Munich in July

When the sun is at its zenith, and weary people hide under the air conditioning, many escape the city heat by going to the seaside. Still, some opt for an educational holiday in big cities, such as Munich. But it's not all bad news.

It's not the north of the continent, and the feeling of summer is nowhere to be found. Still, the pleasant temperatures, thanks to frequent refreshing rains and plenty of greenery, make the city as enjoyable as possible for residents and visitors alike, even in the heat. For architectural beauty, entertainment and sunny weather, combined with an action-packed programme of sightseeing in the cool halls of the museums, it's well worth a trip here in July.

Holidays in Munich in July: a sunny mood

Reviews of holidays in Munich in July are full of summer bliss. Germans don't take a siesta, but in summer the city adopts its own slow life — a leisurely lifestyle that allows time for pleasure as well as work. If you visit Munich in July, you'll get a feel for the local pace of life and adopt it along with other tourists. It's a month with so many advantages:

• Plenty of sunshine and clean air from the temporary rains and local greenery.
• The parks are spring-like green and sunny.
• There are lots of parks — in the summer it's nice to hide under the shade of the trees.
• You can catch the International Opera Festival, one of the most important cultural events of the summer.
• Many residents leave the city for the holidays.
• This is the month when summer discounts and sales start.

Certain disadvantages of a July trip are also worth knowing:

• The sun is already beating down, so make sure the whole family is wearing panamas and caps.
• This is a wet month (the second wettest of the year).
• During the day, it is best to relax in air-conditioned rooms or shady parks.
• Munich's shops are closed on Sundays, including grocery stores.

Munich weather in July

The weather in Munich in July and August is not the most pleasant for travelling with children. It doesn't get too hot, but the sun is often quite aggressive, so it's not advisable to stay out too long to avoid sunstroke. The freshness of the sun can be deceptive, so don't take long walks in the direct sun, especially if you're travelling with babies.

The weather is more pleasant at the beginning of July than towards the end, when August, the hottest month of the year, is approaching. The average temperature in Munich in mid-July is +23°C, which is still comfortable for outdoor activities and walks around the city — the pavement doesn't get too hot and the blessed rain cools it down from time to time. The weather in Munich at the end of July already forces passers-by to seek refreshment and shelter in the shady parks.

• Top family-friendly hotels in Munich
• Where to go and what to see in Munich

Air temperature

The temperature in Munich in July confirms that it is possible to spend a pleasant summer holiday here. For those who cannot stand the heat, Munich's climate is a good alternative to the hot countries of the south. The humidity is moderate — the summer sun dries the pavements quickly, even after the heaviest downpours.

Munich's modern amenities mean that you can enjoy a swim even without the sea — just an hour away by public transport in the suburbs is the wonderful large water park Galaxy Erding, which is a welcome relief from the heat for residents and tourists alike. In addition, there are many other attractions that combine walks through green parks and museums with an entertaining programme. The availability of such places comes in handy on rainy days in July.

Air temperature in Munich in July

After August, July is the second warmest month of the year. The average day temperature in Munich in July is around +23°C and the average night temperature is +13°C. At the beginning of the month, temperatures are around +22°C during the day and +12°C at night, but they rise by a few degrees in the middle of the month and stay there until August.

Actual temperatures, especially at the end of July, can reach between +29 ... 30°C during the day and +17°C at night. It's unlikely you'll get cold during the day, but if you're planning to go out for a late night stroll, don't forget to pack clothes that can be thrown over your shoulders to protect you from the cool evening breezes.

Amount of precipitation

July is also the second wettest month of the year after June. The average rainfall for the month is around 116.8 mm. This usually falls on nine days in the month, or just under a third of July. An umbrella is a must, and it's a good idea for younger visitors to bring a small mackintosh to protect them from the weather.

Sunny, cloudy and overcast days

July also ranks second in the number of sunny days. Sunny and clear weather accounts for 48% of the month. Overcast days account for 33% of the days in July and cloudy weather for 19% of the month. Whatever the weather, you can have a great holiday in Munich and come away with many positive experiences.

Tour holidays

On clear days in early July, it is possible to see the city from vantage points. The four most popular vantage points with stunning views of the city are the panoramic viewpoint of the Olympic Tower at a maximum height of 192 metres, the New Town Hall viewing platform, St Peter's Church and the Church of Our Lady.

Not to be missed is the clock in the Town Hall tower, which puts on an incredible show for children every day — at 11:00, 12:00 and 17:00 it comes to life and the figures start moving. Although the clock looks relatively small from below, this is a misconception — it's huge, simply because it's so high.

On a hot day in mid-July, it's particularly pleasant to take a stroll through Hellabrunn Zoo, where you'll find fun animals that won't just delight the little ones.

