When the warmest and most popular month of spring offers a few days off, it's best to take an educational trip to Europe. A good choice for May is the cheerful and diverse Munich, where you can not only enjoy the triumph of nature, but also have a lot of fun at the many events taking place in the city.
It's a great time to travel with the family, as it's getting warmer outside but the sun is still gentle and tender. It's a great time to plan a trip as early as possible, as there are many visitors to Munich during the May holidays, so it's worth making sure you book your tickets and accommodation in advance.
Holidays in Munich in May: pros and cons
Reviews of May Holidays in Munich and May Holidays will delight you with colourful descriptions of spring sketches, but there are many other benefits:
- The weather outside is warm and spring-like, the air is saturated with the scent of fresh herbs and the frequent light rains give it a lush and vibrant colour.
- The Spring Festival offers a pleasant, festive atmosphere in which any tourist can spend a whole weekend.
- Fairs, exhibitions and shows fill your head with excitement and make you want to go everywhere.
- For the body and mind, there are free skateboarding workshops and a cycling night when the city streets are closed.
- There's also a children's party at the local zoo on the first day.
Aside from the beautiful aspects of the trip, it is worth remembering that
- Munich can be quite rainy in May, so pack an umbrella or rain gear.
- During the holidays, the city becomes a tourist magnet, so book your hotels and flights as early as possible.
- Stay away from Theresienwiese to get a good night's sleep.
- Buy the Munich CityTourCard, which can save you a lot of money if you're in the mood for an active cultural holiday.
Munich weather in May
The weather in May and June is one of the three wettest months of the year. Precipitation typically falls for a third of the month, literally every other day or half a day.
At the beginning of May and during the May holidays, the weather is still more or less dry and allows you to party. But then the rain increasingly forces you to stop and seek shelter in a cafe somewhere.
On the one hand, such a holiday is spared from constant rest breaks, but on the other hand it forces you to constantly adjust your plans. The temperature in Munich in mid-May is already high enough to forget about jackets and wear something nice and impractical.
It's a good time to pose for photos in your favourite outfits, as the lush greenery adds a touch of lushness to the pictures. The weather in Munich at the end of May is beginning to merge with June, giving the city's residents and visitors hot summer days at times. Here the rain brings more freshness to the air and the sun almost immediately dries the streets with its hot rays. Despite the high humidity, May is a very pleasant month to travel, especially with younger companions.
Air temperature and precipitation
The temperature in Munich in May is right in the middle. It's warm enough to keep out the cold, but not so hot that you want to hide in the shade.
Munich has a rather humid climate.
Even during the dry, cold season, it rains quite a bit, and the much-anticipated summer months bring the heaviest rains, giving the city a lot of greenery and fresh air that is rare in major European cities.
This is what makes Munich unique — even what would be a drawback for others has something to offer. The English Garden, which covers an area of 4 square kilometres, is a real eye-catcher. It has been compared to New York's Central Park and is considered the best of its American counterpart. This is made possible by the humidity that the plants and trees love so much.
Air temperature in Munich in May
The average day temperature in Munich in May is around +17°C, while the average night temperature is between +7.5 and +8.5°C. The historical average temperature for the first of the month is +16°C during the day and +5°C at night. For the middle of May, these marks shift to +17°C during the day and +7°C at night. On the 31st of the month, the average temperature is +19°C during the day and +9°C at night.
The warmest days in May can reach +29°C, which is typical for the end of the month. But the situation can change dramatically at dusk, so it's always a good idea to have something to throw over your shoulders.
Amount of precipitation
Nine days of the month are rainy, almost a third of May. On these days, Munich receives an average of 110.1 mm of rain. There can be both light showers and thunderstorms, so an umbrella is a must. It is one of the three wettest months of the year, just behind June and July.
It is a good idea to check the weather forecast for a particular day as often as possible to ensure that you can adjust your plans in time to avoid being caught out by the weather.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
In Munich, there are twelve days of sunshine for every nine days of rain in May. As a percentage of the month's weather, 39% of May is clear, 26% is cloudy and a further 35% is overcast.
Munich's many parks and green spaces lend credence to the saying that there is no such thing as bad weather in nature. The city looks wonderful against any kind of sky. Sun, clouds or no sun, nothing can hide the beauty of the surroundings, and the beautiful old houses in the Bavarian pearl of a city come into their own when it starts to rain.
May sightseeing holidays
May is a great opportunity to spend as much time outdoors as possible. It's a great time to explore the city's streets and parks and visit exhibitions and open-air festivals.
If you are travelling with children, a good place to start exploring Munich in early May and during the May holidays is Hellabrunn Zoo.
These days there is a special children's festival with competitions, treats and merry-go-rounds. Because of this, there are many visitors who come from the Theresienwiese into the realm of exotic fauna.
