You’ve already booked your long-awaited trip to Munich in Germany and then it comes: the weather forecast predicts bad weather and you’re thinking about the best things to do in Munich on a rainy day.
I’ve been living in Munich for a few years now and today with this post I want to share with you my best rainy weather trip ideas and indoor activities in Munich.
We all know the frustrating feeling when rain interferes with our outdoor plans. But don’t worry, because there are plenty of fun and exciting activities and tours in and around the vibrant Bavarian city of Munich that will keep you excited even when it’s raining.
In my list of the best places to go in Munich when it’s raining, you’ll find varied suggestions for little adventures that will turn the rainy weather in Munich into an opportunity to discover new places and spend leisurely hours. Whether culture or indoor fun – Munich has a lot to offer even when it rains. In this post you’ll find one or the other insider tip for bad weather, which I’m happy to share with you.
Deutsches Museum: Museum for technology enthusiasts
Let’s start with the Deutsches Museum – in my opinion one of the best indoor activities in Munich! The Deutsches Museum in Munich is one of the largest science and technology museums in the world and is absolutely worth seeing due to its diversity. In my opinion, the museum is not only interesting for technology enthusiasts. There are just so many interesting things to discover and some stations can even be used actively, so the museum is not boring. The German Museum is also a great destination in bad weather, because you can spend the whole day here due to the size of the museum.
Especially for families with children, this excursion tip is very suitable.
How to get here: The S-Bahn stops “Rosenheimer Platz” or “Isartor” or the U-Bahn stop “Fraunhoferstraße” are ideal. From there you can walk directly to the Museum Island on the Isar.
Opening hours & prices: You can find them on the official website. You can also order tickets online in advance.
Accessibility: The museum is wheelchair accessible. More info here (german text – you can use Google Translator).
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Munich Residence: a historical place in Munich city
The Munich Residence is a historic building in the middle of the old town and definitely belongs on the list as well, due to its unique architecture and great exhibition. The Munich Residence is located directly in the city center. In the past, it was the seat of the kings of Bavaria and other nobles from the famous House of Wittelsbach. It is the largest city palace in Germany and as a museum houses many cultural assets and treasures of German history. Especially the Antiquarium is impressive because of its vault, so you should definitely put the Residenz on your list. You can find all information about the Residenz in Munich on the official website: https://www.residenz-muenchen.de/
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My advice: If you want a very special experience, you can book this musical residence serenade with museum ticket in combination at klook*. Even many Munich locals do not know that you can experience a serenade here. Otherwise you can simply buy the ticket at the box office.
Old Pinakothek
Another highlight that Munich has to offer when it rains is the Alte Pinakothek. Are you more of an art enthusiast? Then you shouldn’t miss the Alte Pinakothek in the lively Maxvorstadt district. Exhibited here are mainly masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. The Alte Pinakothek is one of the most important galleries in the world and definitely worth a visit if you are interested in art.
© Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Alte Pinakothek, München. Foto: Haydar Koyupinar
How to get there: Between the subway stops Odeonsplatz, Königsplatz, Theresienstraße, Universität (approx. 5 minutes walking distance). Or take the tram and drive to tram-stop “Pinakotheken”.
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Exit Games: Fun activity for Rainy Days
Exit Games is a fun activity that can be done in any big city on a rainy day. Munich is an international city. Therefore, there is of course also an Exit Games offer in English. I have picked out three providers that also offer exit games in English. The providers have different themed rooms, so you should definitely find what you are looking for. Typically for Bavaria, there are special Bavaria rooms that are based on the Bavarian beer culture.
Note, however, that especially popular exit games might be fully booked on rainy days, as capacities are usually limited. So if you know in advance that there will be bad weather, you should book the tickets online in advance.
- EscapeGame München: https://escapegame-muenchen.de/
- München Escape Room: https://www.munich-escape-room.com/
- Mystery Rooms: https://mystery-rooms.com/
BMW World & BMW Museum
Bavaria is the home of the world-famous car brand BMW. In this respect, it is not surprising that Munich has a large BMW area with its own BMW Museum. The BMW Museum and the BMW Welt exhibition are ideal for bad weather and are located not far from the Olympic Park. Especially automobile fans will get their money’s worth here. You can visit the BMW Welt exhibition free of charge. The BMW Museum, however, charges admission, so you have to buy tickets.
