munich at elevation.
English Garden Winter Walks
Munich's massive urban park takes on a different character in November - fewer cyclists and sunbathers, but locals still use it for serious walking. The Eisbach river surfing spot operates year-round, and watching wetsuit-clad surfers in near-freezing water is uniquely Munich. The Chinese Tower beer garden stays partially open on decent-weather weekends. Budget 1-2 hours for a proper walk from Haus der Kunst to Kleinhesseloher See. The park covers 3.7 km² (1.4 sq mi), so you can genuinely escape the city feel.
BMW Welt and Museum Experience
Perfect rainy-day activity that combines architecture, engineering, and Bavarian industrial pride. BMW Welt (the delivery center and exhibition space) is free and genuinely impressive - the building itself is worth the visit. The adjacent BMW Museum costs €10 and takes 1.5-2 hours. November weekdays see minimal crowds. Located north of the city center, easily reached by U3 subway to Olympiazentrum station. The Olympic Park grounds next door offer interesting architecture from the 1972 games, though outdoor exploration is weather-dependent.
November Events & Festivals
Christkindlmarkt Opening
Munich's main Christmas market at Marienplatz typically opens around November 25th with an opening ceremony featuring the Christkind (Christ child figure) from the Rathaus balcony. This marks the unofficial start of Munich's Christmas season. The opening weekend draws locals out in force - it's crowded but has genuine festive energy that later weeks lack. Smaller neighborhood markets open on staggered schedules throughout late November.
Tollwood Winter Festival
Alternative cultural festival that runs from late November through December at Theresienwiese (the Oktoberfest grounds). More bohemian and arts-focused than traditional Christmas markets, with live music, theater performances, organic food stalls, and craft vendors. The heated tent venues make it comfortable regardless of weather. Admission to the grounds is free, though performances require tickets (€15-40 depending on the show).