The winter months are behind us and spring is slowly pushing the cold and gloom out of Munich's streets. The sun is shining more often and the azure skies of March look particularly festive and cheerful. Why not take a walk through the historic streets and squares of welcoming Munich, breathe in the fresh spring air and enjoy the arrival of spring?
Holidays in Munich in March: pros and cons
The first month of spring is not a popular month for travellers, but reviews of Munich in March leave no doubt that it is well worth a visit in early spring. The palace parks are still in their youthful green, but look festive against the bright blue sky. There are certainly positive aspects to visiting Munich in March:
- The low number of tourists means that accommodation and flights are cheap and prices for these services do not rise until April;
- The number of sunny days increases in March and it gets warmer outside, making walking quite pleasant;
- Even if this is not your first trip to Munich, there is still plenty to see, museums and galleries;
- A trip to Bavaria's capital in March is a great way to plan an unforgettable spring break for a child;
- If you're planning a group holiday, the Munich Strong Beer Festival in March is the perfect time to get out and about. It's only the Oktoberfest in terms of size.
There are some drawbacks to travelling in March. For example, remember that the first month of spring is capricious and can bring weather surprises in the form of sub-zero temperatures and cold winds. Make sure you bring gloves and a scarf so you can walk around without getting cold.
Munich weather in March
The weather in March and April is increasingly warm and free of strong winds and rain. This is not to say that the weather is not unpredictable; on the contrary, early March has its moments when temperatures dip below 0°C at night, and unpleasantly cold winds force you to wear a warmer jacket or extra jumper.
But these are just echoes of winter and attributes of the first half of the month. Temperatures in Munich in mid-March are already well above 6-7°C during the day, although the nights can still drop well below freezing.
Combined with moderate precipitation, this is the perfect time to go for a walk. By the end of March, the weather in Munich is getting warmer and warmer, with temperatures rising above +12°C and sometimes as high as +20°C.
Air temperature
Bavaria's mild continental climate ensures that the calendar spring coincides with the natural spring. Temperatures soar during the first month of spring, providing a welcome warmth for tourists and locals alike. The number of sunny days and hours increases, making sightseeing trips longer and more enjoyable. The Bavarian capital also has its own weather records.
According to long-term observations, the lowest temperature ever recorded in Munich in March was -15°C, and the highest was +23°C.
Air temperature in Munich in March
According to the weather forecast, the average day temperature in March is around +9°C and the average night temperature is +1,2°C. These figures can vary, of course, but abnormal temperatures are rare. Throughout the month, daytime temperatures rise, while nighttime temperatures rise only slightly.
Amount of precipitation
Munich in March does not give tourists too much rain; it is one of the driest months of the year. The average rainfall is between 43 and 50 millimetres. There are no more than four rainy days in March. Mornings can be humid, but often a warm foehn wind disperses the fog within minutes, clearing the air and increasing visibility a hundredfold.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
We can only rejoice at the promise of up to 15 days of sunshine on average in March. Occasionally there are fewer, but don't be alarmed; there are about eight overcast days, while the rest, with variable cloud cover, enjoy the occasional glimpse of sunshine.
Tour Holidays
The sunny days of March beckon to the squares, parks and streets of Munich. Even though the leaves have not yet blossomed out and the grass is just starting to green, the Bavarian capital is ready to delight and amaze with its beautiful architecture and beautiful parks.
Just in case, you'll need a windproof jacket, gloves and a scarf so that a sudden breeze doesn't spoil your walk. As soon as the weather turns sunny in early March, it's time to visit one of Munich's most popular attractions, the Olympic Park, which was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics.
The huge complex consists of an aquatic stadium, an ice rink, a velodrome and an Olympic stadium with a huge plexiglass roof, which until recently was the home arena of Munich's Bayern football team.
But the most impressive building in the park is the 290-metre Olympic Tower. At 190 metres, there are two observation decks, one open and one closed, which require an entrance fee. The open platform does not work in bad weather or strong winds. The restaurant in the Olympic Tower, named 181 to reflect its height, can seat up to 150 people. And they are taken there and to the observation decks by the high-speed lift that the tower is equipped with.
If it's cloudy or rainy in mid-March, there's a museum not far from the Olympic Park that's been jokingly called everything from the lid, the cork, the salad bowl and even the sausage pot — and it's the BMW Museum.