Website & Tickets: https://www.bmw-welt.com/
How to get there: The best way is to take the subway (U3/U8) to the Olympiazentrum stop.
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Get to know Munich beer culture
Germany, and Bavaria in particular, is known for its rich beer culture. After all, beer was invented here and many breweries still brew their beer according to the old Purity Law (called Reinheitsgebot) from 1516.
In this respect, a day with bad weather is an excellent opportunity to get to know the German beer culture better and to stop at one of the many breweries.
And if you want to better understand the traditions of German beer culture and combine it with socializing, there’s nothing better than booking one of the tours offered at GetYourGuide in English*. Here you will be introduced to German beer culture in the context of a social evening.
I’ve picked out the following tours for you:
- An Evening of Bavarian Beer and Food Culture: Missed Oktoberfest: In this tour you will visit the Oktoberfest Museum and then have a Bavarian dinner with the group. Here you can book the Bavarian evening and Oktoberfest museum visit directly at GetYourGuide*.
- Hofbräuhaus Tour: The Hofbräuhaus is the most popular and probably the most famous brewery in the world. Even though I think there are better breweries in Munich (my favorite brewery is the Paulaner at the Nockherberg), you should not miss a tour at the Hofbräuhaus, because it is a tourist attraction and you should have visited it at least once. As part of a tour, the visit is also much more fun than just walking through. Here you can book the Hofbräuhaus tour directly at GetYourGuide*
Therme Erding: The largest thermal spa in the world
You haven’t left for Munich yet and can take your swimwear with you? Then I definitely recommend a visit to the largest thermal spa in the world, the Therme Erding. Not far from the airport, the small town of Erding is home to an incredible large swimming pool with a huge sauna area that packs a punch.
Especially when the weather is bad, the Therme Erding is an ideal destination, because here you have a mixture of action and relaxation. The pool has many slides that turn even adults into children and a great wave pool.
Of course, Therme Erding is therefore also ideal for families with children.
Note, however, that the spa is regularly well attended in bad weather and also on weekends.
How to get there: S-Bahn-Haltestelle Altenerding (S2/S7) and then take the Bus 550/570/580 directly to the thermal spa.
Official Website and Tickets: https://www.therme-erding.de/
Experience Contemporary Art and Street Art in the Art Lab KUNSTLABOR 2
KUNSTLABOR 2 is the continuation of a successful interim use project by the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA), in which 50 artists transformed the vacant Tengelmann complex into a walk-in work of art in 2018/19. On approximately 10,000sqm and six floors you can view and experience art of various kinds. There are various guided tours and events and even a children’s program.
KUNSTLABOR 2 is very centrally located in the city center and is easily accessible by subway (U1/U7 stop Stiglmaierplatz).
Location on Google Maps: click here
You can book tickets in advance at GetYourGuide: here
You can also find information in English on the official website: https://kunstlabor.org/en/
Opening hours: Saturday & Sunday only between 12pm and 6pm (Last admission is 5:15pm).
Visit the Allianz Arena and the FC Bayern Museum
Munich is best known for FC Bayern Munich. No matter where I was on my world trip 2023. Whenever I was asked where I was from and I answered with “Munich”, the first reaction was: “Oh! FC Bayern Munich. Very good team.” Even on Borneo, people even knew individual players from FC Bayern Munich. Crazy!
So it makes sense to give FC Bayern a visit. Not far from the city in the north near Fröttmaning is the modern Allianz Arena and the FC Bayern Museum, which makes the hearts of soccer fans beat faster.
You can either take the subway to the stadium or book a guided tour with GetYourGuide*, which will take you there by bus and includes a bus tour through Munich. The advantage of the tour is that you don’t have to worry about anything else and just get on the bus. Otherwise you will find all relevant information for a visit on the official Allianz Arena website
Cinema visit in the original version (OV)
Admittedly, this may not be the most creative tip: But why not go to a movie theater and watch a movie in original sound (English)? I’ve gone to the movies in bad weather in foreign countries on several trips and always found it very interesting.
In Munich, there are various cinemas that offer films in the original language. The most popular cinemas, especially among expats, are:
Cinema Munich: The website is available in English and the entire program is shown in English.
More info here: https://cinema-muenchen.com/
Museum Lichtspiele: The website is unfortunately only available in German. The cinema program is in English.
More info about the cinema program here: https://www.museum-lichtspiele.de/programm
What do you think about these indoor activities in Munich? Leave me a comment!
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