If you can't wait for the May holidays, if your soul is crying out for a dip in spring romance, then take a holiday, pack your bags and head to Munich. The city will put you in a spring mood. It's warmer than ever, bringing with it the scent of blossoms, a dizzying symphony of birdsong and beautiful architecture.
Munich has everything a traveller could want during these fairytale days of nature's awakening and the opening of the season. The city is full of attractions for children, who will love spending their spring break here. And the Spring Festival that takes place here offers a kaleidoscope of exciting experiences and memories. In this article, Kidpassage explains all the nuances involved in organising a trip at this time of year.
Holidays in Munich in April: pros and cons
Reviews of holidays in Munich in April are full of memories of spring and a rousing festival. The city is full of positivity, tourists and happy people. That's Munich in April — it captures the hearts of visitors at first sight. It couldn't be otherwise:
- Outside, nature is awakening and the sun is gentle on your shoulders, allowing excess clothing to be removed.
- Walking with children in the fresh air at this time of year is pleasant and enjoyable.
- The air is filled with the scent of blossoms, and it seems as if the lungs are not big enough to breathe in spring in all its manifestations.
- In the English Garden, the birds are chirping so cheerfully that you want to stay longer and listen to their songs.
- In the second half of April there's a fun festival that surprises visitors with something new every day.
- Save money on travel and museums with the Munich CityTourCard.
- TOP 10 Family-friendly hotels in Munich
- 15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Munich
To make your holiday a memorable one, it's worth bearing this in mind:
- If you are travelling during the Spring Festival, make sure you book your hotel and flight well in advance — there may be some availability problems.
- Also, to get a good night's sleep away from the noise of drunken teenagers, choose a hotel as far away as possible from Therese Meadows, the festival site.
- The city does have its share of surprises in the form of April rain, so be sure to pack a small umbrella or rain gear.
- If you're travelling with young children, check the weather forecast from time to time to decide whether to spend the day outdoors or indoors, as the weather in April can be changeable.
Munich weather in April
The weather in Munich in April and May tends to be rainy, which is the downside of the region, although the month is not considered the wettest of the year. However, the weather in early April is already warm.
Over the last decade, mid-April temperatures in Munich have been above average. This affects the annual recalculation of averages in the direction of warming.
If there are sporadic showers during the month, the weather in Munich can deteriorate considerably at the end of April. This is because April is followed by the most capricious month, May, which has 40% more rainfall. However, all of nature's tricks aren't so bad if you prepare for a good holiday and stock up on umbrellas. The relatively warm sun dries the pavements quickly, even after heavy downpours, and the rays are so gentle that you'll want to cover your face as long as possible.
Air temperature and precipitation
Temperatures in Munich in April don't have a habit of suddenly soaring. The region itself has a mild but rather humid climate. However, the rains don't always play the role of "bad cop"; at certain times they accelerate the heat and give the earth a steamy humidity. It also makes Munich a very green German city. This is very important for the English Garden, which is considered to be the best in the world, ahead of New York's Central Park and London's Hyde Park in terms of size and landscaping.
In April, its alleyways fill with walkers as it gets green and warm enough for long walks in the fresh air.
Air temperature in Munich in April
The average day temperature in April in Munich is around +13.7°C and the average night temperature is +5°C. It's not difficult to determine the exact daytime temperature for a particular half of the month. At the beginning of April, the average daytime temperature on the first day of the month is around +11°C during the day and +1°C at night. On the fifteenth of April, the temperature rises to +13°C during the day and +3°C at night.
And on the last day of April, it is +15°C during the day and +5°C at night. In other words, the temperature will rise by 2°C every two weeks. With this steady rise, it's easy to plan what clothes to take with you and your children on a trip.
Amount of precipitation
Although April is nowhere near the top five wettest months of the year, it's also not among the driest. Munich has an average rainfall of 65.7 mm for the month. It can fall as light rain or as heavy rainfall. For this reason, it is advisable to check the weather forecast before planning your next day. On average, April has six rainy days and a fair amount of overcast and cloudy weather, offset by the springtime glow of blossoming trees and bird song.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
On average, a third of the month of April in Munich is sunny, with around ten days of clear skies. As a percentage of the month, these days account for 33% of April, 30% are cloudy with occasional showers and the remaining 37% are overcast with rain. The predominance of cloudy weather in Munich is probably the only downside of spring. In terms of the number of sunny days, April even loses 50% to November, which has as many as fifteen.
Tour holidays
As well as being famous for its beer, the city is also known for its architectural treasures. To see this at a glance, take a look at the city from the viewpoints in St. Michael's Church or St. Peter's Chirch in early April. Spring brings a special harmony to the views. And the green of spring adds a touch of excitement. By mid-April, more and more visitors are wandering the avenues of the English Garden, which amazes the untrained tourist with its sheer scale. It's easy to get lost, it's so big.
Watch out for crowds of tourists taking photos at the tea house, which means you're still in the park and not in the dense forest, which may appear to be in full bloom.
