Autumnal Munich opens its arms to welcome tourists to the beer tents of the Oktoberfest. Impeccable palace parks, squares and cosy cafés make for pleasant strolls and a cup of hot, fragrant drink.
Autumn has arrived and is slowly but surely making its way through the streets of the Bavarian capital. Read our Kidpassage article to find out what the city looks like in October and whether it's worth planning an autumn trip to Munich with kids.
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Holidays in Munich in October: pros and cons
At the beginning of the month, Munich's tourist life is at its most active, with one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year, the Oktoberfest, in full swing. A little later, when the beer festival comes to an end, the Bavarian capital is filled with lovers of quiet, relaxing strolls and sightseeing.
This is why tourists leave the most positive reviews of holidays in Munich in October. Here are the main advantages of a trip to Munich in October.
- The low rainfall and pleasant temperatures make it possible to take long walks and enjoy the fresh air in Munich in October.
- The festivities in the first half of the month will dispel any autumn gloom and give you the chance to experience the Bavarian capital to the full.
- If you prefer a quiet holiday, you can enjoy Munich in the second half of October, when the festivities are over and most of the tourists have gone home.
There are a few drawbacks to travelling in October, so it's best to find out in advance so you can plan your trip properly and get the most out of it.
- If you're travelling with an infant, it's best to choose the second half of October. The beginning of the month is very busy and noisy with the Oktoberfest, so it's unlikely you'll be able to take your baby for a walk.
- October gets colder and only a third of the month is sunny, so it pays to check the short-term weather forecast and pack some extra warm clothes when planning a trip.
Munich weather in October
The Bavarian capital is definitely not prone to autumn depression, despite the cool nights and occasional rain. The weather between October and November is mild, but sunny and warm at times, with average temperatures of around +13°C.
Early October is still pleasant with warm days and temperatures around 18°C, although there are cooler days with the thermometer reaching 10°C. A warm jumper in your suitcase won't hurt either.
Daytime temperatures in Munich in mid-October are between +10°C and +12°C. Night-time temperatures can be 4-5 degrees below zero. However, in some years the daytime temperature has been as high as +21°C and the nighttime temperature as low as +14°C. The lowest night temperature has been around 0 °C.
The weather in Munich at the end of the month is usually cool, with fresh air in the morning and daytime temperatures of +10°C. At night the air cools down to +4°C.
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Air temperature
Munich, with its temperate climate, tends to have a frost-free and quiet autumn, with relatively little rain and sometimes even sunshine. The warmest days are in the beginning and middle of the month, but there are also cold spells.
October is therefore usually unpredictable and warm clothing is a must for travellers. The average temperature in Munich in October is +13.2°C.
Air temperature in Munich in October
Daytime temperatures during the month can range from +7°C to +20°C, with an average of +12.9°C. Night temperatures are lower, ranging from 0°C to +14°C, with an average night temperature of +5.6°C.
Amount of precipitation
There are few rainy days in October — between five and seven, with a total rainfall of 61.1mm. This relatively dry month allows you to get out and about without the damp weather spoiling your plans.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Visitors and residents of Bavaria still enjoy sunny days, with around 12 in October. Cloudy and overcast days make up the majority of the month — around 9 days each. However, this does not prevent visitors from enjoying their holidays and sightseeing.
Excursions: What to see in October
Even if you're in Munich in early October, at the height of the Oktoberfest, you're unlikely to be sitting in beer tents from morning till night. And it would be a mistake not to explore the city's beautiful parks, squares, palaces and museums. Plan your trip according to the weather and your tastes, and we'll give you a little help. So what's a must see?
Maria's Square or Marienplatz
This is the heart of the Bavarian capital. Adorned with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary, the square is a popular resting place for visitors and locals alike. There are two town halls on the square, the Old Town Hall and the New Town Hall. The Old Town Hall has a clock with moving figures on its façade. At midday and in the evening, tourists gather to hear the clock strike and watch a small performance.
Children will want to visit the Toy Museum, also located in the Old Town Hall. There are four floors of interesting collections of European and American toys from different periods.
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Munich's City Museum
If the weather in mid-October brings a sudden chill or unplanned rain, come here and be surprised. It turns out that of the four sections of the museum, there is only... one dedicated to the city. The others are a puppet theatre, a collection of musical instruments and a room dedicated to the birth of National Socialism.
