When the world is in anticipation of winter, and the sadness of autumn is left behind with the golden leaves, it's time to visit Munich. With Oktoberfest buzzing in November, the city looks forward to Christmas festivities and the pre-holiday fairs. The crowds of tourists have gone home, while the rest of the visitors have dispersed to the beer gardens, a time for quiet strolls and beautiful photographs.
Holidays in Munich in November: pros and cons
Travel stories always leave a slight taste of nostalgia in the soul. Reviews of holidays in Munich in November are full of enthusiastic memories of the beauty of the Bavarian city, its sights and attractions. What else is good about this city in late autumn? For example:
- Above all, gastronomy fans come here. Munich will be associated with hot chocolate, mulled wine, pretzels and Prince Regent chocolate cake in November.
- The city is full of cultural heritage, which you can enjoy without waiting in lines at the ticket office for kilometres. The different areas of the town are also divided amongst the types of activities that can be enjoyed. History buffs head to the Altstadt, art buffs to the Maxforstadt, clubbers to Heidhausen, and gamblers and strip clubbers to the Ludwigsforstadt-Izarforstadt. Whatever your preference is, Munich has it all.
- The city is geared towards children and has plenty of playgrounds and attractions for them. There's even a beer garden with a children's play area!
- The weather is nice and relatively warm for autumn, and November itself is one of the driest months of the year and, surprisingly, one of the sunniest.
To make your holiday as enjoyable as possible, follow these tips:
- If your city break involves carnival days, consider this when choosing your hotel location — the merrymakers at the party venues will keep you awake.
- Stock up on comfortable shoes, as the city makes for long walks with its beauty and sheer size.
- Get the Munich CityTourCard, which can help you save on museum tickets and even provide exciting dining options.
- Keep an alternative in mind for rainy days: where do you want to go? A museum? An aquarium? The circus, perhaps?
Munich weather in November
The weather in November and December is, for the most part, fine. The weather is sunny primarily in early November, and the thermometer reads +12-14°C. The temperatures in Munich in mid-November drop by just a couple of degrees. This is part of the month when it rains most often, so if you plan your trip now, don't forget to pack an umbrella, rain gear and weather-appropriate shoes.
The weather in Munich at the end of November looks more and more like winter; it's still a bit colder, and the temperature is dropping steadily by a few degrees, gradually preparing the city for the arrival of winter. Despite the plus temperatures, it may snow on some days.
Air temperature
The heat of July and the sweltering heat of August is behind us, and the winds and frosts of February are still a long way off. The pleasant Bavarian climate encourages long walks outdoors. The temperatures in Munich in November are high enough to make it possible for children to come on holiday. Dress your toddlers well and enjoy the local beauty.
Air temperature in Munich in November
As mentioned earlier, November in Munich is a relatively warm and comfortable month for late autumn. The average daytime temperature in November is around +7-8°C, while at night, the average temperature of the month reaches +2°C. The typical weather in November is a daytime temperature of +10° C, and night-time temperatures range from +2-4° C. Towards the end of the month, the daytime temperatures often drop by a couple of degrees due to the approaching winter and reach +8°C.
Amount of precipitation
The average rainfall in Munich in November is around 55.1 mm. There are only three days of rain or snow per month. This month is one of the three driest months of the year, along with February and March. You don't need to take rubber boots with you or your child on a trip, as you do when travelling to European cities this month.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Munich has an average of 13 days of sunshine in November. That's a perfect indicator. The month's percentage is 48% sunny, 23% cloudy and 29% overcast. Statistically, November is also one of the three sunniest months of the year after August, along with July. This position is due to the rainy and fickle June and spring months.
Tour Holidays
Munich's architecture is inexpressibly beautiful. At the beginning of November, the golden leaves lingered in some places. For a glimpse of the city's skyline, head to the viewpoints. One you'll find in the tower of St. Michael's Cathedral, which is stunning in its own right, and another in Peterskirche, St. Peter's Basilica. The November sun lends the city's architecture a unique, sadly glittering chic.
The old and new town halls in the central Marienplatz square dazzle the eye with their baroque splendour. And the Bavarian state capital is also dotted with parks. Even in mid-November, the Hofgarten and Englischer Garten attract gawkers, if not by the beauty of the green beds, then by the Temple of Diana and the Tea House.
In the city itself, there are two beautiful palace complexes. The locals regard Nymphenburg as the Bavarian Versailles as the castle has all its French counterpart's elements behind it — alleys, paths, canals and bridges over them. It's a fun place for adults and children alike. Not to mention the famous gallery of beauties! This is a series of paintings of local young and beautiful girls from the time of King Ludwig I. The pictures were made of the girls considered attractive by the king himself. An exciting highlight of the collection is that the paintings do not view the girls' social status; the images quietly juxtapose princesses and ordinary townswomen.
In addition to the beautiful interior, there are many exciting things to see in the castle park. Here you'll find the Carriage Museum, the Porcelain Museum and the Museum of Man and Nature. The first interest girls and boys, as you'll find carriages like those from fairy tales and beautiful elements of antique services. And the Museum of Man and Nature will captivate any curious child, regardless of gender or age.