Another beautiful park to walk in is the Hofgarten, a Renaissance-style park that attracts many visitors to admire its decorations and the Temple of Diana at its centre. The park itself was completely destroyed during the Second World War, but has been restored to the delight of Munich residents and tourists alike. If you are visiting Munich at the end of April and in May, you can see the fountain launch, near which there are rousing performances by local dance schools and free dance workshops every Wednesday and Sunday.
Don't miss the city centre and Marienplatz with its beautiful Old and New Town Halls. There are also two beautiful castles in the city.
The Nymphenburg is commonly referred to as Munich's Bavarian Versailles — as beautiful as it is, but less elaborate than its French brother. It is full of paths, graceful flower beds, bridges and pavilions, and all sorts of cosy nooks and crannies.
And the castle's owner, King Ludwig, was not inferior to Louis in his reverence for female beauty — there is a famous Gallery of Beauties. This is a series of portraits of the most beautiful women of the time, made to please the eyes of the monarch. The park itself has a number of museums that appeal to adults and children alike. The Carriage Museum, the Porcelain Museum and the Museum of Man and Nature are names that speak volumes about the treasures hidden within their walls.
The picturesque Blutenburg Castle is Munich's second palace gem. Surrounded by a ring of water, it tells the story of an unequal love — a passion that would have been worthy of Shakespeare's imagination. It's not for nothing that the locals call it the Castle of Blood.
In the city's cultural district, Königsplatz, you'll find the Old Pinakothek, New and Modern art galleries. Art lovers will be impressed by the local art collection. Children will love the city's entertainment options. The Hellabrunn zoo is well worth a visit. It is so huge that it is worth spending a whole day there.
Naughty children will love the chance to feed the local animals, see the baby exotic carnivores and ride horses, ponies and camels. The Sea Life Aquarium will delight aquatic enthusiasts, and who doesn't love watching funny dolphins and toothy sharks?
Fans of extinct lizards will love the Paleontological Museum with its dinosaur skeletons and holograms. Younger children should visit the Toy Museum to find out what toys their grandparents played with.
The BMW Museum is a must for all ages and genders. If that's not enough, head to Munich's excellent Krone Circus for a breathtaking performance, or to Bavaria Filmstadt for a guided tour where you and your young visitors can learn the secrets of the film industry.
Holidays, events and festivals
Munich's April festivals are full of fun. The month begins and ends with them. It starts with Laughter Day, when everyone plays practical jokes on each other. It ends with Walpurgis Night, when everyone plays practical jokes on each other. But the humour is rougher here — in Bavaria they might smear toothpaste on your door or tie a few knots in your shoes under the table while you're distracted.
The highlight of April in Munich is the spring festival Frühlingsfest. It officially marks the start of the warm season. This, of course, is not without beer. It's twinned with autumn's Oktoberfest in a way, but with a more family-friendly twist.
On 26 April the event includes a Tradition Day with costume parades, music performances and an open-air exhibition.
There's also a Bavarian food fair where you can get a delicious and relatively inexpensive meal.
Health regulations in Germany are very strict, so the chances of eating something bad at these stands in Munich are nil. As well as the usual sausages, meat and fish delicacies, children will enjoy a variety of sweets — candyfloss, gingerbread, dried fruit candy and more. Twice during the festivities there will be a spectacular fireworks display depicting various symbols of spring and the holiday — flowers, smiley faces, hearts and more.
At the end of the event there will be a street talent competition where artists, musicians and performers of all genres will show off their skills to entertain and win the hearts of the crowd. There will also be an old steam locomotive running around Munich's Theresienwiese, one of the many rides that will be set up there. Children will have their eyes glued to the wheels on every ride.
A particularly popular attraction is the giant slide, which offers a sledge-like mat for toddlers to push down, but provides positive energy and an unforgettable adrenaline rush for young and old alike. Every Tuesday is Family Day at the festival, with great discounts on everything.
Cost of vacation
April prices in Munich have been affected by the ongoing festivities. Airfares are almost the same as in March, 7-10% higher than average. As for hotels, the increase in prices is mainly for budget hostel accommodation, as the holiday attracts more Germans and Europeans themselves, whose young people prefer to stay in this type of accommodation.
Middle class hotels are about 5-15% of the average price in the second half of the month, but hostels, especially those close to the place of action, will increase prices by 20-30%, but it is not recommended to stay in such places with small children.
Tours to Munich at this time of year are not as popular as those to the Oktoberfest, so the price ranges are 10-20%, no more.
Meals in Munich cost around €12 for a cheap meal in a café for one person, and appx. €80 for two people for dinner in a restaurant with drinks. During the festival, however, it's best to eat at the fair — it's much tastier and cheaper.
Tips for parents
However, if you're travelling with young children, don't stay up too late. Evenings in Munich can be too damp and cold for little noses and feet. The best advice for Munich in April is to alternate outdoor walks with museum visits, and to keep an umbrella handy in case of bad weather. For school children, a trip to Munich during the spring holidays can be a wonderful gift, as the city offers many interesting museums and places for primary and secondary school children.
Spring in Germany is beautiful, but Munich, with its rousing festivities and lush green parks and gardens, is the country's most treasured gem at this time of year. Explore this treasure as a family and make this a trip to remember forever. Kidpassage wishes you a safe journey and many happy memories.