The museum has its own original tradition. Every Sunday a very famous musician comes to the museum, takes an old collector's instrument and plays a few pieces on it.
Deutsches Museum
It is the largest technical museum not only in Munich, but in Europe. A huge area, several floors, and some exhibits are so big they have stairs built around them! You can find all kinds of machines here — ships, rockets, cars cut up and life-size.
Everyone loves this place, even the little ones. There is a whole Children's Kingdom with interactive activities to help them learn about the complicated world of technology. There are several cafes in the museum, so you won't go hungry after a long walk.
Nymphenburg Palace
The palace is located in Munich itself and, despite its venerable age and size, blends harmoniously into the modern cityscape. If you're lucky enough to have a fine day at the end of October, take the family here to enjoy the vibrant autumn colours of the beautiful park, the magnificent palace itself and the various museums on the grounds.
Holidays, events and festivals
When autumn arrives, the pace of life in the city changes little, except that there are fewer tourists in the second half of October. But Munich's Oktoberfest has always been a tradition for the Bavarians.
There's always a party going on everywhere in Munich, with lots of people eating Bavarian sausages and washing them down with the traditional frothy drink.
The Oktoberfest is the most popular beer festival in Europe. It starts in the second half of September and ends in early October. Huge beer tents, waitresses in traditional Bavarian costume and food are all attributes of this bustling and popular festival. Held on the Theresienwiese near the railway station, it usually attracts several million tourists.
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Also at the beginning of the month, on 3 October, the country celebrates German Unity Day, symbolising the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990. In the evening there is a concert in the square with performances by local and visiting stars, folk festivities and the traditional fireworks.
3 October is an official public holiday in Germany, so most shops are closed and many museums are free.
Munich celebrates Halloween at the end of October, and in Bavaria it falls on the eve of All Saints' Day. It falls on one of the nine "quiet" days of the year, and Bavarian law prohibits partying, dancing and loud music.
However, Halloween is usually celebrated in Munich. On the night of 29-30 October, for example, the BMW Museum organises a Halloween night for children aged 10 to 13. Of course, there's a price to pay for a mass horror experience, but it's said to be worth it.
Shopping
At the height of the autumn season, shopping centres are actively selling items from the autumn and winter collections. There are virtually no discounts at this time and the sales don't start until the middle of next month. So shoppers can get a bargain and buy all the new items in time for the start of the winter season.
Those in the know say that shopping in the Bavarian capital is a real treat. After all, there are entire shopping streets where popular clothing brands occupy several floors and can be browsed for days.
Cost of vacation
The popularity of October holidays in the Bavarian capital is understandable — the Oktoberfest is still going on. As a result, prices in Munich in October remain unchanged from the previous month and may drop slightly in the second half of October as beer lovers leave the city.
Airfares
Airlines are keeping airfares at almost the same level as in September because of the large influx of tourists, especially in early October. If you are planning a trip to the Bavarian capital in the first half of the month, make sure you get your tickets early — they may simply not be available. This is unlikely to be a problem by the end of October, but booking early could save you some money.
Tours
Hotel reservations should also be made well in advance, as rooms are difficult to find in the early days of the month. Prices at the beginning of October are at the same level as in September and may only drop slightly in the second half of the month.
The average daily rate for a hotel room in October is around 165 EUR.
Food
Food prices are largely independent of the season, but may rise slightly during the beer festival. A litre of beer usually costs between €12 and €15, and a portion of traditional Bavarian sausage is €4 to €5. The fragrant, unmissable street pastries cost around €3 to €4, and hot coffee is €3 to €3.5.
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Tips for holidays with children
Munich is a wonderful European city, loved by hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world. And a trip with the kids during the autumn holidays is a great idea for a family holiday.
It's better to postpone your trip and plan it for the second half of the month, when the number of tourists in the city has dwindled, to avoid the endless queues and crowds around the sights.
The weather can be chilly at this time of year, so make sure you have warm clothes for your little one to enjoy strolling around in a pushchair.
The Bavarian capital has plenty to offer older children. The German Museum, the Aquarium and the Toy Museum are just a few! So be sure to bring some good cheer and spend some quality time with the family admiring this beautiful city.
What do you need for an unforgettable trip? Good cheer, good people and a well-planned itinerary. All you need to do is buy your tickets and smile, and our Munich children's guide will help you plan the details of your itinerary. Kidpassage wishes you a pleasant journey and good weather!