Take a picnic in the English Garden, sit on a blanket near the Tea House and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

Alternatively, take a stroll through the Renaissance-style Court Garden, with the beautiful Temple of Diana at its centre. The air is moist from the constant splashing of the fountain and there are exciting dance performances in the evenings.

At the end of July, a visit to Nymphenburg takes you back to Versailles, where the benches, bridges and neat flower beds are just as pretty. Another popular attraction is the castle's famous 'Gallery of Beauties', a collection of portraits of the city's most elegant women commissioned by King Ludwig. The monarch was a connoisseur of beauty. In the park you can also visit the Carriage Museum, the Porcelain Museum and the Museum of Man and Nature. There is something entertaining to see in each.

The picturesque Blutenburg Castle will make you wonder why the locals nicknamed it the 'Castle of Blood'. But a sad love story explains the popular name, which local guides will be happy to tell you.

If the weather is hot, plan a museum tour with the kids. Almost all of the buildings housing the exhibitions are air-conditioned.

Munich's Pinakothek — Old, New and Modern — helps you experience beauty. There are wonderful collections of paintings and architecture by famous masters. The Beer Museum tells the story of Munich's iconic hoppy brew. Not only can you learn about the brewing process, but you can taste every single hop variety.

Adults and children alike will enjoy the amusing fishes at the Sea Life Aquarium, and the toothy sharks will shock you with their fearsome display. A visit to the Museum of Palaeontology will leave you amazed at the size of the dinosaur skeletons. The variety of cars in the BMW Museum will delight parents and young drivers alike. As well as the history of the company itself, the exhibits on display show the evolution of car production.

Holidays, events and festivals

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Munich's July celebrations are all about beauty. While most people are out in the parks and gardens, local galleries and museums organise a variety of events to attract visitors.

In the middle of the month there's a Flower Fair where you can admire beautiful flower arrangements. But the highlight of the summer, which spans the whole month of July, is the International Opera Festival. It attracts opera lovers from all over the world, especially from Italy. International stars perform and the number of tickets sold can reach 80,000.

But even a building as large as the National Opera House in Munich cannot accommodate everyone. This is why a giant screen has been installed in the square in front of the building, allowing an additional 140,000 people to enjoy the performances. It is interesting to note that the people who come to watch the opera on the square are often dressed in beautiful clothes and costumes. At the end of the performance from the theatre, there are sometimes amateur performances by young talents in the square in front of the opera.

Another annual summer festival that attracts tourists is Tollwood. The motto of the festival is "Culture for all", so 70% of the performances are free. During the festival, visitors can enjoy theatre performances, various exhibitions, a craft market and many other activities.

Shopping

July is the time for summer sales, especially in the second half of the month. That's why shoppers flock to Munich. Discounts range from 20% to 80%. The earlier you go shopping, the more likely you are to find the right size, as only an unpopular size range is left at the end of the sale.

The best known shops are on Marienplatz, Kaufingerstraße, Newhauser Strasse and Tiatiner Strasse. Expensive boutiques can be found on Braners Strasse and Maximilianstrasse. Today, shop assistants, who are experts in buying clothes and matching styles, earn good money. Their services cost between 150 and 600 euros, depending on their experience and the time they spend with their clients. Most of the time they're hired by people buying expensive clothes, but on sales days there are always queues for their services. If you want to use them, it is worth looking for contacts online and booking a shopping trip together in advance.

Special attention should be paid to children's clothes — they are always of high quality in Germany. On sale days, the prices here are so attractive that it's even worth it to buy something for the kids to grow into, as such things cost a lot more at home and the quality may not be as good as in Germany.

Cost of vacation

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Prices in Munich are slightly higher in July than in June. This is due to the weather (less rain), the International Opera Festival, summer holidays and sales. Airfares rise by an average of 20% to reach the average price for the year. The only way to save money is to buy tickets from low-cost carriers, low-cost airlines, booking in advance, connecting flights or on unpopular days.

Hotels near the National Opera will increase their prices by 5-10%. Hostels increase the most towards the end of the month, up to 20%, as they are often used by young people who like to shop in the capital. However, if you are travelling with young children, it is a good idea to stay away from the concentration of opera lovers, who often stay out late and make a lot of noise in the streets. The price increase does not only affect food, which is not very cheap in Munich. A meal for one person in a cheap café costs at least 15 euros, and a dinner for two in a restaurant costs about 50 euros.

Tips for holidays with children

Travelling with young campers this month won't cause you any wardrobe headaches — plenty of light clothes and a couple of rain jackets make up the basic wardrobe for you and your children. At the very least, it's easy to pick up the essentials in July at great sale prices.

This is the month when the real summer comes to Munich and gives you its hot kiss. However, if you plan your visits to museums and parks in advance, you will be able to walk and explore the city more comfortably.