The Best Areas to Stay in Munich: Top Districts and Hotels

Altstadt (which in German means “old city“) covers the area of ​​the entire historic city of Munich.

This area gathers art galleries, boutiques and museums, great attraction for both tourists and locals. Altstadt is the best area to stay in Munich for tourists.

It is the most important area for tourists, thanks to its sites of interest such as the Marienplatz (main square of the city), the Town Hall, the Bavarian Opera House, the Kaufhof department store, the Museum of the Five Continents, the Isartor, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the famous churches of Frauenkriche and Peterskirche.

Several transport stops are in this area, such as Lehel metro station (U4 and U5) and Marientplatz (S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7 and S8, in addition to the U3 and U6). Other important stations in the area are Isartor, and Sendlinger Tor.

Altstadt-Lehel is definitely the most central district and the best area to stay in Munich and it’s no wonder, since it’s an area that has it all, shops, bars and restaurants.

However, the Old City is not the cheapest area to stay in Munich, but being close to the best attractions is well worth staying here.

Ludwigvorstadt – Isarvorstadt is located southeast of Munich’s Old Town and northeast of the Islar River, both forming the city’s number 2 district, divided into smaller neighbourhoods.

This area hosts the huge and popular Oktoberfest every autumn.

Isarvorstadt is a very vibrant residential area with many bars, pubs and nightclubs, around the beautiful Gärtnerplatz square

The area is always dressed in colorful nightlife and, In addition, it is the centre of gay life.

Yuppies, bohemians, students and locals are present in this busy area.

Ludwigvorstadt – Isarvorstadt is connected by metro lines U3, U6, U1 and U2 and, as it houses train stations and public transport, getting around the neighbourhood and the rest of the city is simple.

This district offers many luxury and boutique-style hotels. Ludwigvorstadt – Isarvorstadt is definitely one of the best areas to stay in Munich.

Ludwigvorstadt – Isarvorstadt is also the best area to stay in Munich during the Oktoberfest.

Maxvorstadt, also known as District 3, is located to the north of the old town of Munich.

Maxvorstadt is a cultural area, full of museums, universities and galleries.

This area is one of the Munich university districts par excellence.

Maxvorstadt, known as “the brain of Munich” hosts around seven universities, including the Ludwig Maximilian University and the Technical University, both among the most important institutions in Germany.

The elegant Königsplatz with its neoclassical style museums is the neighbourhood’s most important attraction. Other attractions in the area include a part of the Englischer Garten park and the central railway station of Munich (Hauptbahnhof).

You can also find cafes and shops among Maxvorstadt.

Maxvorstadt is very close to the city centre and is perfectly accessible on foot. Metro lines U2, U3, U6, U8 have several stations scattered around the area, as well as several tram stops. The Hauptbahnhof, located in the south-east of Maxvorstadt, offers connections for S-Bahn lines S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8 and S27.

Maxvorstadt has different accommodation options, including luxury hotels, economic pensions and university residences that, in the non-school period, serve as hotels.

Schwabing-Freimann extends from the old town and the north of Maxvorstadt to Freimann.

It is a quiet and expensive residential area.

Schwabing is considered the bohemian district of Munich.

Schwabing-Freimann has many fun and leisure options, such as the English garden.

Schwabing-Freimann is a lively area of ​​bars, restaurants and upscale hotels.

In this area, there are many free concerts during the summer.

Schwabing-Freimann is connected by metro lines U2, U3 and U6. Tram lines 12, 27 and 28 also cross the district.

Schwabing-Freimann is among the best areas to stay in Munich, particularly if the budget is not a problem.

Trudering-Riem, on the eastern edge of Munich is a popular residential area.

It is known as Trudering-Riem because, in the north, it joins Riem, a popular, residential neighbourhood that houses the Munich exhibition centre.

Trudering-Riem still retains the atmosphere of a small town.

Trudering-Riem has among its attractions Trudering Forest, the largest contiguous forested area of ​​the city, very popular among athletes.

Other attractions in the area include the church of San Pablo and San Pedro, which dates back to the Middle Ages.

To move between this area and the centre of the city, you can use the metro line U-2 that runs through the district. The S-Bahn (light rail) stops are Riem (S2) and Trudering and Gronsdorf (S4) or the S6.

Trudering-Riem is a quiet area where to stay in Munich and in this district you can find cheap accommodation.

Au-Haidhausen is the district that surrounds the station of Munich East (Ostbahnhof) and soothes of the Conservatory of Strauss and the Philharmonic.

It is located south-east of downtown Munich. Its core is the Mariahilfplatz square, which houses the Mariahilfkirche church.

This area was, for centuries, a proletarian area where the homes of day laborers and poor workers were located. Today, it is the Munich nightlife area par excellence.

In this district is the famous Kultfabrik, a complex of nightclubs, bars and restaurants.

This neighbourhood also has picturesque streets and houses.

The main hub of transport in the neighbourhood is the Ostbahnhof, one of the most important stations in Munich, with connections to the entire city. The metro U5, the tram line 19 and numerous urban buses also cover the area.