Once your young companions have been recharged with positive energy, you can head to Munich's traditional landmarks — the most popular vantage points from where you can see the city from the palm of your hand. You can find them in the churches of St Michael's and St Peter's.
At least one day should be spent lazily wandering around the English Garden. In mid-May you'll find locals picnicking all over the place.
Why not try your hand at this pastime by curling up on a blanket with local sausages and playing ball with your toddler? You'll be indistinguishable from the real locals.
The Hofgarten is a must for any aesthete. Here, the exuberance of nature blends harmoniously with man-made wonders. And the Temple of Diana in the middle is a sight of pure beauty. From May, the fountain in the park is open on Wednesdays and Sundays, with exciting dance performances and free workshops.
At the main square, Marienplatz, it's worth taking a photo with the Old and New town halls in the background.
If parents want to enjoy the beauty of the architecture and children want to learn something new and interesting, then it's time to head to Munich's 'Versailles' — Nymphenburg.
The palace gardens are as beautiful as the building itself. There are several separate museums within the grounds — Carriage, Porcelain and Man and Nature. See what an old horse-drawn carriage looked like, admire the hand-painted art on an old service.
Learn something new about the human body — it still surprises scientists with new discoveries in the world of anatomical sciences. Inside the castle you can visit the Gallery of Beauties — a series of paintings of the most beautiful women of Ludwig I's time, commissioned by him.
It's interesting to discover the ancient standards of beauty. And children will love the idea of choosing the most beautiful woman and holding a beauty contest among the portraits. Art lovers shouldn't miss the Pinakothek in Munich's Königsplatz. There are three: the old, the new and the modern. They offer visitors the chance to admire famous works of art from each period.
If you're looking for an exciting children's holiday at the end of May, the Sea Life Aquarium is a great place to visit, with lots of underwater life from the oceans and seas.
Predatory sharks will amaze you with their ferocity, and strange fish will amaze you with their variety and shapes.
The giant dinosaur skeletons in the Museum of Palaeontology are a special treat for the little ones. There's plenty to see and do here, and schoolchildren will find it both fascinating and educational.
Most popular with tourists of all ages and genders is the eclectic BMW Museum. There are at least 125 vehicles of varying historical significance on display, as well as the history of the company itself.
Make time for a visit to the Krone Circus. It is not only the pride of Munich, but also of Germany. Children will have a great time at Legoland, not far from Munich, where they can not only feel like giants as they walk among the miniature buildings, but also ride all kinds of rides.
For the grown-ups, head to Skyline, where you won't feel the time passing so quickly because you'll be having so much fun.
Holidays, events and festivals
Almost all of Munich's May festivities take place outdoors. The first day of the last month of spring is a public holiday in Germany. On this day, there are usually numerous rallies and parades in all major cities, including Munich.
The festival begins in April and picks up speed in May. The main action takes place on the Theresienwiese near Munich's main railway station. That's where the atmosphere is at its best. Swings and carousels are everywhere, the smell of sausages and sweets wafts through the air, bubbles fly and jugglers, magicians and entertainers entertain the crowds.
During the festivities, flea markets are held throughout the city, where you'll find many interesting curiosities. A fair is held in the Au district, where you can take part in interesting competitions and see antiques, among other things.
Munich's Biennale takes place this month, with musical performances, theatre productions and a host of other cultural events.
The second half of the month is Munich's Bike Night, when half the city is closed to all those who want to ride their two-wheeled friends through the streets of Munich. The end of May is marked by a butterfly exhibition, which evokes a wonderful feeling of lightness and magic.
Cost of vacation
Prices in Munich are not as high in May as in other destinations. As most of the tourists are Europeans who prefer to travel by train, the cost of a flight is reduced by about 20% compared to the same time in April and is lower than the average.
May holidays do not have a significant impact on hotel rates in Munich — Germany is not as popular with our fellow countrymen at this time of year as France, Italy or the Czech Republic. However, early May is a very busy time of year, so it is worth checking and booking your hotel in advance.
On the other hand, the constant fairs and street festivals help to save on food — you can get a good meal for at least half the price of a Munich pub. The exception is dinner, which is worth a try at least once in search of romance and costs a minimum of €80 for two.
Tips for parents
May is one of the best months of the year for travelling to European cities with children. Bring your children of all ages to Munich and there's something for everyone.
If you're travelling with young children, choose a hotel or apartment that's close to public transport and underground stations and in a quiet area. Most of Munich's museums offer family-friendly tickets that can save you money. Check prices in advance and even book tickets online so you don't have to queue.
A good trip will also make it special for you and your companions, whether they are a loved one, a good friend or a beloved family member. Treat yourself and them to an unforgettable experience by brightening up the month with a trip to sunny Munich.