Blutenburg itself is a little more modest, but it's in a very picturesque location. The locals nicknamed it the Castle of the Blood because of the tragic love story its walls witnessed. But local guides will tell you about it.
A veritable feast for art lovers awaits in Munich. Königsplatz, the city's cultural quarter, has three pinakothek: the Old Pinakothek with works by Rubens, the New Pinakothek with such XIX century geniuses as Gauguin and Van Gogh and the Pinakothek of Modern Art. These venues leave an impression even on the unsophisticated visitor. And how nice to spend a chilly evening here at the end of November!
There are plenty of activities for children in the city as well. The biggest attraction is a visit to Hellabrunn, Europe's largest zoo with as close a habitat as possible to each species. In Hellabrunn, children can feed and touch rare animals and birds, look at baby wild animals or ride on cloven-hoofed fauna.
Fans of dinosaurs should head to the Palaeontological Museum, where plenty of impressive installations of skeletons of extinct lizards exist. You can do the same at Sea Life Aquarium with the sea creatures. There are a variety of fish, curious dolphins, eccentric seahorses and predatory sharks. Girls will love the Toy Museum, and big and small boys will love the BMW Museum. And everyone will love the Brausgeschwein shop near Nymphenburg, which offers various sweets and unusual toys.
Holidays, events and festivals
The festivities in Munich in November are not as rousing as during Oktoberfest. They're as sad as November. Germans know how to have fun, but they don't forget about sadness, which they prefer to succumb to along with nature:
- November 1 is a day off in Bavaria and several other regions of Germany as residents celebrate All Saints' Day. On this day, people visit the graves of relatives and friends.
- November 9 is known as the Day of Destiny. On this date, many events have played a significant role in the history of Germany. But most of all, it is associated with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the beginning of Germany's reunification.
- November 11 is St. Martin's Day. It is a harvest festival, but children most enjoy it. They make paper lanterns in kindergartens and schools so they can parade them around in an evening procession. It does look fascinating — flow of people carrying candles winds gently through the town. It's also the start of the carnival season all over Germany. That's why colourful processions march through the main cities, sprinkling visitors with candy. The carnival extravaganza lasts five days, known as the "fifth season". Each day has a different scenario. Munich's first carnival day is often devoted to children celebrating St. Martin's Day.
- November 19 is dedicated to the Day of National Mourning. It is a national day of mourning for those killed in two world wars and a reminder of the victims of despotism and tyranny. On this day, rallies are held in cities and wreaths are laid at relevant memorials.
- November 22 is the Day of Repentance and Prayer in Germany. The holiday is associated with the faithful of the Protestant Church. On this day, it is customary to reflect on one's actions, which a true believer should not do. It used to be an official day off. Now it is a tradition that has taken hold only in Saxony. Bavaria, too, has not been spared, and schools and kindergartens are closed on November 22. According to their religious beliefs, there is a legal right for any German who wishes to take a day off on this day. However, the holiday itself is constantly subjected to numerous criticisms.
- November 26 is the Day of Remembrance for the Dead. The Protestant Church creates this holiday as a counterbalance to the Catholic feast of All Saints. Churches and temples commemorate parishioners who have passed away during the past year.
The end of the month marks the start of the Christmas market, turning citizens' spirits 180° in the direction of fun. From handmade Christmas decorations to gingerbread, jams, smoked goods and hot drinks, Munich's central square offers plenty to see and do for the rest of the year.
Shopping
It's sale time at Christmas or the end of summer. But that doesn't stop the real shopaholic. Munich has many shops with high-quality clothes from the world's leading brands. The most popular high-street shops are around Marienplatz, Kaufinger Strasse and Neuhauser Strasse. Fans of high-end brands should head for Brachners Strasse and Maximilianstrasse.
Cost of vacation
After the hectic beer festival in October, most travellers look forward to the Christmas weekend to return to the swing of new cities and experiences. Prices in Munich in November are the most attractive for tourists. But why put off what can be done now? The weather is fine outside; the children are on autumn break, and it's time for the whole family to visit Munich.
Airfares drop by 5-10% depending on the day of the week chosen — tickets are considerably more expensive before the weekend than afterwards. Early bookings with low-cost airlines can even be ridiculous. Hotel prices drop by 20%, except on Carnival days. Still, November is the best budget trip — the perfect price-weather ratio for a large family with children.
The weather is fine so you can travel with children of all ages. The main thing is not to get too cold and to maintain the temperature regime in the clothes of the minor children because they should not overheat either. The best option for young children is to dress them in 'lots of layers' so they can constantly adjust the temperature with an extra jacket when it's cold or warm outside.
Munich surprises, Munich amazes, Munich bewitches. It's a fairy tale city, a city of magic and hops. Every city you visit can be summed up in a one-word association, but Munich is so multifaceted that it's hard to fit even a sentence into it. Come here and make up your own little story.