It's shaped like a petrol tank lid and painted in the company's colours: blue, white and black. The museum contains 125 exhibits: all the cars produced in the 90 years of the company's existence, sports cars produced jointly with Lamborghini, motorcycles and even models that have yet to go into production, as well as models with hand-painted artwork. The museum covers about 5,000 square metres and is a kilometre away on foot. Even if you have never driven a car before, this tour will captivate you from the start.
At the end of March, as the weather warms up and the sun finally shines, take the whole family to Munich Zoo, Europe's second largest zoo.
Many of the exotic animals are grouped by continent — Africa, Australia, America — and for the little ones there's a contact zoo where you can see, feed and pet the animals. Be prepared to spend a full day on this tour, and given the size of the area, it's unlikely you'll get through it any faster.
Holidays, events and festivals
March is a relatively quiet month in terms of events, with the off-season and lull in everything from tourist activity to major events. There are still festivals in Munich in March, and if you're a fan of raucous partying, there are two big ones for you.
- The Fasching festival, which begins in February, sometimes spans the first few days of March, with the brightest and most cheerful action taking place right around this time. The streets are filled with people in brightly coloured costumes and masks, the festive procession of columns is accompanied by dancing, singing and sweets being thrown around, and guests of the event are treated to beer and wine. It's hard to resist the mass merriment. The children are especially happy: it is estimated that around 30 tonnes of sweets are thrown from the platforms. What a sweet entertainment indeed!
- If you've been dreaming of going to the famous Oktoberfest, the famous beer festival, but you can't get to Munich until March, don't worry, your dream is destined to come true. It turns out that the first month of spring is just as famous as the month of October — the Starkbierfest. Sometimes called the Winter Oktoberfest, it lasts for about three weeks. Bavarian breweries brew special beers during this time, which only happens once a year. The city dresses up in traditional costume and the beer gardens are open every day until 23:00. It's also known as 'Oktoberfest without the tourists', so you can join in the fun and pass for a local.
Shopping
The season of winter discounts and sales has come to an end. Since the end of February, new colourful spring/summer collections have been hitting the shops. So, just in time for March, you can indulge in the latest fashions and be one of the first to own exclusive pieces. Don't forget Taxfree. Collect receipts from your purchases and show them at the border to get up to 19% back. This is a great way to save some money on new collections without having to go on sale.
Munich's largest shopping centre, Olympia, is open Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays. Over a hundred shops and boutiques cater for the most discerning shopper, while the food stalls offer delicious delicacies and the food courts provide food and energy for the weary.
Cost of vacation
Although the off-season, which includes March, is not often the season tourists choose to travel to, prices in Munich begin to rise in this month, especially towards the end. Still, the warmth and sunshine do their work and by April the flow of tourists starts to increase.
Airfares
Flight prices to Munich will rise only slightly in March, by 5-10%, and will remain unchanged at the beginning of the month, at the same level as in February. The savvy traveller knows that the best way to get a cheap ticket is to book two to three months in advance.
Package Tours
Tour operators also offer Munich at low prices at the beginning of spring, and only increase prices by up to 10% towards the end of the month. However, the lack of tourists makes it easy to choose your favourite hotel and the best room in it in early spring. And if you plan your trip in advance, you can also save a little money.
Food
Spicy, tasty and hearty food is an unmissable attribute of the Bavarian capital. You can sample Bavarian sausages for around €3 to €4 a slice, about the same price as a glass of beer. For breakfast, a café serving aromatic pastries, the famous salted brazel and a cappuccino will set you back around €4 to €5. Lunch or dinner in a restaurant for two will set you back €20 to €40.
Even if you're hungry, don't rush to order several dishes at once; the portions can be too big for one person.
Tips for holidays with children
Munich is a wonderful place to take your children during the school holidays. It's a great place to catch a national festival with candy throwing, visit the zoo and learn and see all sorts of interesting and new things in all sorts of museums. The result is an excellent educational and entertaining holiday.
The second half of the month in Munich tends to bring warm, dry weather. And if the short-term forecast is favourable, you can safely take the little one with you and enjoy strolling through the old squares and palace parks with a pushchair. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can stop for a bite to eat, and they're usually equipped with highchairs for the comfort of mothers with babies.
Planning your trip well in advance is the key to a great holiday. So to enjoy your trip and make sure you see all the places you want to visit, check out our excursions section and plan an itinerary that's comfortable for you. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a scarf and light gloves to protect you from the wind, and your walks in Munich will be unforgettable.
